3 Hello, again.

After a long and grueling 16 hour flight, I've finally arrived at my hometown - Uiso. I flew in a few weeks ago to get everything sorted in advance with the help of some relatives.

The rest of my immediate family and I immigrated to Laratié 13 years ago. After a decade, though, everyone, with me as an exception, moved back to Uiso.

I decided to stay behind as I wanted to continue working and living there. I loved my job.

With a lot of luck, I was also managing appreciative, talented individuals and had great co-workers. I've worked too hard to get to my position within the company to let it go just like that.

My past self back then would have never believed if someone told me that I'd be moving back to Uiso in the not too distant future.

Truthfully, if I didn't enjoy working at Intoxis Entertainment so much, along with the fact that where I'm relocating to is my hometown - I may have tried to find another company and continued to stay at Laratié.

Ah, well, I think it's not too bad a time to come back anyway. It'd be good to work here until retirement and be around family.

Oh, and speaking about family. My parents and my two siblings are coming to pick me up from the airport.

After getting my luggage, I start to walk towards the waiting area that's right outside the arrivals exit.

My sister, Ilana Raley, waves at me semi-frantically while calling out my name. "SISI!!! SISI!!! OVER HERE!" I look to Ilana's right, I smile at mom and say my greetings. On her left, I see dad shooting Ilana a disapproving gaze from all her shouting. He is the type that cares quite a bit about appearances.

I'm sure my sister could already tell what our dad's thinking without even sparing a glance, so she grabs our brother, Ethran Raley, to meet me halfway.

Without being prompted, Ethran offers to take my suitcase. He is the second oldest, while Ilana's the youngest. And if it weren't obvious already, that would make me the oldest among the 3 of us.

As soon as Ethran takes my luggage, my sister hugs me and rubs her face on mine.

"Woah, Lana... I was here just a few weeks ago, you know!" I chuckle and hug her back. "It's a nice feeling to be welcomed like this, though, hehe."

Ilana puffs her cheeks out and is probably hoping I spoil her a little. I sigh, give in, and rub the top of her head as I give her a light kiss on the cheek.

She smiles in delight and grins while saying, "That's more like it! A sweet gesture needs to be returned with the same! Glad you haven't forgotten, my dear sweet sister Sisi."

I, Therysia Raley, am now thoroughly cringing and lightly shuddering from the words my younger sister uttered right through the core of my very bones.

No, scratch that. To the depths of my soul.

In retaliation, Ilana playfully punches my shoulder. Not wanting to leave myself defenseless, I immediately cross my arms to protect my sensitive sides from the onslaughts of weak hits as I taunt her.

Ethran, no longer being able to deal with this, mumbles out, "God, just stop already. I don't know for how much longer my throat's going to hold back the vomit. This is NOT what I had in mind when we agreed to pick up Therysia."

Dad clears his throat and silently agrees. Mom laughs in amusement but still tells everyone to quiet down.

"Hmph! Just shut up, Ethy. You're just jealous!" Ilana mocks him, not willing to be outdone.

Ethran gives her an empty stare and walks even faster, lugging my suitcase behind him. She scoffs out an 'I knew it.' and leaves it at that.

Ah, I feel loved by my two siblings; I am so happy. I smile to myself as I make my way towards the car. The drive home's quite a pleasant and noisy ride.

We arrive at my apartment. After I step out of the car and shut the door behind me, my sister asks me one more time, "Sisi! Are you sure you can't have dinner with us tonight?!?! You sure are quite eager to ditch us already! I miss you, you know! Aside from seeing you three weeks ago, we haven't seen each other much at all within the last three years!" Ilana continues to whine.

I do my best to coax her, "Sorry, Lana. I got work. I'll see everyone tomorrow for dinner."

"Oh, fine! You better not cancel, okay?!" With one last huff, the windows slide up, and Ilana drives the car away.

After waving at the car, I then look towards my apartment. I need to freshen up before I drop in at work and meet the CEO as well as the manager I'll be mentoring.

* * * * *

[2 HOURS LATER]

I arrive at the headquarters of Intoxis Entertainment.

