Disclaimer: This story is written in Tagalog, English, and Hangul. Don't worry, it has translations right after. Bear with me, I only used an online translator so if there's something wrong, give me a heads up, thanks!

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Chapter 1

"Should we wait for him?" I asked Chini while we're still sitting just around the lobby area.

"I guess, we should...he's expecting us to be here though."

"E, lumabas na nga siya ng bathroom tapos hindi niya tayo pinansin. Maybe we should meet him next time? Punta muna kaya tayo ngayon sa apartment na tutuluyan ko?"

She shook her head, not convince with my suggestion. "No, I'm going to call him. He must be talking to some people there. Wait ka lang, I'll try to reach him out and 'wag kang mag-aalala. He's not going to abandon us. I know him, he won't do this to us when he's going back to the way he used to. So, please, excuse me."

I let her leave alone so she could nudge him a call. Ewan ko ba, pero kabang-kaba naman ako sa muling pagkikita namin ni Jin-Hyeong—though madalas kong tawag sa kanya noon ay Gunward. Nabanggit lang no'n ni Chini na ang English name raw nito ay Gunward Edmiston if he's not using his Korean name. I think both are fine, nasanay lang din akong tawagin siya sa parehong pangalan pero boss pa rin naman ang tawag ko kapag kaharap ko siya.

I put my attention on my phone as I feel so anxious around here again. Nakasasabik na nakapaninibago. Hindi ako sanay. Mas nasanay akong kaharap ko ang screen ng phone ko at kausap ang sarili at pagbabasa ng comments. But I still know what I've got to do. Iyong sinend sa akin ni Chini na contract na refresh naman ang isip ko from all the duties I have done before. A little while spending my attention on my phone, Chrizzle started video calling me. I set up the earphone and put it on my ears.

"OMG! Nasa Korea ka na ba, ate?"

"Yes! I just arrived almost three hours ago. Buti natawag ka rin!"

"Oh, teka? Anong oras na ba r'yan saka house tour naman diyan!" sabik na utos ni Chrizzle.

"Alas y quatro pa lang naman dito. One hour advance kami rito kaysa riyan sa Pinas. But anyway, to answer your question, hindi pa ako nakapupunta magiging apartment ko dahil dumiretsyo kaagad kami sa agency Jin-Hyeong..."

"At ano namang nangyari? Pa-fansign nga, ate! Ipang-iinggit ko lang sa mga kaklase ko! Please?!" pagmakaawa pa nito.

Napasinghal na lang din naman. "Naku! Bawal na bawal 'yang fansign at ayokong gawin 'yon. Mag-edit ka na lang diyan ng picture niya. At nandito kami sa agency para kitaan siya. Hindi ko alam kung anong ganap pero... I think... hindi magandang araw 'to para sa akin."

"Drama mo, ate. Cheer up lang! Ititigil ko 'tong online selling natin kapag binalak mong umuwi kaagad dito."

"Hoy, gaga ka! 'Wag mo akong pasigawin dito," ani ko at saka hininaan ko ang boses ko. Tiningnan ko pa ang paligid ko at mukhang wala namang pumapansin sa akin. Hindi naman nila naiintindihan ang sinasabi ko kaya fair lang dahil hindi ko rin ma-gets 'yong mga pinagsasabi nila—well, kaunti lang pero hindi ako fluent kagaya ni Chini na half-Korean at half-Filipina. "Iniwan ko na nga sa 'yo 'yang online selling para dagdag income na rin. Saka if may time, ime-meet ko personally 'yong supplier ko rito para mas doblehin pa 'yong stocks natin diyan. Ayusin mo, Chrizzle, a! Gigil mo 'ko."

"Jelay!" Inangat ko ang tingin ko nang tawagin ako ni Chini na kabababa lamang tawag sa phone. "Jin-Hyeong's ready to see us."

"Ah, okay!" mabilis kong tugon. Mabilsi rin naman akong nagpaalam kay Chrizzle na tatawagan ko na lang siya kapag nakauwi na ako sa tutuluyan kong apartment. Agad ko namang nilapitan si Chini. "Saan na tayo ngayon?"

