Found Again

“I will fire Anne.”

Iya’s eyes widen. “What the heck Andrew?! Don’t you have any compassion in your heart? Plus, Anne was closest to you!”

I chuckled. I will also be reacted like that if I didn’t know the reason behind firing Anne.

“Alli, how can you laugh in a situation like this?” Iya said in disbelief.

Andrew and I burst out laughing. Iya is just so cute. I look at everyone and they are all confused by our reactions.

“Chill guys, there is the reason why Andrew is firing her,” I said.

“Is it because she’s the one who exposes your relationship?” Mike asked still confused.

“No. I would want to promote her because I always wanted my relationship with Alli to be exposed in public.” Andrew said and I just rolled my eyes.

“Then what’s the real reason?” Iya asked a bit impatient.

I took my bag and took out a calling card.

Lance took the card to check on it. “What is this for?”

“Claire Chiuri is a known fashion designer in Paris. She works in one of the luxury brands in Paris. I met her when I was in the US for a fashion event. I send her Anne’s previous design, I also shared with her Anne’s unfortunate situation. She likes the design and she’s willing to take Anne as her apprentice because she will not let a girl with that talent put to waste.” I explained.

Iya squealed with joy. “OMG! Do you have her previous design? I want to see!”

I nodded happily. “I’ll send it to you later.”

“But wait, what is the participation of Liam? I thought she will help Anne to go back on track. But it was you who made that happen.” Iya asked.

“He also met Claire and he offered to sponsor Anne’s accommodation and other things that Anne needed for her career in Paris, whether she wants to study in Paris, or to the equipment solely for her, or anything.” I clarify.

Iya just nodded and did not ask for more. She is just so happy for Anne, and so do I.

***

“You are asking for me?”

It was Anne. I called my secretary last night to ask Anne to come to my office tomorrow morning because I need to discuss something with her.

I nodded and told her to sit.

“Are you okay? What happened yesterday is unexpected.” Anne said sounding worried.

I did not answer her, I just look at her intently. Anne swallowed hard. She looks nervous now.

“I know you are the behind it, Anne,” I said coldly.

She was stunned. “I… I will never do that. I know that it’s natural for you to suspect me because I am always not on good terms with your girlfriend, but it’s not me Andrew.” She denied.

I look at her with disappointment.

She looks down. “I’m sorry.” She said in a whisper. Then she look at me a bit teary-eyed.

I sighed. “It’s not a big deal for me if my relationship with Alli will be exposed. I am so tired of hiding my relationship in public, but I’m just disappointed because I trusted you, Anne. I treated you like a sister. I always defended you to Alli.”

The tears that Anne is fighting back fell. “I know, I’m sorry. I’m the worst person in the world.” Anne started to sob.

“You are not, Anne. You are just hurt. That is why your reasoning is lost. I heard your real story from Liam.” I said to her.

Anne stops sobbing and just look at me a bit puzzled.

“Liam still has feelings for you but he was not hoping for you to come back to him. He just wants you to be back on track. To be on the right career path. You dream to be a fashion designer, right?”

Anne was too stunned to speak.

I took her past design and gave it to her. “Liam still keeping this, hoping that someday you will decide to pursue the career that you always dream of having.”

Anne’s hand was shaking as she browse her previous design. Then she lost it. She cried like there was no tomorrow. My heart hurt looking at Anne right now. She looks so lost. She hugged her designs and continue crying.

I went to her and hug her. “Everything will be alright now, Anne.” I consoled her.

“No, it can’t be back. No one will accept me. If you heard everything from Liam then you will know also that his family is behind all this. I can’t pursue it now.” She said then cry again.

“Their power is just here in the Philippines. They do not influence other countries, especially in the US and Europe. While us, your friends have it.” I said to her.

She turns to me still sobbing. “What do you mean?”

I took out the calling card I got from Alli and gave it to Anne.

“Claire Chiuri? Why are you giving me her card?” She asked a bit puzzled.

“Alli and I will have an interview with Mr. Abunda next week. Aside from explaining my relationship with Alli, I will also announce my retirement from the showbiz industry. So in short, I do not need a manager anymore, that is why I called you today to inform you that I am firing you.” I said to her.

Then I took the calling card from her. “And Claire will be your new boss.”

Anne’s eyes widen, and her tears are also dying up. “Are you pranking me, right now?”

I shake my head. “I am serious Anne. You are fired and she will be your new boss now. Alli met her at a fashion event in the US. Alli talked to her about you, she send your previous design to Claire and Claire love your design and decided to take you as her apprentice.”

“Are you for real?!”

I nodded to her.

Anne went back from crying but this time with a smile on her face. “How can you guys help me after all the things I did to you? Especially to Alli?” She can’t help but ask.

“Because you are just human. Humans are bound to make wrong decisions especially when they are hurt. Your feelings are valid but still not a reason for you to do evil things. But are we to judge you right? We didn’t experience what you had, we can only sympathize but we will never understand what you felt during those times. But as your friend, we wanted to help you. We wanted you to be on the right path.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Anne went up to me and hug me. “Thank you, Andrew. Can you help me talk to Alli? I just want to apologize and thank her for this.”

“Of course.”

Finally, a public date! I can now go to the mall while holding Alli’s hand. We also don’t need to eat in a restaurant with private rooms.

“You look so happy, Mr . Lopez.” Alli teases me.

“You bet! This so so nice. I can finally hold your hand like this and do this.” I said then I kissed her hand. “I can even kiss your lips in public” I whispered to her.

Alli soft punch me then chuckled. “You and your imagination. But I agree. It feels nice to go on a date like this. We don’t need to hide our relationship with them. Though, I’m a bit uncomfortable because people keep on staring at us. Nonetheless, I’m happy.”

We both cleared our schedule for this date. We just want to celebrate our official announcement to the public. We use to do this before when we are both not in the entertainment industry.

We were about to leave the mall when someone shouted. “You guys don’t look together! Belle is the one for you, Andrew!”

I saw the group of girls who keep on shouting. I asked the guard to stop them. Then Alli and I left the mall.

“Are you okay?” I asked Alli.

“I’m good. I know not everyone will like our relationship, especially when you are being shipped with other celebrities.” Alli cooly said.

I’m thankful that she can handle it more than I do. “But you look more beautiful than them.”

We reached Alli’s house when I saw Anne’s car parked in front of their gate. I stop the car. “You have a visitor,” I said to her.

Alli looked in Anne’s direction. “She wanted to talk to you.”