Chapter 1
Once upon a time, the universe spun its magic, and by cosmic chance, we ended up in the same spot at the same tick of the clock.
Sisi sat in the bustling departure lounge of Heathrow Airport, her gaze fixed on the digital departure board, which displayed a constantly changing array of flight information. She watched the numbers and letters shift and transform as flights arrived and departed, passengers hurriedly making their way to their gates. To the casual observer, she appeared like any other traveler, lost in thought amidst the transient chaos of the airport. But her mind was far from the conventional pre-flight jitters. Sisi, with her wavy raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders and a furrowed brow, was lost in the depths of quantum physics. The concepts of destiny, determinism, and the uncertainty principle swirled in her mind like an intricate dance of subatomic particles. As she contemplated the enigmatic world of quantum mechanics, she couldn't help but feel that everything was preordained. That every twist and turn of her life was part of a cosmic blueprint laid out long before she was even born. Every moment, every decision, every heartbreak, all orchestrated by an unseen hand. She found herself caught at the crossroads of science and metaphysics, wrestling with the idea that perhaps free will was an illusion and that the universe had a plan for her.
Her gaze shifted from the departure board to the crowds of people passing by. Couples saying hurried goodbyes, families embarking on adventures, and solo travelers like her, each carrying their own stories. In that sea of faces, she felt utterly alone. She couldn't shake the pain that had haunted her for months, the heartbreak she'd endured, and the agony that had torn her world apart.
"Why did you plan this for me?" she whispered, addressing the invisible architect of her fate. "Why did you let him break my heart?" The creator, if such a being existed, remained silent. Sisi couldn't decide if she despised or pitied this celestial entity who seemed to hold the strings of her existence. She yearned for answers, but the airport was full of noise and motion, making it impossible for her to hear the universe's response.
In the midst of her inner turmoil, a voice came over the loudspeaker, announcing the departure of her flight. She rose from her seat, her quantum contemplations left behind, at least for the moment. With each step toward the gate, she felt herself moving further into the unknown, guided by forces she couldn't comprehend. As she boarded the plane, she wondered if she was just a pawn in a grand cosmic game or if there was still a chance to carve her own destiny, regardless of the creator's intentions.
10:48 pm Manila International Airport
After 13 hours and 5 minutes of travel time, Sisi arrived in Manila, but she was overwhelmed by the chaotic scene at the airport in the Philippines. The loud voices, the crowd pushing in every direction, and the overwhelming presence of security guards left her disoriented.
"DUWAAAAYYT AYLABYOUUU!" Shouted by a random girl from the crowd.
"I can't even understand the name she just shouted, but whoever that person is, curse you, I hope you trip into someone else." she murmured to herself.
She couldn't help but wonder what had drawn such a massive gathering. As she attempted to navigate her way through the sea of people, a collision sent her stumbling forward. Sisi regained her balance and, with an air of irritation, glanced at the person who had bumped into her. She couldn't see his face clearly as he was covered by a black baseball cap and a mask. However, the familiar scent of Soleil Blanc filled her senses. It was the distinctive fragrance her brother, Tyler, always wore.
"What the f--" she muttered under her breath, nearly cursing in her surprise. She took a step back, avoiding another collision, and regarded the man with a mix of annoyance and curiosity.
"Are you okay?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice. Sisi, still bothered by the chaos and her encounter with this mysterious stranger, replied in her unmistakable British accent, "Do I look okay to you, Mister?" She waved her hand dismissively and rolled her eyes before making her way further into the airport.
As she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling of irritation. "What an annoying arse," she thought to herself. Sisi was eager to find her brother and escape the frenzied crowd.
She continued to search the airport, scanning the faces of those who had come to greet arriving passengers. Amid the chaos and confusion, she hoped to spot Tyler's familiar visage. Despite her annoyance at the stranger who had inadvertently bumped into her, she longed to reunite with her brother and find solace in the familiarity of family amidst the disorienting world she had entered.
"Are you okay? You looked irritated," Tyler asked as he loaded Sisi's bag into their car. Sisi rolled her eyes once more and replied, "You are the second person to ask me that question," before making her way inside the car and slamming the door. She let out a deep, heavy sigh that echoed the weight of the world she was feeling on her shoulders. Tyler, mimicking her eye roll, joined her in the car and started driving them back to their home.
"You can't be this irritated at the party, Sisi," Tyler admonished as he navigated the busy streets. She responded with another eye roll.
"You can't keep rolling your eyes every time someone talks to you!" he exclaimed in frustration. Sisi, uninterested in the conversation, simply put on her headphones and began listening to "Illicit Affairs" by Taylor Swift.
Tyler continued talking in the background, but Sisi had tuned him out completely. Her thoughts were consumed by the painful question of why her long-time boyfriend had chosen to cheat on her.
"I gave everything to him. I sacrificed so much for him. I believed that if I stayed with him, he would realize that I was the one he could spend forever with," she thought to herself as tears welled up in her eyes, her emotions too overwhelming to hold back.
Life could be heartbreakingly unfair at times, and it seemed that no matter how hard she tried, her best was never good enough.
After enduring a long, traffic-ridden drive, they finally arrived at their modest house in Forbes Park, Makati. To Sisi, this place felt strangely unfamiliar compared to her flat in Mayfair, where she had spent most of her time. Nevertheless, the warmth of family drew her back. Her mother, radiating beauty, her sister Sera, her dad, Nana Flora, and Tatay Turing-all of them awaited her eagerly. Sisi was overwhelmed by the solace of their presence, and tears streamed down her face.
