Chapter 28

"Napakatagal naman ni Jin-hyeong," banas na usal ni Chini.

"Pababa na raw siya," tugon ko matapos mabasa ang message ni BJH. "Oh, ayun na siya!" Anunsyo ko nang makita ko si BJH na lumabas na ng building at patungo na sa kinaroroonan namin.

"Mwhago issassa? Urinen nejge issspnida." Iritadong bungad ni Chini pagkapasok na pagkapasok pa lamang ni BJH sa sasakyan. (What were you doing? We're running late.)

Napangisi na lamang si BJH sa tabi ko. "Grunna nuga narl derira nejassspnikka?" (But who's late picking me up?)

Umikot ang mata ni Chini. She can't argue with it dahil siya rin ang dahilan kung bakit halos nagmamadali kami ngayon. She woke up late—actually we all are kaya naghahabol kami ng oras, but I'm sure something happened last night. Medyo maingay ang kama sa loob ng kwarto nina Chini at PSG... I wonder what they were doing.

"Ajjassdn, nanen uriga yeojenhi ggerteul mandl su issdago midsnipda," pagpaiiba ni Chini ng usapan. (Anyway, I believe we can still make it.)

BJH then looked at me and smiled at me. Napangiti rin ako. It feels like he woke up on the good side of the bed and just flaunt his smile serving us to feel good as well. What we've got to talk about last night is something that would remind me every time I feel down na sobrang lucky ko pala that I ended up in this situation. Even though things got sidetracked before, I still found my way back here.

It's like this place is my home now. Na alam ko na kung saan ako uuwi at uuwian ko. That such a good thing to feel. It washed all the anxiety away.

As soon as we've arrived at the TYPE ENT building, we've noticed piled-up journalists waiting for some artists to show up. Naunang bumaba si Chini saka ako sumunod. There was no security so we're only keeping him BJH out of their reach. Pagkababa pa lamang nito ay tinatawag na ang atensyon niya at iyong ibang journalist ay may binabatong tanong sa kanya. He's just smiling while not commenting on any of their questions or statements. But as soon as we stepped inside the building, Chini left a word with them and we thought that should be enough to make them stop following us.

While we're heading to the elevator ay napaiiling na lang si Chini.

"You know what, naaasar na ako sa mga reporter na 'to," ani Chini nang kaming tatlo lang ang nasa loob ng elevator.

"Bakit naman?"

She grunted, rolling her eyes. "E, pa'no ba naman? Pilit nilang pinapasok si Mi-sun sa topic kahit over-over na naman silang dalawa. And how Jin-hyeong felt about her relationship with Dong-yoon. Mga wala ng matanong. Gusto na lang gumawa ng issue. Anyway, abangan na lang talaga nila 'tong project ni Jin-hyeong, magpapa-press conference ako nang bongga!"

Sakto naman nang marinig namin ang tunog ng elevator na sumampa na ito sa designated floor na pupuntahan namin. Ang lakas pa kung magsalita ni Chini kaya mabuti iyong walang bumungad sa amin pagbukas ng elevator. We just headed into the meeting room where a staff guided as there.

Boss isn't around when we walked inside the office, umupo kaming tatlo. Nasa bandang unahan si Jin-hyeong at kasunod nito si Chini habang sa dulo ng long table ako nakaupo. The less relevant person to be seated inside this room now.

Just a moment later, the boss' secretary entered the room and announced that he'll be coming in a second. Chini give Jin-hyeong a quick brief of how this meeting's going to happen and what he should do and say. A little while, the boss arrived with some of the executives who are going to be part of this project.

Tumayo kami sa mga kinauupuan namin at yumuko biglang paggalang sa kanila. As we settled back to our seats, nagpakilala naman ang mga tao na nandito sa loob ng meeting room at kung anong magiging parte nila sa project na ito. Napasama pa ako sa pagpakikilala kaya nilakasan ko na lang ang loob ko. I'm just his assistant, but I still got to be part of this new journey for Jin-hyeong.

