I'm busy cleaning the second floor since I haven't been asked to do anything yet. My image would really turn bad if the staff caught me being lazy at work and having no initiative, it can lower grades, or otherwise, lower wages.One thing I learned as a part-timer is that... I learn to initiate work. Waiting for a command from your superior is an epitome of being dependent. In the working world, I learned not to wait from their command. Instead, start to be initiative to work without waiting for their orders. It's not like a person will always act based on the orders of his superiors. We are not robots that will move when dictated.My attention was caught when I reached the veranda, I could see from here where Magi were. They are still here but now, I can see that Eli is with them.How I met him... Because he’s an actor. I admired him so much when they were singing at school with his bandmates... I didn't expect that it was Alec and friends. Since then, I have been following him until
My first day of OJT is over. When I left the resort at eight o'clock, I had a half-hour travel time before arriving at the jeep terminal. While waiting for a jeep to arrive at the terminal, I briefly distracted myself from Facebook.But surprisingly, someone disturbed me from scrolling at my newsfeed... Who else is the first placer for disturbing me if not Israel?"What are you doing here?" I asked him in wonder."Do people do anything else at the jeep terminal besides riding jeeps?" He's pretty obvious that he's trying to tease me."Really?" I pretended to be surprised by his answer. "Don't tell me, you're also riding the same jeepney---""Why not?" he replied. "You don't want to, do you? You'll be going home with someone from now on."My forehead suddenly creased. "What are you saying?""Is that how you welcome your new villager?" He pouted at me, acting like he's baiting me to make me feel guilty. "We just moved a while ago to the same village where you live, so yes... I can always
"I live here too," he answered me innocently.And that's when I remembered what he told me earlier... that they had just moved here to our village. W-Well, I guess I’ve gone insensitive for a little while."I'm sorry if you're already irritated by what I'm doing, Irene. I just want to show you how sincere I am in courting you, but I'm not expecting my actions to be nothing but an irritation to you."His face was serious when he entered the gate of the house where we stopped walking, it seems like this is their house. Before he finally entered, he looked at me and smiled. "I don't want to cause an issue between us just because you are already irritated with me. From now on, I will limit myself from doing this that will irritate you. Take care, Irene."And just like that, he left me in front of their gate stunned.I should be happy with what I heard from his mouth... but it was the total opposite of the feeling I'm expecting. I was hurt, saddened by what Israel said. I feel like I'm thr
W-What? She saw her money in my drawer? I don't take anything from her and even more I don't enter their room, unless it's important. At that very moment, Stacy grabbed my attention. As before, she was still smiling at me.She's just giving me an idea that she sets me up.Why would I even think about something and how it ended up in my place? When in fact, there's this Stacy that will undoubtedly do this kind of shit. All I did was to zip my mouth, hiding my clenched fist."You can't answer now? Because my accusation towards you is true!” Aunt Gretchen said angrily. "I know that I have been cruel to you and I know that it is against your heart to hand over to me what you earn from your part-time job. But is that reason enough for you to rob me?!”"Mommy, I won't wonder why she stole your money," Stacy said. "She really wants to pursue her dream of becoming a superstar. Desperate act.”I glared at the demon Stacy. No matter how much I wanted to pursue my dream, it would never enter my
I didn't realize that I was biting my fingernails because my body is now shivering with nervousness and panic. I peeked again and tried to see Israel outside our gate. He's still there, he looks like he's there waiting for me to take him out. But I hadn't even seen him for a long time from the outside, when the rain suddenly came and poured heavily. Israel was empty-handed, it seems like he has no idea that it will rain today.I ran to my bedroom door and tried knocking again."Aunt! Can you let me out for just a moment? I'm begging you!""Please have mercy, let me out of here!""I promise I won't do anything you don't like again! Please, give me a chance to make up for it.""Auntie, please---""Stacy and I are watching a movie downstairs, you're so loud! The strength of your mouth reaches as far as the chin!" I heard Aunt Gretchen shout as she seemed to be approaching my room."Auntie, please. Get me out of here. I promise I won't be a stubborn anymore. I'll do whatever you want and
