Saved by the Master (De La Cerna #1)

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

Club

Zaheera

Staying positive in life is easy, but it can also be tiring. Forcing yourself to smile despite the tons of problems you’re currently facing, putting aside your problems, and prioritizing money over everything else is the only way to survive. Holding on strong for your loved ones is a tough job.

“Why did you keep this from me?” I glared at him.

Gavin smiled, pretending to be innocent. “I’m sorry. But you’ve heard of Mr. De La Cerna, right? He has already taken action on it. The interns and the doctors involved have been withdrawn from their duty,” he assured.

"Even so!" I said emphatically, almost shouting.

We were in the hospital park. Right after Vyrxon left, I immediately dragged Gavin to the park and talked to him. We were currently sitting on the bench located at the back, where there were a few people. I was frustrated and worried at the same time. Bullying is the worst thing an individual could ever experience, and the fact that this is the first time it has happened to Gavin is scary. It’s been weeks since the issue started, and I thought that as time went by, it would eventually disappear. But my hunch was wrong; it became even worse than I expected. Netizens are bringing up my past and my family. It terrifies me because I have never disclosed anything about my family on social media.

“Ever since the issue started, I know that you’re in pain and feeling worse. People are talking s**t about you, and I don’t want them to judge you because I know who you are, ZL. I got mad when they started to imagine things with you…” Gavin started as he slowly clenched his fist.

“I admitted I started the punch. I can’t turn a deaf ear and turn a blind eye, especially if they are insulting you, Zaheera. I won’t just sit still knowing that they are verbally harassing you. I can’t let that slide. I’ll protect you no matter what happens,” he said, full of determination.

My tears suddenly streamed down. My sobs became loud. I grabbed Gavin and hugged him tightly. He caressed my back gently.

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault this happened to you. I’m truly sorry.” Gavin broke away from the hug and gently lifted my face. He wiped my tears and kissed my forehead. He then cupped my face and smiled.

“ZL, please don’t say sorry for things you’re not at fault for. It’s not your fault that Coven is an asshole. We’ll get through this together. I’ll ask my co-interns if they know someone who could help us take down the videos.”

After our emotional conversation, Gavin bade goodbye because he needed to be inside the hospital. I, on the other hand, continued my job hunting, but they were persistent in rejecting my application.

“I’m sorry. We don’t have job vacancies at the moment,” the lady said with an insincerely apologetic smile.

“But there was a banner in front of your building saying that you’re looking for a secretary,” I insisted.

“We just forgot to take down the banner,” the lady excused herself.

I just nodded my head. The lady excused herself, and I even saw her go to one of her co-workers. I saw how they secretly looked at her and whispered to each other. I went outside confidently, and I even heard the same lady saying yes to one of the applicants when they asked if there were still available positions in the company. That’s when I knew that they just didn’t want to accept me. I went home tired. I even cried myself to sleep. I may be a positive thinker, but when things don’t go well in my life, I easily break down.

The morning came, and I woke up to her phone ringing. I slowly got up when I saw my mother as the caller ID. Despite being nervous, I answered the call.

“Zaheera Lucille! We’ve been calling you numerous times already. I’m so worried about you. I’m so glad you answered!” Lucia, my mother, cried.

“Sorry, Ma,” is all I could utter. My tears streamed down my face as soon as I heard my mother’s voice.

I didn’t answer their calls because I didn’t know how to talk to them. I didn't know what to say. I don't know how to explain my innocence. My life is currently f****d up, and I don't want them to worry, but I’m sure that the issue has reached them already.

“How are you there? Are you eating well? Where are you staying, darling?” my mother asked.

“I’m doing fine, Ma. I’m staying at Louella’s place.”

There was a long silence between both ends before Luica decided to speak. I was just sitting on my bed, preparing myself for the tons of questions my mother could ask.

“We’ve heard what happened, darling. Do you want to file a case against him? We will support you, Zaheera.”

I curled my knees and placed my chin on top of my knees. “I lost my job, Ma. Filing a case is costly. We can’t afford that. I have to use my savings for Gavin’s tuition fee. I will send you money for your medication. Don’t worry about me, Ma. I’ll figure it out,” I tried assuring my mother, even though I myself didn’t know if I could figure it out.

“Please, worry about yourself, darling. Don’t worry about us. Come home, Zaheera.”

