Chapter 46

Loey

I swayed my hands along with the melody of the song as I walked around the stage. The others were with the other artists of E Entertainment while Nate and Kaito walked together. Everyone was scattered on the stage as they sang along with the music.

I flashed a grin when my eyes landed on the girl near the stage. She was shyly holding a banner for the SBG. An awkward smile flashed on her face when she met my gaze. I also looked at the others to not raise any suspicion or anything if I stared at Primrose for too long. I couldn't risk exposing her to danger, again.

Lumayo ako kung nasaan si Primrose at sumabay na sa iba pang idols na gumagala lang sa stage. The stage was long and spacious enough for everyone to walk or even run freely. I joined Kuya Yeshua and Hendreich as they hyped the audience. They squatted and waved at the cameras of the fans. I also did the same with those who hold a banner for SBG.

Dalawang performance ang hinanda ng lahat ng artist ng Empire. Ngayon ay ang ending performance namin kung saan kailangan namin umikot at kumaway sa mga fans. We all sang together at the chorus part and met at the center of the stage while the senior groups were still circling around.

"Everyone, thank you for all your love and support!" Ate Jezi, one of the successful soloists of Empire, said and her lovely voice echoed inside the stadium.

Our smile grew wider as we clapped our hands at her.

She was the pride of E Entertainment. She was considered as the lucky charm of the company that brought success to the company. Ate Jezi was the first singer of Empire that debuted at an early age and her song topped the charts.

Many respected her.

We all looked up to her.

We all bowed our heads down as Ate Jezi and the Grand Knights gave the closing ment for the concert.

Isa-isa kaming bumalik sa backstage habang natira ay si Kuya Rence na nag entertain pa ng audience bago tuluyan tapusin ang concert.

Once we went backstage, we bowed our heads to every staff member we passed by with a smile on our faces. "Thank you for your hard work!"

We congratulated each other on the success of the concert. After all, we all did it together. We're the performers but we wouldn't be able to do well in the show if it wasn't for the whole crew.

I glanced at the entrance backstage when Primrose walked inside. Her face lit up as soon as she saw me.

The others greeted her as I walk my way to her. Primrose waited until I halted in front of her. My body froze when she suddenly jumped and hugged me tightly.

I relaxed after a minute but my heart was still pounding.

"Hey, I'm sweating, Primrose."

She giggled and released me from the hug. "That's fine! I'm just really happy and proud of you." She was so bright and cheerful that I couldn't even feel the exhaustion I felt after the performance.

Someone whistled behind me. "What a sight. I also did my best out there, baka naman may yakap din ako?"

"Baron," I glared at him.

Primrose laughed. "Ask Loey if I can give you a hug."

Before I could even reply, Kuya Hendreich appeared beside me. "Nope. Bawal kapag sa iyo, Baron."

We all laughed when Baron pouted and whined. In the end, Primrose gave him a quick hug with a compliment. Kahit sina Nate at Kaito ay humirit din. Napailing na lang ako habang pinapanuod sila.

I let Primrose go to the other artists to congratulate them personally. She also announced about the dinner party they prepared for us.

Mabilis naman na kumilos ang lahat para magpalit ng damit at linisin ang set. Kahit na ang SBG ay natuwa sa narinig kaya agaran silang bumalik ng dressing room namin.

The Empire rented one of the luxurious restaurant bars near the company building. It has that cozy vibe with just piano and violin playing in the background.

My eyes wandered around and it stopped at my little wife who interacted with Sophie and Scarlet Dolls. The corner of my lips curved into a smile at the beautiful sight. Even though I wanted to go to her, I just let Primrose have time for others.

I stayed at our table with Dredleigh and Leigh who just quietly sat and ate their food. The other members roam around the restaurant, probably talking to the other artists.

"You guys okay here?"

We turned our heads to Kuya Rence who sat by the empty chair beside me. He gave me a light pat on my shoulder and greeted the two who were still eating. Dredleigh even offered him, which he declined and told us he was already full.

