Us

During the morning inspections, Everest's face is glowing, brimming with life as if sleeping in Belen's office magically recovered his haggard complexion.

A foolish smile is stamped on his face throughout the inspections, until Belen shouts, "Everest?!"

He snaps out of his dream, dazed, "Y-Yes? Y-Yes!"

"did you mark down what I just said?" she asks coldly as the employees stare at him twitch anxiously.

"uh, come again?"

She sighs annoyingly, "did you manage to hear me?" she says, turning to the leaders of the departments behind her.

Surprisingly enough, they confidently respond, "you wish for the rearrangements of the displays in the VIP departments and the advertisements that'll be up in the first and second floor departments."

She nods, impressed, "great, at least you're listening, do me a favor and pass it onto secretary Everest for me."

Since Noah left on vacation, Belen began to show her true colors to Everest, being as picky, a perfectionist, strict, and a bit difficult to please. Little did he know that is what Noah deals with every single day. Especially the constant embarrassment she puts on him.

Finally, the inspections are over when Everest heads into the elevator with Belen but is confused to see Belen press the button to the parking lot.

"Madam? What are you doing?" he asks, trying to press the 7th-floor button, but she stops him grabbing his wrist, "don't! we're going out to have breakfast."

He turns, meeting her gentle gaze, "what?"

She lets go as the elevator doors open, "it's my treat."

As they stepped out, heading to the car, Everest asks, "treat?"

She sighs, getting in the driver's seat, "get in."

After a few minutes in the car, Everest awkwardly asks, "so, where are we going?"

She smirks, wearing black sunglasses, "aren't you hungry? You're looking a bit thinner every time I see you. Are you on a diet?" she humors him.

"ha! Psh! No-I just haven't had much of an appetite."

She glances, "is it because of work? Too much for you to take? Are you finally reaching your limit?"

He sighs, looking out the window, "just a little," he mutters under his breath. But in Belen's eyes, he looks like a toddler silently grumpy.

"it's my treat to you for working hard this past week since Noah's absence."

Though as they made their way to the restaurant, they're bombarded with a crowd of fans and photographers outside as security escort them. Everest feels pushed and rushed by security following behind Belen while at the same time not knowing where to look as the screams and chanting continue to increase the closer they got.

Belen glanced back at Everest looking lost as if at any moment he can trail off and boldly grabs his hand, pulling him to her side. The cameras don't hesitate to capture this moment, along with the fans swooning over Belen's gesture.

As they got inside, Everest whose been looking at the ground the whole time to keep himself from tripping overhears light comments such as, "You're so cute!" "Everest, please take care of Belen!" "You're so lucky!" "I love you, Everest!" "Hot! He's so tall!" "He's cuter in person!" "Can you take a picture with us?" "me! Look over here!"

The waiter takes them to the second floor, on the way Everest can't help but internally gasp impressed at the elegance of the restaurant. They sit down and open their menus, though for Belen, whose a regular there simply glances through it and closes it handing it over to the waiter, "the usual for me."

Everest silently panics because he does not know what to order or understand half of the menu's ingredients. He glances at Belen and the waiter, who is patiently waiting to take his order.

"Can you give him a minute?" Belen asks as the waiter went away to place the order.

Everest, sighs, relieved, "what do you recommend?"

She smirks, "I don't know what you like, we can order everything on the menu for you to try."

His eyes widen, flipping through it, "b-but it's so expensive!" he gasps, his soul almost leaving his body.

Belen chuckles, "if you want it, then it doesn't matter, waiter!" she gestures, calling back the waiter.

"W-Wait!" Everest jitters, "uh um," he quickly flips the menu, trying to pick anything.

"Yes, are you ready to order, sir?" the waiter asks.

Everest randomly chooses, "I'll take this, this and this," he points. After taking his order, another waiter arrives to serve them their beverages. As they left, Everest sighs as if he were holding in his breath.

"Are you nervous?" Belen asks oddly, looking at him, thinking, "is he uncomfortable?" when she asks, "do you not like it here? Does it bother you?"

He flinches, "huh? Oh no, it's just, I've never been here, so it feels a little off."

"Off?" she takes a sip out of her glass, "mmm, the lemonade here is my favorite."

Everest excuses himself to the restroom. Along the way, he's impressed by the neatness of the restaurant, including the bathrooms. "I feel uncomfortable, can she tell?" he shakes his head, washing his hands, "I'm glad there aren't many people, but I don't know. I want to run away," he heads back out, approaching the table.

"The food is already here?" his eyes widen in disbelief because, at other places, food usually takes a little longer.

