ET2: Through The Storm

Chapter 42

Crystal Dwight's POV

"Let's go, love." Ryle turned to me before coming up to the bus. "Don't worry about the kids. Louie is an activist for children's rights. He will surely find a way to help Shella and Gello." 

"Don't worry, Miss Dwight. I already have plans for them," Louie said when he stopped in front of me. His backpack was wrapped over his shoulder.  

"Thank you."

"That's what I should do," he replied and went up first. 

"Congratulations, Miss Dwight!" Grieg shouted, running toward us. He is also one of Ryle's team. 

In fact, when I came here, they all already knew me. I easily got comfortable with them. They are all nice.

"Para sa ano naman po?" 

"You haven't read the news? Your network won the "Best Documentary Award of the Year!" at the DMT Awards! The awarding happened last night. Here, take a look. It's an exclusive video."

He played the video and handed his phone over to me. 

"Congratulations SDG Network! Congratulations Maisy Madeline for making this project happen. Please come up on stage to receive the award."

Maisy Madeline appeared in an exquisite dazzling V-neck light blue dress decorated with little pearls and crystal diamond hanging on the top built with tassels. She effortlessly made the crowd focus their eyes on her. She looks like a fairy with her styled in an elegant ponytail. 

"A deceiving fairy." 

She received the trophy with a smile. She stared at the star-shaped award on her hand for a second before raising her head to meet the eyes of the proud crowd, admiring her. 

"Before we hear Maisy's speech, let's watch the documentation first," said the emcee.

"Dwight?" Ryle's voice made me withdraw my attention from the video I am watching. His expression was filled with a mixed anger and confusion. "How did this happen?" 

I lifted my head and our eyes met. I wanted to say something but couldn't utter a single thing. 

I gave back Grieg's phone to him and got up in the bus. Hindi ko na kaya pang panoorin ang video na iyon. The sight of it made me feel worse even more. 

“Love, what was that? Aren’t you the one who has been working with that presentation?” Ryle followed me, throwing his questions. 

“It’s true that I take part in the process of making that documentation," I replied in a flat tone, deliberately making myself sound uninterested with the matter. 

“Then, why did Maisy Madeline’s team get all the credits that were supposed to be yours?” he asked next. 

“Ryle, si Madeline lang ang umatend ng awarding. In general, it was our network who got the award. That’s all that matters.” 

“That’s all that matters? Are you kidding me? You’ve been working for that for months!” he argued with force on every word he spat out.

I could notice the sudden change with his tone. It’s not good for him to be mad here. Narito ang mga kasamahan niya sa trabaho. It wouldn’t be good for us to argue with each other. I am not mad at him for behaving this way. I rather appreciate that he cares for my job.

Ryle took a deep breath and said no more. I know that he was just trying to calm himself down. In order not to worsen his anger, I choose to be in silence too. I really don't want to argue with him over this matter. I am tired of talking about it. Just thinking about it, that the video where I worked hard was recognized as someone else drives me crazy. I felt like I was losing my mind. I couldn't even find that little voice to tell me to fight for what is mine.