I'm STILL In Love With Mr. Famous (IILWMF Book 2)

Chapter 2: See You Later

Zeke's POV

"Did you tell her?" Tony asked.

I just ignored him and put my headphones on. Tony promised me that he will let me spend time with Chloe kahit isang linggo lang before going back to work but again, he broke his promise. Tomorrow evening, I will be flying to South Korea for a concert tour. I'm staying there for a month or two since my management accepted some TV guestings and endorsements na isho-shoot doon. That means matagal kong hindi makikita si Chloe. I'm planning na magpropose na sa kanya tonight pero Tony won't let me. Ofcourse, because of my career.

"What about the reservation that I requested?" I asked.

"I already called the restaurant. I'm counting on you, Zeke. Don't do anything stupid for now." Tony said.

"Stupid? Like what? Like marrying the girl I love?"

"Hindi ko naman sinasabing wag mo siya pakasalan. Ang sinasabi ko lang is wag ngayon. Not this time. Kung ayaw mong mawalan ng career at pangalan sa industriyang ito."

"You know what, Tony. I am ready to face all the consequences. Kahit ano pa yan. Chloe is my priority." I said.

"What about the people around you, Zeke? What about us na may pamilyang binubuhay at umaasa dito? What about us?" I paused for a moment. I removed my headphones. Nakatingin sila sa akin. Si Tony na manager ko, ang dalawang stylists, ang wardrobe assistant, at ang driver namin. Napabuntong hininga ako. I know na ang selfish ko sa part na ito.

"Okay. I'm sorry guys. Sana naintindihan nyo ako, I just miss my girlfriend so much."

"We understand you, Zeke. Sana intindihin mo rin kami. We miss our family too just like how you miss Chloe. Yes, pinangako ko nga yung vacation na hinihingi mo but I can't control the management. Sila ang nag accept ng bookings sa Seoul and I can't do anything about it. Hindi na tayo kagaya ng dati Zeke. You signed a contract to an agency, remember? So we need to comply with them."

Naintindihan ko si Tony. Masyado lang ako naprepressure sa mga oras na ito. Siguro sobrang miss ko lang si Chloe and I want to be with her in every second. But I am Zeke Anderson at lahat ng mata ay nakatutok sa akin. Sa bawat galaw ko ay may nasasabi sila. I know na kapag pinakasalan ko si Chloe ay malaki ang magiging impact sa career ko, not just mine pati na rin sa aking team at agency.

"So what are you going to tell her later?" Tony asked.

"Magpapaalam lang ako na we will not see each other for awhile. That's it. Don't worry. I won't do anything stupid sa paningin nyo." Sabi ko.

--

I arrived at the said restaurant. The staff accompanied me to the VIP room na pinareserved ni Tony para sa amin ni Chloe. Iniwanan na ako ng mga staff as soon as we arrived at the room. Ang tahimik ng paligid. I can only here my heartbeat at the moment. Kinakabahan ako. Paano ko sasabihin sa kanya na magkakahiwalay muna kami for the meantime. I really can't figure out kung ano words or terms ang kailangan kong gamitin para hindi magtampo si Chloe. Nagpromise pa naman ako sa kanya na pupunta kami ng Cebu to spend our time together. She's really looking forward to that.

Maya-maya pa ay may kumatok na sa pinto. Pumasok ang isang waiter. Kasunod na nga nito si Chloe. She looks dashing as ever. She smiled as soon as she saw me.

"Anong meron Babe? Ano ba yung sasabihin mo na hindi mo masabi over the phone?" She asked. She's looking around as if na may hinahanap siya.

"Wala lang. I just want to spend time with you. Shall we order na ba?" I said. Kaagad kong inangat ang menu at kunwaring naghanap ng kakainin. Dahan-dahan kong binaba ang menu para silipin ang reaksyon niya but I ended up getting busted. Nakatingin pa rin pala siya sakin. It seems like she knew that I was up to something.

"Sige na. Alam kong may gusto kang mangyari o masabi pero kinakabahan ka na baka mag-no ako. Tama ba?" She said, smiling. Is this a sign? Should I tell her na ba? "Sige ganito nalang. Sabay nalang nating sabihin ung mga sasabihin natin. Go?" she added.

"Okay. Call. After 3 ha. One, Two, Three..."

"I'm going to Korea tomorrow evening." / "Yes, I will marry you!"

Pareho kaming natigilan. If I'm not mistaken, I think I heard the word Marry. Inisip niya ba na.... Sh*t!

I look at her and she looks devastated and humiliated at the same time.

"Can you...say it...again?" She said.

"I'm sorry kung biglaan kasi...."

"I said, ulitin mo yung sinabi mo!" This time, she shouted. I can really feel her anger right now. I exhaled heavily.

"I'm going to Korea tomorrow. I swear to God, ngayon ko lang din nalaman ito. Nagalit nga ako kay Tony dahil he broke his promise na bibigyan nya ako ng break then bigla niyang binawi. It was my agency's idea. I'm sorry babe. I will make it up to you ha." I uttered.

"Until when? Kailan ka babalik?" She asked in a calm voice.

"We're not sure. After a month? Or two months."

"Month? Or Two months? Zeke naman! Lagi nalang ba akong maghihintay sayo? Sa apat na taong relationship natin, kailan tayo huling nagkasama ng matagal? Diba pinakamatagal na yung dalawa o tatlong oras sa isang buwan? Hindi ka na nga umuuwi sa condo unit natin eh dahil mas madalas kang nasa tour."

"Akala ko naiintindihan mo ako? Diba sabi mo dati na you're willing to go through this kind of relationship dahil mahal mo ako? What happened Chloe? Nagsasawa ka na ba?"

The moment I asked that dreadful question, biglang tumahimik ang paligid. Is it that hard to answer? Oo o hindi lang naman diba?

"I love you Zeke and you know that pero sana isama mo naman ako sa priorities mo. Sana masabi mo naman sa kanila na hindi pwede kasi may schedule kami ni Chloe. Sana masabi mo rin sa kanila yung lagi mong sinasabi sa akin whenever i asked you to stay with me." She said with tears running down her face. I can't help but to be emotional as well. Tumayo ako't niyakap siya. Naramdaman ko na she hugs me back.

"I'm sorry that I am not the perfect boyfriend that you've wished for. But I promise that I will love you till the end of time. I will be back, I promise. It's not goodbye. It's just see you later." I said.

---

END OF CHAPTER 2