Chapter 4

8 years ago...

Andri tilted his head as the photographer clicked away, humming with approval. He saw his mentor frown and type onto his phone, and tried not to scowl. Even after sending him away, his mother was still keen on keeping a tab on everything he did. He could have sworn he heard his mentor reporting that he went to the restroom 3 times too many once.

"Mr. Photographer, Young Master Ye has an appointment scheduled so we'll have to end the photoshoot now, " his mentor informed the photographer snootily.

Andri and his mentor got in the car, his mentor began talking away, "Young Master Ye, when you are modeling like today, you should tilt your head like this," he demonstrated, "instead of what you did. Remember, you're selling the product, not yourself."

"Mr. Elmer, you should know that while you are my so-called mentor, I have more experience in modeling than you," Andri sneered. Mr. Elmer liked to act superior to people by using Andri's name, but his mother hadn't chosen Mr. Elmer to teach him. She had told him herself in the rare phone calls she made. Mr. Elmer was just there to keep an eye on him and report Andri's progress to her.

Andri smirked when he saw Mr. Elmer's face turn red with humiliation and anger, but couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Although he didn't like Mr. Elmer, he was only acting like this to have Mr. Elmer complain to his mom.

'"Andri, you will not be allowed back until you have completed training at Moonstar. It has come to my attention that you are falling behind in your fashion and modeling studies, so you will be training in design, music, acting, and modeling." His mother didn't face him as she informed him of his new schedule.

"What about Avi?"

"Your sister will be staying here with me."

Andri gritted his teeth but accepted his mother's offer of attending class abroad. He would not stay in this hell any longer. After Nora had suggested he leave the island (where he and his sister resided with their mom), Andri didn't need long to agree.

After a painful goodbye with his sister, he ended up here. Little did he know, Moonstar's intense training usually took at least 5 whole years to complete, unless he was to go 3 years without stop. So instead of waiting 5 years to reunite with Avi with occasional visits, Andri chose to go 3 years and frequently FaceTime her, only returning on their birthday.'

The only way he could go home any sooner was for his mom to pull him out of the program, and the most efficient way to do that would be to make her think he was ruining her reputation.

Just then, his phone rang. He looked down to see the caller was his sister, Avi.

"Avi, why are you calling?" Andri usually FaceTimed her, and calling was only when Avi was too upset to show her face.

"Today's our birthday, why aren't you here? Mom said that you had a flight scheduled at eight today, and you're supposed to be here by now," Avi's voice was muffled by something, "She's tight on time today, and says that if you aren't coming then you won't be coming back until you finish training."

Andri felt a chill as he processed what he just heard. Eight o'clock flight? He was never informed of this...

Furious, Andri mutes his side of the call as he turns to confront Mr. Elmer.

"You hid the matter of the flight from me! You never told me I had a flight!" He launched himself at his mentor, ready to attack.

"You know that you're supposed to fly back on your birthday every year, it's your own fault you didn't ask, " Elmer simpered smugly, "You'll just have to wait another 3 years before seeing your sister face to face, I suppose."

"THREE YEARS? What do you mean, three years? I've already completed one, I should only have two more years to go!" Andri snarled, ready to punch this scum in the face.

"I informed Ms. Adianne of your behavior, and she felt that it would be best to add a year of military training for you to pull it together. You understand your mother's wishes, don't you?"

Andri threw a fierce punch into Mr. Elmer's face and watched in satisfaction as the man slumped unconscious.

"Then don't mind me for being cruel."

'I never wanted to be on bad terms with my mother, but if she insists on doing this to me, then bring it on.'