Chapter 36

Primrose

A sigh escaped from my lips as I massaged my temple. Kuya Hendreich handed me a bottle of water.

"Thank you, Kuya." I drank the water while he just watched me.

The issue between Karlin and Loey died down, but one of the Empire’s artists brought another problem.

Seriously, bakit ang daming tao ang may gusto sa tea?

“Are you sure about this, Prim?” Kuya asked me when I was done drinking the water he gave me.

I nodded. “Announcing it first to the public is the only solution I can think of to lessen the damage it can cause the two of you. Don’t worry, once you do your part, we’ll do ours, okay?”

“I never thought that I’ll be in this kind of situation.”

“Same here, Kuya Hendreich.”

“Ang dami kong naging girlfriend, pero hindi naman ako nagkaroon ng problema noon,” aniya. Bahagya naman akong natawa kaya tiningnan niya ako nang masama.

“What do you expect? Many have their eyes on that girl. She’s still fresh in this industry, especially now that they’re getting famous each day,” I said. “Still, I’m happy for you. I hope this one will last long.”

Kuya Hendreich grinned. “I think it will.”

That made me smile. Okay lang naman sa akin na magkaroon ng dating issue ang mga artists ng kompanya, basta ba ay seryoso sila rito. Mas lalong gusto ko na magkaroon ng lovelife ang Grand Knights dahil hindi na sila bumabata. They’re all in their thirties already. Besides, we’re all hoping that girls would be able to tame them even just for a little. It’s not that I hate their chaotic side, but even off cam, they were way too energetic. Minsan nga iniisip ko na baka tumanda na lang silang binata. Mas nauna pa nga ako mag asawa kaysa sa kanila.

“Prim.”

“Hmm?”

Kuya Hendreich slouched as he looked at me with a serious look. “What if lang naman, pero what if your marriage with Loey got exposed, what will you do?”

I froze for a moment. One time, I asked myself if I would be able to totally hide my relationship with Loey in the media. I know that we’re careful. No one outside the company knows that we’re married. Still, we never know what those sneaky reporters would do just to get some juicy things about an artist.

“To be honest, I don’t know,” I sighed. "I don’t want to be involved in the mess of this industry, you know that. Besides, we don’t have the kind of relationship that you have.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Then, what if you two decided to work things out?”

“We’ll talk about it when it happens. If it will.” I stood and crossed my arms. “I still have some things to do, Kuya. You too, you have a shoot later. And don’t forget about your announcement. Just be prepared for the mixed reaction. It won’t be easy once the news spread.”

“Thank you, Prim.”

My fingers stopped typing something when someone knocked.

“Come in!”

My lips turned into a wide smile when the door opened. I watched the eight boys enter my office. Just like earlier, Loey’s not with them.

The boys settled on the couch while greeting me. Kuya Eros gave me a little nod as he showed me the milktea he was holding. I giggled. Ayaw talaga ni Kuya Eros na pumupunta rito sa opisina na wala siyang dala para sa akin. Dinadalhan niya rin ako ng paborito kong iced-coffee minsan kapag wala si Loey para gawin iyon. Kahit na nahihiya ay nasanay na lang ako.

“Hi, guys!” I greeted them with a smile. 

I was about to stand when Baron stood and walked towards me. He sat on the chair in front of my desk. Baron leaned forward while his left hand rested on my desk.

“Are you busy?” he asked as he eyed the papers I was reading earlier.

I frowned. “A bit. Why?”

“We wanted to give Loey a surprise visit,” Baron said. “Not that we hadn’t seen him since we live in the same house, but we wanted to visit Loey at his studio while he’s working on his project.”

“Also, we’re bored!” Nate added. He was now standing in front of us. “Wala kaming gagawin ng ilang oras. Mas okay din naman tumambay sa studio dahil may free drinks.”

“Puro libre ka na naman,” saad ni Baron.

Nate only stuck his tongue out.

Mabilis akong napangiti. Bihira lang bumisita ang SBG sa studio ni Loey kahit na elevator lang naman ang kailangan sakyan para makarating doon. Busy na rin ang karamihan.

My eyes turned to the folder I didn’t open yet. I glanced back at Baron and clapped my hands for once. “Can I come?”

Baron grinned. “Of course! That’s the reason why we're here.”

I giggled and stood. “Let’s go?”

“The beloved wife is now on her way to her beloved husband!” Nate said excitedly. When I stood right next to him, he patted me on my shoulder and smirked. 

Napanguso ako bago naglakad nang mabilis palabas sa opisina. Natawa ang iba't sumunod sa akin. Napatingin ako kay Kuya Eros na tumabi sa kaliwa ko habang si Dred naman ang nasa kanan.

“Oh right,” I looked at Dred. “There’s an upcoming drama and the producer wants you to take the main lead. I’ll give you the script later. You should read it first before you decide if you want to take the offer or not.”

