Chapter 1

Primrose

The people started chanting as the booming music filled the place. There's something magical in this place, something that could make you feel like you're flying with so much joy.

I wanted to join the crowd as they jumped along with the music, chanting, and dancing, but decided not to and just enjoy the concert silently. I watched the eight people on stage, dancing while singing with a smile as if they're not sweating.

"SBG! SBG! We love you!"

Everyone clapped when they ended their performance. It was indeed a wonderful night! Mabuti nalang talaga at humingi ako ng tulong para lang makakuha kaagad ng ticket nila.

"Thank you so much, ate Alice!" I jumped towards her and hugged her tightly.

She chuckled, "You're always welcome. Besides, libre lang din naman iyan, wala akong ginastos."

A soft giggle escaped my lips. Masaya akong tumingin sa hotel kung saan mananatili ang grupong nag concert. Since they booked the whole floor, ate Alice made sure that I'll have a room there. I'm really grateful to have her in my life, kahit hindi kami magkadugo ay para ko na siyang ate simula nung nawala ang magulang ko.

"Put this on." She gave me a face mask, cap and an I.D for the staff. "Kailangan mo iyan para hindi magtaka ang mga fans nilang naka-abang sa labas ng hotel at lobby. Basta may boundaries kapag nakita mong may nakabantay na guard, ha? Tayo malalagot nito sa tito mo, eh!"

I nodded and smiled at her, "Don't worry. Nasa katinuan pa naman ako. I just want to experience the concert and be on the same floor with them."

Ate Alice just shrugged before giving me her last instruction. It's really a great thing to have connections!

"Our beloved Primrose, ngayon lang kita pagbibigyan, ha? Ngayon ka lang naman na hilig sa isang boy group. Hindi mo lang ako secretary, ate mo na rin ako."

Masaya akong tumango sa kanya bago sinuot ang kanyang binigay sa akin. She's actually my secretary whom I treated like a big sister. We don't do formalities because I really want us to treat each other like a family even though we're not related.

Hindi ko nga alam bakit natutuwa rin siya na nagpa-fan girl ako ngayon. Isa pa, kilala ko na kasi talaga ang SBG noon kung saan labin-dalawa pa sila, ngunit hindi ako ganoong kahilig sa mga boy group at dahil na rin sa isang tao, pero ngayon ay todo naman ang paghanga ko sa kanila! It's so weird actually na hindi ko gusto ang ganito noon pero ngayon halos mukha na akong hibang, kung saan basta makakita lang ako ng video na nandoon ang miyembro ng SBG ay sobrang lapad na ng ngiti ko.

Habang nasa elevator ay hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapangiti. Iniisip ko palang na halos nasa iisang lugar lang kami ng mga taong sobrang hinahangaan ko ay labis na ang aking tuwa.

"Ouch!" Muntik na akong mapaupo sa sahig kung hindi dahil sa isang kamay na humawak sa akin. Inalalayan niya 'ko para makatayo nang maayos.

"Sorry," I apologized.

Pag-angat ko ng aking ulo ay nanlaki ang mga mata ko. His hands were still on my shoulder, and I could tell they were rough from doing so much work.

"Are you okay?" His voice is like music to my ears. Kahit ilang beses ko talagang marinig ang kanyang boses ay hindi ako magsasawa.

"Loey Parker," I muttered.

Kailangan ko pang tumingala para lang makilala kung sino siya. He has grey hair, masculine body with long legs that made me feel so small in front of him. I'm one hundred percent sure that he's the rapper of the SBG!

He was taken aback as he coughed before he let go of my shoulder, removing his face mask and flashed a manly smile. Parang gusto kong magpakuha kay Lord dahil sa kanyang ngiti, kaso mas maganda palang dito muna ako para matitigan siya.

"As far as I remember, this floor is exclusive for our members," he said, tilting his head in confusion.

"Oh my!" I snapped. Stupid, Primrose! Dapat ay tago lang na may silid ako sa floor na ito. "Sorry, maling floor!"

Mabilis akong tumalikod at nang akmang tatakbo na ako ay narinig kong muli ang kanyang tinig.

"Sorry pala, ha? Hindi rin kasi ako nakatingin sa daan."

Lumingon ako sa kanya't umiling, "Okay lang! Ako rin naman. Tapos mali pa iyong floor na napuntahan ko."

Kahit hindi naman talaga ako nagkamali. Well, whatever.

I could feel a burning sensation on my cheeks when he flashed his beautiful smile, again. He waved his hand before he turned around and walked. I don't know how long I stood there before deciding to look for my room.

