Time seemed to slow down inside the event hall. Jake stood in the center of the stage, accompanied by Aya. Everyone could feel the thrill and excitement of the fans—except Janine, who had been restless for a while. All of Jake's attention and smiles seemed to be directed only at Aya, which made Janine's chest tighten even more.
Janine's POV:
"Why is it always Aya?! Why is it always her? What about me… I've supported him for so long. Don't I deserve some attention too? Don't I deserve to feel this excitement?"
Before anyone could say anything that might hurt her even more, she suddenly stood up from her seat and quickly made her way onto the stage.
Scene: On Stage
Maureen and Mica exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Maureen (whispering):
"Hey, what's going on now?!"
Krystel (frowning):
"Janine is unbelievable… she wants to steal the spotlight again!"
Janine smiled, holding the microphone as if she were the star of the night.
Janine (loudly, to the audience):
"Ka-fans! Let's give Jake a round of applause for his return to the Philippines! Finally, after so long, he's back. Are you excited?"
The crowd cheered, even though some were clearly surprised by her sudden interruption. Even Tita Carol, Jayvee, and his friends were shocked by Janine's actions on stage.
Mike:
"Why did she have to interrupt? I was just starting to feel excited."
Alex:
"I don't know what got into Janine… what possessed her to suddenly climb onto the stage?"
Jayvee (scratching his head):
"I don't know whether to laugh at Janine, but Aya looked so pitiful in front of everyone… Janine is kinda crazy!"
Jake just smiled, slightly confused but choosing not to embarrass Janine. He looked at Aya, who had stepped aside at the edge of the stage, suddenly silent.
Aya felt the awkwardness. The warmth and excitement she felt earlier had vanished, replaced by a heavy weight. She deliberately avoided looking at Jake and slowly stepped down from the stage.
Scene: Aya Walks Out
Aya walked quickly toward the restroom, tension written on her face.
Aya (whispering to herself):
"Why does this have to happen…? This is so embarrassing."
In the hallway, Lyca and Maureen suddenly followed her.
Lyca (catching up):
"Aya, wait! Please, don't leave like that."
Maureen (serious):
"Girl, don't mind Janine. You know she can be so attention-seeking sometimes."
Aya stopped and took a deep breath.
Aya:
"But there were so many people… I must have looked so pitiful up there on stage. I don't want that. I don't want a scene."
Lyca (placing a hand on her shoulder):
"Hey, don't be ashamed of yourself. You were chosen for this moment. Don't let Janine ruin this night for you."
Maureen, clearly annoyed, frowned.
Maureen:
"Ate Lyca's right. If she wants to show off, fine… let her. But Aya, don't forget—you were with Jake before he arrived, not her. Do you understand?"
Narrator:
Aya couldn't respond, but she felt the sincerity of her friends. Slowly, she forced a smile and tried to calm her racing heart.
After Lyca and Maureen convinced her to return to the event, Aya did not expect the scene that awaited her.
Jake was on stage, smiling and talking to the fans. But before Aya could move, Janine suddenly approached—and without warning, kissed Jake on the cheek. Jake was shocked by Janine's actions, but could only go with the flow.
Cheers erupted. Some fans even felt giddy at the scene.
Fans (shouting):
"Woooohhh! Jake, you're so handsome!"
"More! More!"
Narrator:
While some were thrilled, Aya's friends—Maureen, Anna, Mica, and Krystel—couldn't hide their shock. They were stunned and clearly furious at Janine's actions.
Meanwhile, Aya froze. She felt everything she had been holding together earlier collapse. She realized she couldn't stay in that place any longer, and she wouldn't finish the event, so she left her seat.
Scene: Aya Walks Out Again
Aya took a deep breath, holding back tears. She approached the side where Tita Carol and the admins were standing.
Aya (softly, forcing a smile):
"Ahmm Tita, Mami Admin… I'm sorry for what happened, but I can't stay long. I need to leave; I'm not feeling well."
Tita Carol (concerned):
"Aya, hija… are you okay? Do you want me to go with you?"
Aya (shaking her head, still smiling):
"I'm okay, Tita. I just need to rest."
Admin Rose (noticing the tension):
"Alright, Aya. Take care. Text us when you get home."
Her friends also approached her.
Lyca (holding her from behind):
"Aya, you're leaving? Take care, and sorry about tonight."
Aya (forcing a small smile):
"It's okay. Just let Janine have her moment."
Anna:
"But what she did… she acted like there was no shame or respect left."
Mica:
"And she even stole a kiss from Jake!"
Admin Rose:
"Alright, looks like Aya needs to rest. I'll handle talking to Janine."
