Chapter 1: Welcome to Stardust City
1078 Words
News Headline: VIVIAN CHO OF SEAOIL RESERVOIR COMPANY ANNOUNCES THAT THERE IS “SOMETHING GOING ON” BETWEEN HER AND JAYDEN GRIFFITH, CEO BILLIONAIRE OF X CORPORATION!
“I didn’t know the Cho heiress was this obsessed with you, Jayden.” Marco Dela Cruz laughed as he turned off the TV after his boss, Jayden, ordered him to. Dela Cruz was the right hand — or as they called him, the Chief of Staff, of Jayden. He was one of the few people Jayden trusted and relied on for everything.
“You two don’t even talk, right?” Lina Velasco, his Executive Assistant, frowned as she stood up from the plush sofa. She was authoritative and acted like Jayden’s mom with how much she scolded him.
Jayden just rolled his cold blue eyes at his friends. He couldn’t deny how comfortable he was with his inner circle around to vent to. Outside, they maintained respect and professionalism, but when it was just them, they could speak their minds freely.
His General Counsel, Atty. Aamon Ramirez, was just staring at his companions while sitting comfortably on the sofa across from Lina, sipping his coffee. Meanwhile, Michael Johanson, the Head of Security for X Corporation, was buzzing with energy as he threw out a suggestion in the middle of the office.
“Didn’t you say you have one year to find someone who’ll make your heart beat? Well, listen to me, because I have an idea.”
Jayden’s cold blue eyes shifted to Michael, interested in whatever he was about to share. The rest of his friends were listening too.
Lina rolled her eyes. “If this is bullshit, I’m hitting you.”
“Wow, Lina babes, don’t you trust me?” Michael grinned, and Lina immediately threw a pillow at him. “Don’t call me that!”
“Okay, okay! Here it is — this suggestion is worth it.” And his energetic friend started laying out a plan.
Jayden’s face changed from boredom to objection. “What kind of plan is that?” Jayden said coldly. He shook his head at his friend’s words. “You make it sound like you’re just fishing for women.”
His other friends nodded, agreeing with him. “He’s right, Michael. That’s useless. Is that crap even worth it?” Lina blurted out, ready to hit Michael on the head again.
Michael ruffled his blond hair and looked at them, irritated. “You guys are so judgmental! There aren’t even results yet and you already don’t believe in me. When have my plans ever failed?”
They all knew that when Michael planned something, no matter how impossible his ideas seemed, he always got what he wanted.
“Fine, let’s hear your suggestion.”
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“Good day, Stardust City!”
The beautiful woman with glossy black hair and emerald-like eyes couldn’t help but smile as she stepped off the bus she’d taken. Her skin was like porcelain because of how fair it was. Her beauty was striking enough to attract attention.
This was Carmella Sinclair, newly arrived in Stardust City. It had been years since she’d last been home. After getting her small bakery near the city center renovated, she decided to just rent an apartment nearby so she could manage her little business more easily.
“I’m not an actress, grandma." Carmella said with a smile when she passed an old woman who was staring at her with her mouth open, along with her little grandson.
Carmella admitted she was beautiful, so it wasn’t surprising for people to assume she was a celebrity.
“But why are you wearing pajama pants, big sister? Your top looks fancy though?” the child asked, pointing at her outfit.
It was Carmella’s turn to gape, and she looked down at what she was wearing. So that’s why people were staring! Not because she was pretty, but because of her outfit!
In her rush, she pulled her luggage and discreetly slipped on a face mask, embarrassed. She’d assumed wrong — she was the problem.
She hurried toward the apartment she was renting so she could meet the landlady. She glanced first at the tall building in the distance, X Corporation. It was like a skyscraper in size and the first thing you’d notice if you were new to the area.
She decided to explore the city first before opening her new business so she could learn the ins and outs of the place.
Carrying her luggage, she saw her elderly landlady waiting for her arrival. Even if she was embarrassed to face her landlady in her weird outfit, she couldn’t back out now. She hurried over to her.
“Good morning, aunt Martha,” Carmella said politely.
The landlady smiled at her and hugged her. “Good day! Come inside and I’ll show you your apartment.” She led her in but subtly glanced at her outfit. “Your outfit is… unique today, huh?”
Carmella smiled sheepishly. “Yes, I was rushing because I might miss the bus from Poblacion. Poblacion is a province far from Stardust, so transportation there is difficult. That 5 AM trip was the last one, I might not make it. My bakery opens tomorrow.”
“Oh dear, I know you’re tired. Come on, I’ll take you to your apartment and get you some food.”
Carmella thanked the old woman and followed her. The apartment the landlady was renting out looked vintage but not too old-fashioned. The inside felt like a museum because of the beautiful artifacts the old woman collected, displayed behind glass walls. The space was big too — it felt like a five-star hotel to her.
“Your apartment for rent is beautiful, aunt.” Carmella said in awe to the landlady. She looked interestedly at the Renaissance-style paintings hanging on the walls of each room.
“My late husband really loved collecting paintings and artifacts back in his day. So we decided to clean and fix up this rental house his parents left him, because it had gone bankrupt. By God’s grace, we got by,” Tita Martha shared with a sad smile.
Carmella’s heart was touched by what she heard. The elderly had a huge space in Carmella’s heart.
She listened to every story her Tita Martha told until they reached her apartment number.
“Here’s your key, Carmella. I’ll bring you some snacks.”
“Thank you so much, aunt.”
- Writer
