Chapter 28

Primrose

"Bakit may cake? Sino'ng may birthday?"

I walked inside the kitchen as I saw the box of cake lying on the counter table. Kuya Jinmin and Kaito were brewing their coffees while Nate was just watching them. Dred, Baron, Matt, and Loey were sitting on a high chair in front of the counter.

Mabilis na kinuha ni Loey ang box at binuksan ito. Sinenyasan niya akong lumapit sa kanya, at kahit na nagtataka ay ginawa ko naman 'yon.

"What the hell?" I muttered, staring at the chocolate cake.

"Bakit naman ganyan reaksyon mo?" tanong ni Baron at ngumuso. "Can't you see how artsy it is? Plus, it's edible."

Artsy?

I looked at the cake again. Mukhang shaky ang kamay ng kung sinumang nagsulat ng 'Thank you, P' sa cake gamit ang icing dahil mukhang zigzag na sila. There were cookies on the sides, and even beside the letter P. Ang kalat ng pagkakalagay! Parang bata ang nag-design ng cake. I know I shouldn't laugh but everything's just so... messy.

Someone from behind me laughed and patted me on my head. "We didn't bake the cake, but Baron was the one who decorated it because he believed it would turn out well if he put an effort to make the cake suit your taste. As it appears, it looks like a child did that kind of art."

"Kuya Eros!"

Mabilis na humarap sa akin si Baron.

"We wanted to thank you for everything you've done for us. You even took a risk and gave us time to fix things with Kuya Kane and the others, so thank you," he said, still pouting. "This cake's for you. It's the thought that counts, right? Isipin mo na lang bata ka kaya sobrang namangha ka sa ganda ng cake mo, okay?"

I shook my head and yet I can't erase the smile on my lips. Seriously, these boys really know how to lighten up my day.

Kahit cake lang 'yon, sobrang saya ko na. Sabay-sabay namin kinain 'yon habang ang iba ay inaasar pa rin si Baron. I didn't want to go to work today because they'll be here in the house the whole day and I wanted to rest like them, but I couldn't. Maraming trabaho ngayon lalo na't may assessment pa ang ibang trainees.

"Come in!" I shouted when someone knocked on the door.

I was in my room, fixing my things and documents I'll be bringing to the office. Loey entered and gave me a shy smile.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi!"

Loey sat on my bed while I gathered my stuff and place them inside my sling bag. I have more than enough time to prepare but I don't want to forget anything that I might need. Ang hassle rin kasi kung ipapakuha ko pa sa kung sino ang gamit ko sakaling may maiwan ako.

"Off to work?" he asked.

"Yeah," I replied without looking at him. Iniisip ko kung may nakalimutan pa ba ako lalo na sa mga dokumentong iniuwi ko kagabi at kailangan ko mamaya sa meeting.

Once I'm done, I faced Loey who was plainly looking at me. I frowned as I sat beside him.

"So, what brought you here?" I asked.

Loey shrugged, "I don't know...?"

Natawa naman ako nang bahagya sa sagot niya. Hindi ko alam kung kailan nagsimula pero nasanay na rin akong nasa tabi ko si Loey kahit wala naman siyang kailangan. Kahit nga araw ng pahinga niya, pumupunta siya sa Empire. He'll just sit inside my office silently until I'm done with work, and then we'll go home together. He always visits me after lunch because the boys would play whatever games they're playing until noon.

"Okay na ba kayo?"

He grinned as he turned to me. "Yep, and that's all because of you." He laid on my bed as if he's the owner before continuing. "We knew that you took a risk and decided to take the guesting, believing that it might help us reconcile with our former members."

My lips curved upward at that. Iyon talaga ang gusto kong mangyari simula pa lang, pero halos nawalan na rin ako ng pag-asa dahil dumating na ang huling araw ng shooting. Still, I thought that their meeting in the parking area was a blessing in disguise.

"But what about you, Prim?" Loey asked, looking at me intently.

I looked away and didn't answer him for a moment. I am aware that I also need to talk to those three. Kung iisipin, parang hindi naman talaga kailangan. Masyado lang akong naging selfish because after Liam and I broke up, I shut all three of them out of my life, especially Kuya Kane and Tripp. I felt betrayed that time, thinking that they should've given me a warning at the very least. Then, they looked so close to the new girl once in a show.

I talked to Liam when we broke up, yes. But it happened all too sudden that I wasn't able to bring myself and ask him the questions that lingered in my mind back then. In the end, I didn't want to face him again because I might break down in front of him. I didn't want that.

"Our time will come," I replied. "For now, I'm just happy for you guys."

