Three days later, after last-minute efforts to get everyone on board with the GHYG, a family event the high class usually participates in. Edilberto was always invited, but ever since Belen inherited A Star, all invitations to events go to her.
This event is more of a family dinner gathering, an opportunity for siblings and relatives to make connections and exhibit themselves and their talents.
When Edilberto first attended this event years ago, it was Belen's debut as she performed onstage. From then on, the whole world fell in love with her.
But ever since she became CEO of A Star, Belen has never once attended this event because it requires family, whereas her answer remains the same, "I have none."
This year, at the last minute, Belen happened to change her mind and decided to attend with her two sisters, Iris and Mabel, along with their "plus ones."
It's a big day for the three sisters as it's their first time appearing together in public and around anyone. To prevent getting embarrassed, Belen pulled everything she could to dress her sisters up.
But as Iris is getting ready, she overhears someone open the door to her room. She quickly reacts, "who is it?" she asks coldly.
Her 13-year old son, Azaan, cautiously enters, "Hey mom, why are you making so much noise?"
Iris tries hiding her irritated groan with a smile, "Azaan! You remember what I said last time, right? You always have to knock before entering my room!"
He quietly flinches at the rise of her stern tone, "s-sorry mom," he stammers, meeting her eyes but is deeply shocked to see her dressed in a black and silver skater dress.
His eyes immediately trailed to the length of her dress, revealing her knees, "but mom, why is the dress so short? Are you going out again? Where are you going?" he questions.
Iris, on the other hand, calms her composure, "I'm going out to see Belen and your tia Mabel, so keep it a secret from Abuelo, okay?" she winks with a smile.
Azaan stares at her, perplexed, "umm, okay, I won't tell Abuelo anything, but mom!"
She hisses, turning around, "yeah? What? Hurry up Azaan, I can't be late!" she yells, making Azaan twitch, "ooh," he hesitates, "nothing, be careful out there, bye. I mean good night!" he runs out of her room shutting the door quietly.
Her phone rings, "Hello?" her voice sweetly shifts, "yes, my sister said to meet her there. I think from there we'll go in a limo, let me check. Uh-huh! Alright, see you then. Bye."
She admires herself in the mirror, "hmm, I don't need make-up. I'll only look like a clown. I prefer to be natural with my eyeliner and mascara" she smirks, puckering up her lips, "mmhm, I don't need lipstick either. I look good this way," she winks at her reflection.
***
Noah arrives at Mabel's apartment, "make yourself at home. I'll be right out," she runs to the bathroom.
Noah awkwardly sits on the sofa, not knowing whether to cross his legs or robotically straighten his long legs. Because of the silence, he can't help but start whistling a random song while scrolling through his phone, wondering, "I didn't see Everest when I got home. Could it be he's been at Belen's house all day? Damn, they've been getting closer. I never would've thought she'd take him to such an event. Next thing I know, she'll be taking him to the social gatherings too." He internally gasps, shaking his head, "no, no, no! that won't happen. If she doesn't even take me anymore, I doubt she'll start taking him all of a sudden," he sighs, "yeah, it can't be," he says aloud.
Mabel appears, "what can't be?" startling Noah to sit up quickly, slipping his phone away, "ah um, nothing," he smiles, but as Mabel got closer, his eyes widen, amazed at Mabel's transformation. It's not all that grand but a little bit of make-up and red lipstick, a high ponytail, wearing a teal floral bowknot cocktail dress and opened toed rhinestone heels. She looked completely different, mostly since she's lost an insignificant amount of weight ever since Emma got hospitalized. Her roundish apple looking body shaped into a cucumber.
It's his first time seeing her all dolled up since he's used to the casual clothes she's always wearing. He merely smiles proudly, "you look beautiful," he says casually, making Mabel flustered, "haha, thanks."
As they made their way to the car, Mabel couldn't help but feel unimpressed by Noah's reaction. It felt a little weird as if his mind wandered someplace else, but she didn't complain. If anything, she felt relieved to have him by her side since this was her first time going out in public.
Noah felt her sweaty palms when asking, "Is everything alright with Emma? Are you sure about this? It's not too late to back out now," he says gently.
Mabel makes a fist to calm her nerves when saying, "I-I'm alright," she smiles with trembling lips, "my mom is watching her right now as we speak. I don't have to worry."
Noah gently touches her trembling hands on her lap, "I see. What I meant is, are you fine with this?"
