Erina's Curse (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 4.2

I woke up the next morning feeling giddy. The girls are sleeping on their own beds. Its already their routine to go back at dawn. I could not blame them though; we work straight for 6 days and we have a lot of commitments. Time with family is a luxury for us. It is the sacrifice they must make. 

They all look tired, so I decided to get up and prepare them breakfast. It is already 7am and we need to be at the company at 9, so I prepared a quick egg roll, cold cucumber soup and the r****h strip kimchi that Sassy brought. I saw it neatly tuck in the refrigerator and it smells so good. After almost 30 minutes of preparing, I woke them up to have our breakfast.

"How's your one-day vacation?" I started the conversation.

"My brother got himself a BUKOL when my mom threw a spoon at him. He was hit in the forehead and it was a clear bull’s eye for my mom. Well, he deserved it. He almost gave mama a heart attack when he told her that his birthday gift for our parents is a grandchild,” Raqi laughingly narrated. She is talking about Rafa, her 15-year-old little brother whose as playful as her.

"Oh, right. Tita’s birthday is just around the corner. Let's buy her gifts this Saturday, G?" Kesha asked which we all agreed. 

"My brother is so obsessed with this role-playing game. I can't remember the name, but I can always hear the phrases 'slain the enemy' 'rise with me on the battlefield!' and he's always cursing! One time he accidentally called me 'cancer' and I hit his head so hard he hit his head in the keyboard. What a way to exhibit keyboard smashing, huh?" Leina exaggeratedly said with her hand gestures.

"He's playing Mobile Legends. It's so famous these days. Try playing it, you’d be labeled as one of dumb players,” Kesha said while laughing.

"By the way, my mom told me to tell you to not be shy anymore. If you want more kimchi, just message her and she’ll send us some,” Sassy told me while chewing her egg roll.

"Oh! No, no, no…...you bring so much every week already. There’s no need for more,” I answered.

"As if, you don’t need to be so discreet, we all know how tactless you are," Sassy answered. I eyed her seriously and pouted which made her laughed.

"My sister got herself a boyfriend. She's flexing so bad smh, she’s squirming every time she tells me their corny moments. I'm cringing so bad here," Kesha’s sported a scowl while speaking then we all laughed again.

We finished eating and preparing after an hour. The driver fetches us and 15 minutes later, we arrived at work. We immediately walked towards the dance studio. When we arrive, employees were peaking at the door. We said excuse for us to enter because we need to practice too.

Loud music welcomed our ears. The seven members of Axis are inside and in the middle is the man who I couldn’t get out of my mind. Kim Silas looks so handsome in his gray sweatshirt with bear print and black sweatpants. He’s dancing effortlessly and the beads of sweat running down his neck are attention grabbing.

The music that they were dancing ended and they sat on the sides to rest. My heartbeat doubled when I saw Silas walking towards me. s**t! Does he remember me now? Maybe, he’ll say sorry for taking too long to enter my life, or maybe he'll ask me to be his girlfriend already because he’s too blinded by my beauty.

"Excuse me, Miss."

Or better he’ll kneel down and ask me to marry him already! Well, I might say yes because for sure, I’ll be happy and comfortable with him. My thoughts ran and ran that I failed to notice his lingering stare.

"Uhm......can you please move aside?”

Hmmmm, we should now think about the design of my wedding gown. It’s better to be prepared than sorry! I want a simple dress but maybe he wants a grand wedding, so I need grand dress too? What do you think? I was still daydreaming when I felt Raqi’s hand on my waist. I almost spat at her when I noticed the stare of the man in front of me. His forehead is on creased.

Oh no. Did he find me weird? 

"Miss, my tumbler’s behind you. Can you please move aside so I can get it? I'm dying of thirst here..." 

I immediately move aside and saw that his duffel bag and his white Kleen Kanteen tumbler is near the door. I watch him drink his water.

When we become together, I’ll buy you a water fountain. I thought to myself while stifling as smile.

"You witch, you’re staring too long. We’re practicing in the next studio,” Sassy pulled me outside the door while I try to steal a glimpse.

He’s just so good to look at. If we have a daughter, she’ll surely make a lot of boys’ cry.

We arrive at the dance studio right next to the one where Silas is practicing. We started our routine and because I saw my crush a while ago, I was so full of energy.

"Wow, some witch is energetic today," Kesha teased.

"Seeing her crush makes her act like a woman who drank gallons of energy drink,” Leina added.

"You witches are just jealous," I answered while laughing. "What now? Let’s practice all night!” I told them smiling.

"What are we? Crazy? No way!" Raqi answered then threw me her hand towel filled with sweat.

