CHAPTER 1: I belong

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! The arrival of the evening's brightest star has been long-awaited. Let us all give a warm welcome to our cherished Annalia Davis!" 

While waiting for the Limousine to open, Anna adjusted her furry scarf showing her exposed collarbone. Anna's two years working as an actress were never an easy ride for her. She had to empower herself with a great deal of material to qualify for this position in the showbiz industry. However, the most crucial thing in this profession is displaying herself in front of a crowd bursting with flashes from cameras, dressing graciously, and simply revealing what she has to showcase.

"Are you ready?" Donovan asks Anna, his voice proud and beaming. Anna cast a glimpse at him before returning her sight to the crowd outside the Limousine. I was never born unprepared. This period of my life has been waiting for me, and now it has begun.

She hears the door open and close as Don hops out of the car. Don pulled up in front of her door and grinned warmly at her despite the heavily tinted vehicle window. With her convincingly fake smile, Anna exits the car wrapping her hand on Don's forearm. They stroll on the red carpet toward the hotel entrance while facing the crowd, waving their hands, and smiling at every flash of the cameras. This is her life and reality. The tale of a young, successful, and well-known actress. She was born in this world the second her mother carried her out. Every flash of the camera will tell another story of her, but not the one that will never uncover the truth. It governs her future and fate, but this is her life—a place where Annalia Davis belongs. 

Anna's feigned beaming smile quickly disappears as they enter the hotel. She lifts her chin and takes her furry scarf off her shoulder. Don complained inaudibly, but he remained silent as she slightly threw the cloth at him. Although some security guards are now surrounding her for safety and security, she cannot trust these men to be around her. Annalia makes a knowing glance at Donovan, which he instantly understands.

"I can go with her; it's okay," Don said to the security guards. Most of them were contemplating, but they continued to follow Donovan. Donovan only shakes his head at Anna with a hint of disbelief. After all these years, she still doesn't trust people, notably male species.

Donovan is Anna's manager's son; they became "friends" after that tragedy, although Anna never thought about becoming friends with him. It's just that he's so persistent that she gave up trying to avoid him.

"He's coming, right?" Anna suddenly interrogates as they enter the elevator. Anna waits for Don to respond, but she notices that he doesn't say anything, as if he doesn't want to say anything at all. It has been simple for Anna to read Don during the years they have known one another, and at this moment, she is aware that Don is keeping something from her for a reason that might affect her.

"Donovan," Anna sternly commanded. She overheard his defeated sigh.

Donovan said with solemnity, "Yes. With his family." Anna laughs uproariously and mischievously at the possibility that she might meet all of them. Well, she expected only one person would show up. I guess I am utterly lucky today. She hasn't seen that family in such a long time—the family she once admired and respected. Anna found it impressive that they were still doing well and prospering despite what had occurred. That shows how keen they are to bury everything, I suppose. She thought to herself. 

"Annalia, it's a big event. Your event. I beg you not to do anything. The press and other celebrities from other networks are also present," Donovan whispers sharply to her when a celebrity from another network enters the elevator. Anna only smiled sweetly, as if she were totally unconcerned. Donovan warmly smiles as he greets the woman, but Anna maintains her poise and silence, paying no attention to the particular celebrity.

Annalia loudly speaks, her mouth still sporting a smile, "Hmm...you're right. It's a massive occasion. It would be unpleasant to be spoiled, yeah?" Donovan caught a glimpse of the celebrity with them, who was obviously eavesdropping on them by the look on her face, which caused him to sharply close his eyes. Oh God, Anna, and her mouth. He thought to himself. 

Donovan enthusiastically escorts Anna by clutching her waist and putting her furry scarf on her shoulder, exclaiming, "Yes! That's why we need to hurry up, Ms. Davis." They were both ready to exit the elevator when Anna abruptly stopped moving.

Without looking at the woman, "Ms. Clish, I would like to ask you to delete the recording on your phone, or else..." Annalia stated politely, but there was a concealed ominous threat behind her voice. Anna satisfactorily smiled when she heard Ms. Clish tapping sound. 

"Thank you." Annalia gently said. Contrary to Anna's calmness, Donovan frowns as he gazes at the celebrity, a look of disbelief and annoyance. Ms. Clish is tapping her phone frantically as she stares at Donovan with bewilderment.

"Let's go," Anna demands calmly, but Donovan knows better than anyone that she is keeping herself in restraint.

When Annalia and Don arrive at the hotel room where the event is being hosted, they are greeted by members of the press from various networks, and all celebrities who also attended the event. Being a celebrity involves some fakery. Anna excels at doing that, and thus she possesses the skills a celebrity should have—conversing with other prominent stars, giving media interviews, and flashing their clothes, jewelry, shoes, and purses. It's an endless saga. Well, she must undertake this despite her suffering in silence. She has to gain power from these people. 

One of the interviewers asks, "Ms. Anna, it's all over the internet that you will have a movie with a rising star actor, Bennet Crapp, as some of your fans saw you together. Can you confirm that?" 

"I cannot confirm that yet, but I can only guarantee I will have a movie soon, so I suppose it's for you to find out." With exuberance—a forced one—Anna answers the reporter's queries about herself, her forthcoming movies, and her personal life. She can handle any of these things—hell, she can manage and even respond to them enthusiastically, even though some of these individuals frequently snoop on her relationships with other celebrities and her private life. But-

"What a big event for you, Ms. Davis! All of the people behind your success are all her. However, I notice that your family is not with you; your parents and siblings. Are they just around?" 

All these sham pleasantries she's showing the bunch of nosy and snoopy fools can certainly be erased with a blunt question. As predicted, Anna was unaware that she was essentially giving the person who had asked her that question the death stare. How dare that woman asked Anna about her "family" if everyone knew that the family she's considered and treated is the Santiago? Donovan, standing entirely alongside her, moves toward her as he realizes what Anna is doing. 

"Anna, what are you doing? Stop it!" Don whispered to her with gritted teeth. That caused Anna to regain her equilibrium. She looked around; some reporters were puzzled and murmured about what she was doing. Don smiles kindly, bends his head in apology, and replies, "I apologize. For your concern, yes...they are just around."

This is the first time she has been asked about her family...her late real family. No one has ever questioned her about that throughout her years in the showbiz industry. Her family is now widely believed to be Don's family worldwide. They just knew that she was a distant relative of the Santiago's. But the truth, they were far from being related. 

It had been years since she had last seen her family before they were cruelly and inhumanely taken away from her. That incident caused her to lose them...and herself. Anna had a stab of grief and resentment recalling them at this moment. It does not matter how strong she tried to make herself out to be; she is still severely affected by it.

Donovan interrupts with an outburst of delight, "Speaking of family, there is her family!" He extends his hand to a person approaching Anna and him. Don held Anna's waist while guiding her carefully. When Anna saw the man, the forced and deceptive grin that had painted on her face for a long time since the entrance switched to a genuine one. 

"Papà!" Annalia happily clamors as she sees Mr. Santiago with another woman...again. 

"Mi Hija!" The gentleman extended his arms, expecting an embrace from Annalia. Without wasting any time, Anna hugged her father. They haven't seen one other in so long! Mr. Santiago is a very busy businessman; he constantly takes good care of his business and frequently travels for work. They are often unable to hang out together because of this. Despite that, she is now delighted that he is here. He is sorely missed by Anna! Don, standing next to her, hugs the old gentleman tightly. Mr. Santiago tapped his son on the back as he returned his son's embrace and murmured, "Hijo."

"Welcome back, Dad. I've missed you."