Ryle Alvarez (COMPLETED)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Weekend came, Ryle did not even sleep because he couldn't. Buong gabi siyang gising dahil excited siya sa dinner date nila ni Liway. He texted her the place, a private garden that he payed for. Bayad na lahat beforehand because he was so excited about it.

He went to the boutique to check on the suit he bought. And went to the jeweler where he bought a customized ring just for Liway.  He was so excited for it! Umagang-umaga ay lumabas siya ng bahay para i-check ang lugar. He even bought a huge bouquet just for her.

Meanwhile, Liway went to the mall to look for a decent dress. Wala kasi siyang magustuhan sa mga damit na mayroon na siya. Mabilis lang din naman siyang nakahanap ng magugustuhan niya. It was an emerald green off shoulders. She was planning to pair it with heels.

Nagtungo rin siya sa hair and nail salon just to look good. She has a manicure and pedicure, and had hair extensions as well. She was planning to have eyelash lift as well, but backed out. She went home to rest.

Wala ang mga magulang at pamangkin niya. Her parents are already off to work at sigurado siyang sumama ang dalawang bata. She decided to her outfit. Isang oras na lang ay pupunta na siya. She prepared everything she needed and cleaned herself up.

She also wore necklaces and earrings that matched her outfit. And then, off she went. She took cab to get to the place Ryle texted her. Mang Paulo offered to take her this morning, but she refused. Alam niyang pagod na ang ama sa trabaho nito at ayaw niyang madagdagan pa ang pagod ng matanda.

It take her a little more time than she expected before she got there. Medyo malayo at liblib pala ang lugar. Walang masiyadong dumaraang tao. Pagdating niya, naka-set-up na ang lahat. It was a garden full of different blooming flowers. There's a lake just beside it and a small pavilion. May round table sa gitna ng pavilion, mukhang romantic candlelight dinner ang plano ng binata para sa date nila.

As soon as the waiters saw her, they acknowledged her presence. Sinalubong at sinamahan siya ng mga ito hanggang sa komportable na siyang nakaupo. Nang makitang wala pa si Ryle, nagsimula siyang mag-alala.

"Would you like some wine, madame?" tanong ng isa sa kanila sa kaniya.

Umiling si Liway. "No, thank you. Hihintayin ko lang 'yong kasama ko."

She took her phone out and checked for any messages from him. Wala. Wala ni isa. She composed a message and sent it to him.

To Ryle:

Ryle, nasaan ka? Nandito na ako.

After she hit sent, binaba niya ang cellphone niya. She waited for five more minutes before picking it up again. Still no replies.

At this point, tinawagan na niya ang lalaki. Ring nang ring ang cellphone ni Ryle pero hindi ito sinasagot ng binata. Because she was already starving when she got there, she just ordered steak and some wine.

She looked around, some waiters and giving her side eye. Nahiya siya kaya iniwas ang tingin sa kanila. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain. Her heart was slowly thumping heavily against her chest. Pakiramdam niya, Ryle abandoned her.

But that was the complete opposite. Hindi mawala sa isip ni Ryle ang dalaga. Minutes just before he was about to leave for their date, tumawag ang manager nila at pinapatawag sila para sa isang meeting.

Ayaw sana niyang pumunta, but they promised it would be fast. Ilang oras pa naman noon bago ang date nila at sinabi ng manager na importante ang meeting kaya sumipot siya. Pagdating niya roon, seryoso ang lahat.

"What's happening?" tanong niya.

"Sit down, Ryle," utos ng boss niya. He settled beside Zach.

"As I was saying, naging matunog ang pangalan ninyo noong nag-release kayo ng album and you've topped the charts for months. But after that, wala na. Ryle was supposed to release a new music album, but cancelled it."

"And what about it?" tanong ni Skyler.

"We need to do a stunt that will boost your publicity."

"Why not just release a new album?" tanong naman ni Ryle.

"We can't do that yet. The interval for the release of your last album and the new one will be too short."

"Anong publicity stunt ba ang naiisip mo, boss?"

"Chanel and Ryle's baby."

All eyes darted on him. Kumunot ang noo niya. Paano nalaman 'yon ng boss nila?

"You have a what?!" singhal ni Skyler.

"With all due respect, boss, but Chanel already aborted the baby. There's no sense bringing it up."

"Oh, but we could start rumors. You don't have to confirm it. Remember, Ryle, bad publicity is still publicity."

"Para saan ba 'to? Bakit kailangangang gawin pa?"

"You'll he having a concert soon. Magandang ngayon pa lang ang gumawa na ng ingay ay pangalan ninyo."

Umiling si Ryle. "I'm sorry, but I can't consent to this."

His boss tried to persuade him some more. "Isipin mo, it will create rumors again and will revive your love team. Ayaw mo ba no'n?"

Umiling si Ryle. "Chanel is living peacefully somewhere else. I want a serene life as well. Mag-isip na lang tayo ng iba pang paraan."

"Baka nakakalimutan mong hawak namin ang career at dignidad ninyo?" her boss threatened.

All of them look puzzled. Then, the T.V turned on with a clip flashing on it. Moans can be heard from the said clip. Naroon ang miyembro ng banda ni Ryle at mga babaeng nakamaskara. They were fucking and the women were screaming. Kitang-kita ang mukha ng mga lalaki.

Mabilis na umiling ang lahat. Ryle stood. "You can't do this to us!"

"Oh, but we can. We just need an anonymous person thay will leak this video."

"Why the fuck are you doing this?!"

Tumawa ang boss nila. "One word, Alvarez. Money. The more publicity you'll get, the more people that will engage. More people means more money."

"No. You can't do this. It's blackmail!"

Tumawa ang boss nila. "It's either your baby with Chanel or we'll leak the clip. You choose."

Nanghina ang tuhod ni Ryle. Just the thought of bringing back Chanel's child will surely break Liway's heart. Hindi na niya kayang masaktan ang babae. He couldn't afford another pain for the woman he loves the most.

They stayed for hours discussing their plans. Dahil si Ryle ang may pinakamalakas na hatak ng fans, siya ang ginamit ng boss nila. With every minute passing by, sa bawat latag nila ng plano, nadudurog si Ryle. He was sure this would break Liway's heart.

Their meeting lasted for hours. With the continuous blackmail he received from his boss, hindi nasipot ni Ryle si Liway. Alalang-alala siya lalo na't naiwan niya ang kaniyang cellphone sa kotse niya.

After hours of meeting and discussion, he finally left the building. Pagkapasok niya sa kotse niya, he finally opened his phone. Ang daming missed calls at messages galing kay Liway pero ang pumukaw ng atensiyon niya ay ang ilang nahuli.

From Liway:

Kanina pa ako rito, Ryle. Nasaan ka na ba kasi?

Tapos na akong kumain. Hihintayin pa ba kita?

Ryle, I decided to go home. Thank you for paying for my dinner.

Ryle, walang sasakyan. Please pick me up.

WALA nang sumunod na text doon. Ryle's knews buckled as he settled on the driver's seat. Tinawagan pa niya si Liway pero hindi man lang sumasagot ang dalaga. Little did he know, Liway walked home alone that night.