Chapter 5

Everyone stopped what they were doing while my lips parted at the person who entered the dressing room.

I stood and bowed my head. “Hi, Hendreich!”

I felt the other’s attention land on me. I took a deep breath and ignored their eyes.

Hendreich flashed a grin. He was paler right now with his barefaced. He showed me the coffee he was holding before he reached it out for me.

“Coffee for my partner,” he said.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya at maingat na tinanggap ito. “Salamat.”

Hindi ko alam kung dahil sanay na siya sa atensyon at parang wala lang talaga sa kanya na may mga nakatitig sa amin ngayon. I tried to relax and sipped on the hot coffee he gave me.

My eyes went back to him when he let out a sigh.

“I thought I should visit you first so that you could get used to my presence,” he said. “I mean, I know it would be awkward at first, but I want you to relax beside me, okay?”

Blinking, I nodded.

He gestured for me to sit on the chair that was in front of the mirror. He also sat on the chair next to mine and faced me.

I swear Jesh would scold me for looking at Hendreich’s lips when he licked his lower lip. I looked away immediately and felt my cheeks heat.

“Are you okay?” he asked suddenly.

“Yes,” I replied, my eyes glued to the mirror. I snapped back at him when he chuckled.

He then looked at the staff inside the room and cleared his throat. “I believe you’re making her uncomfortable, guys. ‘Wag kayong manuod dahil wala naman drama na mangyayari. Isa pa, ako lang ‘to, guys. Hendreich Lee lang naman ito.”

Natawa naman ang iba’t napailing bago nagpatuloy sa mga ginagawa nila. I couldn’t help but stare at him. I admire how he could playfully call the staff out. If it was me, the only choice that I have would be to ignore them because they might get offended. I wasn’t that big enough in this industry to do that.

“Do you want to try to practice our introduction?” he asked.

I quickly nodded at his suggestion.

He helped me boost my confidence… or at least fake it. During the practice, he wrote some notes for me in my script. I also took a mental note of staying calm beside him because he was harmless. That I shouldn’t be bothered with the issues anymore. That I was here to work with him.

“Oh, shit!” I cursed. My hands went to my mouth.

Hendreich jaw dropped and stared at me, blinking. 

“Oh my, I’m sorry,” I said, wiping my skirt with a tissue.

Halos madulas ang kape na akin iniinom, mabuti na lang at nahawakan ko rin kaagad ngunit may natapon pa rin sa palda na suot ko.

“I didn’t know you could swear, Moira,” Hendreich said in awe.

My cheeks heated. “Sorry.”

He grinned. “No need to apologize. You’re human. I just couldn’t believe I got the opportunity to witness and hear you curse.”

My heart started to accelerate as I stared at his amused expression.

I don’t think I would get used to being with a carefree person like him in this industry. I know that there’s nothing wrong with cursing, but in this industry, a female artist may look cool or may look bad for cursing. For me, I was told to look perfect even without a camera or fans around me. Masisira daw ang imahe na ibinigay sa akin ng Sakura. Kaya nga sobrang hanga ako sa mga babaeng kaya magmura lalo na kahit may cam na nakatutok sa kanila. Kagaya ni Ate Jezi, ang soloist ng Empire. She also curses a lot during the show.

“Sir Hendreich, here’s your card,” a girl said as she entered the room.

My eyes landed on the credit card that the girl gave to Hendreich. The girl glanced at me and politely bowed her head. I also did the same.

“Oh, Moira, this is my assistant, Rem,” Hendreich introduced. “Rem, this is Moira.”

“Hi, Miss Moira.”

I smiled at her. “Hello, Rem.”

She faced her boss again. “I bought everyone in the team some coffee and snacks. Thank you, Sir.”

Halos mapatulala ulit ako sa lalaking nasa harap ko.

Did he use his card to treat his team?

The both of us got up when one of the staff told us that we’ll go live in fifteen minutes. Inhaling deeply, I scanned the script one more time before we left the room.

“Make your weekend relaxing…” Hendreich started.

I smiled. “And enjoying it here in…”

We faced each other. “WeMusic Show!” we said in unison.

He then acted as if he had a heart attack. “My heart is pounding so fast.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re beside me,” he winked.

Uminit ang pisngi ko at napanguso.

That wasn’t in the script!

He chuckled. “Seriously, you’re beautiful and talented. Wow, it was an honor to be your partner.”

I composed myself. “The pleasure is mine!”

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa script habang nagsasalita ang partner ko. Tuwing turn ko na ay napapasulyap sa akin si Hendreich, There were even times where he would tell me to relax whenever the camera’s not on us.

I let out a sigh of relief when we were given a break since there would be two groups that would perform.

Hendreich glanced at me. “You did great.”

“I made a mistake earlier,” I pouted.

We stood in front of a monitor in my waiting room. I was surprised to see him here again but he said that it was for me to get used to his presence because I’m still a bit awkward around him. I mean, who wouldn’t, right? This was like the first long interaction with him plus people were still shipping us. It just didn’t sit well with me. Still, I admit that it was fun to be with Hendreich. I appreciate his guidance and his effort to help me as it was my first time being an emcee.

