Erina's Curse (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 30

“Do these people even have brains?”

My mother sounds really pissed as we read the articles released about me in different websites. I don’t know if I should be pissed or I should be laughing right now because everything just sounds ridiculous to me. That’s why these past few days I’ve feeling like someone’s following me or something.

Maybe the parents in Angelo’s school are really just so bored that they decided to take a picture of me and my brother, sell it to the media and make my name viral again. to be honest, I don’t mind. I’ve been dragged and shitted all my life that seeing people cursed at me is now new anymore.

What I don’t like is seeing my baby brother’s face all over the news. How can these people curse a 4-year-old boy who’s so innocent that he didn’t even know he’s already trending?

People have been saying that he’s my son because we looked like each other. Of course! He’s my brother for Pete’s sake! We have the same eyes because of our mother. Oh! I take back my words, this is not something funny anymore, this is just pointless and dumb.

And I’ve been quiet since I left the company. I left the f*****g entertainment industry, but these people continue to drag me everywhere, in every issue and in every topic, they can think of. Or are they even thinking? Oh god, this is really just so stupid that I can see my mother raising her eyebrows now.

“Just let it be. Let’s not add fuel to the fire,” Uncle Loui responded.

He seems pissed too he’s a lot calmer than my mom. Or he tries to be. Just imagine the chaos if they’re both freaking out right now. The house would be a mess. My mom continued browsing the internet while I sat beside her. Uncle Loui decided to go to Angelo’s room.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe these people, Leila! They were saying that you maybe got pregnant at 14!”

My mom shouted almost breaking the laptop as she closed it. I think it’s a bad idea to let her read these articles. Before she can even open the laptop again, I took it from her and shut it down. “Uncle Loui is right, mom. Let’s just let it go,” I beg her.

“Let it go? What do you mean? They’re clearly assassinating your character! Again! what do they f*****g want?”

“It’s not like we can do anything about it mom. If we respond, they can even make us look bad. Let’s just keep quiet and let this issue die down,” I explained.

“But what if they do worse? Because we’re not taking any action, they would think that it’s fine to do this to you, to our family. What if they find you and ruin our peaceful life again? What then, Leila?”

“They won’t mom. It’s how the industry works, as long as lie low they cannot create or publicize anything about us. And that’s what we’re doing right? I’m trying hard mom. I really am. And I’m really sorry for this mess,” I was startled when she suddenly hugged me to her chest.

“Hey! It’s not your fault, honey! Don’t ever think that! I’m not blaming you. We’re not blaming you. Never, okay? I blamed you for your father’s infidelity before and I’m never doing that again. remember that. You are my daughter. And we’ll go through all of these together. Okay?”

“Okay, mom.”

“Do you understand?”

I laughed before answering. “Yes, I understand. You’re so persistent like Angelo.”

“Like you too,” she answered.

“Okay, fine. You’re so persistent like me and Angelo.”

“Of course, you both are my children,” we laughed even though technically, there’s nothing funny. It’s what mom and daughters do.

“Mom aren’t we going to eat yet?” we were both startled when we heard Angelo speak.

“Oh, our baby is already hungry?” my mother cutely baby talked my little brother.

“Yes,” he answered cutely.

“Then let’s go! Call daddy now,” we stood up as I helped my mom in the kitchen while Angelo went to the study to call Uncle Loui.

The next few days were hectic. Mom and Uncle Loui decided to not transfer Angelo in another school because the school year’s almost finish already, and it would be stressful for the kid to transfer. Thankfully, the school is private and has a good security so people who actually found out that he was studying there cannot go inside. Unless, they have kids who actually go there.

Mom also reported the mother’s who took our pictures but did not pursue any legal actions because they were able to talk it out and resolve the issue. I was still able to take Angelo to his school, but unlike before, I don’t go out of the car now. And I also have to exchange cars with mom because unfortunately, the media also knew about my car. I don’t want to risk being followed everywhere. Thankfully, they haven’t found anything about our house yet, or my mother’s workplace and Uncle Loui’s too.

So far, it’s been okay. Not as quiet as before, but not too loud and chaotic that would stress as out.

I go out sometimes, but I’m fully covered. We go to church, to the malls and if we ever eat out in restaurants, we always rent out the private rooms. So, all in all, life is good. And I hope it would stay this way.

Months pass again and everything seems to be going smoothly, and never once did I forget that my birthday’s coming up. Because my mom is so excited that she reminds me of it every single day.

“So, do you want to go with me?”

She asked me if I want to go with her in the grocery because tomorrow’s my birthday and she has tons of ingredients needed. I’m actually not sure why she’s cooking a lot when it’s just the four of us celebrating tomorrow.

“Why are you even buying all of this mom?” I asked as I checked he long list of foods and things to buy.

“Just because,” she answered while smiling widely.

“Just because?” I asked a little more confused.

“Do you want to come or not?”

“Okay, fine. I’ll go with you,” I finally gave in as I went to my room to get my hoodie and my mask.

“How about Angelo and Uncle Loui?” I asked because when we entered the car, she immediately started it. I thought we’re going to wait for the two.

“They have other things to buy,” mom answered.

We reached the grocery store immediately. Thankfully, it’s not packed today so, we were able to buy all the things we needed smoothly.

When we got home, Angelo and Uncle Loui are already there too. And I was shocked by the number of toys they bought.

“What the……... mom!” I cannot help but to raise my voice because I was so confused with everything that’s happening. “I’m not turning 7! Why did you buy all these toys?”

I was more annoyed when she just laughed at me like I’m some kind of a joke. “These are not for you, Leila!”

“Then what are these for?”

Instead of answering me, she just laughed at my annoyed face. She’s such a bully sometimes! Maybe I got my bully side from her.

“Let’s just tell her. There’s no need for a surprise,” Uncle Loui said.

“Tell me what?”

I looked at my mom urging her to finally tell me the truth but she just smiled playfully at me so I thought she wouldn’t tell me no matter how much I ask. I was about to walk out when she finally spilled the beans.

“We’ll be celebrating your birthday in an orphanage tomorrow!” she excitedly announced.

“Really?” I was shocked and also happy. I don’t know why.

Maybe because even though I thought that life’s been okay lately, I unconsciously lost my purpose. I unconsciously lost my will. Before, I have all the willpower in the world to try new things, to conquer my fears and all that. But now, I was just going with the flow. I’m not even shocked when another issue about me blew the internet before. Because I don’t care anymore. After everything that I’ve been through, after everything I endured, I thought I was winning. But I was actually losing. I’m losing my spirit.

And just the thought of visiting a place filled with children, children who are always smiling, who always bring joy, it lightens the burdens of my heart. Did my mom know that? That that was what I was feeling all this time? Maybe. She’s my mother after all.

“Yes!”

“Oh my god, thank you mom!” we excitedly jumped up and down while hugging each other like kids. I wasn’t a little bit excited for my birthday tomorrow but now, I don’t even plan to sleep!

“Are you finally excited for your birthday?”

“Yes, I am!”

We were fixing all the things needed for tomorrow when we heard the doorbell rang. Who might that be? I don’t think we’re expecting any visitors or something. I don’t usually open the doors when someone is outside because I still fear if that person is a paparazzi or something but since everyone is extremely busy, I decided to just get the door.

“Sir Leo?”

“Advance happy birthday Erina!”