When Everything Fails (De Chavez #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY

MEETING MR. Lim and Mr. Silvestre wasn't a good idea at all. Right after I stepped inside the mansion, Papa was already scowling at me with a burning intensity. At first, a gust of confusion swirled in me but later on, when the realization settled in, my gut twisted painfully I wanna vomit. However, I tried to keep the thought at bay and acted normal. This was normal. I hoped.

I just nodded at him and prayed in my head that he will never call me. I tried to scurry up the stair but at the second step, I was stopped by the stern voice of my Father. At first, I didn't catch what he said— or was I too engrossed with the idea of escaping his eyes. I craned my neck to look at him, wearing my nonchalant expression. My father was getting older each passing day. His salt and pepper hair told me that he hadn't visited his salon for coloring his graying hair. The wrinkles at the side of his eyes were caused by too much stress. My stomach churned, thinking that I might have inflicted that stress on him. I tried to ward off the idea and breathed silently.

"Ano 'tong nababalitaan ko na may kasama ka raw na lalaki kanina?!"

Shock plagued my face as if I hadn't expected that one. I had but I somehow hoped that my hunch was wrong. But I guessed I was right— which I hoped I wasn't.

I cleared my throat and leaned at the railing. My fingers were wrestling together at my back. My chest was painfully beating and my insides were rioting whether or not I will tell him about Kei. Considering his reaction, I was contemplating lying to him. But what was the use of it when I was caught with two pair naked eyeballs? All I had to do was to admit what I had with Kei and move forward.

I took a sharp inhale before blurting the truth out. I said to my Father that Kei was my boyfriend. His eyes widened when the words processed to him and pink blotched in his face like he was about to explode. The tic of his jaw indicated that he was not so pleased with the news that I just announced. I expected this reaction from him but still, the lead weights on me went tenfold I had to drag a breath.

"You can't have a boyfriend!" He hissed. I could not point the emotion laced on his voice.

"Why can't I?" I asked softly, I didn't want to raise a voice.

"Because it will be a hindrance to your success! People want uncommitted actors who they can pair with anyone in the industry! That will make you gain fans, Aisha!"

My eyes widened, "What? Anong kinalaman nang pagiging committed ko sa pagkakaroon ng fans? There are so many out there entering the showbiz having committed to someone—"

"And they will break up eventually! Whether you like it or not, you will never work out."

I shook my head, "I don't understand—"

"Break up with him!"

Anger seeped in my chest, making it clench painfully. The back of my eyes burned with so much anger, sadness, fear, and helplessness. I wanted to work out this relationship with Kei even though I was in the industry. I was sure as hell we can make it.

"Papa, no—"

"You have signed a contract! The NDA! If you don't want to get a lawsuit for violating a rule—"

My eyes widened. Heartbeat skyrocketed.

"What are you saying, Papa?!"

That was his cue that he got my attention. He told me about the NDA. One of the rules in it was: the dating ban. I should not date anyone unless they told me so. After he explained all of it, I went straight to my room and checked my copy of the contract and the NDA. My lips parted as the tears of helplessness leaked from my eyes. Stupid. That was what I described myself right now. I should've read it before signing up. I should have done something to avoid this. But I trusted my Father on this and that was the reason I didn't read this. Fuck.