Chapter 18

Primrose

"What's wrong with that? You're my wife, Primrose," he pouted.

I rolled my eyes at him while the others were pressing their lips, watching him throw a tantrum. Why does he keep on claiming me as his wife? Well, I know I really am his wife, but we know the reason for our marriage.

"And may I remind you that only those under the E Entertainment know that, Loey," I replied calmly. "We can't expose our relationship to others. We can't control them, you know. Please, I don't want to cause any rumors or dramas just because I'm married to an idol."

We can reveal it if I want to, but I don't want to take any more risk than I already do. Isa pa, lagi kong pinapaalala sa sarili ko na hindi permanente ito, na maghihiwalay din kami ni Loey kaya mas maganda na walang ibang makaalam pa na mag-asawa kami.

"Okay, fine," he crossed his arms, biting his lower lip.

I sighed.

Today's the music festival and he's pestering me to go there together. He wanted to accompany me, which I rejected. Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko. Isa pa maaga dapat silang pumunta roon para sa final rehearsal, at ayoko naman maghintay nang matagal doon.

"Come on Loey, stop being too clingy to Prim," Matt laughed. "You'll still see each other in the venue, man."

The guys couldn't help but tease him after that. I really wonder how they're taking it normally. I mean, they really make me feel important, that I was indeed their sister-in-law or whatsoever.

Ang dami na naman pumapasok sa isip ko! I told myself not to doubt them and to learn to trust them, to be more comfortable with them. Well, I'm already comfortable with them, especially when they do things for me—cooking and visiting me in my office even just for a minute.

"Si Sophie ang isa sa may performance, 'di ba? Ito ang second stage niya after her debut last week," Kuya Eros said suddenly.

I nodded, "Since she topped the charts, they requested her to join the festival."

Yes, Sophie finally got what she wanted! I'm really proud that she strives hard just to prove to us that she deserves to debut. I even focused on the preparation of her album's launch from PR to marketing just to see if everything's going smoothly. I wanted to give her what she deserves as an artist under the company, and as someone, I could consider as a friend now.

Siguro dahil sa SBG ay nagawa kong tawagin din siyang kaibigan. Mukha naman kasi siyang harmless. Isa pa, noong nakaraan din ay gumala kami, dahil hindi pa naman siya ganun ka-sikat ay malaya pa siya sa mga public places, pero may ibang kilala siya dahil sa ibang shows na sinalihan niya noon.

"I hope others will treat her right. I'm still worried," he replied, leaning back on the couch.

"What do you mean?" I asked, frowning.

He heaved a deep sigh, "Rookies will have a hard time, you see. There will be mistreatment and such when it comes to shows. Someone might sabotage her just to stop Sophie from gaining more fame or fans. I've heard that the producer of the festival has a history of being biased."

I clicked my tongue, "I'll take note of that then."

My father raised me as a fighter so that I can defend the people under me. I told him when I was still a child that I won't let others harm our people.

"You will not be just their boss, but you will also be their parent, Primrose. Treat them like a family you need to protect and do whatever it takes to let them achieve their dreams." I could still hear my dad's voice when he told me that.

"Boys, let's go," Mr. Riason called them out.

I bid my farewell to them, even though Loey was still down because of my rejection of what he wanted. Well, he'll be fine later, I'm sure of it. He'll go back to his carefree self when he's done sulking. Besides, he really hates being all gloomy and such so he'll get over it.

Tinapos ko muna ang ibang pending works at nagpahinga saglit. Habang tumitingin sa mga pictures sa Instragram, may nag-text sa akin.

From: Loey

We're done with the rehearsal. Anong oras ka pupunta?

I quickly stood and replied that I'll be on my way. Hindi ko kasama si ate Alice ngayon dahil hiniram siya ni tito Reylan. Kasi wala si Mr. Reyes ngayon at may kailangan silang gawin. Mabuti na lang at may driver pa ako. Isa pa, hindi ko naman kailangan ng secretary ngayon dahil balak ko lang manood talaga.

