Ellaine's Escapade (COMPLETED)

Chapter Ten

"Will you marry me?" I looked at the man in front of me and faked a smile. I gulped a few times before I could answer.

"Yes!"

"Yes? Babe, talaga?"

I nodded as tears began to fall. Binuhat niya ako at saka inikot-ikot bago ibaba at hagkan ang mga labi ko.

"CUT!"

Nagpalakpakan ang mga staff habang inaayos ng set ang mga gamit. Napangiti ako habang kaharap ang leading man sa bago kong serye. He was such a gentleman and even escorted me towards my seat.

"That was so good, Ellaine," puri sa akin ng direktor.

"Thank you, direk."

"Mabuti na lang at hindi natuloy ang kasal ninyo. Wala sana akong ganito kagaling na katrabaho ngayon!"

I laughed at his statement. Two years ago, Royce proposed to me on national T.V. Akala ko noon ay kami na talaga kaya kahit labag pa sa kalooban ko ang hinihingi niyang kasal ay pumayag ako. After our break up, bumalik siya kaagad dito at iniwan akong mag-isa sa isla. I was worried that he might stain my name, but what happened was the total opposite.

Nagsampa ng demanda ang babaeng nabuntis niya na ayaw niyang akuin ang bata. His face was everywhere! Iyon din ang inakala ng mga taong dahilan ng break up namin at unti-unting lumabas ang lahat ng babaeng ginawa niyang parausan. That man impregnated three women and bribed them so they would shut up, but the last woman was from a respectable Chinese family. Ayaw niyang sustento lang ang ibigay ni Royce sa kanila. She wanted Royce to marry her so her pre-marital pregnancy wouldn't stain their name.  Wala na akong naging balita kay Royce mula noon.

As for Gio, he went back to Italy a week after I left the island. Nagkita pa kami rito the day before his flight and even went out for a coffee date. We exchanged our socials so we could keep in touch with each other. Ang alam ko ay nagta-travel pa rin siya hanggang ngayon. He's still teasing me about marriage, but I always refused. He owns a restaurant now. Unfortunately, his Nonna passed away four months ago. Nagpunta ako sa Italy dahil doon, pero bumalik din kaagad ng bansa dahil kabi-kabila ang mga guesting at nagpe-prepare din ako ng comeback sa big screen.

After what happened, I took a break from showbiz.  The first few months were heartbreaking. Puro mukha ni Royce ang nakikita ko sa T.V at kahit sa social media. I had to make a private account so I could to people. Palagi kasing naka-tag ang pangalan ko tuwing mababanggit ang mga kagagawan niya. I decided to find peace for myself. I traveled to some neighboring countries so I could experience some new cultures and I honestly learned a lot. I also went to Korea to participate in a six-month acting workshop. I've never been better. Experiencing new things on my own somehow empowered me. Kaya ko rin pala kahit wala akong boyfriend.

Now, I'm planning to release a book based on my experience next month. It's a self-help book that contains all my self-discovery and everything I learned in the process of loving myself. I worked with an indie publisher for this and I am so excited about its release.

When I checked my phone, Gio's name flashed on my screen. "Busy?"

I chuckled then replied. "Katatapos lang ng shoot."

"I'll be coming back to the Philippines next week. Isla de Fuego ulit?"

"Too busy. :("

Hindi na siya nag-reply pagkatapos no'n. Siguro ay busy na naman sa restaurant niya. As for me, I packed my things, at dahil tapos na rin naman lahat, I decided to go home. Medyo traffic pa kaya I played some songs to ease my burden.

As I passed the highway, may mga billboard ng mukha ko ang nagkalat. Last month din ay nakatanggap ako ng offers na maging ambassador ng ilang brand dito sa bansa na nagsilbing warmp-up sa pagbabalik ko. Next week naman, babalik na ako sa pagiging host ng isang noontime show.

Naisip ko lang, kung sakaling nagpakasal ako noon ay sigurado akong hindi ko na mararanasan ang ganitong success ngayon. Walang pumipigil sa mga gusto kong gawin. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na malaya ako sa kahit anong paghihigpit. Dahil wala na ngang naghihigpit ay malaya akong tanggapin ang mga role na alam kong mas magpapasikat pa sa akin.

A lot of my fans were happy for me as well. Kahit na daring na ngayon ang mga eksena sa palabas na ginagawa ko ay sinusuportahan pa rin nila ako. Pakiramdam ko, ito ang punto ng buhay ko na masasabi kong successful na talaga ako.

It took me some time before I reached my house. As soon as I entered, I stripped all my clothes off and then headed to the bathroom. I had the jacuzzi ready and then dipped myself in it as I enjoyed a bottle of champagne. I also turned the flat-screen TV on.

Habang nililipat ko ang channel, dumaan ang isang pamilyar na mukha. It was Royce. Turns out he married that Chinese woman but they ended up separating after just a few months. Royce was abusive resulting to her miscarriage. Mula noon ay nagtatago na siya. Ngayon lang siya nahanap at naka-broadcast na naman ang mukha niya dahil nahuli na siya ng mga pulis.

I feel bad for the woman. She didn't deserve her loss, but Royce deserved every karma he is getting. Dapat nga talaga sa kaniya ang makulong. He doesn't deserve to live in peace while ruining the peace of women. Ang mga yaman niya ay ginamit na ring collateral para sa ibang anak niyang hindi niya sinustentuhan noong mga nakaraang taon.

I sighed and turned the television off. Umahon na rin ako at nagsuot ng damit pagkatapos ay tumambay sa balkonahe. I checked my social medi at may message na naman si Gio. Hindi ko na pinansin iyon at binuksan ang messaged galing sa fansites ko. I urged them to help those who are in need at ngayon lang ay nalaman kong gumawa sila ng charity organization dedicated to homeless peope and they named it after me. I told them how proud I was.

As I turned my phone off, I realized how far I've reached. Thanks to that escapade, I am now free. Sana hindi lang ako ang maka-realize nito. I hope people cut ties with those who are toxic to them. It's hard but fulfilling. I found my peace and am now living the life I wanted. I hope others can, too.

Ellaine Angeles is at peace. Do yourself a favor and find yours, too. Life is too short to meddle with people who drain you.

✿WAKAS✿