"Are you trying to seduce someone from the crowd? Because I definitely think that it'll work."

I am currently at the stage with him, he was fixing something on the stage for another outfit for a performance. Lagi nga silang may bookings kada linggo eh. Plus, sikat na sila at kahit saan ka pumunta ay kilala na sila.

Whenever we even hang out, there was never a time that no one would ask for a picture. Hindi nga lang si Ravi eh, pati ako na din! After I put my account on public, I got a lot of followers and people actually think that I am pretty.

Nakakapagtaka nga dahil I don't even find myself attractive enough for people to actually follow and like me. I have so many insecurities that if I start counting them now, I'll finish next week.

Let's be honest, I had a pretty traumatic childhood experience. Back when I was in elementary, I was excelling in my academics but I was still getting bullied. Having glasses and being smart is really hard because there won't be a day that you won't get picked on.

But I managed to save myself, a year before I graduated elementary. I told my Mom that I won't be needing glasses anymore because I can see perfectly fine without them. I also fixed my hairstyle and not just tied it in a ponytail every day.

The bullying stopped but ever since then, I was so insecure with my whole appearance. I never was a social person and I am very lucky that I even have friends like Eve and Ryssi before the four of the guys entered my life.

I just hope that being friends with Bloodthirst won't affect my grades and my mindset. I worked my ass so much for almost 12 years now and I won't let ruin my years of hard work.

If ever I find myself being careless about my grades, I will straight up cut ties with all of them because they are clearly not a good influence.

For a girl who seeks academic validation, I need not to remind myself that I have to focus on my studies because I already am.

I smiled as I surveyed Ravi's whole appearance. He looked clean and lovely, a perfect outfit for a concert. I'm sure that every girl in this concert would drool over him.

"Hahaha! The only person I want to seduce is you," He winked at me and I didn't bother talking to him again as I observed him set up his guitar. He has been flirty with me all the time but I think that's really just how he is. He flirts with everyone and I'm not surprised if the girl he is pertaining to in the album Stranger knows that he is a flirt.

I still don't think that he's serious whenever he flirts with me. Paano kung saktan niya ako in a platonic way? Friends can still break your heart too, you know!

"Do you always flirt with people you meet?" I asked him curiously and his brows shot up with amusement.

"A flirt? You think I'm that low to flirt with everyone?" He sarcastically asked. "I have high standards, Lia. But I'm going to tell you that you fit mine," He shrugged. Di ko mapigilang hindi ngumiti, mababaw lang naman ang sinabi niya pero something felt different.

He looked at me, "You're smiling..." He smirked at me, agad naman nawala ang ngiti ko dahil tinitigan niya ako. Umiwas naman ako ng tingin at nilabas ang phone ko to take a picture of the set.

"You should keep smiling at me like that."

There was thirty minutes left before they opened the arena, paparating na din daw 'yung tatlo. They had to bail Harvey out of detention, and I guess they had a really hard time doing that because it's taking them so long.

Kaya ako ang naiwan ngayon kasama si Ravi eh. I had to watch him set up for the show. It was not boring but not interesting either.

I posted a few photos of the stage on my IG feed at marami agad ang nag comment.

"Many people are going today, right?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Most of them are going to our album release concert in 2 months," He told me. "Next week na 'yung music video shoot, are you still up for it?" He asked and I looked at my schedule. Baka busy kasi ako no'n sa hospital kaya hindi pa din ako sigurado.

"Come on, it will be on a Sunday so I am sure that you'll be free," Ravi said. "You would be at the set at 5 am and will be at home at 11 pm. Kumbaga buong araw, para matapos agad ang shoot."

I sighed defeatedly, "Fine. Pero magpapaalam pa rin ako sa parents ko."

"Oh and also, wala pa rin kaming manager—"

Hindi ko siya pinatapos at inilagay ang kamay ko sa bibig niya, "Don't push it, Ravi."

I stood up and sat on the edge of the stage with my feet dangling down below. I inhaled a large breath and observed the empty seats and the cold arena. Kami lang kasi ang tao dito, no one was allowed to go in here yet. May 15 minutes pa kami para mag ayos.

Naramdaman ko naman ang ilaw sa aking likod, it's like I'm on the spotlight.

"Sir, we still need the sound check." I heard a man said pero hindi ako tumalikod para tingnan kung kanino 'yon. I need to take in what I'm seeing right now, kasi dati pa lang gusto ko na makatapak sa isang stage and perform. And this is the closest I could get.

Tumabi sa akin si Ravi holding a guitar and strumming it, it was Dive, one of my favorite songs back then.

"You're a mystery, I have traveled the world, there's no other girl like you, no one." He sang so perfectly, it's calming. His voice really soothes me, there's this random comfort I always feel when he sings. I enjoy this little private show.

"What's your history? Do you have the tendency to lead some people on? 'Cause I heard you do."