Her nerves somehow calm down at his warm touch, "yeah, I have to for Emma," she says with determined eyes. Noah's taken aback to see that look in her eyes, giving him a flashback of when he first took Belen to an event.
He asked Belen, "are you sure you want to do this?" And Belen's exact words were, "Yes, I have to for myself!"
Recalling the past only makes him bitterly smile at the thought that Belen is with someone else.
"Let's go," he says solemnly to himself, "I don't know why Belen made me Mabel's date but knowing her, there must be a reason why. Something only I can do that she can't. Is that it Belen?"
***
At Belen's estate, she's currently getting her hair done and is about to start her make-up. The artists enter a large room with vanity mirrors in every corner and bright white lights. Belen is currently wearing a silky rose gold robe with her eyes closed in meditation.
That is until she overhears a childish high-pitch girlish voice, "WOOOOW!!"
The loud voice irritates Belen and opens her eyes to see who it is. She notices the make-up artists setting up right next to her when again she hears the same voice exclaim, "this mansion is HUGE!!"
Belen annoyingly clicks her tongue, making her open her eyes again, searching the room for the person with the irritating loud voice.
"Good evening Miss Astares," the two same make-up artists formally greet her. That is until one of them says, "Miss Astares, I hope you don't mind," a red-haired freckled woman appears from behind with an excited smile, "this is my assistant in training, Miriam Gonzalez."
The red-haired, freckled girl introduces herself, extending her arm, "Hi! My name is Miriam Gonzalez. You may call me Mary or Miriam, either is fine! It's a pleasure to meet you, Belen Astares~!"
Belen ignores her hand, turning to the prominent make-up artists, "she won't be," she asks unsurely, pointing to Miriam.
"NO! don't worry, Miss Astares, only Shelly and I will do your make-up. Miriam will just be assisting me, that is all."
Belen sighs, feeling assured, and cocks her head to Miriam, looking her up and down, and faces the mirror with her eyes closed.
Her arrogant attitude and behavior only made Miriam angry but at the same time disappointed to think some celebrities are this rude.
During the process of her make-up, Belen couldn't help but feel bothered by Miriam's intense stare when she asks, "is there a problem?"
They all stare at one another, bewildered when Belen points out, "Miriam?" coldly.
"Huh? Uh, nothing Miss," she answers flabbergasted.
Belen gives everyone a five-minute break while she goes to the bathroom. Though on her way back, she overhears that same annoying high pitch voice. It's Miriam. She overhears her complaints to everyone in the room, "is she always like this? Do you all let yourselves be treated like servants? We're people, human beings! We deserve some kind of respect! Ugh, to think that bitch is so well-liked by everyone. Now I know why she's so loved. No one knows her real personality. Seriously, she's just a two-faced bitch! She appears all smiles and innocent in front of the camera, but she treats us like shit! Argh! I can't!" she stomps, fuming, angry like an elephant.
Just as Belen was about to enter, she lightly stops upon hearing the rest of the make-up artists and stylist answer, "if she were as rude as you say, then she could've fired us on the spot."
"Exactly, it's thanks to her we stylists even have a job, plus she pays and tips well for a simple hairstyle."
"If you don't like it, then you can always leave," claims Shelly with her arms crossed, "you're nothing more than an assistant to Clair and I. You should understand the difference between professionals and trying to be more than that!"
"It seems to me you hate the fact that Miss Astares did not bite onto your act of kissing up to her. That's what she loathes the most."
"That's right, Miss Astares is the most respectable customer I've had, she knows what she wants, and even when she doesn't, Miss Astares puts her total trust in us."
"You're new in this business. Stop acting as if you know what's right and wrong. It's people like you that give us a bad name."
Miriam is shaken to her core when she loses face and runs out of the room but bumps into something. As she looked up, her pupils shake with fear seeing Belen right before her wearing a smirk, "leaving so soon?" she says arrogantly.
But Miriam merely wipes her tears away, "yes!" she storms out. Once she left, Belen confidently walks over to sit down as the artists quietly resume their work. She thinks to herself, "ha, who do you think you are? I've dealt with people who kissed ass ever since I was young. And I know how to tell the difference" the corners of her lips rise.
***
Everest is also getting ready at Belen's house but on the left-wing of the mansion, opposite of Belen whose in the right-wing.
He's getting a bit of make-up and his hair done. He got a haircut on the spot and was forced to take a shower. It's his first time surrounded by a crew of stylists, make-up artists, and a tailor putting the finishing touches on his suit.
