Wish Upon A Star

Alyia's POV. 

“Let’s welcome our guest for tonight! The most in demand model of this generation, the best actress awardee of this year, the woman behind the success of Vega Group of Companies. Let's clap our hands for Miss Alyia Lyra Vega!”, the host announced.

That was my go signal. I came out from the backstage. All smiles. I tried to hide my frown. I waved and smiled before taking my seat. 

“Welcome to our show, Miss Vega. It's such an honor to have you here. Well, we all know that you have a hectic schedule. Thank you for letting us have you.”, she smiled to me but that smile can't fool me. That can't change her true color. 

I tried my best to fake my laugh. Well, for the past years that I'm here at this industry, I mastered one thing. Faking. 

I shook my head and smiled to show my dimples. 

“No. The pleasure is mine so please, enough of the flowery words. We all know that your show is popular among people nowadays.”, I tried to keep my fake smile. 

Cameras and people are around me. That's the problem in this industry. One wrong move, the world will judge your whole personality. 

My attention was diverted to the host when she started asking me questions. All of her questions were related to modeling, managing a company at an early age, acting and other stuffs that I do. 

“So how's the life of the Alyia Lyra Vega these days? You are really popular to people nowadays. Everyone are really adoring you for being such a role model to everybody.”, she commented that made me shrug. 

“Well, my schedule is really tight right now but I am enjoying my life. I am enjoying managing my time for the company and for the projects I got into.”, I smiled to the camera and nodded. 

More questions were asked. So many to mention. All I know is I want to be out of here and stop faking my treatment towards this annoying girl in front of me.

Every time I answer each of her question, I kept on flipping me hair, crossing me legs, faking my laugh, agreeing to all of her comments about nonsense things. When her last question was mentioned.
I was a bit shocked but immediately removed the visible reaction in my face. 

“We heard that there's this issue about you. It's about a scandal. Is that you? No offense but I found the face of the girl in the video and your face that it seemed like they're exactly similar.”, the host said while staring at me.

I know she's expecting me to be hysterical here in her show by what she said but no, I won't give the satisfaction she's expecting to get. I smiled and shook my head. 

“Of course not. You mentioned earlier that my schedule is really hectic, right? Where would I get time to fool around? Many guys were linked to me but nah, I'm fine by myself. I don't need a man to fill me as a woman. Social media is surrounded by all kinds of people. Who would've thought my haters will go that far that they made a video like that of me to bring me down? But the truth is, the people who watched that video and thought that it was me, are really easy to fool. Maybe including you, miss? What was your name again and I will add it to my list of blockheaded people.” 

My smile turned into a grin when I saw her reaction. She raised her brows and rolled her eyes. One thing that I learned in this world that I am living at is always be classy. Handle all of the situation with elegance. 

I reached for the remote and turned off the television. Wearing my peach velvet pajamas, I was about to get a glass of water from the fridge when my phone suddenly rang. 

“Alyia, my baby, you're on fire again. The crowd is curious how are you and the host ended up. Just minutes before your interview was aired, you are currently trending. Check your twitter.”
It was Mommy Iya. My manager for 10 long years. 

“I’ll check it later, mommy. I need to do my skin care before going to sleep. Let me ask you before I check my social media accounts, are the comments about me and the host bad or good for my image?”, I asked her with my calm voice.

Well, it doesn’t matter if it's good or bad comments. At this time even if it's good or bad, I must be thankful for the attention the crowd has been giving me. I have a lot of fanbases around the world so, let them be. I don't know why people like me. I'm a brat, I admit. 

“Well, darling, bad comments turn into good ones because the crowd will be more curious about you. Issues and scandals about you are everywhere but the way you delivered your statement in that show, people are admiring you for your poise and calmness.”, her proud voice answered my question.

That's what everyone in this industry is always aiming, fame. Everyone but except me. At first, I had so much baggages that I had to carry alone so I got this modeling stuff as my pain reliever. For the sake of keeping me busy, I accepted projects after projects. I thought it would lessen my stress but it's really opposite, it just added more stress than I could ever have. I think “Stress” is my middle name. It won't leave me alone.

“Okay, mommy. I'll try to check my accounts later.”, I said and immediately ended the call. 

I sighed heavily and then I put my phone on the top of the table. I'm not curious about how the public reacts to my actions. I just act what I want to act except for the vulnerability inside me. I won't show that side of me. Never. 

I sat at my couch facing the television. I shrugged and got my phone back at my hands and started to scroll up and down. I didn't see any new comments. All of those were so clichés. Just the same comments that I'm used to reading. 

Bad and good were mixed. My fans were defending my name for me. The social media is really surrounded by hypocrite people that judges the whole person by seeing a small part of her/his life. I breathed in and out a couple of times before turning off my phone. I am just sitting here, not knowing what would I do next. 

Should I need to conduct a press-con? It's just a small thing, though and I really don't care about what other people think of me. 

I remember Mommy Iya and my staffs' hard work just to put me here at where I am right now and I think, that's enough for me to care about my image. Not for myself but for the people behind my success in this industry. I took my phone again and dialed my Secretary's number. 

“Good Evening, Madame. What can I do for you?”, her sleepy voice greeted me. 

“Do I have an important meeting or any party to attend next week?”, I asked without hesitation. 

“Let me check your schedule first, Madame.”, she answereed and I heard sounds of papers being unfolded. 

I waited for a few minutes and before getting a answer from her. 

“Well, Madame, you have to attend a wedding of one of our business partner. Also, a meeting with the engineers holding your new project, which is a soon to rise up resort and you have so many papers to sign  iin your office.”

I cut her off by replying that I won't be able to attend those events and I will be away again for the next few weeks.

“But Madame, these papers needs your sign as soon as possible.”, Debbie said one more time. 

