Enchanted (Available on Novelah & StoryOn)

Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Goodbye

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"Drink this." Tinanggap ko ang iniabot ni Kuya na tubig at agad na ininom. Nawala na ang panginginig ko.

Nagkagulo kasi kanina dahil sa biglang dagsa ng reporters sa condo ni Kuya. Nakaiwas nga kami sa kanila sa University pero hindi namin alam na nahanap nila pati ang condo ni Kuya. I don't know how. Ang bibilis nila.

Mabuti na lang at mabilis na sumaklolo sa amin ang mga security ng condo.

"Kuya, safe na ba tayo rito?" tanong ko. Nasa loob na kami ng condo niya pero hindi ko maiwasang mag-alala.

"Yeah, may nakabantay tayong security sa labas pati dito sa floor natin. Kaya walang makakapasok," kampanteng saad niya.

Nakahinga naman ako. "Mabuti naman." Umayos ako ng upo nang may maalala.

"Kuya, may tanong ako."

"Ano 'yon?"

"Did you know about my drug accusations in China?" Natigilan siya at napaiwas ng tingin. "Be honest." Pakiusap ko.

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Yes."

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?"

"Kinausap nila ako na huwag sabihin sa iyo. They told me they would handle it and you don't need to know. They want you to enjoy your life here."

"While they are so stressed, resolving my issues there? I'm so guilty, Kuya!"

I can't imagine them taking the blame and criticism just to protect me.

"They love you so much, Faye. They just protected you, so they kept it. Kung nalaman mo at bumalik ka sa China baka lalong lumala pa. They just think the best for you."

Habang nagbabyahe kasi kami pauwi kanina sa condo. Hindi ko mapigilang magsearch tungkol sa mga scandals, issues, and accusations ko noong mga nakaraang buwan.

Sobrang gulo at malala lalo ang drug accusations ko.

I received triple bashing and backlash from people more than when my face was ruined issue. It's like whole China hates me.

I'm sure that's why my parents are so stressed every time I call them because my issues affect our company. 

I know how ruthless Chinese netizens are. If there is a certain artist who is involved in any issues or scandals.  They don't easily forgive and usually it ends the career of that particular artist. 

Especially that news outlets love engagement and even if it's not proven and fact checked, they still post and spread like wildfires.

So, kahit pala bumalik ako sa China pagkatapos ng surgery ko. Wala na akong babalikang career kung hindi lumabas ang audio scandal ni Tiffany.

That proven me not guilty of all that accusations.

The audio leaked cleared my name and saved me.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko nang makitang tumatawag si Mommy.

"Hello, Mommy!"

"Hello, anak kumusta ka? Are you okay? Nalaman ko kay Brandon na sinugod ka raw ng mga reporters."

Ako pa rin talaga iniisip nila.

"I'm okay, Mommy. Kayo po ni Daddy?"

"We're both fine. Katatapos lang namin kausapin si Attorney. That Tiffany Wang will definitely rot in jail." Ramdam ko ang galit sa boses niya.

"Mommy, I'm so sorry. I didn't know about the drug scandal." Hindi ko mapigilang mapaluha. My heart is just broken for my parents.

"It's okay, anak. You don't need to say sorry. We're just happy that finally, your name is cleared and you can go back to China." Ramdam ko ang saya sa boses ni Mommy.