Yes, I changed the book cover! Thank you so much, Ravenn! ♥

Enjoyyyyy!

-Hime

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Chapter 8

Primrose

"What's this?"

My jaw dropped. I was just yawning earlier not knowing that there were people watching me. Nakakahiya! Mabuti na lang maayos akong tingnan palagi kapag lumalabas ng kwarto, lalo na biglang dumadalaw ang Grand Knights noon kaya nasanay na akong mag ayos muna bago lumabas.

"Good morning, Primrose!" Matt greeted with a huge smile.

"Good morning."

I stared at the eight people sitting comfortably on the couch in the living room. Nang tuluyan na akong nakababa ng hagdan ay agad dumapo ang aking tingin sa mga maleta. Naglayas ba sila?

"Morning, Prim!"

The middle-aged man walked out from the kitchen, holding a glass of juice.

"Pinalayas mo ba sila sa dorm nila, Uncle Reylan?" I asked when he stopped in front of me.

"You can say that," he shrugged.

I frowned.

Someone laughed and hugged me from behind, "The company decided to give them a break before they start their tour again, though they should still practice twice a week."

"So, bakit sila andito at bakit hindi niyo man lang ako sinabihan na may bisita pala ako?" tanong ko. "Ate Alice, tingnan mo, oh! Halatang bagong gising ako!"

Kahit naman maayos ako tingnan, halata pa rin na kakagaling ko lang sa pagtulog lalo na't hindi ko gaano sinuklay ang aking buhok.

Natawa naman siya bago kumalas sa yakap, "Ask Mr. Lee about that. Nagulat na lang din ako nung tumawag siya't sinabi na ipalinis ang mga guest room."

My lips parted. Don't tell me...

"Yes, my dear. Dito sila magbabaksyon. You have a pool and a big house, mas mararamdaman nila rito sa bahay mo na nasa bakasyon sila."

SBG cheered loudly while I just stood there with my jaw dropped. Bahay ko pa ba ito? Ibigay ko na lang kaya kay uncle ito, mukhang siya ang may-ari dahil wala man lang pasabi sa akin.

He leaned forward and patted me on my head, "Come on, little girl, I've heard that you already said yes to Loey. So, I think that it's time for you two to get used to living together." He then turned to the group, "With the whole group."

"Living together? Akala ko ba bakasyon lang?"

"Uh-huh. Dito na rin naman sila titira lalo na kapag kinasal kayo ni Loey kaya agahan na lang natin." I was about to protest but he added quickly, "Sino bang mag asawa ang magkahiwalay ng bahay, 'di ba?"

I forced a smile while glaring at him. He just shrugged and walked back to the kitchen while whistling as if it's his house. Bakit pakiramdam ko ay excited siya na magiging asawa ko na si Loey? Ilang araw pa lang simula noong nagkausap kami't sinabi ko na gusto ko ng magpakasal upang makuha ang posisyon, pero hindi ko naman inakalang may ganitong mangyayari!

"Uncle!" I called out, stomping my feet.

"Let them unpack!" he shouted back.

I rolled my eyes, facing the members who look amused. I heaved a deep sigh before smiling sweetly at them. Well, it's also a good thing, right? I mean, kami lang naman ni ate Alice ang nakatira dito at dalawang katulong, ang driver naming ay uwian dahil may pamilyang naghihintay sa kanila.

"Si Ate Alice na ang bahala sa inyo."

They all nodded as I gestured ate to lead them upstairs. We have two guest rooms on the second floor while the third floor has also two. May isang malaki sa ikalawang palapag kung saan kasya ang tatlong tao dahil double-deck at isang maliit na kama ang mayroon doon.

I grabbed an apple on the fruit basket as soon as I walked in the kitchen, glaring at my uncle who was now eating bread happily. Even though I'm a bit annoyed, my lips couldn't help but form a little smile. He looks relaxed right now, hindi kagaya noong mga nakaraan na mas nagmumukha siyang matanda dahil sa dami ng inaasikaso.

Lumapit ako't naupo sa kanyang harap. Malapit na magtanghali, kaya naman napagdesisyunan kong kumain na. I don't eat breakfast that much since every morning, I just want to lie on my bed and do nothing.

