Hustled Sparks

Chapter 20: A Visit

Jake POV

"Can I really not do anything?" tanong ko sa aking manager.

It would be a lie to say tha I am not scared that this issue will push Elodie away again from me. Kakatapos nga lang namin i-clear up yung mga misunderstandings namin for the past years, tapos lalayo siya sa akin ulit? I don't think I can bear that anymore.

Kuya Tom let out his hundredth sigh today.

"Even though it's a typical PR move, the only way to clear up this issue is to deny that you and Elodie have any relationship at all. Kailangan din natin kausapan si Bridgette Dizon na i-clarify na walang kinalaman si Elodie sa break-up niyo. Kailangan din na mag-ingat kayong dalawa na ma-sight sa public."

Natahimik ako sa sinabi ni Kuya Tom. Tama naman siya at rational lahat ng sinasabi niya but for some reason I just can't process it properly... 

"The network is also going to mitigate this by not giving you and Elodie projects together for a while. May plano sana sila na gawin kayong loveteam talaga pero imbes na makatulong, baka makasira pa. To save both of your images, this is the only way now. As far as I know, may balak sila para kay Elodie na i-launch siya sa isang superhero series at sa'yo naman, isang action-crime drama..."

Hinilot ko ang sentido ko. Who would've thought a simple request from Bridgette Dizon years ago would cause this much complication in my life right now? That was a bit dumb of me back then.

Ginawa ko 'yun para sa Ate ko, oo. But damn... 

***

I didn't waste anymore time. I wanted this to clear up as soon as possible kaya pinuntahan ko si Bridgette Dizon sa apartment niya.

Halatang gulat siya sa presensya ko pero nagawa pa niyang bigyan ako ng isang malaking ngiti. Why the heck is she so happy when it's so obvious that I'm pissed off?

"Jake! You could've texted me na bibisita ka pala." she said in an annoying tone.

I almost rolled my eyes at her. Does she really have no idea?

"Bridgette, I'm not here for pleasantries. Bakit ganoon yung sagot mo sa interview mo? Now everyone is somehow accusing Elodie for our relationship when we never had one in the first place!"

Namutla ang mukha ni Bridgette at pansin ko na parang maiiyak na din siya.

"Isn't it obvious, Jake? Dahil gusto kita! At totoo naman ha, para na din siyang third party because you were flirting with her even though our relationship for show was still in place. Wala siyang respeto!"

I couldn't believe the words she said. She liked me all this time?

"Bakit siya? Bakit hindi nalang ako? We were childhood friends too. Heck, even our families are close to each other. What does she have that I don't, huh?"

Dahil sa sinabi niya, mas lalo lang lumala ang nararamdaman kong galit sakanya. Did she take advantage of me back then for ulterior motives? 

I cannot stand the sight of her for any second more.

"You are pathetic Bridgette. Hindi ako makapaniwala na niloko mo ako at ginamit mo yung pagmamahal ko para sa kapatid ko para lang dyan. Family friends aside, I will release a public statement tungkol sa arrangement namin kung hindi mo aayusin ang sinabi mo sa interview at linisin ang pangalan ni Elodie. I'm giving you this warning because after all as you said, we still are childhood friends." I said in a cold voice. 

I didn't even spend a second to look at her as I quickly walked away. I'm pretty sure I saw her tearing up but compared to what her motives were all along, hindi ko kaya na magpaka-gentleman man lang para maging mabait sakanya.

Besides, saan ba ako napunta sa pagiging "mabait" ko? In this damned mess.