“I’m not sure if I can take another project,” he replied.

“We’ll be busy starting next week. The members will just wrap up their other schedules before we work as a group,” Kuya Eros glanced at me and smiled. “Well, everyone will be busy since there will be an upcoming event for the whole artist of the Empire.”

I nodded. “True. You guys will need to have a break from your acting career. Since it’s not your priority and main career it will be okay. I’ll talk to your manager to fix your schedule and that you won’t accept anything that’s time and energy-consuming until the event is over.”

Ang dami nilang individual projects noong nakaraan tapos ngayon ay bilang grupo naman. Even the Grand Knights will be preparing as a group. Sina Kuya Hendreich, Kuya Shin, at Kuya Rence lang ang hindi titigil sa individual schedule nila. Isang araw sa isang linggo lang naman ang shooting ng mga variety show kung saan host sila. Even our girl groups and soloist would need to push their other schedules. It’s not easy for all the artists of the Empire to meet, that’s why we’re looking forward to the upcoming events that would require everyone’s attendance.

“Baka may mga araw na hindi kami umuwi. Matitira ka sa bahay, Primrose,” Kaito said behind me.

“Well, it’s fine with me. Ako rin naman magiging busy, eh. For sure din naman na sasamahan ako ni Ate Alice dahil marami kaming kailangan ayusin,” sagot ko rito.

If they are busy, I also need to busy myself, right? I couldn’t just chill and do nothing when my artists and staff were working so hard for everything to be successful.

We didn’t notice that we’re already in front of Loey’s studio.

“Dapat iyong asawa ang unang pumasok.”

Kaagad kong tiningnan nang masama si Baron. He just shrugged and motioned me to enter the studio. I inhaled deeply and knocked on the door twice before I opened the door and entered.

I froze as two unfamiliar faces welcomed me.

“Tita Claire!” Baron shouted before running towards the beautiful woman who seemed older than my mom and hugged her.

“Hi, Ate Clarity!” Matt cheerfully greeted the other girl who looked younger than the woman Baron hugged.

The others greeted them while I just stared. Tita Claire, as Baron called her, looked at me with a motherly smile on her face. For some reason, I feel warm inside. I suddenly miss my mom. She’s as pretty as this woman in front of me.

“Hi, hija,” she greeted and walked closer to me. She extended her right hand. “My name’s Claire.”

“Hello po, Tita Claire,” I greeted back as I accepted her hand. I couldn’t help but stare at her. Her voice was soft like an angel. 

The girl that Matt called Claire, stood beside me and patted me on my shoulder.

“You can call her mom,” she whispered with a wink.

Napakurap ako roon. Napatingin ako kina Kuya Eros pero nginitian lang nila ako. Nawala ang atensyon nila sa akin nang biglang bumukas ang pinto.

Loey’s eyes widened when he saw us. He looked at me and then at the two women beside me. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa akin at hinawakan ako sa balikat. Ate Clarity and Tita Claire stepped back a bit to give way to Loey.

“Hi, Loey! Hindi mo man lang sinabi na nandito pala sina ate at tita,” saad ni Baron.

Loey shrugged. He glanced at me before he cleared his throat and nodded his head towards the two women in front of us.

“Well, Primrose,” he started. “This is my mom and sister.” The two smiled at me. Ate Clarity even waved her hands to me. I did the same. “Mom, Ate Clarity, this is Primrose, my wife.”

My lips parted as my heartbeat started to accelerate when Loey's mom suddenly hugged me. It was a quick hug but it felt so good. 

“Can you call me mom?” she asked. “If it’s okay.”

I nodded. “Mom?” I smiled shyly.

Loey laughed beside me. I glared at him but he just shrugged and looked away.

Para akong nanghina bigla dahil sa biglaang meet the mother and sister. Hindi naman namin napag-uusapan ni Loey ang tungkol sa magulang niya kahit na kasal na kami. Alam naman namin noon na temporary lang ito, kaya para sa akin ay hindi na nila ako kailangan na makilala. Loey told me before that his family was aware of his decision of marrying me. But that’s all.

“Why don’t we all sit down first?” Dredleigh suggested.

Nagpasalamat naman ako sa  pagsingit ni Dred. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay matutunaw na ako sa tingin ni Mom Claire… Calling her like that was weird but also satisfying. It’s like I have a new mother that’s why I liked it. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay tanggap talaga ako sa pamilya ni Loey. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam.

“We brought some cookies that Clarity baked. You should try it, hija.”

“Wow. Thank you po, Mom Claire and Ate Clarity!” I exclaimed. “Magdadala na lang po ako sa office mamaya para may snack ako while working.”

“Yes naman. Close na siya sa mother-in-law niya,” pang-aasar ni Baron. Mabilis ko siya binato ng unan na nasa sofa.

