Chapter 34

Loey

"Why didn't you tell her to leave?"

"I did tell her that, but she chose to stay. I can't just drag her out of the van, right?"

Dred let out a deep sigh before he leaned against the chair. When he didn't say anything, I stood and got us some juices in the fridge here inside the studio. Good thing that Leigh filled my fridge yesterday. I'll be spending my time for a few days here. He will also come from time to time for the project that he's been working on with me.

Dred stared at me while I was drinking my juice. His lips were in a thin line as he watched me.

"Dude, I'm also not happy to be in this situation. I swear I wanted to curse Karlin and myself," I said, clenching my fist.

He let out another sigh. "She seems to like the situation, though."

I scoffed. "I don't know what she's up to. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if she already knew that this would happen. I guess I still don't know her after all those years."

Napapikit ako nang mariin. Mabuti na lang talaga na pumunta rito si Dredleigh, kahit alam ko na gusto niya akong sermonan kaya siya bumisita. Well, I deserve it anyway. The other members were mad at me because of what happened. We all know that there's nothing new with dating rumors, but I'm married. Also, they are worried about Primrose.

"Loey." I opened my eyes and looked at Dred. "We all know what she experienced while she's in a relationship with Liam. It must be hard for her to watch someone she loves to be linked to some other girls." Dred pursed his lips for a moment and looked away. "I know that you two are not in that kind of relationship...yet, but she's easy to read." He looked at me again. "You know what I'm saying, right?"

I nodded.

"I hope you'll give her the assurance she needed."

"Don't worry, Dred. I will."

Dred patted me before he left. I was really glad that he came.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses na akong umikot sa buong studio habang nag iisip. I kept thinking about what Dred said to me. To be honest, I still don't know how I will assure Primrose, especially when we're just married on paper. We both have our own reason why we chose to be in this kind of relationship.

I pulled my hair before I threw myself on the couch. If only I could deny the rumor so that she wouldn't be bothered about it, I would.

Sinubukan kong i-busy ang sarili ko sa mga dapat kong gawin, lalo na sa kantang inaayos ko para sa isang project. My eyes landed on the shredded papers on the floor. I tried to write a song earlier, but my mind was already in chaos. In the end, I sat in front of my desk and played some music on my computer before slouching. If there's something that could calm me that would be the music I love to listen to.

My body tensed. I clenched my fist as I listened to Baron.

"Fuck it, Loey! Do something about that bitch."

As soon as I ended the call, I walked outside to look for someone. I don't care how many times Baron cursed at me, the only thing that registered in my mind was the reason why he was mad. It was the fact that Karlin did something again.

When I saw the girl I was looking for, I immediately walked towards her, grabbed her on her shoulder, and dragged her into an empty and quiet corner.

"Why the fuck did you do that?" I asked.

She removed my hands from her and glared at me. "Wow what a gentle way to greet someone. Hello, Loey," she greeted with sarcasm. "The wife already visited me earlier, and now the husband."

I took a deep breath. Kung hindi lang siya babae baka kung ano na ang nagawa ko sa kanya. Sa tutuusin lang ay gusto ko ng puntahan si Primrose pero kailangan ko munang makausap si Karlin, lalo na't pakiramdam ko ay sinasadya niya na talaga iyong ginawa niya.

She stared at me for a moment before she laughed mockingly at me. "Are you being for real now, Loey?" Karlin crossed her arms on her chest. "Come on, it's not like it's new. Do I really need to explain to you and your wife the advantages we get with what I did? It's not like I did it for my own. You also benefited from it." Before I could even say a word, she continued, "If you're going to sermon me like what your wife did, please give me a rest. Okay fine, I won't act on my own again."

Tiningnan ko lang siya nang masama. Hindi ko magawanag pagkatiwalaan siya dahil alam kong madalas ay kung ano ang gusto niya, iyon ang gagawin niya,

She's obedient to the former CEO, but not to Primrose.

Napaatras ako nang lumapit siya sa akin. She frowned but then a playful smile flashed on her face as she caressed me on my shoulder.

"By the way, should I remind you why you volunteered to be her husband?" she asked and my body froze at that. Karlin laughed at my reaction. "Of course, she has no idea about it. Well, you're bound to get divorced soon, anyway. So I think it's not a big deal, right? But I wonder why you two were bothered about the scandal knowing that you're not a normal married couple."

My brows furrowed and my jaw clenched.

Karlin shook her head before she turned and started to walk but then she stopped. "Oh, I also did that because I want to relay a message to someone," she said, glancing at me over her shoulder. "I want to get back the person that once was mine."

"Fuck!"

I inhaled sharply when she left. Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong nakatayo lang sa gilid bago naisipan na pumunta sa floor kung saan ang opisina ni Primrose.

I hope that she's still here. I was really bothered when I heard that Primrose, who supposedly was relaxing today was here because of what Karlin did.

