The Clarity of Love (Montereal series #2)

Amidst the butsling chaos, my voice rang out with urgency, "Guys, move!" The excitement and anticipation filled the air as we ochestrated a grand event, and the pressure to ensure its success weighed heavily on my shoulders. The venue buzzed with activity, and everyone scurried about, each with a specific task to accomplish. Tables were being set up, adorned with elegant decorations. Flowers were delicately arranged, adding a touc of beauty to the surroundings. Technicians worked diligently, ensuring that the sound and lightning systems were flawless. As the organizer, I had to oversee every detail, making sure that nothing was overlooked. Time seemed to fly by, and I couldn't afford any mistakes. My heart pounded with excitement and nervousness, but I remained focused on the task at hand. I actually don't know kung para kanina ang event na ito. All I knew was that there was an artist performing, and his presence had drawn a crowd of excited fans, most of whom were igling with anticipation. Family business namin ang pag-organize ng mga ganitong klaseng events, tinanggap ko lang 'to dahil utos 'to ni dad kaya ako nandito ngayon imbes na nagpapahinga. "Oh my gosh! Is that you Clarisee Raegan? OMG!" I turned around when I heard my name. I took a deep breath. "Can we take a picture together?" Her eyes gleamed with admiration as she held up a poster with my name. We posted for the picture, and as the camera clicked, her face lit up with pure joy. Hindi para sa akin ang event na 'to pero pinagmukha niya na ako ang bisita sa hotel na 'to. Sabagay, hindi ko naman siya masisisi dahil nga sikat din naman ako. As a model and vlogger, fame had become a constant companion in my life. The flashing lights, the glamorous events, and the adoring fans had all become familiar elements of my everyday existence. "Alright, let's do a final run-through," I declared, gathering everyone for a last-minute briefing. "This is it, our moment to shine. Remember, we've worked tirelessly for this, and we can make it a memorable experience for all." The team nodded, their determination mirrored in their eyes. We went through the schedule one last time, fine-tuning the details and ensuring everyone was aware of their responsibilities. "Are you sure everything is okay?" I asked my team, my voice tinged with both concern and determination. Their hard work and dedication were evident, but I knew that double-checking everything was crucial. As we huddled together, going over the final preparations, I couldn't help but notice someone from afar. My eyes squinted as I tried to get a clearer view, a feeling of familiarity stirring within me. I couldn't confirm if he was the someone I knew, but something about him seemed familiar. I shrugged out of nowhere and focus in what I'm doing. The event is about to start anytime soon. My staff have already checked everything, so we decided to sit on the side for a moment. I badly need to sit now. My feet have been hurting in the heels I'm wearing, and I've been standing for a while. I opened my bag and looked for my phone. It probably won't start just yet, so I'll check my phone first. I suddenly stopped scrolling on my phone when I saw a familiar face. Bakit sa lahat ng mga may ** eh yung sakaniya pa yung nakita ko? Sa pagkakaalam ko eh in-unfollow ko na siya sa IG. Anong nangyari? May nakielam ba ng phone ko? I stared at his face in a picture he just posted on **. I have to admit, he looks more mature now. It had been so many years since we last saw each other. After so many years, he still hasn't changed his hairstyle. He always prefers curly and frizzy hair. But as quickly as the smile appeared, a sense of self-awareness washed over me. Wait, why do I even care? Gosh, Clara! Stop that! With a deep breath, I tried to refocus my attention on the present. After all, life had moved on for both of us. We had our separate journeys, and we were no longer a part of each other's lives. "Ehem! OMG! Don't tell me na you like him pa din or should I say you still love him? Oh no! Oh no! Gosh Clara naman-" Tinakpan ko ang bibig niya dahil ang ingay niya. Super! Mila's teasing and loud commentary caught me off guard. My face turned a shade of pink, and I felt my heart race. I never expected her to blurt out such a personal question in the middle of a crowded place. "Mila, shut up. Mali yang iniisip mo. Tsaka hello? It's been a year. Move on!" Inalis ko na sa IG ang phone ko. Baka ano pang makita niya eh. Tinanggal ko din kaagad ang pagkakatakip sa bibig niyang maingay. Mila is my best friend. It's been a long time. We've been best