A secretary guides me to the CEO's office.

Upon opening the door, I could hear someone engaged in a serious phone conversation. The secretary guides me in and closes the door as I reach the middle of the room.

The current CEO rose to her position around two years ago and made a lot of risky changes for the company to succeed and take it even dozens of steps further.

It is no secret that she is one of the people who has had a hand in deciding the fate of the Laratié branch.

It may surprise some, but this very CEO is also a dear friend of mine named Honey Trevales.

We studied at the same university and took the same classes together but sorta split up in our career paths.

I say 'sorta' as she aimed for a company management position instead while remaining within the same industry. She still lived in Laratié but worked for a different rival entertainment company.

We still met up quite frequently while keeping business and our personal lives completely separate. It was more because we signed non-disclosure agreement contracts at our respective companies rather than having a distrust for each other.

It was a no brainer that both of us were very serious about respecting and upholding what we've promised.

Unfortunately, or should I say, fortunately, in this case? Something did change, and while it was a bit sudden for me, Honey moved to Uiso 2 years ago.

She is a highly capable person who was headhunted by the previous CEO of Intoxis Entertainment, and not too long after showing her the ropes, the responsibility of being CEO was passed onto her, and she immediately took over.

It was no surprise that with her intelligence, charm, and cunning nature that the company saw massive growth over the past two years.

Closing down the Laratié branch was no doubt a calculated move in her part, as well as a decision made by the board of directors.

The words 'Goodbye, I'll see you soon.' immediately snaps me out of my thoughts, and my attention now shifts its focus to the woman in front of me.

"Therysia! You're finally here! I'm so excited to have you working with us from now on. Without any bias, I know that I can expect many, many great things from you." Honey comes forward with a radiant smile and shakes my hand while holding it with the other.

She continues, "I'm sorry for asking much more from you, but I couldn't think of anyone else who would be a better fit in mentoring one of our upcoming managers! I really can't wait to see the results!"

In response, I tell her quite shamelessly, knowing there won't be any consequences in doing so, "Well... I mean, I AM getting paid quite handsomely, so there's no way I'm declining it, hahaha!"

"Oh, you! As funny and unabashed as I remember! Hehehe... Oh, right! By the way, I heard from him that you two know each other? His name is Jett Harland. He'll be here soon!"

Uhh... Jett... Harland?! THE Jett Harland?!

What?! Why him?!

Huh???

... But last I heard he's a successful actor...

Oh, but then he retired all of a sudden...! Is... this why then...?

Stuttering, I ask in clarification, "Wha-What?! I'll be mentoring Je-Jett Harland?!"

"Yes! Jett Harland! He was one of our top actors here in Intoxis Entertainment, but he decided to retire. Jett wanted to try being a celebrity manager next." Honey adds as she continues to ponder out loud.

"He studied and got his Bachelor's degree in Public Relations at first before deciding to get into acting school right after which was only for a year - so he does have the credentials."

"As an actor who has a lot of connections, it makes a lot of sense that he will be quite the successful celebrity manager as well if he wishes."

I'm at a loss with what to reply so I could only manage out a 'Huh...' after hearing all that.

With stars in her eyes, she continues to brag, "Don't worry, I got an even better deal out of this. One of the biggest reasons Jett is such an accomplished actor is not just because of the obvious."

"Jett has a knack for picking major hits just from reading the scripts and by listening to the project plans. This includes knowing who the staffs are and whoever they're thinking of hiring to play certain characters."

"This is one talent of his that I can't afford to lose! So I made him promise he works as a consultant on the side as well! Aren't I great?" Honey lightly hits the upper part of her chest with a closed fist and lets out a satisfied huff.

Worry...? I'd never worry about Honey Trevales when it comes to this type of stuff. I'd be crazy to, especially with what she told me just now.

Trust Honey to exploit a willing person of Jett Harland's caliber; I give the too-cunning-for-her-own-good CEO a wry smile.

I hear a loud set of knocks before the door swings open, revealing a jaw-droppingly attractive Jett Harland that has a slight smile blooming on his face.