Taking The Spotlight (Uncompleted)

Chapter 32

Overwhelmed, i burried my face with my palms. I was mad at myself, Gale, and everyone.

Bumukas ang elevator. Torn, I hesitated, unsure whether to return to him or seek solace in my room. Leaving him feels wrong, but what's the right choice?

Naguguluhan ako sa inasal niya. Ano bang iniisip niya! What's gotten into him? Kneeling down like that! In front of many people.

My hand was in mid-air.
Niyukom ko ang kamay at pinikit ang mata at nagpasyahang lumabas. I paused, the elevator doors closing behind me.

Preoccupied with numerous thoughts, i swiped my keycard and entered.

Halong emotion ang nararamdaman ko habang tinanaw sa labas ang mga paparazzi. Breathing heavily, i backed away from the glass window and closed the curtains.

My gaze fell on the bread in the toaster as it finished. I stood up and slowly walked over to peek out the window, gazing back at the closed curtains.

It's been two hours since I watched out the window.

The paparazzi appear to have departed, and Gale seems to have left as well. So i decided to venture out again, so I stood up, grabbed my purse and headed for the door.

When the elevator doors opened, the cleaning lady's surprise was evident, but I disregarded her reaction and stepped inside.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," she greeted me, her voice barely above a whisper. I pressed the ground floor button, and we both remained silent.

When the elevator stopped on the second floor, she bowed her head respectfully before stepping out.

Upon arriving at the ground floor, I exited the elevator. The silence in the lobby was palpable. The front desk lady glanced up, acknowledging my presence. As I drew near the entrance, the security guards and manager turned to me.

"Paumanhin sa nangyaring problema kanina," I said with regret.

"Miss Venabera, please don't worry. Mr. Hoston departed just moments ago, shortly after your arrival." Nagulat ako sa kanyang sinabi.

Kakaalis niya lang?

Tiningnan ako ng manager ng may pag-aalala. "Nag-request din kami sa mga tao na burahin ang mga video at larawan. Due to the hotel's privacy." I gaved her a warm smile.

"Thank you so much, i apologize again."

I stepped out and boarded a taxi. Glancing back, I saw them watching intently until my taxi drove away.

As I strolled through BGC, I noticed people glancing my way, likely recognizing me from my publicized images. Some tried to approach me but eventually backed away.

I saw someone familiar at kaharap ko ito ilang metro lang ang layo. Bumagal ang paghakbang ko at ganoon din siya.

His innocent gaze softened as he looked at me, followed by a gentle smile, before he quickly bridged the distance between us. Binitiwan niya ang donut na dala at niyakap ako...my shoulders dropped as i smiled.

"Rylan." I whispered.

I heard his chuckled at mas lalong humigpit ang yakap sa akin.

"Dang! Na miss kita, Sage. Sobra!" Kumalas siya ng yakap at parang batang maiiyak.

My eyes widened at his sudden emotion.

"Anyari sayo?" Nag-alalang tanong ko, Agad niya itong pinahiran at umiling.

"Sobra lang kitang na miss alam mo ba yun! Nag tatampo ako dahil niluto-an pa naman kita ng chicken curry noon...pero hindi kana nagpapakita." Malungkot na sambit nito.

"I'm sorry..." tumawa ito kalaunan.

"Nasa nakaraan na yun. Wag na natin ibalik...buti nakita kita dito! Saan kaba galing ha? Bakit ka nawala bigla-bigla! Sobra akong nalungkot." Kinagat ko ang labi ko at napagpasyahan naming sabay mag lunch para nadin makapag-usap.

"Sa Spain?!" Gulat na sambit niya kaya napa tingin yung ibang costumer sa gawi namin.

"Yes." Mangha siyang naka tingin sa akin and sipped on his juice.

"Grabi...sobra kang gumanda, Infact ang ganda mo parin. Nasaan na yung glasses mo? Hindi na pala malabo ang mata mo?" Tumango ako.

"Kamusta...ang mama mo?" He smiled sadly.

"Parati niya akong tinatanong kong anong balita sayo simula noong sinabi kong nawawala kanalang bigla. Nag-alala din siya kagaya ko pero nung lumabas yung mukha mo sa internet at sa media namukhaan ka agad niya! Sobra siyang nagalak na ayos kalang...pati na din ako naka hinga ng maluwag. Pero ngayun nagpapahinga siya dahil masama ang pakiramdam." Ngumiti ako at umayos ng upo.

"Tumangkad ka." Pabiro ko.

"Syempre. Lalo ding naging pogi." Sabay kindat nito, natawa lamang ako.

"I can't deny that." Sambit ko sabay tawa namin.

"Ano palang ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong ko sabay pakita niya sa kanyang donuts na dala.

"Pasalubong ko sana sa girlfriend ko-"

"You have a girlfriend?" Gulat na sambit ko.

"Oo, actually 5months na kami." Matamis ko siyang ningiti-an.

"Ikaw bah? Meron kang boyfriend? Hindi ako makapaniwala sa balitang asawa mo pala si Sir, Hoston! At hiwalay na kayo. Kaya impossibleng wala kang boyfriend ngayun." Tumawa ako at tumango.

"Talaga? Meron?" Excitement written on his face.

"Lahat kami nagulat nung nalamang mag-asawa kayo! Si director, si Ms.Erony, silang lahat! Ilang months noon nag resigned si Sir. Hoston." Nag-iba na naman ang kanyang expression. "So sino yung boyfriend mo? Artista ba? Model? Anong pangalan?" While looking at him, I pressed my lips together, struggling to suppress a smile.

"Gage." Tanging sagot ko na kina kunot ng kanyang noo.

"Gage? Sino yun?" Natawa ako sa kanya.

"He embodies the qualities every woman desires: an ideal partner, perfect boyfriend, and husband material, with a genuinely golden heart." His jaw dropped.

"He sounds quite significant to you," he observed. I simply nodded.

"Mas lalo akong na curious sa kanya. Did he treat you right? Hindi naman siya kagaya ni Sir. Gale hindi ba?" Maybahid pag-alala sa tanong niya.

"Sobrang layo niya sa boyfriend ko." I proudly said.

"Buti naman. Hindi ko gusto yung ugali ni sir, Gale. Asawa ka pala niya pero yung trato niya sayo...toxic." Ofcourse everyone knows that.

"Wala siyang respeto sayo. Mabuti at hiniwalayan mo, At bakit kaba kasi natali sa kanya?" Natawa ako sa kanyang sinabi.

"We got forced that's all."

"Mukhang inlove na inlove ka sa bagong boyfriend mo. Mas gwapo ba kay Sir. Gale?" I chuckled and nod.

"Talaga?" Medyo tumaas ang boses niya.

"Ano ang trabaho niya?" Tumikhim ako.

"He's a businessman," I said, his eyes widening in astonishment.

"He works at a business?"

"He's the owner of the company." Sagot ko. His mouth formed O.

"Naks naman! Yaman ah!" Napa iling ako sa kanyang sinabi at ininom ang aking juice. Our relationship remains unchanged, as we didn't officially break up when I left. He's still my boyfriend.

Babalikan niya ako...I'm sure of that. But what if nag-aantay din siya sa aking pagbalik? Kung ganoon...ako ang babalik.

I know he's mad at me right now. Pero sa panahon ng pagsasama namin He's never gotten mad or yelled at me, not even once. Yung sobrang galit...hindi niya kailan pinakita sa akin. Although he can be protective and possessive, he expresses upset in a gentle, endearing manner.

He's green flag.