"Hello? Belen Astares is in the middle of a photo shoot. I am her secretary Noah Alvares. I'll make sure she returns your call. Thank you" Noah sighs, hanging up while staring at the time and fidgeting back to his phone, checking the airline flight schedules.
In the background, Belen's busy posing the new products that'll be out in A Star Mall for the Summer season. Countless bright lights, numerous backdrops, props, breaks and hair fixing, make-up touch-ups, and wardrobe changes. An official photoshoot takes about three hours, depending on the theme. This time Belen is considering three different ideas of pictures, one for A Star Mall, another for the summer season products, and the last as the most influential top billionaires magazine pictorial.
Since Belen attended the private social gathering, which only the topmost influential billionaires are allowed entry, the news spread; therefore, her role in the social circle has leveled — making her famous than before. Her name belongs to her alone, without the tagalong of her whole family.
Its April 1st, and this is her first photoshoot pictorial of the month. This is Belen's life. Countless pictures, cameras love her, she's perfect. Or so they say, but the thing about Belen is the fact that she never speaks casually. No matter how casual others may talk to her, Belen never speaks plainly with anyone. To others, Belen is like a sealed book. She can smile, speak politely, have manners, and make connections without difficulty. But there is never a conversation which excites her like a teenager to continue. The only time she ever speaks casually, comfortably, and turns into a child is with Noah.
The assistant photographer explains to Noah, "sorry, we're a little behind schedule. At this rate, the shoots will finish in 30-45 minutes."
Noah checks the time clicking his tongue, "Yes, I understand…hm, very well."
But he worries at the same time, "I guess I'll have to call and cancel the airline tickets, but the fastest airline is not until 3 am… worst of all, there will be many stops."
***
The shoots are over when Belen goes around to thank everyone for their hard work changing her clothes and removing the make-up.
"Noah! Our flights?"
"Sorry, Madam President, but I had to cancel our earlier flight and rescheduled another."
"ugh, …what time?"
"At 3 am."
Her eyes widen in shock, "t-three?! What the heck am I supposed to do until 3 am?!" she explodes in the car continually sighing rubbing her neck.
Noah bites his lips itching to say, "why don't we spend time exploring the night of Seoul…like we used to?" he readies himself to be rejected.
But surprisingly, Belen nods, "that doesn't sound like a bad idea…I do miss the food stands here, okay. Sure, it's a date!"
Noah's heart thumps strongly, hearing the word "date," making him secretly blush.
***
A few hours later, they've packed everything in the car and changed into wearing disguises, but in reality, anyone can recognize them, but because Belen looks like a typical foreigner, she does not need to change much. The park near a cherry blossom sidewalk as they walk down the path amazed staring at the beautiful pink sparkly cherry petals on the trees and ground.
Belen can't control her excitement staring at everything like a child running up to anything that catches her eye. Noah simply smiles because when they usually come to South Korea, they come for business and to the orphanage. After that, they go directly home, but this time because of the flights, they're able to explore Seoul in depth. Belen hates shopping. The only place she'll shop is in her mall during closing hours, which only a couple of workers are asked to stay overtime.
And when she's home, Belen does not like going out anywhere, parties, celebrations, clubs, reunions, and more. Instead, her world consisted of Noah, A Star Mall, and her house. She finds no satisfaction going out. Better yet, she does not feel the need to fit in. In a way, she avoids anything that can turn into a scandal.
But at this moment, Belen feels free and happy walking around freely without feeling the need to observe her steps. And all the while spending time with her best friend, Noah, but he decides to grab her hand.
"hmm? Why are you holding my hand?" she asks, surprised.
Noah's face flutters, "to keep you under control. You have to be careful there are a lot of people here you can get lost!"
She chuckles, "then can I hold your arm like this?" she intertwines her arm around his making them both look like a couple enjoying their date night underneath the cherry blossom trees.
His face turns red as he looks away incredibly happy, wishing for their date to never end, like Cinderella. This can only last but a moment.
"Oh!" she points to an ice cream restaurant, "let's get one of those! But green!" she pulls Noah.
Moments later, "oh!" she points to a stand, "let's try that!" and again, "Oh!! Oh! Let's eat that!" and more. Noah nods, buying everything she wants to eat with his own money. The funny thing is that Belen never asked him to. But Noah feels happy at the fact that he can buy her anything. He laughs to himself because though Belen may look classy and strict. She loves food immensely, especially greasy, oily food. This is a secret only Noah knows. He knows so much but is happy because it makes him feel special.