"Basta! Alam mo na 'yon! Ito naman akala mo baguhan!" She giggled and grabbed my hand patungo sa elevator.

This entertainment building, TYPE ENT is located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu sa Seoul. It's almost two hours away by transit from Incheon International Airport. Hindi ko nga na-realize na gano'n pala kahaba ang naging biyahe namin kanina dahil mas matuon ang atensyon ko sa paligid at sobra akong nalilibang at hindi naaagaw ng oras ang atensyon ko. And I mean that's a good thing for me, wala rin naman akong hinahabol na oras.

I've been here for so many times no'ng first year kong magtrabaho for Jin-Hyeong, though sa tingin ko ay maraming na-renovate sa loob ng building dahil hindi ganito kasilaw ang paligid no'n. Noon ay napaliligiran lamang ng mga dry accent grey walls, may pin light at paintings sa lobby pero ngayon ay halos nagliliwanag na sa iba't ibang palamuti. Halos puro salamin ang division kaya nakasisilaw talaga. Napaliligiran din naman ng mga touch screen TV ang iba't ibang area. They really changed everything, mabuti na lang ay hindi sila nagbago sa paghahandle sa aming boss.

Not that long when we finally reached the 18th floor where usually Jin-Hyeong goes for meetings or other stuff. Ang nasa ibabang floors kaso karamihan ay mga studio o kaya naman mga office. This building has twenty-three floors and I've only been into those floors kung nasaan nagpupunta rin ang boss ko.

Unlike the other floors, this floor hasn't changed that much aside from its new furniture and set-up, but not with all the division and stuff. Sinusundan ko lamang si Chini kung saan kami pupunta. Kahit na nakapupunta na ako rito, people might not knew me dahil baguhan lang ako and I needed to have my own access para makalabas-pasok ako sa building without being held-up sa entrance. Fortunate of me, Chini already did that for me so we're only waiting for my personal access card so I won't be tagged as an intruder, but BJH personal's assistant.

When we finally reached the meeting room where BHJ is waiting for us. Chini entered the room first before me following her behind so timidly. I was kinda feeling so cranky about BHJ's reaction upon seeing me. I know naman na na-brief na siya ni Chini, but is he expecting to see me again? Hindi sa pang-aano... but I was excellent to my job before, though may ilang lapses, but I still believe it was really a good experience for me.

"Annyeong hashimnikka," pagbati ni Chini kasabay nang pagyuko nito. Pagkapasok ko rin ng meeting room ay nakita ko na si BHJ na nakaupo sa dulo ng oblong table while his boss is sitting across him. Tumapon din naman ang tingin nila sa akin kaya naman agad na pinasok ni Chini ang pagpapakilala sa akin. "Nan gnang moduga mannal su issdorockhago sipspnida, Raijine! Jinyeongyn yision gaein bishowa gnioenen gnioe sicupeul yusihagi wiha dolawassa." She perfectly said it all kahit nawala ako sa sarili kong translation. (I would just like to let everyone meet, Raijine! JinHyeong's previous personal assistant and she's back to keep her job.)

"Dashi oshin girl hwanyeonghapnida, Raijin!" pagbati naman sa akin ni BHJ na may kasama pang ngiti. (Welcome back, Raijine!)

Yumuko ako na pinamutian ng ngiti ang aking mukha. I'm so grateful to him again... though what we have seen earlier isn't a good thing. "Gamsahapnida, sunsangnim!" (Thank you, sir!)

Feeling ko tuloy ang importante ko ng tao at nabalewala na 'yong kaninang pag-aalala kong hindi niya ako magugustuhan. "Cini, ne yeope anja," he added which Chini just grabbed my hand and we just sat next to him just like what he said. (Chini, sit next to me.)

We sat there and listened to what the management was saying. Nakikinig lamang ako sa kanilang tatlo. Sa totoo lang, I really have no business in here dahil hindi naman ako kailangan sa mga ganitong meeting. Minsan nag-stay lang ako sa lounge area o kung kailan lang ako kakailanganin saka lang ako tatawagin. Hindi rin naman ako assumera na magbibigay sila ng lead role sa akin.

