Hello! So for this chapter, I want to take you back to the past kung saan mas makikilala niyo si Loey and at the same time, may mga malalaman kayo na connected  sa mga ibang chapter pero point of view ni Loey. *wink* 

Enjoy!

Love,

Hime.

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Chapter 21

Loey

Do you know what I want right now?

Rest.

That's the one thing we couldn't do because of our endless schedules. We do love our jobs, but most of the time, it's very draining.

"You look horrible, Loey," our leader said as soon as he saw me lying on my bed.

"Yeah, I haven't slept yet since yesterday," I sighed, shutting my eyes even just for a minute.

We all know that there's no easy career in life, that's why while we're still here, we do our best even though it's tiring. But damn, I could feel my body and my mind giving up already. I just finished my shooting for a drama, which my role is just a supporting character but it still took us a lot of time and energy to finish my parts. Now, I still have an awarding to attend to for a special number. I would love it if I'm with my members, but I need to go there alone since the others have their schedules for the night.

"Anong oras daw matatapos ang awarding?" tanong ni kuya Eros.

Dumilat ako't naupo na sa kama, "Ten o'clock daw."

Tatlong oras akong mananatili sa event na iyon, lalo na't sa kalagitnaan pa ang performance ko. If only I can just go there when it's my time to perform, but of course I can't do that. I still need to go early, and I also need to interact with the other artists there.

"Hello!"

"Hi!"

Ilang minuto na akong bumabati sa mga taong nakakasalubong ko, ganun din ang ginagawa ng iba. Nakipag-usap din ako sa iba pang idols at actors na kilala ko.

"Yow, man!"

I grinned, "Hey, Tyron!"

He took the seat next to mine, "Glad to know we're at the same table. You see, everyone here was all a big hit in the industry, so I find it intimidating to lurk around the place."

"Am I not a big hit?"

"Come on man, we all know that everyone loves you and your group, but still, I'm comfortable with your presence and we're friends."

We talked for a moment, laughing as we reminisced with the things we shared together.

Since there's still time before the awarding, I excused myself to Tyron and decided to go somewhere quiet. I may be jolly at times, but sometimes, I also wanted to go to some peaceful place. Luckily, I found a corner where I can hide, I shut my eyes, trying to ease the nervousness and let it rest for a bit,

"Primrose."

I frowned as my eyes opened, recognizing the familiar soft voice.

Sumulyap ako sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses na iyon. Isang lalaking nakatalikod sa akin at isang babae ang nasa harapan niya. Mukhang hindi nila ako napansin dahil nasa dulo't tagong lugar ako.

"So I guess this is the end for us," I heard the bitter chuckle of the girl.

Ayokong makinig sa usapan nila, kaso baka kapag umalis ako sa pwesto ko ay mapansin nila 'ko at maging awkward ang atmosphere nila, 'di ba? Baka umatras pa sila sa emosyong gusto nilang ilabas kung sakali.

I tried to look at them again, but when he kissed her on her forehead and he turned around to walk away, I saw how the girl broke into pieces. For a moment, I let her cry alone, while I just stared at her shaking shoulders. But when Tyron sent a message that my performance will start in a few minutes, I decided to walk out the corner and leave, however, when her sobs filled my ears, I couldn't help but go to her. At first, she was stunned but she relaxed after a moment. I don't even know how to comfort a person, still, I tried to give her some words that might help her and gave her my handkerchief.

"I thought you left. I was nervous that you ditched your performance," Tyron said when he saw me.

I chuckled, "Even though I want to do that, you know that I can't."

My performance was smooth. I was proud of myself that I got an offer to have a solo performance in an awarding show, sill, my body's craving for a break.

"I saw Liam earlier," he was a bit hesitant when he said that.

"Yeah. I saw him, too. Though, I didn't let him see me," I replied in a low tone.

I even saw and heard how Liam broke someone's heart. To be honest, he's a jerk for doing such a thing. I mean, I know that we need to sacrifice some things for our career and that we may have to do something that might hurt someone close to us, still, I never imagined that he can hurt a girl like that and could easily fall for someone else while he's committed.

