Chapter 40

Primrose

A sigh escaped from my lips before I slowly closed the door behind me.

"You don't have any work?" I asked as I sat on my swivel chair.

Loey glanced at me before returning his attention to the screen of his phone. "I still have two hours before my schedule. Don't mind me, Primrose. I'll just stay here."

Shaking my head, I didn't say anything and just focused on my work.

It has been three days since Loey confessed. Three days since he told me that he wanted our relationship to be real. I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. Yet, he was fine with my silence. He said he'll give me time to think about it first before giving him an answer. 

To be honest, I felt guilty when Loey even said that if I still want to pursue a divorce in the future, he'll understand.

After that, he didn't open the topic again. I also calmed down with the Karlin stuff. After avoiding him for two days, I've cleared my thoughts a bit. Still, I won't deny the fact that my blood was boiling whenever I remember that girl. I'm just happy and satisfied hearing Loey's side. For three days, he's been making more time and effort to be by my side. To make me feel secured. Maybe to show me that he's sincere with what he told me.

"I have to go."

My eyes flickered on my wristwatch before looking at him. "I thought you had two hours. It's only been an hour."

He stood and walked closer to me, stopping in front of the working desk. "Our leader messaged me. There are some changes that we all need to discuss."

"Oh." I cleared my throat when I sounded down that made him grin. "Okay. You should go now. I also have a meeting in thirty minutes."

I tried to avert my gaze but my body stiffened when he leaned forward and put his forehead on mine with his eyes shut, just like what he did the other day.

"I hope my presence is not pressuring you or something. Primrose, I want to take things slowly. When I said that I want us to work out, I mean it. Karlin is in the past and I want it to remain in the past. While you are my present and hopefully my future. Still, I'll just be here, okay? Take your time."

A smile broke into his face before he opened his eyes. My heart pounded when our eyes met.

Hindi ko namalayan na hindi na pala ako halos humihinga. Para akong umahon sa isang pool nang lumayo si Loey sa akin na may ngiti pa rin sa labi.

"See you at home!"

Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay mabilis siyang tumalikod at iniwan ako. Without even realizing it, my lips stretched into a smile. Kahit sa meeting ay halos nakangiti lang ako. Napapasulyap sina Ate Alice rin sa akin kasi kahit na hindi gaano maganda ang balita ay ganoon pa rin ako.

I know, I look crazy. But what can I do? Loey has that power in me.

I let out a groan before I stood and stretched a bit. My body was a bit tensed due to sitting the entire time. Kapag may meeting lang yata ako nakakatayo at nakakagalaw. 

Napalingon ako sa pinto nang may kumatok.

"Come in!"

Dredleigh entered the room carefully while carrying an iced-americano. I smiled at him and gestured to sit down.

"Hi, Prim."

"Hi! Break time?" 

He nodded before handing me the iced-americano. "For you. Loey was the one who ordered that. He couldn't come because he needs to discuss something with Leigh about some arrangement of the song we're going to perform."

"Pasabi na lang na salamat."

I sipped on the drink before facing him again. My eyes blinked when he was just staring at me with a grin on his face. It's not like he rarely smiles, but I always caught off guard whenever he does. I was just more used to the serious or confused Dredleigh.

"How are you two?"

For a moment, I only looked at him before replying. "I guess we're fine? Back to normal. Tho, kinda feel weird? Kasi parang mas sweet si Loey ngayon."

Not that I'm complaining. It just feels weird knowing that something changed. Still, I want to enjoy the moment.

Dredleigh nodded. "Ah, I see."

I almost laughed at his emotionless tone when he said those words. He looked confused when a soft giggle escaped from my lips.

His eyes got bigger while looking at me with an awkward smile. "What?"

"Nothing." I waved my hand dismissively.

He eyed me suspiciously, leaning against the couch. "Okay. Anyways, nagparamdam ba ulit sa iyo si Karlin?"

Oh.

"No. I also don't want to see her as much as possible."

After what happened, I avoided having any interaction with Karlin. I even asked Ate Alice to check for her schedules. Whenever she's out, it was the only time for me to roam around the Empire.

