Chapter 2 - The Princess with Blonde Hair

CLEMENTINE

Clementine signed some posters and before entering her van, she waved everybody goodbye.

She got everything she wanted. In fact, this was more. Who would have thought that the woman who used to live paycheck to paycheck is now on everybody’s screen? Well, to be honest, she did. She knew this would happen. It would be a lie if she said that she didn’t know she’d make it. A huge part of her always knew that she was going to be a star. With determination and hard work, she’ll know she could make it… and boy, did she.

“You need a day off. You’ve been working non-stop since the new year.”

She accepted the supplements from her secretary and drank them all. Her schedule is busy and packed. All day, her head is full of scripts and plans for how to portray her roles well so that she can let other people take care of her.

“You need a break.”

“I’m fine.”

“Well, I’m not. I can’t have a break if you won’t.”

“You can file for a leave. I’ll approve it anytime.”

Jackie rolled her eyes. “You just made me sound like an ungrateful employee.”

“You’re not and you can rest when you want. You know me, Jackie. I’d get more tired if I had nothing to do.”

“ That is why I’m reminding you to rest because you don’t get tired. If we won’t remind you to eat, you’d collapse while in the middle of non-stop work.”

There goes the nagging again. She gave Jackie a smile. That is why Clementine hired her to be her PA. She isn’t starstruck and she’s certainly not scared to scold Clementine when needed. She’s practically family. “What can I do? I love money.”

“Oh, shut up. If it’s money you are worried about, you can retire now and still live in luxury for this lifetime.”

“I already made that much?” Her hand instinctively reached for her phone but  Jackie snatched it back. 

“No. No work.”

“I’m not going to work. I’ll just use my phone.”

“To check messages, reviews, and comments. Short answer, no.”

She isn’t tired, though. She had breaks in between the takes. The staff gave her a nice and comfortable van, where she could get the rest she needed. “Do I have a schedule on Saturday?”

“I cleared it for you as requested. I thanked the heavens because, finally, you asked for a break.”

“You’re overreacting. You know that, right?”

“What do you even do on March 5?”

“Nothing you should know.”

It’s a special day. All year round, she’s distracted by work and events. It’s effective. She’s preoccupied all year round, but one day, she roams and goes to places she usually doesn’t go. 

“Kids love your new movie, by the way.”

“Really?” Clementine couldn’t speak properly. Her throat felt dry. “The one where I played the princess?”

“Yup. A hit. I mean, we already expected that it would be popular, but you’re like some real princess in the children’s eyes now.”

She didn’t deserve that. She was hesitant to accept the role of a loving, kind, and caring princess —someone who the kids would look up to. She didn’t deserve to be admired by little girls, but the idea was tempting. Maybe… just maybe—one of those girls would happen to be Sancho’s daughter. She didn’t regret the things she did in the past, but from time to time, she’d wonder how she looked or what she sounded like.

“Sorry, Miss. No one’s allowed in this area.”

“Why?” She wanted to see the carousell and take nice pictures of the ferris wheel. Maybe ride it alone and admire the view from afar. There was a notification that an ongoing special event was happening but Clementine didn’t know that meant almost all the rides were closed. “I’m not going to stay long. I’ll just take some pictures.”

“There’s a birthday party, Miss. The rest of the amusement park is reserved.”

Who even does that? They might as well close the whole place if they're not going to let anyone in. “Then, maybe just the carousel?”

“It’s really not allowed, Miss. You can come back tomorrow and take your pictures. I’m sorry.”

She sighed and looked at the reserved area. It was almost half of the amusement park where all the rides for kids are located. This was her only day off and she couldn’t do this on another day. Clementine looked at the tall ferris wheel and wished that she could ride that. She was brought back to reality when she heard the laughs and screams of little kids.

She shouldn’t go there, she thought.

“You can go inside.” A nice lady wearing expensive designer clothes showed up. “You're just going to take pictures, right?”

Suddenly, she felt so underdressed. She didn’t want to catch anyone’s attention, so she dressed up like a tourist today. She intentionally picked a short, unattractive wig because she knew it would be hot outside. Standing next to her, Clementine wished she could have prepared a little more.

“Thank you. it won’t take long.”

“You can let her in.” She told the guard.

The guard nodded at her. Clementine prepared her camera to take pictures.

“Are you just here to take photos?”

Clementine nodded. “I need to do this today. Are you here for the birthday party?”

“Yes. It’s my daughter’s birthday. We had to change the venue and everything because she suddenly wants to celebrate her birthday in a place with a castle and says she wants to be a princess.”

Clementine laughed. This lady can walk away from her now but she was too comfortable sharing information she didn’t even ask. She couldn’t even ask this lady to leave because she was nice enough to let her go inside for her pictures.

“How old is she?”

“Five today.” She smiled. “Do you usually take photos in amusement parks?”

“No. Just today.”

“Why?”

“Just because.”

“I’m Vittoria,” she suddenly introduced herself. Clementine was taken aback. She had not come here to be friends with anyone, and most of all, she did not want to be recognized.

“Nice to meet you.”

Vittoria laughed. “Some people would also share their name, you know.”

“I think the party is starting. Your daughter’s probably looking for you.”

“Well,” she heaved a deep sigh. “She’s probably looking for her mom by now.”

“For you, you mean?”

“Yeah, sure.” 

They both looked at the carousel where the kids were, some enjoying the rides, some playing games, and taking pictures with their balloons. For the parents to reserve the whole place for their daughter’s birthday event, they must love her so much. It’s honestly refreshing for Clementine to see. There really are people who deserve to be called parents, while some should just observe from afar and admire. That was the role she was meant to play.

Somewhere today, that child must be celebrating her birthday with Sancho and his wife too. Whenever she thinks of this, there are no regrets. Sancho will love his daughter, and he will make sure the kid gets what she deserves. It’s the reason why she could keep on doing what she has always loved to do. In her heart, there’s no regret because she was able to become the person she dreamed of becoming.

But on that day, March 5, Clementine allows herself to feel the loss and pain she never let herself feel. She bit her lips as she stopped herself from crying while the children laughed from afar. This is the price she’ll pay forever.

“I have been searching for you everywhere. Lunch is about to start.”

“Hey.”

Clementine took a few steps back. What she should have done was walk away and never look back, but her body was frozen and her feet were stuck. She wasn’t expecting to see Sancho. Not here, and most especially, not this day. 

“I was talking to a friend.”

Before he could even meet her eyes, Clementine looked away.

“A friend?”

“Yes. What’s your name again?”

“I’m sorry. I need to go.” As planned, Clementine walked as fast as she could and didn’t look back. The couple must have thought she was insane and let her go her way because no one stopped her. She was so dizzy that she didn’t know where she was going. It doesn’t matter. What’s important is that now, she’s finally away.

“Oh!” She screamed when she bumped into a child. The kid landed on the floor. Clementine helped her get up as she checked for scratches. In her panic, she didn’t notice that her wig and glasses had fallen off. “I’m sorry. Oh, gosh, are you okay? I’m so-”

“I’m okay, Princess.” The kid commented, touching her long blonde hair. “Look. We have the same hair.”