Upon reaching their apartment, Serenity was nestled comfortably in her bed, engrossed in a book, she just finished cleaning the kitchen, Lavinia didn't tell that to Candy. Candy's annoyance bubbled over as she saw her. "You're just here, not even helping," Candy started to reprimand Serenity, but Lavinia intervened, her voice soothing yet knowing. "That's okay, Candy. We can't change her ways," Lavinia whispered, her gaze resting on Serenity with a mischievous sparkle. "She thinks she's the star of the club, let her be." Candy's jaw clenched in frustration, but she heeded Lavinia's advice and let the matter go. Days passed. On a bright and sunny holiday, Alex, Leo, and Mel wandered the bustling streets of the city, their minds filled with excitement and possibilities for how to spend their day off. Leo, the outgoing and adventurous one, suggested heading to the gaming center to try out the latest game machines at Giga shop. Mel, always up for a good time, eagerly seconded the idea. As they strolled along, Leo turned to Alex, who's been quiet for a while and asked, "What about you, Alex? Are you up for some gaming fun?" Alex hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yeah, of course. But before that, I need to make a call to my mom in the Philippines to check on her." Leo nodded understandingly, "Alright then, go ahead and catch up with us at the Giga shop once you're done."
With a warm smile, Alex parted ways with his friends and made his way to a nearby telephone booth. The anticipation of hearing his mother's voice across the miles filled him with a mix of emotions. He dialed the number, and as his mother's voice greeted him on the other end, he sensed a tremor in her tone. "Hello, Mom. How are you doing?" Alex asked, his concern growing. His mother's voice quivered as she shared troubling news, "Your stepdad has taken all the money you've been sending us, even the title of our house. He's pawned it all." Shock and worry gripped Alex's heart as his mother continued, "He's fallen into addiction and gambling. Our lives are in danger here.
He's become violent, and I want to escape with your younger brothers." The weight of his mother's words hung heavy in the air, and Alex's mind raced with thoughts of how to help his family from afar. Despite the distance separating them, his heart ached to be by their side. "Mom, have you considered contacting the authorities?" Alex suggested, his voice filled with concern. Trembling with fear, his mother responded, "I can't. We just need to get out of here. I don't feel safe anymore." A determination ignited in Alex as he reassured his mother, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll send you money. Once you have it, find a new place in the city and leave as soon as possible." "Thank you, son, after your brother's school will finish this year, we will move to the city," his mother, Zen, said. As their conversation came to an abrupt end due to exhausted phone credit, Alex rushed to meet up with Leo and Mel at the gaming center. Inside, he found his friends deeply engrossed in the array of game machines, their laughter and excitement filling the room. Despite the lively atmosphere surrounding him, Alex's mind remained consumed with thoughts of his family's well-being. He tried to focus on the present moment, joining Leo and Mel in a game, but his heart was elsewhere, longing to be a source of strength for his mother and siblings. Hours passed as they indulged in the thrill of gaming, the noise of bells and whistles blending into a symphony of joy and distraction. Yet, amidst the lights and sounds of the arcade, Alex's thoughts kept drifting back to his promise to his mother.
Sensing his unease, they gently nudged him to share what was troubling him. With a heavy heart, Alex confided in his friends about his family's ordeal back home. Leo and Mel listened intently, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern as they grasped the gravity of the situation. "Oh, that's so tough, I hope you can send them money so that they can get away, I can lend you Alex," Leo said. "I'll help too, but our salary will be in two weeks from now," Mel said. Determined to support their friend, they offered words of comfort and financial support, assuring Alex that they were there for him no matter what. As they left the gaming center, amidst the bustling streets of Tokyo.
They strolled casually, surrounded by LED lights and glittering sign boards from different kinds of establishments and towering skyscrapers shimmering in the night sky. The vibrant energy of the city enveloped them as they chatted, their voices blending with the symphony of sounds that filled the air. Suddenly, Leo's gaze was drawn upwards towards a massive billboard adorning the side of a high-rise building. The billboard depicted the stunning visage of Rie Natsuki, Japan's most beloved young movie star, her ethereal beauty illuminated by the glow of the city lights. Leo felt his heart skip a beat as he became mesmerized by her enchanting features. "Oh my Rie Natsuki, my fantasy!" Leo exclaimed; his eyes fixed on the captivating image before him. Beside him, Mel nodded in agreement, her own admiration evident in her eyes. "Rie Natsuki is truly mesmerizing, I love her too,"
Mel seconded, her voice filled with a sense of awe and admiration for the renowned actress. Leo turned to Mel with a gleam in his eyes, a sudden burst of excitement filling him. "Let's watch her new movie," he suggested eagerly. Mel's face lit up with a smile as he nodded enthusiastically, sharing in Leo's eagerness. "Yes, let's do it! It's still early, we can catch the last full show," he remarked. Alex also looked up at the huge billboard of Rie Natsuki, his eyes locked onto the billboard, a strange sensation washed over him. It felt as though he was being pulled into the scene, his own image blending seamlessly with that of the glamorous actress. For a moment, he was imagining himself as a rising star alongside Rie Natsuki. Leo noticed Alex's trance-like state and gently tapped his shoulder, breaking him out of his reverie. "Are you okay?" Leo tapped. Blinking rapidly, Alex returned to reality, shaking off the strange vision that had momentarily consumed him. "I'm fine, just lost in thought," Alex replied with a reassuring smile, though his mind still lingered on the ethereal experience he had just encountered. Leo chuckled, teasingly remarking on Alex's fixation with the billboard. "Seems like you saw something up there," he quipped, unaware of the profound impact the vision had left on Alex. "I don't know, it felt like I was up there with her," Alex joked, attempting to downplay the intense connection he had felt with the image on the billboard. Leo laughed, dismissing it as mere imagination, unaware of the depth of Alex's experience. Interrupting their banter, Leo proposed watching Rie Natsuki's latest movie together. However, Alex declined, expressing a desire to ask Serenity out for dinner. "Do you think she will come with you? Her boyfriend is always around?" Mel interjected with doubts. "I heard that her boyfriend is out of town, I just want to try," Alex remained determined to reach out to Serenity. "Well, it's up to you bro, see you later in the house," Leo said and bid goodbye, they walked towards the cinema, Alex made his way towards Serenity's apartment, yearning for a meaningful connection in the midst of his family problem. Alex walked aimlessly down the dimly lit street, his footsteps echoing against the brick walls of the buildings surrounding him.
The cool night air nipped at his skin, causing him to pull his jacket tighter around himself. He had been yearning to spend time with Serenity, to have someone to talk to and confide in aside from Leo and Mel. Approaching a nearby telephone booth, he hesitated for a moment before dialing Serenity's number in her apartment. "Hello? Who is this?" a voice answered on the other end, a soft tone tinged with curiosity. It was Lavinia. Alex's heart skipped a beat as he mustered the courage to ask for Serenity. "I'm Alex, may I talk to Serenity for a while?" he inquired, hoping to hear her voice. Lavinia hesitated, glancing over at Serenity who was engrossed in a book on the couch. "Why have you called?" Lavinia questioned, a hint of suspicion in her voice. Ignoring her inquiry, Alex pressed on, requesting to speak with Serenity directly. Lavinia, after a moment's contemplation, suggested, "Why don't you come over?" she suggested. "But It's forbidden for me to go up, right?" Alex replied. "I know, but no one will find out." Lavinia said. Alex's mind raced with uncertainty.