Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 9

Amanda's POV

"Celebrating her 17th Birthday. Here's Aria Jade Velarde with her escort-turned-fiancé, Mr. Asher Ledesma!" The guests applauded as Aria and Asher made their entrance. My sister nodded and smiled at the guests, her friends, and us. Asher and Aria had their first dance, serving as the introduction before others could take the floor to dance. This was followed by messages and speeches from the guests.

"Do you not want to have this kind of celebration for your debut, daughter?" Papa whispered as Aria sat on her swing in front.

I shook my head. "Not anymore, papa, it's just an expense and tiring. I'd prefer to spend the day alone, at least it's more personal."

Asher kept a serious face. I couldn't tell if he wasn't interested in this or if that's just his natural demeanor. I opted for the latter. That was always his expression at school anyway.

"Celestine, don't Aria and your son look perfect for each other?" Mama said.

We were seated at the same table as Aunt Celestine. My parents and Asher's parents are very different. Celestine and Ronald Ledesma looked deeply in love and inseparable, while my parents appeared distant. I was even seated between them.

Uncle Ronald never let go of Aunt Celestine's hand and whispered in her ear often. I suspected he said sweet words because every time he did, Aunt Celestine would either blush or smile.

My parents were terrible role models for love, so seeing Asher's parents interact felt new to me. I was pessimistic about love, I believed that feelings always came with reasons and motivations. Once those reasons disappear, so would love.

"Let's not rush the kids, Asteria. Let them get to know each other, then let their feelings decide," Aunt Celestine said.

Mama's expression turned sour at Aunt Celestine's reply. She had a point. You couldn't expect a seventeen-year-old to suddenly grasp the meaning and be ready for this kind of commitment.

"Yeah, I'm sure they will grow to love each other eventually. No one can compare to my daughter's beauty," Mama said confidently.

"Not everyone is solely attracted to looks, isn't that right, Casimir?" Aunt Celestine smirked as she glanced at me and papa.

Mama forced a laugh and took a sip of her wine.

Unsure if I wanted to witness this heated conversation any longer, I excused myself to join my friends at their table. There were two empty seats next to each other, so I sat there.

"Everything's beautiful, Callie! Wow, this is only her seventeenth birthday. She might get a palace on her eighteenth," Astrid commented.

"Of course it's beautiful, Astrid. This place is our hotel," Jasper boasted.

Astrid rolled her eyes. "You love taking credit, don't you? Your parents made it to what it is."

Jasper shrugged. "And I'm proud of them. Someday, it will be even better under my management."

"Let's toast to that!" We raised our glasses of iced tea juice and drank together.

I glanced at the vacant seat beside me. "Whose seat is this?"

We didn't have any other friends present.

Axel opened his mouth to respond, but his gaze quickly shifted behind me. "Oh, there's your answer!"

Upon turning around, my eyes widened.

With his hands in his pockets, Asher approached our table. Panic surged through me, I immediately looked back at Mama's table to see if they were watching us. Mama wasn't there, she’s probably speaking with her business partners.

I smoothed my hand over my dress. "Um... I-I..." Trembling, I attempted to stand up. "I'll just go back to our table. I th-think Mama's calling m-me."

"Huh? But Aunt-"

I didn't wait for Astrid's response. I quickly ran towards my parent's table and squeezed in next to Papa, who was talking to Aunt Celestine. I took out my phone, pretending to be busy.

"If you really want to cast our actor, you'll have to compromise with his terms. He doesn't do erotica films. I don't know why Asteria is insisting on it."

"You know your friend, Celestine. Once she's fixed on something, she doesn't give room for anything else. Who knows, someone else might do the movie better," Papa replied.

"She's trying to turn Philippine entertainment into a Western one. All adult rated. You know, the story might lose its heart if we always show lust. I know it will be a hit, given people's interests nowadays. But the movie wouldn't be taken seriously. It will be seen for its bed scenes instead of the story's meaning."

I held my breath. I slowly lifted my gaze to Asher. He was looking back at me, frowning. I immediately looked away. Tita Celestine's eyes were darting back and forth between us.

"We... we're classmates with Asher. Th-that's why we kn-know each other," I stuttered.

I looked ahead where Aria was. Mama was introducing her to some business friends, although I'm sure they already knew Aria. Even from afar, Mama had her hawk eyes on us, watching what was happening.

"I did not say anything, dear," Tita Celestine chuckled, "loosen up a little, my son doesn't bite. You'll be brother and sister in laws anyway... if... he indeed chooses to marry your sister."

I don't really think he has a choice in all of this. News about their engagement is already spreading around the internet. Everyone is just waiting for them to reach their legal age so they can get married.

"Mama," I almost froze like a statue upon hearing Asher's voice nearing.

"Son, hi! You left your fiancée?" a smile crept on Tita Celestine's lips as Asher glared at her.

"She's with her mom," Asher replied curtly.

