When stars align

All of it

Emmanuel softens. “No. You’re the only person I trust to do this without it becoming more of a mess. You’re the only one who’s real. And if I have to play this part, I want you beside me—not like you’re a pawn. Because I don’t want to do this without you.”

She watches him, anger warring with something softer in her eyes.

Anna asked in a quiet tone. “What happens after the game ends, Julian?”

He takes a step closer, his voice almost a whisper.

“Then I stop pretending. And I ask you to stay—for real this time”.

The silence stretches. Her fingers tighten on the mug.

Anna paused then continued. “One condition.”

He held his breath.

Anna responded firmly. “The minute she humiliates me—or you hesitate for *one second*—I walk.”

Emmanuel nodded positively. “Deal.”

She sighs, shakes her head like she can’t believe herself.

Anna paced round the room. “Goodness , I’m going to regret this”.

Emmanuel held and her hands and massaged it with his thumb. “I promise you wouldn’t”

The truth was that she was tired of everything. And he wasn’t acting smart.

She spoke up again. “It won’t work that way. Because you have an explanation to do”.

The cozy cozy kitchen hums with the usual smell of mixed spices and the soft sounds of the kitchen wall clock. Anna sits at a small table, her fingers nervously tapping against the ceramic mug in front of her. She stares at the kitchen counter , her expression tense.

When Emmanuel walks in, she stands immediately. There's no smile this time, no warmth in her eyes. Instead, she meets his gaze with a look of determination.

Anna was soft but firm. “ Emmanuel , we need to talk.”

Emmanuel looked puzzled, trying to smile. She never called his name unless she was angry . “Hey, what’s wrong? You seem... kinda off.”

Anna was straight to the point. “It’s about you. The real you. The you you I don’t know. About who you really are.”

Emmanuel,half-laughs, tried brushing it off. “The real me? Anna, what are you talking about? You know everything you need to know.”

Anna leaned in her eyes narrowing. “Do I? Because I’m starting to think you’ve been hiding something pretty big from me.”

He falters for a moment, a flash of discomfort crossing his face. He glances around, trying to figure out how to respond.

He replied in a whisper voice. “What do you mean?”

Anna looked at him firmly. “I found out. About your family. About your real. background. That your father is wealthy and so are you.”

Emmanuel panicked, his voice dropping. “Babe , you don’t understand—“

Anna interrupted. “No, I think I do. Your family's *billion-dollar empire*. Your last name is all over the news, Nuel. You never told me the truth. You made me believe you were just... another guy, trying to make it on his own. But that’s not who you are, is it?”

He leans back, swallowing hard. His mouth tightens, his usual charm slipping. He’s caught, unable to deny it any longer.

He replied quietly, more like an apology. “I didn’t want you to see me as just another... heir. I wanted you to see me for who I am, not the legacy that comes with my name.”

Anna was pained. “And I wanted to believe you, Emmanuel . I wanted to believe you weren’t just running away from something, that you weren’t hiding behind your family’s wealth. But now I can’t help but feel like everything’s been a lie. Do I look like a gold digger to you?”

Emmanuel was defensive. “ It’s not like that! I’ve worked for everything I have. I didn’t want to be known for my family’s money. I wanted to be someone else—someone who could stand on his own.”

Anna maintained her soft tone but couldn’t hide the hurt in her voice. “But you didn’t tell me the truth. How could you think we could build something real if I didn’t even know the *real* you? For almost four freaking years?”

Emmanuel sits back, his face reflecting the weight of the words he’s been avoiding. He runs a hand through his hair, struggling to find the right words.

Emmanuel replied in a cracking voice. “I’m sorry, My love. I never meant to deceive you. I just didn’t want to drag you into that world. It’s... complicated. You have no idea what it’s like to be under all that pressure, always being judged because of your last name.”

Anna was staring him down, calm but resolute.“Maybe not. But I do know what it’s like to feel betrayed. To feel like the person you trusted isn’t who they said they were. I need to know that you trust me, that I’m the only one you’ll rest in her shoulder when you’re happy and sad. I need to know I’m the only one who clouds your thoughts.

He looks at her, the weight of the moment settling on his shoulders. He exhales deeply, realizing the depth of the hole he’s dug.

Emmanuel exhaled deeply. “I’ll tell you everything. I should have done this from the start. But it’s not just about the money. It’s about who I am, and I’m ready to show you that.”

Anna nods, but her eyes are still guarded. “I’m listening. But just know this: if we’re going to have a future, it has to be built on truth. All of it.”

Emmanuel gives a small nod, his eyes full of guilt but also resolve. This is the moment where the façade cracks open, and the truth, no matter how difficult, was finally faced.