Two Ghosts (Summer Series #2)

Kabanata XXXV

Devin's POV:

My teeth gritted in anger as I heard and saw the news. I went back to Manila as fast as I could. Hindi na ako nakapagpaalam nang maayos dahil gusto ko na agad itong ayusin. Ito ang kinatatakutan ko. I don't want her to get hurt. I don't want her name to be tainted just because I'm around. She doesn't deserve the hate she's getting now.

"Vin, calm down." Devonne said, beside me. Nasuntok ko agad ang lamesa na ikinagulat ni Devonne. Kararating lamang nito sa kaniyang penthouse, dahil kinausap niya ang manager ni Chelsea dahil na nga sa balita.

"Jackie and I talked about it, ofcourse with Chelsea's consent. She agreed—"

"Who would even fucking sent someone? They couldn't just fucking stop and mind their own fucking life?" gigil kong sabi. She just sighed.

"Maybe it's just a paparazzi, or ang ibang network." kampante niyang sabi, na para bang wala lang lahat ito sa kaniya.

"Vin. The only plan that'll work to tone down this issue... is to deny Shaya—"

"The fuck are you saying, Ate?! Can you hear yourself? I'm going to deny Shaya? I'm courting her, if you have forgotten."

"Could you just listen, first?" I really can't calm down.

"What's your plan?"

"You just need to tell everyone that she's your friend and you have to act sweet towards Chelsea. She'll be at the press conference as well.This is not the right time to tell everyone that she's the girl you are inlove with. It might affect not just yours but Chelsea's career as well. Did you see how everyone bashed her? Habang wala pang kaalam alam si Shaya sa mga nangyayari sa social media." I turned to her as I gave her a glare.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm saying this as your manager—-"

"I won't do it." Tipid niyang sabi.

"What? Ano ba, this is the only way to get rid of the hates. Para na rin hindi na madamay si Shaya dito, this is what I've been planning to tell —"

"I can't.... she might hate me for this."

"Hate you for what, you're doing this for her sake—"

"Do you know how it feels to look at the person you love, seeing the doubt and confusion in their eyes? I know it's not her fault to have trust issues. But still, it hurts. And by doing all of this, means giving her another reason not to trust me. I cannot waste... my chance."

"I'm losing everyone. I'm losing Mom... Dad. And as much as I hate to admit, pati ikaw mawawala rin sa akin. I cannot lose her too."

"Stop saying that you will lose me, ni wala pa nga akong boyfriend." Mariin na sabi ng Ate niya.

"It's the truth." I teased, but still was sad about it.

"Kumalma ka, please. Alright, be mad. Sumigaw ka kung gusto mo. But, please, sa oras ng press con, act properly. Hindi lang ito para sa career mo, Vin. This is also for Shaya."

Pumikit ako ng mariin nang matandaan si Shaya at saka dinial ang number ni Nenita. I asked her a favor to look after Shaya during their work hours.

"Hello, Nenita?" mabilis kong sabi. I heard how she sighed.

"Uy, prince charming." Kumunot ang noo ko. Why does she sound sad?

"Is everything alright? Nakauwi ka na ba sainyo?" I glanced at my wristwatch. It was already six in the evening. We left Pangasinan, seven in the morning. Naabutan pa ng traffic sa EDSA, kaya ginabi na rin kami ng uwi.