"Must be going around tables with Aria," Papa interjected.

Celestine Ledesma turned to Asher and grinned. "You should've gotten introduced together, you know. It would look better if you two are more public."

"Shut it, mama!" Asher hissed.

Tito Ronald chuckled. "Enough with it, wife."

"No need to be shy about it, son," Papa laughed with them. "It's normal, you know. Marrying my daughter would be surreal."

Asher licked his lips, his mouth slightly agape. "Yeah, it would be."

I kept looking down at my phone, so I didn't know if he was looking at me or if I was just imagining things.

See? Even Asher did not escape my sister's charms.

I scrolled through my f*******:. We were chatting in our group chat with Astrid even though we were all in the same venue.

Axel:

@Amanda Callie, Asher keeps stealing glances at you HAHAHAHAHA

Jasper:

He's being too obvious.

Elara:

Y'all are so boring. We should be socializing to find potential partners.

Jasper:

Aria's friends are gorgeous. Those curves! All models @Axel let's go!

Astrid:

Psh! Looks like Asher isn't the only one interested in younger ones.

Axel:

Why? Are you sure everyone in Aria's circle is the same age? Surely, Aria would fit in older friend groups. She looks mature.

Astrid:

@Amanda Callie, have you seen the recent articles?

I furrowed my brow at the latest message.

Amanda Callie:

About the engagement? Yes. The internet almost slams it right on my face every day.

Astrid:

The freak? You didn't even know that you're trending?

Me? Trending? Since when I become a subject on the internet. There's nothing much interesting about me except that I'm a Velarde and I'm Aria's sister.

Astrid sent numerous links to our gc. Before I even opened the link, I saw my photos taken from the mall where I met Asher.

The Elder Velarde Sibling, Private or Hideous?

Amanda Callie Velarde, Finally Unmasked

Another Velarde Heiress Unveils Herself at A Mall

There are numerous articles comparing Aria and me. The articles leaned more towards Aria as expected, but some compensate by saying a few generic compliments, so the article would not be deemed offensive.

Beauty is different for everyone, some are obvious in the face and some shown by the heart. Amanda Callie Velarde is simple, humble, genuine and shy.

I received comments that I expected and always received from family, friends or schoolmates.

They don't look like they're sisters.

Aria takes better care of herself.

She's the older sister?

Aria is more beautiful.

I like Aria's face more. Amanda looks cute though.

Aria really has that celebrity vibe.

They have money, Amanda can surely beautify herself.

I'm with Aria. She's fair-skinned. Her skin is beautiful.

There are even f*******: groups that post our pictures, then give heart reacts if it's for Aria, sad reacts if it's for me.

They think I haven't done enough of that over the past years? I've already done a lot of self-remorse and comparison that it now means nothing to me. I'm used to being in my sister's shadow. It doesn't matter even a bit to me anymore. As long as I'm alive, dressed, able to study and eat, I'm okay.

"Callie! Aren't you and Asher classmates? You should be talking," Tita Celestine interrupted my thoughts.

My eyes went to Asher, then to Tita Celestine.

"Ah," I laughed nervously, "We already talked earlier.... at the entrance."

I swallowed hard as Asher just looked at me.

"Right.... Asher?" I ask hesitantly.

His dark steely eyes stared fiercely into mine as he maintained a blank expression on his face. I almost melted on the spot.

"Yes, we did," we shared a look of understanding.

I sighed in relief. I thought he was going to try and contradict me. I swore he would. That's how he is.

"Hmm..." Tita Celestine's tone was skeptical.

Panic rose as he walked his way beside me. What is he doing?

He extended his hand to me. I looked at his camera hanging on my neck. Oh yes! Maybe he wants this back now.

"Yes, sorry. Here!" I removed the camera from my neck and handed it to him. He raised his brows at me.

"I don't know if you're pretending to be dumb or if you're that unassuming. I want you to dance with me, Amanda Callie."

Really, Asher? Here? In front of our parents? I don't know if he still feels shame nowadays. He loves going public as always. I blinked several times. How do I respond? In all honesty, I would reject his offer. But, rejecting him in front of Celestine Ledesma might offend him somehow. Should I follow what I feel, or do I save face?

"And don't you tell me I should dance with my fiancée first because I already did," he added.

And I said the most embarrassing response to a dance offer in history.

"Uh... I just need to go to the comfort room," I left my chair without checking everyone's reaction.

I closed my eyes tightly as my cheeks turned red because of what I did. Good job, Amanda Callie. You might just rank first in the most embarrassing person department.

"Holy sh*t," I let out a breath as I locked myself inside the cubicle.

What am I doing here? It's not as if I'm an important person here. Maybe I could ditch the celebration and no one would even notice. The longer I stay there, the more I only risk being talked about and watched by everyone.

I only came here in respect to my sister, my mom, and dad. I showed up, right? And I think it's okay not to go back.