I have been busy with photo shoots and television interviews for almost a week now. It feels like I have become an instant celebrity since I won the race match. During this time, Easton and I had no communication because my phone was broken. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to go out and buy a new phone."
I thought that maybe the man was being hysterical because I hadn't spoken to him for a few days since he left for Italy.
As Danny and I were departing from our company building, I inquired about the time of my upcoming appointment.
"Danny, could you please tell me the exact time of my next appointment?" I asked him. With a friendly smile, Danny replied,
"You have a live interview scheduled for 3 p.m. today on a broadcasting channel. Is there anything else I can help with?" I thanked him for the information, feeling grateful for his assistance as always.
I winced as the warm sunlight hit me, but the driver immediately opened an umbrella to shield me from the heat. Once we got into the van, I realized I was sweating, but thankfully the air conditioner was on.
Danny helped me prepare for my next interview while we were on the way to the studio. When we arrived, I was surprised to see Einah there. She was surrounded by her glam team and we were going to share the same dressing room. She didn't notice my arrival because her eyes were closed while her make-up artist applied eyeshadow.
As I entered the venue, the staff there gave me a warm welcome. They led me to my designated seat, which was located near Einah's place. They had arranged it for me since my scheduled interview was just a few minutes away. I felt grateful for their hospitality and settled down comfortably.
After a few minutes, I got ready for my interview, and as I turned towards Einah, she was surprised to see me. I couldn't resist and smiled playfully at her, but she didn't seem to share my enthusiasm and immediately frowned, turning her back on me.
Soon after, the staff called me on stage, and I noticed that Einah was already there, talking to the newscaster. As soon as she saw me, her smile vanished from her face, and she looked annoyed. I wondered if something was bothering her, but I didn't have much time to think about it as I had to focus on my interview.
The newscaster cordially greeted me and offered me a seat. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the show commenced. The newscaster began by delivering the introduction line of the show and then proceeded to introduce us to the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the undefeated automobile car racer champion, Raniyah Ellen Domingo, also known as Red, along with her companion Einah Torres." The live audience erupted in applause, and we smiled for the camera.
"We are thrilled that you were able to come to our show and accept our invitation despite your busy schedule," the newscaster said happily.
"It's an absolute honor to be here," I replied, smiling.
The newscaster began asking us about our racing experiences and how we got started in the field. I answered humbly, but I noticed that Einah seemed tense during her response. I assumed that she was nervous because this was her first appearance on national television.
The newscaster tried to put us at ease during the interview. During the commercial break, we chatted and went over some details with the staff for the next part of the show. When the break ended, we resumed the show. I was able to answer the questions that the newscaster asked us.
"I was asked a surprising question as the show was wrapping up. The host asked, "How is your love life going these days? And can you describe your feelings in this photo?" As soon as the photo appeared on the screen, my jaw dropped. It was a picture taken at a bar a few months ago, which was the root of my current predicament - the night I met Easton. Then the host dropped another bombshell - "I heard that the guy in the photo was your boyfriend."
I noticed Einah smiling awkwardly in my peripheral view. She appeared nervous when she saw the picture.
Then, the host asked me, "There are rumors that the man with you in that picture is Einah's brother. Is that true?"
Amidst the thrilling screams of the live audience, I waited for a moment before replying. "The rumors about me dating Einah's brother are not true," I replied. However, the audience seemed disappointed with my answer.
"Einah, what would you do if you found out that Red, whom you consider your rival on the racing track, is dating your brother? Would you be okay with it?"
Dinah smiled, but I was unsure if she was hiding something. She seemed to have an idea about the question the newscaster just asked.
"As for my older brother's personal life, I believe it's not my place to interfere. He has the right to choose his path and make decisions for himself," she responded calmly.
"I don't have any problem with it," she responds to the newscaster's follow-up question about me being her brother's girlfriend. Despite her answer, I can sense the insincerity in her words and have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
After the interview, we went straight to the dressing room to store our belongings. I instructed Danny to make sure the dressing room staff had left by the time Einah arrived. I waited for Einah to arrive and once she did, she was surprised to find the staff missing.
