When stars align

She arrives

*Crowds shuffle past. He stands near the arrivals gate, shifting on his feet, flowers in hand. His heart races—not just from anticipation, but guilt.*

*Then he sees her.*

*She waves through the crowd, dragging her suitcase behind her, eyes scanning until they land on him. Her face lights up.*

Brianna ran towards him like she was a kid. “There you are!” She said jumping on him

She drops everything and throws her arms around him. He wraps her up, holding her tighter than he thought he would.

Emmanuel was choked by her hug. “You’re really here…”

Brianna nodded her head positively. “Four months is way too long.”

She leans back to look at him, smiling, brushing a hand over his cheek.

She studies his eyes as she touches his face. “You look… different. Tired?”

He forces a laugh, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

He felt his heartbeat fast and hoped she won’t notice. “Yeah, just work and missing you. It's been... a lot.” He lied,he wished he could say more but he didn’t know how she would take it.

She wished she could tell him she knew all that was happening,but she couldn’t bear to betray her best friend. She had to wait till he tells her. She kisses him, sweet and familiar. And for a moment, everything else disappears. But the second her lips leave his, reality crashes back in.

One night. One stupid night. It meant nothing, but it happened. And now it hangs between them like smoke he can’t wave away. Somehow he felt he didn’t do anything with her,but he had no proof.

Anna smiled,hoping he’ll tell her already. “I can't wait to catch up. Tell me everything. And I wanna hear all about your side of life here. Everything I missed.”

That word—everything—hits like a cold slap. His grip on her waist tightens slightly, eyes flickering with hesitation.

**He replied quietly. “Yeah… I’ll tell you. Just… maybe not all at once.”

She laughs,hiding her anxiety of the turn out of the situation, being aware of the storm inside him.

Anna tried to be as cheerful as she could. “We’ve got time. I’m with you now….. I’m home now.”

He nods, smiling back, but behind his eyes—conflict. Happiness tangled with dread.

*****

Hurt at Heart

The soft murmur of conversation blends with the clinking of cups. Warm light filters through the windows, catching dust motes in the air. At a corner table, Anna sits across from Emmanuel, her eyes expectant, lips curled in a slight smile. He stirs his coffee absently, gaze distant.

Anna was half-laughing at him “You’ve been weird all day. What’s going on? Did you forget something or you want to borrow money from me” she teased him

Emmanuel sighs, looking down”No… I didn’t forget anything . That’s not it.”

He takes a long breath, still not meeting her eyes.

Emmanuel CONT’D”I... I need to tell you something. It’s not easy, and I didn’t know how to bring it up”.

Anna sits straighter, her teasing tone fading “Okay... now you’re scaring me. Just say it.

Emmanuel took another deep breath and said “My parents... they’ve arranged a match for me.

(a pause)”I met her while you were in Zanzibar and we collided at parties”.

Anna blinks“A match? Like, *an arranged marriage?match? She said

Even though she knew about it already,heading it from him broke her heart

Emmanuel nods slowly ”Yeah”.

The silence is instant and deafening. Anna’s eyes search his face, waiting for him to explain further and tell her about how he and her best friend Jessica had been playing Claudia but he didn’t.

“Are you... are you going to marry her?” She asked him hoping he’ll spit it all out. For a moment she wanted to tell hi she knew all about it but there was no way she’d let him think Jessica wasn’t capable.

She knew she had to protect her best friend and her relationship but she was as stuck as a rotten pin in a cloth.

Emmanuel bowed his head and said “They want me to. It’s all set. The families are already... involved”

Anna cuts in her voice cracking “What about *us* Emmanuel ?

He looks away and contemplated about telling her of his plans but doubted if she was going to play along.

“You know how it is, Anna. It’s not just my decision. They—“ he tried saying

Anna stood up angrily “You made a choice. You met her. You let this happen”.

She stands abruptly, her chair scraping back. Her eyes shine, not with tears yet, but with disbelief. Hurt.

“I thought we were building something real. That we had time” Anna said .

Emmanuel knew she wasn’t going to take it lightly

“I didn’t want to hurt you” he replied.

Brianna looked at him stern but she was broken inside of her “You just did” she said taking a deep breath.

She turns and walks out, the little bell on the door jingling as it closes behind her. Emmanuel doesn’t follow.

She had knew about it while she was in Zanzibar but the fact that he kept it from her and never really had her time shattered her.

She needed someone to talk to and that was Jessica.

She needed a plan. A mind blowing plan.

There’s no way she’d let her relationship with him fall apart. If it gets worse she hoped to use his promise against him.

She knew she had to keep him away so she could focus on her revenge. Luckily she’s got Cleo too.

The agreement

The place is modest but warm. A few candles flicker on the kitchen counter. Anna is curled up on the couch in an oversized hoodie, nursing a cup of juice. The door bursts open—no knock, just the sound of keys fumbling and then It was Emmanuel, stepping in, breathless.

Anna looks up, startled. “Emmanuel ? What the hell—?”

He rushed to her. “I need you to help me. Just... please, hear me out before you say no.”

Anna steps back coldly. “You shouldn’t even be here. Doesn’t your *fiancée* have a curfew for you or something?”

He winces at the word, steps closer. “It’s not like that. Anna, you know it’s not like that.”

Anna steps back. “You’re engaged, Julian. That’s *exactly* what it’s like.”

Emmanuel tried explaining. “It’s arranged. Business. Families. Names and legacies and everything I don’t give a damn about. But they think she’s the answer to all of it. That *she* makes me look stable. Acceptable.”

Anna scoffs, sets her mug down.

Anna was pissed. “So what, you want me to just sit on the sidelines and clap for your engagement party?. Or even be your decorator?”

Emmanuel nodded negatively. “No. I want you to continue to be with me. Just for her to leave.”

She stares at him like he’s grown a second head.

Anna looked at him with a blank expression. “You want me to be your *side piece*—*on purpose?“

Emmanuel was desperate. “Not like that. I want her to see there’s someone else. That she’s not the only one with power in this game. Her father’s been pushing this merger like it’s a marriage deal signed in blood. But if she sees me with someone—*really* with someone—it gives me leverage.”

Anna folds her arms. “Leverage. That’s what I am now?”