How do the celebrities deal with these blinding lights focused on them? Everyone keeps running, talking through their headphones, checking the papers, scrolling through the teleprompter, fixing makeup. "Are you nervous?" Hank asked me. I stared at him for a minute and shook my head. I'm rather sad than nervous, plus this isn't the first time I will be shown on TV. Jarred and Hade promised that they'd stay on my side, watching me no matter what happened. I look around for the nth time hoping to spot the two in the crowd. "Are you looking for someone?" Hank asked again; I stared at him and chuckled. He seems feeling nervous than me, as if he will be the one interviewed. He scratched his nape and smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, I know we've done this many times, but I still feel nervous about the possible question they might throw in you specifically like this, live." I smiled at Hank and squeezed his hand. He became my manager, Jarred stopped responding to my calls and messages after I wal
Dad came home as soon as he heard the news; he resigned from his company because his body could no longer work due to aging; he just turned fifty-two last month. I can't still believe that a year has passed as I look back. Months have passed, but we still have no news of what happened to Hade. I'm working on my new book these days and super busy. I barely have time to rest because I still have to do housework, take care of mom and Paris, and do the school work and work-related things. Dad doesn't care; he just chills at the house, laughs here and there, and drinks. He was bossing us around. I heard a knock at my door; Paris came in and locked it behind her. She slides herself to my bed and lays beside and hugs me. "Sydney, can I rant?" she asked; I slid my arm to her neck, and she climbed her head to my chest; I brushed her hair using my hand. "Can we just get out of here?" she asked. "Why?" she sighed and lifted her head, staring right into my eye. "Dad doesn't do anything h
I still can't process all the happenings in my life. One day I met a rich ghost, I met his friend and made me their scholar, I transferred to T University and be able to be an executive director in an organization, I got to sign a contract with my dream publishing company, got involved in an issue that leads me from revealing my identity, became the hottest of the hottest writer in town, and now I got involve in an issue again. Someone leaked a video of my fight with Enzo, where he was begging on his knee, and his mother was pulling him up. That was an awful clip; they literally cut the scene and made me the bad guy; for sure, dad was celebrating. I wonder who took the video. I can't even focus on the new book I'm working on; I have to pass a new chapter to Jarred for revision before posting it on the site, but I can't think of anything. I'm already four days behind my deadline. Hank did great about killing the issue. The video was no longer on the internet, and the man who posted i
I just realized the difference between important and precious, I thought these two mean the same thing, but I'm wrong; it's not. What's important will eventually become less important after some time, but what's precious breaks your heart. I'm still wondering if what I feel towards Tycen was really a genuine love or superficial. I didn't know him yet, I wanted him, but I'm not sure if the person I thought of him was really him or if it was the one I made inside my mind. I kept reminding us not to fall for each other because we didn't know each other yet; I was so scared to lose him. I really mean that. The feelings I felt for him were all genuine. I can totally relate to Bigbang's Let's not fall in love. I chuckled as I recalled the lyrics of the song. Let's not fall in love; we don't know each other very well yet. Actually, I'm a little scared, I'm sorry. Let's not make promises, you never know when tomorrow comes, but I really mean it when I say I like you. "Uri saranghaji mara
I feel like my heart's going to burst any second. I'm sitting in a private room in Le' Seraphim, a first-class restaurant located in Manila; it is located near the seaside, and the sounds of the waves are music in my ears. Hade sent me the address and made a reservation. I am one hour advanced to the agreed time so that I can prepare myself and prepare which words to say. I was about to sit on the pillow on the floor since the interior design of this restaurant is a modern Japanese style. The table is low, and there are no chairs. I was shocked when the door showed Hade, who was also surprised to see me. We both froze and stared at each other with eyes wide open and mouths hanging. I avoided his gaze and sat on the pillow. I breathed in and out and listened to the door's medium thud when he closed it. I can feel the beat of my heart in every inch of my body; it feels like I'm shaking. I glanced at Hade; he was looking down, biting his lips; I saw his hands were shaking, and I co
When I left the restaurant, I knew that all of my feelings were left behind, but why did you guys follow me home? Damn it.I buried my face in my pillow and screamed at the top of my lungs. How am I going to face him every day? This is so embarrassing; I can't even imagine working with Tycen!Why did Jarred transfer me to Tycen? I can't work with Tycen or Hade or whatever his name is! I kicked in the air while making myself bounce on my bed. I stopped and deeply sighed; I stared at my white ceiling and suddenly smiled.It's funny that even though what's happening to me now is stressful, I still feel good. I wandered my eyes inside my room, and it stayed on the window on my balcony. I stared at the blue sky.I love everything here, my house, the people I'm with, the people surrounding me, and the things I see whenever I wander my eyes. I love it here; please don't be a dream.While I stared at the sky, it suddenly felt like a dream. I wander my eyes around, and it's slowly glitching.
