Chapter 4 LUSH

• "Can I pursue my fashion styling career here in America?"
• “Excuse me…” I heard mom say. I assume that she excuses herself from them to talk to me alone. 
• “What are you saying, Alli?” Mom asked after a few seconds. 
• I heaved a sigh. “I want to pursue this career. I think that I have a gift in this field.” 
• “Are you sure that is the real reason?” 
• I flinched. “O-of course mom!” I wanted to slap myself because I stuttered. 
• “Alli, not because I was not the one who raised you, but in the few months that you live with us, I came to know you. I know that right now, you are avoiding, or should I say someone?” Mom said in a serious tone. 
• My heart tightens. My mom hit the spot. “Mom...” I called her then I started to sob. 
• “Just come home, sweetie. He will surely forgive and understand you. We all know how much he loves you.” My mom said to comfort me. 
• I repeatedly shake my head. “No mommy! You’re wrong! I already lost him!” 
• I let myself cry out loud because if I stop myself from crying, my heart will tighten more. I need to cry to let all the heaviness in my heart out. 
• “What are you saying? You did not lose him Andrew is here!” My mom's voice started to panic. 
• “And he came with Anne, right?” I asked coldly but my tears keeps on flowing. 
• “What? Yes... He came with Anne. But what’s the matter?” My mom asked. 
• “Anne is now Andrew’s girlfriend. They might announce it soon.” I said. 
• “W-what? What are you saying? Where did you get that nonsense?” 
• “I came back to the Philippines a few days ago. I am done with the space that I need.  went back to apologize to him and get him back but I was too late.” I decided to tell mom what happened. 
• “I went to the place where Andrew usually hangout since I left. Lance always updated me of Andrew’s whereabouts.” 
• “I saw him with Anne. I was about to go to them when I heard Anne introducing Andrew as his boyfriend. And not only that, I saw them kissing.” 
• “Oh, dear! I can’t believe that. I’m sure there's only a misunderstanding.” My mom sounds confused. 
• “Mom they were kissing!!!” I shouted then cry aloud. 
• “Hey, sweetie! Calm down. Inhale... Exhale...”  
• I did what my mom told me. I tried my best to calm down. 
• “Are you okay, sweetie?” My mom asked worriedly. 
• I nodded though she doesn’t see me now. “Yes. I’m a bit calm now. Mom, I hope you understand why I wanted to stay here for now. Let me heal first.” 
• “I know sweetie. I understand. I will talk to your dad and explain everything to him. I will try to convince him to allow you with what you want.” 
• “But I hope you won’t stay there for so long. We just reunited. We want to spend more time with you.” 
• I suddenly felt guilty. Mom is right. We just reunited. We should be spending our time together to make up for the lost time. 
• I shouldn’t let myself be involved in a relationship. I should just focus more on my family. I have been so selfish. 
• “I’m sorry mom.” The only words I can utter. 
• “We understand. We love you and we are always on your side.” 
• After my call with my mom, I texted Noah and told him my decision. 
• “Are you ready?” 
• I turned to Noah and smile. 
• “Let’s go?” Then Noah offered his hand on mine. 
• I gladly accepted it and we both went inside the brand’s head office. 
• I was trying my best not to drool. My mind wanted to scream from excitement. I can’t believe I’m here right now. 
• Their office is exceptionally beautiful.
• Being here now is a great privilege. I look at the guy beside me. He just walks straight and acts as if being here is nothing to him. 
• I’m sure that he often goes here because he is one of the brand’s ambassadors. 
• We are welcomed by the brand’s marketing team and their marketing director. 
• “Hi, Ms. Allison, we are glad that you allow us to meet you today. I’m Catherine Smith, the marketing director of Lush.” 
• After the Marketing Director introduces herself, she then introduces the marketing team. The meeting went well. They explain to me the content of the contract. 
• They want me to be one of their ambassadors. I might do some modeling but my main role is to do what I did with Noah from his last vlog. Especially, with their new collections. It's my call if I want to do it as a collaboration with Noah or I will have my YouTube channel.
• “Are you related to Celine Alonzo?” Catherine curiously asked. 
• My eyes widen. Does she know my mom? “Yes. She’s my mom.” 
• “What?” Noah suddenly reacted. 
• My forehead creased. “What’s the matter? Do you guys know my mom?”
• “Hell, yes!” Noah overacted. 
• I chuckled. “You are aware that you are overreacting?” I joked.
• Noah glared at me. “I was just shocked. You never told me that she’s your mom.” 
• “I didn’t know that you know your mom.” 
• Noah was about to answer me when Catherine fake a cough to catch our attention. 
• Noah and I lower our heads and apologized. 
• “It’s okay. But to answer your question, yes we know your mom. She’s well known in the fashion industry.” 
• I was shocked upon hearing it. I know mom’s been into fashion since she has her boutique but I never thought that she was known in this industry. And not just in the Philippines but also here in America.
• “Your mom was a highly paid professional fashion model in her youth,” Catherine said. 
• My eyes widen. “Really?”
• She chuckled. “You didn’t know how famous your mon was?” 
• I shook my head. “She never told about that. Can you tell me more?” 
• “I think you can still search for her name. She got a big break here in America with another brand. Then she was offered by Lush and other brands. If I’m not mistaken, her ramp project with Lush is where she met your father, Gabriel Alonzo.” Catherine shared the story.
• “Wow! I can’t believe it. My parents never told me this. I will surely ask them to tell me more after this.” I told them.
• I feel exhausted after I came back to my hotel. I was planning to look for an apartment tomorrow since I’m planning to stay here for a year or two. 
• I forced myself to take a shower and did my usual skincare routine. I was already in bed and preparing to sleep when my phone got a message. 
• My heart started to beat fast upon checking the name of the sender. The text message is from Andrew. 
• “I heard the news from Lance. You are not coming back?”