Belen chose men to prevent Everest from being uncomfortable. But as he's getting his hair styled, he asks, "Is this really all that necessary?"
The stylist laugh, "of course it is! You're Miss Astares's one and only fiancé! She hired us to make sure you won't look like you used to!"
Everest confusedly stares at himself, "what do you mean? What's wrong with me?"
"You mean before? Hmm, well, for starters, your hands felt rough! What do you do? Work on a farm? And your skin looks awful! I almost puked at the sight of your unclean pores!" he pretentiously gags, making Everest laugh, "and what else?"
The stylist continues, "offense! Your odor!" he pinches the bridge of his nose, jokingly, "stinco de mayo~!"
Everest can't stop laughing hysterically at his comments while holding his stomach, almost tearing up, "man, you gotta stop! That's too funny! That's my sisters' favorite movie!" he chirps.
The stylists can't help but chuckle, "you know Mr. Fox," he interrupts, "please, just call me Everest. Mr. Fox just sounds odd," he shrugs.
"You're very different than what I imagined Miss Astares's fiancé would be," the stylist comments.
"Hmm?" Everest curiously asks, "what do you mean different?"
"There are many…should I say, suitors? Many wish to date her. And some even proposed to her since she was young."
"Really? Isn't that a little creepy?" Everest cringes.
"Many have asked for her hand in marriage, but fortunately, secretary Noah has been able to cover up those allegations."
"Noah?" he asks, "Is he that capable?"
"Oh, yes! He is!" the stylist exclaims, "Noah is just the perfect human being you can think of, but he is rather quiet. He is brilliant, independent and a respectful man," he says admiringly.
Hearing this only ruins Everest's mood, "yeah yeah, as if I never hear that enough. Anyways, how do you know so much about Belen?"
"I'm her cousin!"
Everest jumps a little as if he's been electrocuted, "what? You are?" his eyes shake.
The stylist laughs at his reaction, "I'm her cousin on her mother's side. That's why we don't share the same last name."
Still in shock, Everest is speechless, "wa-! Sorry man! I honestly had no idea!"
"Hahaha, I normally don't reveal it, but I thought since you're her fiancé, and we'll eventually become family, I might as well let you know" he smiles.
"But if you're her cousin, are you the only one? I've never seen or heard her speak about anyone in her family."
The cousin's face turns dark, "that's the thing," he clears his throat, "the Astares family cut themselves off from us since we're from her mother's side. Edilberto decided to cut all ties, and I believe he only conforms with his side of the family."
Everest is shockingly so invested he continuously asks, "what happened? Did you guys not get along?"
The cousin stares at him with confusion, "you mean you don't know?"
Everest cocks his head, "know what?"
In that instant, the cousin's eyes widen, realizing he made a grave mistake, "O-oh nothing," he's flustered, "look at the time! It's getting late!"
Everest had many questions but knew that because time was of the essence, he decided to keep his mouth shut and thought, "I should ask Belen later on. I wonder what happened?"
***
Everest is handsomely waiting outside beside the limousine when checking the time on his expensive-looking watch, "if anyone saw me like this, they'd think I won the lottery or something." He checks himself out through the reflection of the limousine windows. "This haircut isn't that bad, just a little strange. I've never gotten a low fade, but my hair does stand out a bit too, good thing he cut off all of the dye I had on. Somehow I can't get her words out of my head because of the fall out dye. Is my hair more golden?" he carefully grazes the edge of his hair, "I can't believe how much gel he put on my head…" he sighs, "I guess I don't look bad," he thinks unsurely.
At that moment, he overhears the ringing of heels when he turns around to see Belen elegantly walking out of the mansion with the sound of her iron heels clacking against the cement. Everest couldn't help but gasp, covering his mouth but unable to hide his widened, surprised eyes.
She looks as if she's just stepped out of a Greek mythology book, her golden beige tight dress with a slit on the right up to her thigh. But most importantly, Belen's gorgeous hourglass figure was highly outlined by the dress, revealing her beautiful curves, slender shoulders, and waist. It seemed as if she was wearing little to no make-up, but from up close, the glitter and contour on her face only made her look sharper. Her alluring eyes seemed powerful to seduce anything and anyone. But the finishing touch was her wavy side-swept hairstyle, revealing a sneak peek of her tantalizing caramel glazed neck.
Everest felt his heart beat a little fast the closer she got near him when a smile escapes her mouth, sizing up to him, "my my," she says seductively, staring intensely at Everest up close.
