THEM AND HER FLEETING ROMANCES

Chapter 7

"What the hell are you thinking about? Why say that on national television? You'll be the top news tomorrow. The top! You hear me? Your fans will be disappointed —they don't like competition over you. But you literally announced that you're in love? Do you know the gravity of the situation? My god, Georgina. Fix this man's attitude!"

Georgina, one of Liz's assistants, froze on her position when Charlie mentioned her name. What did he want? Why her?

"Let's just wait first how things would—"

The door swung open and Theo was stopped in his words. It was the host. He's smiling widely with eyes sparkling like no tomorrow. "Charlie, oh, Mr. Delaney. I'm very thankful for your appearance today. This is the best episode we ever produced. Look at your SNS, we're currently the most trending topic today."

Charlie flicked the case of his phone to see what he's talking about, seething with rage to his artist.

But the posts are none of what he anticipated.

No bashing. No fans saying they'll stop following Theodore.

Instead of these toxic reactions, fans are getting hyped up on who the girl is and how lucky she is to be waited for. They're even praising Theo's attitude towards love and wishing the best for him. Although some fans are disappointed that the actor isn't available anymore, they're not actually putting their dismay into harsh words towards Theo or the girl.

Seeing Charlie's emotion turn from rage to confusion, the host bid his goodbye.

"Theo! Look, you're— ahem, still, you shouldn't have said that on screen. Now, we need to deal with gossip. Some people may even use the information to cling to your popularity. Are you satisfied now?"

Theo took off the top that he's wearing to change it into a black shirt. "Where's the next location?"

"What? Are you listening? I am saying things here. And don't give me that bored look. Where's the enthusiasm that you are radiating earlier? Come on, you can't show this misbehavior in front of the media. They know you as a playful energetic man, not someone ... Troublemaker! Yeah, you're not supposed to cause trouble. You are the sweet Theo. Oh, sweet Theo."

Theo slapped the hand that tried to touch his cheeks. "If you don't like me to appear unprofessional, tell me what's my next job. So we can get on it," he said impatiently.

Charlie took his tablet to check their schedule for that day. "A photoshoot with Venus and...and... Yes, after that, we have a meeting with the director. It's about the drama that I am talking about with you last time."

"Okay," Theo said dryly.

He's in low spirits now not because of Charlie's continuous ranting but because the longer he thinks about the guy with Rai earlier, the more it bothers him.

And Rai seems to have no idea who he was.

But it's completely acceptable. Even he sometimes has a hard time recognizing himself in front of a mirror since a lot of him has changed ever since he entered the industry.

"Charlie," he called to the manager as they drove to their next location.

"Yes?"

"No. Nothing."

Theo was thinking of asking Charlie for help to locate Rai but he chose not to for the reason that he does not like the fact of publicizing Rai's existence.

"I should have asked for her number earlier," he groaned.

Charlie raised his brow and took a peek at Theo through the mirror. "Who?," he interrogated in a high pitched tone, warning him to answer the question with full understanding of his situation. "Who are you talking about? That girl? Theo, I know that I've told you this so many times but you're not in a position where you can—"

"Cause I am the fans' property?"

"Exactly!"

"Bullshit."

There's nothing more irksome for Theo than his own popularity. Frustrated, he kicked the car lightly, enough to create a sound.

"What the—"

Theo sighed and groaned more. He should have asked for number, who knows when he'll be able to meet her again. If he has that, then texting Rai would be a simple task. Even calling her—hearing her voice again.

"So tiring, so tiring."

"Stop it now, Theo. You're not a teenager to act like this."

Charlie parked their car and opened the door for theo with a single press on the button.

"Get off and do your job, maturely," he hissed.

Theo did what he was told and right after he closed the door, Charlie took off and left him.

"What's his problem?"

At the same time Theo's posing for the photoshoot, Sarah was also admiring herself in the mirror, turning left and right to check if she still looked great when she met Theo earlier.

He seriously knows her.

The gloom and doom in her face resurfaced. Theo... Theo Delaney knows about Rai and he can distinguish her even without her wig.

"Isn't it supposed to be reversed? I'm the one with a different identity than before. I am the one who's supposed to be unidentifiable but why can't I remember him? Who? Where?"

Riled up on how Theo got to know her, Sarah sat in front of her opened laptop to search for Theo and that's when she saw the latest video of him.

It's a four and a half minute clip of Theo from an interview. Although posted not an hour ago, views of the clip already surpassed the 100k mark and comments keep flooding in, asking who he is talking about.

Without further ado, she also clicked on the play button and watched the clip of Theo laughing and acting so shy, after being asked how's his love life.

"Am I obvious?"

"I hope she notices too."

Sarah's face became the color of scarlet blush as she continued watching. For unknown reasons it feels like he's talking to her.

Or maybe, she's just imagining things.

"To the Miss. I hope she's fine and doing well. My appearance may have changed but it never changed the fact that I waited. For three years, I waited."