“Don’t think about it that much. Just learn from it and improve, okay?” He said. “Besides, everyone makes mistakes. Ako rin. Kita mo nga halos sakit sa ulo lang ang nabibigay ko madalas sa E Entertainment. Aside from mistakes, I spill more than I should.”

The corner of my lips turned upward which made him chuckle.

I also agree with him. He does spill more than he should. Sometimes he spills some tea unintentionally, especially when it’s about the members of the Grand Knights.

Hendreich told me stories of his past mistakes and even the recent ones. I felt my body relax by hearing his stories. Siguro naman posibleng maging magkaibigan kami, ‘di ba? Kaso ang hirap kapag binibigyan kami ng isyu ng mga nakapaligid sa aming dalawa.

He gazed at me when I let out a sigh. I just shook my head and smiled at him, Mabuti na lang at tinawag na kami dahil patapos na ang performance ng isang grupo.

The live music show lasted for an hour. I bowed my head to all the staff, especially to the producer before I went back to the dressing room.

“Moira!”

I stopped in my tracks when someone called my name. I turned around and saw the producer with Hendreich. They walked towards me.

The producer grinned. “Good work today! It was indeed a good choice to pick you as Hendreich’s partner. You made great chemistry. Also, you also have talent hosting a show. You just have to get used to it.”

My cheeks heated at the compliment. I thought the producer would just praise my chemistry with my partner.

“She’s great! Although there are some mistakes, it was understandable,” Hendreich said. “Keep up the good work, Moi!”

My eyes blinked at how he called me by my nickname. Still flustered, I couldn’t help but just smile and thank them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Everything felt new when I became an emcee with one of the members of Grand Knights.

Some recognized me as Hendreich’s partner. Although I was still recognized because of someone, at least it was not because I’m the pretty face of my group. Some staff also treated me differently. They seem nicer, especially the girls who were asking if I could ask my partner for his autograph.

And of course, even though it wasn’t new to me, I felt like AC was furious at the attention I was receiving. My name was at the top three most searched, again.

“Second show pa lang na emcee ka, pero tingnan mo naman ang ratings! Tapos mas marami pang positive comment tungkol sa iyo,” ani Jesh habang titig sa screen ng phone niya. She then laid down on my bed as if it was hers.

Ate Nina, who was also lying down on her bed, nodded her head. “There were some bashers, but most of the fans defended you. You were also protected by Grand Knights’ fans.”

I just shrugged.

It has been two weeks since I became an emcee. Some people praised me the first time, but there were some who said that Hendreich would be better off on his own because all I did was make mistakes and stutter. I admit that though. However, I didn’t let it get to me, especially when my partner trusted me and told me that there was room for improvement. His guidance gave me more motivation to do my best.

The show today ended. Hindi kami gaano nakapag-usap ni Hendreich ngayong araw hindi kagaya noong umpisa. He left immediately because of his tight schedule. As far as I know, his group was preparing something for their fans. Bumisita pa rin naman siya kanina sa dressing room ko para tulungan ako sa script. He still made some adlibs whenever I made minor mistakes.

My eyes flicked up at Ate Nina when she cleared her throat.

“So, are you two close now?” she asked me.

I blinked. “Hendreich?”

She nodded.

My lips parted for a second. To be honest, I was taken aback because I wasn’t sure how to answer her question. Still, I replied, “I don’t think so. I mean, he helped me adjust and everything but it’s work. Plus, he’s my senior, so I guess it’s normal for a senior to guide his junior, right? I can’t say that we’re close.”

Napasulyap si Jesh sa akin bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa kanyang phone. Hindi pa rin nila gusto iyong ideya na pinapares ako kay Hendreich para lang mas umingay ang pangalan ko at ng grupo.

Again, Hendreich has the image of being a playboy. That he moves in secret. 

So far, I don’t think he was flirting with me. He was just being kind. Besides, I don’t want to doubt his kindness towards me. I saw how he treated his staff around him. How he always takes care of his assistant and stylists.

“Just be careful not to be too close to that guy, Moira,” Ate Nina said. Her tone was serious but she was looking at the ceiling. “Let the ship sink on its own. Don’t let it sail even more. Alam kong nakatulong sa atin iyong spark niyo ni Hendreich, pero ayokong lumalim pa ito. I’m not judging him. It’s just that… We’re in the same industry, it would be harder to move around once the rumor got bigger. Knowing our manager, she would lock you in that ship if it keeps on boosting our popularity.”

I smiled at her. “I know that, Ate,”

Even friendship can’t bloom for now. When everything my group got was because of my chemistry with my co-emcee. We might have received some negative feedback from the fans of Grand Knights, but there were even more supporters than haters that our manager won’t back down from offering me to the guy.

Sometimes, I wonder if I would continue this idol journey of mine with the image that was already set in everyone’s mind.

The sweet and beautiful Moira of Flairies.

The girl that has great chemistry with Hendreich Lee of Grand Knights.

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