My lips parted and I froze as I entered the office. Pinag-uusapan lang namin 'to ni Loey kanina, ah?

"Hi, Prim," they greeted awkwardly.

I inhaled deeply before motioning for the two to sit. I sat on the couch across them. Crossing my legs, I looked at Kuya Kane and Tripp with a smile.

I guess I really have to talk to them now.

"So, what brought you two here?" I asked.

They looked at each other, as if deciding who would talk. Kuya Kane cleared his throat before returning his gaze to me.

"What happened to you?"

I almost laughed.

"All of us changed, Kuya Kane. Just like how Liam's feelings for me changed, how my relationship with the two of you changed. Aside from the Grand Knights, you were like my older brothers, too," I replied. "Like what I said before, I don't hold grudges. But I was so hurt, Kuya."

Hindi naman talaga ako galit sa kanila. Noon siguro, oo. Nasaktan kasi talaga ako, at aminado akong nagselos ako noong minsang nasa isang show sila, at sinabi nilang tanggap nila si Shakira para kay Liam. I was replaced so fast, not just as Liam's girlfriend, but also in Kuya Kane and Tripp's lives. It made me bitter.

When he didn't say anything, I continued. "I'm sorry for running away, for avoiding you, and for shutting you out of my life." A bitter smile escaped my lips. "I'm sorry sa inakto ko noong nakaraan. Nabigla rin ako noong sumulpot kayong tatlo sa harap ko, at mahirap para sa akin na kausapin kayo na parang walang nangyari." For a moment, I felt that there's a lump in my throat that stopped me from talking. Why am I so emotional? I was grateful when Kuya Kane finally decided to talk because my voice might crack if I try to say another word.

He gave me a small smile and said, "It's okay, Prim. We understand. And we'd like to say sorry, too. We should have convinced Liam more so that he'll talk to you about him and Shakira. We should have been there for you."

I waved my hands dismissively. "When you told me that you tried to contact me, it already meant you were there for me. I was the one who pushed you away and refused to listen."

A chuckle escaped from his lips. "Still, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, we're sorry, Primrose," Tripp said.

I'm so done with all the drama. I might face more in the future, but SBG already took a step towards healing. Why would I refuse myself the same thing when I also needed it, right?

Pareho silang nakayuko na kaya naman ay napangiti na ako nang tuluyan bago pa man ako tumayo. Gulat silang napatingin sa akin noong nakasungo akong sumiksik sa gitna nilang dalawa. "You're forgiven, I missed the both of you so much and I don't want to play hard to get, you know."

I had so much fun catching up with Kuya Kane and Tripp that I wanted to take a day off, but again, I couldn't. Ate Alice told me that I also need to meet the A&R team for Baron's solo album.

"I already texted Liam, Prim. Are you sure you're okay with it?" Tripp asked.

"It's fine with me. Besides, I can't avoid him forever, anyway. I won't talk to him, I still need more time and courage for that. Plus, the three of you were scheduled to visit the boys, but you're already here now so I guess you'll have to do it today." I sat on the swivel chair behind my desk. "I already texted them and they're on their way. You guys can use the practice area or they can give you a tour around the building. A lot has changed here since you left and you might wanna see it."

Malapit lang ang bahay ko sa building ng Empire kaya ilang minuto lang ay dumating na sina Loey at sinundo ang dalawa rito sa opisina ko. Sa lobby na nila hihintayin si Liam

"Mukhang magiging busy na ulit si Baron sa mga susunod na araw, ha?" saad ni Ate Alice habang naglalakad kami pabalik sa opisina.

Katatapos lang ng meeting namin regarding Baron's album, and then we'll have another one tomorrow including him so he can choose a title track and give suggestions as well. After having a long weekend, they have to face the reality of having work again. It's a good thing that projects were pouring for them right now, though it might be exhausting for them.

"Oo nga pala!" Nakangiting lumingon sa akin si Ate Alice. "When you let Liam, Tripp, and Kane visit the building, a lot of people saw it and posted the picture of the boys in the lobby while waiting for Liam. There were a lot of positive comments about their show and the company. It seems that we can still restore the company's image."

She handed me her phone when I frowned. I scrolled down through every article and some people left positive comments regarding Empire's decision to let the former members visit the building, and put the boys together in a show.

May ilang nagsabi na mukhang nakonsensya yata ang kompanya sa ginawa nito sa tatlo kaya bumabawi ngayon ang Empire sa kanila. Ang iba naman, basta masaya sina Kuya Kane at ang SBG ay masaya na rin daw sila. Kahit hindi na raw posibleng makabalik sa grupo ang tatlo, ang mahalaga ay magkakaibigan pa rin silang lahat.

