NOPI Chapter 31: I changed a lot

Chapter 31

Sephine's POV

Today's the day. It's either we get chosen by an artist to perform a duet with us or perform solo or in a group. If you're having a duet with a professional artist, then you're very lucky. I wouldn't miss it for the world, specially if the artists that are going to choose are mostly artists with great influence. They will bring upon fortune and fame to whoever sings a duet with them.

We're already at the auditorium, but this time, I'm with my cousins. Charles on the other hand, is with his friends. They're at the other side of the auditorium, just across from where we're seated.Pagkatapos ng nangyari kahapon, hindi ko alam kung bakit pero parehas kami ng iniisip. Hindi namin tinext o tinawagan ang isa't isa. It's like we were both thinking about what we have and what's our relationship's going to be in the future. Akala ko nga ako lang ang nagiisip nun kagabi pero nang mareceive ko ang message ni Charles kaninang umaga,

[Charles: I'm sorry for not texting you, I was just thinking if I've been too clingy and that you might've been exhausted being with me. So I've thought about it a lot yesterday evening and decided to give you some space every now and then. Good morning, I had the cafeteria deliver some breakfast for you. Can't wait to see you. I've missed you]

Nalaman kong hindi pala talaga madaling intindihin ang taong nagmamahal.

I want to be close to him.

I want to talk to him.

I want to touch him.

I mean.. even if he's just by my side or in my sight, I would be more than enough.

But also at the same time,

I want to stay far away from him.

I'm afraid of what other people might say.

A nerd and a prince? Together?

Will it affect his reputation or maybe.. hurt him?

Simula palang nang insedenteng nangyari dati, hindi ko na nagawa pang magdalawang isip at pinilit sila mama't papa sa desisyong ginagawa ko.

I decided to take a disguise. I wanted to become anonymous, someone who's not a Falcon, someone who's not powerful and influencial and an heiress of an empire.

I didn't want to have the same experience to happen ever again.

(A/J: The indicent will be explained on the next few chapters. Stay in tuned!)

Dahil sa disguise kong 'to, not only everything around me changed - from how people treat me all the way to how I saw the dark side of people, even I changed.

I CHANGED A LOT.

Josephine's proud, honored and dignified. Sephine? She's filled with anxieties, flaws and insecurities.

Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit parang gusto kong baguhin ang lahat ulit. I suddenly wanted to change everything. I wanted to be an optimist now.

I wanted to change again. But for the better.

Nang marinig ko lahat ng pinagbago ni Charles simula nang makilala niya ako, agad akong nag-reflect at narealize kong hindi lang siya ang nagbago, pati ako nagbago dahil sakanya.I suddenly wanted to change into someone who's worthy of him and thought that Josephine's the only one who can do that.

Nakalimutan ko.. ako nga pala si Josephine. And Josephine's a taboo for me.

I'm scared of going back.

"Seph? Hey?" nagising ako mula sa pagde-daydream nang marinig ko sila Violet na tinatawag ako

"Hmm?" tanong ko

"Why are you crying? Is there something wrong? Are you okay?" tanong ni Venus saka niya pinunasan ang mga pisngi ko kaya naman nagulat ako

"Oh my god, I'm crying? Hindi ko napansin" sagot ko't kukunin na sana ang panyo na ipinangpunas sa akin ni Venus pero inilingan niya lang ako

"Let me. Baka magalaw pa ang lenses mo," sagot niya kaya naman hindi na ako umangal pa

Agad ko namang inilabas ang phone ko nang maramdaman ko itong mag-vibrate.

[Charles: What's wrong?]

Napasilip ako sa kabilang side ng auditorium kung nasan si Charles at agad na ngumiti nang makita kong nakatingin siya sa amin at halatang nagaalala siya.

He must have seen me tear up. Silly guy.

[To Charles: Why are you so nice to me?]

Nakita ko namang nagulat si Charles sa reply ko saka siya bumugtong hininga.

[Charles: I have to and I want to because I like you]

Napakagat na ako ng labi ko't pinigilan nanamang lumuha.

Every girl wants to be taken care of, wants to be important to someone and wants to be loved and cherished.

Baliw talaga 'tong Charles na 'to. Gusto niya atang tanggalin ang puso ko sa katawan ko sa lakas ng epekto niya sa akin.

It's just a text but it's enough to shake my whole heart.

[To Charles: I can't perform well if you keep on shaking my heart, you know]

[Charles: I'd be more than honored to do it again and again. Good luck on your performance, milady]

Napailing na ako. Again, with his humorous side.

[To Charles: Thank you, your highness. And good luck to you too]

[Charles: Who wouldn't want to be awesome in front of the person they like? With you around, I could perform to the point where all artists will fight with each other just to have a duet with me] Natawa ako kaagad

[To Charles: Narcissist]

Agad ko nang tinago ang phone ko nang marinig ko ang tunog ng microphone.

"Good morning, everyone. May I remind you to stay poised, prim and proper. Avoid nonsensical actions that may lead to unnecessary incidents" bungad ni Mrs. Begley, ang mama ni Charles

On cue nama'y agad na tumahimik ang mga estudyante't pumasok ang ilang men in black at agad na nagform ng dalawang linya sa gitna, sa labas ng red carpet at agad na humarap sa isa't isa.

Oh of course, it's practically a very grand entrance. After all, the guests are professional artists, they may be some ruckus or chaos that might happen.

It's better safe than sorry.

"Now, may I present our special guests for today. Please welcome, stars from JP Productions!"

Agad nang nagsitayuan ang mga estudyante't nagsipalpakan nang isa isang pumasok ang mga artists. Syempre, hindi mawawala ang tilian, sigawan at labasan ng mga gadgets at kung anu ano pa man.

"Omg, Seph, ang gwapo ni Kuya Joseph! Is it just me or he became taller and more mature?" tanong ni Venus kaya naman agad kong hinanap si Kuya Joseph

Nang makita ko si Kuya Joseph na pang-apat sa pumasok at nang mahanapan niya ako ay agad siyang kumaway kaya naman abot mata ang ngiti ko't kinawayan din siya.

"Kyaaah! My love, Joseph, just waved at me!"

"Hey, are you blind? He's clearly looking at my direction!"

"Hahaha! Stop your imagination girls because that was for me!"

Nang marinig ko ang mga sagutan ng mga babaeng nasa harapan ko ay nagkatingin kami ni Venus saka natawa.

Hmm. I missed him. Him becoming a superstar was actually beyond my father's expectations. After all, he's the eldest and is expected to be the one whose going to manage the empire. It was hard for my parents and the elders at first because of the disappointment and feelings of betrayal.

They wanted to choose Kuya Joshua as the successor but he immediately declined stating that Kuya Joseph should be the one to take it. Later, the hot seat was passed onto me but I already told them that I want them to rethink things more and to not make impulsive decisions.

After thinking things clearly, they were back to square one where it was a long tradition in the family where the eldest will be, of course, the successor. After a serious talk between the elders, my parents and Kuya Joseph, he agreed but also gave them a condition. He'll take the reign only when dad's ready to retire and all of us knew that it wasn't going to be any time soon. In short, he really didn't want to take on the job as the successor any time soon.

He was cunning and smart but of course, that's what's makes him the best. He's my brother after all.

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Author's Note: Hi guys! If you liked the revised version of the book, be sure to raise your voices and give me your feedback. And if you saw some mistakes here and there, please do tell me. Feedback is important for further improvement and growth. Please do vote and comment! Thanks for reading guys! Have a blessed day! XOXO~