One Lost Summer (Brave Series #2)

Chapter 13: Grale

Ashton Grale Buenavista

Grale woke up one early morning dahil sa sunod-sunod na ring galing sa kanyang telepono na nakapatong sa side table wooden cabinet kung nasaan rin ang kanyang lampshade. Half awake, he answered it.

"Buti naman may plano ka pang sumagot,"  the voice of the girl on the line sounded sarcastic.

Doon nawala ang kanyang antok at tinignan ang caller id ng tumatawag. "Cora?"

"Buti naman naaalala mo pa ang boses ko."

Bumangon si Grale sa kama at sinampay ang paa sa gilid at hinayaang maramdaman ng talampakan niya ang lamig ng sahig. His free fingers pushed back his morning hair.

"How could I forget the voice of my morning alarm clock?" He asked sarcastically. "Bakit ka napatawag?"

"Gusto ko lang i-check kung buhay ka pa."

"Thank you for the warm concern, but you have nothing to worry about. Still alive and breathing," he smirked.

Tumayo na siya at tinungo muna ang kusina. Kumuha siya ng baso at binuksan ang fridge upang kunin ang pitsel ng tubig.

Grale heard Cora's heavy sighs on the next line. He's very familiar with it. It's Cora's signature deep sighs that tell either he's in trouble or he's just about to be one.

"What is it, Cora?"

"Wala, Grale."

"Bullshit. Just cut the crap and spill the words, Cora."

Bumalik na siya sa kwarto pagkatapos uminom ng tubig. Dumiretso siya sa puting closet para maghanap ng damit na isusuot. Ang kaliwang tenga ay okupado pa rin ng telepono.

"Gusto ng management na bumalik ka na."

He halted. Feet rooted on the ground. Hand gripping the metal door of the closet.

"Alam kong nag-eenjoy ka diyan at hindi ko rin dapat sabihin sayo 'to, pero gago kasi rito, e. Ang fucked up lang," Cora mumbled in frustration.

"Tell me." His jaw tightened.

Cora sighed. "Kasi ganito 'yon. Noong pumutok yung issue niyo ni Thea, diba ang sabi niya sa further statements niya ay mutual ang break-up niyo. Na goods kayong dalawa at walang hard feelings. Pagkatapos, para mapakalma ang fans pinalabas ng management na officially dating na si Thea at Lance—"

"Are they?" Putol niya. "Are they really dating, Cora?"

There was a hard rock in his chest, suspending his breathing. A rush in his blood while waiting for his assistant's answer.

"Oo? Hindi? Kingina 'wag kasi ako yung tanungin mo kasi malay ko ba 'ron." Naiimagine niya ang naiinis na mukha ni Cora. "Balik tayo. Pagkatapos ngayon ito ang pinakamalaking problema: Ayaw ng imaraming fans maniwala na mutual ang break up ninyo."

"And so what now? It's just been almost two months since the issue exploded, Cora. Of course, people are not yet done talking and digging about it. Mawawala rin 'yan."

"Yun na nga! Buti na lang talaga may babae ka riyan sa Ilocos dahil mas pinalakas lang no'n yung statement ni Thea na mutual ang break up ninyong dalawa. Speaking of babae mo, sino 'yon? Ang ganda niya in fairness."

"Don't call her that way, Cora." He got pissed by her chosen words of describing Majarlika.

"Oh kalma ka lang. Bakit? Girlfriend mo na ba talaga?"

He sighed and just sat at the edge of his bed. "What is really the problem, Cora. You're losing your point here."

"Aw shit oo nga pala. So eto nga. May pending approval pala ng offer na commercial para sa inyong dalawa. Hindi kaagad nasabi ng management since hindi rin naman nila in-expect na may sasabog palang issue sa inyong dalawa."