Erina's Curse (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 5.2

The next day, we attended the weekly evaluation of trainees. I can still remember when I was just a trainee like them. Every week, there’s an evaluation on how much you have improved. The physical and emotional pressure is insane that’s why a lot backs-out. The monthly evaluation in which you must perform a solo song, a group song and a dance song is also an added pressure.

When I started training in H&H three years ago, I have 12 batchmates. After just a month, we were down to five. And eventually after almost seven months of ridiculous training, I was chosen to debut as a member of GreyArea.

We just finished watching the first 10 trainees when the managers called for a lunch break. They had the food delivered. We were telling stories while eating. As early as now, we already know that we can’t come out of this building early enough to buy gifts for Raqi’s mom, so we decided to reschedule since the birthday’s still next week Sunday.

 Sir Leo, the one who discovered me was also present in the evaluation so we also had the chance to talk.

"How are you and Sir Steve?" I casually asked.

Sir Leo and I are close specially when it comes to flirt stories. He is the best gay I’ve ever known. But I adore him because he's compassionate and he looks after me, not because I cause money influx to the company where he works but because he truly cares.

"Oh well, we’re still flirting," he laughingly told me while hitting my arm lightly.

He and Sir Steven Choi have been in a relationship for a year now. I’m very much happy for him because he finally found his one true love. He has cried to me many times now every time some gold digger asshole breaks his heart. Sir Leo is too kind and sometimes stupid enough to buy his ex- boyfriends’ car. But look at him now, spoiled by Sir Steve. 

They are one of the reasons why I still believe in true love. Despite of what happened to my parents, I'm still hoping that someone will love me for who I am. The real Erina who’s broken and not the perfect Erina that I show to everyone. Looks like the gods have finally heard my prayers because Silas is here already. A mere glimpse of him makes my heart flutters that my problems seems to vanish.

Sir Leo decided to sit with us when the evaluation resumed. A trainee band whose composed of nine girl members were performing their group song when I felt the need to pee. I excused myself to go to the bathroom. I was washing my hands in the sink after peeing when I decided to check my phone. It's already 5pm and there are still three bands left to evaluate. I’m sure we will finish late so I decided to send a message to Silas informing him that I wouldn’t be able to return his coat today.

I searched his name on i********: and I saw it immediately. I cannot follow him because that would stir the public eye and issues would immediately flourish.

To: silas_k216

can't meet u now

busy with evaluations

He's not online so I decided to scroll his feed first. He only has 66 pictures and most of them are candid shots. He’s so good looking at any angle. I stopped myself from liking every picture because fans would surely notice.

I finished scrolling his feed, but he still hasn’t replied yet. I've been in the bathroom for too long and people might be looking for me now, so I checked myself in the mirror for the last time and then walk back towards the training room.

The evaluation ended at around 9pm and I’m already so hungry I might faint. When we returned home, Kesha ordered Sam Gae Tang which is a chicken soup and dumplings because we all don't have the energy to cook. After 30 minutes, the food arrived. Since we're all hungry, we ate silently and did not talk at all.  We continued watching Crash Landing on You in Netflix but decided to sleep after one episode.

I was scrolling on my phone when a notification pops out.

From: silas_k216

K.

I stifled my giggle to not wake up the girls. It took him 5 hours to reply and it’s the shortest reply ever! What a brute. But he’s still cute so I’d let him pass.

To: silas_k216

im free tomorrow!!!

From: silas_k216

Who asked?

I might be losing my mind because even though he’s so hard to talk to, I’m still so into him. Not even significant for others but his every little move is big enough for me.

To: silas_k216

Lets meet tomorrow pls

I even sent him a pouting gif to be cute. Hoping he’d say yes. And most people said that no one can resist my charm so it’s worth the try.

From: silas_k216

No. 

To: silas_k216

pls pls pls

I replied with a crying baby gif. I’m hoping he’d say but I’m well aware that we’re not in that phase yet.

From: silas_k216

No. Non. Nein. Aniyo. Bu. 

Did he just f*****g use five different languages to say no? Harsh but hot, huh?

To: silas_k216

okay....:((((

It’s almost midnight but he hasn’t replied yet. He got pissed maybe. I got sad a little bit so I just read some new eBooks sent to me by GoodReads, a publishing company. When my eyes got tired, I decided to check some pictures sent to me by our photographer. I'm editing some of the pictures I plan to upload when a notification pops out.

From: silas_k216

Tomorrow's my sisters' 16th birthday. I'd invite you but we both know that's not possible. I'll just see you on Monday.

I covered my face with a pillow before screaming my hearts out. He'll see me on Monday? So, he's looking forward to seeing me too? Omg! Omg! Is he already falling for me? Are we together now? s**t! I haven’t even recovered from his last message yet when my phone vibrated again.

From: silas_k216

Good Night.

Shit! s**t! He's even saying 'good night' now. Next time, will he text me if he has eaten already and things people in a relationship do?

To: silas_k216

Tell your sister 'happy birthday' from their future sister-in-law

From: silas_k216

tss

To: silas_k216

Also tell them sorry that I don’t have gifts for them but assure them that when you finally bring me home, I’ll bring them as many gifts as they want

From: silas_k216

Sleep.

To: silas_k216

Whyyy I want to talk more

I tried to flirt again despite being sleepy.

From: silas_k216

Sleep.

Okay, fine! I don’t want to push his buttons now.

To: silas_k216

fine! I’ll sleep now.....good night baby! Dream of me :))) 

From: silas_k216

Good Night, Erina. Sleep well and tight.

I slept peacefully that night. With a wide smile on my face, I dreamed of our future together. Unaware of the nightmares that awaits to threaten that future.