"Loey!"

Huminto ako at lumingon kay Ate Alice na nagpaalam sa kanyang kausap bago ako nilapitan. She smiled at me before motioning me to follow her. I frowned when we stopped in front of Prim's office.

"Primrose is inside. She said she wanted to be alone, but I think she also needs you," she said before patting me on my shoulder and left.

I stood there for minutes before I decided to knock on the door three times before going inside. My heart aches when my eyes caught how Primrose forced herself to smile when she saw me. She was standing in front of the plants inside the office before she walked towards the sofa and sat there. I quickly moved and sat next to her.

We both sat there quietly, it's not the same comfortable silence that we always shared but an awkward one. Even though I was talkative, I just couldn't say a thing when she's too quiet. She didn't meet my eyes when I glanced at her. I don't know how long we stayed like that but thankfully she turned to me.

"Do you want some coffee?" Primrose asked.

I shook my head as an answer.

"You sure?" she asked again.

"I already had a coffee earlier, so don't worry," I assured her.

Primrose nodded with a smile. "I guess you already knew why I'm here when it's still my break."

"Well, blame Baron," I said. "He really did make an effort to call and curse at me as if I did something to him before telling me what happened. He even threatened that he'll destroy the things in my studio if I do something that will upset you again."

It's like music to my ears when I finally heard her laugh. I really wouldn't get tired listening to her soft and sweet laughs. Even though it died down immediately, at least I could tell that she's starting to feel okay now.

"Si Baron talaga," natatawang saad niya habang umiiling.

Isang katahimikan muli ang bumalot sa amin, pero hindi na kagaya kanina na awkward at para bang ang bigat ng atmosphere. We're just trying to read each other's mood, especially Primrose who still looks upset with what happened and whatever Karlin told her.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansin na hinahawakan niya ang kanyang tiyan.

"Hindi ka ba kumain?" tanong ko.

She looked at me and pouted. "I totally forgot to eat before going here."

Primrose gave me a peace sign with a smile. I couldn't help but shake my head at her. I grabbed my phone and ordered some food for her. Nagpaalam din ako sa kanya na may bibilhin lang sa may cafeteria. Noong una ay sabi niya okay ang siya, pero dahil alam niyang ayokong nalilipasan siya ay wala na siyang nagawa. I just bought some bread and drink for her para naman hindi mabigla ang tiyan niya.

I just watched her eat even though she's complaining that she couldn't eat when I was staring at her. She grumpily turned to the other side where I could only see her back. Shaking my head, I decided to lean against the sofa and shut my eyes.

I really feel better whenever I'm with her.

"I have a question."

Dumilat ako at napatingin kay Primrose na biglang nagsalita.

"Anong tanong mo?" Dumiretso ako ng upo at tiningnan siya diresto sa kanyang mata.

Primrose blinked twice when our eyes met. She looked away for a moment as if she was thinking if it was okay to ask whatever she wanted to ask before turning her gaze back at me.

"Am I hindering you to enter a relationship with someone else?" My lips parted with her question. Primrose looked away again and clasped her hands on her lap. "I mean, we may be married but we both know where our relationship is headed to, right? Baka kasi mamaya ay may gusto ka pala sa isang tao, pero dahil nakatali ka sa akin ay hindi mo magawang umaksyon or something. I don't want that."

May nagawa ba ako para isipin niya iyon? O baka naman may sinabi si Karlin sa kanya?

"Bakit mo naman natanong iyan?"

Primrose looked at me and pouted. "Well, what if you're not married to me then there's the issue about you and Karlin, it wouldn't bother you that much if I'm not in the picture. You might even consider the possibility of entering a relationship with her. I mean, she's pretty and famous. You won't really have a problem dating her even publicly."

My jaw clenched as I listened to her. Her lips parted when I stood and squatted in front of her. "I chose to be your husband and I decided to act like one. Please do not think that you're a hindrance to my love life, Prim. Besides, you're also pretty. I'm going to choose you over Karlin."

"Come on Loey, we know that our relationship is not permanent."

"Then we'll make it permanent."

This time, her eyes widened as she opened her lips to say something but no words came out from it. She just stared at me, totally confused.

"Primrose." Before I could even continue, she stood which made me sat on the floor. Primrose gasped and helped me to stand. "It's okay."

She glared at me. "Please don't joke like that."

"Primrose," I called her softly. Primrose stepped back when I was about to approach her.

"Loey, please stop fooling around."

My lips parted at that. I know it would be disrespectful of me to prove it in a way I could only think of, but I could sense that Prim won't believe whatever I say. So when she turned her back and was ready to walk away, I grabbed her on her shoulder to stop her as I found my way to face Primrose. Before she could even open her lips, I closed our distance and covered it with mine.

There's no turning back now.

*****