"Say, did you plan this one ever since, Uncle?" I asked while finishing my food.

He shrugged, "Yes. You need people to accompany you. Bukod sa ikakasal kayo ni Loey at malamang ay magtatanong ang board tungkol sa relasyon niyo, mas maganda na rin siguro na pati ang buong grupo ay makilala mo." He smiled sweetly as he stood, "Also, loosen up, dear. You can't doubt every celebrity, most especially your artists. Anyways, I need to go now. Enjoy!"

He patted me on my head before leaving. Tahimik kong niligpit ang pinagkainan ko habang napapaisip sa sinabi niya. Alam ko naman na ramdam ng SBG na medyo umiiwas ako sa kanila, lalo na kay Loey, pero hindi ko mapigilang matakot sa kung anong mangyayari sa akin kapag napalapit sa mga kagaya nila.

Celebrities' lives were complicated. It's also hard to trust those in the entertainment industry, especially when you have a title they could use to reach the top. I'm not saying that I don't trust SBG, I just don't want to take risks again.

When I came back to the living room, someone was staring at the picture frames near the stair. He seemed to notice my presence since he shifted his gaze to me.

"You really looked and lived like a princess. You have a nice house," Loey commented.

I rolled my eyes, standing in front of him, "Oh, please, I'm definitely far from being one." I replied, glancing at the pictures. "I'm just an ordinary girl who wished to have an ordinary life."

Well, it was ordinary, thanks to my parents who did everything for me to live normally, away from the chaotic world of the industry. However, knowing that I'll become a CEO and a wife of an idol might take that away from me.

The more I let myself get close to them, the harder it will hurt me in the future. I have to steel myself

"Sorry," he said softly almost like a whisper. "Your future husband won't be able to give you that one, especially when we're already married."

I heaved a deep sigh, giving him a small smile, "It's fine. Hindi rin naman normal ang dahilan bakit tayo nagkakilalang dalawa."

He chuckled. When he stared at me gently, I couldn't help but look away from it. Sana talaga maging maayos lang ang lahat. I admired them so much that it sucks knowing that he'll marry someone like me.

My heart was once a gentle heart but was also taken for granted. It made me realize how someone could really change you, injecting fear and trust issues.

"Sorry to interrupt your intimate moment, but I really need Loey to unpack and help me organize our room."

Baron approached us with a playful smile. I shook my head when he gave us a finger-heart.

"Hiramin ko muna ang magiging asawa mo, ha?"

A soft giggle escaped my lips, watching Baron as he dragged Loey upstairs filled my heart with warmth.

Maybe it's not bad to have them here, right? It would be nice to turn this house into a home again.

I yawned while scanning the papers on my study table.

"Say, should I be proud because even though they were considered as old in the industry, they're still shining like a star, or should I be upset because it only means I wouldn't be able to be with them, again?"

Ate Alice shrugged, "I say both."

Tumawa ako nang mahina bago inayos ang schedule ng Grand Knights. Nagbakasyon si tito Larry kaya naman hinayaan ako ni tito Reylan na ayusin ang mga proyektong kukunin ng mga kuya ko, at hindi ko inakalang hanggang ngayon ay ang daming offer sa kanila lalo na sa mga variety shows. Madalas kasing wala akong magawa regarding their schedules. Alam ni Tito Larry na malapit ako sa kanila kaya bantay-sarado niya ang mga ito.

The only thing I could do for them was to give moral support or watch their performance live and sponsor some events their fans held for them. Mabuti na lang talaga at ginabayan silang mabuti ni dad noon, Madalas kasing wala akong magawa regarding their schedules. Alam ni Tito Larry na malapit ako sa kanila kaya bantay-sarado niya ang mga ito. I'm so proud of them.

I almost jumped when I heard a loud voice outside my room. Mukhang tapos na silang mag ayos ng kanilang kwarto, ah?

"I'm really grateful that you're not my roommate, Baron."

"Likewise. Baka sumabog ang kwarto kapag tayong dalawa ang magkasama Matt. At least, hindi pa rin mabobored si Dred kasi maingay ang kasama niya."

