Chapter 19

Primrose

I groaned, burying my face in my pillow when someone turned on the lights in my bedroom.

"Wake up, wake up," Loey shouted.

"Oh please, I still want to sleep," I managed to mumble. "Hey!"

Inis akong umupo sa kama nang maramdaman ang paghila niya sa paa ko. What the hell? Tumawa lang siya bago lumapit sa akin at ginulo pa lalo ang buhok ko.

"You're coming with me, remember?" he smirked.

I rolled my eyes, "Did I even agree to that?"

"No," he shrugged. "Pero sasama ka pa rin sa akin."

Do I even have a choice?

Sinipa ko ang kumot ko paalis sa akin bago padabog na umalis ng kama't tumayo. He laughed again before walking out of my room and told me that he'll wait downstairs.

Kahit na gusto kong bumalik sa pagtulog ay wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang mag-ayos, dahil siguradong kapag napansin niyang matagal ako ay pupunta na naman 'yon dito sa kwarto ko.

"You need to be fit and healthy, Primrose. It's for you, so stop frowning," he told me, chuckling. He eyed my clothes and nodded before getting inside his car.

I was wearing black leggings and sports bra inside my cropped-top jacket, while Loey's wearing a black sleeveless shirt and jogging pants, that's why his ripped body was more visible right now!

Uminit ang pisngi ko't nag-iwas ng tingin nang mapagtantong nakatitig na pala ako sa katawan niya. Hindi ko siya nilingon buong biyahe dahil baka himatayin ako, especially when I saw his powerful and manly biceps!

He tried to talk to me but I pretended that I was sleeping until we arrived at our destination.

"It's really a good thing that there's a gym exclusive for us," he sighed as soon as we entered the gym.

Malapit lang ito sa opisina kaya ito ang pinili nila tito noon na bilhin para naman sa mga artist, lalo na at trainee ka pa lang ay matindihang workout routine ang ibibigay sa iyo.

The things you'll do to enter the industry, huh?

Nang makapasok kami ay parang nagkaroon kami ng sariling mundo habang nilagay sa locker ang mga gamit namin.

I did some morning stretches first, then thirty minutes plank, twenty seconds squat, and then jumping jacks before going to the treadmill for a run. I have a routine, but I'm really not in the mood, and if not because of Loey, I'll probably just jog around the village.

"Wow, totoo bang si Primrose itong nakikita ko?"

Napatigil ako sa pag-inom ng tubig nang may biglang nag salita. In an instant, I rolled my eyes at the two people who just entered the gym.

"Come on. Are you a snob now, our Prim?" he chuckled as he approached me, pulling me closer to him for a hug, not minding that I'm already sweating!

"Kuya Eurix!" I groaned.

Lumapit naman sa amin si Loey na pawisan na rin. Sinalubong siya ni Kuya Shawn ng isang tapik sa balikat, habang ngumiti naman si kuya Eurix sa kanya't nakayakap pa rin sa akin. Agad ko naman siyang tinulak palayo kaya natawa siya saglit bago tuluyang kumalas sa yakap.

Ang clingy!

"Oh, is this your kind of date?" he teased.

Napangiwi siya nang kinurot ko ang tagiliran niya dahil din doon ay matalim niya akong tiningnan. Umirap lang ako sa kanya bago naisip na tumigil na't magpahinga na lang.

"I heard about what happened sa music festival. Nice, mas lalo yatang nag-matured ang Primrose namin? Hindi ka na baby!"

Natawa naman ako sa kanya, "Kuya Eurix, mukha lang ako baby, okay? Isa pa, tama lang naman ang ginawa ko, 'di ba?"

It's been a week since the music festival, and I gained the trust of my artists as they said. Though the board was a bit unhappy with what I did since they think that it's not necessary to defend them that way. Still, I disagree. For me, I'll be their voice, their home, and someone who wouldn't just abandon them.

"Yes. That's why we're proud of you! You didn't just defend your artists, but you also showed them that you're someone they couldn't offend in this industry," Kuya Shawn said, giving me a soft pat on my head.

I couldn't help but smile widely at them. Aw, my big bros were proud of me, and it really made my day.

Then they left me behind and talked to Loey about something before doing their own routines.

"Loey," I called him as soon as I'm done with my shower and changed my clothes. "Can you just fetch me sa coffee shop katapat na Empire? Mas gusto kong maghintay doon kaysa rito, eh."

He was doing a push-up when I approached him, that's why he stopped and stood. He gave me a small nod, "Okay. Can you order for me too? I'll take a shower now. Just take our usual order."

I nodded and watched him leave. When he totally disappeared from my sight, I turned to the two who were already grinning at me.

