“DREAM INVASION”

Three Years Later…

"Where are you going again?" Mama Cecille asked as she helped pack the clothes for the company outing.

“In Palawan, Mama. Don't worry, I'll buy you a beautiful set of pearl earrings and a necklace,” she promised with a smile.

Her aunt rolled her eyes but smiled. "Just come home safe and sound; I will be happier with that," she replied.

Lana laughed softly then stood up and hugged the woman who raised her as if she was her own daughter. "Thank you, Mama, I love you so much," she said, kissing Cecille on the forehead afterward.

“Three days, after that the next day would be your birthday. When you come back here, I will cook you your favorite Kare-Kare,” she said, patting her arm.

It was then that Lana let go of Cecille from her tight embrace. "Imagine, I'm already twenty-four; how time flies," Lana commented then followed her words with a light chuckle.

Cecille stared at her and spoke. "The only thing that is missing in your life is color, sweetheart," she said seriously and passionately.

"Color? As in a love life? Is that what you mean, Mama?" she asked, giggling afterward.

"Yes, having someone to be with you together for the rest of your life is so much better than living in a world full of fantasies. It is not a good idea to grow old alone; lucky for me, I have you. But you are beautiful, I know you can give me beautiful and handsome grandchildren in the future," Cecille said, then chuckled again.

Lana clicked her tongue. "Mama, you are talking about Andrew Scott again, right?" she said, pouting her lip because of her aunt's teasing.

"Oh, isn't that true? Since you started working, you never missed any of his movies."

Well, that's true.

It has been three years since she was hired as an agent at the company she works for, and now she is the Regional Manager, holding the entire NCR or National Capital Region.

"A lot has changed in you, so I understand why you now have a higher standard for choosing a man to love," said Mama Cecille as she remained silent.

Lana sighed. "Maybe it's still not yet the time for me to fall in love, Mama," she replied shortly then smiled at her aunt.

"You won't really be interested in your suitors as long as…" that's when Mama Cecille cut off the rest of what she wanted to say and then glanced at the big blow-up picture of Andrew Scott on the wall of her room.

Lana smiled, understanding what Mama Cecille meant.

“Oh, alright, I'm going to sleep. What time are you leaving tomorrow?” her follow-up question when she was already at the door.

"About four in the morning, Mama," she replied.

Her aunt nodded. "All right, so you can have breakfast before leaving," she said.

Lana just nodded and then continued what she was doing.

It has been three years since she was hired as an agent for houses and condos at the Mercedes Estate.

Maybe it's because of her perseverance and dedication that her career has gone well. So she can say that their life is far more different now from the poor kind of living that they used to have.

Her aunt stood, and her mother continued accepting orders and did not stop sewing clothes, dresses, and school uniforms.

Even though she is already earning a lot.

Maybe that's the way it is because Mama Cecille has always been hardworking.

Her mother, the thought made Lana smile sadly. Just as Mama Cecille told her, she never showed up to them.

Lana didn't want to be angry with her mother, but there was a part of her heart that still felt that way.

As far as she knew, no mother would be able to resist her child.

But her mother was different, and she was the exact opposite of what she had always believed in.

Lana sighed then glanced at the photo of Andrew Scott framed and hung on the wall of her room then smiled at him as if he could see her.

"Mama said that love life is all I need. But what can I do if my heart seemed dumb to others, isn't it? ” she was talking to the picture and then followed what she said with a weak laugh.

That is true.

She is not attracted to all the men who express love and liking for her. Not because her life was close to that. She also tried to date. But she didn’t see a spark. She also did not feel any romantic excitement. No matter how hard she tries, it seems like something is missing from any of her suitors that she is looking for.

Again Lana sighed there and then finished what she was doing. She needs to be early tomorrow, and since she will be driving to the office, she needs enough time to sleep.

“Good night Andrew, see you in my dreams,” she said as she reached for the lampshade on her bedside table and then turned it off.

As soon as her back touched the soft bed, Lana immediately felt very tired.

“What is wrong with me? Why don't I like or even admire anyone who has been my suitor?” she whispered, reaching for her cell phone. The handsome man in her wallpaper immediately made her smile and caused a strange thrill in Lana's heart.

“I'm really happy to be your fan. I don't understand why, but that's the truth,” she whispered again while talking to Andrew Scott's wallpaper on her cell phone.

Would she be superficial if she admitted to everyone who asked her the real reason why she is still single?

Well, she can’t do that because, first of all, she has a career to take care of. And the truth is, it's not about bragging, but many in their company admire her.

Smart, eloquent, and professional.

Qualities that she knew were the reason why she reached her current position at the age of twenty-four.

She knew she admired Andrew.

She didn’t want to think that much more than that. She doesn’t want to admit that she has a deeper feeling for the famous actor.

Because first of all, she didn't know him personally. And there is no deep reason to say that she loves the young man who, to her knowledge, is now linked to a young and just-popular female actress.

“Maybe I too will fall in love. At the right time,” she said yawning then chuckling. That's how tired and drowsiness pulled over there.

*****

Lana immediately smiled when she saw only two women standing in front of Andrew's desk to ask for the young man's signature.

She shuddered as she approached him. He turned his back on her, so the young man did not notice that she was standing behind him.

"Ah," she quickly felt the throbbing of her chest when she got close to the man who, when he felt perhaps her presence behind him, stood up and then faced her.

The man stared at her for a moment then smiled sweetly. So her heart was pounding with a mixture of nervousness, trembling, and excitement.

"Yes?" he said in a seductive tone.

"May I ask for your autograph please," she said while handing the young man the notebook and sign pen in her hand.

Andrew's smile widened then he reached out his hand. "Sure," he said signing and handing the notebook back to her.

"Thank you," she replied with a smile even though the truth was that she was being scorched by Andrew's adhering gazes at her.

When Andrew nodded, she was ready to turn her back on him.

But something else happened.

She felt his hand restrain her arm. Then she was drawn closer to him, his two hands touching her face.

Lana was barely breathing at that very moment.

She felt volts of energy unfamiliar to her.

But all of that was nothing when Andrew bowed to her and then kissed her on the lips.

She closes her eyes and seems to have lost her sanity because Andrew did something she didn't expect.

But despite her loss of self, the young lady was able to count three how many times he gently caressed her lips with his before he released her.

Lana stared at Andrew as her eyes widened while his eyes glazed over with the intensity of his amusement for her.

"Oh, I hope you're not choosy, ah!" she heard from one of the two women, thrilled.

“Yeah, that’s Andrew Scott so don't even complain! ” the other one answered in the same tone.

*****

Lana was able to get up quickly because of that.

For a while, she stared at the dark wall of her room then as if not in her usual self she touched her lips.

“It was just a dream, but his kiss, his lips, seemed so real. I can still feel his kiss,” she said, then inwardly glanced at the picture of the man on her wall.

"You even invaded my dream, huh!" she said thrilled with laughter then went back to bed.

She didn’t know what that meant then, but that didn’t matter to her anymore. After all, it is just a dream, as some say, the opposite of reality.

But she had to admit that that kiss was delicious. Light, and respectful.

It wasn’t the first time she had dreamed of being with Andrew. But that was the first time the young man kissed her, in her dream.

So Lana was sure she would have to spend a few days before moving on about it.