Chapter 20

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Ernaline and Kyle are supposed to have a date but did not go ahead because the four were called by one of its brands they are modeled. Kyle apologized to her but she said it was okay. It's a good thing they didn't go on so she might just ruin their day because she was so annoyed with Perth.

Ernaline was busy browsing the movie on TV when her cell phone rang. An unregistered number was calling. Surprisingly, she still answered the call.

"Hello?" she greeted.

"Hey, Ashi. Are you busy?" Renal's voice she heard from the other line.

"I'm sorry to call you all of a sudden. I'd like to invite you like having coffee or something? It's been a while since we talked with each other especially and we're both busy" How did he get her number? Didn't they exchange numbers when they accidentally met at the mall?

"No. It's okay, where will we meet?"

"Just at the **** coffee shop. I'll wait for you there" even though he wasn't there yet. Yes, Renal dropped the call.

Ernaline grabbed her handbag on the table before deciding to turn off the TV and leave the house. She was also bored so it would be better to just talk to Renal. Ernaline took a taxi after she left the building and told the taxi driver the coffee shop she wanted to go to. Maybe Perth won't look for her? She doesn't care if it complains to her older brother, she's old enough to handle herself.

They were busy practicing for the upcoming event in Manila's October Fest. One of the major main events is the band Blackhand so they are preparing for the performance. Ernaline already practices the old songs and their new songs. It is not difficult to teach the four of the new routine that she did. They are currently resting because they had just finished a round of the new song that the girl did when Saviel, who was in a hurry, entered as if someone was chasing her by a monster.

"What happened to you?" Ernaline asked in astonishment as she went straight to her seat. Even the four idiots were distracted as Saviel hurriedly ran towards her.

"You need to see this," Sav pulled Ernaline out of the studio and she didn't know where they were going. Until they landed on a table occupied by the staff Sav immediately sat down on the empty chair and tampered with the computer that was there even though she could speak it turned to her the monitor then Saviel play something that will turn her into a statue.

"Rumor said that the two of the most influential idols all over the world are rumored dating. Some of their fans saw them on a **** café talking and laughing at each other. Both of them are band vocalists and no one has expected that they know each other. Fans think might be true that these two have a secret relationship." it is as if he will fall on his feet. Renal and she are all over the internet! It happened the other day where Renal invited her for a coffee. He forgot the famous person he was talking to.

"The picture of the two is now being talked about on Social Media that is spreading on all platforms. There are many comments that the said vocalist may be hooking his fellow vocalist so that his name will rise in the industry because he is just a beginner. Many also say that the two might just meet or accidentally bump each other, especially since Mr. Ocampo is a friend of his fellow celebrities, but the negative comments from Miniters fans are more prevalent now. Find out more details on the return of chikadores. "

Ernaline rubbed her forehead. What other commotion did she enter? Sav looked at her anxiously, got up from her seat, and hugged her.

"Go to my office Ernaline. We need to talk" Annika snapped with her serious face after saying that. Depressed, Ernaline hugged Sav. She didn't do anything wrong because Renal and she only had a friendly talk. They just greet each other and there is no intimate relationship between them.

When he entered Annika's office the four were there. Ernaline can't look at them properly. She brought another mess to the group. Ernaline closed her eyes tightly after sitting in an empty chair in front of Annika's table.

"Explain why you and Renal are spotted on that coffee shop?" said Annika.

"He invited me for a cup of coffee. I mean we met before at the mall when Sav and I went for a walk" I explained.

Ernaline clasped her hands trembling for fear that they might decide to remove her from the band. She had just brought a lot of embarrassment to the band and Calvin's company.

"We can do something about it but please Ernaline, I only ask you one thing. Focus on your band and please don't drag the band names on these unnecessary actions you both have. Whatever your relationship with that man is, I hope so don't be in public for people to see" Ernaline bowed in her hands out of embarrassment.

"Renal and I are childhood friends Annika. Is it bad to say hello to a friend?"

"In the eyes of those two, there is nothing wrong or bad. But in the eyes of many, it is especially wrong and you both have a responsibility attached to your names. It is imprinted in the minds of the people that the two bands will fight fiercely because you are the ones who fought. -represents our country all over the world so the meeting between the two of you and Mr. Ocampo in a public place is a big issue"

Ernaline could not speak. She is guilty but please don't make her feel like she is very irresponsible and she is a creature who is thirsty for people's attention. Ernaline entered this field because that is her dream. She wouldn’t think it would be hard to jam into things she didn’t accept.

