The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

"HAVE you had breakfast?" Lauren asked Astrid, trying his best to ignore the tall guy sitting beside the other. 

After that initial bickering, the three of them were finally sitting around the only table in the room.  The twins on one side and him on the opposite. 

"We had one before going here," Astrid answered.

"Then order some desserts," Lauren suggested.  "All the sweets here are very delicious, I guarantee it."

"It sounded like you've tasted every dessert in this place," Astrid said in a teasing tone.

"Well, I often come here whenever I have time.  So, yeah, I kind of have tasted everything on the menu," Lauren said with a bit of shyness.

He often went here whenever he wanted to eat sweets and not worry about people taking pictures of him or asking him for autographs.  Despite this place looking very casual, the security here was very top notch.  Besides, this was mostly made for artists – not an artist like an entertainer but those who belonged in the art world - in the capital who wanted to unwind or temporarily get away from the life in the city.  They could also get some inspiration from the beautiful surrounding.

That's why it was called an 'atelier' even though it was really a café.  He thought this name was very apt though. 

Most of the customers of this place were temperamental painters who only lived in their own world.  So, of course, they wouldn't care if an actor like him suddenly appeared in their midst.  That's the main reason why Lauren liked this place.  So, when Astrid contacted him, he immediately suggested this place.

It's true that it would be faster to just directly meet at Polaris' main building.  But with that, there's a chance that some paparazzi might take pictures of them.  He didn't want Astrid to be embroiled in a scandal with him.  Yes, it could produce some hype.  But ultimately, it wouldn't be good for Astrid's career. 

Instead of being know as a talented newcomer, people would first think of him as that guy who was linked with Lauren Watts.  That would be a great disservice to someone of Astrid's talent.  So, he suggested to meet here first before going to Polaris.  This way, they could leave together from here and just directly enter Polaris' private parking lot.

From there, he could let his assistant take Astrid and that other guy around the company.  While they were doing that, he would ambush their president in his office and convince him to meet with Astrid.  Surely, with the other's talent and appearance, it would be their loss if they didn't sign him.  They had to take this chance while the other was still willing to join them.

"I'll trust your judgment then," Astrid responded to what Lauren said earlier.  He looked through the virtual menu and chose something that was not too sweet.  It's not that he was worried about his diet.  He simply didn't have that much of a sweet-tooth.  After he's done, he glanced at his brother.  "How about you, Reas?"

"Just coffee is fine," Reas answered.

Lauren scrunched up his nose when he heard that.  He really couldn't understand people who liked to drink bitter stuff.  But it matched with the personality of this guy.  He would probably be more surprised if the other ordered something overly sweet.

Astrid raised one of his brows when he heard Reas' order.  When did this guy like coffee?  If they're talking about someone who liked sweets between the two of them, then it's definitely this twin of his.  But now he was suddenly ordering coffee?  Surely Reas knew that he would find that suspicious.

Of course, Reas knew that.  That's why he turned to Astrid and tried to communicate with him using his eyes.  His gaze was simply telling the other, 'just order and please don't say anything'. 

He had loved sweets since he was a kid.  How could he not when he grew up eating all the delicious desserts made by Astrid?  It would be much weirder if he didn't.  What he didn't like actually were bitter things.  Like the coffee that he just ordered.  But he would rather have that than a very sweet and mouth-watering dessert.

Simply because he didn't want to eat dessert in front of this Lauren.  If the other knew how much he loved sweets, he had a feeling that he would definitely make fun of him.  And he'd rather not have that happened.  It would feel like he lost, as weird as that might have sounded. 

So, the message in his gaze became even more intense.  To the point that his teal-gray eyes seemed to be glowing.

Astrid did receive his brother's message.  He smiled helplessly because he knew exactly what was going through the mind of this guy.  They wouldn't be twins for nothing if he didn't.  Although he loved to tease Reas from time to time, it didn't mean that he would just embarrass him and deny him his wishes.

He just couldn't understand why Reas would feel shy eating sweets in front of Lauren.  No, it was probably more of the fact that he didn't want the other to know that he loved sweet things.  Was he thinking perhaps that it would make him look uncool or something? 

He wanted to laugh just thinking of that possibility.  Really, how cute.  Despite always acting mature, Reas still apparently had this childish side.

"How about a caffe latte instead?" he suggested.  "I would ask them not to make it too sweet."

A latte was indeed better than pure coffee.  So, he said, trying to sound as reluctant as possible, "If you insist."

But what he didn't know was that his expression was totally stiff.  Even the way he said it was very robotic.  It's obvious just how bad he was at acting.  Since he was with two actors right now, of course, both noticed his odd behavior.   

Astrid knew why he was behaving like that.  But Lauren didn't.  So, in the other's eyes, he just looked weird.  And he had no problem voicing that out.

"Why do you look like you've eaten crap and couldn't spit it out?"

Astrid suddenly burst out laughing when he heard that.  While Reas only had black lines on his face. 

As expected, this guy was really his nemesis.