*

Tahimik kong pinagmasdan ang mga taong sumasayaw at kumakanta mula sa isang sulok. Halos pawisan na sila at makikita sa kanilang mukha ang pagod ngunit patuloy parin sila sa kanilang ginagawa.

"It's obvious that they're tired, bakit ayaw nila munang tumigil upang magpahinga?" I mumbled.

"Baby girl, in order for them to achieve their dream, they should forget the word rest." Mom caressed my hair with a smile. She's been with me the whole time while waiting for my dad. Pareho kaming nagtatago lamang sa isang gilid.

I still wonder about what my mom said. Kung kakalimutan nilang magpahinga, baka mawala muna sila sa mundong ito bago maabot ang kanilang pangarap. I smiled bitterly. When the time comes, hindi ko hahayaan na mapagod sila nang sobra.

A company should treat their staff and talents like it's their children, right? I may be young but I know how cruel the entertainment industry is.

"Honey, Primrose."

"Dad!"

Mabilis ko siyang sinalubong at niyakap ng mahigpit. He's been very busy the past few days since he's handling the issue of one of our idol groups. As the CEO, dad needs to settle it himself since it got out of control.

"My baby girl! Missed me that much?" he chuckled.

"Dad, am I going to be busy like you when I became the CEO of E Entertainment?" I inquired.

My dad and mom smiled. Kahit na bata pa ako ay iminulat na nila 'ko sa buhay na aking tatahakin paglaki. They even opened my eyes to the cruel reality of the industry.

"I believe you'll be busier than I am, my dear," he answered. "When the time comes, I also believe that you'll be a great and kind CEO. The Miss President everyone would wish for."

My mom giggled, "For now, you'll live a normal life – a life away from this chaotic world, our little secret CEO."

*

Napamulat ako nang maramdaman kong may tumatapik sa aking pisngi. I yawned and stretched my arms before turning to ate Alice. She's wearing her usual secretary outfit. For sure, may meeting na naman siya mamaya kasama sila tito. Whenever I see her with her office attire, it's like a reminder that I'll soon bid a farewell to my normal life. Just like how the past keeps on reminding me about my responsibility through my dream.

"Oo nga pala, narinig kong may isang babae raw na nakasalubong si Loey sa floor kung saan dapat sila lang ang tao," aniya.

I shrugged, "Your girl got excited."

She giggled as she handed me my iced-coffee. Kahit naman magkaroon ako ng pagkakamali ay hindi ako gaanong sinesermonan ni ate Alice, kaya mahal na mahal ko siya, eh!

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin si ate nang bumuntong hininga siya. Nakatingin lang siya sa kanyang phone habang nakakunot ang kanyang noo sa kung ano man ang binabasa niya, probably about the company or artist.

"Primrose," pagtawag niya sa akin. "Check your twitter or any social-media account!"

I frowned and took my phone out of my bag. A tweet stopped me from scrolling and my lips parted.

"What the hell?"

E Entertainment canceled the free concert event of SBG!

We're so mad! Hindi talaga maaasahan ang E Entertainment kahit kailan. Mas paasa pa sa crush ko!

We were so excited and now they announced that they're canceling the event? We can accept it if it's postponed but no, they totally canceled it!

I massaged my temple after reading the tweets and articles. Kagabi lang ay masaya ang mga fans ng SBG, tapos ngayon ay ganito ang mababalitaan ko?

Ate Alice tapped my shoulder, "The Vice President texted that he'll visit you later."

Huminga ako nang malalim bago tumango. Siguro nga masyado na akong nagsaya sa mundong ito na kailangan ko ng harapin ang reyalidad. Kaya siguro napanaginipan ko na naman ang nakaraan.

If only my parents were still alive, and my dad's still the CEO of our company, this will never happen.

Well, dad was the CEO of Empire Entertainment also known as E Entertainment before he died. I am the heiress, however, he wrote a condition for me to meet in order to take over the company, that's why the board let his only brother take the position while I'm still preparing to take it.

"It's just sad that the only person who can take all the blame is Mr. Lee. Sabagay, he's the CEO for the public habang hindi alam ng karamihan na may isang taong nag e-exist sa kompanya natin," ate Alice said, her eyes were still on her phone.

Ngumisi ako sa kanyang isinaad. Isang CEO lang ang kilala ng lahat at iyon ay si Reylan Lee, my father's right-hand man. Ang alam ng karamihan ay siya ang in-charge but in reality, he's the second-in-command, while the identity of the president was hidden and protected. The vice is currently acting as the shield. It's unfair, I know, but that's how it is in this industry.