Everest quickly ignored her gaze, feeling a bit embarrassed, "I'm afraid. Afraid that if I were to continue looking at her, I don't know what I'd do. Her eyes are too…much!" he stares at the sky, hiding his flushed expression.
Belen is deeply impressed to see Everest look somewhat different and smelling better than before too. It put a grin on her face, "not bad," she utters. She grabbed his chin to meet her eyes, "shall we leave?" she asks in a gentle voice, making Everest's eyes stare at her tempting pink lips.
Stammering to answer, "y-yes."
She chuckles, pulling his hand into the limousine, "hurry up!" Everest is easily guided inside.
After a while, Everest can't help the silence within the limo when he says, "s-so Belen, you said we were going to meet some people along the way?"
She casually answers, "right."
"W-Who are we meeting? If you don't mind me asking," he says nervously.
She looks at him with a blank expression, "my sisters and their dates."
He stutters, "y-your s-sisters?!"
"mm" she simply nods, "so can you tell me why you've been staring at me for the last 20 minutes?" she stares at him, "do I look strange?"
Everest chokes on his saliva, coughing as Belen opened a water bottle for him. He hurriedly chugs it, "h-how, do you know?"
She coldly says, "spill it, what do you want to say."
He stares down at his lap and slowly brings himself to meet her gaze. When Belen comments, "you look amazing," she says honestly.
Everest yet again becomes flustered like a shy girl whose been complimented for the first time. Belen chuckles at this sight, "I'm guessing you're not used to compliments, are you?"
He suddenly becomes all shy, moving about in his seat, "y-you look beautiful~"
Belen immediately smirks, "I know," she says confidently, "unlike you, I hear stuff like that all the time. It's boring."
"What are your sisters like?" he asks out of the blue.
She casually answers, "I don't know."
His eyes widen, "huh? B-But they're your sisters, how do you not know?"
Belen's smile disappears, "I think you should decide after today." Everest somehow knows that he shouldn't ask any further when finally he remembers, "ah, that's right. I was talking to your cousin, that stylist, earlier. He mentioned something about your family cutting all ties with your mother's side. How come?"
Hearing this somehow triggers Belen to act out of character, "shut up!" she says sharply, glaring at him with a low growl.
Seeing this made Everest bite his tongue from asking anymore, so he complies with staying quiet. But that just made the atmosphere in the limo even more awkward. It didn't bother Belen, but at a glance, she knew it did to Everest. She deeply sighs, slumping her shoulders back, "because my mother had an affair, that's why my father cut ties with her side of the family."
Everest calmly listens, "sorry," he genuinely apologizes. She looks at his puppy-like sad eyes, "Hmph," she arrogantly scoffs, "its only common sense. Do you have any cousins?"
"mmm," he smiles, fidgeting between his fingers, "I don't know, haha," he lightly chuckles, "my dad is an only child," he pauses, unable to summon the courage to talk about his mother. But at that moment, the limousine door opens, they hear chattering outside, alarming Everest when Belen extends her arm across his lap, "it's my sisters and their dates."
Iris enters along with her date. Following behind them is Mabel and finally Noah.
"Noah?!" Everest shouts.
Noah couldn't take his eyes off Belen, as she resembled no-. In his eyes, she surpassed a goddess. His expression soon dissipated, drawing his attention to Everest. He couldn't believe his change in both appearance and sharp facial features.
It only dawned on him now that Everest looked better suited as Belen's partner, compared to himself.
Iris and Mabel couldn't stop talking to one another as they got into the limo when they both turned to Belen, "so are you going to introduce us to your fiancé?" Iris excitedly asks.
Belen sighs, nudging Everest's shoulder, "Ah! H-Hello, nice to meet you all. I'm Everest Fox, you can call me Everest," he finishes with a charming smile.
Iris shouts, "I remember you!" she points, "this is my boyfriend, Reuben Mendez," at the sound of his name Everest's brows furrow, "quite a name you got there," he comments.
Reuben only laughs, "What's up."
Mabel goes next, "actually, I've already introduced myself to you all, except Everest," she tilts her head with a smile, "nice to meet you, Everest, I'm Mabel E" she pauses, clearing her throat, "M-Mabel Astares" she shakes his hand.
Now that introductions are over, Everest kept them distracted. On the other hand, Belen kept staring down at her phone or to the side of the window. She never once looked over at them, but Noah couldn't stop staring and texted her.