"I could fall, I could fly, here in your aeroplane," Sinabayan ko siya sa pagkanta, harmonizing with him. Nagulat pa nga siya na sinabayan ko siya sa pag kanta. Our eyes were locked, looking at one another.

We're like perfect symphonies, a perfect harmony.

"I could live, I could die, hanging on the words you say."

I stopped singing and he continued, singing his heart out. "And I've been known to give my all, and lie awake everyday, don't know how much I could take."

He stopped for a moment and we both smiled and sang together. After we ended the song, we had this uncertain tension that heated up our atmosphere. Unti unti siyang lumapit sa akin at binitawan ang gitara na hawak niya.

He was about to hold my jaw and pull me towards his lips when the door from the front opened kaya nagulat kami parehas. I distanced myself from him.

What the fuck, Lia? Si Gabe ang gusto mo! He's already courting you for fucks sake.

"Lia! I heard two people singing, was that you?" Tanong ni Zach habang papunta kami sa backstage. Binuksan na din kasi nila 'yung arena kaya maraming tao ang pumapasok na.

"Ah hehe, Ravi was just doing some sound check so I sang with him," I awkwardly said. Sobrang kayo ko ngayon kay Ravi, I mean... we almost kissed! How am I supposed to react to that? More importantly, why was he tempted to kiss me? Doesn't he know that I have someone that I like?

It's a good thing na dumating agad 'yung tatlo, kung hindi we could've ended up kissing each other. I don't want that to happen, I don't know what I'd say to Gabe if ever we kissed.

"You know, we could do a collaboration together. Bloodthirst featuring Aurelia Alcantara," Shawn said while putting on his ear piece. I just smiled before shaking my head.

Singing is not for me. That's why I didn't pursue it, not that my parents would approve of that but whatever.

May narinig kaming yabag ng paa na nagmamadali pumunta sa direksyon namin. It was the producer of this concert.

"Mikee just bailed, we don't have someone to hype you guys up on your entrance, we have to find someone as a substitute ASAP. The show will start in 5 minutes."

They all panicked until their eyes landed on me, oh no... oh good heavens please no.

"Please?" They all pleaded.

"Just think of it as a practice before becoming our official manager. Kasi kapag ikaw na ang manager namin, you'd do that on every show," Harvey stated. I sighed before taking the microphone from the producer and gave them a big smile.

"Go now, good luck!" Sambit sa akin ni Ravi.

I slowly walked up towards the stage and the light was following me as I walked. Noong nasa gitna na ako, I first looked at the full crowd. Looking at me with confusion but some of them are clapping lightly.

I looked back at the guys and they all were cheering me softly.

"You got this," Harvey mouthed.

I gripped on my microphone tightly, "What's up everyone!" I shouted and they all screamed and clapped their hands. I smiled at them before raising my hands, "Are you all excited to see Bloodthirst?"

They all shouted back and I chuckled, I'm actually enjoying this. "Pero hindi ko sila ipapakita kapag hindi niyo sinagot ang tanong ko," I said at nakita ko ang pag bago ng ekspresyon sa kanilang mga mukha. "Oh, 'wag kayong kabahan. Madali lang 'yon. I only need one person to answer my question."

They all were ready. I can't believe I'm actually talking to thousands of people right now and they all were supporters of my friends.

"What's my name?" I shouted as I pointed my mic on the crowd.

"Aurelia Alcantara!" Halos sabay sabay nilang sigaw and I was shocked because they knew my name. Akala ko it would be a dead crowd pero hindi.

I smiled, "Then give it up for Bloodthirst!" I shouted before running down on the side and sat on an empty chair in the VIP section. Of course I have VIP seats.

I teased them once na dapat every show I have VIP tickets or else I'll post an embarrassing photo of the four of them that I took a picture of.

They sang their first ever song that they debuted on so I didn't really fully know the lyrics.

Nasa kalagitnaan sila sa pag perform ng pangalawa nilang kanta when I received a message from Gabe.

@gpat.diez: would i be selfish if i steal you right now for dinner?

I chuckled before replying.

@aurelia_: are you outside na ba?

@gpat.diez: yeah.

Lumingon muna ako sa apat and they seem fine so I don't think they would mind if I leave a little early. Kinuha ko ang bag ko bago tumayo at umalis.

I saw Gabe leaning on his car, waiting for me and he was so handsome! He was wearing a semi-formal outfit, ang alam ko galing siya sa isang meeting na inassign siya nh Mom niya kaya hindi siya nakasama ngayon sa akin.

He's been actually really supportive of me being involved in his brother's band. 'Yon ang pinaka gusto ko sa kanya, hindi siya nananakal. He lets me do and supports me in what I want. He's such a perfect boyfriend and I know that it would be worth it if ever I said yes to him now.

"You are stunning," He reached for my hand and twirled me around. He also hugged me and he smelled so good. One of my turn ons.

Kumawala siya sa yakap at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. Umikot siya at pumasok na din sa loob and started the engine. He put on his seatbelt and turned to me.

