The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

INSIDE one of the private boxes of the Polaris' cafeteria, four people were sitting around a table full of delicacies and having lunch.  Yes, they were the Townsend twins, Lauren, and Ellis.  After leaving the president's office, Ellis invited them to lunch.  Of course, Astrid did not refuse.  And since he agreed, what else could Reas and Lauren do but also agree?

They didn't go far and just chose the cafeteria of the company.  This way, they could avoid any paparazzi taking their pictures.  Lauren was still a top star who could generate a lot of traffic.  While Ellis, albeit inactive in the industry for years, some paparazzi might recognize her.  Her sudden appearance with Lauren and some unknown newcomer would definitely be newsworthy.

So, to avoid any kind of trouble, they all unanimously decided that it's better to just eat at the company's cafeteria. 

"How did the two of you know each other?" Ellis curiously asked Astrid and Lauren. 

"We met at the set of [The Sleeping God] about two weeks ago," Astrid answered.  "Lauren played the role of a villain while I played a small part."

Ellis was a bit surprised hearing that answer.  Because she thought that the two had known each other for quite a long time.  She really couldn't be blamed for having such an idea, considering the care Lauren had shown for Astrid.  She was referring to the fact that Lauren was the one who brought Astrid here.  Showing that the other wanted to help the teenager in his career. 

She looked suspiciously at the blond-haired young man.  "You, you don't have any romantic feelings for my artist, aren't you?"

Lauren almost choked on the piece of meat he just ate.  He quickly picked up a glass of juice and drank it.  After he was sure that he was breathing properly, he glared at the woman who almost made him have an accident.  It also didn't help that he could feel a laser-like gaze coming from the person sitting in front of him – which was Andreas.

"Of course not!  I only want to be friends with Astrid.  Please, don't make it seem like I have some sort of hidden intention befriending him," he quickly said.  "Don't make things awkward for us, okay?"

This kind of 'violent' reaction, as if he was trying to hide his guilt, just made Ellis even more suspicious.  Her brows furrowed.  "Really?"

"Yes!  Do I look like a liar to you?" Lauren said in a mixture of frustration and annoyance.

Andreas was no longer looking at him with that gaze, but it only made him panic even more.  Which was just weird and unreasonable. 

Astrid spoke before Ellis had further misunderstanding.  "Sister Ellis, Lauren doesn't really think of me that way.  I can assure you that he only sees me as a friend."

Ellis glanced at Astrid.  This kid certainly wasn't the type to be taken advantaged of.  In fact, it would probably be the opposite.  Even though they only just met, she could feel that they were the same type of person.  Or at least, they were similar in a way. 

If her intuition was correct, then it would be impossible for Lauren to even be this close to Astrid to the point that the latter would happily have lunch with him if he really did harbor that kind of thought.  Since, she's most likely wrong, then she just had to apologize.

"Sorry if I misunderstood you.  I'm just being careful since this kid here is going to be my artist.  I can't let him be embroiled in some scandal when his career is barely starting."

"I- I know.  No need to apologize," Lauren said before secretly glancing at Andreas once again. 

When he saw that the other was still just silently eating and no longer giving him even a single glance, his frustration just doubled.  Then he scoffed at himself for having such thoughts.  Really, what had gotten into him today?  He shook his head and also continued eating.

"So, the movie you mentioned, was it a big production?" Ellis asked after a while.

Astrid nodded.  "It's a big commercial movie.  And it's directed by Director Trevane."

Ellis temporarily stopped her action of lifting her spoon. 

Of course, she knew who Director Trevane was.  Daniel Trevane – a famous director known for his commercial films that always topped the box office list among other movies that were released at the same time.  Even if someone only got a small role in his film, it would still help to boost their career.  Much less a newcomer like Astrid.

"Was your role just a small extra or was it more?" she asked, wanting to confirm something.

"It's a role with a very short screen time.  But if played right, it will leave a lasting impression to the audience," Astrid answered. 

Then he gave a meaningful smile to Ellis, as if telling her that he didn't only played the role right, he played it to the best of his ability.  And that he was confident that he would definitely be remembered by the audience for it.

Of course, Ellis understood what Astrid wanted to convey to her.  If that was the case, then this movie would be a good debut for the teenager.  If they followed that up with another good role in a movie or a streaming show, then Astrid would quickly be distinguished from other actors and actresses of his generation.  Which was a good thing, considering how densely saturated this industry was.

"When will this movie be shown?" she asked so she could make the necessary arrangements in the future.

"After post-production, I think a little bit more than a month from now?" Astrid said.  "Oh, aside from the film, I also starred in a music video of a fairly famous young singer.  It's the theme song of the movie.  The music video would probably either be released on the same day as the movie premier or the day after that."

He told Ellis about the music video since the other was going to be his agent from now on.  It's important that she knew what gigs he had taken since coming to the capital.

Hearing that, Ellis stopped for a second and then suddenly laughed.  "You really do have a shit-ton of luck.  Maybe with that, we could reach the very top at the fastest speed."

While walking here to the cafeteria, she learned that Astrid and his brother – who she still couldn't believe was the other's twin – just arrived her at the capital no even a month ago.  They were here to study.  One at the Imperial Military Academy and the other at Redwood Academy of Performing Arts.

And yet, at that small time frame, this kid was telling her that he managed to get two jobs just on his own merit alone.  Just by that, she could see how determined Astrid was to really be on that position at the very top.

"I don't think it's based on my luck," Astrid said, smiling at Ellis.  "At the very least, I think it's because of my skill."

Ellis was once again rendered speechless.  Before laughing happily.  "You're right."

Really, she's liking this kid more and more.