Knock.knock. Mother Superior glanced at the door, "Come in," she responded, handing a tissue to Vince.

The doorknob turned. Vince quickly wiped his tears, stood up and pretended to feed the fishes in the small aquarium.

"Good afternoon, mother," Angie peered and smiled. Looking at Vince, whose back was against her, she added, "Let's go."

"Sure. I'll be there in five minutes," Vince answered nonchalantly, without a single glance.

"Good afternoon, Angie. Will be there shortly," Mother superior smiled and replied, saving Vince from embarrassment.

"Okay," Angie retorted. She made some face sensing something was off. Instead, she shrugged it off and gently closed the door. Angie walked towards the reception, where the rest were waiting, slouching on the chairs.

"Hey, everyone. Let's just wait for Vince, then we're off," Angie announced.

Lindsey, who was burrowed in her phone, looked at Angie and smiled. Amused that she can barely recognize her best friend. At least, not the Angie that people see her for.

Angeline Hernandez -- the trendsetter, fashionista who doesn't give a damn about the people around her. Two years ago, you will never find Angie in a place like an orphanage. She was a certified workaholic and perfectionist who will pull all-nighters to finish one piece. Her staff was the most competent but overworked employees in all of Canada. Just her voice would send her people scrambling on their feet, sometimes comical way, to attend to her every whim. Angie was hailed the exact epitome of "The devil wears Prada" in Quebec.

That day, Lindsey saw the passion come alive as Angie pulled off an event that's almost an alien for her. Everything was perfect except for the small mishap when Angie collapsed. She couldn't blame her either. It has just been weeks since she started working again. But, she was welcomed with a tsunami of workload and personal issues. If it had been her, she could have given up a long time ago. But not her friend. Not Angie.

The Angie she knew would never lift a finger for any charity work and would leave it to her assistant. Lindsey chuckled. In her life, she can never imagine Angie organizing charitable activities and let alone visiting an orphanage. Her parents, who were known philanthropists, never demanded her to do the same.

"Ready, y'all?" Tony spoke in the Southern accent that popped out from time to time. Ashley slid next to him and intertwined her arms around Angie and Lindsey.

"We're just waiting for Vince," Lindsey replied, leaning her head to Ashley's.

"I'm here," Vince answered, flicking his right ring finger in the air while holding a large brown paper bag in his left hand.

"Good afternoon, mother," they all chimed in together as Mother Superior walked next to Vince.

"Good afternoon," she beamed, fine lines showed up next to her forehead and cheeks. Lines that depict how she has gracefully handled years of experience and hard work. "Thank you again for spending time with our kids. They will never forget what you did with them today," she added, reaching her hands to Angie.

"No problem, mother," Angie tapped her hands, then clasped them between her hands. Mother Superior's hands were warm, which gave her comfort and strength. "Expect that this will not be the last. Don't get tired of us, okay?"

Mother Superior chuckled, "Our doors will always be open for you." She looked around, "Your father and mother are not here anymore, right?" To which, Angie nodded. "Please tell them that we are forever grateful for everything they have done for the orphanage. It is what it is now because of them. May God accompany you on your trip home." She opened her arms for Angie, who took the chance to feel her loving embrace around her.

"We will go ahead, mother," Vince stepped in. "I will call you as soon as we get back to Quebec."

"Bye, mother," Tony, Ashley, and Lindsey chimed in. One by one, they approached the nun to hug her before they hopped in the van that was waiting outside.

They opened their windows as they settled in. Waving to the staff and kids who were lined up on the entrance.

Samantha showed up. Reaching out her small hands, handing a white rose to Angie, who smiled and patted her head as tears fell from her cheeks. She held onto her hands until the car started moving. Samantha ran after the car, shouting her farewell and silently sobbing in between. She only stopped when the van turned a corner away from sight.

The group shut the windows when everyone was out of sight. As they turn to settle in, snorting and wheezing shattered the silence. The girls wiped their tears as Angie nozzled next to Lindsey. She closed her eyes, exhausted with the day that was.