"Now where will I get money?" That's what I asked myself before sitting on a bench I saw in the park.I want to earn money but I hope I don't have to work anymore. I mean, I'll only do it for one day but I'll have money right away. Is there such a thing?"I never expected I'll see you here."I turned to the man next to me who was just sitting next to me... He was Alec."Oh, hi!" I greeted him.He flashed a smile at me, revealing his deep dimple in the left side. "I was working nearby, I often come here during our break time.""You? Why did you come here?" he asked."Ahh, I just went to see someone.""It was not my intention to overhear what you mumbled earlier..." he said. "You are seeking money, aren't you?"I immediately looked away with shame. It was embarrassing and he even heard that, I couldn't look at him."I can lend it to you if you want---"I shook my head violently. "No thanks, Alec. As much as possible, I don't want to owe any of you because I don't want you to think that
"Maybe you just stuck garlic in your armpit to make me believe you have a fever, do you?" I dreamed of him. "Don't you know anything but to tease and play?"He keeps on giggling. "Even if you smell my armpits, you won't smell any garlic." He raised his hand just to reveal his armpit. "Dare to smell it, Irene."I took the wet towel from the basin and threw it at him. "Take care of yourself!"I was about to leave his room when he suddenly said, "Don't leave.""I don't have time to joke with you, Israel. I have so many things to do, so please stop your childish game!" I glared at him when I faced him. "Even Delancy you fooled that you are sick... for what? To get me to come here?""Because I really have." His voice became serious and his laughter suddenly stopped. "Look, I'm just trying to be okay in front of you just so I could stop you from worrying too much for me...""But I think I expect nothing but the opposite," he added.At this time, I suddenly felt guilty for the words I uttere
"Do you ever think of leaving your own house?" I asked."N-No?""That's what I keep on thinking over and over again, Harold." I tried to smile. "I'm just thinking that if leaving our house would mean escaping my problems, then I think I should go."I was shocked by the way Harold held both of my shoulders. "Irene, are you still in your right mind---"I stopped him from talking nonsense as I slapped his face. "You don't know how hard and heavy I'm going through, Harold. So, it's easy for you to think I'm going crazy, huh."My eyes got teary. "My brain is still sane, so don't worry. It's too early for you to think I’m crazy.""That's not what I meant!"I didn't choose to argue with Harold, instead I decided to stay away from him for a while instead of choosing to answer him. I'm looking for someone to vent my anger to. I thought it was Harold, but he keeps on failing me.I went straight to the restroom to clean up a bit. I don't want to face our guests looking haggard, they might turn o
ELIAS"I still can't believe she'll do such a thing." Standing beside me was Corrine's face, who couldn't stop herself from whimpering as she stared at a long, white coffin where Stacy's lying down. "Then you know it hurts?"I noticed that she was crying all the time, still she's trying to hide it by looking up at the sky. It's the day to take Stacy to her final destination. Corrine's family also decided to bury Stacy right away."On the very last day of our taping, I wished that night would be the last day I would see her face. As if she heard that... she made it true. My together , Eli."The one thing I know I can offer him right now is my warm hug. I first moved her away from Stacy's corpse as if I'm hoping she could calm down if she's no longer seeing the remains of her long lost sister."She did what she thought was best for you, Corrine." While caressing her back, her whimpers continue. "He's aware of how much you hate him since day one you two met, and from the day you implante
"Honestly speaking, if we hadn't been lacking for time filming it, supposedly "Mending Alicia" is the newest Maple View original series this coming January. That's why we didn't have enough time for taping, and a unanimous decision has been made to just make this a movie, which will still be aired on the same streaming platform.”When I opened my eyes as if I had come out of a long sleep, a flat screen TV appeared before me. And Director Manuel's voice made my sleeping soul wake up."The reason why we really need to finish the taping in order to catch up with the January listing, it's because the lead actress of the movie, Corrine Desiderio, had a busy schedule entering the New Year. People will be waiting for him to star in a teleserye that we can watch together on television this coming April or May.”"Literally a busy schedule for me," I whispered.Even though my vision was blurry because I was just squinting, I inspected the surroundings where I got up, and the place is all white.