He sits astonished by the sparkling utensils and plating, "Is this mine?" he points to make sure.

Belen simply nods, "yes."

Everest does not know the protocol for eating in these kinds of places because he usually goes to expensive local restaurants. Through observation, he's noticed that Belen likes eating at fancy private restaurants that are way out of his league, or he knows he cannot afford it.

He barely gets a spoonful, as a smile forms on his face from the delicious texture of the food, "so much flavor," he whispers underneath his breath, amazed.

Belen slightly smiles, "do you like it?"

He immediately nods like a child, "Yes! I mean yeah," he swoons over the rich flavor of the food. And asks, "what about yours?"

She looks down at her plate, "of course, I love it, why else would I be eating it."

Everest takes her sarcasm lightly, "I didn't know you like eggs. It's rare because I'm so used to seeing you drink tea and eat salads most of the time."

She giggles, "are you good at cooking?"

He immediately shakes his head, "no, I suck, well ah uh mm, I can try to cook, but it does not come out as great as I thought it would. Do you cook?"

She nods while elegantly tapping the corners of her lips with a napkin, "yes, I had to since I was in high school."

"Really? Wouldn't you have like a maid do that for you?"

She shook her head, "no, back then, we couldn't afford a maid. We weren't as rich as the media made us out to be. The Astares family was just wealthy in other eyes."

"what about now? Don't you have enough money to hire a maid or a professional chef?"

"I do, but the maids only tend to my home when I'm not there. The professional chef got fired since I learned how to cook."

"ahh," he nods, understanding a bit more about her, "then what do you usually eat? Or at least cook for yourself?"

She smirks, "you don't remember?" raising an eyebrow.

Everest gets chills down his spine, mentally beating himself up for not remembering her already telling him before what she likes and dislikes. He rephrases his question, "oh yeah, no, what I meant is, what do you usually cook for yourself at home?"

She tilts her head, "mmm, it's different every night, and it depends what I'm craving," her eyes widen, "you finished? Do you want to order more?"

He looks down, unbelievable to see that he finished so quickly, putting his fork down, "it's okay, I ate enough. Usually, expensive restaurants like these give out small servings but not this place."

"that's why it's considered 'expensive' because the serving size is enough for two people to share," she acts proudly.

Everest nods, "it was exquisite."

Belen can't help but laugh, hearing his rare use of words, "check please" she gestures to a waiter.

Though as soon as they rose from their seats, a waiter approaches Belen from behind timidly holding onto a photograph held tightly in his arms, "excuse me, Miss Astares!"

Belen and Everest turn back to see the waiter boy shyly hold out a photograph of young Belen at a recital. At that moment, the manager comes out, blocking the waiter, "Please forgive us, Miss Astares!" he growled, turning to the waiter boy behind him.

Belen's intrigued by the boy's courage to ask for an autograph. Especially putting at risk his job because, in private restaurants, employees are not allowed to ask any of the customers for an autograph, selfies, or even speak to them other than what they are to do.

She gestures the manager with her index finger, "move" coldly. The manager gulps nervously for what she'll do. He moves aside, revealing the timid boy waiter shyly looking up to her and quickly looks down.

She coldly asks, "you want my autograph?"

Sensing her displeased tone, the boy waiter simply nods.

Belen asks, "why?"

Silence passes by when Belen gives up turning back to leave when the boy courageously shouts, "I-I aspire to be like you, Miss Astares!!"

She turns walking near the boy as the click-clack of her heels echo, "you aspire to be like me?" she asks coldly, "I've done nothing special for you to be a fan of mines."

This is a concept Belen does not understand. She was never able to comprehend why and how she gathered fans fully. Was it because of her beauty? Attitude? Face? It honestly made her curious because though she was considered a celebrity, she didn't know why. It's not as if she made YouTube videos came out in public TV shows. In her perspective, there was nothing special about her for people to become fans of. She didn't release make-up, skin, or perfume lines. Yes, she was the face of A Star, but that was it, her past accomplishments were only because of her father's enforcement. But she never took them in, rather she hated it, but there was one thing she never disliked.

The boy does not get discouraged by her tone and courageously stretches out a photograph of young Belen smiling cheerfully, holding onto a shiny golden instrument. This was one of Belen's delight, music.

Her eyes widened, softening her cold tone, "are you a musician?"

The manager apologizes, interrupting them, but Belen growls, glaring at him to shut up and stay out of it. Everest nods, gesturing the manager to move away, and he does.

Belen cocks her head to the side, "can you look up when answering my question?" her eyebrow rises.