I rolled my eyes when everyone turned to me as I stepped inside the venue. Wala pang fans dahil may ilang minuto pa bago magsimula, kaya naman ang mga taong tumitingin sa akin ngayon ay galing sa ibang kompanya at staff ng music festival na ito. Mabuti na lang may I.D. ako para makapasok kaagad dito.

Walking confidently, I ignored their judging stares. I get it, some were curious as to who I am, while the other girls looked at me from head to toe with a mocking look. What's wrong with them?

I was wearing a blue vintage dress. I only applied a pink lip gloss that matches my skin color. So compared to them, my face looks plain. Well, I really don't like wearing makeup, okay?

"Seriously, sa lahat ba talaga kailangan stranger ako?" I mumbled to no one.

When I stopped, a group of six boys was about to approach me when they suddenly stopped, looking behind me. I could even see how others became more curious. I was about to turn around when someone placed a hand around my shoulder.

"I thought you'll go with the boys, but they told me that you don't like the idea. Well, typical you," he chuckled as if no one's watching us. When his eyes landed on the six in front of us, he frowned.

"Kilala mo po siya, Kuya Rence?" tanong ng isa sa kanila.

He gave the boy a friendly smile, nodding, "She's the queen of Empire Entertainment."

Tiningnan ko siya nang masama lalo na halos pasigaw niyang sinabi iyon, pero hindi niya ako pinansin. Napansin ko naman ang pagkabigla ng karamihan, ang iba naman ay umiwas na ng tingin.

Tahimik na tumango ang lalaking nag tanong, kaya naman kinuha na ni Kuya Rence 'yon bilang pagkakataon na hatakin ako sa kung saan.

"They won't look at you like what they did," he said while we're walking side by side.

"Yeah, ang flashy ba naman ng pagpapakilala mo sa akin," sagot ko.

He laughed, "I was not branded as an attention seeker for nothing."

I shook my head with a smile on my face. I'll have to agree with that anyway. Mukhang mabilis kumalat ang ginawa niya dahil ang iba rin na nalagpasan namin ay sulyap lang ang ginagawa.

"You should visit the others. I'll just read my script in my dressing room," he told me, ruffling my hair as he left me on my own.

Mabuti na lang at diretso lang ang corridor at malaki ang sign ng mga dressing rooms kaya kaagad kong nahanap ang assigned sa artists ko.

"Primrose!"

She hugged me tightly as soon as I stepped inside the dressing room.

"Wow, you have a boyish aura but today, you look so girly, Sophie," I giggled.

Sophie blinked for a moment and then her face turned red. She was wearing pink shorts and cropped-top, even her boots were pink! Bagay naman sa kanya, pero talagang babae siya tingnan ngayon hindi kagaya kapag normal na araw lang, she looks like a tomboy tapos buo pa boses niya.

"Hello, Miss President."

My attention turned to the five girls who greeted me.

"Hello!" I greeted back.

Magkasama si Sophie at isang girl group under din ng E Entertainment sa iisang dressing room, kaya naman mas pinili ko talagang bumisita rito.

"Good luck mamaya, ha? I know you guys can do it!" I cheered.

They all giggled, including Sophie, and thanked me. Hindi na rin ako nagtagal dahil kailangan pa silang ayusan kaya nagpaalam na rin ako sa kanila.

While walking, there were two girls gossiping in front of me. I didn't want to eavesdrop but they talk as if no one would hear them, or they don't care if someone will.

"Don't worry, I made sure she wouldn't get a smooth performance like what she did on the rehearsal," the girl giggled. "Ako pa ba? Malakas yata ako rito, ang dali lang din naman kasing bumigay ng iba sa request ko."

Hindi ko na narinig ang iba pa nilang pinag-uusapan lalo na't nang mahagip ko ang dressing room ng SBG. I don't know why but what I've heard bothered me so much. I didn't let the guys see it though, they'll get worried about me for sure.

