Chapter 4

Primrose

"Your future husband really knows how to pursue a girl!" She exclaimed, looking at the heart pillow on my bed.

Ate Alice kept on pushing that there's something going on between me and Loey. I mean, it's not like we're always together, like duh? He's a freaking idol singer! Basically, he's busy... Kahit ako naman ang nag arrange ng schedules nila. It's just that, lagi na lang siyang may pinapadalang pagkain dito sa bahay para sa akin, tapos ngayon naman ay isang unan na hugis puso ang pinadala niya.

I took my phone on the table when it vibrated.

From: Loey

See you later, my future wife! :)

To: Loey

Whatever.

From: Loey

Yeah right, whatever. Haha.

I bit my lower lip, stopping it from forming a smile. Seriously, why is he acting like he likes me and he loves the idea that we're getting married soon?

Kaya nga kahit gusto kong umakto minsan na fan nila, kahit gusto kong sabihin kung gaano ko sila hinahangaan, at umaktong parang normal lang talaga ang nangyayari ay hindi ko magawa dahil ako ang natatakot sa pinapakita't kinikilos ni Loey.

Ate Alice seemed to notice that there's something bothering me. That's why she walked towards me and caressed my hair, "What's wrong?"

"Ate, bakit parang ang sweet ni Loey? May kailangan ba siya?" I pouted.

Natawa naman siya sa aking sinabi, "You're his fan, remember? You should know that he's really a sweet and generous guy, Prim."

Lalo akong napanguso sa sinabi niya. Alam ko naman na sa kanilang lahat ay si Loey ang isa sa sweet sa SBG. Well, Matt's the sweetest, but, Loey really knows how to steal someone's heart.

For me kasi, Matt has that caring aura like a sibling or a mother figure even though he's a guy, while Loey's a boyfriend or a husband material!

"I know. It's just weird."

"Weird, but you're also enjoying the feeling?" She winked at me before she picked her phone and answered a call.

Sometimes, I hate the fact that she really loves teasing me, and that most of the time, she's right about everything. I just couldn't bring myself to admit that I'm already enjoying Loey's company.

Damn, I was indeed enjoying his sweetness! That's why I'm scared.

"Prim, I can't go with you sa office, may kailangan akong asikasuhin, eh," Ate Alice said. "Don't worry, may susundo naman sa iyo!"

Agad na kumunot ang noo ko. Don't tell me...

She noticed my reaction, that's why she shook her head, "Not your future husband, so chill, dear."

Natahimik naman ako roon at pilit na lang inilagay ang aking atensyon sa news feed ng instagram ko. Hindi nakalagpas ang nang-aasar na ngiti ni ate Alice sa akin pero dinedma ko na lang ito.

We arranged a meeting sa office ni uncle Reylan. Kailangan ko na rin kasi malaman kung paano ba ang magiging set-up namin ni Loey, lalo na sobrang ginugulo niya na isip ko!

"Primrose, andito na sundo mo!" rinig kong sigaw ni ate Alice sa labas ng aking silid.

For the last time, I checked myself in front of the mirror. My hair was pulled up in a messy bun, wearing black pants and a white sweatshirt. Yes, I'm too lazy that I just picked random clothes. Besides, hindi naman ganun ka-pormal ang aking pupuntahan, lalo na sigurado akong nakashirt lang din ang SBG.

"What are you two doing here?"

They looked at each other and shrugged.

"Ang alam ko lang ay susunduin namin iyong magandang babae na pakakasalan ang rapper namin," natatawang sagot ni kuya Eros.

Magkakagrupo nga talaga sila ni Loey.

Mabilis na umikot ang aking mata't sumakay sa kanilang van. Seriously, dalawa lang sila pero gamit pa rin nila ang van for their group?

Nathan turned to me and chuckled, "Sa bahay ka lang ba pupunta?"

I shrugged, "Says the one who wore jogging pants and plain white shirt, huh?"

Natawa naman siya lalo roon. Pareho kaming nasa likod habang si kuya Eros ay nasa unahan katabi ang driver, which is also their road manager.

I leaned closer to them, "Mr. Riason, maingay din ba ang SBG tuwing nasa biyahe?"

Wala akong balak magtanong kela kuya Eros dahil baka kung ano lang ang sagot nila, plus, Mr. Riason's been with them for eight years! Bihira lang kaya ang tumatagal na manager. Kaya alam kong sobrang kilala niya ang SBG and he's actually nice. He has this big brother vibe, which makes me really comfortable.

"Sobrang ingay, Ms. Foster," sagot niya.

I sighed dramatically, "Oh please, just call me by my name. No formalities needed." When he was about to say something I added, "Unless we're in a meeting or in front of those strict and formal people."

The three of them chuckled. When I say strict and formal people, those are the board of directors. They'll basically think that the person who will call me by my name is disrespectful and such, because the last time that they visited me and heard that ate Alice called me by name, they were all disappointed.

Like hello? They're older than me, and just because I'm their boss and they're just calling me by name doesn't mean they're disrespecting me. I'm really not comfortable with all those ma'am, miss, and such.

