Faster [ON-HOLD]

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

GRACE'S POV

I wasn't surprised when my manager just went inside my unit looking as frustrated as I currently am.

"This is... This is keeping me from getting my seven hours of sleep!" I heard her complain as I went into my kitchen to grab a glass of water.

I walked back to her and gave her the drink. "Calm down, Loey. We'll be able to fix it again, right?"

She stared at me as if I was saying something unbelievable. "Seriously, Gracey? You're still calm after everything that's going on with your career?"

I shrugged and sat down on my sofa. "I'm innocent anyway. Why should I even panic?"

Loey looked dumbfounded. "Why should you even panic?" She stood up, hands on her waist. "Well, my dear talent, I'll tell you why you should panic." My manager began counting with her fingers. "One, you're innocent, but someone has been pushing that you're not. Two, these sh*tty issues have been popping out like mushrooms every single time you achieve something great. And three, this has been happening for what? Three years of your career? Ever since you boom like a meteor?" She frustratedly let out a sigh and dropped her body on the sofa. "I swear, Gracey. If I found out who's behind all of these sh*ts, I'll burn him or her alive."

I couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Yeah... It's stressful, but at least we'll be able to solve this one again like the last time, right?"

"The management doesn't want you to do any interviews in the meantime." My manager looked so hopeless.

This time, my eyes slowly widened. "W-Wait... why? We always solve every issue whenever I do those interviews. Whenever I honestly explain my side."

She shook her head. "I'm sorry, my dear talent, but it's the higher-ups' decision. Unfortunately, I can't interfere, and even when I did, they still wouldn't let you."

My mouth gaped open. "Did they give you a reason?" This time, Loey nodded. "What is it then?"

She let out a deep sigh. "Well, remember Jude Mariel?" I nodded. She's my co-actress, and we used to do the training together. "Well, she is benefiting from your issues."

"I don't understand."

"You going down means her going up. Another rising star was given birth by your scandal," she explained, making my head hurt.

There was a minute of silence before I spoke up. "So my downfall is her ticket to the top, huh?" My manager nodded. Well, this is new and I hate it.

"I'm sorry, Gracey. I did try to explain to the management—"

"It's okay, Loey. T-Thanks for that though." I tried smiling to lighten up her feelings but failed. I just... I can't make myself happy when I'm in this kind of situation.

After quite some time, Loeyline finally decided to go home and leave me here alone. Just when I felt like my energy's been drained, my phone vibrated. The GC of the baliws, and Winslet were video calling.

When I answered the call, I was the only one missing there. "Hey, guys." I tried forcing a smile again.

Most of them frowned, especially Winslet. (Grace, aware kaming artista ka, pero tigilan mo ang pag-arteng okay ka.)

I let out a sigh and dropped my smile. "I'm sorry."

(No need to be, Grace. Besides, you shouldn't be the one apologizing. It should be the one spreading those nonsense scandals about you.)

I accepted Jelly's words. "I know, but we still don't have any idea who's the culprit."

(Magiging okay rin ang lahat, Grace. Magpapa-interview ka na lang ulit, diba?)

I shook my head at Korin's question. "My manager just informed me that I can't do interviews in the meantime. M-My management wouldn't let me."

I saw everyone raise an eyebrow, especially Abby. (Hang on, what? Ayaw ba nilang matapos agad ang issue mo? Aren't they the ones who opened that option in the first place?)

I kept my mouth shut. For sure, speaking about my co-actors and actresses' careers is not my concern. Even though Jude's is.

We further talked about random stuff, mainly Abby's upcoming wedding, since they knew that I didn't wanna talk about my career, at least for today.

When everyone was finally getting busy with their own life—Jelly was called out by her parents, Abby was needed in the delivery room, Korin was assisting her cute Rohan, and Winslet... Winslet isn't busy at all—we've decided to end the call.

I thought I was going to rest my mind for a while, but Winslet called me privately. (Hey, I know you're not in the best shape right now, but if you want to... you know? Take a short break from the cameras, feel free to contact me, okay, Gracey?)

Finally, I smiled. "Thanks, Winslet."

(Anytime. Plano ko kasing mag-bar hopping sa Boracay eh tinatamad naman akong pumunta roon mag-isa. Mukha namang bagay kang maging drinking buddy kaya ikaw na ang una kong niyaya, oki?)

I chuckled at her remark. "Okay, Wins. Thanks again. Have a great day."

(You too. Now, rest for a while.)

"Mmm-hmm. Bye." Without saying it back, Winslet ended the call, making me shake my head a little.

Once alone and not talking to anyone, I decided to sleep on the sofa. Too tired to even stand up and walk to my bedroom.

Days passed and I swear, I want to pull anyone's hair out of frustration. I have never, in my entire life, been this stressed about anything.

Cameras flashing non-stop Interviewers and reporters from every station, newspaper, and magazine were following me almost everywhere.

Everyone was curious why I never gave my opinion about the scandal. Everyone finally assumed that the scandal was true. Everyone was looking at me with disappointment or disgust. For heaven's sake, it wasn't even a s*x scandal! Why would they look at me with disgust‽

I just want to leave this life even for a day. I... I just want to escape.

And then Abby's wedding was right around the corner. I forced myself to forget my current situation even just for her day. It's still Abby's special day. We're all happy for her.

Then I don't know if it's really a very unlucky year for us, but Abigail's groom ditched their wedding.

When the four of us heard of it inside the church, Winslet suddenly pulled the three of us to the parking lot of the church and told us to pull Abby out of that situation.

"I wanna escape," I heard Abigail whisper.

I then remembered Winslet's offer. "I think Winslet has the thing for that."

I saw Winslet grinning from ear to ear in the mirror. "Boracay, here we come!"

Well... I might as well just benefit from this vacation. 

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