While resting and deciding what to eat for lunch, Kesha’s assistant knock on the door. She informed us that we were summoned to the common room and that lunch is served there.

"Tsss, I want chicken. They only served vegetables here! Are we goats, huh?" Sassy pouted.

We walked towards the common room. When we opened the door, we saw people eating their lunch. Sir Hades called us and signaled us to join them in their table. We got food from the buffet table then sit in the table assigned for us. 

Wow. I’ll surely enjoy this meal because Silas Kim is in front of me. 

"You’re going to eat just that? That’s too little, Erina. Here, try some meat," one of the producers beside me offered me food. My plate is filled with vegetable salad and some fruits. We have weight to maintain and the managements is really strict with the food we eat.

I heard Sir Hades coughed loudly. I looked at him and without words, I immediately got what he wanted to say. I politely refused the food offered to me. The sweet and sour pork look so delicious. Haaay, next time. Maybe.

"No, it’s okay. I’m not that hungry.”

I ate silently, still disappointed that I did not eat meat today. I randomly look in front and saw Silas staring at me. His forehead creased and he has a perpetual scowl in his face. He looked at my plate with anger? He then stared at me again then averted his gaze. What was that? Is he mad? He doesn’t like vegetables?

When we finished eating, we immediately go back to the dance studio. After resting for a couple of minutes, we resumed our routine. After a couple of hours, we decided to go home and rest. We had Bibimbap for dinner and because of fatigue, we did not have the energy to watch Netflix and just immediately go to bed.

The next day, Sassy prepared our breakfast. As usual, the driver fetches us and drop us off the company. With an agenda in mind, I immediately walked towards the dance studio where I’ve seen Silas yesterday. To my dismay, Axis was the only one practicing there.

"Oops, the witch is disappointed.”

Leina noticed how I my mood changed. Why isn’t he here? I saw him yesterday in the same studio, at the same hour!

"Wait, I'll just ask them if they’ve seen your prince charming,” Raqi walked towards Nathan which made me shocked. They talked for a bit then Raqi walked towards us.

"Erina, I think you’re mistaken. He’s supposed to not be here every day. His schedule is every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday,” Raqi said. Fine, I’m a little disappointed but the thought of seeing him tomorrow lifted my mood.

The day went by easily. We continued practicing and at 6pm, we’ve gone home. We had Japchae for dinner ana watch Crash Landing on you on Netflix. We were screaming our hearts out every time a cute scene appears. Tired, we decided to sleep already. 

I was so excited for the next day that I look like a child jumping of joy. When I opened the door of the dance studio, Axis was there but Silas is not around. Again. I thought he’s here every Wednesday?

I immediately sported a scowl which Raqi noticed. Without saying anything, she talked to Nathan again. After that, she walked towards me and whispered something. “He went to the comfort room….” I gave her a hug and smilingly walk towards the comfort room. 

I didn’t run on him on the way so I’m quite sure he’s not out of the comfort room yet. I walk back and forth in front of the comfort room while waiting for him. When I heard the door click, I pretended to walk towards him.

"Hey......" I started to say while staring at his handsome face. He's wearing white shirt and gray sweatpants. His messy hair is so captivating that I would bet everything to have him.

"Yes?" 

He’s also staring at me while wiping his hands with a white hand towel. I stretched my right hand towards him while smiling sweetly.

"I'm Erina. Do you remember? You lend me your suit, “I said while still stretching my hand in front of him.

"What about it?"

He answered with a blank expression in his face. Embarrassed, I slowly lowered my hand. I wanted to hold his hand and feel the electricity flowing in them, but he seems not be interested.

"I just want to say thank you for helping me back then. I promised to return the suit, but I didn’t bring it. How about we meet tomorrow so you can have it back?” I smelled his suit all day and when it was dry cleaned, I put it beside my bed.

"Don't bother. Miss, I'm in a hurry so if you'll excuse me please."

He answered then walked pass me. I was shocked for about 5 seconds before I decided to run after him because I have a lot of things to say and not a lot of time to say them. 

I shrieked loudly when my left foot slip in the water pool on the floor. Someone may have spilled water here and forgot to tell the janitor.

I braced myself because I knew my back would hit the tiled floor when suddenly, I felt two strong arms prevented me from falling. We were so close that I can see how flawless he is. I was staring at his ash gray orbs as he stares at my green ones. 

I did not fell on the floor. But I fell for him.

My back did not hurt. But my heart ache of longing for him. 

And I can only say one thing.

Thank you, the person who spilled the water, and to the janitor who failed to clean it.