My Illicit Hiraeth

Trembled

Oh! Lucky for them to sip on their coffee. When I haven't even retouched my make up!

"Hi Blaire, you're here! Are you ready? Mr. Sevilla says you agreed to do the interview today" said Mr. Henry.

"Yes Mr. Henry, since he has a lot of appointments here in France for his stay", I said sarcastically while glaring at the dumbass feeling so international rookie.

"Lights! Camera! Action" shouted the director.

"Hi everyone, good morning! I'm Blaire from Line Magazine. Today we have a very special person to be featured for this month's issue. He is from the Philippines, a vocalist from a famous band of YNG Entertainment — Ethereal, Mr. Edmund Raxe Sevilla! Hi Mr. Sevilla, how are you doing? "

"Hello, I'm good. It's good to be here in France. The people are so nice and the weather is cool."

"That's good to hear! We heard that you are having a concert here together with your band. Everyone is talking about it. When is that gonna happen?"

"Oh yes, the concert will be held two months from now. Actually, the date isn't set yet. But don't worry, I'm gonna tell you first if it's settled already" he said while staring at me.

My eyes widened and I couldn't speak. What is this monkey doing? He's told to face the camera when answering.

"Of course, you're a journalist, so I think you'll be able to spread the information quickly."

My spirit awoke. Oh gosh what am I thinking?

"Ah yes, I will make sure everyone will know it in a blink. Well, can we have a glimpse of what the concert is about?"

"Ah yes, so we made a new song, that is going to be the highlight of the concert. It's actually the album name. It's about expressing your love to someone you've longed for a long time."

"Ohhhh that's heart-melting"

"I actually prepared for this concert for a long time. I did everything to make this happen. Just so I could tell her how I feel" he said, while staring at me. I blinked twice, before I could even fall into his eyes.

I cleared my throat, I was about to utter a word when he laughed.

"Hahaha! Is it effective? That's the concept of the concert. I hope you'll watch it."

My brain faltered. I cannot contain myself. I breathed deeply and I smiled.

"Of course everyone will watch it. Come on! It's Ethereal!"

"That's a relief" and he laughed. I laughed too, so it wouldn't be awkward for him.

The interview ended unknowingly. I lost myself. That monkey!

"Blaire, you did great! Thank you, you can take an early off today", Mr. Henry greeted me, after I left the interview room.

"Thank you sir! I'll just get my things"

"Can we uhm, grab a coffee before you go home?"

I was surprised by his question. I could not answer immediately. What’s happening to me? Why does it seem like everything they say startles me?

"Okay sir, I'll be going up for a bit."

"I'll wait for you here."

I just nodded and ran to the office. What's wrong with my boss? Why is he suddenly treating me to a coffee? It's not like it's the first time I've successfully interviewed someone.

I quickly picked up my stuff and went out. I hurried to the elevator. But I didn’t even press the button when my cellphone rang.

Unknown sender:

Turn back

I'm not quick to believe in anything, but I don't know why I turned around. I saw Raxe standing in front of me, his right hand in his jeans' pocket while his left hand was holding the cellphone. He smiled at me. He was waving his cellphone.

I don't know why, but I was dumbfounded. He looked handsome in his polo shirt folded to the elbow. I don't know, but it seems like he is the only one I see. I heard my heartbeat beating so loudly. What's the matter with me? Why do I feel so nervous? I haven't even had a sip of coffee.

"Hey! Are you okay?"

I woke up from my thoughts when someone slapped my forehead.

"What are you doing? Are we close?"

"Yes, I'm an inch from you. I've been calling you for like 5 minutes but you kept staring at me."

I stared at him. "What do you need? And how did you get my number?"

"I have my ways", he said with a wink.

"Why! No—"

I didn't finish what I was going to say when he put his index finger on my lips. "Shh, no bad words"

I slapped his hand and glared at him.

"What?"

"Take me home"

"What? Why should I take you home? Am I your bodyguard? Don't you have a bodyguard?"

"I sent them home to the hotel"

"Well, tell them to come back."

"They'll get tired, they have jetlag"

He shouldn't have just hired a bodyguard then.

"Just take a taxi."

"I can't."

Oh, I forgot how famous this monkey is.

"I'll just let our staff take you home."

I took up my cellphone and called the front desk. But it hadn't even rang yet when he snatched it from my hand and it fell on the ground. I don't know if it was accidental or he literally threw it because he got hit by someone.

"Oh my God! I just bought it last week!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry ma'am"

"Let it go, I'll just buy you a new one. It's my fault she just accidentally bumped into me while I was taking a step back."

I turned to the woman and smiled because she was so scared.

"It's okay"

She sighed deeply and thanked me before leaving.

“What are you doing? What the hell is your problem? Let me tell you, I am a journalist, not your manager, so don't order me around. You've been like this since earlier. Let me remind you sir, you just met me this morning. You are my client but office hours are over. Do you think you're doing something funny? Who do you thi—"

I hadn't finished what I was about to say when he took my hand and pulled me into the elevator. He hit the button. But even though we were already in the elevator, he still didn't let go of my hand. I don't know why, but I seem nervous.

"I will never let you go again" he said before the door opened and he pulled me into the parking lot.