Chapter 9

Primrose

"What the hell?"

My jaw dropped upon seeing how messy the living room turned up. Nagising ako kanina dahil sa ingay ng mga lalaki rito sa bahay. Sinubukan ko ulit matulog pero hindi na ako dinalaw ng antok kaya naman bumaba na ako. Lalong nagising ang katawang lupa ko nang makitang nagkakagulo silang lahat sa sala.

May balloons, posters, and banners sa lapag habang inaayos naman nina Loey ang mga letrang gawa sa lobo sa may sofa. WELCOME BACK.

"Sinong babalik?" tanong ko.

Loey glanced at me, "Leigh."

I halted for a moment upon hearing his name. No way!

He's busy arranging the balloons with the help of Kuya Jinmin. My eyes turned to Baron and Nate who were just fooling around, playing with the posters, and imitating Leigh's pose. I shook my head, amused at how they move around the house as if they've been here for so long. Ilang araw pa lang kaya, pero kita mo naman, parang si Uncle Reylan na walang paalam na gagamitin pala ang sala't may dadating na naman na bago.

Wala namang problema sa akin iyon dahil sila lang din naman nagbibigay kulay at ingay sa bahay na ito. Kahit nga si ate Alice ay natutuwa dahil masaya na raw umuwi rito.

"Hey, Baron Blaise, tumulong ka naman dito!"

"Ang ingay mo, Matt. Wait lang, okay?"

Umiling na lang ako sa kanila. Para talaga silang bata madalas, kaya parang ako iyong matanda rito, eh. Well, there's still Dredleigh.

"Paki-ayos iyang mga kalat niyo, ha," paalala ko.

"Yes, boss!" sigaw nila Baron, Matt at Nate.

I let them do their stuff while I went to the kitchen for brunch. It seems like they also just ate their food because Dredleigh's there, washing the dishes.

"Hi," I greeted him.

He just nodded then continued with what he's doing. I didn't mind him that much since I already got used to his silence the more I get to know them. Minsan naman madaldal pa rin siya kahit paano, eh. Sadyang mas sanay yata na tahimik at seryoso ang isang ito.

Tahimik lang akong kumakain habang pinagmamasdan ang likod ni Dredleigh na inaayos ang mga hinugasan niya, lalo na iyong mga ginamit sa pagluluto.

"Ako na," aniya nang huhugasan ko sana ang pinagkainan ko.

Nahihiyang tumango naman ako sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung paano tumanggi, eh! Hinayaan ko na lang siya pero hindi ako umalis hangga't hindi siya tapos sa kanyang ginagawa. Kahit naman tahimik kami, mas maganda pa rin na may kasama lalo na at siya naghugas ng plato ko.

"Iisipin kong kayo ang magpapakasal."

Both of us turned to the person who just walked in the kitchen while pouting. He's cute but still managed to look manly. It must be his tall figure.

"We're not even talking to each other right now," snorted by the person who just finished washing all the dishes.

"But you look like a couple, and I'm envious."

Nang makalapit si Loey at akmang aakbay kay Dred ay mabilis na siyang nahampas nito sa braso na nagpangiwi sa kanya.

Loey laughed before shifting his gaze to me, "Pwede bang umalis na lang tayo kapag nakarating na si Leigh?"

Agad naman napakunot ang noo ko. May lakad ba kaming dalawa? Siya? I mean, hello, hindi siya pwedeng lumabas lang, kaya nga wala kaming date talaga, eh. Meron man, pero sobrang planado dahil VIP room ang kinukuha namin at sa hindi mataong lugar.

He chuckled, "You should check your phone, Primrose."

Confused, I immediately left them and went to my room. Mabilis ko naman kinuha ang phone ko't nakitang may isang mensahe.

From: Ate Alice

Pinapatawag kayong dalawa ni Loey sa opisina ni Mr. Lee. Sa kanya ka na rin sumabay dahil naka-bakasyon ang driver mo, okay?