"Kung ano man ang nasa isip niyong dalawa, stop it," I said, crossing my arms on my chest. "Anyways, una na ko. Ingat kayo!"

Ngumiti sila sa akin at sinabing mag-text ako sa kanila if may kailangan ako o gusto ko ng kausap. Kuya Eurix even teased me that I should call Kuya Hendreich for a girl talk. I just rolled my eyes and laughed at that.

"Two Iced Americano," I ordered. "Thanks."

The ends of my lips rose, remembering how he told me to order our usual order. Nagulat na lang kasi ako na pareho pala kami ng madalas na inoorder kapag nasa coffee shop, nalaman lang naman iyon nung nag date kami sa coffee shop na paborito ni Kuya Yeshua noong 'di pa kami kasal. I'm really amazed how he remembers some small details actually. He knows a lot of things about me now, even my favorite food, dessert, color, and many other things just by his observation, or maybe he also asked ate Alice.

Saktong pagkuha ko sa order ay nag text si Loey na papunta na siya rito. Siguro ay limang minute lang andito na siya.

I grabbed our drinks when I saw his car in front of the shop.

"Thank you," he smiled when I handed him the drink.

"I thought we're going home," I said when he turned around, going inside the entrance of the parking lot of the Empire building.

He chuckled, "Nope. I already told my manager to get our lunch and bring it to my studio. I want to show you something first."

Kagaya lang noong nakaraan, marami ang napapangiti tuwing nakikitang kasama ko si Loey, lalo na't bihira lang talaga kaming makita na magkasama habang naglalakad sa loob ng building.

We just walked silently side by side. Kahit nga sa elevator ay tahimik lang kaming dalawa, pero nakangiti siya na parang ewan. Hindi ko na lang pinansin at tahimik na sumunod sa kanya.

"Wow," I exclaimed as I entered his studio.

The once plain-looking studio transformed into a real studio. There was equipment now, and there's even a bar counter on the side!

"Anong gagawin niyo riyan?" tanong ko habang nakaturo sa may linya sa sahig.

"We'll divide it and build a glass door. Balak ko sanang gawing conference room."

I nodded, roaming my eyes around. I settled myself on a high-chair and the bar counter.

"Want some wine?" he asked.

"Sure. One glass lang," I smiled.

Mabuti na lang dumating na rin kaagad ang pagkain namin. Nagulat pa nga ako na steak ang binili para sa lunch namin, eh. Mas naging masarap tuloy 'yong wine for me. Sobrang peaceful lang namin habang kumakain.

When he's done with his food, he smiled at me widely, "Thank you nga pala."

"For?" I frowned.

"For approving my request to have my own recording studio, really, thank you so much."

I waved my hand at him dismissively, "It's nothing. You have a good plan about it anyway, right? There's no reason for me not to approve it."

He blinked but I just winked at him that made him burst into laughter. When I got my position, I talked to Ate Alice and Uncle Reylan about Loey's dreams and plans about the studio. I don't want to hinder him, so we made an arrangement regarding the matter. Luckily, even the board approved my idea of allowing him to have his own studio.

Basically, he will also contribute with SBG's songs, or any artists from the E Entertainment, and if ever, we might use this one to record an album or just some tracks, or anything he wanted to do. I'll support him, really.

"Do you trust me?" he asked suddenly. When he saw that I didn't get him, he added. "I mean, do you trust me handling this on my own? That I won't mess up?"

Saglit akong natahimik doon.

"I do trust you," I replied, locking my eyes to his. "I trust you, Loey. You can mess up, you know, but you have to fix it and don't give up. You have potential, and your fans know how talented you are, especially when it comes to music. I don't want you to waste that talent."

He sighed dramatically and acted as if he was about to cry, "Damn it. Hindi ka kinikilig sa mga ginagawa ko, pero bakit ikaw sobra mo akong pakiligin?"

"Shut it, Loey," I groaned.

He laughed at that, "Seriously, Primrose. You know how to touch someone's heart, huh. You touch mine, softly to the point that it's melting already."

"Whatever."

Again, he just laughed, shaking his head with an amusement flashed on his face. Then, a sudden knock stopped him from laughing. Good, because I would definitely roll my eyes endlessly to him.

"I think he's here now," he said before walking towards the door.

I cocked my head sideward. Sino kaya iyon? Hindi naman niya sinabing may iba pang pupunta rito bukod sa amin, eh.

A guy, who looked older than Loey entered the room. He looks a bit snob, but I can sense a friendly aura with the way he smiled at Loey. The guy then turned to me, giving me a slight nod and a smile, which I returned with the same gesture.

Mabilis din akong tumayo't lumapit sa kanila.