"Is your seatbelt on?" He asked and I raised my arms to show him na hindi pa 'ko nagsusuot ng seatbelt. I did it on purpose para siya ang gumawa. Nagpacute naman ako sa kanya at tumawa naman siya tsaka umiling bago isuot sa akin 'yung seatbelt.

A gentleman that I really like.

"So, where are you taking me Dr. Diez?" I asked him in a flirty voice and he smoothly steered his wheel to the left as he shifted the gear.

"My Mom reserved a fancy and expensive dinner for us tonight, as a reward because I agreed on being the representative for our business in the meeting earlier," I nodded before getting my phone and took a stolen photo of him.

"Hey, I might look dumb on that!" He shouted and I chuckled before observing the photo. He's so damn handsome!

"Trust me, your side profile is so fucking amazing that it makes me drool," I complimented him.

"Naku, Aurelia, 'wag mo masyado pahalata na crush mo 'ko. Alam ko naman na pogi ako pero lowkey lang dapat, humble ako eh," He boasted and I rolled my eyes and punched him lightly on his arms.

After we arrive at the restaurant, napansin kong napaka expensive ng itsura nito. White, gold and silver ang theme ng buong resto at ang aliwalas tingnan ng kabuuan niya.

"Mukhang sobrang mahal naman ata ng pagkain dito, are you sure about this?" I asked him while looking at the menu. 'Yung appetizer nila 890 pesos! Ano ba pagkain nila dito, gawa sa ginto? Mas gusto ko pa na kumain sa karinderya kaysa dito dahil ayaw ko masyadong gumagastos.

Baka umabot bigla ang bill namin ng 10k tapos kaming dalawa lang ang kumain.

"Hey, don't worry. It's all going to be charged on my Mom's credit card. She even insisted for us to taste the most expensive meal," He smiled and stroked the top of my hand with his fingers to assure me. I sighed before nodding. Hindi ko na tiningnan ang menu at pinabayaan na si Gabe ang umorder.

Nakakalula kasi 'yung mga presyo!

While we were waiting for the food, nag scroll muna ako sa IG. Marami ngang message requests sa akin ngayon dahil nga close friends ko na 'yung sikat na banda na pinagkakaguluhan ng mga tao.

"How was your day, my pretty Lia?" He asked at imbis na sumagot ako, nag init ang pisngi ko. Lagi niya na lang ako pinapakilig tuwing magkikita kami, nakakainis! "Are you okay? You look like a tomato," He pointed to my face. Umiling naman ako bago uminom ng tubig.

"My day has been fun, the guys made me smile today and of course you!" I said and he smiled. "Papayagan mo ba ako na maging parte ng music video nila? I kinda already said yes pero wala pang confirmation mo at ng parents ko."

His brows furrowed, "Bakit mo need ng confirmation ko? Lia, I won't hold you back, you know I won't do that," He said in a stern voice. "Just let me know tapos susuportahan na lang kita."

"You're too sweet, ano ba!" I covered my face. "Baka mamaya sagutin na kita ah?" Biro ko at lumiwanag ang kanyang mata.

"Really?" He asked in a baby voice and I chuckled.

"Maybe," I winked.

The food arrived and we both started eating. He even cut my steak into pieces because I was struggling with it. Napaka gentle man talaga. Baka mamaya sagutin ko na siya tapos bukas pakasalan ko na eh. But I still want to talk to him about that na hindi ko tatanggalin ang last name ko na Alcantara kasi hard work ko 'yon eh.

I want the Alcantara on my name forever, so it would be Dr. Aurelia Alcantara-Diez. Bagay naman 'di ba?

After eating, hinatid niya na ako agad sa bahay namin. Pero bigla ko naman inisip kung ano na ang nangyari sa apat, did they do fine in their show today? Kaya naman na nila sarili nila, they were already almost there at the top noong nakilala ko sila so they don't need me.

Pumasok na ako sa loob ng gate namin, iniwan ko 'yun ng nakabukas dahil magkaharap pa kami ni Gabe. I think it's time to tell him what's running on my mind right now.

"Hey, I have something to tell you..." Lumapit ako sa kanya at naramdaman ko ang malakas na tibok ng kanyang puso dahil nakahawak ako sa pulsuhan niya. I smiled before I intertwined our hands. My other hand traveled to his jaw and forced him to look at my face only.

"I like you so much, Gabe."

He smiled, "We both like each other so much," He corrected me and I lightly chuckled. I nodded slowly leaning towards his ear.

"Mark your calendars, because today is our milestone date," I whispered at tumalikod sa kanya. Papasok na sana ako sa loob ng bahay but he pulled me towards him so I landed on his arms. He smiled and looked at my overall appearance.

"Thank you, Lia."

We both leaned into each other and felt our lips press against each other.

My head was flying, daydreaming of what else we could've done in front of our house when I jumped when I saw someone hiding in the shadows.

Binuksan ko ang ilaw at agad nanlaki ang mata ko, what the hell?

He's back from Canada?

"Kuya! What are you doing here?"

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:p