Cold breeze enveloped her, swirling around her like a mini-tornado whipping her in the air. "Angie, Angie," the wind whispered. She looked around, but there was nothing. Nothing except for the wind that was carrying her up in the sky like Dorothy being zapped to wonderland. Down below she can see a volcano spewing ash and lava from its mouth, killing anything in her path. Dark clouds surrounded her, sending her into a panic.

"Angie, Angie," the voice spoke again. "I will see you soon," it added, and the murmur drowned in the whooping sound of the whirlwind, which grew stronger and more prominent and suddenly… there was blackness.

Angie felt like she was being swallowed in whole, together with the wind that she sat up gasping for air. "Wow, what a dream!' she burst out, grabbing the water bottle next to her, twisting its cap and gulping the liquid to its last drop.

Vince glanced at her, tapping her hands lightly. Lindsey was sleeping soundly in between them, cradling the bag on her lap. "You look run-down. Sleep a bit more," he said. And Angie lay her head again Lindsey's shoulders as she let her droopy eyes take over her whole being.

Peep. Peep. All types of vehicles line up the highway. The clock turned at 5pm. And according to the driver, it's the dreaded rush hour. The group has been in the car for an hour but not even halfway through their hotel. Vince looked around. Tony and Ashely sat at the back of the van, all cuddled up dozing off like babies. The day had been long, draining all the energy from the lot. Everyone was asleep, except for him.

Dark clouds loomed in the distance covering the sun. Light hues of orange and yellow peeking behind the dark misty sky as if a massive storm was brewing from afar.

Vince clutched the paper bag on his lap. In it was a revelation he has never phantom. A discovery that could totally change someone else's life forever. He gave a deep sigh trying to calm down his heart that was hammering against his chest. He was just beyond words.

"Where are we?" Ashley spoke from the back of the car, rubbing her eyes and stretching her hands next to Tony.

"We're still on the road. But maybe a few minutes away from the hotel," Vince answered.

One by one, Tony, Lindsey, and Angie opened their eyes, squinting and rubbing their them to check where they were.

"Really?" Lindsey asked and yawned, she checked her watch, "Oh my! Have we been here forever?"

"Yes, it seems," Vince chuckled. "We've been stuck in traffic for two hours."

"Oh, man," Tony chimed in, "that explains why my stomach is rumbling. I can eat a horse!"

"We are here now," the driver shouted behind the wheels.

"Thank you, Miguel," Angie spoke to the driver. She faced the rest of the guys, "Can we meet in about 30 minutes for dinner? I think we all need a quick shower after this."

"Certainly agree," Ashey replied.

Vince opened the door and stood there until everyone got out. Tony was the last one to come out, and he slung an arm around his shoulders. "You okay, buddy?" he asked.

"Yeah. Just tired."

As they entered the hotel, everyone was quiet as if every ounce of strength left in their body had crept away. Lindsey and Ashley clung to Angie's arms when the elevator closed, transporting them to their floor. They all went into their room, flung onto the bed before they hit the shower.

An hour later, they went straight to the hotel's restaurant to grab their dinner. Exhaustion has taken over their bodies, but their appetite took precedence. Everyone, except for Vince, devoured every bit and piece on their plate. No one seemed to notice that he forced himself a bite. Despite their almost dead body, their eyes and smile reflected a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

Angie felt her chest swell with pride after everything they have gone through. Lindsey patted her friend's hand, knowing she had been through a lot lately.

Lindsey went back to the hotel to pack her clothes. She was scheduled to leave at dawn to catch the earliest flight in the morning. But, things changed when her secretary called her saying she booked an earlier flight.

Angie followed Lindsey to help her pack. But it was an excuse because she knew Lindsey had everything organized beforehand. All she had to do was stuff them inside the bag. Angie wanted to have a little bonding moment with her girlfriend.

"So, what d'ya make of him?" Angie asked inquisitively.

Lindsey stopped, "hmm... Let me see. He is tall, Asian, and one hot hell of a man. Girl, I am burning!" Wiggling her shoulders like a teenager.

"Haha... Not that."

"Oh! I am not kidding. You better get yourself envy, girl. Haven't you seen how the ladies in our office are green with envy? I bet you, they will snarl at him when they get the chance."

"Can't blame them."

"But, seriously… He is a great catch. As long as he makes you happy, I am all up for that," Lindsey added.