When Annika finished their conversation Ernaline came out of her office first but someone grabbed her hand and it was Kyle who stops her. His serious face exposed her.

"I wish you said earlier that you'd rather be with that Ocampo than me. I thought we would be eventually but I was wrong."

Ernaline's mouth dropped open at what he said. With a jerk of her hand, her palm landed on Kyle's cheek.

"You're thinking wrong. As I said, Renal is just my friend but if that's what you want I don't care. Did you want it right? I'm just a nobody but you insist on something you can't stand," Ernaline released from Kyle's grasp and she turned her back on him. As she turned into a hallway Ernaline was greeted by a massive chest and a warm hug it gave her reason to make her cry.

"Take me away from here," she said weakly. Perth didn't hesitate. He released her into their embrace before dragging her out of that building.

Ernaline wanted to get away for a while first. She can't accept the kindness she shows, it has a different effect on other people. Renal is just her friend and nothing more.

Why would she even wonder?

She entered this world with nothing but her song. She was not prepared for the possible outcome of the decision she made. Until they could get in the car Perth pulled the car away from the building, away from the judgmental people, away from the eyes of the majority. Ernaline thought people were willing to protect her from anything but she was wrong. They are just words but not deeds.

"Cry your heart out if you want. I don't mind. But all the tears that come out of your eyes have an associated compensation from the people who caused it." Perth said.

Ernaline ignored what Perth said but just looked out the car window. She is not doing anything wrong, she is a friend of Renal but in the eyes of them, she looks like a criminal who committed a heinous crime.

The car they were in was not far away when a van stopped in front of it, which was stopped by Perth. Ernaline looked at the man's position without even being surprised by what was happening in front of them. But that's how shocked she was when the van got off. Men in black who she thinks are about seven or eight people. They were all big-bodied and holding guns.

She grabs Perth's arm. "W-who are they?" she asked incredulously but Perth didn't say anything.

Ernaline gasps when Perth suddenly slammed the car and crashed into the van in front of them. She almost jumped on the windshield if it wasn't for the seat belt she might have broken her face.

"Don't be an idiot Perth, who are those people?" she shouted at him even though she was confused and scared. Her vocal cords were stretched even more when a bullet was fired and unfortunately the car was not bulletproof. Perth immediately bowed to her with one of his hands while the other was still holding the steering wheel.

"Get down Ernaline, we're going to fly" Ernaline seemed to want to attack Perth now but she couldn't because death was chasing them. Perth was pure cheap and she screamed echoing inside the car as bullets rained down on them.

Ernaline thought it was just an issue with the fans that she needed to deal with but what was it chasing them? What do they need in Perth or her? Ernaline doesn't know where they are now and they have been chasing them for hours. All she could do was cry quietly. They may not be up in the sun when these armed men catch up with them.

She was shocked when Perth unbuckled his seat belt and pulled her out of the car, not even realizing that they had stopped. To her great resentment over the issue she left her phone at CDC, how could they ask for help?

"Quit running asshole. Give that girl to us," Perth's grip tightened on her hands as they continued to run through the thick jungle they had entered. Ernaline was so shocked when the armed men exposed themselves to them to stop Perth from running. The man blocked himself in front of her. Trembling she was caught in Perth's dress.

"What do you want?" Perth said without even a trace of fear on his face as she was already trembling with fear. She did not know these men. They were all wearing black t-shirts, pants, caps, and face masks on their faces and only their eyes could be seen by Ernaline.

"Give us the girl if you don't want to die" she tightened her grip on Perth's shirt out of fear. What do they need from her?

“Get her, if you can!” This time she seemed to want to tread on Perth. Courage is challenging, Perth is only one while they are already with twenty people in front of them. What if she dies?

Perth turned to her in astonishment. "Close your eyes, Ernaline,"

Even before she could do what Perth ordered, his feet hit the opponent to her surprise. At the speed of events, she could not follow Perth’s movements until the man fell to the ground and all of them were lifeless.

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