COME BACK TO ME, SLAVEN | #Wattys2019

Chapter 19 - My life is my music.

It's the prince of elves wearing a white long sleeves with the black tux hanging on his shoulders. And a smile on his lips.

"Anyeong haseyo! Tangshinûn aju arûmdapsûmnida." Bati nito.

"I-I'm sorry...I-I didn't get the last part." Good thing she still managed to speak despite her heart beating so fast.

"You're so beautiful today. And, a beautiful lady should have beautiful flowers." anito't inilabas ang nakatagong bouquet ng summer tulips sa likuran nito.

"T-Thank-- Kamsahamnida. I-It's beautiful." she accepted the flowers and smell it.

"You're learning fast."said Slaven smiling. "You ready? I'm here to pick you up. They're waiting down the hall."

"W-Where's Leah? A-And Shinye?" she must have squeezed the toothpick too hard that it snap.

"Hey, are you nervous?" He took away the flowers from her. "Iri oshio." He gently pulled her and wrap his arms around her.

And she was a tad crazy to breath in his scent and relax. She closed her eyes and just breath to his scent. This is more effective than her toothpicks. 

The toothpick fairy disappeared and was replaced by the 'prince of elves'. Her heartbeat slowly relax.

"Feeling better?" he asked still holding her.

"Y-Yeah." she open her eyes and let him go. "I-I'm ready, I guess." she tried smiling at him.

"Good. Let's go?" anito sabay lahad ng kamay. She accepted his hand and he put it in his arm while his other arm supported her.

Yeah, she's still a cripple. Great. She glanced at herself on the elevator mirrors as they went in, and she was shocked to see somebody else! With her make-up on, her hair so black and smooth and her bangs trimmed, she almost didn't know it was her. Her eyes had the smoky, dreamy effect making it more tantalizing with those long lashes. Her nose more defined and her lips full and shimmering, her face sun-kissed and glowing. Bumagay din sa kanya ang Greecian-inspired toga dress na white ang kulay at hanggang one inch above the knee ang haba. She looked down on her feet and her spartan heels matched her outfit. With Slaven beside her, she could imagine herself as the 'elf princess'.

The elevator door open and reality mixed again with her fantasy as camera flashes everywhere. She was aghast as she look around the crowd.

Slaven guided her while waving to the people. They step towards the improvised stage where the conference table is. She saw Shinye, Min Ho and other biggies of EL she already met. Shinye came towards her and greeted her first.

"You look immaculately beautiful but pale. You okay?" she whispered as she kiss her cheeks.

"Y-Yeah. Just nervous."

"Come. You and Slaven will be seated at the middle. On your left will be Min Ho. I will be on Slaven's other side. So don't worry okay?"

"S-Sure."

Min Ho handed her the paper she's been practicing since yesterday afternoon, and kiss her on the cheek. As the crowd settle they also sat down.

Shinye took her mic and said something in Korean which Min Ho translated as a greeting and saying the press con to start.

It started by someone asking about the contest. Shinye, being the promotion head present and her boss on leave, explained the contest. What it's for and how the winner will be chosen by a screening committee and the final winner by Slaven himself. The winner getting $10,000 in cash, and recording a promotional single with Slaven. A chance to get discovered in the entertainment business and the contract with EL Ent. Plus other benefits of being notice as a possible endorser or recording artist. All the exposure it will give the winner so to speak.

Another interviewer asked a very personal question for Slaven. She was greatly anticipating this one too. Ito ang isang bahagi ng kwento ng buhay ni Slaven na gusto niyang malaman pero hindi niya magawang itanong dito. The reporter's question is, "Where were you Slaven when you were gone for a year and 6 months? What is the reason of you being gone?"

Slaven picks up his mic but it took him seconds before he answered with much sadness. Why is he sounding sad to her when he's appearing cool and calm as he spoke in Korean.

"Min Ho?" Nilingon niya sa kabilang tabi ang interpreter asking him to interpret it for her.

"Oh. He says, he was looking for his self so he needs time to be alone. To breath and be free for a while.
He was loving the solitude he has and, he thought he aint coming back. And, if not for his contract, he would never come back to Korea.
He is saying, he was so busy with work and his career, he forgot what truly matters. What's most important is life, that we breath and live. That point in his career where he almost gave up is because he lost his life and he wants to find it. Thinking he can find it and get it back through getting away, he left. But he never found it, until ----

Tumigil sa pagta-translate si Min Ho dahil tumigil din si Slaven. Nagulat sya ng biglang tumingin sa kanya si Slaven at ginagap ang kamay niya. Nagpatuloy ito sa pagsasalita, this time in full English for her! "Well, until I found this girl's video asking for me to come back. It was so beautiful and heartwarming, it persuaded me. So here I am." He addressed the press again and speak in Korean, in a sweet sweet voice.

"Min Ho?" she asked Min Ho aHogain.

"Ah.. I think he just said,
'Ella gave me back my life. My life is my music. And she reminded me that I live for my music, my fans and for my self. I breath because I make wonderful music. When I saw her video I got back to my feet and remembered the fans who never left me. I should never leave them too.'"

How touching! Kita niya sa mukha ng mga naroroon na ganun din and nadarama nila. Slaven is a heartwarming speaker.

Isang epal na reporter ang biglang nag butt-in.

"You don't have to know." Biglang sabi ni Min Ho.

"What??" Pinandilatan niya ito.

"He's asking if it's true that you are Slaven's other woman. The reason why he and Hye-je broke up. And, Slaven was with you the whole time he was gone." Dire-diretsong sabi ni Min Ho. Marami talagang nasisindak sa killer eyes niya.

"W-What?? Hye-je, is she Slaven's girlfriend?"

"Yes, for ten long years. They broke up last year."

"Waeyo?" Wow, marunong na siyang mag-'why' in Korean.

"We never know. Slaven won't say a word about it not even to one soul. Hye-je seems afraid to wade on that topic when interviewed. Only the two of them really knows."

Napatingin siya sa lalaki sa tabi na naghahanda ng isasagot. He seems finding it hard to answer the question.

Kaya bago pa man ito makasagot ay may isa na namang nagsalita mula sa mga reporters.

"They're asking about you and how did you win the contest. They're asking if this just a propaganda to get you out of the dark and cover your true relationship with Slaven."

"Anio. Pulganûng haeyo ---" SPulganûnglaven's pitch was changing. Mukhang naiirita na ito sa pinatutunguhan ng tanong.

"Anyong haseyo!" She picks up her own mic and cut off Slaven. Everyone is all eyes on her now. Lagot!

-------- Author's Note ----------------------

I'm deeply sorry for being Missing in Action for more than 2 years now. Really sorry for that. The draft of Chapter 19 was made Nov. 2015 and I failed to publish it since I got busy with life (motherhood and all).
I happen to check my draft for Come back to me and stumbled upon this. I may just have 3-4 readers but still I feel evil for being an irresponsible writer.
Ella and Slaven's story was completed even before posting it here on Wattpad. So all I need to do is write it and post it here. Unfortunately, my old phone got broken, its where I stored the copy of this story, that's why the story got backlogged. I'm trying to retrieve my copy of the story on my ym account and hopefully continue writing it here. Until then, ta-ta! Thank you for your patience. Haha!
Always,
EJ