After some time, Noah stops her, "I think that's enough, Belen…why don't you stop. I'm afraid you'll get indigestion and throw up on the airplane."
She sighs disappointedly, "ah…I guess you're right. I was caught up in the moment since no one here knows who I am. It's fun buying food. Sorry" she cutely apologies making him feel apologetic.
They decide to sit outside a café drinking their tea together, enjoying their little time together, as Belen relaxes in her seat staring at the night sky, "you can't see the stars in the city compared to the orphanage."
"How do you feel about going back home?"
Her smile disappears as her eyes sharpen, "Once we board the plane, I'll have to watch myself. This life of camera and worries is something I'm used to."
"And if you were to be yourself like you were earlier…"
"That's right! I'd be judged and misunderstood. That's why I turn down proposals for reality shows. My house is the one place I don't want to feel like cameras are following me."
"Have you been able to sleep better?"
"Not really…"
"You should drink the sleeping pills I left for you last time."
"But! I don't believe in medicine and pills. My insomnia needs to be treated by me, not by some pills that'll just force me to sleep or some expensive therapist that does not know anything but peeks in through a window. I just know its something I have to solve on my own."
"you're right, but I wish you'd sleep a bit more."
"Yeah…me too, when I was in middle school, I loved sleeping. My mom would often criticize me for sleeping all day after coming back from school. Do you miss your parents, Noah?"
He hesitates to answer, "I-I can't remember their faces, it feels weird to say that I miss them. I don't know how to feel about it…" he faintly smiles to make Belen feel at ease for asking such a question.
But Belen gets the hint and changes the subject, "I've meant to ask you since I recruited you, but have you ever had any girlfriends?"
Noah's eyes widen coughing, "w-what? What made you ask?"
Belen glances around, "well, I've never had a boyfriend, I'm curious have you ever fallen in love? You know I once heard a study that after you turn 21 years old it means you've met your soulmate at least once."
Noah declines, "I was too busy to date," his nervous eyes shake bewildered.
She smirks, "you've dated before, huh?"
He coughs again as if clearing his throat, "I've only dated once, just once! But I never slept with her!"
Belen jumps back a little surprised, "it's okay Noah, there's nothing wrong if you were to sleep with her" she laughs, teasing him, "I can tell you're a virgin."
Noah laughs, "I can't say the same to you."
She gasps, "what?! Do I look like a whore?"
He chuckles, "No! of course not! It's just…how, can I say this? You're very flirty!"
Astounded she asks, "ME!? Flirty?! How??"
"Your nonverbal gestures…like your hair, or the way you look at someone when their speaking to you, and your smile!"
She scoffs in disbelief, "nonsense! I sway my hair because it gets in the way, and well, I stare right in the eyes of people when they speak to me because its polite, and well, I have to smile at least to make them feel comfortable…right?"
He laughs, confusing her, "well, whatever you do, men will take those gestures as if you're interested in them and, most importantly, sleep with them."
"I'm just doing my best to be kind, yet they take it that way?" she sighs disappointedly, "this is why a woman can't even be nice to anyone, or else they'll take things the wrong way…"
Noah comments, "the good thing is you set a line between them."
"what do you mean?"
"When they try to ask you out for dinner or coffee, you're quick to turn them down."
She groans, annoyed, "well yeah…if all they care is about sleeping with me like a trophy, then what's the point in going out with them? I'm just skeptical about men. They're like wolves drooling after me."
"Not all men are like that…"
"At least you're not like that right, Noah?"
"Nope!" he firmly declines to make Belen smile in relief.
"Isn't it scary not knowing what the future holds in store for you?"
He curiously asks, "what do you want to know?"
"hmm a lot?!"
"well, we can get your cards read."
She furiously shakes her head, "oh, heck no! Those people are creepy! I'm interested in the future but not desperate enough to seek out those people."
"then what are you scared of?"
She immediately answers, "being alone, marriage, and death…what about you? Is there anything you're scared or curious about?"
"hmmm? I'm curious to know if I'll still be working for you," he teases.
"that's not funny! Of course, you'll be working with me! As long as you want to, but I hope you never leave," she genuinely smiles, making his heart race.