I asked her, "Looking for them?" as I crossed my arms.
"Obviously, yes. What's the problem, Red?" she replied.
I stood up and glared at her, causing her to take a few steps back.
"Are you scared now?" I asked.
She raised an eyebrow and said, "What are you talking about, Red?" She exclaimed.
"I can't believe you're pretending to be clueless," I said to Einah, shaking my head in disbelief.
She scoffed in response. "I don't know what you're talking about, Red."
I leaned against the dresser and shot her a sarcastic smile. "You know, Einah, maybe it's time for you to consider a career change. You're a talented artist, after all. You don't have to keep racing and always coming in second place. And don't think I didn't notice what you did earlier."
"I don't know which one you are referring to, Red. You suddenly accuse me of not knowing what wrong I did," I said with annoyance, cracking up an annoying laugh. I moved closer to her, causing her to lean on the dresser due to my proximity.
"I warned you, Einah when I found out it was you who gave the photo in the studio earlier. I don't care that you're Easton's little sister. You don't know what I'm capable of, Einah. I will make the racing track hell for you," I said emphatically before turning my back and heading towards the door.
As I reached for the doorknob, Einah suddenly spoke up. "I knew it! You have a relationship with my brother," she exclaimed.
"As you said before, Einah, you shouldn't interfere with who your brother can have a relationship with. If we are in a relationship, it's ours to keep. We don't need to announce it to the whole world. It's enough for us to know that we love each other. If I were you, I'd keep quiet and stop being stubborn and a brat. Your attitude is nauseating," I replied sternly.
She was left speechless by my words. I had left him in the dressing room, and upon exiting, the staff had gathered around the front door. I called Danny, not caring if they gossiped about me and spread my issues on social media.
"Danny, let's go," I said and he quickly followed me.
I finally have some free time today, with no appointments or tasks to attend to. I'm planning to buy a new phone, and I've been thinking about my boyfriend Easton and wondering how he's doing. Since I didn't have a phone, I wasn't able to update him on all the things that have been happening in my life lately. I miss him and would love to catch up. However, I'm not sure when he returned to the country.
I visited the official store of the brand of my old phone that I had been using. Luckily, they had the latest phone model they had released in stock. Although it was expensive, I could afford to buy it. I left the store feeling happy as I could now call Easton. I planned to explain to him why I hadn't called earlier.
While I was typing a message for Easton, I accidentally bumped into someone who was passing by.
I was holding my brand new phone when suddenly it slipped out of my hands. My heart started racing as I was afraid it would crash onto the floor. In my panic, I managed to catch it just in time, but not before it almost fell into the hands of a stranger who was standing nearby. I felt relieved as I realized that it was just the stranger's hand that I had accidentally brushed against. Looking up, I saw a man kneeling in front of me and asked,
"Red?"
"Justine?" He smiled at me.
"He helped me stand up.
"I'm sorry if I bumped into you. I didn't notice you right away," he said.
I shook my head. "No, I should be the one to apologize. I'm not paying attention to where I'm going."
We both looked at each other and burst out laughing together."
"Hey, what are you doing here today? I thought you had a busy schedule," he asked me.
"I just had some free time today. My old phone broke, so I bought a new one," I replied.
"Where are you headed next?" he asked.
I pretended to think for a moment and then pouted my lips. "I might head to the office," I said.
"When can we grab coffee again?" he asked.
I chuckled in response.
Suddenly an unexpected guest arrived.
"What's going on here?" Easton chimed in as he darted his eyes on our—.
I suddenly became aware that Justine and I were holding hands. I immediately let go of her hand and tried to smile at Easton, but he gave me a cold stare.
Justine then interrupted the awkward silence by saying that she had to go because she had almost forgotten about a meeting she had scheduled with someone.
After Justine left, I turned to Easton. He was staring at me silently and with the coldness.
"Easton, you're home by the way—" I said.
He turned his back to me and walked away quickly without responding.
I raised my eyebrows and was left with a big question mark in my mind. Confused, I chased after him and called his name, but he didn't look back at me.
Gad! I wondered, what's his problem?