Kuya then took a glance at where Primrose was before he faced me. "You should also enjoy the night, Loey. Look at your wife. She's having fun."

I nodded and looked at Primrose from the distance. "She is."

He sighed. "We haven't seen her so carefree interacting with others after what happened to her with the past artists she befriended and after she broke up with Liam. We're glad to see that she's putting her wall down, again. But you know what, we're also scared."

I frowned and stared at him. Kuya chuckled a bit. "It's not that bad to worry about our little sister getting hurt again, right? We trust everyone under the Empire. Oh, except for one person. Still, we just don't want her to get hurt and distance herself from the others just like last time. Primrose deserves to be happy and to be loved."

"I agree with you, Kuya. She deserves it. She deserves everything life could offer."

"That's why I have a favor to ask. Please watch over her. I trust you," he said as he stared at my wife. "I won't tell you not to hurt her because you will at some point. There will be a time that she'll get hurt even with the smallest thing. But, I want you to be there when she's hurting. To be there and give her the assurance she deserves."

My heart pounded at the emotion that swirled inside me. Hearing how he trusted me when it comes to Primrose means a lot to me.

Even during our trainee days, the Grand Knights never failed to support us with everything. They never failed to encourage us and motivate us. They didn't ask for anything from us and they treated us like their little brothers.

That's why this would be the first favor Kuya Rence asked. I couldn't help but just nod my head. I don't want to make promises, but I know deep in me that I won't break the trust he gave me.

"Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?"

Kuya smirked at Primrose who now stood behind me. He shrugged. "Nothing much."

"They talk about you," Dredleigh said.

Tiningnan ko siya nang masama. Hindi niya ako pinansin at inanyayahan lang si Leigh na kumuha ng drinks sa may bar counter.

Primrose's eyebrow arched at us while Kuya Rence just laughed before he bid us farewell, leaving me with Primrose who kept on staring at me.

"What?" I asked.

She sat on the seat where Kuya sat. "You talked about me?"

"Hmm?"

She glared. "Loey!"

"Nothing. He just said that you look happy."

Primrose eyed me suspiciously. "I am happy."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. Iyon lang naman ang gusto namin para sa kanya.

Before she could interrogate me again, Sophie hurriedly went to us.

"Primrose, lumayo ka muna sa asawa mo! You should join the ladies instead. You two live in the same house anyway."

Primrose couldn't protest as she was dragged by her artist away from me. I shook my head and sighed but the smile lingered on my face.

How I wish that every day would be like this.

The night was a blast. There was no restriction when it comes to alcohol since we don't have work tomorrow. Still, I didn't drink and just talked to the other artists.

"You shouldn't have let him drink, Matt," Kuya Eros said.

"I don't want to spoil the fun, Kuya. Besides, it's just once in a lifetime to have a drunkard Baron in the building," Matt replied.

We watched Baron as he danced like a lunatic in the center. Kuya Hendreich and one of our seniors joined them which earned more audience.

I roamed my eyes around and I walked as soon as I found Primrose who was also laughing at the sight of Baron.

Saglit siyang napasulyap nang tumabi ako sa kanya. Tahimik din naman na umalis sina Sophie at ang iba pa niyang kasama.

I smiled at her. "Having fun?"

Primrose nodded. "Of course! It seems like Baron is also having fun." She giggled and gestured at Baron, who was now dancing sweetly with Kuya Hendreich.

He's definitely having the best night of his life. He's too wasted.

She then glanced at me. "Wait. You didn't drink?"

"You also didn't."

She blinked. "Oh. I just want to remember this night sober. Besides, you can have fun without drinking."

I nodded. "Same."

"But you're good, right?"

I chuckled and patted her on her head. "Yes, Primrose. Don't worry. I even talked to the rookies. They're interesting. We talked about a lot of stuff."

