01 So Yesterday

Laugh it off, let it go, and when you wake up it will seem so yesterday. Haven’t you heard that I’m gonna be okay?

– Hilary Duff

"Hi. I just want to let you know that I’m satisfied with your work. So, thank you," said Annaliese to the freelance video editor she hired over the phone. “Yes, I’ll contact you again later for the next project. Bye.”

Working as a travel vlogger had always been her dream job. Though it took her great courage to quit her secure job as a secretary which she was very good at, she finally could brag about not regretting her decision at all. She started by reviewing local tourist destinations she visited and didn’t expect to get an audience pretty quickly. Then she continued to neighboring countries and before traveling all over the world.

Unfortunately, her love life wasn’t as lucky as her career. If there had been an award for the unluckiest person of the year, she could be one of the top five nominees. Never once in her 30 years of life had she wanted to waste her energy, mind, heart, and even money on the wrong men.

“My dear daughter, Annaliese Faith Lee. When can I watch your latest video?” Jack, her dad, came from the kitchen, bringing a cup of coffee then approached her. “As your first and most loyal fan, I have the right to know.”

Annaliese chuckled at her dad’s demand, especially when he called her complete name which only meant he couldn't wait. She watched her dad sit on the couch.

She was very grateful for having a very supportive dad. In fact, he was the first to support her when in contrast, her mom thought that starting this career equaled gambling.

“Tonight, Dad. Tonight. Please don’t forget to like and comment,” replied Annaliese jokingly, acting the way she always did at the end of her video. She then laughed with her dad.

A throat-clearing sound was heard from behind her. “Well, it’s good to have a successful career.” It was Kelsey, her mom. In her hand was a 10-inch iPad she always used to record new recipes after watching some Youtube cooking videos. “But, I hope your love life is as well.”

Annaliese whined. “Ah, not again, Mom. You know the reason why,” she complained, not wanting to discuss it.

“Are you going to die a virgin?”

“Honey,” Jack softly reprimanded Kelsey. “Language.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Tch, I just don’t want you to live in regrets, Anna,” she explained her previous rude rhetorical question. “Experiencing relationship failures is not the end of the world. You gotta move on, dear. Life is not fun at all without love in it.”

Annaliese arched her eyebrows and looked away. “Here she goes again.”

Kelsey put her iPad on the table and sat next to her daughter. “Listen, Anna. Forget those idiots. It was their loss for walking away and leaving you. You hear me?” She grabbed Annaliese’s hand. “You deserve to be loved and to love. You just need to find the right man, at the right time.”

Annaliese knew that her mom loved her so much and that what she said was true. However, fears and doubts from the past pain were still haunting her. Thus, she didn’t dare to open her heart to a new relationship.

She was deeply hurt after being let down by three men who have given her false hope. All happened in eight consecutive years. It was only normal that her positive attitude toward the concept of true love faded afterward.

“Besides, it’s already two years ago. It should be enough to heal your heart, right?” In Kelsey’s eyes was hope to see her daughter’s positive response.

With a deep breath, Annaliese replied, “It sounds easy coming from the mouth of a woman whose relationship never failed.” She registered a flat-looking expression. “But, yeah. Go on. Pray for me to find the right man, at the right time, as you said.”

Jack moved from where he was sitting and stood beside his daughter. “You know what? I’ve got a feeling that you’re going to meet the right one this year,” he consoled her.

Annaliese chortled, not really wanting to believe that. However, she respected her parents and didn’t want to upset them. “Okay, amen to that. Thanks, guys,” she let them pull her into their embrace from the sides.

••

"I loved your last vlog! See? As I said. She is the best video editor." Beatrice, her best friend as well as assistant, felt thrilled after watching the latest vlog. She would mostly be the one who executed every plan Annaliese made for her vlogs, but there were times she contributed some simple ideas that helped.

Annaliese nodded. "Thanks to you. This time, I guess we won't have to find another video editor. Let's stick to this one," she agreed.

"Knock, knock." Gerard, Beatrice's not-so-secret admirer who happened to be Annaliese's social media manager, showed up at the door. He just came back from buying three cups of coffee. "One flat white for Princess Beatrice, and one latte macchiato for our most dear Annaliese."