But they were talking about BJH previous group he was in before he got enlisted into the military. Matapos kasi niyang ma-enlist na sunod-sunod na ring na-enlist ang mga kasamahan nito leading into disbandment of their late group called UNITE, but funny thing is, they're already separated to each other. At dahil nga disbanded na ang late group, he's offering a proposal for him to get his spotlight back on the stage.

Dahil eighteen months ngang nawala si BHJ sa entertainment industry, some people got tired waiting for him, but I believe that there's still a lot of fans of him that are waiting for his big comeback. Hindi man bilang isang grupo kasama ang kanyang late group, he could actually strive on his own... iyon nga lang, what their management offered is kind of bit... problematic and scandalous.

Hindi nga rin kami nagtagal sa loob ng meeting room because the conversation could erupt into something bad. Minabuti na lang din na umalis dahil hindi papaya si Chini—bilang manager ni BHJ na gawin niya ang tactic na 'yon.

"Ano ba 'yon?" pag-usisa ko pa. "Hindi ko kasi masyadong na-gets... pero narinig ko 'yong pangalan ni Mi-Sun? Anong ganap?" pabulong na tanong ko pa sa kanya dahil nasa unahan lang namin si BHJ na naglalakad patungo sa elevator.

I don't have an idea what's going in his head right now. Napakamisteryoso rin kasi.

"BHJ's image isn't what it used to be before he was enlisted. In easy words, hindi na siya gano'n pinagkaguguluhan. I've been checking articles and other blog posts online, but there are only a few people who post about BHJ's possible comeback. If you remember. UNITE trended worldwide and then it's gone after they all got enlisted. BHJ was the first one who came back and this is what he's gonna get. It's such a disappointment from the management."

"Okay... hindi mo naman nasagot 'yon tanong ko, but that's okay if private matter pala 'yon."

"No, it's not for us, nando'n ka kaya kabilang ka rin do'n. The management wants BHJ to be paired up with Mi-Sun for some projects. Girl, alam mo naman 'yong nangyari kanina. BHJ just didn't talk about it, but I believe it's not a good thing. Mukhang hindi rin naman pumayag si Mi-Sun that's why he came at him like that. Siguro... nasabihan na si Mi-Sun before they relayed it to him. Ang unfair, 'di ba?"

"Ah... gets ko na, siguro, slight?" Ngiwi ko pa. "Ang gustong mangyari ng management ay para paingayin muli ang pangalan ni BHJ so they will use them both?"

"Yup. You nailed it, Jelay."

"Ay." Kumusot ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya. "Ang unfair nga."

"True." Singhal pa ni Chini.

Nang marating namin ang elevator at bumukas na ito saka kami tumuloy. Nanahimik na lang din naman ako. Nagulat pa ako nang bigla kaming harapin ni BHJ at nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa amin ni Chini.

"Nanen condor dolagalgoha. Dangxineun gugiasseul fielyoga absspnida graser dangxinyi hai ili issdamion, ggerteul wiha gasipsio. Eungpsangwhang basangxi cinihante zhenhwahalgeyo modn joheun?" he ordered. (I'm going back to the condo. You don't have to be there so if you have something to do, go for it. I'll call Chini in case of an emergency. All good?)

"Ye, BHJ. Modu johda," Chini responded. (Yes, BHJ. All good.)

"Raijine," pagtawag ni BHJ sa akin na halos manigaw ang buo kong katawan. Titig na titig din naman ito sa akin. His eyes are different from a pure Korean national dahil may lahing pinoy itong BHJ, though I think three-fourth lang since his father is pure Korean while his mother is half-Filipino and Half-Korean. He doesn't get that squinty almond eyes, but he's got a very evident eyelid and intimidating stares. "Please get all of my contact to Chini."

"What about your interview tomorrow?" Chini asked.

"Nanen hal morgessda. Bionging sahangyi issuemion zhenhwa ha, alassge?" he said. (I'm not sure. Just call me if there are any changes, alright?)

