21

Chapter 21

The next place Fabian and I went to was the amusement park. It wasn't very crowded because it was already noon. Fabian bought tickets for us to enter. Immediately, we were greeted by several rides and mascots.

We caught attention right away, not because Fabian was a celebrity or because of my face, but because we were both in disguise.

"We look like kidnappers," I said after slightly pulling Fabian's sleeve, and he brought his ear closer to me.

Fabian just laughed and said he could give me as many children as I wanted.

"We don't need to take other kids," Fabian said. I blushed and hit him on the arm. That wasn't what I meant.

I held Fabian's arm and led him to a stall selling ice cream.

"Do you have cash?" I asked, turning to Fabian as we stood in front of the stall with kids ahead of us.

Fabian took his wallet from his pocket and handed it to me.

"I just need cash, not your wallet," I said. Fabian told me to keep it so that if I wanted to buy something, I wouldn't have to ask.

Since he said so, I kept it. I took 100 pesos from it and paid the vendor. I bought one ice cream.

"Why don't I get one?" Fabian asked, looking a bit sulky. I laughed and turned to him.

"You don't like cold things, remember? Don't force it. I know a coffee shop nearby. Let's stop by there. You'll like their coffee for sure," I said. Fabian paused, seemingly surprised that I knew. Yes, I knew—I'd noticed that whenever Fabian drank something cold, he would only sip a little.

I also read in a magazine about him that he hated anything cold.

So, when he was late coming home, I made sure his food was hot. One of the reasons he often lost his appetite was because his food wasn't hot. Like a child. I just laughed at the thought.

When I got my ice cream, I waited for my change and then saw a little girl not far away. She was watching the kids eating ice cream.

I looked at the ice cream I was holding and walked over to the girl. She was about to run away when I touched her shoulder and handed her the ice cream.

The girl stopped and turned around. I smiled slightly and said it was clean.

"It's yours."

The girl faced me. She looked back and forth between me and the ice cream.

I opened it and handed it to the girl. I told her I had just bought it. She slowly took it and thanked me.

"Why are you alone? Where's your mom? Are you lost?" I asked. The girl shook her head and pointed across the street.

There was a woman sitting there holding a mascot's head. The girl ran towards her, and I followed. The woman looked familiar.

I approached and saw the girl give the ice cream to the woman.

"Where did you get this? I didn't give you any ice cream," the woman said.

I was shocked because I confirmed it was Tania. She was wearing a chicken mascot costume and had flyers on the bench next to her bag.

The girl looked at me and pointed. She said it was from me. Tania looked at me and stood up. She apologized and tried to hand the ice cream back to me.

"Tania?"

The woman froze. I approached and gently pushed it back to her.

"Who—"

I said I was Sonia Salazar and lowered my mask slightly. Tania's eyes widened— I thought she would run away or be scared, but she suddenly hugged me. She cried and said she thought something had happened to me.

"You disappeared!"

Tania sobbed. I felt like I was doused with cold water after hearing that. I wasn't that close to Tania even though she was my former manager. We often fought because she didn't like Victor and his family. She repeatedly said she was an idiot and was very strict with my diet. We didn't get along but—

I couldn't help but cry because of all the people I thought were my friends, she was the only one who hugged me, cried, and said she was worried.

She also didn't ask what happened to my face— it was as if she didn't see the burn on my face.

When we both calmed down, she sat me on the bench and asked why I disappeared.

I told her Victor locked me in a room after the accident.

"I knew they were monsters! Demons! I went to your mansion, and they said you didn't want to see me. They spread so many rumors in the company like you were severely traumatized by the accident— you didn't want to receive visitors or something."

My eyes widened after hearing that. Especially when Tania said Victor's family removed her from the company because she tried to call the police.

"I always doubted them, especially after I learned you and your child were in an accident."

I clenched my fists. The evilness of Victor's family was bone-deep. Tania was the company's first employee and had worked there for years, but they treated her like a puppet and discarded her.

And worse, they banned her from agencies so she couldn't get a job.

"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything."

I looked at Tania. I told her it was okay. I also told her the divorce papers with Victor were being processed. She was immediately happy and congratulated me. She even clapped and happily said I had finally woken up from my foolishness.

After a while, she lowered her hands and worriedly asked how I was. I gave her a real smile and said I had met another guy.

"Gosh! What level of toxicity is this one? What does he want from you?"

I laughed and said nothing. She immediately said that was impossible.

