Chapter 28.1
1877 Words
“Achi, mom wants me to tell you that dinner’s ready,” Angelo smilingly said when he entered my room.
“Okay!” I stood up from my bed and put my guitar in its case before holding Angelo’s hands as we both walked towards the dining room.
“Wow! Is today someone’s birthday?” I enthusiastically said as I saw the dinner served in the table. It looked like a feast.
“Oh well, I’m just really happy that you’re here honey,” mom answered.
Uncle Loui is already in the dining too, so we started eating. I can still remember the day I finally decided to come here with my family.
“I’m sorry Erina but we don’t know what to do anymore. This is the only solution we’ve think of to finally end this horrible situation,” one of the managers told me as he put papers in front of me.
I’ve asked for this day to come. For me to be finally free. But for some stranger reason, I didn’t feel the excitement that I thought I would feel. Am I that broken that my emotions are all messed up?
“Erina?” the manager tried to get my attention.
“Did you understand what I just said?”
“You want me to leave the company? For good?” I asked.
“We’re trying to protect you too. You are the main target of the public’s eye and being out of the spotlight for a while can help us both. After maybe a year, we can talk and renew your contract,” he tried to explain in a nice way.
“It’s just a yes or no question,” I said with no expression on my face. It’s not that I planned to be this emotionless, it’s just that I’m too messed up to even smile or feel anything.
“It’s not like we have any other choi---”
“Is it really that hard to say it in front of my face? That you’re firing me?”
“Ms. Lee---”
“Ang what? You don’t have any other choice? I’m the one who’s out of choices here. I’m the one who was forced to lie. And when that lie was exposed, I’m also the one who took the blame. Because that’s where you are all good at! To make your artist take all the blame. Am I a singer to you or am I just a shield that you are throwing away because it’s useless now?”
He looked shocked by my sudden outburst that he failed to answer my questions.
“Oh wait. Why did I even bother asking? Of course! I’m just an investment to you right? Everything is business to you people!”
“Ms. Lee, please calm down---”
“I’m calm Mr. Moore. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I won’t force myself into this company. And I promise that I won’t ever come back.”
“Thank you for understanding our decision Ms. Lee. To compensate, we won’t be charging you anything for technically, breaching the contract under the dating section. We wish you a happy life.”
While he was talking gibberish, I was already signing the documents that would end my journey together with the company. After checking if all the papers were signed, he immediately went out of the room.
What do I feel right now? I tried asking myself. I’m so confused that I can’t even answer a very simple question. Or maybe I do know the answer.
I’m happy to be free. But the person I want to be with is not here with me. So, what now Erina?
“What do you want to do for your birthday, Leila?”
I was forced back to the present when I heard my mother’s voice.
“Let’s just have a simple dinner mom,” I smilingly answered her while chewing my food.
Though it’s simple and a little repetitive, I like my life here in China. I’ve been here for three months already and although I stayed home for most of the days, I still enjoyed catching up with my mother and Angelo. I’m still scared to walk down the streets but since the village where our house is, is a little private, I can actually walk from here to the park in the middle of the village.
I’m always with Angelo when I do that. Some neighbors walk their dogs and other pets. And every time I see that scene, I can’t help but reminisce and remember Simba.
I’ve been here for quite a time now, but no one has opened the door yet. I’m not sure if there’s someone inside because Silas is not answering any of my calls.
“Just a little bit more Simba okay? I think your dad’s not inside, but we need to wait more. I just can’t leave you here,” I talked to the cat while caressing his very fluffy fur.
Because my feet already hurt from standing for too long, I decided to just sit on the floor just beside the door. I decided to leave the country and be with my family. I haven’t told the girls yet because they’re quite busy, but I think no one and nothing can change my mind at this point anymore.
I just want a quiet life and I don’t think I can do that here. I need to be in a new environment. Hopefully, in a place where no one but my family knows me. I wanted to bring Simba with me. Because even in the short time that we’ve been together, I have already loved him so much.
But I think it’s not right to take him with me without Silas’ permission. And I don’t think he’ll even let me bring Simba. Silas also loves the cat. And he hates me. I don’t think he’ll trust me with our pet.
Last night, I was thinking about ways to convince Silas to let Simba come with me. But while trying hard to think of something, I thought of Silas being left alone. And from there, I decided to just leave Simba to him. Because I don’t want him to be alone. He needed all the companionship he can get.
And also, because I’m selfish, I wanted Silas to still remember me at least. And I hope that through Simba, he’d be able to remember our good memories and not the bad ones.
“Are you hungry baby?” I asked the cat because he’s looking at me like he’s asking something. “Okay wait, I brought treats here for you,” I took the treats from the bag where all his things are placed. “Here,” I feed him and thankfully, he liked what I gave.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure your dad will give you more delicious treats when you stay with him,” I continued caressing his head while talking. “Take care of him, okay? Always be by his side and be his little bundle of joy. Do you understand Simba?” I laughed a little when Simba nodded like he really understood what I said.
I was about to give him more treats when I heard the elevator opened with a ping.
“Let’s just go to a bar, dude! We can get a private room so no one can recognize you. At least there are girls there---”
The man who I cannot recognize stop speaking when I stood in front of them. There are a total of four guys with Silas. Dustin is with them but the other three is not familiar with me. They all looked shock as they stare at me. I tried smiling but the three unfamiliar man are the only ones who smiled back.
“Uh……,” I felt really awkward because I didn’t know where to start so I pick up Simba from the floor to carry him.
“Simba needs a new ho---”
“What are you doing here?”
I was cut off when he suddenly spoke and ask me a question.
“Dude, why don’t you invite her inside first?” the man who’s a little bit shorter than Silas and who has a shiny blonde hair said.
He’s even smirking while saying that which made Silas raised his brows.
“Oh, come on! Look at her! She brought so many things with her. And she looked like she’s about to tell you something serious so why suffer in this hot hallway?” the blonde hair guy added. “I’m Ethan by the way,” he said as he extended his right arm towards me.
I was about to put Simba down the floor so I can shake his hand, but Silas suddenly opened the door and motioned his friends to go inside. I was hesitant at first, but Ethan motioned me to follow them. He even carried some of Simba’s bag to help me.
“Thank you,” I said when I was finally seated in one of the sofas. I let Simba run inside the house while I fix his things.
“Dude! Where are you going?” I was startled when Ethan suddenly spoke, so I raised my head to looked at Silas who was about to walk away.
“I’ll just change,” he coldly said as he continued walking. Dustin followed him but the three guys stayed with me in the living area.
Since it was really awkward, I wasn’t able to start a conversation but thankfully, Ethan spoke first.
“So, you’re here because…...?”
“Uh……. I need to leave Simba here,” I tried to answer in my normal tone but because I was nervous, I stuttered a bit.
“Simba?” he asked suddenly confused. Oh, they don’t know. Of course.
“The cat,” I tried laughing but it sounded so unnatural and awkward.
“Oh…. okay.”
I thought that the conversation was already dead, and I was about to start a new one when things started to become more awkward.
“I thought you’re here because your career just ended, and you needed my friend to save your dirty little ass.”
- Writer