I rechecked our things in the luggage for the nth time this morning in our living room while waiting for Patricia. Hank introduces her to me. She's a licensed caregiver with a six-year experienced local and international.I interviewed her via Zoom last night; luckily, she's available for a week, which I need. I glanced at Paris and mom, sitting on the kitchen stool while eating the breakfast Shiloh had prepared; he prepared a chicken salad for mom, a pizza for Paris, and a clubhouse sandwich."How many more times will you check that, Sydney? I'm getting tired of watching you." Paris complained. I stared at her and raised my left eyebrow. "Then stop staring at me, dumb." I zipped up mom's luggage after confirming that I didn't forget anything. I pulled out Paris' luggage and opened it up. My jaw dropped when I saw the mess she made after folding them. "Seriously, Paris?" she ran to me and snatched her luggage."Let it then." she closed it, pulled up the handle, brought it with her t
Hade's P.O.V. I walked out of my room to check what was happening outside; I woke up from a loud broken glass. As soon as I opened my door. Screams and breaking of things plangent. Our helpers keep running around— panicking. I held Arin's arm — one of our helpers, and her face full of fear, she stared at my eyes as if she was begging for her life. I'm confused. I was about to speak when Miss Sarah held my arms and pulled me to the living room; I instantly let go of Arin's arm. When we got there, I saw Hank talking on his phone. Honor was holding dad back as well as their mom. The television caught my attention when I heard Jarred's name. I walked near the Tv and listened to it intently. I saw Jarred and Jackson walking in the crowd of reporters with a policeman on their sides. "The president of Arrow Publishing Jarred De Verra turned himself last night at Quezon City Police Station and confessed that he and his dad —Jackson De Verra was behind the Connect Incorporation Chairman's s
Paris' P.O.V.Mom recovered her speech now. She can have a normal conversation without stuttering or just using one to three words. But still can't move her left hand. Dad changed. He was like a new person, like a freshly born. After I graduated from high school, Dad returned to the Philippines. He ran a food business which was actually a hit, just like how you imagined it would turn out. Dad quit drinking alcohol and looked much more healthy than ever. He and mom were running the business. And their relationship was far from how we saw it. It became better than ever.I took Architectural, just like how we planned for our future, and I graduated as Laude. Who's stupid now, Sydney? I remember we were talking about it when you asked me what my future would be, and we both stayed quiet for a while thinking about our future. One night, we decided to stay up and eat midnight snacks. We sneaked outside while mom was sleeping and bought food on 7/11. We stayed on the roof watching the moon
I stared at the end of the aisle and saw Hade staring at me with tears in his eyes. Hade smiled as I took my first step on this red carpet. I never thought that I'll look good in a White dress. Every step I took, I saw images of us, how we met, and spent every second, minute, hour, day, and month together. I stared at Hade's face remembering every detail. He looked so happy, and I could never ask for anything else.When I reached the end of the aisle, I smiled at him and walked toward him and smiled. I mouthed congrats before I walked to the side to give way to his bride. I watched you shift your gaze to your bride, how your smile changed when she started walking toward you, and how the crowd cheered for her. The ceremony started, and just like my usual stay at church, I felt sick; I needed to get out of here, but I didn't want people to say that I hadn't moved on yet. It has been four years. Four years had passed, and he moved on, and I'm glad he found the love he needed.When the c
We walked around the hospital ground. The right side of the hospital was a golf course, while the left side was the hospital buildings. We watched the old man and lady play on the trail as we walked. They seemed like they were enjoying their lives to the fullest. I smiled as I watched them, mom should be doing that these times with her friends, but I ruined it. She was lying flat on her hospital bed. "What do you want to talk about, Sydney?" Hade asked. I looked at him and instantly looked away. I shouldn't be doing this, and I know deep down why I wanted to tell Hade how I feel, although I'm in this complex situation. We're not using him again as a distraction. I glanced at Hade and smiled at him as I shook my head. He stopped and stared at me. I stopped walking and walked back toward him. "You don't have to rush it, Sydney. I'm willing to wait this time." He smiled. My mouth slightly hung open, I was about to say something, but no voice came out. I stared at Hade's face, and he l
