Travis

Tears welled up in my eyes as I slowly knelt before her. I tightly held her hands and pleaded, meeting her gaze.

“Don’t leave me, Mara. We don’t need to end up like this. I’m begging you. If I have to turn my back on my family, I will. Just tell me,” I pleaded with her.

But she abruptly withdrew her hands and averted her gaze from me.

“It’s pointless for you to do that, Aljon. I don’t love you anymore. Just accept it. So, I’m ending our relationship,” she said harshly.

Before I could even speak, she completely turned her back on me. I was about to chase after her when our bodyguards grabbed me by both arms and forcibly dragged me towards the waiting car not far away.

“Mara! I love you so much, Mara! Don’t leave me!” I shouted, desperately trying to free myself from their tight grip.

“Let go of me!” I growled at them. But they didn’t flinch at all from my outburst.

So, I had no choice but to watch the woman I loved walk away from me. Until she completely disappeared from my sight.

At that moment, it felt like all my strength suddenly drained away, and I just allowed them to take me inside the car, where my cunning mother was waiting, the mastermind behind all of this.

I gave her a resentful look. “Are you happy now, Mom? Are you happy?” I couldn’t help raising my voice.

But it seemed like she didn’t hear me and simply adjusted her seating position without a care.

“Let’s go,” she ordered the driver, Mang Oscar.

I was about to step out of the vehicle when she quickly covered my mouth with a handkerchief.

Before I could recover from the shock, I slowly began to feel the weight of my eyelids closing.

“When the right time comes, you’ll understand that I just did those things for your own good, son,” I heard her say before darkness engulfed me completely.

“Cut!”

My eyes automatically opened upon hearing that familiar word, and I quickly exited the car I was in. I smiled at the approaching director of the TV series I was currently starring in.

“Good work, TJ! I could really feel every scene you were doing.” He lightly tapped my shoulder.

“Thank you, Director.”

He scanned the surroundings before clapping loudly. “Alright, everyone, let’s pack up. See you all tomorrow.”

Some of my colleagues cheered, which I just chuckled at.

I headed straight to the dressing room to change my clothes and freshen up. We had been shooting all day, and I could feel the heaviness in my body from exhaustion.

But even though I wanted to go home immediately, there was still something I needed to attend.

After finishing my preparations, I quickly stepped out. However, I nearly jumped in surprise when I saw who was waiting for me by the door, a mischievous grin plastered on her lips.

“I don’t like that smile on your face,” I teased her as we started walking.

“Why? Is there something wrong with the way I smile?” she asked innocently.

“Just shut it, Jela. What are you doing here? Are you done with your work?”

Well, Janella Elaine Agoncillo—also known as Jela Agoncillo—is one of the most famous models in the country and, unfortunately, my best friend.

She rolled her eyes at me. “Of course. I only had one photoshoot scheduled for today.”

She hooked her arm around mine. “I came straight here because I wanted to see you and show my support. And here you are, giving me attitude.” She smirked.

I let out a deep sigh. As we passed by some of the staff, crew, and my co-workers from the series, I bid them goodbye. But I couldn’t help but notice their teasing glances.

“If you keep on doing that, we will be on a blind item again tomorrow,” I whispered to her.

She suddenly let go of my arm and gave me a playful smirk. “That’s gross.”

I chuckled at her reaction. “It really is.”

When we reached the parking lot, I headed straight to where my car was parked. But I raised an eyebrow when I noticed she was following me.

“Where’s your car again?” I looked at her suspiciously.

She bit her lower lip. “I let Ian go ahead. I told him that I’d ride with you in case you tried to escape.”

“I have no plans to escape and miss Auntie’s birthday,” I said as we both got into the car. I immediately started the engine and drove off.

“Really? If I know, you already want to lay down on your bed right at this moment,” she teased further.

I paused mid-yawn because of what she said.

“Anyway, you were great earlier. It’s like you weren’t even acting. Is there something personal behind that scene?” she continued to tease.

I kept silent and focused on the road ahead. She didn’t have to say it directly, but I knew what she was referring to.

“Give it up already, Jela. No matter what you say, you’re not going to get anything from me.”

“But you still love her?” she persisted in teasing me.

I remained quiet to avoid prolonging the conversation. Besides, she could be exhausting to talk to sometimes.

After a short while, we arrived at the hotel where her mother, Auntie Julie, would celebrate her birthday. They were going to stay here for a few days, as far as I knew.

I let her go ahead and enter the hotel. It was better that way than being seen arriving together. There were too many gossipmongers around.

I waited for a few minutes before finally following her inside. When I reached their unit, I immediately approached Auntie Julie.

“Happy birthday, Auntie!” I greeted her warmly as I handed her the gift.

She smiled as she accepted it. “Thank you. I’m glad you made it. I thought you wouldn’t be able to catch up.”

I was about to speak when Jela cut in.

“I even picked him up, Mom, just to make sure.” She chuckled.

Aunt Julie shook her head. “Forgive my daughter, dear. Since she doesn’t have a love life, she meddles in everything.”

“Mom! I heard that,” Jela retorted. Her father and cousins, who were also present, just laughed at her.

“No matter how busy I am, I can’t miss this day,” I said to Aunt Julie.

“Thank you. Come and join us.”

I greeted some of their relatives who were here before finally sitting down and starting to eat. Auntie Julie wanted a simple celebration for her birthday, so they decided to have a family staycation at this hotel. They only invited a few guests.

They also invited my family, but unfortunately, my parents and siblings were currently in the province.

The whole night was filled with stories and teasing, particularly aimed at Jela.

“When will you introduce someone to us, dear?” Uncle Ismael asked her.

“I don’t know why you’re grilling me tonight when it’s Mom’s birthday, not mine,” Jela replied with a frown.

“Why don’t you two just get together instead?” teased Kiefer, her cousin who owned a car repair shop. Jela and I winced simultaneously at his suggestion.

“You’re giving me the creeps!” We both answered in disgust.

“Kidding aside, I heard you have many suitors who are also celebrities and models. Haven’t you developed any feelings for any of them?” asked her stepmom, Aunt Felicity.

Despite her parents being separated and having their own families, they had a good relationship with each other. Except for one person. I clenched my fist as I remembered him.

Jela frowned. “Yeah. But I really don’t have a crush on any of them. So please, don’t intrigue me. If I ever have someone, you’ll be the first to know.”

Everyone laughed, and they continued with their conversation. After eating, I chose to hang out in the living room, holding a glass of red wine. I left them still joking around at the dining table.

I sat on the couch and absentmindedly picked up a magazine on a round table. The front cover featured a well-known entrepreneurial couple who had just gotten married. Out of curiosity, I searched for the page that contained an article about them.

Most of the pages were filled with their prenuptial photos and wedding pictures. Until my eyes focused on the bottom, where the name of their photographer for the prenup shoot was also written.

“Do you know that most of her clients are couples getting married?”

I tightened my grip on the magazine and glanced at Jela. “So?”

She shrugged. “Nothing. Just saying.” Her face revealed her struggle to hold back laughter.

I closed the magazine and placed it back where I found it before gazing outside and taking a slow sip of wine. No matter what happens, I won’t let anything related to her affect me anymore.

I’ll make sure of that.