"Our manager is driving, Primrose, so talk to us instead," kuya Eros chuckled. "What's your status with Loey?"

Okay... What the freaking hell? This is why I don't want to talk to them!

"We're both marrying each other not far from now," I muttered.

I saw how the corner of Nate's lips turned up as he shook his head. What was that?

Muling tumingin sa akin si kuya Eros, "Thank you pala! Sobrang effective ng mga schedules na ginawa mo sa amin, kumalma at naging masaya ang fans namin."

"No problem! Akong bahala sa inyo," sagot ko. "Well, sa lahat ng artists ng E Entertainment."

For now, I'll handle the issues about SBG, and then, when the time comes, I'll also handle the other groups and artists. Normally, hindi ko naman talaga kailangan i-handle ito personally, kasi para saan pa na may mga team at employees kami, 'di ba?

Sadyang kapag napabayaan na talaga, kailangan na talaga ng CEO na pagtuunan to ng pansin lalo na kapag out of control na ang sitwasyon. Plus, I like doing stuff for my people.

"Primrose, show me your hand!"

Nagtataka man ay nilahad ko ang kamay ko. Agad niya itong kinuha at nilagay ang isang candy habang nakangiti.

To be honest, Nate really looks like a cold handsome guy, kasi madalas ay seryoso rin siya, but he's actually cute. Mapapansin mo pa rin na he's really the youngest member of SBG and a spoiled one.

My eyes widened a bit when Nate suddenly took a book out of his bag and started reading.

"You read?"

He glanced at me and nodded, "Yes, sometimes."

Woah! Hindi ko alam na nagbabasa rin pala siya, hindi kasi halata. When it comes to books, si kuya Eros ang mahilig doon.

I even remember that he said in an interview that his ideal girl is someone who also loves books, which is very nice. They can talk about the books they like or read on their dates and such.

I think it's cool.

"Hey, hey! How come I didn't know you're with Prim?" Loey asked as soon as he saw us stepped inside the office.

Para siyang bata habang tinitingnan kaming tatlo at akala mo ay iniwan namin siya para lang mamasyal.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at dumiretso lang sa pag upo sa sofa ng office ni uncle Reylan. I roam my eyes around. He is not yet here, only me, Nate, kuya Eros, and Loey.

"Where are the other members?" I asked.

"On their way here," Loey answered, sitting on the seat in front of me. "Andito naman ako pero bakit iba hinahanap mo?" he murmured.

"Iyon na nga, e. Andito ka naman na, so bakit pa kita hahanapin?" I countered.

The corner of my eyes caught kuya Eros and Nathan pressing their lips. Umupo sa tabi ko si Nate habang sa tabi naman ni Loey si kuya Eros.

"Nate, change seats with me," he said to their youngest.

Umiling lang naman ang katabi ko, "Ayoko nga. Gusto ko maging close si Primrose!"

Loey just glared at Nate who stuck his tongue out at him then laughed, enjoying the reaction he got.

Wala pang ilang minuto ay narinig na namin ang boses ni Matt at Baron sa labas pa lang ng opisina. They're really loud. Lalo na kapag tumawa ay akala mo sobrang layo nila sa mga kausap, eh.

"Hello, Primrose!" Baron greeted, sitting beside kuya Eros.

I smiled, "Hello."

Kasunod naman nila si uncle Reylan. Nang balak sanang tumayo nila Loey upang bumati ay agad na tinaas ni uncle ang kanyang kamay para patigilin sila.

"It's okay," he said, gesturing to them to sit again.

Tumingin sa akin si uncle at ngumiti, ganoon din ang aking ginawa. If we're on a normal occasion or whatsoever, baka humalik ako sa pisngi niya like noong bata ako, but now, we just nod our head and that's considered as a greeting! Nakaupo na rin naman kasi ako, so nakakatamad na kumilos, duh.

Uncle cleared his throat before saying, "Congratulations, SBG! Maraming fans ang nakalimutan ang concerts lalo na't inaasahan nila ang comeback niyo."

"Thank you, Vice-President!" They all replied happily.

"At lahat iyong ay salamat kay Primrose," saad ni uncle. I could see in his eyes that he's proud and happy. Even when the SBG turned to me, they all clapped and cheered.

Pakiramdam ko tuloy natutunaw ang puso ko. Sino ba ang may ayaw ng acknowledgement kahit na maliit na bagay lang talaga ang nagawa mo, 'di ba?

Ang sarap kaya sa pakiramdam na may nakaka-appreciate sa iyo at sa nagawa mo.

"Thanks for your guidance, Uncle Reylan. Kayo yata ang nagpalaki sa akin!" tugon ko.

Loey chuckled, "Lumaki ka ba?"

I inhaled deeply at that. Can he freaking shut his mouth? Gusto ko iyong pagiging bubbly niya and such sa grupo niya, pero ngayon yata na nararanasan ko na iyon, parang gusto ko nalang ulit maging fan lang niya. Geez, Loey Parker!

I glared at him, "Whatever."

He shook his head, smiling at me. Ano bang mga ngiti iyan! Parang nakakaloko, eh. Try niya kayang gayahin si Dred o Nate na madalas seryoso.