The boy waiter carefully looks at Belen's beautiful physique when a warm smile forms on her face, "that's much better, then, are you a musician?"

He nods but quickly corrects himself clearing his throat, "yes, I am."

She scoffs, pulling the photograph from his grasp, and gesturing with her hand, "pen? Marker? Do you have one?"

The boy flinches, "oh!" and hands her one.

Though as Belen is signing, she asks, "what instrument do you play?"

The waiter boy's eyes shine, "I play the alto saxophone…too. I'm a first-year freshman in college. I want to become a professional musician like you! B-Because you were a prodigy! The music you played and composed is amazing. I still remember them and play them too!" he excitedly smiles.

"well, you shouldn't aspire to be like me."

The boy confusedly stares, "why not?"

Belen hands him back the photo with her signature when she sincerely says, "because I quit, you should aspire to become much more than me and surpass me" she smiled, walking away with Everest to the first floor.

The boy waiter is left astonished by her enchanting charisma and her little note on the photo saying, "don't give up!"

Meanwhile, as they're waiting for her car to be brought to the front, fans spot them and begin to shout, taking pictures of them with their long professional camera lens. Pretty much invading their privacy, but most importantly, the lens seems to be pointing to Everest.

His gaze moves to the doors noticing the crowded fans outside feeling watched and glances around seeing the camera lens's pointing to him. He looks tensed compared to Belen, who looks the most relaxed because he isn't used to this kind of spotlight. Belen follows his gaze noticing the cameras. She stares at his pale complexion when taking out her sunglass shades and calls him affectionately, "Everest."

He turns at the sound of her gentle voice with shaken eyes, Belen carefully slips the shades on him. Immediately as she did, the crowd witnessed this flutter and swoon, as the camera shutters nonstop. Everest is flustered when he tries to remove them, but Belen whispers over the sound of chaos, "just wear them, they suit you."

Wearing them somehow calms his anxious heart when security begins to move them through the crowd, Everest shows signs of panic, so Belen holds his hand. The crowd of fans chant their names aloud. And as they pass, the crazed fans shower Belen in compliments and congratulate Everest on their engagement. A shy smile forms on his face nodding at them in a low voice, "thank you, thank you."

They made it to the car, driving away. The noise of fans disappears as they both sigh at the same time. Everest takes off the shades giving them to Belen, "here you go, thank you."

"Just throw them to the back, I don't need them."

Again he sighs, trying to control his breathing, Belen comments, "you're not used to this kind of attention are you?"

He stammers, "n-not at all."

"Well, that's life, at least that's how it's going to be from now on since you're working for me. It'd be best to get used to it sooner."

"Are they like this when you're with secretary Noah too?"

She shakes her head, "no, if I had to compare, I think the fans here reacted to you strongly than Noah."

"Is he used to this kind of life?"

"You mean the cameras following us? Hmm, yes, I think has by now. When he returns, you should ask him for advice."

In reality, Everest knows that he is a nobody. There is nothing special about him other than being the son of Reuben Fox. But even that is not enough to be well-known among the public. Seeing how crazed people are after Belen was shocking because he knew that she was well-known but to think so many people love and adore her is impressive. Belen told him that this is how his life will be filled with cameras, pressure, and crazed fans. It only made him regret working for her a little.

He's used to living a quiet, carefree life, but to think now that he is with Belen, no thee "Belen Astares," he is going to have to get used to the spotlight. It only adds more stress because he is not used to attention or cameras following his every move.

He recalls Belen giving the boy waiter her autograph, "that reminds me, why did that boy ask for your signature?"

She calmly answers, "he's currently a musician, and he plays the same instrument I did back then. I inspired him, though I don't know how."

Everest interestingly asks, "you're a musician?"

She nods, paying attention to the road, "I was," she emphasizes, "but I quit that path."

"What instrument did you play?"

She turns to him a little confused, "you really have been living under a rock, haven't you?" she chuckles, answering him, "the alto saxophone."

After a few seconds of silence, she glances over to see him on his phone, searching up the something, "Ohh!" he shouts in delight, "this instrument?" he shows her as she nodded.

He stares enchanted by the instrument's figure, wishing he could see it in person rather than a simple image on the phone.

"Wow," he lets out a gasp, "it's beautiful. Did you play this instrument? Like this very instrument?" he shows her the image on his phone.

She solemnly nods, "yes, since elementary school."

"Why, I mean, what made you quit?"

She turns quiet, making Everest think he possibly may have crossed the line, she casually answers, "because, I lost it." Everest cocks his head, "what do you mean? You liked playing it, no?"