"Don't you dare disappoint me, okay?"

They all chuckled with that.

"We got the closing performance because we're legends, so rest assured that we won't be a disappointment, Primrose," Baron laughed.

I made a face with his overconfidence. They're done with their makeup and their hair, that's why they're all just sitting comfortably on the chairs inside the room. Kumakain pa nga ng pizza sina Baron, Dred, Loey at Matt, eh. Teka, saan ba nila nakuha ito?

"Scarlet dolls' manager gave it to us," Loey explained as if he read what's on my mind.

"Oh," was the only thing I said.

Scarlet dolls were the five girls earlier with Sophie. They're one of the famous girl groups right now.

Kaya naman pala kanina may napansin din akong pizza box sa dressing room nila.

"Where's Kuya Eros?" I asked when I observed that someone's missing.

He shrugged, "Probably outside, giving advice to those rookies out there." He made a face as if he's disgusted. "Seriously, he should stop doing that. He really loves when he knows that he's already a senior to the others."

The corner of my lips rose while others laughed at his statement. Kuya Jinmin offered me to sit on his side, which I did as I watched the four eat their pizzas, they even offered one but I declined and told them that I just ate before coming.

"Saan ka manonood?"

I shrugged, "Kahit saan."

I'm fine anywhere actually, but since I got used to being in the backstage while they perform, maybe I'll just do that here, too. Besides, there's something I really need to look out for. Remembering what I heard, I grabbed my phone.

To: Ate Alice

Ate Alice, can you call the PR team? I want them to do something for me.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal at nagsimula na ang music festival. Kailangan namin lumabas lalo na't lahat ng kasama sa show ay may opening performance, kung saan pinanood ko lang talaga sa backstage. Sobrang lakas ng hiyawan ng mga fans, lalo na iba't ibang fandom ang nasa lugar na ito.

Katabi ko naman si Kuya Rence na para bang gusto akong protektahan sa mga tao rito kung makalapit sa akin.

"What the hell?" I muttered, dumbfounded with what the SBG's doing.

They let Matt and Baron sing as they just clapped and cheered at the two like crazy. Si Dred naman sumiksik lang sa Scarlet dolls at umaktong hindi niya kasama ang SBG. Ang iba rin tuloy natatawa nang mapansin ang ginagawa nila!

I rolled my eyes while watching them. The guy beside me barked a laugh too when he saw it.

Ang kalat nila masyado!

"They're the SBG after all, beautiful troublemakers as their fans called them most of the time," he said, smiling widely.

I couldn't help but just shook my head with their craziness. Bakit nga ba sumikat sila kahit halos ang gulo rin ng mga show kapag andyan sila?

Sobrang smooth lang halos lahat ng performance, kulang na nga lang tumalon ako't sumigaw sa opening ng Scarlet Dolls, kung hindi ko lang napansin na parang hindi maganda ang audio o microphone nila.

"I thought they made sure that everything would be okay?" Kuya mumbled, frowning.

I just clenched my fist when I saw in Sophie's eyes that she's not comfortable anymore with the audio. Akala ko ay sa Scarlet dolls lang iyon lalo na naging maayos naman ang sumunod sa kanila.

But now, even Sophie's experiencing it, but worst, the feedback of her microphone was too irritating. Due to it, she got distracted that caused her to forget some lyrics and moves, luckily, she caught up real quick.

When my head turned to the producer, I swear I wanted to slap his smirking face while watching my artist struggle on stage!

"Easy there, tigress. You handle him later," he whispered, caressing my hair softly.

I heaved a deep sigh before nodding. Enjoy it for now, 'cause I won't let them get away with what they did.

Habang nanonood ay pakiramdam ko malapit na akong sumabog, dahil hindi rin maganda ang audio ng SBG, tapos sa audience na lang yata halos nakatutok ang camera! It's really a good thing that they managed to pull it off. The crowd cheered loudly with their closing performance.

