Erina's Curse (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 26.2

After teasing each other, we finally started the game. Kesha became the game host. When I picked a paper inside the jar, I found out that I’m one of the mafias. After revealing to Kesha our positions, the game officially started.

“I think Leina is the mafia,” I tried to clown them.

“No, I’m the doctor,” she countered.

“I also think that Leina is the mafia,” Raqi seconded.

“Okay time to sleep! Close your eyes!” Kesha seconded.

After hours of playing different games, we finally decide to stop. This day has been one of the best days of my life and I would forever cherish. Minutes later, mom and uncle Loui arrived from the mall. They bought take out food and since we were all so focused in the game earlier, we even forgot to eat.

“We figured that it won’t be possible for us to go out so we decided to but every board game available on the store,” Uncle Loui said as he brought out different games, we could play to ease our boredom.

“Did someone recognize you uncle?”

“We also know that it’s possible, so we came prepared and wore caps and mask. Thankfully, we were able to go around the mall unnoticed.”

“I’m really sorry for the trouble,” I asked for apology, but he just smiled at me and put his hand on top of my head to ruffle my hair. “Don’t think about it.”

We were all having fun when Kesha was forced to stand up from our little circle because of a phone call. After just five minutes, she came back.

“Erina, you need to go the company. They’re asking for you. They say it’s urgent.”

“Oh, okay. Are you girls going with me?”

“Of course.”

After showering and changing our clothes, we immediately went straight to the company. Mom, Uncle Loui decided to stay because I didn’t want Angelo to go with us. For sure what we’re about to talk about is something serious and will be stressful and I don’t want Angelo to witness any of that.

As we near the building, the people who are swarming the whole office front are already visible. When they spotted our van, which is about to go in the parking lot, they immediately went to our direction. Thankfully, we were able to enter the company before they swarm to us too.

We didn’t stop to greet or talk to anyone because we were instructed to go straight the conference room. In there, are our managers, some managing directors and the big bosses.

They all looked grim and serious. The girls might have an idea with what’s happening but since I wasn’t allowed to use my phone or check the internet for news, I’m completely clueless here.

“We’re sure you’re unaware of the recent happenings Erina so we prepared this specifically for you,” one of the managers motioned us to look at the screen across the conference room.

News played in the flat screen television. Clips were shown too. I was speechless because I didn’t think that the situation would go this worst.

“Fans were threatening the company to boycott every single concert of our artist. They were also posting videos of them ruining every merchandise and album they bought from us. We already cancelled all the activities of our idols because of what happen to you in the airport. We think that your safety is also at stake because most of the fans are really uncontrollable now.”

“I-I’m sorry,” is all I was able to say as I stared wide eyed at the screen. One of my greatest fear is for others to suffer because of me. And now, that’s exactly what’s happening.

“For now, we advised all our artist to refrain from going out and engaging in social media. We’re trying to devise a plan on how to revive your image but for now, I don’t think anything can calm the rage of the general public. In my opinion, all we can do is to wait for the issue to subside.”

Most of the managers and directors nodded as they agreed. But the big bosses are clearly not happy with what’s happening.

“W-what should I do at this point?” I asked with little voice. I was just so embarrassed, and I don’t know how to face our sunbaes.

“You obviously can’t do anything Erina. In the first place, why didn’t you think of this? You were flirting so openly that you didn’t think about the future! All eyes are always on you and you decide to hug and kiss a man? How stupid of you?” Hades suddenly bolted. I can feel his angry stare and I couldn’t help but to just cry silently.

I know that I maybe at fault but if they didn’t force me into lying about my relationship, all of these wouldn’t even happen. I really wanted to tell them about what I think but I just kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to make them even angrier at me.

“Can we just stop blaming each other and just focus in finding the solution? We wouldn’t accomplish anything if we continue to find fault in each other,” Sir Leo interjected when Haze was about to shout at me again.

“That’s the catch here. We can’t think of anything. We just really hope something bigger will blow the news and take the public’s eye from us.”

After that short but stressful meeting, we immediately went home. We didn’t have time to talk to mom and uncle Loui because were all just tired and didn’t have the energy to explain anything. It’s a good thing that the both of them are understanding enough to not pressed any information out of us.