"I understand. We also don't want you two to cross paths. We don't know what more that girl can do. What I'm sure of is that she's not afraid of you, even though you're our CEO."

I scoffed. "I can see that."

She acted as if she's above me. It's like she has something in her sleeves. Was it my marriage with Loey? Will she use it against me? But Loey will get involved if she uses it.

"Primrose."

"Huh?" I snapped back to reality when Dredleigh called my name.

"I know that Loey told you that his relationship with Karlin is over. Still, I want to tell you the same thing. We all can tell that everything's over between the two. Loey was a fool for letting that girl get what she wants, but I think it's also a blessing to us because you came into our lives."

My eyes started to moisten. I pouted, trying to fight back the tears. I was being emotional for the past few days. It might be hard to admit but I could also thank Karlin for telling Loey to marry me. If she didn't, maybe I wouldn't be this close to Loey and the whole SBG.

"Thank you so much," I whispered softly but enough for him to hear.

I looked at him when he stood and went to my side, placing his hand on my head. He caressed it gently. "Do you know why I can tell that it's over between the two?"

I shook my head.

Dredleigh got his hand back and put it inside the pocket of his jeans. "Loey was really in love with Karlin. Even when they broke up, he still cared. Maybe that's why he wanted her to be free. Aside from her, everyone will be free once you become the CEO, which happened. That's why we're grateful. But you see, Loey seems to forget why you're married. He really cared for you as a husband would. He's very protective and thoughtful when it comes to you. Loey has that glow that no one has ever seen until he met you."

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko na para bang sasabog ito. Hindi ko rin namalayan na may pumatak na luha galing sa aking mga mata. Pero hindi dahil malungkot ako, kung hindi dahil masaya ako. I've never felt so secured and so loved. A hand caressed my hair again, but Dredleigh didn't say a word. He just stood beside me, comforting me with the touch of his hand.

They know Loey more than me. They've been with him since trainee days. Since he was in a relationship with Karlin and since the day we met. They witnessed almost everything. That's why it warmed my heart to hear it from Dredleigh. I believed every word he said.

However, I still have a lot of things in my mind. It will take a lot of time for me to really know what I want and to be sure of everything. I don't want to get overwhelmed by the situation.

Time. 

That's what I need as of the moment.

Feeling much better than the other days, I glanced at Dredleigh. "You have no schedule aside from practice today, right? Can we all go home together later?"

He frowned for a moment before he smirked. "Of course!"

Knowing that we have to wrap things up, Dredleigh went back to the guys so that he could inform them that I'll be going home with them. 

When he left, I called for Ate Alice.

Ate Alice was reading something on her tablet when she entered the office. She just gave me a slight bow before returning her attention to the screen. I shook my head, waiting for her to sit on the chair in front of my desk. 

She's busier than me. Actually, I think every secretary is much busier than the boss. They still work, sometimes even working hours have already passed. Salute for them.

It's not like I'm not busy. I just really appreciate Ate's effort.

"Ate, can you ask manong to drive the van? Kasabay ko kasi SBG mamaya pauwi, e. Actually, natin if sasabay ka."

She quickly shook her head. "I still have to adjust your schedules, meetings, and do some stuff. You can go home without me. And yes, I'll tell manong later."

Ate didn't even look at me when she said that. Marami kasing nagbago sa schedule ko at sa mga meetings. May mga iba pa na dapat ayusin na sa kanya naka-assign. I pouted while watching her scrolling through the tablet.

"Thank you, Ate," I said softly.

She looked at me with a frown, letting out a giggle. "What's with the sudden thank you?"

"Hmm. Nothing. I just realize that I'm lucky to have you here by my side even back when I was just a fangirl. You supported me."

"Anything for you, Prim."

Napangiti ako nang malapad habang tinitingnan si Ate Alice.

I can't imagine my life without Ate Alice. Isa siya sa dahilan kung bakit lumalaban pa rin ako sa buhay. Siya iyong tumulong sa akin na bumangon. Kahit noong naging CEO ako at hanggang ngayon ay nandiyan siya. It's not just because it's her work but because she cared for me. She's like a sister but also a mother to me and I'm really grateful for that.