I'll bet na malapit lang sila sa isa't isa, pero akala mo ay magkalayo dahil sa lakas ng mga boses nila na umabot na rito sa kwarto ko. I'm a light sleeper, so I guess I need to bid my farewell to peaceful mornings, lalo na't katabi ko lang ang kwarto nina Loey at Baron.

Nasa may pinto na ako nang may kumatok.

"Do you mind if I use your kitchen?" I opened the door to Dred.

Nodding my head, I turned to ate Alice, "Ate, kindly introduce them to manang, baka mamaya ay akalain na mga magnanakaw sila." Then I turned to Dred. "Please give manang a heads up whenever you're going to use the kitchen and cook for your members, para naman hindi na siya mag-alala sa lulutuin at makapagpahinga."

We have our head maid, though we only have two in total. Si manang ang nagsilbing yaya ko simula pa noong bata pa lang ako. Siya ang nagluluto ng mga pagkain namin at sobrang istrikto niya sa kusina. Maaga niyang iniisip kung ano ang lulutuin niya kaya mas magandang alam ni Dred ang dapat niyang gawin. Alam kong hilig niya ang magluto lalo na para sa SBG.

"Thank you!"

I gave them a smile before they followed ate Alice. Hindi rin naman nagtagal at sumunod na ako sa baba dahil tapos naman na ang mga dapat kong gawin sa araw na ito, Araw ng pahinga ko talaga pero may mga bagay lang na dapat ayusin.

The boys were gathered outside, by the pool. They were smiling and taking pictures with it and the mini-garden. The leaves were swirling along with the wind as if it was happy.

"It's been a while since The last time I saw them happy and relaxed like that," someone spoke beside me.

Glancing at him made me feel soft, for he was wearing a smile, small yet enough to tell me how happy he was. Kuya Eros looked like a father watching his children playing around and enjoying the moment.

When I didn't say a word, he took it as permission to speak again. "You see, we did achieve our dream. Getting our debut and going to shows, living a strict and managed life like the K-Pop idols."

My eyes were on the boys but my ears were listening intently to him. The softness of his voice filled my ears, how he sounded so proud and happy until I heard him sigh.

"Expected naman namin iyong hirap na pinasok namin eh, pero iba pala talaga kapag nandoon ka na. Laging pagod, walang oras sa ibang bagay, walang privacy at kailangan laging mag-ingat sa lahat ng kilos o sasabihin namin," He shrugged. "Well, that's the price we needed to pay in order to get to where we are right now. Kaya naman malaki ang pasasalamat ko dahil makakapagpahinga rin kami kahit papaano ngayon."

He turned to me and mouthed a 'thank you' before he walked towards Nate who called him.

"We often think about giving up, but together we stand, and here we are, still fighting." Dredleigh smiled shyly before he stood to replace kuya Eros, "Sorry to eavesdrop. It's actually rare for our leader to open that up to someone personally. Madalas kasi sa mga awarding lang siya ganyan. Ayaw din naman naming pag-usapan minsan dahil masyadong emosyonal."

"There's nothing wrong with it naman, ah?"

He shrugged, "You know what happened to our group before, right? The time when people said that it's the end of our career." I nodded as he looked at the other members, "Dumating na kami sa punto na sundan ang mga nawala. Masaya maging idol lalo na kung passion mo talaga ang ginagawa mo, pero madalas ay sobrang draining niya physically, emotionally and mentally."

"Yeah, I remembered you saying in an interview that there were times you just wanted to be a normal person and have a peaceful and comfortable life," I mumbled.

Dred chuckled. It's very refreshing to hear him laugh since he's always the serious one to the point that he's a bit scary, plus the fact that he always wears an all-black outfit.

"But you know what, there's someone who totally broke down. A person who silently cried every night, and there's an emptiness inside him. Kung hindi kami naging matatag noon, may kakapitan pa ba siyang iba?" I was about to ask who was the person he's talking about when his eyes landed on someone. "I'm so proud of him that he found strength in us, and when he's tired, he knows that we're here for him."

The guy was smiling widely like an innocent child. A happy virus for the outside world, but deep down, he's also a human who experienced the bittersweet journey of an idol, and someone who can be jolly but inside, he's breaking.

Loey Parker, you also deserve love and happiness.

*****