"I did, but after playing it for so many years, I lost my passion for the instrument. I got confused. I didn't know if I was playing the saxophone for my own pleasure or to satisfy my father."

"O-Oh" his voice sinks, Belen brightens the mood, "it's all in the past, it doesn't matter anymore."

"Don't you miss it? playing?"

She unknowingly smiles, melting her cold expression, "I can't, I have to manage A Star now."

Just as Everest was about to comment, they've already arrived at A Star when she says, "we have a lot to do today. Make sure to bring the finalized forms that need to be provided for the meeting with Lang Corporation."

Everest nods, "yes, Be-" he forgot, correcting himself, "Yes, Madam."

***

A short, skinny tan man enters A Star handing to the receptionist, an envelope for Belen to receive. He immediately leaves, that envelope made it to Belen's office sitting on her desk waiting to be opened.

As the suspicious man disappeared, he grins into the distance staring at his phone, scrolling through pictures of Belen and Everest that were shot in the morning having breakfast. A snarky grin forms on his face happily, staring at the exclusive photos taken, which is odd because it's impossible even to take pictures from the second floor.

"These are perfect," his raspy voice delights, walking away, skipping by the sidewalk. When he gets a call, "hello~ yes, I delivered it. She should be looking at them. Huh? Well, that's easy. If she does not respond, then I'll continue to send more until it breaks her, after all, I have the originals. I've got nothing to lose. That is how we survive, right? I'll see you back at the office."

***

Everest checks the time on his phone, "we're about to close" he clicks his tongue nervously "shit, I'm going to have to leave."

An employee asks, "so, Everest, how was your date?"

The employees crowd him to hear the gossip, "w-what, are you talking about?" he asks, overwhelmed.

"it's all over the internet!" "yeah! How could we not see it!" "and the way she held your hand!" "Ahh! So cute!" "And your gaining fans by the minute too!" "I bet that's why you kept humming since eh!" they nudge him.

"I was?" Everest asks bewildered, was he? Thinking back, Everest does remember humming, but it wasn't because of Belen. The main reason for it was because he was excited to deposit his check. His breakfast date with Belen was more of an uncomfortable nightmare that he prefers never to go on again.

He goes along with the flow, "y-yeah sure, it was fun…and not at all uncomfortable," his voice lowers. But that's not what's bothering him. The fact that he has to go home to that cheap, not soundproof motel is the problem. He slept better in Belen's office compared to the bed provided in the cheap motel.

***

A Star is officially closed, Everest is downstairs talking to the department's leaders about the upcoming general meeting that'll be held in a week. Meanwhile, Belen is unguarded when nothing but loud thumps and bumps are coming from her office.

Since Belen opened the large yellow envelope, she couldn't help but throw a tantrum, which destroyed nearly everything in her office. Her face lit up red and angry eyes like that of a mad dog going berserk.

On her desk laid out carefully are exclusive pictures of Ernestina holding a child in her arms, Iris smoking marijuana with a crowd of friends, Edilberto entering the mall of her rival, and Mabel with Noah.

The pictures were taken secretly but were given to her on purpose with ill intention. What pissed Belen off the most was the handwritten note left behind every picture, pretty much threatening not her life but her fame by trying to blackmail her into striking a deal with whoever sent these pictures.

It only infuriates Belen because she does not care about her family but the fact that no matter how much she separates herself from them, they will only continue to burden her life. Had she not known about Mabel and Noah, then she'd probably go as far as to confront Noah.

She loses her temper, "son of a bitch! Does this anonymous idiot dare to threaten me?! Belen Astares?! Ha! Just wait and see!!"

At that moment, Everest enters her office but freezes upon opening the door when he worriedly asks, "w-what's going on?"

Belen angrily shouts, "GET OUT! LEAVE! NOW!!!" her voice roars ringing throughout the whole floor.

Everest flinches quickly leaving the floor by taking the stairs, "what the fuck was that? Her and her wild mood swings. What is she bipolar? One moment she's happy, and next thing I know, she's like a possessed demon!"

Belen's blood is boiling within her that it even causes her a headache when she feels something on her lips. She wipes it away, thinking perhaps its tears of anger, but is quickly mistaken to see red on her hand, "blood? I'm bleeding?" she cups her hand up to her nose as blood splatters into the palm of her hand.

Filled with mixed emotions of anger surges within her body, but the nose bleed somehow calms her down as she sat on her knees, feeling the warm blood. Her consciousness says, "cry! Cry! That's how you feel! Just cry!"

Tears silently run down her cheeks, "w-why," she stutters, "w-why can't I ever be myself…I'm tired of being an Astares!"