The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era



ASTRID was now on his way to a specialized boutique called [Bliss]. It was a place that do styling for celebrities. [Bliss] wasn't under contract with Polaris. But this boutique would sometimes provide styling to some of the celebrities handled by the agency. The boutique would be responsible for the hair, make-up, and overall coordination.

Of course, this didn't mean that they would be the one dressing up those artists every place they went to. It's only during special events like red carpet premier, award shows, or fashion events. The reason for Astrid availing their services at this time could be attributed to the third one. It's for the product launching party of a luxury brand.

Since the event was in the evening, he was still able to attend his morning classes. After eating lunch, he and Ellis were now driving to [Bliss]. One might think that it's still too early, considering that the event was still in the evening. But this was Astrid's first event where he might have to interact with important people in the industry.

It's important to give a good first impression. And what's the fastest way to do that? Of course, it's by how one presented themselves. Appearance alone was not enough. The way how one dressed and carried themselves could be the deciding factor in how others would view them. Especially if one wanted to give a good first impression.

That's why Astrid and Ellis were going to [Bliss] this early. So, they could prepare more thoroughly.

It didn't take long before they arrived at the boutique. Astrid was quite surprised to see that the store actually looked very, well, quaint. The architectural design had a very old feel to it. Not because the place looked like it was crumbling down or something. No, it was more like the atmosphere of it. Like it came from a different time in the past.

In fact, the boutique looked similar to that of an old English cottage, with its picturesque ivy-clad walls, charming leaded windows, and a traditional thatched roof, exuding a timeless and captivating appeal. If they were not smack down in the middle of this futuristic city, Astrid would think that he time-travelled to the past.

There wasn't even a store sign. The place looked even more like the home of someone rather than a boutique. The place looked truly out of place, especially with two skyscrapers standing tall on both sides of it.

From what he heard from Ellis about the place, the owner was kind of eccentric. The name of the owner was Aurora Bliss. Yes, the name of the boutique was taken from her name. She was a pretty well-known stylist in the industry. But she refused to work under a huge label and chose to have a small boutique where she had the most say on who she would work with. 

She only worked with celebrities that fit her aesthetic. No matter where agency they came from, as long as she liked how they looked, she would agree to style them. Only those who had solidly built their career could afford to be this picky with their clients.

In fact, Aurora Bliss was the personal stylist of Valentine Davis—the number one actor on the [Star List]. Just with that title, she could afford to be as picky as she wanted. After all, she's the one dressing up the current 'movie emperor'.

"Let's go, Astrid," Ellis called him.

Astrid nodded and followed the other.

Ellis stopped in front of the door and pressed what looked like a doorbell. It didn't take long for a female AI robot to open the door. She stared at both Ellis and Astrid as if scanning them.

"Astrid Townsend and Ellis Payne, who have an appointment at two o'clock in the afternoon, confirmed. Please, come in," the AI robot said in a rather mechanical manner, gesturing for them to enter.

The two of them walked inside. Astrid was a bit surprised seeing what seemed to be the reception area. Because it looked more like a comfortable place for people to hang out than a receiving area of a business establishment.

There was a small bookcase with real books, mind you. Something that was very rarely seen in today's era, since everything was just digital. A cozy reading nook beside it. A coffee table that looked like a dead tree stump that was smoothed and varnished. And some unique decorations lying around.

[Well, the place certainly has character.]—Astrid thought as he looked around.

"Mistress Bliss is in her studio. Please follow me," the AI robot said.

Both Astrid and Ellis quietly followed her. The AI robot then stopped in front of what should have been Aurora Bliss' studio and knocked.

"Mistress, your clients have arrived."

"Let them enter," a voice that seemed to lack sleep said from inside the room.

The AI robot opened the door and the two following her entered the room. Inside, there were clothes hanging on different racks and in the middle, a woman was sitting behind a desk.

Her brown curly hair was loosely bound behind her with a pencil. There were dark circles under her hazel-green eyes, a sign of her lack of sleep. She was wearing an oversized knitted sweater over a long skirt. One look at her and no one would think that she was a famous stylist. Their first thought would probably be that she was some painter or sculptor too absorbed in their own work.

Aurora Bliss lifted her head and looked directly at Astrid. She stood up and walked over without saying anything. When she was just a few steps away, she stopped in front of Astrid and looked at him from head to toe. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze full of scrutiny.

"Can you turn around slowly for me?" she said, the sleepiness in her voice already gone.

Astrid did not say anything and just did as he was told.

"Hmm... you're not that tall, but your proportion is perfect. There's nothing to say about your face, because everyone with eyes could see you're beautiful. There's also confidence in how you carry yourself. I like that." The other suddenly clapped her hand. "Good. I shall accept this commission."