“I can’t, Ma. I’m looking for a job. I need a job,” I said desperately.

“I’m sorry for making you work alone, darling. If only I could help,” my mother said with a sad tone in her voice.

“Don’t worry about it, Ma.”

“We believe in you, Zaheera. We know you’re innocent. Your Tita’s are worried about you. Please know that we’re here. We love you, darling.”

Right after the call, I immediately transferred the money to my mother’s and my brother’s bank accounts. Then I prepared myself for another job hunt. Before I went outside, I checked my remaining money, and I felt depressed seeing the money in my account. I still have money because my last paycheck came in the other day. I will survive this month, but it is unlikely that I will survive another month.

I was about to go outside the condo when my phone rang. It was a landline number, and even though I was hesitant, I answered the call.

"Hello?" Zaheera's breathing stopped, and my heart was beating rapidly.

“Hello. Is this Ms. Zaheera Lucille Valinado?”

“Yes, speaking.”

"Hello, Ma’am. This is Torress Media. We would like to know if youare available for an interview regarding your issue with Mr. Coven Villegas."

I stood still in front of the door. My hand trembled. My knees weakened. Frightened, my hand became sweaty, causing the phone to slip from my hand and drop on the floor, making the call hang up.

I curled my knees and hugged myself. I am trembling from the thought that not only one media outlet wants to interview her, but there may be many of them. Even when I tried to calm myself, I still panicked and jumped from my position when my phone continued ringing. I covered my ears tightly with my palms, but it didn’t help.

With a rigid breath and quivering hands, I reached for my phone and turned it off. As much as I want to throw it to get rid of the ringing permanently, buying a new phone is not in my budget right now.

I ran to my room and locked myself in, afraid that they would know my location and come to me. I stayed in my room for the whole day. I was not able to eat or sleep because I was alert, in case someone barged into the condo and the media surrounded me.

“Aahh!” I shouted at the top of my lungs while my ears were covered by my palms, with my eyes shut.

“Don’t come near me!” I pleaded.

“Z! Z! Z, it’s me, Lou.”

I opened my eyes and saw the worried face of Louella. I immediately reached for her and hugged her tightly.

“Lou, the reporters... the reporters are looking for me,” I sobbed.

“They won’t reach you. I promise. They can’t get to you.”

I was supposed to be fine, but I got worse.

“Z, please, get out of your room and eat. There are no reporters outside. I promise.”

But I didn’t seem to listen to what she was saying. It’s been three days since the phone call happened. Louella opened the door and came to me, who was covered by my mattress.

"Z, please..."

“I’m tired, Lou. Please leave me alone.”

Louella had no choice but to remove the mattress and force me to sit down.

“Are you trying to kill yourself, Zaheera Lucille?!”

I didn’t answer. I just quietly sobbed.

“Please, don’t ruin yourself. We’ll get through this together. I’m already asking my friends and colleagues for help. Please, let us help you. Help yourself.”

“Thank you... Thank you so much, Lou,” I continued, sobbing.

Suddenly, Louella opened my closet and grabbed every dress she could see. I was confused as I watched my best friend walk back and forth, taking my things.

“Get up, Z. Eat your food. Take a long shower. We’re going to the club.”

My eyes widened at what I had heard. I immediately stood up and stopped her from getting into my things.

“What did you just say?”

Louella looked at me firmly. “We’re going to the club. No worries. I know a perfect club for you. It’s a private club, so no one will recognize you since only billionaires are allowed in the place. I know a friend, so we could get in,” she explained.

“No,” I refused and sat on my bed again.

“Yes. I don’t like it when you’re being like this to yourself. I know it’s hard. I won’t say that I know how you feel because I’ve never experienced what you’re going through. I understand that it is painful, but you have to move forward, Z. You have to find yourself again.”

I know how determined Louella is. She won’t let me stop her from taking me to the club, so I forced myself to eat and took a shower. I hate to admit it, but it made me feel refreshed after seeing myself in full glam again.

“I assure you there are no reporters outside the building.”

Louella held my hand, and we both stepped outside the condo. We safely made it to the parking lot and got inside the car. I took a deep breath right after I put my seatbelt back on.

“Are you ready to see the world again?” Louella smirked at me and started the engine.