Was it possible to love another person while you are in a relationship?

I don't know. Maybe because I haven't experienced that, and I hope I won't get to 'cause I don't want to break another person's heart.

"Still have an order not to interact with him?" Tyron asked.

I nodded, "Yep. Besides, he left our group without an explanation. So I think there's no reason for us to talk."

"You sound like a bitter ex-girlfriend, man."

I just shrugged at him.

"Loey!"

I turned around and saw one of our seniors that I worked with before. I excused myself again to interact with others.

While I was catching up with the other idols, my eyes caught a girl smiling widely as if she was not in pain. She just socialized with others while wearing her sweetest smile, but I could feel that she's still breaking inside.

"Send my regards to Eros. I've heard that he did well the other night."

I turned to the person beside me and smiled at her, "Sure."

When I glanced at the girl again, her attention was now on someone behind me. She tightened her grip on the glass she's holding that's why I couldn't help but follow her gaze.

There, I saw Liam who was with a girl. His right hand was on the girl's waist while talking to some other artist. She even leaned closer to him, and they fucking look like a perfect couple while the ex-girlfriend was just watching them as they laughed together, letting others see their affection for each other.

Damn love.

Even after the event, her eyes that were full of pain, sadness, and emptiness were etched inside my head.

She deserves to be loved.

I hope that she'll find that right person someday.

"Mauna na akong bumalik sa hotel natin, ha?" paalam ko sa ibang members.

Walking silently in the corridor, I suddenly bumped into someone. She looked at me with admiration, but there's still a glimpse of emptiness in her eyes as if she's just enjoying the temporary happiness, and soon, she'll embrace a sorrowful life again.

"Man, what the fuck happened to you?" Baron asked, frowning. "Kanina ka pa tulala riyan. Ilang minuto rin ang lumipas bago mo ako pagbuksan ng pintuan kanina."

"I'm just thinking about something," I answered.

He just shrugged.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi mawala sa isipan ko ang babaeng iyon. Kahit sa pagpikit ay naaalala ko kung paano siya nagpigil ng luha noon, kung paano siya nagpanggap na parang walang nangyari, at kung paano siya ngumiti kanina pero parang may kulang pa rin talaga.

I don't even understand why I'm bothered about her. I don't even remember her name.

"Loey, thank you for accepting my request and I know that it's unfair on your part, so thank you very much and I'm sorry," our vice-president said.

"It's okay Mr. Lee. If I can help with the betterment of the company, I'll do it. Besides, it would be hard for me to find a genuine girl and settle down, so I think it's going to be easier for me to just marry someone with the benefit of having a bright future for E Entertainment and our freedom from Mr. Foster."

He smiled, "Thank you. I'll set a date for you to meet Primrose."

Primrose...

I'm sure I'd heard that name before.

After the talk with Mr. Lee, I looked forward to the day that I will finally meet my future wife, then I realized that she has the name of the girl that's lingering in my mind after the awarding show and the hotel incident. I know that there were a lot of people with the same name, but damn, I have to admit that something inside of me wished that she's the person I'm bound to marry soon.

"She looks nice and she's really pretty," Nate commented beside me.

We were all in the living room after our lunch with Mr. Lee and Primrose Foster, who will soon carry my family name.

I know I'm not in love with her. Definitely not. But when I saw her again, and that my wish came true, I just got excited for the day I'll marry her. Alam ko naman na iba talaga ang dahilan kung bakit ako pumayag na pakasalan siya, pero noong nakita ko siya ulit, para bang nagbago ang dahilan ko.

Gusto kong makilala pa siya, kung paano siya nakilala ni Liam noon, at gusto kong iparamdam sa kanya na hindi niya deserve na iwan at ipagpalit sa iba gaya ng ginawa ni Liam.

That became my goal. I also wanted to see her smile genuinely, without the pain and emptiness. I wanted to let her feel special, like what she really deserved. Even though I don't have any romantic feelings for her, I wanted to hold her and be a good husband to her.

"Yeah, she's pretty and kind."

*****