"Good job, actors... everyone of you."As the ending scene sealed with a passionate yet short kiss between the lead actors, we started making arrangements, taking pictures... and now, Director Manuel started his soul-stirring statement."I entrusted Emily with the casting of this movie... that I can say that this movie is one that I will never forget. In the past movie projects and series I directed, Mending Alicia would seriously be one of the most unforgettable for me.""First of all, we were in a rush to finish it. We were all stressed from the few nights we had to stay up just to catch up with the January listing. But the best part of it is that... even though we rushed that it's over, while watching the scenes, it's a rush but I'm satisfied.""Because you know what? Producing a good movie doesn't always mean to have plenty of time filming it, or to have the privilege of being guided by an award-winning director of all time, or to have the best scriptwriter for almost ten years. T
"Are you crazy?" At the height of my tears, I managed to speak. "No... That's not true. Because... maybe you remember me now, that's why you're saying that? You're still the Joker..."I slapped his arm lightly, but it didn't even move his stiff body that stood in front of me. "Don't trip me up... It's not funny-""Irene, I'm sorry," cried Israel as he vainly tried to stop the tears from flowing down his cheeks. "Forgive me if I kept you waiting for a long time when you believed I was still alive. Forgive me because I made you believe I didn't survive the accident... and now... I ask for your forgiveness again for lying to you... again... to be the person who no longer recognizes anything from the past."Just this once, I want this scene to be converted as one of the nightmares I had every night. I can't accept that this incident is real... because the pain we both now experiencing could be hard for us to endure. And I can't even imagine how Israel could ever handle the pain watching m
"Does it look good to me, Corrine?" And Stacy happily shoved the cartier watch that was from me... Eli gave it to the witch."No," I replied sparingly. "Because that's more suitable for a man..." That's why I chose that design... that's because I'm going to give the watch to a man. And seeing it worn by Stacy makes her look like a clown.The anger I had recently, disappeared like a bubble because of the mixture of Stacy's face with what I threw at her teasing. At least, I recovered somehow."Maybe it just depends if the person who gave it to you thinks it's a man," I added.I didn't waste my time to fight with Stacy as I immediately left the dressing room afterwards. My service van is also waiting outside to take it to the SGN Music studio—of course for the rehearsing part of the song that we'll gonna sing on our upcoming TV guesting.The reason why we are going to the SGN studio is because Eli is there, busy with his concert and also rehearsing other songs. It would also be nice to v
"To kill the issue that is spreading about my break-up with Eli, everything is just a rumor," my opening statement as I was keeping my eyes looking strong in front of the camera. "We have no idea who's the person behind leaking this fake news throughout social media.""As we are facing the cameras right now to leave a statement, we are pleased to clarify everything that Eli and I are still in a relationship." At least I'd still call Eli as my boyfriend even only in front of hundreds of cameras and thousands of our fans."I just want to add to what Corrine said, I can assure both of our fandoms that there were no collisions that would ever happen between us. Remember our promise to all of you?"I looked confused at Eli for saying those words that were not in the script. I mean... it's not in the conversation that he needs to say publicly giving assurance to the fans that there will be no break-up between us. He is moving away from the goal we should now."That... I am forever bound wit
"Corrine!""Corrine, wait!"I stopped walking when Eli hugged me from the back. His hands wrapped tightly around my waist, as if he didn't want to let me go."Let's fix it. Let's talk, hmm? If you're not ready to get married, I'm ready to wait." He made his voice sound strong in between his sobs.But, I shouldn't be carried away. I shouldn't be fragile by hearing his words and by listening to his nonstop pleas.I forcefully removed his hand that was clinging to my body, and as I make sure that I can face him without tears flooding my cheeks, I faced him. "Eli, please... don't think that I'm breaking up with you because you surprised me with your proposal."Because in fact, I've been waiting for you to kneel before me and ask me to marry you."It's not like that. My intention for breaking up with you is because..." I couldn't think of anything to reason out."If not, then why?"He was trying to catch my beautiful eyes on him, but I couldn't even look at him in the eye. Because if I do
My jaw dropped. "Y-You're threatening his life again? Is this a piece of a joke, Stacy?"I'm starting to feel my teardrops falling now, add to it the itching of my mouth with what Stacy said.I'm hoping she's fvcking kidding me!"Do you think I have extra time to mock you, Irene? I'm serious, okay?" She pursed her lips as if she was trying to kill me in annoyance. "I will really kill him if you don't break up with him.""N-No." Desperately, I immediately knelt before Stacy even though it was against my heart. "Please... not him. I can't break up with Eli. Don't kill him-""I thought that if you broke up with Eli, our lives would be better." Pointing her eyes at me, she smiled sheepishly. "You'll do me a favor, and eventually I'll return it to you.""Just think about it, Irene... if you divorce Eli, I won't hesitate to kill him anymore. You won't have to worry that someone will try to kill him on the very day of his concert. Your mind will be free to not that he remembers the moment yo
Instead of arguing with Stacy and choosing to make the trouble worse, I remained my mouth shut instead. The shooting place is not the right place for me to let go of Stacy and for me to exercise my immaturity.For sure, Director's temper will only increase if there is a fight on the set. Our working hours may be more than 24 hours today if by chance.Director let us rest after shooting that imperfect scene, that eventually will be retaken after the short break. I must have missed Eli too much that's why I have mentioned his name during the taping.But the crying scene was still a broken puzzle to me. What were those tears for?"I'm the one you're looking for, Irene," I heard someone say… and it was Stacy. "Yes, definitely. I am the owner of the fan account and the one behind the death threats that Eli receives." And she was saying those words the whole time, smiling."Should I be surprised?""You should've been startled now. That's what I'm expecting." She laughed before going near me