After 20 minutes, we arrived at the Spade Club. The place was shouting royalty. The parking lot was a lot more spacious than a mall parking lot. As soon as we stepped inside the building, I was expecting loud disco music and smelly air, like the usual club was supposed to look like, but I was surprised that it was actually neat and organized. The music was still loud, but the mixing of the songs was bearable to the ear. I was also relieved that no one recognized me. Maybe it was because the billionaires were too busy to give a damn about the issues of a commoner like me.

Louella guided me to the barstool. She ordered drinks for us. I was still adjusting to the place when Louella invited me to dance.

"Come on. Let’s go dance! Let’s dance all your problems away!” I know that Louella is now tipsy. She doesn’t have a high alcohol tolerance.

“Lou, you’ll get drunk if you continue to drink. We just got here, and you’re already tipsy,” I scolded her.

Louella just laughed at me and continued dragging me to the dance.

“Come on. Let’s just dance, Z.”

“If you want to dance, just dance, Lou. I’ll stay here and wait for you to come back.”

And just like that, I was left alone. Louella was eaten by the crowd, and I can’t see any shadow of her.

↭

I slowly open my eyes. It was blurry at first, but when my sight adjusted, I could clearly see the huge room I was in. It was painted with black and gold. The bed was also huge. I looked at myself and already felt panicked when I noticed that my clothes had changed. My wrist was covered in bandages, and I was injected with an IV. I held my head and massaged it when I felt a sting of a headache.

My confusion was answered when someone walked into the room.

“You’re awake,” said the baritone voice.

I looked up and saw a familiar man. He was looking at me directly while his hands were in his pockets. He was leaning against the doorframe.

"Mr. De La Cerna" was all I could utter. I didn’t expect to see him here. His jaw clenched.

“You tried to unalive yourself again, Miss Valinado,” he said.

He walked toward me and sat on the chair beside the table. I drooped my head because of embarrassment. Of all the people who could see me in that situation, why him?

“I’m sorry you have to see that,” I apologized, and Vyrxon noticed me fidgeting and scratching the skin off my thumb.

“You don’t have to be sorry for being hurt,” he said, and quickly held my hand, which made my eyes widen in shock. “And stop doing that. You might get an infection.”

With that, I stopped.

“I can help you turn down every video that has been uploaded and reposted by the netizens. I can even delete those reports about you. I can clear your name, and they won’t bother you and your brother anymore.”

That was my cue to look at him.

“Why would you do that? I am a stranger to you. We don’t know each other. Why are you helping me?” I can’t help but ask.

“There’s always a payment for everything, Ms. Valinado.”

I nodded. I might be confused about what was going on and what the reason was for him to suddenly get involved in my problem. But the De La Cerna has a reputation to uphold.

They don’t just get involved in everything from which they won’t get benefits.

“What is it?” I don’t care what awaits me. I’ll worry about that later. For now, I just want to clear my name and earn money for my family.

The De La Cerna is known worldwide; I’m pretty sure they don’t have illegal workers behind them. They won’t just let anyone ruin the legacy they built for decades.

"I’ve seen your resume online. You have great credentials, despite the fact that you did not graduate from college. I’ll help you with your issue, and I will give you a full scholarship to continue your college degree. You’ll work for me in return."

I was stunned and didn’t know what to say. It was already shocking that Vyrxon De La Cerna wanted to help me, but it was even more surprising that he was willing to give me a job and even willing to give me a scholarship for college.

“Take it or leave it, Ms. Valinado. My offer expires in 3 minutes.”

Panicking, I faced Vyrxon, desperation on my face.

"I’ll take it!"

Vyrxon nodded and stood up. “Very well, then. We’ll discuss further details when you get better.”

He was about to leave the room when I called him.

"Mr. De La Cerna," I called.

Vyrxon stopped walking and turned around.

“Yes? Do you need anything?” I just shook my head.

“Thank you for saving me last night. You’ve done so much for me and my brother. I don’t know how to repay you.”

The sincerity of my eyes was visible. Vyrxon smirked, as if he were anticipating this kind of behavior from me, as if he had planned it all along.

“Oh, there’s one thing you could help me with,” he said.

I fixed my posture and attentively listened to what he had to say.

“What is it? I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

Vyrxon’s eyebrow rose.

“Everything?” he repeated. I nodded, despite the nervousness I was feeling right now.

“Then, live. Do everything you can to live, Ms. Valinado. I still need you.”