As soon as she received it, she simply ignored it without looking his way. This only broke Noah's heart, making it difficult to swallow his saliva. His pitiful gaze continued throughout the ride. Fortunately, no one noticed.
He felt the urge to speak to her but at the same time felt ashamed of his actions that night he saw Mabel go on her knees before her. It infuriated him because he jumped to conclusions, but now what? Is it too late to apologize and repent of his mistakes? He could only blame himself.
***
They finally arrive at the hotel. When the limousine drove closer to the entrance, they could hear the loud chants, screams, fangirls, and flashing shutters from the cameras.
Everest felt very alarmed at the sight of the flashing lights. Belen saw his hands shaking when she lay her hand atop. He shakingly stares at her calm eyes, nodding, she mouths out something only he understood.
Mabel also trembled, feeling scared, but Noah wrapped her arm around his with a reassuring smile. She simply nodded, gulping.
As they were the last to arrive, many amongst the crowd were curious to see who they were. When they caught a glimpse of Belen stepping out of the limousine holding hands with Everest, the public became aggressive as the continuous shuttering could be heard from afar.
But that was not enough, because as soon as they stepped out, the crowd caught a glimpse of two other figures. The public looked confused for a while until they finally realized, "is that Mabel Astares?!" "Oh my god! I thought she gone!" "ahhh! That's Iris!" "Oh my gosh!! It's the three of them! The Astares sisters!!" soon, a massive wave of fans and photographers spread. They couldn't take their eyes off the three couples. Most importantly the three Astares sisters shone radiantly like jeweled stars.
Belen's golden beige dress made her caramel skin look glazed with honey. Her bright, flashy pearl of a smile drove photographers and anyone who didn't know her insane. Her alluring eyes were too tempting, but what shocked most of the crowd was Everest's appearance.
He looked dashingly handsome in his dark navy blue suit with golden linens, posing with his golden watch. Most specifically, his clean hair cut sharpened his facial features, and his hair styled up to the side enlightened his marbled blue eyes. His skin looked almost as equally smooth as Belen's.
The three couples reacted differently to the cheers coming from the crowd. Mabel was so shy and nervous. She couldn't force a smile and only looked at the floor or at Noah. Each time Mabel peeked over at Noah, she was impressed to see his carefree attitude as if used to this kind of attention. But she trailed his gaze and saw that it only followed Belen as most of their attention fell into capturing her intimate hand-holding with Everest Fox.
On the contrary, Iris and her date kept waving at the crowd with bright, happy grins as if they were some royal couple. But even she knew those shouts and chanting truly belonged to Belen and Everest as the crowds began to push the barricades open.
Everest felt overwhelmed by the loud shouts and cheering but followed Belen's directions. Each time she'd look left or right, he'd follow her gaze and, instead of waving, only smiled politely.
But the fans seem to want more than a smile from him. He took a deep breath and shyly yet bravely brought up his hand midway to wave at least twice to his right and left. The cheers grew immensely by his sudden action. Belen saw this and merely chuckled, making Everest blush from embarrassment.
The crowd's frightening aggressive behavior encouraged security to hurry the three couples into the hotel. Once inside, it was so quiet. Iris and her date were excitedly chattering with Mabel and Noah.
Belen saw their closeness to one another. From afar, they looked like a group of amateur teens who've gotten their first taste at fame. Ironically, they always had it in the beginning.
Suddenly a waiter addresses Belen, making her party follow them to the dining hall. They all stopped before a wide door when she quickly turns to manage them, "just follow me," Belen says confidently as everyone obediently agreed.
Belen let go of Everest's hand to shake her nervousness out of her body, though as soon as the doors opened, she silently utters, "the real test begins now." Everest gently took hold of her hand at that moment. She glanced at him, surprised, noticing his cheeky smirk. She could do nothing as she walked down the aisle into the center of the dinner hall.
Once she walked into the light, she felt the eyes of everyone present, staring intensely as they walked by. Snickering and whispering amongst one another, shocked to see Belen, while others tried their best to guess the two other couples following behind.
Finally, someone murmurs, "aren't they the Astares sisters? You know, the daughters of Edilberto Astares?" Many gasps spread among the families gathered within the dinner hall, "but then, where is their father? How could it be just them? That's not proper! This is a family dinner! They need the head of their household here!" "Maybe their father is late?"
From afar, an intimidating family stares at them when a man maliciously grins with an evil glint in his eyes, "father, we've finally found Mabel Astares."