I groaned. Bakit ba lagi na lang wala ang driver ko kapag kailangan ko siya? Well, iisa lang naman ang pupuntahan namin kaya walang masama na sabay kami, 'di ba? Hindi naman ito ang unang beses na nakasakay ako sa sasakyan ni Loey, eh.

I took a bath, knowing that the boys were still busy downstairs. I don't even know how long I've been standing in front of my closet, thinking of what I should wear for the day. 'What the hell, Prim? Makikipagdate ka ba't ang tagal mong mamili ng isusuot mo?' Shaking my head, I just picked out a fitted pink V-neck shirt and black pants.

"Yes?" I shouted when someone knocked.

"Leigh's on his way. You should be there as the owner of the house dahil hindi naman kami pwedeng maging feel at home talaga."

"Feel at home na kayo the moment nagkalat kayo sa sala!"

Narinig ko naman ang pagtawa niya, "True. Anyways, bumaba ka na lang, ha."

"Will be there in a minute!"

Leigh Zamora... I need to prepare myself to meet the other member of SBG. Also, I'm really curious to know what he thinks about my upcoming marriage with Loey. After all, we're not strangers anymore. I just really hope he won't open the wounds I'm trying to heal. Leigh looks like a lost sheep, to be honest. He's too innocent and he looks sleepy all the time because of his eyes. Paano ko nalaman? Kasi nagkakilala kami noon dahil sa isang lalaki. 

He's a good guy!

Kaya naman nang magkaroon siya ng problema sa kalusugan ay sinigurado talaga ni Tito Reylan na makakapagpahinga ito nang maayos, kaya pinagbakasyon siya sa probinsya nila.

Nang lumabas ako sa kwarto ay rinig na agad dito sa taas ang palakpakan ng lahat at masayang sigawan sa sala.

"Wow, we missed you!"

"Leigh, my brother, welcome home!"

"Kahit hindi naman natin ito bahay."

I watched them hugged each other. Masyado silang masayang makita ang nagbakasyon na member kaya naman ay hindi na nila ako napansin na nasa gilid lang naman nila.

The slim figure with black hair turned as soft and sleepy eyes landed on me, there's recognition in his eyes.

"Hi!" I greeted, winking at him. "It's been a while."

He smiled widely that showed the deep dimple on his right cheek. Leigh walked towards me, eyeing me from head to toe.

"That's rude," I complained jokingly.

"You're Primrose, right?" He blinked.

I laughed at him. Mukha siyang bata na biglang nakakita ng nawawalang kaibigan. Sabagay, matagal na rin noong huli kaming nagkitang dalawa. Madalas din kasi ay sa mga award shows lang kami nagkakasalubong o kapag dumadalaw ako sa show na nandoon siya. Ngayon ay wala na akong rason upang bumisita pa.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's this? Magkakilala kayo?" tanong ni Matt habang pabalik-balik ang tingin sa aming dalawa.

"Yep, since I attended some awarding and other shows na andoon siya at ayon, naging magkaibigan din kami," I answered, noticing that Leigh won't answer him since he's still staring at me as if I'm just an illusion.

I had celebrity friends before, including him, but I guess he's the only person whom I still consider as one. The Grand Knights were different... They are my family.

"So, titingnan mo lang ba ako, ha?" natatawang tanong ko sa kanya.

He blinked before leaning forward as he ruffled my hair, "You've changed."

"Huh? Ako pa rin kaya ito."

Tinitigan niya akong muli't napailing na lang at tumawa. Seryoso, para sa akin wala naman nagbago, eh. Maliit pa rin ako't maganda, tapos Primrose pa rin naman ang pangalan ko.

"Huwag ka masyadong tumitig diyan, baka may magselos."

Kunot noo siyang napatingin kay Dredleigh na biglang nagsalita. The serious guy just shrugged and glanced at Loey.

"What's with Loey? Do you like me, bro?" Leigh asked suddenly.

The living room was filled with laughter.

"Bro, are you gay?" Loey hissed.

"No, you are," he replied. "Baka raw magselos ka, eh. Bakit ka naman magseselos kay Primrose kung hindi mo ako gusto?"