"Ayan, umiyak na," Nana Flora remarked as she hugged Sisi tightly. "Don't cry, Apo. You are home now," Tatay Turing reassured her. But Sisi's heart was heavy, and she sobbed like a five-year-old.
The morning brought more relatives to their home. Nana Flora and the other helpers had prepared a sumptuous breakfast feast, and everyone couldn't get enough of Sisi. She had been sent to London by her parents at the tender age of six, and her visits back to the Philippines had been rare. Thus, to her family, it was as though a Hollywood star had returned, despite her sister Sera being a famous celebrity in the Philippines.
Amidst the celebration, no one suspected that Sisi's world was crumbling due to her recent breakup with her long-time boyfriend. She tried her best to wear a happy facade, knowing that everyone was overjoyed to see her.
The day was spent going to the mall, shopping for party essentials, and indulging in various eateries to satisfy their grandparents and relatives' cravings. It was a full day of celebrating her homecoming.
"Baby, your dress and other things are already packed. We need to head to the hotel. We wouldn't want to be late for your own party, right?" her mom said, a forced smile on her lips. Sisi nodded, concealing her true feelings about the upcoming party.
In reality, the idea of the party was something she despised. Her siblings had gone to great lengths, inviting the Philippines' elite and turning her homecoming into a grand event. They had even attempted to recreate the spirit of the Met Gala and rented the prestigious National Museum of Fine Arts in the Philippines, turning it into a lavish spectacle.
As the evening unfolded, the elite of the country, including celebrities, politicians, business tycoons, and well-known influencers, arrived one by one.
Sera had shared the celestial theme for the evening to her cousins, and she proudly displayed her custom-made dress worth millions, despite Sisi secretly finding it unattractive. Her cousin suggested that the dark blue dress was a better choice than the black one.
"Are you ready, baby?" their mom asked. Sisi smiled and nodded. Her relationship with her parents was somewhat distant. She had been raised by Nanny Julie, as her parents were often preoccupied with their business ventures, and her siblings, Tyler and Sera, who studied in the US, were her primary companions during holidays. Sisi struggled to connect with her parents, as she had spent very little time with them throughout her life.
Once the preparations were complete, guests continued to arrive. Sisi, accompanied by her parents, Leticia and Charles Levy, made a grand entrance, eliciting applause and excitement from the attendees. However, the jubilation around her only served to irritate her further. The program began, and Sisi found herself growing increasingly disinterested in her own party despite wearing a custom dress created just for the occasion. Despite receiving congratulations for her new position, she couldn't escape a sense of isolation. Excusing herself from the table, and she sought refuge near the bar.
"Isn't it boring here?" remarked a voice, strangely familiar yet random. Sisi turned to find a captivating presence materializing beside her. The man standing there was the embodiment of celestial beauty, a vision of the brightest star in the night sky. His features were chiseled to perfection, his onyx hair gleaming like the midnight sky. His enigmatic almond-shaped eyes held the depth of the cosmos, and his charming smile outshone even the most brilliant constellations.
"What an annoyingly handsome fellow," Sisi mumbled to herself, her eyes locked on the man in front of her. "Indeed, it is," she replied, examining his striking features and perfect physique. The man chuckled and ordered sweet cocktails for both of them from the bartender.
"Can I offer you a drink?" he asked, clearly flirting. Sisi accepted with a smile, though she refrained from reciprocating the gesture. "Thank you for the drink. It might sound strange, but have we met before? Your voice is familiar, but I can't place your face," she said, her curiosity piqued.
"Well, uhm-" The man never got the chance to complete his sentence as Tyler suddenly appeared and pulled Sisi towards the stage, responding to their father's persistent calls. As they hurried to the scene, Sisi couldn't help but steal glances at the man at the bar, racking her brain to determine where she might have encountered him before. "Not in London," she muttered to herself as she ascended the stage. "Please let us all welcome Miss Selene Levy, the new president of the Levy Foundation! Everyone, please give her a round of applause," announced by Charles, her father, from the podium. The room filled with applause as Sisi was handed the microphone and asked to give her speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm deeply honored to accept the role of President of the Levy Foundation. I'm committed to continuing our mission of making positive impacts on countless lives."
While addressing the affluent audience, Sisi's eyes remained locked with those of the mysterious man from the bar, and it felt like they were engaged in an unspoken game of intrigue.
"Our core belief-that we all have the power to make a difference-drives us. I'm dedicated to using my position to help as many people as possible. Together, we can uplift communities and provide opportunities."
For a brief moment, the stranger had managed to pull her away from thoughts of Jude, providing her with a much-needed escape. "A millisecond, he took a millisecond of my time and removed Jude from my thoughts. What a dreadful man," she mused to herself as she continued her speech.
"I want to talk to him again," she thought while casting a longing glance in his direction.
"In unity and benevolence, let's be a beacon of hope and generosity. With your support, we will make a difference in many lives. Thank you for your trust, and let's brighten the future with kindness."
At the end of her speech, she wore a genuine smile, not for the position or the party, but for the prospect of someone new in her life.
"Thank you, everyone, and enjoy the party."
In the moment when she felt alone and overwhelmed, the universe seemed to weave its magic, and through cosmic chance, they ended up in the same place at the exact moment in time.
To be continued
Play: Enchanted by Taylor Swift
Greetings, everyone!
I'd like to share with you a story that was heavily inspired by Miss Blondie, Taylor Swift's music, combined with my admiration for Mister Cha Eun Woo.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Marie
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