The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

"OKAY, that's it! We got the shot!" the photographer announced excitedly. He looked at the photo captured on the virtual screen. 

The two men were facing each other, myriads of emotions in each of their eyes. One could see just by one look how complicated the relationship between the two was. They properly conveyed the relationship of their roles in that one shot. It didn't even take that long for them to get this picture that the boss quickly approved.

Which was unexpected. The photographer thought that it would take quite a while to get it. But look, not even an hour had passed and they already gotten the result they wanted. His thought was like that mainly because of the difference in age between the two. 

Miguel was almost 15 years older than Astrid. It might not be much in today's standards but if one considered that the latter was only a teenager who hardly had any life experience, then, it's a different matter altogether. 

And yet, in this shoot, that age difference couldn't be seen at all. Astrid showed maturity that was beyond his age. While Miguel also tried his best to match the other. So, at the end, it completely looked like the two were peers of the same age that had gone through the same life experience.

Well, no matter how perplexing it was, it didn't really matter. The important thing was they got the shot they needed.

"Good work," Miguel said to Astrid as he walked to the other.

He was truly impressed by this kid. He was planning to help the other if he encountered any difficulties but he proved that that was not needed at all. Not that he's complaining. It's always better to work with a competent person rather than an incompetent one. Because of that, their shoot went very smoothly.

"You too, Brother Miguel," Astrid responded with a smile. 

"How many more shoot will you have today?" Miguel asked as they walked towards where their agent/assistants were.

"Two more," Astrid said. "The next one with Miss Phoebe Goodman. Then, in the afternoon with Yujin and Mr. Reid."

When Miguel heard the name 'Reid', his brows furrowed a bit. "That Lance, I'm sure your agent had already warned you about him. Although he seemed to be a rascal who only thinks with his thing down there, if you reject him well enough, he wouldn't force himself to you."

Astrid raised his brow. "A gentleman rascal, you mean?"

Miguel chuckled. "Well, something like that."

"Have you known him long?" Astrid asked.

"Quite. We started around almost the same time. I also worked with him in a number of productions."

"So, had he been like that since the beginning?"

Miguel seemed to contemplate how to answer his question. "Hmm… not really. He only started when he became famous. It's like a game to him. A game to see how fast someone could fall for him."

"By targeting newcomers as his 'playmate'?" Astrid said in a sarcastic tone. "That's a very one-sided game. How very 'gentlemanly' indeed."

Miguel scratched his cheek hearing the other's comment. He actually asked Lance one time why he was doing what he's doing. Lance only shrugged and said that he's relieving some of his boredom. Which was not exactly what an upstanding guy with good morals would say.

"Well, if he troubles you, come to me. I'll make sure to block his advances," he could only say.

Astrid smiled at the other. "Thank you, Brother Miguel. But I probably wouldn't need to. If he truly is someone who wouldn't force others, then I'll just have to reject him thoroughly. That is, if he ever showed interest in me."

Oh, that's for sure. – Miguel thought. But there's no need to scare the other. 

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The next shoot with Phoebe Goodman went smoothly without a problem as well. The only difference was that the atmosphere was not as friendly as when Astrid was taking photos with Miguel. 

It's not that Phoebe was unfriendly, the other simply kept everything strictly business. Which Astrid didn't mind. It's not like he had to be friends with everyone. Besides, dealing with someone professional was way better than dealing with a scheming person. Or worse, someone who couldn't hide their jealousy and envy.

After a brief lunch, it was finally time for the dreaded photoshoot with Lance Reid.

Astrid and Yujin were already in their costume and make-up. The photographer and the other staffs were also here. All of them waiting for one person. 

So, he's not only a playboy but also not a very punctual person. Great. – Astrid thought. Well, since they're just waiting here, he might as well just talk to Yujin about the other.

"Yujin, have you heard the rumor about Mr. Reid?" he asked, whispering to the other.

"About him having an affair with newcomers in every production he's in? Yeah."

"Yujin should be careful not to get caught in his honey trap."

Yujin felt amused hearing Astrid say that. "Don't worry, I won't get caught. He should change his gender first before trying to get me interested."

Astrid didn't expect such an answer. So, Yujin turned out to be only interested in women. He had been so used to people not really caring about gender in this era that he forgot that some would prefer a certain gender.

"I'm more worried about you, actually," Yujin added. He truly believed that between them, Lance Reid would most likely be interested in Astrid instead of him. 

Before Astrid could respond to that, he heard some of the staffs calling Lance Reid. He turned his head towards the direction of the voices and saw the man walking towards them. 

He was tall with a perfectly sculpted body. His pair of gray eyes were full of mysterious charm. Atop his golden-brown hair was a crown. And he was walking like a true king – proud and confident. As if he owned the very land he was stepping on. 

Land Reid was finally here.