Bab 21: A Strange Reaction
Lucien August.
Almost everyone in the city knows his name and how he looks like.
After all, this famous teen model with a princely image has his handsome face displayed on many magazines, television ads and billboards. He's nearly everywhere, and no one can possibly escape that breath-taking frame of his, especially when they're living around this area of the city.
It just happened that not only is Lucien a popular figure, but he's also the sole heir to a well-known entertainment agency called 'The Empire'.
It is founded by none other than his father, Lyssandre August - a widely acclaimed personality in the entertainment world, a skilled practitioner in various fields of commerce, and an outstanding individual overall. The main branch of their agency can be found around the center of the city, and its imposing edifice is said to be towering over its surrounding commercial buildings.
"So, like... they're really rich and famous, huh?" Anastasia found herself blurting out, a bit dumbfounded.
Cathleen just finished stretching out the important details to her clueless friend. At this point, the photoshoot is already starting, and all the party guests are now fully immersed in watching the scene from a distance.
A larger crowd had gathered around the park as well. Swarms of spectators are beginning to flood in and surround them.
"If only I knew that Lucien would be having a photoshoot here, I shouldn't have used this location for your birthday party," Cathleen chimed in from beside her, making her turn to look at her in puzzlement.
"Hmm? Why is that?" Anastasia asked, tilting her head.
"Well, everyone's attention is on sunshine boy now. At this rate, they're going to forget that we're still celebrating your birthday."
"It's alright, Cathleen. As long as everyone had a good time, that's enough for me."
"Oh, how sweet of you, my darling Anna~"
With an ear-splitting grin on her face, she went ahead and pulled her in a bone-crushing embrace - her trademark gesture whenever she's endeared or ecstatic. She just simply giggles at this and returns her ebullient smile.
"You're too kind and understanding for your own good, Anna. People might take advantage of you one day, so you better be careful..."
Hearing her friendly warning, Anastasia feels her smile turning a tad bit stiff. She doesn't know why, but for some reason, she senses a bad feeling - a brewing premonition, perhaps.
"Get away from the baddies as much as possible!"
But then again, this is just her friend kidding around. Anastasia can't possibly take them seriously just because she feels a little off all of the sudden.
---
"Cathleen... And Lucien August?"
Back in the present time, Anastasia finds herself thinking too deeply after finishing the first entry of her diary.
It's just a couple of pages long, but she's already feeling this uneasy for some reason. In all actuality, she's only getting more and more bewildered as she continued to read along the lines.
"So, Cathleen is my best friend back then..." she pondered out loud, trying to rummage through her memories.
"I can tell that she's a sweet and sincere person just from reading how my young self described her, but..."
For some reason, Anastasia feels that there is more into the story. Everything even seems like it's still far from the tip of the iceberg. This can just be her instincts talking, though.
"Then, there's this Lucien August."
As she mentioned his name once more, she felt a massive thump in her heart. It's as if her chest began to weigh more heavily, her heart racing faster, and her insides pulsating erratically.
That's one huge reaction - Anastasia knows.
She still can't clearly recall who this person really is, but for some reason, her own body is going ahead of her. It's remembering things that her brain can't.
"I-In any case, let's read some more."
Wanting to get a clarification for this as soon as possible, Anastasia looks back down to the journal and begins reading the succeeding pages.
---
On the night of her fourteenth birthday, it rained heavily.
No one saw this downpour coming. The city people did not expect this - even the weather forecast itself.
"Looks like we'll have to close the bakery early. No one seems to be coming anymore," Anastasia thought out loud as she peered through the blurry windows of their shop.
They live in this two-story tall building with the ground floor serving as a local bakery. Though it's just small enough for them to accept take-out customers, the place appears presentable and well-designed.
It has a cream-colored wall interior. Shelves after shelves full of different kinds of bread stretch all around, and the counter is placed at the furthest back center.
"Hmmm...? What's that?"
Minutes into surveying the street outside for any incoming customer, Anastasis suddenly spots an obscure figure walking under the harsh weather. It's a person with a grey hoodie on and a pair of black pants, acting a little odd for someone who's supposed to be looking for shelter.
"Why is this person walking like a zombie? Can't they tell how bad the downpour is?" was what she's wondering that time.
That's all until this hooded figure suddenly slips and crashes on the ground with a loud thud, catching Anastasia off guard and finally urging her to stir her stumps.
Hadiah
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