“Okay okay. Just send them here at my condo. Is that fine?”, I asked. Sighing in disbelief. 

I know I'll be having another busy week because as what Mommy Iya said, my name is on fire. Again. 

“That would be fine, Madame. Is it okay if I ask why are you going to be away again for weeks?”, she asked politely. 

“I've been doing your supposed to be job this month, Madame and soon, I'll be considered as a replacement of you in the company. What do you think?”, Debbie joked and chuckled a little. 

I chuckled too. Well, she's right. This month has been another busy month for me. Projects after projects, runways after runways and shootings for my upcoming movie. I, myself can't believe that I can multi-task. 

“Okay, Debbie. Once I've finished this hectic schedule of mine, I'll go back to work and look for a new secretary.”, I responded and chuckled a little just like what she did earlier.

My smile wasn't removed from my lips, instead it widened when the moment I heard Debbie’s loud groan through the phone. 

“Madame! I've worked for you since day 1 and you'll just replace me just like that? Unbelievable.”, she exclaimed loudly.

I laughed at her reaction. There's no way I'm going to replace Debbie. She's the best secretary that I got. 

“Uh-uh.”, I said trying to tease her more. 

“Madame, what I'm just trying to say is maybe, just maybe you'll increase my salary because of my extra effort.”

I heard a sigh from her.

“How much increase are you aiming to get?”, I asked her.

I got an idea inside my head that will surely annoy her. I chucked because of that thought.

“Maybe, doubling my salary is enough.”, she answered. 

“Oh okay. I was planning to triple your salary but then you want it doubled. So, okay.”

I ended the call and laughed so hard. My phone beeped and I saw that the text was from Debbie.

From: Debbie
'How can you be so unfair, Madame?!'

My laugh continued 'til I found myself in my kitchen, drinking a glass of water. 

I did my skin care and after, I got in my room. I stared at my ceiling for a few minutes before being drowned to sleep. 

* * * 
“More! Yes, that's right! Fiercer look, Miss Vega!”

I can't see clearly because of flashes of cameras hitting my face. I just obeyed what the photographer is commanding me to do. 

I'm not new to this so I did more poses for this to end early. My head has been aching for hours. Geez! 

Right after the photographer announced that we can all rest and the shoot went well, I immediately sat at the chair beside me, glanced at where my personal assistant is and signalled her to go get some water. 

“Thank you for picking our clothing line, Miss Vega.”, the photographer approached me with a smile. 

I replied with a sweet smile. I shook my head. 

“Oh no, it's really my pleasure to work with you.”, I replied with a smile.

“I've heard about your issue with Eli, the host! You probably know her, right?”, he asked me but my attention was on my secretary who's walking towards us holding a bottle of water.

I reached for my mini-fan inside my bag and the moment I got it, I turned it on and started to get some air. 

“Well, a video of her is currently spreading through the social media. She was mistreating all of her staffs. All of the people really thinks she's a brat.”, He added that made me look at him.

I wasn't shock about that 'video' thing because I've seen it with my own eyes. How she treated her staffs is really different from how she acts with them when the camera is on. 

“Uh-huh. And?”, I asked him as I raise a brow. 

That bitch deserves it, though.

“And according to her manager, she will be asking for your forgiveness by how she acted in front of you.”, he added that made my brows furrow.

“Ma'am, here's your water.”, Mira's voice interrupted that made me look at her. 

I reached for the bottle she was holding.

“Thank you and please prepare the car. I will be going to my next shoot after this.”, I smiled sweetly at her and told her to go. When she disappeared fromm my sight, I returned my gaze to the person in front of me.

“What’s your name again?”, I asked while raising my right brow. 

“Uhm Cornelie. Eddie Cornelie.”, the man in front of me stuttered as he answers my question. 

What’s with the stuttering? Minutes ago, we're just talking casually. I stood up and tapped his shoulder before walking away. 

“Hope to do more projects with you soon, Mr. Cornelie.”, I smiled at him and left him there. 

* * * 

“Why aren't we moving forward? Geez, I'm going to be late for my next shoot!”, I said with an irritated voice. 

“I'm really sorry, Ma'am. It's because of the traffic.”, Mira answered me. 

I sighed in disbelief and waited for the car to stop. When the car stopped in front of the venue. I was a little bit shocked when I saw Eli sitting at and if I am right, it's my seat. 

All of the people are talking and staring at me the moment I entered the room. When I shifted my gaze to Eli, she was smiling weakly at me. I faked a smile and stared at her. 

“Alyia! You're here! I was planning to cancel the shoot because I thought, you're not going.”, the photographer mumbled when she saw me.

“Who am I to reject this project? I've been stuck at the highway because of the traffic. I'm really sorry.”, I answered with my apologetic voice. 

“Well, go and change. We'll start the shoot right now.”, she ordered me to do and guided me to my dressing room.

I immediately walked to my dressing room but my gaze went to Eli who's walking towards me right now. 

“What do you want? I'm in a hurry, you know. So better burst out all of your speech in a minute.”, I murmured. 

Irritation is what I'm feeling right now. 

“Uhm.. I'm sorry for what happened the last day. Offending you was not really my goal and please, I know that the video of me mistreating my staffs is from one of your fans. Please make it stop. I beg you.”, her voice cracked. 

It looks like she will cry anytime now. Was it my fault? No. That's her karma. I tapped her shoulder and shook my head. 

“Dear, are you really sorry or you're just sorry because of thee video that got viral? I know you're just sorry because you got caught so, no. I won't forgive you. That’s your karma. Live with it. Live with the consequences that your actions led you to.”

Just like that, I left her dumbfounded. She should learn that all actions will return to her and it just happen that by what I said, she''ll realize some things.