Deleted Scenes - It Should Have Been Us Book One

16

{Nadine’s POV}

I don’t get why he’s so mad at me. If he won’t talk to me, then fine! That’s his problem.

Hey. Andre nudged my shoulder. I turned to look at him. You really don’t know who sent the flowers?

No.

They’re your favorite flowers. How many people know your favorites anyway?

How about all of my fans?

Not the flowers. You don’t mention that in any of your interviews.

It’s not just about the flowers, Dre. He doesn’t trust me at all. This isn’t the first time he gave me the third degree for something I have no control over. And it’s not like may karapatan sya. Hindi naman kami diba?

Shhhh. Easy on the claws, tiger. When did this start anyway?

When I got back from Korea.
Hmmmmm. You think it’s the same person?

I don’t know. He was talking about the secret admirer back in February who sent me a bouquet of red Ecuadorian roses on Valentine’s day. It was followed by another batch sent to my house in April and another in June at the set of OTWOL. I don’t think so, Dre. All those flowers back in the day came with cards, this one didn’t.

You sure you just got one bouquet this time? His eyes studying my face.

Okay, two I guess. I got one delivered to our house the night I got back. And another one delivered to the set. Still, it doesn’t warrant James acting the way he is. We’re not official. The rules were clear. He can go with whoever he wants. Do whatever pleases him. Kanya kanya pa rin kami. Walang pakialamanan.

Did you ever bother asking him if it’s still what he wants though?

I’ll be honest with you. I don’t have the time for a serious relationship right now, Dre. Besides, if I fall for him and he ends up hurting me, what happens then? Antagal naming inantay ‘tong opportunity. It’s not like we’d want to work with each other again in case things don’t work out.

You’re so sure he’s going to hurt you, Nadz. When all he’s ever done really was be there for you since Talk Back and you broke up with-

Yeah, but still. If my ex can do that to me. What’s stopping James? He’s way better looking. He’s got bigger guns – heartbreak wise. If I give him this too - my freedom, the commitment, I’d just be handing over the ammos.

I thought you already did. When we went to Korea, you did tell him you’ll take whatever you have more seriously. That you’d give him the chance. Did something happen while we were here when you explored the city on that last day?

No, no. I meant everything I said to him okay? I still do. But he has to trust me. That I had nothing to do with whatever this is.

Fine. I’ll try to talk to him later at the tent.

I’m not sure if they actually talked. But when we wrapped up the show that night, James immediately wrestled Andre’s hold on me and grabbed for my arm, then he proceeded to walk out the stage pulling me with him – leaving everyone else confused. He pushed me inside the tent.

Who’s it from?

What? Are we talking about this again? Hindi ko nga alam.

Hindi mo alam? He sent another set of flowers backstage. He knew where you were!

My god James! Practically everyone on Instagram knows where we are at the moment! You can’t take that against me. I told you I didn’t know okay!

This one had a handwritten note on it. He threw the card at me. Whose is it? Is it him? Is it MJ? Is it some other guy? Just tell me.

James-

Kuya, nandyan na yung van. Male-late ka na sa flight mo.

Cancel it ate Ca, we’re not done here. I’ll just take their flight.

Hindi pwede. May schedule ka paglapag sa Manila.

Hindi kami magkasabay ng flight? He looked back at ate Ca.

Hindi. Overnight pa sila dito, bukas pa uwi nila.

Then cancel my sched.

Hindi pwede. Halika na. Sa manila nyo na yan pag-usapan.

This isn’t over. He warned me. He turned around and followed ate Ca.

We weren’t past the gates when a male fan got passed the barricades and was about to come near me when James came out of his tent. I didn’t know he was still around. It was a good thing Barbie stopped him. If not, then I was sure as hell he would have punched the guy just to let the steam off.