CHAPTER 7: GOLDEN TICKET

CHELSEA

I'm currently in the park. I came here right away to be by myself. I need some fresh air to breathe. It was 11 o'clock before I realized what time it was.

To calm Redemon down and prevent him from becoming particularly irate at me tomorrow, I texted him. I said that I had an emergency at home and couldn't leave.

I started crying when I submitted my message. I recalled what had happened at home just before I left.

FLASHBACK

Ah—eh, that's not my intention, hija. I just wanted to take the opportunity and get everyone acquainted. You probably won't let your dad be sad and embarrassed, right?"

"Enough! Why didn't you show up when my dad needed you if you genuinely care about him? Do you really believe I was unaware that you had taken items from the house and taken them to your parents' home? You! Plus, you are the cause of daddy's business slowly failing! You have only managed to ruin my family and everything we own!" I screamed as I looked at her.

She raise her hand and was about to give me a slap but then I stood there like I wasn’t scared of her and gave her a look.

"If you dare to touch me then go on, but I am warning you. I can easily make your life worse than a rat’s life…" I said as I challenge her gaze.

She was stunned by what I said and backed away as if she couldn't believe what I said.

"Chelsea Leigh Garcia! What are you talking about?! After you achieved high status because of your husband, you will not start to act like that?"

Maxine approached her mom. "Hasn't she been like this for a long time, mommy? I told you, mommy, that we shouldn't waste effort on her. She was like that because no one loves her! I doubt that brother-in-law really loves her…”

END OF FLASHBACK

My heart is aching as I tried to stop my tears from falling. This kind of feeling was the worst thing that I experienced. I don’t have anyone by my side. They are right, I am alone. This feeling is very difficult. Alone and without a partner in everything. I don't even have anyone close to me at times like this... My tears are starting to fall again.

"Chelsea? It’s you! What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

I was shocked by the man's voice. When I looked up, It was Mr. Lee. What is he doing here at this hour? I quickly wiped my tears.

"H-huh? Mr. Lee is that really you?..." I tearfully asked the man in front of me.

"If you're upset, don't keep it to yourself, can you tell me what's bothering you? It's fine, I won't say anything else. I'll keep it as a secret." He promised.

I couldn't see his face well because of the tears in my eyes and it was really dark here in the park. I laughed at what he said. "Pfft! I don't want to be bashed by your fans. Besides, I didn't expect you to be interested in other people's problems." I said while trying to calm myself. It's embarrassing that he even saw me in this situation.

"Don't worry, I won't let them bash you." He answered jokingly.

He sat down and appeared really serious about talking to me. Is he genuinely curious? I don't want to stir up trouble with others.

"Do you know, when I was 14 years old I was sent to the International School of Music to continue my studies. At that time I was very young and I was not that good at English. Also because of me being Asian, I have been bullied by my classmates and my studies have not been going well..." I was surprised by his sudden telling of his past.

"Huh?" That's all I said out of surprise.

There was a moment of silence between us. He seems to be thinking very deeply. Does he have a problem?

"Didn't anyone help you during those times?" I asked him.

"The number of Filipinos who can enroll in an International School of Music is quite limited. I didn't have time to make friends since I was focused on finishing my studies so I could return to the Philippines. I was also afraid that my family would worry so I didn't tell or tell them what happened to me. I just hid it and kept it to myself, I almost had depression because of what happened." He said. I can feel the sadness in his voice.

I did not know that a genius musician Mr. Lee has this experience. I actually feel sorry for him.

"Ahmm... Are... Are you okay?....." I asked shyly.

"I'm fine now, thanks for asking. At that time I met a nun from a nearby church, and she said to me... If I had nothing to vent my anger and hurt in my heart, then I can talk to the grass, flowers, trees, and even a trashcan. I've tried it and you know what it's effective! It really helped me a lot." He said with a smile.

I laughed at his story. Can we really talk to those things without even looking crazy? Well, it’s not a bad idea. I can try it once in a while. There's nothing wrong with trying, right? Maybe it will help me and make me feel better. Especially now and I don't really have anyone close to me.