Right when Annaliese and Beatrice saw how Gerard acted so happily, they knew something good happened. They exchanged glances and smiled.

"You girls are correct. There's good news." Gerard remarked as if being able to read minds.

"Spill it already." Beatrice couldn't wait. She and Annaliese sat on the couch and Gerard joined them.

Ding! The microwave dinged, indicating that the heating process was done.

"A moment, please. As soon as I got here, I heated the buns my mom made yesterday night. She asked me to give them to you to try." Annaliese stood up and left the couch.

While she was taking out the buns from the microwave, Beatrice made a guess, "A new recipe?"

"You know." Annaliese brought the buns on a microwave-safe plate to the table. "I tried them last night already. And they're good."

"Whatever your mom makes is good, Anna," Gerard commented. He called himself Kelsey's number-one fan.

Annaliese chuckled. "Then you can have as much as your belly can take," she said. "But, before that, continue what you wanted to tell us."

Gerard nodded in agreement. "Okay. Prepare your heart," he began, making Annaliese and Beatrice interested. "So first, the last video is a huge hit. Have you seen the latest views?"

The two women shook their heads.

"It almost reached 800k this morning. And I believe it's still going up. You've got very positive comments and reactions." Gerard made them even more excited. "And yet, that's not the best part." He paused for a moment, enjoying their waiting-to-be-surprised expression.

"Just say it already," Beatrice demanded in eagerness.

"Annaliese… You're offered to become the brand ambassador of Eudaimonia!" Gerard raised his voice announcing that.

Annaliese and Beatrice exchanged glances in disbelief. Their jaws dropped and their eyes widened.

"Yes, yes. That very Eudaimonia, the biggest and most successful travel company in the country!" Again, Gerard read their minds and gave affirmation.

Then both women shrieked in excitement. Fortunately, their office was soundproof so that the other residents in the apartment wouldn't hear them.

“Okay, okay. Hold on. There’s still something else I need to say.” Gerard interrupted their joyful moment.

Annaliese dan Beatrice then turned to Gerard.

“Your followers are really something, Anna. I can see how much they love you.” Gerard giggled while shaking his head. “Someone suggested a matchmaking festival in Ireland for you to join in the comment section. The reason is definitely to help you move on and meet your love. Then all of your followers voted for this idea. Accidentally, I opened the new message sent by Eudaimonia in our inbox this morning – sorry, Bea. I know it’s your responsibility. But! They approved of the idea and would like to make it the first project of you being its ambassador.”

Everybody knew about Annaliese's dating life. She might be just a travel vlogger, but in today's generation's definition, she was an internet celebrity. Not to mention how she had always got her own spotlight everywhere she went. Many of them talked about her relationships. Some even gave her words of encouragement. No wonder someone even took their time just to search for information about the matchmaking festival and others supported the idea.

“You gotta check this out.” Gerard handed his phone over to Annaliese whose screen was displaying a website page.

<>

Lisdoonvarna

Matchmaking Festival 2018

31st of August to the 30th of September

Europe’s biggest singles festival takes place every September in the small village of Lisdoonvarna on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The month-long Irish festival attracts people from all over the world looking for love, fun, and a bit of ‘craic’. The festival is over 160 years old and couldn’t be more different from online dating services.

There’s music and dancing in every bar from 11 AM to the wee hours of the night and those looking for love can meet Ireland’s only traditional matchmaker Willie Daly in his ‘office in the Matchmaker Bar. Legend has it that if you touch his ‘lucky book’ with both hands, you’ll be married in six months!

So what are you waiting for? Join 60,000 people from all over the world, for a festival of music, fun, and love!

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She never heard of it before, but when she read all of the information mentioned there, she was interested immediately. Not because she wanted to look for a boyfriend there, but because in her mind was only work and work and work. This project could be the next huge hit.

Without a second thought, she prepared the concept of the vlog. All was done in a day. The next time she had a meeting with the travel company, all her ideas were approved and she signed a contract of agreement.

There was no problem in getting the visa because of her frequent world trips. All were settled within a month and she was ready to go.

“I hope you find love there.” That was Annaliese’s mom’s wish before she left and started a journey she would never forget.