friends since high school, and up until now, she's still my best friend. She's always there for me. "Anyway, were you the one who followed him using my IG?" I asked her. She's the only one who meddles with my phone. She looked at me and playfully smiled. "Mila, seriously! Didn't I tell you about this before? Gosh, Mila! I want to slap you right now, but I don't want to cause a scene here." I opened my IG again and unfollowed him once more. I don't want him to think of anything else later. He might think that I'm stalking him or that I'm closely monitoring his posts. I know how he thinks, especially since he tends to assume things. "By the way, before you slap me or something. Do you even know whose event this is?" I shook my head at her, and she rolled her eyes. "Tsk. You really don't know? Do you want me to tell you?" I just shook my head again and adjusted my bag. I'm leaving now. I badly want to sleep right now. I haven't had a proper rest in the past few days. I just arrived in the Philippines, but instead of resting, this is what I'm doing. Gosh! This is my life! There's nothing I can do about it. "Where are you going? The event isn't over yet!" There she goes again, complaining. "I want to rest. I've only been here for 3 days, but I already want to go back to New York. At least there, I can get some rest." I was about to call the driver when I suddenly stopped in my tracks as I saw someone. Oh gosh! Why is he here? Why now? My heart raced as I stood frozen in place, unable to take another step. The crowd seemed to fade away, and all that mattered was the intense gaze we shared. It felt as though time had stopped, and memories of our past flooded my mind. Why was he here, of all places? And why now, when I least expected it? My heart pounded in my chest as Mila's excited voice echoed in my ears. "OMG! He's coming towards you." She couldn't contain her enthusiasm, making a scene in the midst of the crowd. Mila was right, and I couldn't deny the rush of emotions surging through me. Oh gosh! No way! No way! I can't believe this is happening. How am I supposed to talk to him now? My mind raced with a million thoughts, and I struggled to find the right words. As he drew closer, my pulse quickened, and my palms grew clammy. "Hello Miss Clarisse Raegan! Good to see you here and by the way he's Ryder Montereal. I guess you already know him right?" In the midst of my racing thoughts and fluttering emotions, I heard a reassuring voice in my mind. "Calm down, Clara! Stop acting weird." It was my inner voice, reminding me to regain composure and handle the situation with grace. Taking heed of the advice, I closed my eyes and took a deep, calming breath. I felt the tension gradually easing away, allowing me to focus on the present moment. With a renewed sense of control, I opened my eyes and mustered a smile. He was almost within arm's reach now, and I tried to steady my breathing, willing myself to remain composed. Our eyes met once more, and it was as if the world around us disappeared. All the noise and commotion faded away, leaving only the two of us in that moment. My mouth opened, searching for words, but nothing came out. "Ofcourse I know him. We know each other." What the hell? Bakit ko sinabi yun? Gosh! "So you know each other? Well, that's good to know," Ryder's manager blabbered. Hindi ba pwedeng umalis na sila sa harapan ko kasi nandito din ang mga taga-media. "Ryder Montereal, kaibigan niyo po ba si Miss Clarisse Raegan?" I rolled my eyes when I heard some of the reporters na nagtatanong about me and Ryder. The overwhelming desire to escape the spotlight and the prying eyes of the media consumed me. I felt suffocated by the attention, longing for a moment of solitude away from the chaos of the event. The urge to shout and run away surged through me, but I knew that succumbing to these emotions would only lead to a scandalous scene. Taking a deep breath, I tried to compose myself, reminding myself of the responsibilities I had to uphold. I couldn't let my emotions get the best of me, not in a public setting like this. I had to maintain my composure, even when everything inside me screamed for a break from the intensity. "Nope." Simpleng sagot niya. "Because she was my girlfriend." DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Nsmes, characters, business, places, events, locales and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. ▪▪▪ This is an independent story. You don't need to read "Never Thought I Could Love You (Montereal Series #1) to understand this story. Though, they may have family connections. THE CLARITY OF LOVE (MONTEREAL SERIES #2)