"Primrose, this is Darwin. He was my rap teacher back when I was still a rookie," he introduced the guy. "Darwin, this is my wife, Primrose."

Unlike before, I got used to it when he introduced me as his wife. I mean, I can't just flinch or look awkward whenever he does that, right?

Darwin, who I think I should address as Kuya extended his right hand, which I gladly accepted and shook it.

"Nice to meet you, Miss President," he greeted.

"The pleasure is mine."

Kahit mukhang masungit si kuya Darwin ay halos puro kalokohan din pala ang taglay, pero kapag kasama lang daw niya ay close niya. Kasi ayon kay Loey, tahimik lang si kuya Darwin madalas sa maraming tao.

He was also famous before, especially when he was once a teacher here in E Entertainment, but now, he'll join Loey and help him achieve his plans for the studio. I really enjoyed listening to their plans since they're both passionate when it comes to music. Whenever they talk about it, it's like I'm seeing a new Loey—someone who just wants to share the world with his talent and do what he loves.

"When I debuted, Kuya Darwin and I talked about building our own recording studio. Actually, we really never thought that we will have one, but here it is!" he said as we stared at the whole room.

"Everything became a reality," Kuya Darwin grinned, turning to me as he raised his hand for a high-five. "It's all thanks to you."

I really never got bored during my rest days, especially when there's someone accompanying me—who never let me do work stuff, and will do everything for me to just loosen up and chill.

"Nag date kayo?" tanong ni kuya Jinmin pagkapasok namin sa bahay.

"Yep!" Loey answered happily. "Sinusulit lang ang pahinga kasama ang asawa, Kuya."

Natawa naman si kuya Jinmin roon habang ako ay umirap na lang bago binati ang nag iisang tao sa sala.

"Wala kang schedule?" I asked.

"Tapos na. Shooting lang naman and recording para sa isang kanta sa drama," sagot niya.

I sat next to him while Loey just stood in front of us. I'm actually tired right now. Kanina kasi ay naisip nilang maglaro ni Kuya Darwin, sinali pa ako kaya parang naubos energy ko sa sobrang hyper ng dalawa. Tapos kahit 'yung kwentuhan lang ay parang sobrang na-drain din ako.

"Magpapahinga na ako ha? Kayo ring dalawa. Good night," paalam ni kuya Jinmin.

"Good night, Kuya," I replied, closing my eyes.

Naramdaman kong lumubog ulit ang gilid ko. Kaso dahil mas gusto ko muna magpahinga kahit saglit lang ay hindi ko na ito pinansin at nanatiling nakapikit ang aking mga mata.

"Tumaas ka na kaya't matulog?"

"Later," I replied lazily.

I was so glad that he just remained silent and let me rest in the living room for a moment, but he stayed by my side. I don't know how long we stayed like that, and I admit that I liked the feeling. Knowing that he's just there, even though I couldn't see him with my eyes closed, that doesn't change the fact that he's there.

"Naalala mo ba 'yung sinabi ko noong nakaraan na may kulang sa iyo?" tanong niya bigla.

"Hmm?"

I gasped and opened my eyes when I felt someone held my hand and touched my ring finger. It was quick, but it was enough for my heartbeat to accelerate.

"What are you doing?" I asked, totally surprised with his touch!

He gave me a sweet smile, still holding my hand. Then my eyes widened when he reached something inside his pocket, and there, I saw a simple ring. He smiled at me while he slowly slid on my ring finger, and filled its emptiness since we got married.

"We didn't have time to pick one, plus the fact that I can't just wear a wedding ring," he said softly, touching the ring on my finger. "Still, I wanted us to wear one, even just a simple ring will do. After all, I need to choose something that wouldn't stand out, and that won't look suspicious. So, I need to wear it on my other finger, you see."

He raised his hand, and I saw the ring—identical to mine, and it was resting on his middle finger. I swear, my heart was melting right now! This guy really knows how to surprise me, huh?

"They say that wearing it here symbolizes balance and responsibility," he chuckled. "Well no one would really notice this one, especially when I have rings on my pinky and pointy finger."

True to that. May mga singsing pa siya kaya siguradong hindi na ito mapapansin ng iba. Isa pa, talagang simple lang ang pinili niyang singsing. Tinanggal niya ito at pinakita sa akin ang nasa loob.

P&L

"Why are you doing this?" I managed to ask, trying to hold the emotion building inside of me.

With another smile, I was taken aback when he leaned forward and wiped the tears that rolled down my cheeks.

Shocks, I'm crying.

What the hell, Primrose!

"I'm doing this because you're my wife," he answered softly. "I know that we both married each other for a reason, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm your husband, Primrose Parker. So, let me act like one, okay? Let me take care of you, and treat my wife the way she deserves to be treated."

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