Tumango na lamang si Chini saka niya kami muling tinalikuran at sakto naman 'yon nang pagkalapag namin sa ground floor. Pagkalabas namin ng elevator ay may ilan kaming nakasalubong na binate si BHJ. Of course, may nakakikilala pa rin sa kanya. He made a big impact before at ngayon pa ba siya malalaos na pwede na niyang gawin ang lahat ng gusto niya, 'di ba?

Pagkalabas namin ng building, we just escorted him back to his car and his driver immediately drive him back to his condo sa Seoul Forest Trimage na ang layo lamang ay hindi pa lalagpas ng thirty minutes. May ilan kasing mga fan ang nakaantabay sa labas at biglang sinundan si BHJ. Gano'n naman ang ginagawa ng karamihan, kahit hindi idolo ay susundan nila para lang makapagpa-picture at maipagmalaki. At hindi ko maiwasang isipin ang kapatid kong bruha. Lakas maka-request ng fansign.

Hindi na rin naman kami nagtagal ni Chini at pumunta sa parking area kung saan naghihintay iyong driver namin kanina na sumundo sa akin sa airport. Though kilala naman pala ito ni Chini kaya walang problema.

It took us half of an hour para marating iyong tutuluyan kong bahay. Wala pa akong ideya kung anong magiging hitsura no'n, but I hope I'll be comfortable there. Though mostly wala naman ako sa bahay dahil lagi kong magiging kasama si BHJ, mukhang tulugan lang ang magiging peg ko ro'n.

Sa Yongsan-gu kami ibinaba ng sasakyan at nang ituro sa akin ni Chini ang magiging bahay ko ay nabigla naman ako dahil may second floor. It was really nice from the outside. Parang ang tahimik lang din ng paligid at may ilang mga puno sa paligid na siyang napapa-presko ng hangin. Hindi na rin naman kami nagtagal ni Chini kung hindi ay pumasok na kami sa loob ng bahay bitbit ang mga maleta ko.

Pagkapasok ko naman ay nagtaka na lang ako dahil may mga gamit na—as in, parang kumpleto na—na para bang may nakatira na rito bukod sa akin.

"Nagtataka ka ba, Jelay?" Ngiti sa akin ni Chini. "Welcome to our house! Yes, we will be staying here together! Dahil we work with the same person lang din naman, it would be easy for us to stay together kaya naman naisip kong dito ka na lang din tumira. Unlike before na napalayo ka pa at kailangan mo pang bumiyahe. Dito may driver tayo kapag kinakailangan natin. So... what are you thinking?" She asked me pero hindi ako nakasagot. Kung ano-ano kasing tumatakbo sa isipan ko ngayon habang iniikot ng mata ko ang buong silid ng bahay. "But, hey, don't worry about the rental fee or anything, I'm handling it so don't mind it. But if you want to grocery for our supplies, why not, right?"

"Sige... sa tingin ko 'yon na lang ang magiging ambag ko."

"Girl... almost three million won salary will save you up a lot of money and I guess for future investments. That's why ikaw ang kinuha ko because I know how you work and I know how you really needed this job. So, impress me once again, alright?"

I nodded furiously. "Of course! I'll do my best!"

"Ang seryoso naman natin! But hey, job is job, but if it's not working hours, we can have some fun naman, Now, let's go see your room!"

Chini's more excited than me. Nanginginig pa kasi ako... hindi lang sa lamig, pati na rin sa kakaibang nararamdaman ko. Nababalot ng excitement, takot, at kung ano-ano pa. But whatever might happen at the new chapter of my life, I'm excited to embark on this new journey.

When we reached my room on the second floor and Chini made me walk first inside the room, I was shocked, surprised... speechless I must say. It was huge and I feel like I'm going to be a princess here.

Maybe I was wrong... maybe I really deserve to be here and that I shouldn't overthink everything that's been happening. I'm happy that I take this opportunity because if not, I would regret it a hundred thousand times... but I didn't and I'm glad I did listen to my sister persuading me so hard to get it. I miss them... my family back home. But I'm doing this for them so I couldn't ask for more.

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Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

#BitterHolidaysInJeju1 #BHIJ1 #WTS6

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