Downfall of the Ace (Series of Epitome 1) : COMPLETED

28

Kabanata 28

Tadhana

"Saan tayo papunta?"

Kasasabi lang ni Cali sa akin na may pupuntahan kami bukas kaya maghanda ako. Cali was fixing some papers on his study table. I don't have anything to do, so I was just lying on my bed. His bed, rather.

Ipinagpaliban niya muna ang pagkuha sa key card ng unit kong naiwan sa Baguio. Naitawag na naman sa house keeper nila roon at confirmed ngang naiwan sa kwartong ginamit ko. Wala rin naman akong problema kung dito muna ako manatili sa unit ni Cali. It's just that I don't have that much clothes here.

"Interview," he said and faced me.

"What for? Akala ko ba tahimik lang muna ako?" I asked him, confused on why we are attending an interview.

He sat on the edge of the bed. "Hindi ka tatantanan ng bashers mo kapag nanahimik ka. So let's explain our sides."

Fear consumed me. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko kung ganoon. On the spot ba? Pwede bang ibigay muna 'yong mga tanong para ready ako kapag sinagot ko?

"Don't worry. I got your back, love," he reached for my hand. He caressed it and brought it near his lips. I was just looking at him, containing my smile.

The next day, I was so nervous as I wait for our turn on stage. Akala mo ay magpe-perform ako. Nasa gilid lang kami ng stage pero hindi kita ng mga tao. Cali is standing beside me, holding my hand tightly.

He looked so good. A white shirt with thin blue stripes on it, a blue jacket, and a pair of black pants. His white sneakers are good as new. His brown hair compliments his skin color so well.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Cali looked weirded out.

"Ang gwapo mo."

He snickered in disbelief. Nang makabawi ay hinalikan ako sa gilid ng noo saka bumulong, "You're stunning, love." When I looked at him again, he winked at me.

Hmm flirting, I see.

"Trending kayong dalawa pagkatapos ma-post ng vlog mo, Jaide. At hindi lang tungkol sa vlog, pari na rin and relationship ninyo. Anong masaabi mo roon?" Kimmy, the host, asked me.

"The comments are okay at first. They are praising me and Cali for the visuals, so as the edit of the video. But honestly, some comments really did hurt. Some fans started to resurface Cali's pictures with me way back in high school and college. And dahil ang alam ng lahat ay single ako, nagalit yata na ganito ang hitsura ng ex ko," I laughed a bit.

I heard Cali groan and murmured, "I'm not an ex anymore."

Napangiti tuloy sa kaniya ang host. "What do you mean by that, Cali?"

"I'm her boyfriend. Again. After seven years," he gave me a side glance. "Not everyone could understand our situation. We broke up for some reasons during our 3rd year in college. I flew to Japan and studied there. Then, went back here again to take over our company."