Chapter 42

He's doing it again, creeping not only into my body but also into my soul.


Was he worried or jealous?



I'm in my bed, and my mind is somewhere else. What's the deal with the chase? I'm tired of seeing him and proving that he has no effect on me when, in fact, he does. I despise him, and I hate how my feelings still recognize him.


I remember everything, his stares, my stares watching him, my worry when he came home late, when he didn't complain or even question when I wanted to ask for food, especially when I was broke, the dance, his gestures, his cold treatment who wins my heart, and the way he was so mad and rescued me when I was kidnapped.



I know my heart, and I've abused it by loving him to the point where it almost kills me. And how much more now? I'm fine and completely recovered, both physically and emotionally. I can't just take a chance on something I'm not sure I'll win. I can’t just risk something I'm not sure I'll win. I can't have heart anymore, and I'm not willing to risk it for him. I expected him to get tired, but it was me who got tired first.


It's already getting dark. And I'm still deep in thought, and I'm glad the noise from my phone brings me back to reality. It was Ron's message. He's been texting me since I walked into my condo, and I haven't checked yet because I've been getting a lot of messages and notifications.




It was a big deal in my part, especially among my fans. They weren't expecting it, and they know I've never associated my name with any man. And…I think it would be as well to Ron’s part, given that he has a screen partner. The film he had ended months ago. And…I just realized the so many possible effect.


I opened the most recent text message I received from him. It was only fifteen minutes ago. And it was a lengthy text, and I began to worry that I might ruin something from him.
"Aim, I stood in front of you with complete honesty." It's true that I'm not dating, seeing, or flirting with anyone. I used to, but not any longer since last year. My on-screen partner, who has strong feelings for me, texted me and threatened to expose me. I'm texting you because I want you to know that I haven't been dating or flirting with anyone since last year, and even if I did, I wouldn't flirt with her. The point of this text was to say, "Whatever news comes tomorrow, I will protect you at any cost. I tried to call her or pay her a visit, but she is hiding from me."


With that, I began reading the news.



“Ron is a playboy, and Aime is a sweetheart and kind woman. We must protect Aime to that playboy!”





"The playboy found his true love!" It is fate! Who would have expected they knew each other! I've never seen them together in show business."



"They are so adorable and cute!" See! They were talking so passionately that they didn't notice our presence in that beach! It’s already in the eyes, you know it from their eyes.”


So far, it was all good comments, but I'm more concerned and worried about the chaos I've created.



And I think Kairus asked the wrong person becuase I think I was the one who harmed Ron's career. Without wasting any time. It is preferable to clear things out as soon as possible rather than risk an explosion.


“I’m sorry, Ron. I was putting your career or relationship with your on-screen partner at stake. It was my fault. Can I send message to her or May I know who this woman is?” I sent my message. I was expecting a reply, but I don't think he waits seconds because he called right after I sent my text.

“It wasn’t your fault. She’s just over-reacting…” Ron said the moment I accepted his call.



He explained things to me. He said that it was Bella. I know her. She's well-known and a talented antagonist actress. Ron does not want me to be stressed and worried. He was more concerned with clearing his status than with clearing the threat that Bella had issued.



My best friend called me shortly after that. The boys were taken aback and slightly annoyed because they had no idea who he was. I am as well. I only did it for personal gain, and it was a risky move. I had no regrets about meeting Ron. I only regret that things would spiral out of our control just to prove to Kairus.

The boys couldn't accept him, and it made matters worse when they looked up his name and discovered Ron's past. Boys and their reflections on boys. They are familiar more with them than we are.


The girls called me after the call with the boys. Noel broke up with Marie, but our friendship with her deepens. Nobody knew what they argued about or why they split up. They kept it between the two of them, and we respect that.


The girls were also concerned and surprised, and by the end of the conversation, they were excited because it was my first time seeing a guy.




The discussion lasted nearly three hours. At nine o'clock at night, I came out of my room to look for food.


It was so dark downstairs that I almost fainted because when I turned on the lights, my brother was sitting in the sofa with his arms crossed, as if he was waiting for me.


“Do you want me to die?!” I hissed, horrified.


"It took you a long time to come out," he mumbled.

"I just awoke—-"


“You just missed someone, “He cut me off. I frowned, and he pointed out the room behind me. “I have a visitor from my past, and he left ten minutes ago.”



Someone from my past. I assumed it was Kelly, but he said he had left ten minutes ago. It was a guy.


Kairus? What is he doing here?



I shrugged and walked to the kitchen, but my eyes kept wanting to check the door. I’m curious but I stopped and controlled myself.



"That's why you were dressed so neatly a while ago," my brother said from behind me. He’s following me. He’s intriguing me.



What made Kairus come here?



"It was just a friendly date," I said as I looked over the menu, which included some delicious Filipino dishes. Rice with sinigang.



"I made that," he explained. "Anyhow, why?" For the first time, you're exposing a man. It isn't good. It’s fishy.”


What he just said made me frown.


“Why? I asked him, irritably. "Did Kairus just come here to express his sentiments about my dating revelation?"


My brother gave me a serious look. I rolled my eyes and began to pour rice onto my plate. My brother was only a few inches away from me, still wanting to question me.


It was the first time he was affected by it. He even waits for me on the couch. He previously interrogated me in a more serious manner. I just can't think of anything.



“I do care with your boys, ut when you turned eighteen, I let you decide and love freely." My point was, why, of all times, did you reveal it to the entire world? Are you possibly letting someone know that you're dating someone? " He questioned, but it was more than a statement that prevented me from eating. The spoon is only a few inches away from my mouth, fell. It clearly froze me.



I couldn’t even blink. I picked the spoon and picked myself to save from this.



“W-what’s with your accusation?” I asked, my voice stuttering. I couldn't even look him in the eyes. I looked down and continue eating. But my feet were vying for the attention of my other feet.



"It was my first time revealing someone, especially a man I'd never known so well." I know Ron and you were standing in the same place, but you live in two different worlds. Figures, and...you also stated that you will never fall in love or date someone to whom you are not completely attached and loved. "I thought about it for hours, and that's my answer to my own question."


I turned to face my brother. I sighed and gave him the stares he needed to justify his answer. He'd already claimed of an answer. My reaction proved everything.



Am I that easy to read? Am I too clear like a water that running in the sea. I couldn't give him an answer, and even my silence was understood to my brother.



Ron, who only met me for a brief moment, knows the answer. My brother has known me since I was in my mother's womb, and he knows me well.



I can’t even answer my own self. I don’t even know myself anymore. I’m still confused with my self, and this feeling that won't go away.



Perhaps you don't need time to figure it out. You just need someone to point it out to you so you can wake up, and there you have it. Sometimes the answer does not come from you, but from those who see you.



My brother didn’t asked me anymore. It drained me so badly. He just hugged me and kissed my forehead.


“I’ll go to sleep and know that in all your decisions in life, your family will always be by your side. I love you.” Andrew whispered. I smiled sweetly.



Andrew left a few minutes later.




My eyes went to my door.



I leave the condo to find the man who is the source of all this mayhem.



It wasn't hard to find him because I saw him leaning against his car, staring at me.