Deciding Us (KENTIN Au)

22.

Justin scrolls through his schedules. He have the MV shoot tomorrow, followed with acting class and meeting for the reality show. Pablo added more photoshoots in between, which he will use it to distract himself from the divorce issue.

Packed and busy schedules means he needs to find time to prepare for the move out. He doesn't find any suitable place yet, but he wants to pack his things as soon as possible to ease the process later. Deciding to take matters on his hand, he decided to get his lunch and shop for storage boxes.

Instead of dining in, he stops for drive through to enjoy his own solitude. He isn't ready to meet people with his messy mind. The encounter with Jade is unexpected, but it gives him the closure he needed. The women doesn't deserve all of this. He wants to confront with Ken but Jade warned him to not disclose about their meet just now.

He can't wait to move out so he won't have to face Ken. The guy angers him, that he feels mad at himself for trying to be civil with him. If only he knows, he will treat Ken as cold as ice too. Not to mention about the kiss. The audacity for Ken to kiss him when he has a lover is totally unaccepted.

Calming himself down to clear out his mind, he drives to his favourite department store to find storage boxes. Putting on his face mask, he walks inside with a trolley. He strolls down the desired aisle and enjoy his time choosing suitable one. He still has lots of clothes from the photoshoot, although half of it passed to the agency's wardrobe team. He might need to spare a room as a walk in closet in his new house later.

He is still deep in thought regarding the storage boxes when he hears someone struggling to reach for something. He looks over and saw someone familiar. "Candace po?" He asks, getting closer to her. He isn't wrong when they exchange glances. "Oh, Justin po!" She smiles.

"Which one do you want? I'll help you?" Justin offers, as the girl is looking at the top shelves. "The pink one, please," Candace shyly grins. Justin grabs the pink basket and pass it to her. "Thank you, po!" She receives it with a small bow. "Welcome. Are you here alone?" he asks curiously. "No. I'm here with my sister but she's looking for her things."

Justin nods and about to resume his shopping when Candace asks, "I'm sorry, but can I get your number?"

To be honest, it shocks him. He rarely gives his personal number, as most of them will contact with Pablo for work purposes. Not even with other co-actors of Hanggang Sa Huli as he thought it is unnecessary. He followed their social medias though, but the interactions only when needed.

"It's fine if you're uncomfortable about it. I am sorry if I am crossing my limit. I should excuse myself," Candace apologizes with a small smile. "No. We can exchange numbers. Here's mine," he whispers the digit while taking out his phone. He smiles when Candace misscalled him, saving her number in his contact.

They excused themselves and Justin goes back to his trolley and grabs 5 of the storage boxes. He knows he needs more later, but he'll settle with it for now.

• • • • •

"It's a wrap! Good job and thank you everyone!" The Director announces after monitoring the cut, which erupts claps in the whole set. Justin exchanges thanks to everyone, before changing the clothes.

He just finished the MV shooting for Torres, a new solo singer. He self produced the ballad song of Time, which Justin needs to potray the longing of missing someone who passed away. It was hard as Justin never had the same experience, but he imagined that he was in Jade's position. It is sort of a technique to make the emotions is evidence. Judging from the reactions, he believes that the technique works.

"Do you want to join them for dinner?" Pablo asks. "Can we skip?" The manager nods before informing Torres's team. They bids everyone goodbyes with the hope to work together in the future, before they leave the set.

They both heads into the car which Sir Robin is ready to turn the wheels. He shuts his eyes for a nap, when his phone dings. A text from Ken informing that he won't be home tonight. Justin replies an 'ok' before turning off the phone. "Is there somewhere I can move in ASAP?" he mumbles under his breathe, just for Pablo's ear.

"Is everything okay?" Pablo asks concernly. Justin sighs which Pablo takes the sign to ask Sir Robin to drive to his house instead.

Once they are in Pablo's house, Justin throws himself on the couch comfortably. "I'll make tea for you, before you spill one on me," Pablo jokes. Justin lets out a small chuckles, before making himself relax.

"Here it is," Pablo places a cup of tea on the table, taking a seat on another couch. Justin takes a sip of it, before rubbing down his face out of frustration.

"I met Jade yesterday. She came to the house, and told me about her relationship with Ken," he starts. He told Pablo everything with nothing to hide. "I don't think I can stand to watch Ken's face right now. That's why I'm so eager to move out," he adds his thoughts.

"You can stay here. Stell asked me to move in with him, so I'll let you rent here instead. I'll prepare the paperwork and inform the owner later. Is it okay?" Pablo’s suggestion caughts him in surprise. "Are you being serious?" He frowns. When Pablo nods his head as assurance, Justin let out a relief sigh.

"This is the least I can do."

"You helped me a lot but thank you so much!" He exclaims.

"You deserve better than all of this," Pablo pats his shoulder. Justin forces a smile, not wanting to makes the situation emotional.

"Now, go and get shower. You have an acting class tomorrow!" Pablo backs to his character.