Wow, I never imagined that it will leave a good impression on the company. Ang nasa isip ko lang naman talaga ay sina Loey. Napangiti na lang ako. When I gave the phone back to Ate Alice, she was grinning at me before patting me on my head.

"I'm sure your parents are proud of you right now."

I stood and started stretching a bit. Kanina pa ako nakaupo rito habang nakatutok lang sa screen ng computer. Tiningnan ko muna kung may importante pa akong kailangan ayusin bago tuluyang lumabas ng opisina. I need to walk around and move my body now.

It's been an hour now since the trio were here. What could they be doing right now? Curious, I decided to stop by the practice room to check on them.

"Hi, Primrose!"

"Saan kayo nanggaling?" tanong ko kina Nate at Kaito na nakasalubong ko sa elevator.

"We went to the cafeteria to check if there were people there. Dati kasi, sa cafeteria kami tumatambay kaya doon sana namin balak kumain ngayon," sagot ni Nate. "Ikaw? Saan ka pupunta?"

"To check on you guys."

Kaito grinned at me as he wrapped his arms around me. "Wow, ang sweet talaga ng Miss President namin." He chuckled, "Are you sure you're going to check on us, or you just want to see your husband?"

I pouted at him, removing his arms. He's really cute, but he also likes teasing me. Nahawa na yata kina Baron. Iisipin ko na talagang anak sila ni kuya Hendreich dahil parang nagmana ito sa kanya sa pang-aasar sa akin.

The two became excited when I told them not to use their cafeteria points because it will be my treat. May tatlo pa silang bisita kaya sayang naman kung gagamitin nila. May discount kapag points ang gamit, but if you're not from Empire and you'll pay with cash, the food and drinks can be pricey. And once their points are used, they will have to buy using their own money, but it's not that big of a deal. Ang Grand Knights nga, minsan ay nililibre pa ang buong team nila gamit ang sarili nilang pera.

"Hey, Prim!"

I smiled at them. Loey stood up and he was about to approach me when he stopped, glancing at the three guys inside the room. They're still not aware of my marriage with Loey. I don't think they need to know.

"You guys are okay here?" I asked them.

Kuya Eros nodded. "Yeah, we're all good. We're about to go to the cafeteria actually."

"I'm glad to hear that," I said. Seeing them together made my heart skip a beat. I'm really happy for them. "Since everything's good here, I won't stay too long. Marami pa rin akong dapat gawin at balak ko rin dalawin ang ibang trainees."

I glanced at three. "I hope you'll enjoy your visit here."

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanila. Ramdam kong gusto akong lapitan ni Loey, kaya binigyan ko siya ng isang matamis na ngiti bago ako lumabas. I want to reassure him that I'm fine and there's nothing to worry about.

"Prim."

Hindi pa ako nakakalayo ay kaagad akong napatigil sa paglalakad. I closed my eyes for a moment and when I opened them, I turned to the person who called my name.

"Hey," I greeted softly.

He was staring at me as he neared me. I wanted to look away but I couldn't. He looked so much better now than he was before. Dati kasi, sobrang daling makita na sobrang pagod na siya, pero mukhang relaxed na siya ngayon. He used to be that skinny guy who looked like he didn't eat much, and he was too pale. Now, he looks healthier and his skin is even glowing as if he's hydrated enough and he was getting enough sleep.

"May kailangan ka ba?" tanong ko nang mapansin na nakatingin lang siya sa akin.

Liam's lips parted for a moment. He was hesitant as he looked away from me, and scratched the back of his head. "Are we okay? I mean, it's been a year since we talked and it was not a good memory. You see, I still want to be your friend, Primrose."

People said that you can't be friends with your ex, but maybe I can try that with him. Maybe not now, but soon.

"We can be friends, Liam, but not now. I'm still hurting. You're the first person who made me feel loved romantically, and you're the same person who made me feel like I wasn't enough. You made me question my worth, and I still have a lot of questions that need answers. So give me some time first." When he was about to say something, I added, "Besides, don't you think you need to patch things up with SBG first? I know you're all good now, but we both know how you missed the boys. You used to cry just because you miss the old times that you were together."

He didn't regret leaving the group because he found freedom, but what he regretted the most was hurting them with words. Even when he did that, a part of him didn't mean it because he loved them like real siblings.

A smile broke on his face as he said, "I guess you're still the Primrose I loved. Well then, whenever you're ready, just tell me."

*****