Tita Carol:
"Go ahead, hija. Be safe going home."
Aya (leaving):
"Okay, Tita, thank you."
Narrator:
As Aya left, Jake forced a smile for the fans, feeling distant from the situation. He wanted to follow her, but he couldn't leave Janine on stage—especially with so many people watching. He didn't want anyone embarrassed.
He noticed Jayvee quietly observing. Jayvee quickly stood and followed Aya.
Outside the venue, Aya stood hesitantly on the roadside, unsure whether to call a taxi. She was silent, motionless.
Jayvee (approaching calmly):
"Aya… do you want me to take you home? I have a car."
Aya (surprised):
"Huh!? Oh, Jayvee, no. I don't want to trouble you, and someone might look for you."
Jayvee (shaking his head, serious):
"You're not disturbing me. Let them be. I can't let you go home alone at this hour. Please, let me take you."
Aya was silent for a moment, exhaustion and heaviness in her eyes, but also gratitude.
Aya (softly):
"Thank you, Jayvee…"
She slowly got into the car, and Jayvee closed the door, taking a deep breath before sitting in the driver's seat.
Narrator:
As the car drove away, Jake remained on stage, forcing a smile for the fans… but his mind and heart were on the girl leaving without him.
Scene: Inside the Car – Aya and Jayvee
The car was silent, only the engine and streetlights breaking the quiet. Aya stared out the window, gripping her bag strap, sadness and heaviness in her eyes.
Jayvee kept his eyes on the road but felt the urge to speak.
Jayvee (carefully):
"Aya… are you okay? You've been quiet for a while."
Aya (taking a deep breath, forcing a smile):
"Yeah, I'm fine… maybe just tired from the event. So many people, so much happened."
Jayvee (slightly frowning):
"Fine? I know you're not. I saw everything, Aya. Don't pretend it's nothing."
Aya (glancing at him briefly, then looking away):
"Jayvee, I don't want to make a big deal out of it. Others might think… I'm overreacting."
Jayvee (serious, slightly jealous):
"Overreacting? After what she did in front of everyone? Come on, Aya. If I were in your situation, I'd be even more hurt."
Aya was silent, surprised by the weight in Jayvee's voice. It wasn't anger, but full of sincerity—a mix of pain he couldn't say outright.
Aya (softly, still looking out the window):
"I guess… I'm just used to someone else always being the center. Maybe it's just not my place…"
Jayvee (turning sharply, speaking firmly):
"Don't say that. You have every right, Aya. If Jake should notice anyone, it should be you—not those who force themselves into the spotlight."
Aya was quiet, feeling the weight of his words. A flutter of warmth briefly touched her heart, but she quickly covered it with a smile.
Aya (soft laugh):
"You sound like my defender, Jayvee."
Jayvee (small smile, a bit shy):
"Maybe I am. Maybe I just don't like seeing you hurt."
Narrator:
Silence returned, but this time the air wasn't heavy. There was a special closeness between them—a connection they didn't fully understand yet, but both felt it.
As they neared Aya's house, Jayvee secretly exhaled. He couldn't say it outright… but the truth was, he wasn't just worried as a friend.
Meanwhile, at the event, Jake announced he would stay in the Philippines for six months or more to work on his album and asked for support amid the continuing cheers and laughter of fans. After the event, Jake sat backstage with a bottled water. Outside, he could still see the happy faces of fans, but his mind was elsewhere.
Scene: Jake's POV (Backstage)
Jake (thinking, staring at the floor):
"I saw her leave… I wanted to follow, but… I couldn't. Damn. Aya…"
He took a deep breath, forcing a smile as staff and fans greeted him and asked for pictures. But behind the smile, his chest felt heavy.
For the first time since returning to the Philippines, Jake felt a strong conflict—the pressure of being a public figure and the true emotions he was trying to hide.
Amid the noise and joy of fans, only one name kept circulating in his mind.
Jake (softly, almost whispering):
"Aya…"
Suddenly, a fan—Janine—approached for a photo.
Janine (playfully posing with Jake):
"Hi Jake! Can we take a picture? We haven't taken one yet on stage."
Jake (slightly smiling):
"Ah… sure!"
Aya's friends also arrived for pictures—Maureen, Tita Carol, and the admins.
To be continued...
Author's Note:
As emotions continue to b
e hidden and facades maintained, tension only escalates. 💔
Who among the four do you think will be the first to reveal their true feelings—Jake, Aya, Jayvee, or Janine? 🤔🔥
Stay tuned for the next chapter guys!…
Chapter 12 – Between Love and Lies