"No! Seriously, Leigh, hindi ka pa rin nagbabago. Sa 'yo ako magseselos dahil si Primrose ang pakakasalan ko."

"Oh," maingat naman na tumingin si Leigh sa akin na para bang may gusto siyang sabihin ngunit mas minabuti niyang manahimik na lang.

Nakalimutan kong hindi niya alam na ako ang magiging CEO ng Empire, sa totoo lang ay walang nakakaalam bukod sa pamangkin ako ni tito Larry. I mean, if he's the CEO now, his child should replace him, not me. Mabuti na lang nga kahit paano ay alam pa rin niya ang lugar niya't hindi pinasok ang anak niya sa kompanya ko.

"Alam niyo, ihatid niyo muna kaya si Leigh sa kwarto niya para makapag-ayos ng mga gamit," saad ko.

"Kuya Leigh, ako na ang bahala sa'yo, tayo nina Kuya Eros ang magkasama sa kwarto!" masayang sabi ni Nate bago siya hinila pataas.

Sila ni kuya Eros ang pumili sa kwarto na pwede ang tatlo para makasama talaga si Leigh doon. Noong una pa nga ay pinagsisiksikan ni Kaito ang sarili niya roon, kaso ayaw ng dalawa.

Lumapit sa akin si Loey at bumulong, "Let's go?"

"I'll get my things first. Ikaw na bahalang magpaalam sa kanila, ha?"

He nodded before following the members who decided to prepare food for the new person in the house. They wanted to throw a party for him but decided to do it some other time since Leigh still needs to rest. Baka isabay na rin sa party ang pagkakapanalo nila ng album of the year. Kahit bakasyon nila ay may music awards show silang pupuntahan sa susunod na araw.

"We just need to make sure that no one will know about the secret civil wedding. Also, you'll have two Korean citizens as witnesses, and they are from our sister's company in South Korea."

Uncle Reylan handed the documents to ate Alice. Noong mga nakaraang araw ay inasikaso na namin ni Loey ang mga papeles na kailangan namin for the registration of our marriage. And yes, sa South Korea daw iyon bago mag-concert ang SBG doon.

"Since you two are foreigners there, the marriage certificate will be issued right away. Well, you'll stay in South Korea for like a week anyway, so it won't be a problem even if it takes three to four working days," she told us.

Pakiramdam ko ay lumulutang ako habang nakikinig. Ang dami naman pala kasing kailangan asikasuhin kahit marriage certificate lang ang habol mo, lalo na kung sa ibang bansa mangyayari ang kasal, like reporting our marriage to the embassy and such. Mabuti na lang talaga't andyan si ate Alice para mapadali ang lahat. Ewan ko ba kung bakit ang galing niya at ang linis mag-asikaso sa mga kailangan ko.

Si Loey naman ay tahimik lang sa aking tabi habang nakikinig. Napapaisip pa rin talaga ako kung paano kapag naging mag-asawa na kami? I know there's no love between us, pero ano ba ang magiging buhay naming dalawa?

"Oh, by the way, there will be a board meeting a week after you two got the marriage certificate. Be ready, Primrose, and even you, Loey."

We nodded. Iyon naman ang ginagawa ko noong nakaraan pa, eh. Alam kong may expectations ang ibang board members sa akin, kaya nga takot akong magkamali noon pa man. Siguro dahil anak ako ni dad kaya ayokong maging talunan sa harap ng mga taong nakasama niya't tumulong sa Empire.

Loey and I strolled around the floor together. Ate Alice said that it's better if the others will recognize me as someone close to him, which I found uncomfortable. Alam kong may contract sila na nagsasabing hindi maaaring makalabas ang anumang nangyayari sa building na ito, lalo na sa totoong CEO. Sa ngayon siguro ay nakikita nila ako bilang isa sa mga nabigyan ng pagkakataong bumisita sa isang artist ng kompanya.

"We signed you here and expected progress! Manalo lang, hindi mo pa magawa. Ha?"

