Caught in the Fire (Temptress Series #1)

Chapter 2

"What? Are you even doing your job? I'm Serene Quinn Fuentes. Offers should be knocking on my door right now." Inis na inis kong sabi.

I heard Tita sighed on the other line.
"Serene, things have changed after all the issues. Hindi na ikaw iyong Serene na mahal na mahal ng lahat. Maybe you should first lie low for a year and then let's see if the public still wants you."

"No fucking way." galit kung sabi. Who is she to tell me what to do?

"Then you should have listened to me then. Kung hindi mo sana tinerminate ang contract edi sana my career ka pa."

Mas lalo akong nagalit nang pagtaasan niya ako ng boses.

"Serene wake up already. You got nothing but bashing and death threats. Let's take a break first."

I ended the call before I lashed out at her. Binagsak ko muli ang katawan ko sa sofa.
I'm so bored already. It's been a month na nasa condo lang ako. No activities, no more schedule. But I will never regret my decision on terminating my contract with that company.

I stretched my legs on the sofa.
I've been in denial for weeks but it's starting to creep into me that my career is falling.

Umirap ako nang puro pambabash lang ang nakikita ko sa aking social media. It's doesn't affect me. Hindi ako nasasaktan sa mga pambabash kasi. They are just a bunch of keyboard warriors who only wants attention.

But my heart aches thinking about my career and the image that I have built for five years. In the span of 5 years, I was able to build a name. I become the highest paid and popular artist but then that fucking issue ruined it all.

I want to go clubbing and drown myself in alcohol but that wasn't a good idea. Noong lumabas ako, dinumog ako ng mga bashers. That was actually traumatic. It haunts me for nights. They used to loved and adored me.

I can't lose my career I've built for years. My career I've built to prove to my parents that even without them I can be successful. Na kahit iniwan nila ako kaya ko paring maging matagumpay kahit wala sila sa tabi ko. That's my biggest revenge for them. The child they abandoned was successful in her chosen career. That's why I can't just lose my career.

I wiped my tears.
"Serene you shouldn't cry." I reminded myself.

I found myself in a bar drinking. I was wearing a cap, big sunglasses, and all-black outfit just to not draw too much attention.

"Please give me all your hard drink. Ilinya mo lahat sa harapan ko." Utos ko sa bartender.

I should be busy right now doing advertisements and movies but here I am getting drunk in a bar.
Pity.

I don't want to admit my bad choices and decisions. I don't want to admit that I'm wrong this time.

Sumimangot ako nang makita kong ubos na lahat ng drinks ko.

"Give me drinks again. Please iyong pinakamatapang. I want to get drunk tonight." muli kong utos sa bartender. He looked so hesitant kaya naman tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Jack Daniels please." a baritone voice ordered. Naramdaman kong umupo ito sa tabi ko. His manly scent lingers on my nose. But I didn't bother looking at him because I was busy waiting for my drinks.

Tumaas ang iritasyon ko nang mauna nitong gawin at ibigay ang order ng lalaki sa tabi ko.

"Hey, I ordered first bat mo siya inuna." inis kong reklamo.

"Maam, lasing na po kayo."

Umirap ako sa kanya.
"You're being paid to make me a drink not to stop me from drinking." pagtataray ko.