"What happened?" I immediately approached Eli and spanked his whole body. His right foot had a bandage, which only increased my concern for him."I'm fine." He placed his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to face him. "During my practice earlier, I accidentally dropped my foot and then the ankle twisted. The doctor said, I had an ankle sprain. The doctor recommended that I rest my foot within one to three weeks...""But, Eli... Your concert is only four days away. How could you perform having your right foot injured?""Corrine, Eli can't force himself to dance despite his current condition," I heard Dylan explain."What should we do now?" I looked at Eli, smiling unsound. "You've waited for this moment for too long, haven't you? I know how important this thing is to you, that's why you prepared for it for so long, e. And now I'm upset seeing you in this situation. If I ever knew how to dance, I would have been able to catch you so that somehow, your concert could go on." Now I can't c
"What? You want to audition? For... what?""Are you floating?" he said laughing which makes me wonder if I throw a joke? "All I want to say is that you go to an audition to find a replacement for Eli. He's a popular artist and many people support him so, once the management calls for auditions, there will definitely be many who apply.""Nice idea," I answered nodding, understanding Julia's meaning.Actually, it's a good idea that Julia thought of. Instead of digging through social media to find a replacement for Eli, why not if we just hold an audition? That's easier than what I do, actually."Maybe you can bother Dylan and Warren to help you choose an auditionee to replace Eli, as those two already have a history in dancing. They can help Eli in de- decide," Julia asserted as if she's very sincere in persuading me."Okay, I'll let Eli know about this first," I answered with a smile, at the same time I said goodbye to Julia because Theo had come to pick me up.While I was sitting in t
"Bro, we missed you!"Like a child, Dylan ran up to Israel and hugged him. Warren did the same thing, it seems that the two are not aware that Israel no longer remembers them."That's why your dance move is familiar even though it's behind the curtain, it's you!" Warren guffawed as he slapped Israel on the back."It's nice to see you-""Warren," Eli called his attention.And when Warren and Dylan glanced at Eli, that's the time they noticed what they had done."Oh, we just got carried away. Sorry. We just remembered our friend you.""Warren's right, I'm really sorry," Dylan apologized.And Dylan and Warren returned to their seats... they looked embarrassed. I understand why they did that. That's how they missed Israel. If I were in their shoes, I'd definitely do the same thing."We're very sorry for the inconvenience, Israel. They must be carried away, as Warren said, for seeing you here. But we appreciate your talent in dancing... and you passed the audition. Congratulations.""My pl
"Is that Eli?" I immediately hung up when Papa spoke from behind."Oh... My manager, pa. I have an important appointment today." I approached him and then kissed his cheeks. "Gotta go, pa. Just call me if you need anything. Love you!"As soon as I went outside of the house, I entered the car and headed home to my condo. Yeah, I already have my own house, so it's just not the perfect time for me to live in that house with Papa. The location of the house is too far from my workplace, so I decided to just get a condo.During my free time or if I'm on vacation, I'll go and be with my father, of course.Going back to my conversation with Theo earlier that was cut short because of my father, I was happy when he announced that he succeeded in what I did to him. I just asked my dearest manager to think of a better plan to close Gretchen's salon.According to him, Theo paid double the person Gretchen had loaned to him to build his business. Theo pays that person to force Gretchen to pay the ba
"What do you think you're doing?" I couldn't stop myself from criticizing Israel. Why wouldn't I? We're not in the office right now so I can treat him as my boss."Eating ice cream."Obviously... He's obviously wanted to tease me.I wanted to punch his chest, his face... every part of his body just to release my frustrations. I know I can't do that especially since I'm in a public place."By the way, may we know what you are doing in this place?" Eli shifted the topic, breaking the silence that enveloped us earlier."The same reason why both of you are here," he replied casually while enjoying the strawberry ice cream he was holding.Because of the view, I suddenly lost the desire to consume mine."Just for an ice cream-""No," Israel hissed. "I went to see the Giant Christmas Tree to light up."Oh okay.I'm not even surprised if Israel also came to this place to watch the lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree. Everyone does, anyway. It is a tradition of people in our area to be an aud
"Did he?!" Magi shuddered, making a long, high-pitched noise. "So, what's the meaning of that? Does it mean, Israel started to remember the past?""I'm not sure," I paused for a moment to drink a small amount of coffee. "After he said that, I wasn't able to ask him anymore because he immediately took a taxi. I just let it pass, and I didn't inform Eli about that.""It's okay that you told us first because you're not one hundred percent sure that Israel remembers. Later it was just good time. You know? Even if someone has amnesia, no what they used to do will still be erased from their bodies.""Indeed, Julia. I know you memorized Israel's moves because way back in college, you were really his favorite trip, huh." Magi chortled while reminiscing about the past... which I'm not included in.Surely, their friendship was solid then. I can see in their eyes how they miss everything in the past, very much appealing to move forward in the present... adjusting to a bigger change."I don't wan
"What the hell are you thinking, Eli?" I whispered loudly. I tried to lower my voice so that other people inside wouldn't notice the tension between Eli and me.I just can't help but feel infuriated with him for making a decision without my consent."Let's talk outside." He then held my hand and dragged me outside of the room. When we got far away from there, he let go of my hand and talked to me. "If you think I made a selfish decision for pairing you to Israel, it's not like that.""Then what's the meaning of this?!""Corrine..." He reached for my hand and held it firmly. "I included as part of the concert that we were performing a hip hop dance because the fans kept requesting that throughout social media. I promise them to grant their wish, that's why I didn't expect this to happen to me... to be- injure me.""So I have no choice." His eyes fell down the floor. "Even if it's against my will to pair you with him, as if I have a choice. I already promised the fans that they will see
The battle of stares between us cut short by Eli. Right before the music ends, he immediately took me away from Israel because of our weird position. It's not part of the choreo that Israel suddenly did, it's strength to know. I also felt awkward because of that. My heart is very OA with the speed of its beating."Your moves are impressive, Israel." I turned my attention to Eli who was staring intently at Israel. "But learn to limit those. Prevent yourself from crossing the boundaries. You're making me jealous."I haven't even gotten over what Eli said when he suddenly pulled me out of that room. I can feel the heavy aura that he carries because of the way he holds my hand... so tight that he doesn't seem to want to let me go."Are you mad?" I mustered up the courage to ask him in the midst of walking."Why would I?" he returned."Come on, Eli. I know you are." I stopped from walking, I was stubborn that he couldn't pull me to walk."Now you're being jealous? Who decided this? Wasn't