The two girls giggled and didn't even notice Ashley coming in.

Ashley hugged her tightly, "Have a safe flight. See you around. I am sorry we can't send you off. I am feeling under the weather," she added.

"See you back home," Angie whispered, cuddling Lindsey like a teenager. "I will leave you here in the meantime." Turning around, she opened the door and headed out to the lobby. Even after the quick nap in the car, her body was still exhausted. It was her first time doing those physically intensive activities draining her out. And since she was a light sleeper, hearing noises inside the room will make her even more restless. Instead, she walked out to the garden.

San Diego at night was warm and peaceful compared to a chilly night in Quebec. The hotel's garden is filled with flowers of different varieties, bursting with vibrant colors. The cricket chimed in with the whistle of the wind, carrying a tune that exudes calmness. Grasses and trees sway with the rhythm of the night.

Vince closed his eyes, immersing himself in nature's harmony, smelling the earthy scent of the garden. With his hands tucked in his pocket, he clasped at the picture in his right hand.

"Hey," a soft voice spoke behind him. "What are you up to?"

Vince winced, not expecting anyone to be there at that hour. He gulped, wiping the tears quickly on his cheeks.

"Are you okay?" She asked, turning her head to glance at his face.

"Yes," Vince replied. "Why are you still up?"

"I can't sleep all by myself out here. And you?"

"Tony and Ash are inside the room. Don't know where to go to be honest," shrugging his shoulders as he turned around. "Do you wanna go for a walk?"

"Sounds good. A nice exercise would bring my belly down haha.. I think I ate a lot earlier."

Vince nodded and smirked, "You of all people don't need to worry about that cause you always looked stunning."

Her face flushed, and she was tickled pink, "really? I did not expect to hear that from you."

"No, really. You're breathtaking," Vince murmured.

Right then, a cold breeze whiffed pass them, Angie shivered.

"Do you wanna go inside?"

"Yes. But isn't Ashley with Tony?"

"Oh yeah. I almost forgot."

"You can stay in my room. By now, Lindsey is on her way to the airport."

"Did she? I thought she's leaving in the morning."

"Well, she got an earlier flight and jumped right in. She is a busy gal, you know."

"I am sure."

They walked to the hotel elevator, up to Angie's room. Vince walked carefully in silence. She opened the door and led him in. Inside were two queen-size beds, but one was a mess of clothes, accessories, and luggage waiting to be packed. While the other was neatly folded in place. The curtain next to the bed flew away, sending in the chilly breeze from the outside.

Angie walked towards the open french door but found herself stepping out to the terrace. Amidst the windy night and pitch dark night was a sky filled with sparkling stars. She clutched her windbreaker closer to her body.

At that instant, Angie felt two strong arms around her waist. The smell of earth's musky scent whiffed her nose, the sound of his breath and the feel of his muscular arms enveloping her like a protective shield made of most beautiful silk. Her heart was in her mouth, felt her cheeks and ears burning hot.

Angie sighed, closed her eyes, "thank you for coming with us. I know it hadn't been easy for you…" she felt her body twisting in his arms. She opened her eyes to see his face a few inches away from hers, his index finger gently pressing on her lips.

"Shhh. Don't say that," Vince brushed his thumb on her lips. He cupped her face in his palm. "You found me when I was lost." Took her hand, placing it on his chest, "and filled me up."

Angie felt her face warm up like blood seeping up her cheeks. Vince tilted her face lightly, his lips close to hers. She held her breath as his eyes stared intently into hers. A moment that stopped eternity.

Vince brushed her nose with his, then planted a kiss on Angie's forehead. He wrapped his arms around her. He bit his lips and let the tears fall down on his cheeks. They stood still embracing each other, thoughts wandering beneath a sky filled with stars.

"Look at the sky," Angie murmured. At that moment, she's has flown over the moon.

Vince looked up, mesmerized, and smiled. Turning his attention back to the beautiful lady in front, he swooped her in his arms and brought her inside the room. Maybe, he thought, the heavens had spoken opening windows to new opportunities, the doors had closed.

"I don't need to lookup. You are already shining brightly, my star," breathing the words in Angie's ears. Vince closed his eyes until his lips found hers. Just like that, thousands of stars rained in the sky.