"I think we should get going…"
"oh alright, I'll pay-"
He stops her, "no! I'll pay" he enters the café leaving Belen alone when she gets up from her seat, glancing around at a bunch of couples walking around hand in hand, young school kids in groups, and children running and talking to their parents. She unknowingly lets out a sigh, "cute," her eyes soften, smiling, "I was never like them when I was in school, or will I ever be like those couples or even have a family. I guess I should be grateful for what I have…right?" she looks up as if searching for hope within the nothingness of the sky.
Noah comes out of the café as they both continue to walk within a crowded plaza brightly lit as if it were Christmas with countless accessorie stands outside. The lively square only adds fuel to Belen's excitement when she continues to zoom from one stand to another, looking for something specific, but what?
Noah wonders, "Belen, what are you looking for? We've been to five different stands for at least five minutes."
She replies, calmly, "something I want to get you…"
"huh? Why me?"
"Remember that night we came here, and there was a plaza similar to this one. Well back then I wanted to buy you something, but I didn't have enough money for it. That's why today I want to look for that thing."
"what was it?"
"you really don't remember?!"
"not really?" he thinks, "I was happy just being out with you…was there anything that caught my eye?"
She pulls him again, "oh, maybe it was there. over there!"
After a while, she gives up, "none! Can you believe none of those stupid stands had it!"
"What were you looking for?"
"you REALLY don't remember?" she asks with a sad expression.
"uh er umm…I don't, sorry?"
She looks down, dejected, "the pendant! Remember, you said you lost the pendant your mother left you! And when we came to a stand, you said it looked similar! You looked like you really wanted it! But that stand isn't here…"
A spark hits Noah, "OH! That's it?" he laughs, confusing Belen with a stern look in her eyes.
"I wanted to get it for you" she cutely sulks.
"Belen, thanks, but I don't need it anymore."
"why? You looked like you really wanted it!"
"Not now, if anything, I'd be happy if you just bought one for me, that comes from you."
"I guess…are you sure?"
"Yeah, don't worry about it! Oh, there is one more stand nearby! Do you want to look there?"
"there's no need."
"why not? You were so excited earlier?"
"I-I already bought something…"
"Oh! Then-"
She pulls him down by his collar, shocking him to look at Belen's glimmering eyes smile when she wraps her arms around his neck, but let's go in an instant. He confusedly stares at her, "what was that?"
She smirks, "it's the pendant I got, especially for you!"
He touches his neck to feel the cold steel necklace and looks down to see the pendant, a beautifully carved boat.
"look in the back!" she shouts happily.
As he turned the pendent, his eyes widen at the sight of his engraved name, "Noah." He can't help but feel his heart flutter and blush looking away, trying to hide his face. But she playfully tries to peek until she forces him to look at her. She warmly claps her hands on his cheeks to stare at him, as she did his eyes looked elsewhere, but something within her sparked like a light bulb and quickly disappeared making her eyes widen too when he warmly stares "thank you" with such gentle dazzling eyes.
As he said, this Belen's eyes widen, making her let go of his face and turning around, "what was that?" she asks herself confused.
"Belen? are you mad?"
She turns around, surprised, "oh! No! I'm just glad you like it!" she smiles, trying to hide her worries.
***
In Fox theaters, Everest is sitting down across Leena, having a serious conversation.
The air is tense, somehow Everest is speechless trying to comprehend what Leena has just revealed.
"h-how?! No- way?! Shit! I can't even talk! Are you serious, Leena? About everything?!"
She solemnly nods, "why do you think father is putting you in an arranged marriage? In the beginning, he told me that I was to get an arranged marriage had you gotten married. But since your incident, he agreed to let me marry someone I love and instead give you an arranged marriage."
"Is that why I was never given any of the important files? Because you guys were keeping it a secret from me?!"
"Everest, what are you talking about?"
"Dad's fucking debt! And his tricks! His lies! Everything!!"
"It's true dad betrayed his co-partners in the past and stayed with their shares. that's just how things are in this business."
"No! Ugh! I can't believe this! No wonder! No wonder!! When confidential files came in, you two never let my deal with them, let alone touch them! You two have been doing these illegal things all along? Just to get some cash?"
Leena's face is full of guilt, "I don't feel too good about it either but"
"Yeah, no shit!"
"Everest! I knew it was illegal, but look at you! Because of what father did, we grew up great! And without a mother in our lives!"
"do you have any idea what could happen if father were to get caught? Wait-no! it'd affect your marriage!"
