Erina's Curse (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 29

“Leila?”

I was pulled out of my deep thoughts when I heard my mother’s worried voice.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course, mom!” I even laughed to assure her that I’m fine.

“I said, why don’t we just invite your friends here?”

I find it hard to answer a very simple question because frankly, I don’t want to lie to my mother. But I don’t want her to worry too.

I haven’t even talked to the girls since I left the country. Maybe they were also prohibited to make any contact with me because even though we ended in a bad note, I know my girls. And they’re not that petty.

They’ve been busy too. Their careers are all booming because finally, the company did their job and started promoting the group overseas, specially in the united states. The general public have been slowly opening up to them too and the scandal that I was involved in is slowly being forgotten.

Silas has not been active in anything, so I don’t really have any news on him. But some of his actor friends tag him on their respective social media posts so I assumed that he’s okay. He sometimes posts pictures of Simba in his i********: page too.

I’m glad that they’re all doing okay. That when I left, they seem to be in peace. And the fans too, since their wish for me to be banish was granted, they stopped threatening to boycott every artists’ concerts and activities and started supporting them again.

I sometimes miss performing. I miss the spotlight and the feeling of performing in front of thousands of people. But I also love the peace in here. I love the quietness of the place and all I can hear is my little brother’s giggles and laughs.

“Leila?” apparently, I spaced out again and my mother is looking at me with her raised eyebrows now. “did you understand what I just said?”

“Yes, mom!” I enthusiastically answered. “I don’t think they can make it though. They’re really busy and I’m still afraid because another rumor might spark if we see each other again,” I tried to explain.

“Oh well, you’re right. it’s not even that long since you left the group so the people might still remember. So, what do you want to do?”

“Can we just eat Korean barbeque and do karaoke here mom? Uncle Loui, is that okay?”

“Of course, that would be fun!” Uncle Loui who’s mostly quiet responded really well.

“It’s settled then. We’ll have barbeque and karaoke!” Mom excitedly exclaimed.

“Yey!” Angelo seconded.

The next morning, I accompanied Angelo in his school. When I wasn’t around, mom just drops Angelo here and come back for him in lunch because both of Uncle Loui and she has work. Besides, Angelo is still in kindergarten so it’s just half a day of school.

While mom is dressing Angelo in his cute school uniform, I decided to wear a halter dress topped with a cardigan. A hat, mask and of course my clear sunglasses. I’ve been going out like this for months now and fortunately, no one has recognized me yet, so I guess this is fine.

“Are you ready?” I asked Angelo who just came out of his room with mom who’s in her chef uniform already. Uncle Loui’s already work because he has a very early meeting.

“Yes achi! Let’s go!” Angelo has always been energetic every morning and it’s such a delight to be with him.

“Here’s his lunch,” mom handed me Angelo’s backpack and his batman lunch box and water tumbler with the same design. “Are you sure you don’t want me to pack your lunch too?” Mom asked.

I usually let Angelo eat his lunch with his friends, but I eat mine when we get home. I’m just really not that comfortable outside yet, especially when I need to take my mask off. And besides, I’m already used to eating meals late so I’m just really fine.

“Yes mom. I’m really okay,” I kissed her cheeks. She kissed me too then hugged Angelo. “Take care okay? The both of you,” she said before getting her chef things and then going out the door to go to work.

I wore my white sneakers then after checking myself in the mirror near the front door, I held Angelo’s hand and we walked side by side towards my car. Yes, I purchased my own car too because if ever I want to go out, I really don’t want to commute and risk exposing myself in public.

After almost 15 minutes of driving, we arrived at Angelo’s school. I accompanied him in his classroom because he needs help carrying his things. Who would’ve thought that kindergarten kids need this many books? And this many things in general?

“I’ll see you later?” I kissed Angelo’s cheek as he settled in his seat. Their teacher is not yet here so the other kids are just playing around. “Okay achi! I love you,” he cutely and quickly responded because one of his friends is already pulling him to play.

“I love you too,” I don’t know if he even heard me because they were already playing around.

I smiled and then walked out of the classroom. Some parents and yayas said their greetings so I said hello back. But instead of waiting in the room where mothers usually wait for their child, I always stay inside the car. I don’t interact with other people that much because I’m afraid that they might recognize me.

And also, I don’t want to wear my mask for half a day to conceal my face. I want to breath and I can only do that inside the car. After an hour, I went out of the car again to give Angelo his snacks. After their 30-minute break, they were called by their teacher again, so I went inside the car. I waited for another 2 hours and finally, it’s time for their lunch.

“Are you sure that you’re okay achi?” Angelo asked as he was chewing his food.

“I’m really okay. I ate a lot for breakfast earlier, remember?” I assured him after wiping the mess beside his mouth.

“Angelo’s achi?” a lady taps my back and said my brother’s name so to be polite, I bowed a little because I couldn’t just smile, I’m wearing a mask. “Am I right? you’re Angelo’s sister?” she added.

“Uhm…… yes ma’am,” I answered politely. She smiled as she heard me speak. “I’m Hera’s mother. That kid over there, wearing the hello kitty headband,” she pointed at a very cute little girl. “We noticed that you weren’t eating. Did you not bring any food? The parents have a lot over there,” she pointed at the group of parents just outside the door looking at us. “You should come,” she said.

“Oh, I’m okay. But thank you for the offer ma’am,” I smiled. I thought the lady would just go away because I refused her offer but she’s a little bit persistent.

“I’m sure Angelo can manage on his own. Right Gelo?” she looked at my brother and because Angelo’s really innocent, he just nodded. “See?”

“I really appreciate your effort ma’am but I’m really okay. I really did not bring lunch for myself because I’m not used to eating this early,” I explained because it’s just 11 am.

I sensed that she was about to say more so I looked at Angelo to check if he’s already done. “Are you done baby?” I asked him and maybe he understands the situation because he nodded as if he wanted to go home too. “Yes achi. Let’s go home now, I want to watch cartoons!”

“Okay!” I started fixing his lunchbox while the lady stares at us. When I’m done, I got Angelo’s bad and put it in my shoulder. I smiled for the last time and finally, the lady let us go.

“Do you think Hera’s mom knows you achi?” Angelo asked as we were driving back home.

“I don’t think so,” I only removed my mask whenever I’m in the car and of course in the bathroom so there’s no way anyone would recognize me.

When we finally got home, I fixed Angelo’s things while he entered the shower. He can actually bath himself, but mom always do it still because it serves as their sort of bond. While he was showering, I began preparing for my lunch and his snack because he’ll surely watch tv when he’s done showering.

I finished preparing my food just as he went out of his room. “Wow! Our baby Angelo smells so good!”

“Of course, achi!”

“Turn the television on. I’ll bring our food in there, okay?”

“Okay!”

But I almost tripped on my way because what I heard when the television opened was so ridiculous, I want to bang my head on the wall or something.

“Former GreyArea member Erina Lee, spotted in a kindergarten with her son she has been hiding to all of us…….”