[Amanda] I swallowed back the tears as I stared at the plate full of pasta. Did Dominic still remember that I did not like appetizers? Did he still remember that my favourite Italian dish was pasta in the red sauce?  

[Amanda] “Why are we taking this inconspicuous car again?” Alex asked me for the third time as he drove towards the area where I lived. I also made him wear normal clothes as in no suit but a plain shirt teamed up with a pair of black denim.  “Because you and the car will stand out if we came in Mercedes instead of this one”, I gestured vaguely at the interior of the four-seater. Alex had agreed to accompany me and I also refused to take any bodyguards much to Dominic’s dismay. He manoeuvred the car and parked it a few buildings away from the place I lived in. I wore the mask that Alex gingerly handed me and got out.  “You go to your apartment and gather your stuff, I’ll talk to the landowner”, Alex suggested. I nodded before entering the building. I gave him the direction to the landowner’s flat before climbing up the stairs. The apartment

[Amanda]2015.... “If you think that we are going to look after you then you are mistaken”, my mother said sharply, not even letting me go past the threshold of our house. I gaped at her. How can a mother be so cruel to her own child? She was looking at me with disgust and disappointment. I tried to look past her shoulder and I noticed dad peeking out of the living room but not even trying to come in and defend me. If this was family, then I was out of luck. My brother was out of the country and in no way would he ever defend me either. We were always at loggerheads, anyway.  Her sharp words stung more than anything. I wanted to cry, sob at her hurtful words, but no tears would come. Maybe I was just too shocked to speak or even cry. “Then...where will I go?” I asked, hopeless and desolate. She shrugged nonchalantly as she started to push me out of the door, “What do we know

[Dominic] I was this close...this close to divulging the secret. Damn this lie was costing me a lot. I fiddled with the cufflinks as my mind veered back to the times I have subtly tried to track down Mandy. My lips curved up involuntarily. My Mandy. She has changed. I sighed as I thought about how she had changed from the delicate girl to a woman who has weathered and has seen a lot in her life.  Those good for nothing family of hers had kicked her out! The audacity they had is astounding. But in a way, I guess it was for the good. She wouldn’t want to know their current financial state. Finding her….had been tough. With my busy schedule and fame, I couldn’t track her faster. Now that I did, I am forced to behave like I don’t care for her anymore. This...this pretentious separation was taking a toll on me. These past few days I had gotten enough concerned and worried glances from my staff. They

[Dominic]“She’ll be presenting an award tonight. The best film of the year.” I scowled at the information. Alex did not seem thrilled either. It was almost time for the red carpet and Mandy will be arriving soon. I couldn’t risk her meeting aunt or all will break loose and scatter everywhere. I paced in the small space, unable to decide whether I should just ask her to go back but that would be a bad move. “Should I tell Amanda that…” he began to suggest but I cut him a look. Alex shut his mouth immediately. I shook my head. “It won’t be feasible to tell her and what if she wants to come even after hearing that aunt is here just to spite her?” Alex raised an eyebrow. “Do you think that she will do something like that?” He sounded a little annoyed at my hypothesis. I gave him a questioning look. “I mean you have known her for a long time.