“Tita, oh!”

At mabilis na napuno ng tawanan ang studio ni Loey.

“I hope that you two will end up together for real,” Ate Clarity said.

Loey and I exchanged looks. Should I be glad that she’s hoping for me to have a real relationship with her younger brother?

Mom Claire giggled. “I like you for my son, Primrose. Anyway, we have to leave now.”

The two gave me a peck on my cheeks before they left. 

It was nice meeting them. They told me some childhood stories of Loey. The boys even teased him from time to time whenever there were embarrassing moments of Loey when he was young. 

Mom Claire even told me how she was worried about Loey’s health before. Bukod kasi sa busy na siya sa mga practice noon kahit trainee pa lang siya, madalas pa rin daw magpuyat si Loey dahil sa paglalaro. Napagalitan pa si Loey dahil nilalag siya ni Baron na hanggang ngayon ay nagpupuyat pa rin ito.

When they’re gone. I faced Loey and the boys who were eating the cookies that Ate Clarity baked. 

“I should go back to the office now.” 

The others stopped eating and stood when they heard me.

“We’ll walk you back,” Dred said.

Loey pouted at me and leaned forward. “Can’t you stay?”

“I can’t. We both have deadlines to meet,” I replied.

Baron put his hands on my shoulder and laughed. “Baka hindi ka makapag-focus kapag nandito si Primrose. You’ll probably stare at her until she melts.”

I rolled my eyes and bid my farewell to Loey. The boys also did the same and walked me back to my office. I told them not to, but they insisted.

Ate Alice entered the room minutes after SBG left. She was carrying a pile of folders and placed it on the space of my working table.

“Don’t tell me those are for me,” I said, frowning at the folders. I still have some unopened ones.

“Don’t worry, it’s all mine,” she said as she settled herself on the chair in front. “The boys visited you?”

I nodded. “We also visited Loey earlier.”

Ate Alice gave me a meaningful look that I shrugged off. I got used to that look already. She shook her head before getting the folder that’s on the top and opened it. Ate Alice then talked to me about work. She briefed me on my meetings and the schedules of the artists. 

I really admire her. Hindi ko masasabing workaholic siya, kasi may oras pa rin talaga siya para sa sarili niya. Mas marami pa ngang napanuod na Korean drama si ate kaysa sa akin, eh. Kahit na minsan ay siya ang gumagawa ng dapat kong gawin bukod sa pag sign ng mga papeles.

We worked together inside the office because of some things we needed to finish. I was glad that I only had two meetings to attend.

“We have to go and check the concert hall tomorrow. Then the photoshoot for the upcoming event,” Ate Alice said.

“Noted.”

“And this…” she handed me a folder. “...are the sample visuals for the promotion.”

I checked it and told her my opinion and suggestions. I visualized the right color for every group and soloist. They all have different colors, especially when it comes to music so we have to consider that. Still, the media team that was assigned did a great job. 

“Can I go out?” I asked ate Alice.

She laughed. “Nasa school ka ba? Of course, you can.”

“Thank you. I need to drink some coffee. My brain might explode from reading all of these papers.”

Ate just told me to take my time. She would also take a nap inside the office while I’m gone.

It was a good thing that there’s a coffee shop near the building. I don’t want to go to our cafeteria. I need to go out of the building so that I won’t be reminded about my work.

My lips formed into a smile when I stepped inside the coffee shop. There were only a few people inside that made it more calming. After ordering my usual order, I went to a spot that’s a bit hidden. Kahit na kaonti lang ang tao ay mas gusto ko pa rin pumuwesto sa lugar kung sa lugar na medyo tago at bihira lang may umupo.

Mabilis na kumunot ang noo ko nang madapo ang aking tingin sa harapan. Nakaupo sa hindi kalayuan sa puwesto ko si Karlin. At first, I thought she was alone, but my eyes glanced at the cup in front of her. Well, maybe she’s with her manager.

I was about to look away because I didn’t want to ruin my break because of her when a familiar figure caught my attention. I bit my lips when he walked towards Karlin and sat on the empty chair.

Ang kapayapaan na naramdaman ko nang pumunta ako rito ay bigla na lang naglaho. Pakiramdam ko ay tumigil bigla ang oras habang nakatitig sa dalawa. Mabuti na lang at medyo malayo ako sa kanila. Mukhang hindi rin naman nila ako mapapansin dahil masyado silang focus sa isa’t isa.

Bakit magkasama sina Loey at Karlin?

Mabilis akong yumuko nang tumayo si Loey. Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal na nakayuko, but my body stiffened when someone cleared her throat. I looked up and Karlin was already standing in front of me. She was wearing her bitch smile. Her arms crossed.

“I wonder why you didn’t approach us when you obviously noticed us. Don’t you want to ask your husband why he’s with me, Miss President?"

****