Hidden Destiny

A Strange Meeting

Gaia is in the chaotic backstage of the first fashion show in New York, just trying to wrap her head around everything needing to be done before she walks. Her mind was back home with her aunt, whom she knew was still angry over her decision to move into this world. The cameras, publicity, and exploitation were big worries of her aunt. Due to the depth of love and respect, they had been able to discuss all of this openly after the initial blowup, and while they were not fully aligned in this decision, they would remain family – always.

There was suddenly, the oddest tension that crept down her backside. The type of feeling you get when you are convinced that you are being watched, but that was super weird in this situation because there were people everywhere. Gaia reached up to her neck, rubbing gently as the goosebumps climbed; her psyche honed in weirdly on one particular person, and she turned slowly toward the far end of the workspace.

There staring at her, was this odd little woman about her age with strange glowing eyes honed in on Gaia. All others around them faded into the background, and she felt this woman walk toward her. The person was shorter than her by nearly half a foot, adorable, curvy, and not model material per se, yet still eye-catching in her own way. She was built a little more like a fitness guru than the lithe model, had long auburn hair that was glowing, and translucent skin that appeared to sparkle.

“Hello,” the woman said, furrowing her brow at Gaia. She was obviously struggling also with something. “Have we met before?”

“No,” Gaia said. “I think I would have remembered that,” she replied, holding out her hand, “Gaia Meyers,” she said as she waited for the woman to introduce herself. The lady just stood there staring at the appendage for the longest time, “Astra Mendes,” she sighed as she laid your hand in Gaia’s.

Gaia felt this weird heat run through her veins. It was not s****l in nature or even imaginary; she reeled as she glanced down at her arm and literally saw the veins in her arms light up like a Christmas Tree. It looked as if someone had forced a dye through her veins and, glancing, oversaw a similar occurrence in Astra’s hand. There was this bizarre lightheaded feeling and then a peace so complete it was startling after such a weird incident. She knew beyond all doubt that this woman would be one of her best friends, and she craved having her around. She felt like everything would work out with Astra by her side.

“Did you feel that?” She whispered to Astra.

“I did,” Astra sighed, looking so sad. “I have been searching for my place for months. This emptiness had seeped into my soul, sucking the life from me since losing my parents. I can’t even explain it,” she shook her head. “It was visceral and all-consuming. I’m supposed to be your assistant, aren’t I?”

“I think you are,” Gaia said, picking up her phone and typing something to her agency. “I didn’t like any of the assistants I interviewed, and I feel so weird that you would just walk into my world like this. Are you available for a full-time gig?”

“I am,” Astra remarked. “I was just contracted for the day to help, but I would love more stability.”

Gaia was not normally so decisive, especially when it came to people. She had been inbred with a deep distrust of everyone, which had been helped by her aunt’s keeping her pretty closeted for the breadth of her childhood. This woman, though, was something she couldn’t explain. She didn’t plan to have to describe this connection more than request to have her work with her in the coming days.

“You said you lost your parents recently?” Gaia asked, crooking her neck to Astra. “I have never met mine either. My aunt had raised me since birth when we lost my mom.”

“Wow, I’m sorry,” Astra replied. “I adored my parents, but they recently went down in this plane crash. To make matters worse, there is talk that the accident might have been intentional.”

Gaia felt her head bob at her in shock. “That is terrible. Did you know of any reason your parents would be targeted for such a thing?” She asked before she could filter the comment. “Sorry,” she immediately followed the question up with, “that seems so rude, and I didn’t mean how it sounded.”

“No,” Astra held up her hand. “I was just as shocked as my parents ran a philanthropic organization. My mom came from much money but was the last of the family. They were on the way to a charity ball when it happened. Neither had enemies or anything we knew about so far,” Astra replied. “The police said the fuselage was intentionally damaged, but nothing so far. As that is the case, they tied up all the money, so I’m just trying to make ends meet on my own. I was fortunate that the temp agency put me to work pretty quickly.”

“That is amazing that you can find work, but still, that has to be a jarring change of life,” she remarked. “I would love your support and anything I could do to help in the investigation, giving you time for personal matters – we can make it happen.”

Gaia saw Astra glance at her hand and followed her line of sight. Astra picked up her hand, and there was this weird mark on both hands. The two of them just stood staring at each other, and the new mark was small as a birthmark but in the shape of a claw mark of sorts.

“What is going on?” Gaia asked.

“Are you not ready,” the showrunner came rushing at her, interrupting any further conversation with Astra.

“She will be in three minutes,” Astra said, surging forward, “I got you,” she said to Gaia as they focused all attention on the show.

Just as she walked on stage, Gaia looked at her hand again; she couldn’t shake the odd feelings after meeting Astra. Right now, though, she needed to make this walk look amazing and not trip.