16

Chapter 16

I put France to sleep, then I didn't leave France's room and went downstairs. I fixed the kitchen and went to the living room to wait for Fabian.

I opened my phone to entertain myself. I searched for Fabian Martinez's name.

His name and picture immediately came up. Also, an issue emerged that Fabian is a single dad. There was no conference or clarification from Fabian about it. Fabian's picture with France came up, but there was nothing about France's mother in the articles.

That issue came out 6 years ago out of nowhere after Fabian was seen with a young boy. Fabian confirmed he was the boy's father, but he didn't reveal anything about France's mother.

I paused when I saw Fabian's birthday date. December 14, 19**.

"It's coming soon," I whispered. I screenshot it. I also enjoyed taking some stolen pictures of Fabian. Not one was unflattering—I didn't know if Fabian was really handsome or if it was just good photography.

I continued scrolling until my gaze landed on one of the schools Fabian attended.

One of the universities he went to was the same school I attended, and I remembered Fabian mentioning we went to the same high school.

"But it's strange that I don't remember Fabian. With Fabian's appearance, I'm sure he would have stood out even if I didn't know him or encounter him."

I recalled how crazy the girls were about Victor in high school, to the point where they waited for him at the gate and screamed.

Fabian was even more handsome than Victor—no doubt. How come I never heard Fabian's name and worse, I don't remember anything?

I stood up when I heard the sound of a car outside. I quickly approached the door to open it. I turned the knob to push it, but someone pulled it.

I stumbled onto a broad chest with an arm wrapped around my waist. The perfume was familiar, so I looked up. It was Fabian, laughing as he looked at me.

"Did you miss me so much that you just hugged me out of the blue? You're taking too many risks."

I gasped and pushed Fabian away slightly. I felt embarrassed as I stepped back.

"You pulled the door," I explained sheepishly. He just laughed and slightly loosened his necktie, saying we should go inside. It's cold outside.

Fabian informed his manager and I felt shy when I saw him. Manager Jomar just smiled and waved at me.

When Fabian closed the door, we entered together. I immediately prepared breakfast for Fabian.

"How was your date with Sophia?" Fabian asked after sipping water and reaching for the plate I was supposed to put on the table.

"We went to several shops and she recommended some cosmetics to me."

I started to tell him about it and didn't notice Fabian looking at me while eating. I also didn't realize I was talking too much. I stopped when I realized it.

"Why did you stop?" Fabian asked, putting down his spoon.

"I talk too much," I replied. Fabian just laughed and told me to keep talking and telling stories because he's listening.

"I want to know what you and France did all day," Fabian said. I just smiled after hearing that from Fabian.

We just chatted while eating, and Fabian also told me about the issue on their set which made him late getting home. They had to do overtime to fix some effects and backgrounds.

He also mentioned several times when he failed because he was still stunned and forgot his lines.

Then the issue spread that he was gay. I laughed at that part because that issue had been going on for a long time. It's because Fabian doesn't agree to romantic genres and needs a double when there's physical touch related to a scene.

"Really?" I asked. Fabian had a poker face. I stopped when Fabian stood up—he leaned in and held the back of my head.

"Do you want proof?" Fabian asked. I opened my mouth and Fabian leaned in, brushing the back of my head. Our lips touched, and I felt his tongue inside my mouth and the taste of coffee.

I couldn't think of anything as Fabian deepened the kiss. When our lips parted, I was stunned. Fabian just laughed and quickly kissed me on the lips again.

I closed my mouth and blushed, asking Fabian if he's happy. "Of course," Fabian said with a bright smile. He said he loves seeing my expression when I'm flustered. Priceless.

Fabian returned to his seat and happily ate. I could still feel Fabian's lips and the warmth in my ears.

"Go to sleep. I'll clean up," Fabian said after he finished eating. I turned to look at him and stood up.

"I'll do it. You've had a long day at work," I said and reached for Fabian's plate, but he removed my hand from his plate.

"You're tired too. You watched over France all day, came home late, and took care of the mansion. Rest, I can handle this," Fabian said, gently pushing me away. He insisted, so I had no choice. I went upstairs and straight to France's room. I saw that France was still asleep.

France kicked some of his stuffed toys, so I picked them up and placed them on France's bed.

I sat on the edge of the bed and adjusted France's blanket. I checked the alarm in France's room, which activates when France wakes up and walks out of the room.

It's connected to my room, so if France sleepwalks, I can immediately attend to him.

France hasn't been sleepwalking much lately because before he sleeps, I make sure he's exhausted and has a deep sleep.

I also went into my room connected to France's room and lay down there. I was extremely sleepy.

I was immediately pulled into sleep as soon as I lay down. Then I woke up to find the ceiling in front of me.