Mr. Lee stood up. I took a deep sigh as if I had released my problem even though I didn't tell him. It's comforting even if you just listen to other people's stories.

"Ahh, is that it? That’s your story?" I'm asked, innocently.

"Haha... yes…" he laughed and apologized.

Why is he apologizing?

"It was nice talking to you, Mr. Lee…”

I was surprised when he stopped moving and just stared at me. He focused on looking at my face. Is there dirt on my face? It was already making me uncomfortable so I look away.

"....Is—Is there a problem?" I was embarrassed to ask him and I was still scratching my cheek, I couldn't look directly into his eyes.

"Sorry" he answered me smiling.

He suddenly sat down on the road as if he was shrinking himself. I was surprised by what he did. What is wrong with this guy?

"Hi! I am Mr. Lee the rock, whatever you want to say even if that is a problem you can say it to me!" He said it in his smallest voice.

"Pfft! HAHAHAHA" I laughed while looking at him.

To my delight, I couldn’t stop myself from telling him my story. I know that he is a stranger but he seems nice. I started with the story of my life and the problems I am facing now. What I said was so long that I was dumbfounded.

"Ahh, I'm sorry for talking too much... Where am I?" I asked him. I don't know what I said to him last.

"It's fine. Your last story was about you going to Australia, you said you want to study in Australia but Mr. Buenavista won't let you?" he asked.

Ahh yes, I was telling him about my plans. Maybe it's okay if I tell him about the contract, right? Maybe it's okay if he finds out that Redemon and I were just married by agreement. He seems like a nice man after all.

"Ahh... Because... Actually, Mr. Buenavista and I were married by agreement. Everything was fake. It's really a secret and we can't tell anyone..." I said as I scratched my head.

"Huh?!" He asked in surprise at what I said.

"Forget it" I answered with a smile. "Fakes will always be fakes, but I'm going to Australia to study and learn to rely on myself," I added.

I stood up smiling. It feels good to have someone tell me about my problem. The heavy thing that was burdened on my chest earlier is gone.

"You're very pretty, Chelsea…" he said seriously while staring at my face.

"Ahh... Huh?"

What did he say? I think I am hearing things that I shouldn’t be hearing. I need to clean my ear.

"Those who work hard to achieve their goals are the most beautiful. I believe you will succeed, Miss Gracia," he added.

"Thank you, Mr. Lee…" that was all I said before giggling.

Why do new people that I met so kind and willing to listen to my problems, while my family considers me an enemy… He then took something from his pocket. A golden ticket.

"I'm friends with the Westlife concert's event organizer, she sent me two tickets. I just came back and I don't have anyone else to take with me, because I don't have any friends to take with me to that concert. If Ms. Garcia doesn't mind, would you go with me?" He smiled as he offered it to me.

I was surprised when he handed me a golden ticket.

"Can... Can I really go? Are you serious? Hey, maybe this is joke time! I’m stupid sometimes and tend to believe people easily…"

Shit! I'm going to a Westlife concert. Since I was little, I have been a devoted Westlife fan. When my mother was still living, she enjoyed playing their music when she put me to sleep in the afternoon. Lucky for me, it appears that I will be able to witness their show for free, and it says that it is a VIP ticket. It happens that Mr. Lee is a richy rich man!

I gasped as I received the ticket. Gosh!

"I guess that's a yes. Then we'll meet in front of the Araneta coliseum at 5 pm tomorrow" he said.

"Ahhh—Y-yes! thank you so much Mr. Lee"

"Just call me Kent or Jackson, we can count on each other to keep our secrets right?"

“Yes of course! Thank you so much!”

I suddenly looked at my phone and saw that it was 1:02 a.m.

"Ahh, it’s late, I'm sorry for bothering you for so long..." I shyly said to Kent.

"Don't be, I enjoyed talking to you, Chelsea. Let me join you to wait for a taxi so you can go home," he offered. When I got into a taxi, I even saw him waving at me until we were far away.