The newly debuted group was the one who filled the spot of Karlin. They were given the chance to perform on a big stage already even though they're still rookies.

My lips parted when she leaned on my shoulder. "I'm actually getting tired."

"Do you want to go home?"

Primrose shook her head, still staring at everyone who was celebrating.

Her attention turned on me when I gently pushed her and grabbed her hand. I smiled before I pulled her back to the table. "You can still watch everyone here. You've been standing for too long."

She pouted. "Thank you."

Tahimik lang kaming nagmasid sa kapaligiran at tanaw namin sina Baron na ngayon ay kinokontrol na ni Kuya Eros.

Nate was also so drunk that he wobbled when he came back to the table. Primrose quickly assisted the youngest member of SBG.

In the end, Primrose and I decided to go home so that we could take a rest, especially Baron and Nate.

Nagpaalam naman siya kay Ate Alice at Mr. Lee na mauuna na kami. Of course, we just left the others who were still celebrating and enjoying their night.

"Primrose! Are you there? Are you okay? Holy shit I'm spinning. Primrose, Primrose, Primrose! Please don't leave Loey."

I groaned and tried to control Baron as he almost stumbled towards Primrose.

She opened the door for us and giggled. "I won't, okay? Just go and sleep, Baron."

"Yeah sleep," he mumbled. "Baron needs sleep. Damn, I feel like puking."

"Hold it in, drunkard," I hissed.

Matt just shook his head as he helped me drag Baron inside the house.

Primrose followed us. She just stared at us with her arms crossed while she stood in the entrance of our room.

Matt let out a sigh as soon as Baron settled on the bed. "Gosh, no more alcohol to this man, please."

I agreed. It's much easier to handle Nate sometimes.

"Good night, Primrose."

"Good night, Matt."

Primrose glanced at me when Matt left. "Are they going to be okay?"

I nodded. "Yep. Dredleigh will probably make a hangover soup for them tomorrow."

"Matutulog ka na?"

My brows furrowed. "I guess? Why?"

She shook her head before she smiled awkwardly. "Well, good night!"

I wasn't able to speak when she hurriedly closed the door of her room.

My mind was drifting to Primrose as I tried to sleep. I've been rolling on my bed for minutes. With a sigh, I stood and went out.

"I thought you're going to sleep?" she said when I knocked on her room.

I shrugged. "Can't sleep." I peeked inside and saw that her laptop was on. "What are you doing?"

She followed my gaze. "Oh, I was searching for a movie to watch. I wanted to go to the movie room but decided to just watch on the laptop."

"Can I join you?"

Primrose blinked but her face lit up. "Yes!" she looked away and cleared her throat. "I mean, yes sure, why not?"

I chuckled. "Don't be shy. Kunwari hindi ka mukhang excited."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Loey."

Hindi kaagad ako pumasok nang mas binuksan niya pa ang pinto at gumilid para magbigay daan sa akin.

"I'll go and make some milk for us. Go and continue your search. Anything's fine with me."

I quickly made hot milk for the two of us and grabbed some snacks in the kitchen before I went back to Primrose's room.

She chose a romance movie. We settled ourselves on her bed. I was absorbed by the movie not until I felt Prim's head on my shoulder. I tilted my head to her and found her sleeping already. Carefully lifting her head, I went out of bed and gently laid her on the bed.

I silently turned off her laptop and cleaned the areas before my eyes went back to Primrose.

The corner of my lips curved upward at the sight. She was smiling while sleeping. I took a step closer and leaned forward, planting a kiss on top of her head and caressed her hair softly.

There was a burning emotion in me just by staring at her.

God, I would trade anything for her.

It was one of the best days for me. There was no drama, our concert was successful, and Primrose was genuinely happy. I was happy.

However, never did I know that the peace wouldn't last that long.

Never did I know that she would be put into the spotlight, again. A spotlight we wished would never happen.

*****