"You still haven't talked to your Dad, Irene?" Aunt Gretchen immediately greeted me upon entering the house.I put my purchases on the table before facing her. "I tried to call him multiple times already, but he's not answering my calls.""Try again now, maybe he will answer!""Auntie, please don't rush me---""You say, you just don't want the title of the house to be in my name!" She cuts off what I'm saying. "Until now, you're still clinging to the jealous hope that this house will remain yours, aren't you?""Because I have more rights than you!" I plucked up the courage to answer her. "You and Papa aren't married yet, and until that happens, you don't own anything!""You're now being rude to me, huh---"I moved away from her immediately because I knew Aunt Gretchen, she was planning to hurt me again."Do you think that if you hurt me, I will change my decision? What do you think, Aunt Gretchen? I'm tired of being your obedient dog! You can't control me again!"She pursed her lips.
I may not be the best guy to give advice and not your ideal man to be with, but I want you to know that there was someone like me, existing in this world, to be with you for all the times you feel you have no one to lean on."I bit my lip hard to stop crying. It's OA if it's OA but I was just touched by what Israel said.At the same time, I suddenly felt disappointed in myself for being rude to him sometimes. So much disappointment for not appreciating his existence...As well as his efforts just to prove that he was solemnly in love with me."I will wait for the day to come when I can watch you on TV, Irene. I am one of those who believe that you will fulfill your dream of becoming an actress.I promise, I'll be the first one in your fanmeet. Fly high, Irene. Pursue your dream, I'm always at your back, supporting you silently.""Why are you doing this?" I asked. "Does that add pogi points?""Besides that," he chuckled."I'm telling you this to give you courage. Irene, if no one belie
This is because it's difficult for someone like me who doesn't have much history about making friends. Because I'm used to being alone and others don't do me any favors.I'm not used to gan'to but... I also don't want to lose them."Okay, do as you wish. Believe me or not, I cherished you all.As I've mentioned before, I rarely have true friends. Letting this opportunity slide is like giving birth to a fool." I hummed."I don't want to lose an important person to me... Never again.""You'll agree too, you made the conversation even longer." Yuwi said."Delancy almost got stressed out," Dylan said with a laugh."Bro, I was told. If Irene doesn't agree, we won't have a hot night later."Using the mirror inside the car, Warren's eyes searched for my presence."So thank you, Irene. You didn't know it, you saved me in the cold night.""When you're really together, it's hard for you to talk straight!" Delancy is interested."If only we didn't need a paper bag carrier, maybe those two wouldn
Everything was all planned. And the mastermind? Only Israel.Buying me those clothes and accessories was truly an order from Magi, but having Yuwi and Dylan join us as well as Delancy bringing me to get fixed was all Israel's plan.He's just going to treat me, why do I need to be fixed?Honestly, that part made me feel bad. Wasn't my appearance presentable at that time so they reached the point that they needed to fix me, to think that I would just stand in front of Israel to listen to his song?The whole trip way back home, I just kept my mouth shut. They were all aware that I didn't like what they did.I truly appreciate their efforts so that the plan doesn't fail, but they missed one.I don't know if it's just me but... I feel like I was the ugliest person a while ago.Maybe I do really need a huge transformation to myself, in that way, I will be worthy to be courted by Israel."Damn, Irene! You're crazy!" I said out of frustration.I appreciate all of Israel's efforts to give me a
"That's why you can't focus, Irene. Your mind is preoccupied, so I hope that even now you can free yourself from thinking deeply. In that way, you could go back to your previous form."Okay... Free my mind so that I could go back on track.I took a deep breath before starting again. I started making the pasta sauce again for the fourth time, praying that this time I wouldn't screw up.Even now, I tried not to think about yesterday's events. I put aside my fear of ruining my life forever when I signed the paper.I don't want to think about negative things right now, because our grade depends on the dish that Harold and I make.My hand was shaking as I started sprinkling the spices while mixing it, but luckily it didn't seem like I put too much or too little.When I tasted it, its sweetness and saltiness were just fine to my taste.Gosh, I made it.Harold and I set about plating, trying to make ours look clean and presentable.My nervousness increased even more when we finally put the d
"Could you please stop acting like a jealous boyfriend? It's irritating." I looked at him and tried my best to remain at my composure."Of course," I heard him 'tsked'."Sorry, my ex is possessive. We don't have a label, I shouldn't be jealous.Okay, I get it.""Even then I should have known where I should be and interfere in your life.This time, okay, I'll give you freedom." He added before turning his back at me.I did nothing but clench my fist in anger.Why am I angry? I also do not know. I'm just disgusted with Israel because of what he did today.I know we weren't okay the last time we saw each other, but is that enough for him to act like that?"I think you need to talk to him," and just like that, Harold caught my attention."I'm not telling you to go after him to talk to him and explain. If you're not ready to do that now, maybe some other day.""You know, Irene... You can't excuse me that you don't have to explain anything to him because you don't have a label.Whether ther
"Your clothes don't fit in your wardrobe anymore, are you going to ask me for more?""There's still space so---""I'm sorry but my answer is no," I passed him but before I got far I spoke again."My true friends gave me that. I won't let someone like you benefit."It felt really good to be able to answer Stacy like this while she was speechless and unable to move to report to her mother.I held them by the neck, thanks to my brain that just got smarter that day.I was outside the house, in the garden area to eat there. I'm used to not being at the table with Aunt Gretchen, I must have been relieved by the looks on both of their faces.At this moment, Tita can no longer order me around and mistreat me like before. It's natural, because he's afraid I'll bring out his stench.Thank you Thank youIn the middle of enjoying my day, my phone rang suddenly. I received a voice message from Israel, I'm still hesitant whether to play it or not."Maybe it's a grunt, ah?"As I built enough courage
"Just like Julia... Fear of commitment.""Then you, you're afraid of being under." Israel was teasing Yuwi there.I just laughed at them to pretend I was keeping up with the flow of their conversation... Even though I wasn't really.As I finished eating the foods I took, my attention was caught by the sudden flashing of a video on the projector."Before the first letter in DWEIYAH gets married, allow us to share to y'all their love story."Eli is now in the front, and he seems to be the mastermind behind the release of the video of the two's love story.While the others were busy watching the video, my attention was aroused by Magi and Dylan on the side of the mini stage. Magi's reaction was so priceless while reminiscing their love story.Utilizing the video that I've been watching, I also learned the beginning of their love story.Just like the most cliché love story we've known back then, they started hating each other. They've become an enemy of each other because of the incident
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