Found Again

Now that I am traveling back to Manila, I can feel the exhaustion of having more than twenty-one hours flight. I can’t believe that after two years of living in America, I am finally coming home. I feel excited to see my family but at the same time, I feel nervous about the thought of seeing Andrew and Anne. I don’t know if two years is enough to forget about my feelings for Andrew.

I am scared of what will happen to my friendship with Anne and Iya. I treated Anne and Iya as my own sisters. But with everything that happened, I don’t think that we can be as close as before.

I was about to call Lance when I saw them waving at me. I smiled and wave back at them.

Lance walks in my direction and hugs me. “I miss you, my beautiful cousin!”

I chuckled and hug him back. “I miss you too Lance.”

“I miss you, sis!” Gelo whispered while hugging me.

“Where are the others?” I asked them after their welcome hug for me.

“They are waiting for you at home,” Lance said then he help me with my luggage.

My eyes widen when I saw a group of people calling my name. They have welcome banners with my face on them.

I can feel my tears welled up in my eyes. I feel so touched by what they did for me. I wave back at them. I ask Lance and Gelo to go near the fans. I want to personally thank them for this surprise. I took my camera and I took a video of them. I will include this on my next vlog. I want to give back the love and support that they gave me.

After taking a video of the fans, I face the camera on me to do some spiels.

“Hello, there beautiful stars! I finally arrived here in Manila and I was surprised when I saw these beautiful stars giving me a welcome surprise. I was so touched. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

I call my fans or viewers beautiful stars since the name of my channel is stellar.

After my spiels, I zoom out my camera to show Gelo and Lance.

“Here with me is my very handsome brother, Gelo! Gelo says hi to my vlog.”

Gelo looked shy as I focus the camera on him. “Hi.” He said with a little coldness in his voice.

“And of course my handsome cousin Lance.”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Unlike Gelo, Lance looks more confident and friendly on the camera. “Hi everyone! Thank you for supporting my cousin’s vlog.”

“Thank you guys for this warm welcome. You made me so happy.” I told them sincerely.

“It’s nothing compared to the joy that your vlog is giving us.” One of the fans said.

I smile while I listen to them. But my smile slowly fades when someone mentions Andrew.

“We hope that your collaboration with Andrew Lopez will finally happen. We can’t wait to see him on your vlog.”

I froze at that statement. I can’t utter any words. I know that even in my vlog comments and Instagram live, most of the fans are requesting him but I didn’t expect that they will mention their request right now.

“Don’t worry guys it will surely happen. If you guys don’t know, Andrew is a close friend of mine and Alli. In fact, Alli and Andrew are super close.” Lance said then he smirk at me.

I almost punch Lance at what he said. He knows that I deliberately avoid Andrew to be on my vlog. He of all people knows why I am doing that! I feel so betrayed by my own cousin. I want to bury him alive.

When the fans screamed from excitement because of Lance’s statement, I said goodbye to them. I don’t want to hear their follow-up question or reaction about my relationship with Andrew.

I gave Lance a death glare when we went inside the car. He just laugh at me which made me more furious.

All the excitement that I felt a while ago is completely gone. I started to panic and get stressed from thinking about the impact of Lance’s statement. Of course, I will edit out his statement about my “relationship” with Andrew.

“Sis are you okay?” Gelo asked.

“I’m not okay! I’m so stressed!” I hissed.

“Why are you stressed? I just tell them the truth. Besides, they will surely find out your real relationship with Andrew. You and Andrew are celebrities now.” Lance said.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m an influencer, not a celebrity and will you please shut up?! You already ruined the mood!”

“Influencer and celebrity are just the same,” Lance answered back.

I didn’t answer him anymore. I don’t want to talk to him. I pick up my phone and AirPods. I want to calm myself by not talking to Lance and listening to music.

When we reach home, I wasn’t as excited as before. They made a surprise for me but I can’t force myself to act excited.

I was happy to see my two parents and siblings. I hug each one of them.

“I miss you, mom and dad! You never visited me when I was in the US.” I complain to my adopted parents.

They just chuckled.

“We want you in the US but we are not young anymore for that kind of travel.” My adopted mom explained.

I nodded at them. They are already senior citizens so I understand their point. I won’t push my sentiments anymore. My parents’ health will always come first.

I went to my dad and hug him again. “I’m so glad you are well now dad. I wanted to come back as soon as I heard you were rushed to the hospital but my schedule won’t allow me. I’m sorry dad.”

“No worries sweetie. I understand. I’m more than glad to hear that you decided to come home and be with us.” My dad said in a gentle tone.

My tears welled up. I feel so sorry for them. I should be spending more time with them to catch up with our lost time. But look what I did? But I am grateful for having very understanding and supportive parents.

While I was talking to my parents, I saw Iya and Anne go in my direction.

I was taken aback when I felt Iya’s hug. “Alli I miss you so much!”

I froze. I don’t know how to react. Iya treated me just the same. It was as if nothing happened.

“I miss you too.” I just said.

I look at Anne. She was standing behind Iya. This is exactly the reaction that I expect from them. Anne looks awkward. Both of us don’t know what to say to one another. Iya was the only person who looks genuinely happy with our reunion.

The awkwardness was broken when Lieo went to me and gave me a warm hug. “I’m glad you are finally home. I miss you.”

I smile at him and hug him back. “I miss you too.”

Aside from Lance, Lieo was the only person I allow to communicate with me while I was in America. He was with me when I saw Anne and Andrew that night.

“What about us Alli? We miss you too!” Vince said in a teasing tone.

I chuckled and gave each one of them a hug.

When it was Andrew’s turn, everyone was silent. All their attention is all on me and Andrew. I look at Andrew. He was looking at me intently. I swallowed hard.

He walks in my direction. While I stepped back. I was nervous but confused at the same time.

How can he act like this when Anne is here?

And why is everyone not doing anything?

I look at Anne, she looks sad and hurt but why is she not doing anything? This is so weird. Everything is so weird.

I was about to take another step back when Andrew grabbed me by my waist. “Running away again?.”

He went closer to me and whisper, “This time, I will not allow you to run away from me again.”