***
Dezrail is busy scanning the whole area to secure if there is someone who followed them especially Ernaline. After that encounter, Dezrail didn’t leave Ernaline’s side. He seemed to be fooled when the girl was hurt because of his negligence.
"Are you also an artist?" Perth turned to the group of women who approached him, they are holding a camera.
"No." Perth’s quick reply.
"I thought I saw you somewhere, maybe I’m just mistaking you." The women bid goodbye in front of Dezrail and resumed the work. He has no time to flirt with other women.
"Can I ask you a favor?" Someone poking at his back. Dezrail looked at it angrily and to his surprise, he saw a woman he wanted to meet for a long time.
"Serenity?"
***
Ernaline sat down on a single couch in their dressing room. She’s too exhausted after their performance. The energy of the fans was too high so he had to keep up.
"Warm water for your beautiful voice," Saviel handed her a small thermo that contained warm water. Ernaline couldn't speak properly; her vocal cords seemed to be stretched too much.
"You can take a rest for one day before we travel again for your next music festival," Annika said.
Their performance is a successful one. Ernaline feels that her vocal cords will not be able to handle their next performance. One day of resting is not enough.
"One day of resting is not enough for them," Sav complained. Sometimes this woman is a psychic. It reads the contents of Ernaline’s brain.
"That was our last stop before we go back to the Philippines. Everything was successful so don't worry. Three or four songs are enough for that event we need to attend. We can't cancel it because that was one of the biggest recording companies here in San Francisco."
Ernaline taps Saviel's shoulder as she got up from her seat. Ernaline just nodded to Sav like she’s telling her it’s okay. It was the last performance so just a little sacrifice is enough.
One night full of silence, Ernaline could not sleep even though they had just finished the last event they went to. She’s exhausted but here she is walking alone from the stairs before she reaches the door which connects to the rooftop.
She decided to take a breath of fresh air first.
Ernaline approached the railings of the rooftop where she could see the bright buildings and the noise of cars on the road. The cold caused by the wind is very light.
"Can't sleep?" Ernaline was surprised when she turned to the person who spoke.
Kyle was exposed to her holding a beer. Kyle sits on a tree scattered here on the rooftop.
"You already got here before I arrive?" Ernaline approached the young man before she joined him. Kyle handed her a bottle of beer that was freshly opened. Ernaline accepted it even though she wasn't in the mood to drink.
"Not really, just a little while ago." Ernaline grimaces as she looks away. Little while he said, but Kyle had three bottles of beer.
Silence enveloped the two of them while gazing at the dark sky.
"How's Dezrail as your boyfriend?" Ernaline was caught off guard because of his question. Is it too big a deal for her to be dating Perth?
"I thought I can have a chance that you will be mine but it looks like fate is in favor with him."
Ernaline could not speak.
"Remember the time when we were kids? I was the one who approaches you first before he came to the picture. The first time I saw you I fell in love that time, I also told myself that when we grow up I might confess to you. I did but we're not really for each other." Kyle said as he swallowed the contents of the bottle he was holding before throwing it in front of the two of them. Ernaline was even surprised because the bottle broke.
"What does he have that I don't have? I am rich, famous, and handsome too. What did you see in him that was not in me?" Kyle looks so frustrated and she doesn't know what she will say to him.
It's just surprising.
Her lips twitched but no words came out.
"I can do everything just to make you happy Ashleigh!" Kyle shook his shoulder and he almost fainted from what it did.
"You're drunk Kyle," Ernaline said. Her second name rarely comes out of their mouths.
Sometimes wine is treacherous. It poisons the brains of people who drink it.
"I'm not drunk Queen. It's just the pain here," he pointed to his chest. "I can do better than he can. I can kill too if you want!"
"Hey, don't say that! You can't insist on things that don't agree with you. I'll admit my mind can't process what's happening right now but I love him, Kyle. I also love you too but as a friend. I'm sorry Kyle but I can only give you is friendship."