"Fuck. I did not expect that to happen," I heard Baron hissed. "Do you really think it's just coincidence or what?"

No one answered as they all turned to me when I entered their dressing room.

"People who watched the show pitied Sophie and blamed the producers, especially your fans since you don't deserve to have such low-quality audio during your performance," I said.

They all frowned but I just gestured to them not to worry. Earlier, I asked their manager to watch the old producer. Plus, by now, they probably saw the negative articles online.

"Miss President."

The girls entered the room with a concerned look on their face.

"What's wrong?"

Their leader, Megan was a bit hesitant at first but then she replied, "The producer called Sophie. We're worried that they'll scold and blame her for what happened, especially when the statement of the company spread like wildfire, voicing out their concern and demanding an explanation about what happened with the performances of the E Entertainment's artists."

"May statement ang E Entertainment?" asked Loey who was now looking at me.

"I asked the PR team to do that," I replied.

I quickly stood and walked out of the room while they all followed me, not saying a word. Normally, other companies would let this pass, but not me.

Just like what Megan predicted, a booming voice welcomed us as soon as we went backstage.

"There might be a problem with the audio and the microphone, but you, forgetting the lyrics of your song and the choreography, it's not our problem anymore! Kaya bakit ba biglang kami ang parang sinisisi ng kompanya mo?" he threw the papers he's holding to Sophie. "Alam mo, dapat ikaw ang mag-sorry sa amin. Hindi maganda ang performance mo kaya baka hindi rin tuloy gaanoon kaganda ang kinalabasan ng music festival!"

I bit my lips when he raised his hand, ready to slap my artist but Kuya Rence immediately grabbed the producer's hand.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" he asked seriously.

I saw how the others stiffened with the presence of Kuya Rence, especially when he just cussed at the producer. He may be a jolly person, but everyone has a beast inside of them.

Marahas niyang binitawan ang kamay nito at humarang kay Sophie.

Akmang magsasalita pa ang producer pero kinuha ko na ang pagkakataon na iyon para umeksena na rin, lalo na't hindi ko na kayang panoorin ang nangyayari.

"Lay a hand on her and I'll destroy your career," I hissed then turned to the girl who was giggling moments ago. "And your whore."

Her eyes widened when she met my piercing gaze and looked away. Then the old man looked at me totally confused, that's why someone stepped and whispered something to him, maybe briefing him as to who I am since his face softened a bit.

"You must be Ms. Foster?" he asked with friendliness. "I'm sorry. I was just really mad to receive such a negative comment, and I find it unfair to see the statement of your company."

I gave him a smile, gesturing to the manager of the SBG to do what I asked him to do. He stepped in front of the producer, showing him the screen of his phone as a video played.

"Don't worry, darling, I assure you, Sophie would be humiliated on stage," a man said coming from the phone, which was recognized as the producer of the show.

Then there's a seductive laugh, "Thank you! I'll make you happy in bed later."

Everyone's eyes widened, while the two in the video turned to me and became pale.

It's really a good thing that I asked Mr. Riason to observe the producer of the show and secure an evidence for us to use if there would be something that might help us if something happened.

I walked towards Sophie confidently, caressing her shoulder softly before turning my gaze to the jerk.

"I just simply asked my PR team to release a statement, you know," I started, smiling sweetly at them. "I could also send the video to them and order them to upload it, but I'm still trying to be merciful here. So, just cooperate and give us a good explanation and take all the blame if you still want to survive."

Tumingin ako sa SBG at Scarlet dolls at sumenyas na lumapit sa amin. Nagtataka silang sumunod at tumayo sa likod ko.

"Remember this, those under my company represent the whole E Entertainment, and they also represent me, their CEO, so a mere producer who was just starting in the industry like you have no right to bully my staff, especially my artists!"

*****

This chapter is one of my favorite even though there's no kilig stuff. I just really want to write a scene where I could show that Primrose is the kind of CEO who will not let her artist to be mistreated again. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter just as how much I enjoyed writing it!

-Hime