This Could End

Chapter Thirty-Six

Kaia Persephone Ziegler is Back!

The Return of the Asia's Sweetheart

The Queen Has Returned

Kaia, Babalik Na Nga Ba Ng Showbiz?

Iyan ang iilang articles na nagsilabasan isang oras pa lang nang matapos ang meeting ko.

As soon as I logged in to my old socials (because Mama Ton asked me to), my phone exploded with endless notifications. Nag-hang pa 'yon bago ko nagawang ayusin ang settings para limitado lang ang matatanggap kong notifications.

I was trending all over social media and every entertainment news outlet. Just one public appearance and a photo posted by my agency, and everyone in the Philippines knew that I was back. Ganoon kadali.

Iyon ang pinagkaabalahan ko sa byahe papunta ng condo ko. I also quickly replied to some celebrity friends who reached out and welcomed me back. Lahat sila ay nag-aaya ng meet up dahil gusto nila akong makita.

I was starting to become more warm to the idea of the gathering that Dharma planned. Para isahang social event na lang. With my plans, I didn't have any time for reconnecting with my colleagues.

Now that I straightened out my career, I could easily cross it out from my list. Mapapadali pa ang dalawa sa mga plano ko dahil hiningi ko na 'yon bilang terms. I smiled haughtily to myself.

I posted a tweet to officially announce my come back, also instructed by my manager.

Hi. Missed me?

At nagsimula na naman bumaha ang notification ko sa loob ng app ilang segundo matapos kong i-tweet 'yon.

"Ma'am, nandito na po tayo," anunsyo ni Kuya Robert, my mother's driver.

I glanced outside and saw the familiar basement parking of the condo building.

"Thank you, Kuya. Pwede mo na akong iwan dito. Paki-hatid na lang si Mama mamaya sa restaurant."

"Sige po, Ma'am Kaia," sagot niya.

Itinago ko ang phone sa bag ko at lumabas na ng sasakyan. I was immediately hit with nostalgia. This was the same parking level where that photo of us holding hands got leaked.

Dito pa lang ay ang dami ko nang naalala tungkol sa kanya. Paano pa kung pumasok ako sa loob ng unit ko?

I was attacked by my own memories as soon as I entered my unit. This place used to feel like home but now it just felt cold and hollow.

Nothing changed. It looked like exactly as I left it. Malinis pa rin dahil may pumupuntang cleaning staff dito para maglinis.

In just a second, the sound of the television slowly faded in my head. The lights in the room dimmed and I saw myself cuddling with Hadeon on the couch.

"So... the courtier cursed the king who fornificated with the girl he loved and didn't have a claim on and that caused the child to be a monster? That's so petty," I commented.

"Hmm..." That was only Hadeon's response. His eyes remained on the screen.

Sanay na siya sa akin sa tuwing may pinapanuod kaming bagong series at mas may alam siya tungkol doon. I would be asking a lot of questions and commenting on the sides.

Hades wanted to watch this series with me because he said it was supposed to be good. Adaptation daw ito ng libro pero mas alam niya dahil nalaro niya na yung mismong game. To be honest, I was only here for Henry Cavill.

"What is he drinking? Steroids?" tanong ko sa kalagitnaan ng pangatlong episode.

I could feel his chest vibrated when he laughed. "No, baby. It's called Blizzard. It's their potion to improve reflexes and reaction time."