Chapter 38

Chapter 38
Reyna and Anna lounged on the plush guest room bed, surrounded by Anna's unpacked suitcases and scattered clothes. They wore cozy pajamas - Reyna in a soft pink set with white flowers, and Anna in a comfortable grey pair with tiny stars. The morning sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow on their giggling faces.
As they munched on toasted croissants, fresh fruit, and sipped hot chocolate, Reyna turned to Anna with a serious expression. "Hey, Anna, can I talk to you about something?"
Anna set her cup down, her curly brown hair bouncing as she nodded. "Of course, girl! What's up?"
Reyna took a deep breath. "You know how I've always wanted to be an actress...?"
Anna nodded, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "Yeah, I remember! You've always been passionate about it."
Reyna sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Fernandez would be so disappointed if he knew. He thinks I should focus on the family business. When he suspected I was interested in acting, he sent me abroad to oversee our international operations."
Anna's expression turned thoughtful. "That's why you were in New York, right?"
Reyna nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah... I feel trapped, Anna. I want to pursue my dream, but I don't know where to start. And I don't want to use my family's name to get ahead."
Anna set her plate down, her eyes locked on Reyna's. "You can't start from scratch, but what if you began as an assistant to an actor or actress? You'd learn the ropes and make connections without relying on your family name."
Reyna's face lit up, her grin spreading from ear to ear. "Anna, that's genius! I never thought of that."
Anna beamed with pride. "I'm glad I could help! We'll make it happen, together."
Reyna threw her arms around Anna, pulling her into a warm hug. "Thanks for understanding me, Anna. I promise to support your dreams too."
As they hugged, Reyna felt a sense of gratitude toward her friend. "You're the best, Anna."
Anna pulled back, smiling. "We're in this together, always."
Reyna settled her laptop on the bed, and they both sat up, their eyes fixed on the screen. "Let's see if my role model, Sophia Lorenzi, is looking for an assistant," Reyna said, typing away.
Anna's eyes widened as Sophia's profile appeared on the screen. "Wow, she's a legend! 20 awards, 50 films, and 10 million fans!"
Reyna grinned. "I know, right? I want to be just like her."
Anna chuckled. "You're already more beautiful than her, Reyna."
Reyna laughed, her eyes sparkling. "Thanks, Anna! But seriously, I want to be more popular than her one day."
Their search revealed that Sophia wasn't looking for an assistant, but they stumbled upon a post from Italy's heartthrob, Leonardo Rossi, who was seeking a new assistant.
Anna squealed. "Oh my god, he's so hot! Look at those piercing blue eyes!"
Reyna giggled. "I know, right? And have you seen his smile?" Anna giggled. "But no matter how much handsome he is, he can't stand near Fernandez, right?"
Anna can't help but to shook her head, narcissist was running in their bloodline.
They both swooned over Leonardo's photos, their excitement growing. Reyna applied for the job, and they waited anxiously for a response.
Finally, an email popped up. "Yes! I got an interview on Monday!" Reyna exclaimed.
Anna hugged her. "You're going to nail it, Reyna! You're perfect for the job."
Reyna beamed with confidence. "Thanks, Anna. I couldn't have done it without you."
Reyna and Anna changed into their stylish outfits, with Reyna forcing Anna to wear a clingy red dress that accentuated her curves. "Come on, Anna, wear it! It's perfect for a day out," Reyna said, despite knowing Fernandez's warning to Anna about wearing such revealing outfits in public.
Anna hesitated, but Reyna reassured her, "Don't worry, Fernandez isn't here. He won't know anything."
They slipped into their limited-edition bags, each containing two of Fernandez's black cards, and settled into a sleek black Rolls-Royce. As they glided to the new shopping mall, Anna mentioned her recent visit to a delicious restaurant. "Reyna, I went to this new place last week, and their pasta was amazing!"
Reyna's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Which one, Anna? Was it A.F restaurant?"
Anna nodded, and Reyna burst into laughter. "Oh, Anna! That's Fernandez's new project! He owns it!"
Anna's eyes widened in shock. "What? I had no idea! That's why the 'A.F' wasn't written in full, I thought it was just a weird logo."
Reyna chuckled. "If you're worried about the money going back into his account, don't be. They know who we are, and they wouldn't dare swipe anything from Fernandez. They're just playing along."
Anna sighed, still looking stunned. "I wouldn't have gone there if I knew it was his."
Reyna grinned mischievously. "That's the spirit, Anna! Let's enjoy wasting his money!"
As they stepped out of the Rolls-Royce, Anna's eyes widened in awe. The shopping mall's grandeur took her breath away - crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and sleek glass facades. She couldn't believe she was now a part of this world, where opulence was the norm.
"Welcome to Paradise Mall, ma'am," the driver said, opening the door for them.
Anna's gaze swept across the crowded mall, noticing the affluent clientele and their entourages. She felt a mix of emotions - gratitude for her new life, but also discomfort with the extravagance.
As they entered the mall, staff members quickly recognized Anna, their faces lighting up with familiarity. "Mrs. Fernandez! Welcome to Paradise Mall!"
A group of staff members surrounded her, eager to assist. "How may we help you today, ma'am? Do you have a specific store in mind or perhaps a personal shopper?"
Anna smiled, still getting used to the attention. "Thank you, I'm just browsing for now. But I'd love some help finding a few things later."
A stylishly dressed woman, likely a personal shopping assistant, stepped forward. "Of course, ma'am. I'll be happy to help you with anything you need. Shall we start with our designer boutiques or perhaps our luxury jewelry stores?"
Reyna, who had been observing the scene, chimed in. "Let's start with the boutiques. We're looking for something special today."
The staff members nodded, leading them to the high-end fashion section of the mall. Anna felt a thrill of excitement, knowing she could indulge in the finest things life had to offer. But a part of her still wondered if this was truly her life, or just a gilded cage.