COME BACK TO ME, SLAVEN | #Wattys2019

Chapter 26 - Oh-oh. Trouble at 3 o'clock.

The remainder of the days practicing were a hell for them both. Particularly for Ella who was trying so hard to pretend. Pretend everthing's okay, she's okay, her feelings okay. Deep down she's bleeding. Unti-unti na niyang nararamdaman ang pagkapiga ng puso niya. The same pain she had years ago. But this time, she felt it's gonna be big. If her heart's been torn before into pieces and by luck she was able to tape it back together 'near normal'. Now her heart's being pulp little by little, squeezed. Ilang araw nalang ang natitira nila na magkasama sila ni Slaven, and she can count that with the fingers of her hands.

Yes, she's excited to go home. She misses her family so much. And it's making matters more painful for her. The dilemma to go home and be with her loved ones. And be with the man she's grown to love. Alam niyang walang patutunguhan ang pagtingin niyang iyon sa binata, considering their status, world and being. Worlds apart, feelings not mutual. Pero hindi niya maiwasang habang lumalakad ang araw, ay mas lalong lumalalim ang nararamdaman niya para dito.

She's seen how he treats other people around them. Co-artists, staffs, biggies, pantay-pantay ang trato nito sa lahat. At kahit madalas magsungit ito sa kanya, madalas pa rin siya nitong inaasikaso. Hindi nawawala ang pag-aaruga at pag-alalay nito though as subtle as possible. Gustuhin man niyang umiwas, ayaw rin niyang makahalata ang ibang kasama nila. Lalo na si Leah at Shinye na palaging nakabantay sa kanila. Masyado pa namang observant ang dalawa.

May isang linggo nalang siyang kailangang bunuin sa Korea, that's according to the schedule. Kung mag-e-extend pa siya'y depende iyon sa kontrata niya'ng pinirmahan, 'which is good until further needed'. Her vacation leave though is only good for two weeks. Pinag-iisipan na rin niya kung babalik pa ba siya sa trabaho, may negosyo na rin naman sila dahil sa perang napanalunan niya. Pinapagawa na nga raw ng nanay niya ang maliit na sari-sari store nila.

At ang kwento'ng sinimulan niyang isulat pagdating niya sa Korea ay malapit nang matapos. Nakakatuwa kung sino ang ginawa niyang inspirasyon para magawa ang napakaganda'ng kwentong iyon. The most beautiful story she's ever created ever since she started writing. Sigurado siyang kapag pinasa niya iyon ay matutupad na rin ang pangarap niyang maging romance writer kasama ang idol niyang si Sonia Francesca.

Thanks to Shinye who bought her the laptop. Sa sobrang tuwa nito sa kanya noong presscon, she bought her the laptop the next day. Nakakatuwa ang mga nangyari sa kanya sa bansa'ng ito in just a span of two weeks. She won the contest, flew in to work with the most sought-after artist in Korea, setting aside her injured foot, she sang an alien song in front of a large alien crowd, and now recording the single with Slaven.

The most unexpected twist of it all, is that she have fallen in love with the man, she least expects would love her back. Their worlds alone are a lot different, a whole lot. He is 'The Slaven – RnB King and Asia's number one artist', and she is 'Ella', plain and simple – Ella.

His name alone speaks dominion and greatness. He's famous, handsome, rich, nice and adored by everybody. She'll never be a match for him, not the right one for him. He needs someone like Kim Hye-je.

Napagkatuwaan niyang e-search sa Google ang babae at ang relasyon nito kay Slaven. At tuluyan siyang nanliit sa nakita't natuklasan. The two is the most loved and most popular couple in Korea. Both famous, both dashing and gorgeous looking, loved and adored by the public. A match made in heaven, perfect pair, perfect couple.

Bagay na bagay ang dalawa. Napakaganda ni Hye-je, she's a goddess. A Barbie doll brought to life, an ethereal goddess. Wala siya'ng match doon. Hye-je fair-skinned and flawless all over, Ella brown and may pilat and peklat here and there. Hye-je is very popular in Korea, Ella hated by Hye-je and Slaven's fans. She wouldn't be here if not for Angeline's doing. Kung dati halos isumpa niya si Angeline sa ginawa nitong pagsi-set-up sa kanya, ngayon ay nagpapasalamat siya ng sobra-sobra kay Angeline. Kung hindi dahil sa pag-a-upload nito ng video hindi siya suswertihin ng ganito. Imagine bigla siyang nagka-laptop, nakapunta sa Korea, at nakasama si Slaven. Malas nga lang siguro siya sa lovelife. Nagmamahal na nga lang siya doon pa sa mahirap mahalin. Yung una, tarantado and now Slaven – too nice, too perfect. Kaya hindi pwedeng mahalin. Her feelings for Slaven will either lead to two things: her heart pulped or if not, then Slaven's career will be tainted. Magiging kasiraan lang siya ng pangalan nito. Slaven's starting to recover his life and career and it would be best not to have any issues hurled to him. It's bad enough for people to gossip that she's Slaven's other woman. She shouldn't let her feelings be known to anyone else but her.