"Friends, huh? How lame of me." Ernaline patted Kyle's shoulder before she faces him. Kyle’s eyes are full of regret and pain from rejection.
"I'm glad you reminded me of what we had then. But this is not the end of our friendship Kyle. One of these days, you will find your happiness." Kyle let out a sarcastic laugh.
"I always lose to him." Ernaline bent down with her hands clasped.
"But please let me do this for myself. Let me love you even though I can't have you." Kyle got up from his seat before stepping away from the girl.
Ernaline wanted to ventilate but why did it happen all of a sudden? Yes, she allowed Kyle to flirt then but when he found out about her issue with Renal, Kyle stops what he wanted to do. Ernaline thought Kyle wasn't serious. The girl just wiped her face. Why does she need to encounter those kinds of words from Kyle? Ernaline did not intend to hurt him but unconsciously she did. Kyle is like a brother to her ... all of them are like a brother and sister to Ernaline.
The next day, as like what they’ve discussed, Thud and Cold picked them up. The two seem to be in trouble but the girl still doesn't pay attention to it. Ernaline also couldn’t talk politely to Perth now, she wanted to be alone and think things through. They boarded the plane with Sav first. He sided with Saviel even though it was pushing him away.
"Did you fight with Dezrail?" Saviel was curious as Ernaline sat in the empty chair here inside the private jet.
"No." Ernaline quickly reply.
"Why are you ignoring him? He’s already giving me a death glare." Ernaline frowned at the woman. How could Saviel know that Perth looked bad on her if Perth was wearing sunglasses?
Ernaline ignored what Saviel said and just leaned in the mirror and closed her eyes to sleep. She’s not that expert about relationships and how to handle a friendship. Ernaline did not look at or even talk to Kyle this morning until they were on their way home from the Philippines.
Ernaline just woke up when she felt the heavy object leaning on her shoulder. She was so shocked to see Perth's sleeping face. He's hugging her while she was sleeping?
Her eyes searched for Saviel and there she sat in an empty seat opposite the place where they were with the man sleeping next to her. The woman seemed to move while she was asleep.
"Go back to sleep, baby." Perth’s husky voices roar out to her ear. Ernaline sat up and faced it. The young man roams his eyes as they adjusted their blankets.
"Did something happen?" Perth asks her. In fairness, he’s cute when newly awake.
Ernaline dismisses the nonsense that surrounds it.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you acting weird?"
"I'm always weird you know."
"I mean, you're ignoring me this morning. Did I do something wrong?" Perth is acting like a child and having a tantrum towards her.
Ernaline caresses his face as she stared into his eyes. "There is no problem Perth. I'm just tired maybe because of the events we went to." Perth held her hands close to his cheeks.
"If you have a problem you can talk to me, baby. I won't be angry." The girl let out a sigh before she leaned on the young man's shoulder. Perth held her hands.
"Kyle and I just talked last night. He just kind of admitted how he felt about me." Ernaline opened up. Perth did not speak but just listened while rubbing her thumb. "I didn't know I was hurting him."
"It's not your fault baby; he chooses to hurt himself for loving you. I know what he feels for you but here I am, I stole you from him." Ernaline tightened her grip on the young man's wide hand.
"What should I do?" She asked. Perth kissed her forehead.
"Don't think too much about it. He will be fine, I know him more than you do. He's annoying sometimes but his words are full of lies." he says.
"Damn! I hope everyone has a boyfriend, let me sleep!" Saviel shouted as she turns her gaze at where they are seated.
Ernaline was surprised when a throw pillow flew in Sav's place causing the woman to get angry.
"Don't let me throw the pillow Dezrail! Let's just fight." the woman even tried to roll up the sleeves of her dress as if provoking a fight.
"Too lazy to do that, Sav." Perth is laughing while said it to the woman. But Saviel didn't give up; she jumped on Perth's lap and pulled the man's hair out.
Ernaline laughed as she moved away from them as she and Perth sat next to each other. Some of their companions also woke up because of the noise caused by Saviel. Until inside of the plane was filled with riot and laughter.
----