"Does it look like he can get anything from me now?" I asked. I pointed to my face. I had no money, no career, and my face was like this.

"Then what kind of guy is he?"

I was about to speak when I saw Fabian approaching. He was holding two ice creams. He handed one to me and the other to Tania.

Tania paused after looking up. Fabian lowered his facemask. Tania's eyes literally widened. She was about to scream when I quickly covered her mouth and told her not to be loud.

When I saw she had recovered from the shock, I removed my hand. Fabian just laughed and greeted Tania.

"Sir Fabian, how—"

Tania looked at me and then at Fabian. I smiled and said Fabian and I were getting married after my divorce with Victor was finalized.

Tania covered her mouth in shock. I took out my bag and pulled out a wedding invitation. I carefully looked at it before handing it to Tania.

"Please come. I want you to be my bridesmaid," I said, looking at Tania. Without hesitation, Tania took it and said she would definitely come.

"Why not!"

Tania looked at it and happily said she would come to my wedding.

"Isn't today your last day?" Fabian asked. Tania paused and looked at Fabian. She scratched her cheek and answered yes.

"I don't know where I'll get work again to feed my child," Tania said. I learned that after losing her job for three years, she exhausted her savings paying rent. She was almost two years without work because no one would hire her due to the Valencia family.

I wanted to help Tania, but how? I paused when Fabian spoke and borrowed Tania's phone.

Tania quickly handed it over, and I saw Fabian type something on it.

"That's my manager's phone number. I told my manager in advance. He'll help you get into my agency," Fabian said. Both Tania and I were shocked.

"Oh my god! Is this real?"

Tania held her phone and stood up. She thanked Fabian repeatedly.

"I just recommended you, but whether you get accepted is up to your performance. I believe you're good and can get into the company since you were Sonia's manager for a long time."

I smiled because I was sure Tania would be accepted. Tania was hardworking, responsible, and sincere with her artists. Maybe that's why, despite her attitude towards me, I never replaced or fired her— she was the only one always worried about me. She fought with me because she was concerned.

Tania hugged me tightly and said I was her lucky charm.

"If you return to the entertainment industry, please take me back. Even if KGC is my dream company, I still want to work for you," Tania said. My expression softened, and I hugged her back.

"Thank you so much, Tania."

—

We were inside Fabian's car, heading home. It was already late, and we planned to pick up France.

"I'm sure it wasn't just a coincidence. You knew Tania was there, didn't you?"

I looked at Fabian in the driver's seat. Fabian smirked.

He was confident I would give the wedding invitation, so I knew he had planned something in advance.

"You're sneaky."

He just laughed and said it was for me.

"When you return to the entertainment industry, I'm 100% sure we'll be in the same company since I brought your former manager there."

I crossed my arms and asked Fabian what his wish was. That was our bet earlier.

"Hmm, let's go on a date the next day," Fabian said. I paused and stared at him.

"Isn't this counted as a date?" I asked. The car stopped because of traffic. Fabian crossed his arms and said no.

"This outing was spontaneous, remember? This isn't a date— absolutely not counted. I wasn't prepared," Fabian said, shaking his head. I covered my mouth. I found him cute because of that. He pouted and squinted at me after glancing at me. He seemed incredulous that I considered it a date.

"Isn't it a bit too late for us to be dating? You asked me to marry you before asking me out on a date," I joked. Fabian looked at the road and started the car again.

"The wedding may come first, but we have a lot of time to get to know each other. We can go on as many dates as we want and learn things about each other."

Fabian laughed as he glanced at me before looking back at the road.

"Prepare yourself because as long as I have time, I'll date you before or after the wedding," Fabian said. When Fabian said that, my mind was telling me not to believe it because men are usually all talk, but I couldn't help but expect more, especially since it came from Fabian.

Fabian is the type who is full of surprises, and there isn't a day when I'm not amused by his efforts.

"Why did you go quiet?" Fabian asked. He looked at me again, and our eyes met. Then he looked back at the road.

"When you look at me, it's like you don't believe I'll take you out on dates."

I cleared my throat and looked out the car window. I stifled a laugh after hearing him grumble and say so many things, like how he's never lied to me and always keeps his promises.

"I stand by my word—"

I held Fabian's hand. He fell silent, so I looked at him.

He seemed surprised because I insisted on holding his hand.

"I believe you, okay? I just enjoy teasing you right now."

I suddenly saw France when Fabian looked like he was about to cry. I just laughed when he said I was mean. It made him nervous.