Natawa naman si uncle habang tinitingnan kaming dalawa ni Loey. Oh great, let me guess, he's also thinking that me and Loey looked cute together. Magsama sila ni ate Alice!

"Kayong dalawa, iisipin kong may namamagitan na talaga sa inyong dalawa," Komento ni uncle Reylan.

See? I'm right.

"Pag usapan na lang natin ang dapat pag usapan," pagbabago ko sa usapan.

Masyado na yata silang natutuwa sa pang-aasar nila sa akin at kay Loey. Ano, pumunta lang kami rito para mag asaran? Edi, 'di nalang ako pupunta rito. Masyong delikado sa puso ko.

Naging seryoso si uncle pero makikita sa kanyang mata na masaya pa rin siya sa nangyayari. Well, whatever.

"So, regarding your relationship," he stopped, clearing his throat again. "It's not like you really have a romantic relationship, but, you're going to be each other's partner in life for like years, I guess?"

"Years?" I frowned.

Alam kong magpapakasal ako pero hindi ko rin talaga alam paano set-up naming dalawa. Pero hindi ba matagal ang taon na pagiging mag asawa?

"Anong gusto mo, buwan lang? Ang pangit naman sa image, Primrose," komento ni Loey. Umikot naman ang mata ko. Nagtatanong lang naman ako, may say agad itong mapapangasawa ko!

"Loey's right. You may take the position after your marriage, still, the board won't be pleased with temporary marriage. I suggest that you have one year and a month before you decide whether you'll continue your marriage life or you wanted a divorce. Well, para makapag divorce kayong dalawa ay sa ibang bansa dapat kayo magpakasal, or annulment will do, though, may plano na yata si Alice kaya siya na ang bahala sa inyo."

Divorce... I really should remind myself that this marriage is just temporary.

"Kailan niyo balak magpakasal?" tanong ni uncle.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Loey, parehong naghihintay kung sino ang sasagot sa tanong.

Nang hindi ako nagsalita, mabilis niyang ibinalik ang tingin niya kay uncle, "Kapag sinagot na po ako ni Primrose. Nililigawan ko pa lang po kasi, eh."

My lips parted with his response. Okay. I really shouldn't let this guy speak.

"Are you being serious right now?" I asked.

He looked at me and shrugged, "What? Mukha ba akong laging nagbibiro? Ang judgemental mo naman! Seryoso kaya akong tao."

I heaved a deep sigh. Swear, I'm trying to calm my freaking self! Ang sarap talagang kalimutan na hinahangaan ko itong taong nasa harap ko.

"Joker ka raw kasi!" Natatawang saad naman ni Baron, pero agad din natahimik nang tingnan siya nang masama ni Loey.

Napailing naman si uncle Reylan bago ibalik ang atensyon sa akin, "Kailan mo sasagutin si Loey?"

I stopped myself from glaring. Ano bang trip ng mga ito?

"Seriously?" was the only word I could reply to his question. Paanong sasagutin ba?

"Seriously?" Loey mimicked. "Come on. I can't court you the normal way, like taking you out of date, since kailangan tago lang din relasyon natin, 'di ba? Kaya I'm trying my best to give you food, text you, and such."

"Your point is?"

He crossed his arms and leaned back, "My point is... I'm really courting you not to be my girlfriend, but to be my wife, Primrose. Let me pursue you more first, then just say yes and I'll marry you right away!"

I frowned, "What if I say yes right now?"

Mabilis naman siyang umiling, "Well, I think it's not a good idea, Primrose." A smirk flashed on his face, "Hayaan mo muna akong i-enjoy na ligawan ka. Minsan ko lang naman din ito magagawa."

Parang mas hindi maganda ideya na nasa ligawan thingy pa kami nitong lalaking mapapangasawa ko, masyado siyang matamis! Kahit nga hindi kami nagkikita dahil sa mga schedules nila ay umaabot pa rin ang sweetness sa bahay.

"Since our marriage will also be a secret, can we just register our marriage and so on?" I changed the topic, again.

Uncle tilted his head, "I think you should hold even just a civil wedding."

"Again, kapag nakapagdecide na kayong dalawa na magpapakasal na, si Alice na ang bahalang magpaliwanag sa inyo kung saan at paano ang gagawin niyo. For now, enjoy each other's company!"

I shrugged. Hindi kami nag uusap masyado tungkol sa kasal kaso lagi lang siyang nang aasar, pero nabanggit naman ni ate Alice noong nakaraan tungkol sa divorce, ayaw niya kasi akong mag alala sa kung ano man ang mangyayari. Lalo na alam niyang hindi ko gustong ikulong sa akin ang taong hindi naman ako gusto o mahal.

Besides, I really didn't care that much about marriage or divorce. I shouldn't.

Our attention turned to the person who knocked and walked inside the office.

"The Grand Knights heard that Primrose's here, they wanted to greet our future CEO," ate Alice sighed.

Wow, mukhang uuwi akong pagod lalo na't parang magiging maingay ang araw ko.

***

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

-Hime