Five years later

 

“Where are you, Audra?“

 

A phone call washed away the alcohol in Audra's head. She quickly rose from her chair, bid her friends goodbye, and ran out of the bar.

 

After the day's work, she decided to go to her favorite bar and clear her head. How would she have known she would lose track of time?

 

“I am home, getting ready.“ She lied, making her way out of the room and squeezing herself away from the sea of drunkards.

 

“I have been at your door, knocking for the past hour, and no one is answering.“

 

Audra chuckled nervously, finally squeezing herself out and running to her car.

 

“Don't tell me you have been drinking again.“ The voice from the other end rose with disbelief. “What did I tell you, Audra? We can't afford scandals!“

 

“I know manager Rose. I am sorry.“ Audra apologized, knowing she couldn't argue with her because what she had said was true.

 

Now that she is at the peak of her career, as the number one actress and model, she can't afford any scandals because reporters have always been on her neck.

 

Although she had worn heavy make-up, a ridiculous wig, and some ridiculous clothes, Manager Rose liked saying that wasn't enough.

 

She said her fans might recognize any of her features that she had no idea she had, and she would end up bringing doom upon herself.

 

"Sorry, my ass!“ Rose's voice pulled her back into reality. At that moment, she didn't dare talk back or say anything.

 

Whenever manager Rose curses, it means one thing. She was boiling with anger, and not even the lowest temperatures could cool her down.

 

“I am giving you five minutes, Audra. Five minutes.“ She added, then hung on to her before she could say anything.

 

Sighing, Audra threw her phone on the passenger seat and stepped on the pedal. It was a good thing that she was a professional racer and that she had gone out with a sports car.

 

Five minutes later, just like the way manager Rose wanted, she had arrived at her apartment.

 

Manager Rose had a keypad. She could get in whenever she wanted, but she found her outside, in the freezing weather, waiting for her.

 

Walking to her, Audra took off her jacket and offered it to her to cover herself from the cold weather, but she refused.

 

“Why are you standing outside? You have my key card, don't you?“ Audra asked while swiping her card on the door.

 

Manager Rose didn't say anything but followed her inside. Audra excused herself and went to the bathroom to clean herself.

 

When she walked out, she found manager Rose sparowling on the couch while swiping her tablet.

 

“Why did you come to see me at this hour?“ Audra asked while pouring a glass of water for her and Rose.

 

It was 11 p.m.

 

“I came here early.“ She responded, taking a gulp from her glass. In her response, she clearly meant she wouldn't have been there at that hour if Audra hadn't sneaked out to drink.

 

“I'm so-

 

“We are leaving for Dream City.“ Manager Rose cut her apology short. It was obvious she was still angry with her; that's why she was dodging that topic.

 

“Why? I have a photo shoot tomorrow at 8 p.m. I won't get back in time if I leave now.“ Audra responded, shocked by the sudden journey.

 

“I sent you an email regarding that five hours ago; didn't you see it?“ Manager Rose asked, paused, then continued in a low voice filled with anger,” Wait, why am I even asking? You sure haven't bothered to check your email.“

 

Audra took out her phone and swiped through her emails. True, Rose sent an email to her five hours ago, telling her the location of the photoshoot was changed due to weather conditions and that to get to a similar city like Lake, they had to fly to Dream to continue the photoshoot.

 

The Future was launching a new jewelry brand. It was a long-awaited announcement, and the company had to do anything to launch it the day they promised the media, even if it meant flying to another city.

 

“When are we leaving?“ Audra asked, placing the glass of water on the table.

 

“Three hours ago. Didn't you read the email?“

 

Knowing it was her fault that they were late, Audra sprinted upstairs and packed her clothes. Being a model and an actress meant constant travel for her.

 

Twenty minutes later, she was already downstairs, looking everywhere, but not at manager Rose's eyes, who helped her carry her suitcase out of the house.

 

It was a good thing that the company had booked a private jet for them, or else they would have ended up getting late. It was a bad impression for her, given that the previous brands she had worked with always praised her as someone who was always professional and always on time.

 

Five hours later, the jet landed in Dream City. That was the city, which Audra left five years ago with the intention of never coming back, and it hadn't changed at all.

 

They took a cab to the hotel where she was supposed to spend the night. It was the city's five-star hotel, making Audra satisfied with the company's choice.

 

“You should go get some rest since you only have four hours before the photoshoot." Manager Rose responded, jarring Audra out of her thoughts. "And I mean it when I say rest.“ She warned, indirectly telling her she wouldn't tolerate more sneaking out of her.

 

“Yes, manager.“ Audra nodded in agreement, pulling her suitcase to her hotel.

 

She would be crazy if she were to sneak out and drink. She had enough drinks for the night, and all she wanted was to get some sleep for the productive day ahead.

 

The next morning, Audra was woken up by manager Rose the moment the clock ticked 6 a.m. Groggily, she got off the bed and walked to the window to pull the curtain open.

 

She stared out at the distant sky, where beautiful mountains and a sea blessed her eyesight. Three minutes later, she walked away from there to take a shower.

 

Rose had told her that they would be staying in Dream City for six months because, after the photoshoot, a new season of the movie she shot six months ago would be taking place in the same city.

 

“What happened to Lake City? The movie came out pretty well there. Besides, Lake and Dream City have no major differences at all.“ Audra complained when her manager told her about the changes.

 

“I guess it's for the same reasons as this photoshoot. The typhoon in Lake City is said to continue for the next six months, and you know how the production team is. They have refused to push the shooting forward.“ Manager Rose responded with a sigh.

 

“Whatever!“ Audra sighed, wrapping a bathtub around her body. Being in Dream City was curseful enough, and now she has to be there for six more months, which is ridiculous!

 

All she hoped was that he wouldn't meet with that particular person, even though she knew the chances of stumbling upon him were high.

 

An hour later, Audra and her manager arrived at the location. After getting her make-up done, wearing the supposed jewelry, and changing her clothes, Audra was ready for the shoot.

 

The director explained to her what she was supposed to do, and she swung into action.

 

With a short, dancing white skirt with white tights underneath and a white tank top, she wore the anklet they were launching.

 

With her natural long, lean legs extended like a ballerina, Audra glided from place to place,her arms held in front and her fingertips touching.

 

The video was to be later edited into slow motion, with the camera angles focusing on the pair of anklets on her ankles and the waist chain.

 

"Bravo!" The director whistled in happiness when they were done. Watching Audra hone that photoshoot was more breathtaking than the springflowers arranged on her background.

 

"What the other brands said about you wasn't a lie at all." The director smiled, shaking hands with her.

 

Everyone was praising her, and what she had to do was smile, bow, and wave at them.

 

In the middle of getting praise, Audra saw manager Rose sitting in a distant position, looking at her. Remembering that she was still mad at her, she excused herself and walked to her, but she went away.

 

"Manager Rose, wait up, please." She called as she started running after her. Because she wasn't looking forward, she tripped on something and fell forward.

 

She gasped, closed her eyes, and waited to fall on her face, but someone caught her in time.

 

Stepping back from the person, she raised her head to thank him but gasped. "W-Warren, what are you doing here?" 

 

She knew she would stumble upon him, but not that soon.