We left the office together for a meeting. Everything went fast since the meeting was smooth and there seems to be no problem with the artists. Normally, we all get stressed because of the everyday issues of the celebrities that were signed under the Empire. It was a bit peaceful today but it also scares me for some reason.

I shook my head and stepped inside Loey's studio. The guys welcomed me with a grin on their faces, especially Loey. Binati ko ang iba bago tumabi kay Loey na nakaupo at nakaharap sa laptop niya. 

Isang ngiti ang binigay niya bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa screen ng laptop. "Teka lang ha? Will just send this to Kuya Darwin for feedback."

I nodded before glancing at the others. I giggled when I caught Leigh yawning in the corner of the room. His eyes were dropping already. Mabuti na lang hindi rin nagtagal at umalis na kami sa Empire para umuwi. As expected, Leigh slept inside the van. Even the others were sleeping. 

"Can we have a barbecue party?" Nate asked when we entered the house.

Tumango ako at nilapag ang bag sa sofa. "Sure! May mga gamit naman. Let's just ask manang. If may kulang din naman ay p'wedeng mag grocery."

"Nice!"

Dredleigh nodded his head. "I'll go ask manang and prepare it. You guys can also take a rest for thirty minutes. Kapag nakapagpahinga na kayo ay tumulong na lang din kayo sa paghahanda ng pagkain."

Loey raised his hands. "I'll just take a quick nap. I'll help with the barbecue." He then turned to me and patted me on my head. He motioned to go upstairs, which I did.

Naiwan lang sa baba ay si Dredleigh at si Leigh na natulog sa sofa.

Hindi ko napansin na nakatulog din pala ako dahil siguro sa pagod. I'm not that tired physically but mentally and emotionally. Even when I was on my day off, I kept tabs on my work, especially with our artists’ issues.

Loey smiled at me when I went downstairs as soon as I woke up. He waved the barbecue stick. "I hope you had a good nap!"

I giggled. "Yeah, I did."

"Good to hear. Oh, can you please wake Leigh up? He's been sleeping for hours. Tell him to help!"

Shaking my head, I went to Leigh and tapped him on his cheek softly. He seemed lost when he woke up but Nate quickly came and dragged him inside the kitchen.

My lips turned into a smile. Seeing how busy the boys were and how chaotic the house looked with them around, I felt at ease even with their loud voices booming around the place.

Pakiramdam ko parang buo na ulit iyong bahay. Parang ang tagal din noong huling nagsama talaga kaming lahat. Ang tagal na noong huling beses na nag dinner kaming magkakasama. We often see each other in the building, we even ate outside once, but we didn't have the chance to eat together in this house just like in the old times. Understandable since we were so busy for the past months. I have to admit that I missed this. I missed having SBG around in this house.

"Primrose! Stop watching and help us!" Baron shouted. I shook my head again when Loey went to him and jokingly punched him on his shoulder. "Paalala ko lang na mabigat kamay mo. Medyo masakit pa rin iyon. Grabe, ayaw sinisigawan asawa niya. Concerned lang naman ako baka hindi marinig ni Primrose kaya sumigaw ako."

Baron continued to tease Loey.

The dinner went smoothly. It was really nice to have someone eat with you during dinner time. I know I have Ate Alice, but we rarely eat together since she was also busy taking care of the things I couldn't handle back when I was still just an heir of the company. I also have my own world before so there were times that I eat inside the room or did not eat at all. Seeing the empty dining table before made me miss my parents and how happy this house was before they died.

We were too happy. However, there was something I hate whenever I'm too happy, which is what comes next to that happiness. 

"Fuck fuck fuck."

Halos magpantig ang aking tenga sa mura ni Baron. I wouldn't get used to hearing them a curse. We all turned our attention to Baron who was grabbing his phone tightly while gritting his teeth. Nakatingin siyang masama sa phone niya bago padabog na inilapag sa mesa.

"Woah! I know you have money, but please be careful with your cellphone," said Nate while staring at the poor phone.

I leaned forward. "Is there something wrong?"

Baron only gestured to the phone. I hesitated for a moment because he was too serious. It's rare for him to be silent as if he was trying to calm himself. Nate was the one who handed it to me. When I read what's on the screen, I felt like my mind went blank and my heart stopped beating.

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