So, they started introducing the project and all. They are all speaking in their language, but there's a visual presentation kaya ro'n ko nage-gets kahit papaano kung anong pinag-uusapan nila. They were discussing and getting everyone's ideas and thoughts about this project. I can see on Jin-hyeong's face that he's serious about taking this project so I'm sure he wouldn't let it go by any chance.

Malaking opportunity na rin kasi ito, not just for him, but to everyone who he inspires.

"Jelay," pagtawag sa akin ni Chini. Bigla akong napaayos nang pagkauupo ko dahil lahat sila ay nakatingin sa akin. Napalunok ako ng laway ko at napuno ng kaba ang dibdib ko. Para bang biglang may tumambol sa puso ko gayong hindi naman ako gano'n karunong magsalita ng kanilang lengguwahe. "We were just talking about the perception of the public, generally, Jin-hyeong's fan. We're just thinking what their reaction would be if he will be debuted as a single performer."

"Me? I'm going to answer it?"

Chini nodded. "Yes. And you've mentioned before, you're already a fan of their group before, so what do you think about Jin-hyeong's new career now? As a fan, of course."

Hindi naman komplikado para sa akin 'yong tanong. Kabang-kaba lang ako kasi hindi isa o dalawa ang nakikinig sa akin. There are other five people in this room and they're asking my perception for this project. Sabi ko nga, hindi lang ako uupo sa gilid.

I swallowed hard. I'm trying to stretch my fingers under the table. They wouldn't even see it through. I'm just trying to relieve my anxiousness.

"I think this is good news for everyone," panimula ko. They are already nodding at me. Wala pa ngang kalaman-laman iyong sinabi ko. Nag-iisip pa nga lang ako nang sasabihin ko, pressured na agad ako. "Jin-hyeong's already a good performer when he was on his group before and people love them. I'm one of them and they're so good. When I watched him on his first drama, it was such a new thing for us, but we're not expecting that much, but in the end, he gives so much more that we didn't expect he could do. And for this new project, with all the experience and talent he has, I'm sure he'll be great at this. I can already see people supporting him."

"That's a great thing to say, Jelay. Very good."

"And I must just have to add this." Pagtaas ko pa ng kamay ko. "I remember this girl who went on the same flight with me here. She's not really fond of watching Korean dramas or listening to Korean pop music, but she specifically watched his drama and now listens to his music way back in their group. She's now a fan and with that being said, debuting alone would be okay for him. It doesn't even matter if they're old or new fans because whatever he did, he gets support and his post from the Sunrise Peak in Jeju says a lot about it."

"Wow, thank you for that story, Jelay. That was lovely."

Napangiti na lamang ako dahil pansin ko ang satisfaction sa mukha ng mga associate na 'to. I also noticed how Jin-hyeong had his smile plastered on his face while I was talking about it. It's nice to know that they appreciate it and how they perceived my opinion makes me feel good. Sabi ko na nga ba, ito ang perfect job para sa akin.

They continued talking and it became so much lively then. Sa huli, the discussion ended on a good note, and they shook each other's hand affirming to say that they are agreeing upon the condition of doing this project.

Bago pa man lumabas ang lahat ay humarap sa akin ang boss at nginitian ako. Ngumiti rin ako, but I thought it would end there, but he walks at me and patted my shoulder.

"Nunen toctockhan yeoza ya. Dangxineun super staga doel sy issspnida. Nora, chum tonen yeongihapnikka?" Tumawa ito matapos niyang magsalita. Hindi ko nakuha iyong sinabi niya dahil ang bilis niyang magsalita. Umalis din ito sa harapan ko at sumabay kay Chini sa paglabas. They were talking and laughing.

Nang makalayo na si boss ay nilingon na ako ni Chini. She flaunts a sneaky smile and scurried her way on my side. She nudged me continuously. "Uy, na-gets mo ba 'yong sinabi ni boss?"

Umiling ako kasi sa totoo lang, mas napuno ng kaba ang dibdib ko kaysa intindihin pa 'yong sinasabi niya. "Ano ba 'yon?" pag-usisa ko pa.

