Prologue

Disclaimer: This is work of fiction, names, characters business, places and events are eitherthe products of the author's imagination or used in this fiction manner. The author has no intention of ruining that idol's image. nalanie and the other character in this story are more on kpop idols.

"Hey, may I know your name?"

Napahinto ako bigla. Parang may malamig na hangin na dumaan sa batok ko habang naglalakad ako sa loob ng Ayala Malls. When I turned, a girl, probably around my age or a bit younger—was standing in front of me. She gave me a shy smile and a small wave, parang nagdadalawang-isip pa kung tama ba ang ginawa niya.

"Hi, I'm Kayla Provasco... and I'm one of your fans po," sabi niya, sabay abot ng kamay. Sa sobrang tuwa ko dahil may mga nakakakilala pa sakin sa public. Mostly kapag public nakaganto lang din ako walang masyadong kasama. Manager ko lang ang kasama ko at wala nang iba. I even bring my own gamit and mga shopping bags kapag namimili ako. Minsan naman may kasama akong maids since sobrang dami kong mag haul ng billi sa isang shopping ko lang. Buti nga kaya pa ng budget ko. Chariz matipid naman ako kahit papaano.

Bago ko pa man maabot ang kamay niya, biglang sumingit si Ella, ang assistant ko. She moved smoothly between us—professional, polite, and protective. Honestly, I was relieved. Talking to strangers in public was never my thing. My mom drilled that rule into me since I was a kid: Don't talk in public unless I'm with her, your assistant, or your manager. Kaya kahit gusto ko sanang mag-hi back, nanatili akong tahimik.

I stepped a bit to the side, pretending to browse the nearest window display para hindi awkward habang si Ella na ang bahala kay Kayla.

You might be wondering bakit ako nandito sa mall sa ganitong oras? Simple lang naman—naghahanap ako ng dress for Paris Fashion Week. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero ang puso ko, mas' gusto talagang sinuportahan ang local designers. I want the world to see how beautiful, how intricate, how powerful Filipino designs can be.

Pero kahit may sarili naman kaming designer—si Mak Tuwang, the same brilliant mind behind Catriona's Miss Universe 2018 gown—gusto ko pa ring mag-shop around. Malay mo may makita akong ibang local brand na magiging perfect para sa event.

I drifted through a few shops, checking fabrics, silhouettes, and beadwork. Walang masyadong pumasa sa standards ng event... pero ang sarap pa rin tignan. Nakaka-inspire.

Pagtingin ko kay Ella, she gave me a quick signal—isang maliit pero klarong nod. Pwede na akong umalis.

Nililibang niya na si Kayla, probably talking about schedules, events, kung ano mang safe topic para lang mabigyan ako ng exit. Kaya hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa. Diretso akong naglakad papunta sa parking area, my heels clicking on the tiled floor. I kept my head slightly low, hoping walang masyadong makapansin.

Pagdating ko sa parking lot, andun agad si kuya driver sa labas ng sasakyan. Mukhang tinawagan na siya ni Ella earlier. The moment he opened the door, I slipped inside, exhausted from all the attention.

As the car started moving, I rested my head back. Hindi ko na kailangan magsabi kung saan kami pupunta—alam na niya. Pauwi kami sa manor. Almost lunch na rin kasi and may family gathering daw. Ang weird lang kasi walang detalye si Mom. Walang pangalang binanggit, walang occasion, nothing. Basta daw may gathering.

The ride home took around ten minutes. Pagkaparada pa lang ni kuya, bumaba na ako agad. The manor's front doors opened even before I stepped in. Dalawang maids came rushing forward to greet me and collect all the shopping bags I was carrying.

"Thank you," mahina kong sabi.

Mabilis akong naglakad papasok, the marble floors echoing faintly with each step. Diretso sa dining room—hindi na ako nag-ayos, hindi na ako nag-retouch. Family gatherings rarely involved outsiders anyway... or so I thought.

"Well, good to see you, my dear daughter," bungad agad ni Dad pagpasok ko.

He wasn't usually here. In fact, halos mas madalas pang makita ang shooting stars kaysa makita si Dad sa loob ng manor. He and Mom were always on away business trips, meetings, social gatherings with their amigas and amigos. Kaya every time na nandito siya, it felt... unusual.

I leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Good to see you too, Dad."

Umupo ako sa seat ko. I noticed Mom on the opposite end of the table, smiling at me—yung smile na hindi ko mabasa. May ibig sabihin pero hindi ko alam kung ano.

I was about to ask her when someone suddenly appeared beside me.

"Hi, Nalanie."

Napalingon ako agad. A guy—tall, well-dressed, and carrying a smile that was trying too hard to look casual—stood right beside my chair. I didn't recognize him immediately, pero alam kong may something. Yung mga mata ni Mom? Mas lalo pang kumislap. Si Dad? Tahimik lang, pero may subtle nod na parang sinasabing behave.

I blinked twice before managing to answer. "Uh... hi."

He pulled a chair beside me like he belonged there. Like he expected. Like... planned.

My heartbeat picked up. I felt Ella's absence sharply—eto yung mga moments na sana andito siya to whisper who he was.

Mom cleared her throat delicately. "Honey, this is—"

"Wait," he cut in, still smiling at me. "Let me introduce myself properly." He extended his hand, confident and steady. "I'm—"

But before he could finish, the dining room door opened again. I held my breath. I was stunned to speak when I saw him again. It's just that I didn't expect him to be here after what happened between us. And He will claim me us his. Something told me this family lunch... was about to get a lot more complicated. Is this something i should remember in the future or dapat kong ipagkabahala ang biglang pag sulpot ng lalaking ito sa buhay ko?

How ironic, The moment I met him my world stopped working and started to make a lot of chaos in my life. I didn't know loving was hurting and degrading myself too. I even got a blessing in my life