"I remembered when I was so young, tinanong ko noon si dad kung kailangan bang kilala rin ako ng karamihan. I was scared to be judged by other people or what they will say about my leadership and such," I smiled bitterly.

Nakangiting tumabi sa akin si ate Alice, "Naalala ko rin na ang ama mo ang gumawa ng proposal na ito noon kung saan ang CEO ay mananatiling sikreto habang ang vice-president naman ang magsisilbing CEO sa publiko. He didn't want you to experience the judgement of the world outside and inside the entertainment industry. It's a good thing they approved it and applied it to the other companies."

Napangiti ako lalo. I missed my parents so much. Simula noon ay si Ate Alice at ang team na iniwan para sa akin ang nakasama ko para gabayan ako, dahil once I turned twenty-three, I should take over the company, which I already reached the right age. Alam kong may iba pang kondisyon bukod sa edad ko pero hindi pa ito sinasabi sa akin, hindi pa rin naman nila ako kinakausap tungkol sa posisyon kaya nag enjoy muna ako sa kalayaan ko.

Tumayo ako't mabilis na inayos ang aking mga gamit. "Kailangan nating umuwi muna bago alalahanin ang tungkol sa kompanya. Baka mas maunahan pa tayo ni uncle, nakakahiya iyon."

Mahina siyang tumawa bago ako tinulungan sa pag-aayos. Nagpaalam ako sa kanya para makapagshower ako. I really enjoy her company, and she's always there, like literally. Naghihiwalay lang kami kapag may kailangan siyang asikasuhin at ganoon din naman ako. Minsan nga ay binibiro ko na siya na baka kaya wala pa siyang boyfriend ay dahil sa akin, eh. Mas gusto niya kasi akong kasama kaysa makipagdate.

Hindi na ako nagulat na nasa bahay na ang aming bisita pagkarating namin ni ate Alice. The middle-aged man stood, wearing his usual business attire and eyeglasses.

I smiled and bowed my head slightly, "Early as always, Mr. Lee."

He chuckled, "Come on, Primrose, it's not like we're in the company. Just call me like usual. Hindi ako sanay na sobrang pormal mo unless we're in front of other business people."

Tinaas ko ang aking kamay bilang pagsuko, "Alright, Uncle Reylan." I said, sitting across him. I gestured him to sit which he did.

Even when my parents died, they showered me with their love by leaving people who will be there for me. May mga tao pa rin na gumabay sa akin at sinamahan ako hanggang makaya kong tumayo ng mag isa.

"Anong meron, uncle?" tanong ko.

Bumagsak ang kanyang balikat at nawala ang ngiti sa kanyang mukha, "The board is not happy anymore. Mr. Larry decided to cancel the free event without notifying us first, and also, he ignored all the complaints."

I really don't know what's wrong with my father's brother. Lagi kong naririnig noong bata ako ang pangalang Larry Foster dahil siya ang naging sakit sa ulo sa kanilang pamilya. Madalas nga ay tumatakbo kaagad siya kay daddy para lang manghingi ng tulong, e.

Ate Alice walked towards us with two glasses of orange juice, "Don't you think it's time for our Primrose to take her position?" She asked as soon as she placed the juice on the table.

My heart skipped a beat. Am I ready for this?

Uncle turned to me, "I want to hear Primrose's opinion regarding that matter. After all, she's indeed our beloved future secret CEO."

I shrugged, "I honestly don't know if I'm ready for it. I just turned twenty-three!"

He chuckled, "Don't worry, Primrose, you still have time to learn things about the entertainment industry. Well, you also need it to meet the other condition of your father."

"Condition?"

As soon as I asked, ate Alice placed a document in front of me. She's always ready to satisfy my curiosity. Minsan nga hindi ko na alam saan niya napupulot mga bagay na bigla niyang binibigay sa akin.

Pagkatapos kong basahin ang mga nakasaad sa papel ay mabilis na tiningan ko si uncle Reylan at natawa naman siya sa naging reaksyon ko.

"Your father once told me that it's really refreshing for someone in this industry to have a home and a person whom you can lean on whenever you're tired. A person who will never judge you and will stay with you no matter what," he said.

I don't know if I want to cry or laugh. My dad was really a family-oriented person that he wanted to secure my marriage life, huh?

"In order to take the position, you need to reach the age of twenty-three and.." He chuckled, "You need to introduce to the board your husband. Our Primrose needs to be a married person for the position."

****