Love and Hate Collide (JaDine FanFiction)

C11 • N

NADINE

• • •

We're in the office.

Mr. Ben called for a meeting with James and I and seeing his facial expression, I'm pretty sure he's as clueless as I am. It's pretty early for a meeting too—nine in the morning.

Mr. Ben swivels in his chair, and turns to us, his elbows prep on the table. "So," he starts. "I know you're wondering why I called for both of you."

I nod.

James nods. "Pretty much. You sounded urgent on the phone."

Mr. Ben smiles, "I just want to congratulate both of you for such a successful movie!" he says. "Wow! An instant Box Office hit."

I smile. "Thank you, Mr. Ben."

James smiles, pride evident on his features. "Thank you."

"So now," Mr. Ben says. "I'm doing what's best for both of you."

He looks at me.

My eyes went wide.

I shake my head subtly.

James looks at me, confused, but I just smile. Mr. Ben nods. I sigh silently. "James," he tells him. "I know how fond you are of Ericka."

"Yes...?" James trails.

"I'm saying," he continues. "I approve of you going out already—so long as you tell the public that Nadine and you are still good friends."

"Wait, what?" James exclaims, sounding confused.

"Yeah," I butt in. "It's what you want, right?" I sigh. A part of me wants him to say no, but I know it won't happen.

"I won't do that." James says, surprising both of Mr. Ben and I.

"Oh, c'mon," Mr. Ben says. "Everyone in this room knows how much you love her."

"Yes, I do." James says. Ouch. "But I prefer not to tell it in public."

"Why not?" I ask.

For the first time today, James looks me in the eyes. "Because..." He trails off, thinking.

A few seconds went by. "Because?" Mr. Ben probes.

"Because I don't want her getting more hate?" he finally concludes, although it did come out more of a question, rather than a statement.

"Okay?" I say. "Anyway, Mr. Ben, I have a solo interview later, I could just tell her that James and I are just friends, and all the 'M.U.' stage is a joke—like malabong usapan only." I laugh lightly.

Mr. Ben nods, but James interferes. "No!" he exclaims, which shocked me and him apparently because he sinks down to his seat. "I mean, sure, whatever. Go do it, but if I were you, I won't. Our career will be flushed down the drain."

"What?" I ask him, rhetorically. "You mean, my career. As what you've said, you would be successful even without me."

I'm mad—no, furious.

He just can't give me this mixed signals when all I wanted to do now is to get away from him.

"Yeah," James says, nonchalantly. "That's what I said."

"Whatever." I roll my eyes.

Mr. Ben clears his throat. "Okay, enough with the banter." he tells us. "I have also one last thing to say."

I sit up straight. "What is it?"

"I know both of you have exerted so much time and energy in this movie," he starts. We nod. "So I'm giving you both a vacation for three weeks!"