After some time of thinking and processing all of the things that happened to me this year, I decided to just push my luck further. I mean, mom recovered, she and Paris is my top priority, but now that I have already given them the things they needed without me needing to worry about almost everything, I think a little heartache from someone won't wreck me.I messaged Hade to meet me at the restaurant where we first met when he woke up from a comma. I told him that I had reserved the same room and the same time for us to meet up. It was still dawn, and I hadn't been sleeping yet. I don't know, but I feel sad these days and keep overthinking things. I am aloof to almost everyone but trying not to be obvious, so I don't have to explain things.I took off the comforter out of my lower body and stood up. I walked to my balcony and sat there. I stared at the dark sky—the moon was shining alone; I could not see any stars.I want to risk it; I'll tell Hade later that I like him, and then wha
I am baffled about what to do about my feelings. Everything seems to happen way too fast as if someone clicked the eight times speed on my life. I suddenly achieved all of my goals and dreams in a span of a year. Mom suddenly returned to normal as if she had never suffered a stroke. Paris suddenly became responsible as if she was never lazy. And about dad? Enzo, Kurt, and Arnie all seem unreal, dad having his own company. I cannot digest this all. Having someone like Jarred around seems unreal, too; no one would just take care of you like that except your own mom if you're lucky enough to have a loving mother like that.Being one of the rising writers is unbelievable. I can travel anywhere I want with my mom and sister without worrying about money. It was just so surreal. I walked towards the stairs; I called Jarred last night and asked him to meet me today; I have something to discuss that I think only Jarred would understand. I saw mom and Paris sitting on the couch, watching me w
Victoria transferred to our school. The semester ended last month, and we were already on our second week. Victoria and I were in the same classes. She sat beside me on every subject we had. Victoria told me things about her, like that she loves shopping and playing games, which is where Victoria met Hade, whom she first knew as Tycen as well. Victoria talked about how she fell for Hade. My heart ached when she told me that Hade confessed to her first. I suddenly felt unease. Hade made the first move to Victoria while he never cleared his intentions with mine, maybe because my intention with him was just to be friends; that's why he didn't pursue me at all. But wasn't it ironic? Why does he want to see me after they broke up? Didn't she fill everything up? Wasn't it enough? If Victoria didn't satisfy Hade's want, then how about me? I have nothing to offer, and I still put my family on top of everything.After our classes, we walked towards the Oreo building; I heard Victoria join the
Hade promised me that he'd not tell anyone about the Cielo Alto. We enjoyed our stay at Cielo Alto. We toured the whole villa, admired the beauty of the mountains and the sky on my cabin's balcony, made a bonfire in the evening, and talked more about our past and what we thought of each other the first time we spoke. It was a site named Emerald. I have been using that during my off-season at the University since I dropped out. I was trying to enhance my communication skills since I don't particularly appreciate socializing that much, and I have to strengthen my communication skills since the degree I'm taking up requires good communication skills because we work around people, and we got connected; he was awkward and stiffed the first few minutes. But then he loosed a little when I started joking around. I'm really a good talker when I'm around people who are shyer than I. But I'm the quietest when I'm with people like Reyleigh and Taylor. They were social butterflies while I'm a wa
Tell me Hade's attention was on me, not on Victoria. I repeatedly said inside my head as I waited for Victoria to wake up Hade. I could hear his groans and sleepy talk."Sydney's waiting for you.", I heard Victoria say."Uhh, what?" Hade's voice was low, confused, and very drunk. I could imagine Hade's confused face. I heard hasty footsteps on the other line."Hello?" he said in his morning voice."Hade, what took you so long to pick up your goddamn phone?" I said irritatedly. I heard Hade clear his throat and footsteps again and the chinking of his keys."Hade, wait, you can't drive; you're still drunk.""I can, Victoria." He stopped. "And why am I here in a hotel?" he said. It seems like he put the phone away from him. His voice sounds small. I wasn't able to hear Victoria's answer. I waited and glanced at the three guys sitting in front of me. I muted myself, put the call on speakers, and put it on the table. They all looked at the phone and glanced at me, confused."You guys up to
When I opened my eyes, I saw mom sitting on the side of my bed while Hank was leaning on my balcony, his arms crossed in his chest, staring at me. I instantly checked if my hands were tied and looked around me."I'm at home.", I whispered, staring at mom confusingly, she glanced at Hank, and he shrugged. Mom shifted her gaze at me and helped me sit, and leaned my back on the headboard. She tucked the strand of my hair behind my ears and cupped my left cheek."You're at home, sweetie. Tell me what happened." I closed my eyes and put my left hand on my forehead. Trying to recall what happened."I was in my usual room at the hospital, and then my hands were tied on the bed. I could barely move and speak." I glanced at Hank; he was staring at me, listening very carefully. "He injected something into my IV bag, and I felt very, very sleepy. But I heard him say something." I closed my eyes again and thought about it carefully. I shook my head when I couldn't remember the words."Who?" mom a