Fifteen years later.
Aldo Greco, 25, single, Singer, virtuoso, fashionista, superstar, the best of the best, the cream of the crop, handsome, sexy, a stud… Simply… Me.
"Aldo! Aldo! A photo, please! Look here!" Shutters wildly go off as I stroll around these streets. A pose to show off my jaw. Another pose to highlight my long legs. A breeze blows, ruffling my hair. Yet another pose to comb my hair.
"Awesome! Look here!"
"Wow, that was my best shot ever!"
"Aldo!"
This is what I am talking about. This is everything I needed. Being loved by the media, always asking for a photo of this beautiful face of mine. Always praising me. Always looking for my best angle. Ever since my debut, not a single photo of mine has come out ugly or blurred. I always made sure they could have the best of me.
"Kyaa! Aldo, please look at me! Aldo!"
"Oh my god, he's so handsome!"
"Marry me, Aldo!"
"Aldo!"
Women screaming, calling for their favorite man. Showering me, their favorite singer, with their undying love. Supporting my career, caring for me. What else do I need in this world?
"Aldo, watch out!" Yeah, I need to watch out....
Wait, what?
Ran over. Tackled. Winded. Disoriented. Hurt a little. Dirty clothes. Bruised ego. Assessment of my well-being: finished. Conclusion: attacked by a savage animal.
Hah, it is been a while since I last saw the sky from this angle. It is really beautiful even when watching it behind these sunglasses. Limited edition from G&G. Very expensive item if I say so myself. Only one hundred made… Though, that does not matter when I am hurting all over!
Doctor! Hospital! I need a hospital! Call an ambulance!
"Ah! Sorry! I'm really sorry, are you ok?" I pause. This frantic voice, for some reason, brings some unpleasant memories. Those of a distant past I do not want to remember, which I want to forget. The only stain in my perfect life.
With difficulty, I sit up. I hide my grimace – who knows if a paparazzi will take the chance of finally snapping an ugly photo of me?! – and turn to see a woman picking up the things she dropped when she bumped with me, or more like when she barreled against me. A bear would have been gentler.
Just how strong is she to throw me like that? Or, was she running too fast?
Her hair is tied in a messy ponytail. Her clothes do not match at all. Her fingers are stained with painting. And she could have smelled better; in my humblest opinion.
Is this really a woman? No, well, my sister also looks like this when she is at home lazing around. But there's the detail, she's AT HOME. When she goes out, she looks as if she is about to debut in a runway even when she is a simple salary woman. Though, not many have amazing brothers who can buy her everything she wants like my sister.
The new handbag from Erness? Bought!
The new coat from Lucia Valens? Bought!
A new shade of lipstick from Zior? Bought!
Well, let's just accept that not many women are that careful with their appearance. I'll respect that and not think too much about this woman's lack of fashion sense.
I clear my throat and put of my utmost understanding face. "You should be more careful." I advise her with all the gentleness I could muster. When I move to stand, I feel something strain on my hips. My expression freezes, but I strive to not show my pain.
With all the fans seeing the scene, I have to play the magnanimous card so the woman is not ganged upon. It has happened in the past when someone bumped my shoulder in their hurry, too. The person was forced to apologize by the rabid fans around me. It had been frightening and endearing to watch. However, I did not feel like watching a repeat of that.
Paying attention to my surroundings, I hear some low cursing directed at the woman. I have to up my game! So, I decide to help her pick up her things. That way, the fans will see I am not angry at her. However, the moment my eyes start searching for the objects on the floor, I realize the woman is already done.
What? What about my hero-like act?! Return the opportunity to me, you!
"I will. Again, I'm really sorry." She turns to look at me directly to throw an apologetic smile my way. The moment I see her face, everything freezes.
How can this be? You were supposed to be in an unreachable place. You were supposed to be gone. Gone and forgotten.
"Heidi…" I breath her name.
You haven't changed at all… well, the freckles augmented, but overall, you're still the same. The same wild hair, the same nonexistent sense of fashion, the same eyes and the same simple voice that holds everything and anything at the same time. I feel as if I'm back at that time when I was ten-years-old. When I was… inexperienced.
I'm an adult now, Heidi. I've met lots of people. I've dated quite a bit. I've become famous to still fulfill my plan from back then; all in the hopes that you see me even if you're far away. I hoped for you to see what you've missed out. I hoped for you to… That did not matter anymore, I'm happy, Heidi.
You're finally here.
I can finally see you again, my little savage.
"Heidi... what are you- what, wait, where is she?" I frantically look around. While dazing around, she slipped away from the scene, like the little criminal she has always been. Like the bad girl I liked so many years ago.
Craning my neck, still looking for her, I only manage to catch a glimpse of her running back that disappears when she turns at a corner. You… why are you always running away from me?! I thought I was over with you and your back, but it seems I'm not. Seeing that back, makes my chest feel that unpleasant pressure.
"Wasn't that Heidi Ricci?" Rubbing my chest, I take a step to follow Heidi, yet stop to listen the voices around me. The paparazzi are gone, probably having received a tip about another celebrity. Hopefully, they didn't see the moment I looked for Heidi…
Others murmur around after that certain person uncovered my savage's identity. Though, for them to know Heidi… Her parents must have carried her around in their fashion world and became famous by default. But I never saw her at fashion shows unlike her parents. I frown and start to walk again.
"Who?" Others ask. Yeah, it's normal for people to not know her.
"Heidi Ricci, the actress?!" My steps halt once again. What?! "Ah! Why didn't I notice before? I could have asked for her autograph, but she runs really fast." Wait a minute! What?! Actress?! My little savage is an actress?!
I have not seen her in any movie or drama! And I would certainly know about that side of the industry as my older brother is a famous actor and he tells me all about the good and bad actors and actresses he has worked with. He has never mentioned having worked with Heidi! Are they talking about the Heidi I know?
That's impossible!
"Her latest play is really fun. I'm going to see it again tomorrow." The person who identified Heidi spoke up again, giving me important details. Oh. Oh! So that is how it is! She does theater plays!
I stealthily leave that place and walk to my car. Time to do some asking around! Once inside my car, I make a call. The tone sounds for far too long that I start to tap my fingers on the steering wheel in impatience. It is not that hard to pick up the phone!
"Hello?" Finally!
"Hi, Reggie! I was wondering if you could do me a favor…"
Minutes later, after ending my conversation with my brother, I smile widely.
Got you!
Heidi, you won't be able to get rid of me that easily again.
You've no idea how long I spent before I could bury you in the deepest part of my memory since the day you left me.
I became even more handsome; many girls and women cannot resist me if I so much as wink at them. Also, I'm pretty famous now, well, extremely famous. Worldwide famous! So famous even rocks under the ocean know me!
Who does not my name? The Greco!
I bet even you've heard it. I bet you've listened to my music. Have seen one of my music videos or commercials on the TV. Just as I promised I would do! This is it, Heidi! You're mine, so I won't let any other man have you now that I've laid my eyes upon you. Even if you're dating another man at the moment, you'll have to see my handsome face every single day.
You must have even read about my relationships, right! Were you burning in jealousy? Had you ever wished it was you and not another woman? Have you ever regretted leaving small and delicate and beautiful me all those years ago?! How did you feel about that, Heidi?!
I bet I even had more lovers than you!
… though, sadly, those past relationships did not work out because I was always too busy, or because of other reasons…
But that's beside the point! Now! Now that I have some time to spare since my latest hit was released, and with you as my target, I'll finally fulfill the plan from so many years ago! You have to go through the same I had to go through!
With those thoughts in mind, I stand before this theater.