I tried to sleep because my body is exhausted, but my mind just keeps on wandering about the future. Did I do the right thing? I did what I did in the hopes of saving more people but now, why is everyone going to suffer because of me? I was supposed to save them and now, they’re being threatened by people who didn’t have an idea about what we are all going through. People who didn’t even know the whole story but are very quick to judge.

Sometimes, I think that everything feels so unfair. But then again, when I imagine myself in their shoes, I’d somehow hate myself too. In their perspective, I used Silas. And then I denied him, I made him look like a fool. They didn’t see how I love him, how I care for him. They don’t know how we are together or what the challenges we have to endure just to be together. They didn’t know any of that. And so, they hate me. They do their best to hurt just like how I hurt their idol. Because for them, Silas Henry Kim is a precious, kind, intelligent, honest human being. And just hurt him like that. I dropped him like a hot potato.

I try my best to understand where all this hate is coming from. But I didn’t notice that while I am trying to understand other people, I began to get confused about myself. I questioned every single decision I made, and I lost confidence in the future decisions that I’m supposed to make.

Sometimes, I ask myself, what have I become? Who is this Erina that I see in the mirror? I was supposed to be tough. I was supposed to be strong. Because I believed that I’ve been through worst, I’ve been through every hardship I could think of. And I thought that I was brave enough to finally choose myself, because I know that no one would do that. But what happened? Silas chose me! Silas chose me over his career. He chose over his hard work. He chose me over anything. But I didn’t choose myself. I failed to choose my happiness. And that’s him. I failed to choose him. I failed again.

Will I have a second chance? Or is this even considered a second chance? Because I’ve asked the gods above already for a chance to redeem myself when my parents left me alone. And the gods gave me that. Will I have another chance? I hope so. I really hope so.

Because if this is my last chance, if this is the last time that I would be loved by Silas Henry Kim. Then I wouldn’t know what to do next. I wouldn’t know where to go next. Because I don’t think I’ll love any one other than him. Maybe I do. I’ll love again. but it would be different. It would be unfair for that next man. Because I wouldn’t be whole. I wouldn’t be able to love him with all my heart because it still belongs to someone else.

So please. To all the gods and deities who can hear my thoughts, my prayers, screaming from my head, I hope you grant me another chance. I hope you give another chance to love the only man who chose me. Please. Please.

I thought I prayed hard enough. I thought my desperation was enough booster for the heavens to hear my cries. But the next morning, another news hit me right in the guts.

Silas decided to leave his company. And more than half of the nation hates me now. And I can’t blame them, because I hate myself the same, or even more.

Because even though he chose me over his career, I know how much he loves doing what he’s doing. And because of someone lowly like me, he chose to leave.

When I heard the news, I didn’t hesitate to demand my phone because I would do anything to talk to him right now. I would give anything for a chance to change his mind.

I tried for hours to contact him. But nothing. What did I expect?

I was about to give up when an idea popped in my head. I immediately dialed Dustin’s number. On my fifth try, he finally answered.

“Dustin.”

“Erina,” he sounds bland. He doesn’t sound angry which lessened my nervousness a bit, but he doesn’t sound as jolly as before. But it’s okay, I would endure any sour treatment as long as I can talk to Silas.

“Is Silas with you?”

“What’s taking you so long? Who’s that?” my heart started beating erratically when I heard that voice.

How I miss hearing his voice. How I miss being with him. I almost cried remembering the times we were together. But this is not the time to be emotional. I need to talk to him.

“Dustin please. Can you give him the phone?” I begged.

“It’s Erina,” I heard Dustin speak. And then came silence. I thought the call was already dropped but then I heard his voice. More clearly now.

“What?”

“Hone--- I mean Silas. Is it true that you’re leaving your company?”

“You called my friend to ask me something that you can easily find in the news? Seriously Ms. Lee? Are you that bored?”

I was hurt by the coldness of his voice and the unwelcomed tone, but I needed to endure all of this.

“I-I just want to know for sure.”

“Yes, I did.”

“But why?” I couldn’t help but to raise my voice.

I heard him scoff. “Why do you even care?”

“Is this because of me?”

“Don’t be so full of yourself. Not everything is about you. Stop calling my friend. Stop calling me. For once, mind your own business.”

Before I could utter a single word, he already ended the call.

 You deserve that, Erina.

You really do.