"Sabi niya she likes you raw—oh, that sound so bad, but you know naman what I mean. Saka narinig ko rin 'yong sinabi niya sa 'yo kanina. I think he found something on you. Bet mo 'yon?! Dalawa na kayo ni Jin-hyeong ang ima-manage ko if ever."

Natawa akong umiiling sa sinabi niya. "Naku naman, Chini. Mukhang imposibleng mangyari 'yon. Hindi ko nakikita 'yong sarili ko maging isang superstar o kagaya ni Jin-hyeong. That was so out of my league. Okay na ako bilang assistant niya."

"But if you've changed your mind, we'll talk through this and malay mo, ito na pala ang future na tinutukoy mo rin."

Napangisi na lamang ako. "Yeah... I just don't know if I'm going to go to that direction."

"Ang online selling nga sinubukan mo at kung ano-ano pang raket, ito pa kayang pagiging superstar? Just like what PSG would say, believe me. Kapag si boss na ang pumansin, kahit minsna ayaw ko ro'n kasi ang daming demands, he can see a star in the making sa first glance."

"Or maybe because na-i-issue na rin ako as Jin-hyeong's girlfriend kaya niya nasabi 'yon?"

Napaisip bigla si Chini. "Ay, oo nga 'no. Buti nabanggit mo 'yan. Anyway, if ever lang naman at kung bet mo rin, why not? But let's focus to Jin-hyeong muna. Patataubin natin sina Dong-yoon at Mi-sun."

Natawa na lamang kaming dalawa sa planong binabalak namin. Then Jin-hyeong came at us, asking what are we gonna do next. Kahit maaga pa, Chini already decided to take this party at early at this hour. As if Jin-hyeong and I had a choice so we just went with her. Tinawagan niya pa si PSG at sa isang day bar kami pumunta. We're just drinking and having and celebrating Jin-hyeong's new project.

"Gunba!" Chini exclaimed, tossing our glasses—though it's all non-alcoholic beverages. Hindi pa oras para maglasing talaga at hindi naman ako umiinom talaga. Uminom naman ako, though I'm trying to drink slowly. "So, what do you think about all this now, Jin-hyeong? Are you excited?"

He shrugged off. "What do you think? Am I?"

Sinuntok naman siya ni Jin-hyeong sa braso nito. "Parang tanga 'to. Alam kong masaya ka for this so we'll be here supporting you kahit anong mangyari."

"Yeah..." he uttered, nodding his head. "And I love what Raijine said earlier. It's like I've never heard something bad you said about me. It's always good and that uplifts my confidence. Truly, Raijine, that does help me. That's why our holiday in Jeju was so special because of you. You made it somehow special for me."

I tried not to smile so widely, but that so good to hear those words from him. I'm not expecting something from him or anyone else, but I feel like I didn't deserve this and yet, I'm getting the love and support I need. Kahit na hindi naman niya ako masyadong pansinin since my job is to look after him, I didn't know he'll look at me that way.

"I really appreciate it, Jin-hyeong... and thank you for so being kind to me."

"Guys, stop," singit ni Chini. "Hindi bagay ang Jelay at Jin-hyeong. Masyadong pilit?" Humalakhak naman ito. "Biro lang. But whatever's gonna happen, we're going to make this project successful!"

And then the next day, Jin-hyeong already started his meeting with the music producer to discuss the song and all. Kasa-kasama niya ako. Nasa isang tabi lang din ako at nag-oobserve.

As I'm watching BJH and the music producer collaborated and discussed the music, napangiti na lamang ako habang pinapanood kong nagbo-bop siya ng ulo niya and he's so interested learning the song and all.

On the day we promised our future on the top of Sunrise Peak, I knew this come back to the big scene is one of the most awaiting events for him and I can't wait to fangirl one more time. And as much as I look forward to it, I kept coming back to the words he said to me.

I am special.

All those bitter days he had, I somehow made his holiday a little bit better.

***

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

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