"I know, look, Everest, I didn't reveal this to you because I knew you'd turn us in but because I thought it was about time you knew. You must not use this against dad to get out of the marriage!"
"I don't care about that marriage. So if I were to marry Belen…then, you two would…" he declines to realize just what they'd do.
Silence befalls them.
After a while, Leena sighs, "so what are you going to do?"
"huh?"
"I'm asking you! Everest Fox! What are you going to do now that you have this information?"
"I don't know…This is too much to take in! but I've made my decision."
"And what is that?" she asks coldly.
His eyes full of determination leaves Leena speechless, "you'll see soon enough. I have to talk to dad."
"Talking to him won't change anything; what's done is done!"
"It doesn't matter! Leena, you're my sister, I don't want to see you hurt. But my dad will lose and gain only one thing, and that is me!" he marches out of the office irritated yet angry.
Leena nervously sighs, rubbing her forehead, "just what is he going to do now?"
***
Belen and Noah had just boarded the plane an hour ago, but as Noah suspected, Belen gets indigestion when she continues to go to the bathroom.
"Here take these," he whispers, handing her indigestion pills. But she moves his hand away, denying the help of the tablets.
"no…I don't need them."
"here, its tea. It should help" he serves her tea in a thermos cup.
After three hours, her stomach calms down as she gets out of the bathroom but bumps into something, wondering what it is she looks down to see a little girl dressed in two pigtails, a warm coat, and pink clothes holding onto a dry erase board and marker. The little girl stares at Belen as if she were a rare animal at the zoo.
Belen ignores her stare and, instead, arrogantly calls a flight attendant, "excuse me?"
A female flight attendant asks, "Yes, madam, how may I help you?"
Belen points to the little girl as if she were an annoying insect, "I think she's lost, I came out of the bathroom, and there she was."
"Yes! Madam don't worry."
Belen tries to walk away from the little girl but stops when she feels the little girl's grip. She glares at her, coldly, "let go."
But the little girl bravely grips on with a blank expression, but the look in her eyes are bright as if she wants to say something. The flight attendant carries the little girl making her release her grip.
As she did, Belen turns back, walking to her seat in first class, but as she sat down, she wonders, "that little girl looks familiar? hmm?"
***
Edilberto Astares is meeting with a group of friends who were once his business partners from A Star Is Mall. When they ask, "what about you, Edy? Anything new going on with your family?"
Other comments, "I bet he does! He has an upcoming marriage to prepare for his daughter!"
"ah yes, the president of A Star! Belen! right?"
"What a beautiful daughter!" "But you've got to admit she's not that comfortable to be around! No offense Edy!"
He agrees, "don't worry, I understand my daughter can be difficult to be around. After all, she only cares about A Star," he laughs pretentiously.
"So, what have you been up to, Edy?" "that's right! We haven't been able to see you at all since your daughter became the CEO."
"you must be so proud to know that your daughter was invited to the private social party in Paris! It's no easy feat to enter, let alone be among the guests!"
"Who would have known if you were to have stayed CEO for a couple of more years that could have been you, Edy!" they all laugh obnoxiously.
Edilberto replies proudly, "I don't think so, at all, my daughter was always a jewel! I'm glad she's doing great!"
"You must be proud to have such a wonderful, talented daughter!" they all throw in their compliments, making Edilberto feel so full of himself yet act humble.
"say Edy, are you planning to return to A Star at all? I mean, you aren't that old. I mean, look at you! You're still young!"
"that's correct, Edy! You're only 52! Look at us were still in the business at age 50."
"Why did you retire so suddenly?"
The reason is a secret. But Edilberto feels embarrassed to reveal the truth about his early retirement to them. Instead, he changes the topic to, "I have faith in my daughter. I wanted to take a break and enjoy my life with my wife."
"Well, I've got to admit, Edy, we miss your company!"
"Everything was so lively and different. Your daughter's mall is great, but there's no harmony, everything's broken into levels."
"I think you're creative enough to take charge of A Star. Maybe you can provide your daughter with your ideas to the mall!"
But Edilberto merely nods, "Yeah, you're right! But my daughter knows best! I trust her judgment."
"If I were you, Edy, I'd still be working, or try opening a small business."
The other conversations in the background make Edilberto think, "A new business? It never crossed my mind to, but I do miss working," but he quickly shakes his head, "no, it's too late for me."