I sat up and saw a blanket wrapped around me. Did I lie down yesterday? Did I wake up? I looked at the study table and checked the time.

"It's 4 am," I whispered. I still need to prepare breakfast for France. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

After my morning routine, I slowly came out of France's room and went downstairs. I saw some maids cleaning the mansion. They greeted me good morning, and I smiled and greeted them back.

I went to the kitchen. Fabian was awake and seemed to be drinking cold water. I closed the fridge, fearing he might take cold water. Fabian glanced over, looking surprised.

"Cold water isn't good in the morning. Give me a second."

I took the electric kettle and poured some water into it. After about a minute, I turned it off and poured it into a glass.

I placed it on the table in front of Fabian, who immediately took it.

"I'm going to cook breakfast. What would you like to eat?"

Fabian said he just wanted coffee and bread. I started preparing. I made sure there were cookies and pancakes for France since that's what he always likes for breakfast.

"Fabian, do you eat during lunch?" I asked. Fabian stopped and looked at me.

"Do you want a lunch box? Just heat it up before eating later. There should be an oven at your workplace," I said. Fabian laughed and asked if his manager complained to me again.

"Nope, Sophia just told me that there are times when you vomit and your ulcer acts up because you don't eat on time," I said. Fabian pursed his lips.

"Okay, I'll bring lunch," Fabian said. I smiled and said I would cook for Fabian's lunch right away.

I took my phone and searched for foods that would still maintain Fabian's diet. I know the importance of body figure for an artist and model.

—

"Don't tell me you're not eating again," Fabian's manager said after seeing his ward still sitting at his table rummaging through his bag.

Fabian doesn't eat during work, so his manager was worried. Fabian pulled out a lunch box and asked his manager to heat it up.

"Where did this come from?"

The manager took it and opened it. It was full of diet foods. Sonia immediately came to his mind. The manager laughed and said he would heat it up right away.

The manager left. Fabian straightened up and grabbed his script. After a while, his phone rang, so he picked it up immediately.

"Sonia," Fabian said, sitting up straight. The woman was eating lunch.

"Did you eat?" Sonia asked. Fabian just laughed and said his manager was heating it up.

"What's the problem?"

Sonia's expression changed. She shyly said that she was worried Fabian might not like her cooking.

"That's impossible. Even if it tastes bad, as long as you cooked it, I'll eat it," Fabian said sincerely. Sonia smiled and said she knew.

Fabian's manager returned with his lunch box, which Fabian immediately showed to Sonia.

"It's all vegetables. Isn't there any meat in this?" Fabian quipped after opening the lunch box. Sonia laughed.

"I thought you'd eat everything I cooked?" Sonia said. Fabian just laughed and said it was all vegetables.

"You're an artist; you should know you need to maintain your diet. Don't worry, you'll like the taste," Sonia said. Fabian tasted it, and Sonia was right. The vegetables tasted like meat and blended well with the flavors.

Sonia smiled after seeing Fabian eating heartily. Fabian's manager almost cried after seeing his artist eating well.

Sonia ended the call after a while because some fans approached Fabian for autographs.

However, the manager and some staff did not let them approach because it was Fabian's break time and he was busy.

Victor arrived at the site, and all the fans' attention turned to him. Fabian, who was chewing, looked up. Many fans suddenly surrounded Victor and Themarie, who were together.

"Did the script change? Victor isn't in the cast. What's he doing here?" Fabian asked his manager. Jomar approached Fabian and whispered something to him.

Fabian paused and looked at the manager. Rumor had it that the Valencias had used their influence again to get into the cast of Fabian's rising drama.

"The director and writer don't agree, but they can't do anything if that's what the company and the sponsors want," the manager said. No one in the entertainment industry was unaware that Victor had no real acting talent. He only rose because of his family's influence and money. That's why when he was the male lead, the dramas never became popular.

"They're going crazy," Fabian reacted and continued eating. Fabian paused slightly when someone extended a hand to him.

Fabian turned and saw Victor smiling. He said he was happy to work with Fabian again.

"What a coincidence. We're together in a drama again," Victor said, smiling. Fabian ignored him, so Victor lowered his hand.

"Just like before. You're an extra again. You don't need to greet me. You won't last long in the drama," Fabian said arrogantly. The manager coughed. Many fans were there and witnessed Fabian's public execution of Victor, who was currently second to Fabian in the charts since Sonia's departure.

"Fabian," the manager reprimanded. Victor looked annoyed but managed to smile. He said there was nothing wrong with greeting the main characters of the drama even if he was just an extra.

He also explained that he was happy even as an extra in that movie because he got to work with great actors like Fabian.

As expected, Victor was good with words and Fabian was lazy, so he didn't react further. The two stared each other down.