The booming voice stopped us from walking. Hinawakan ako ni Loey sa aking braso at akmang hihilahin ako ngunit agad ko siyang pinigilan. Umiling ako't diretsong tiningnan ang isang payat at matangkad na babaeng kaharap ng tito ko.

Mabilis naman siyang tumayo sa harap ko upang harangan ang aking paningin, ngunit huli na siya. "Let's just go, Primrose," aniya ngunit umiling pa rin ako. "Please? That's normal."

I stared at him in horror, "Uncle just slapped a girl younger than him. What the hell is normal about that?"

His jaw clenched. I shot him an angry look before moving him away from my sight to see what's happening.

"I'm sorry," the girl cried. I think she's just a bit older than me.

He pointed angrily towards her, "You worthless piece of shit! Ganda lang ba ang ambag mo rito? I told you to win, but look, you got eliminated for the third round!"

I wanted to run and defend her, but Loey held me tighter. I gritted my teeth, watching him walk out, leaving the girl sobbing. Anger boiled deep in my system, and I know that he sensed it, that's why he loosen his grip a bit.

"Fill me in," I said.

"Huh?"

"About her," I replied, nodding to the girl. "Hindi pa ako gaano pamilyar sa ibang artist and I bet she's a rookie."

Tahimik lang ang mga empleyadong nakakita na para bang walang nangyari't walang umiiyak na babae, na para bang wala talaga silang magagawa dahil kahit lapitan man lang para pagaanin ang loob niya ay hindi nila ginawa.

The girl has this boyish aura that matches her shoulder-length black hair. Though, she was so thin and tall like a model. Siguro nga ay kaunti lang ang tangkad ni Loey sa kanya, eh.

He took a quick glance at her, "Sophie Ortiz, one of the trainees who joined a survival show recently for her to debut. Unfortunately, she got eliminated. She was one of those who were labeled as a disappointment of our company." He heaved a deep sigh, continuing, "We know that she's doing her best, but it's not enough, especially when there were dirty tactics that others use in order to be on top. Also, she's proving that she's not like those who will let others use them just to achieve their goal, even if it means selling their bodies to the producers."

"Bakit hinayaan niya lang na sampalin siya ni tito?"

"We can't fight or complain, Primrose."

"Why?"

"That's because we want to survive in this industry," he shrugged. "It's normal for us to be mistreated. We don't want to face the consequence once we offend someone who can ruin our career."

They knew it was wrong and unfair, yet they were helpless to do something about it. They were abused, but no one cared. All I feel right now is bitterness. The company my father loved and swore to his people that this will be the place to shelter them, to train them, but most especially a place where people should respect each other, but in the end, it turned out to be like this. It was indeed a scary world.

I focused as she wiped her tears away before composing herself and walked as if nothing happened. She's a brave person who doesn't deserve to be treated this way.

I heard Loey call my name when I followed the girl. Hindi ko alam kung anong ginagawa ko, kung bakit ko siya sinusundan. Ramdam ko ang isang pagsunod sa akinn ng isang tao pero hindi ko siya pinansin.

Hinabol ko ang aking paghinga nang makarating sa rooftop ng building. Napatalon ako sa biglaang pagsigaw ng babae.

"Hanggang dito na lang ba talaga ako? Ayoko na!"

She screamed at the top of her lungs and the agony I felt from it was piercing through me. I stood not that far away from her, trying to hold back the strange feelings rumbling inside of me but then, a tear traced down on my cheek, and just like that, I could feel my heartbreaking at the view and the sound of her sobs filling my ears.

"Gusto ko lang naman patunayan na hindi lang ako puro ganda, eh."

Hindi ko dapat hayaan na maapektuhan din ako ng emosyon niya, 'di ba?

Bago pa ako mapigilan ni Loey na nasa likod ko, at bago ko pa mapagtanto ang aking ginagawa ay naramdaman ko na lang na basa ang aking damit dahil sa mga luha ng babae na ngayon ay yakap-yakap ko na.

Why the hell am I involving myself in this drama?

***