Chapter 7

Madelyn's POV

I hurriedly slid Khloe into my car, puzzled as to why Ethan and I seemed to see each other all the time. We always bumped into each other or didn't look one other in the eyes. In front of him, I try to seem normal so he doesn't think I still care about her. I simply want to avoid those who have caused me harm.

"I'm sorry, Khloe. We're just going to take a walk here, okay?" I said softly and arranged her hair.

She smiled cutely. "It's okay Mimi," she said in a low voice while holding another Tupperware of gummies.

When I noticed Ethan and Katie arguing, I turned to my side and observed them both. Katie has always followed him since we were in high school, and their standard of living has always made them partners. I was retreating since I realized I couldn't compete with Katie at the time.

I recall how many times Ethan's mother embarrassed me at an event because she adored her. It was terrible that she had to embarrass me at all when there were so many people around and I was the only one who stood out. Mommy and Auntie wanted to fight with his mother, but I assured them that I was alright and that I could handle it.

I sighed and immediately averted my eyes from them. Soon my cellphone rang and I closed my eyes and was answered immediately.

[What did we hear about it? Mr. Ethan Mercado help you? This news has had a huge impact, Madelyn. Widespread on various social media platforms, you are also seen on a highway talking. Even there in Tagaytay,] Rocci said in a serious voice.

Is this what I'm saying! He really shouldn't have helped me because it’s a big impact for those people. "I'm sorry, Rocci I don't know because I'm with Khloe here in Tagaytay," I said in a calm voice and felt the car work.

He sighed. [You know that he has a family, and everyone knows that you two have a past. You know that you are in the showbiz industry so all your actions are malicious,] he said in a serious voice and sighed.

I know, he doesn't have to make me look like he has a family. I have long accepted but I know in myself that no, I am angry but that does not mean I will soften when I am in front of him.

"I'm sorry, Rocci. We're leaving too and I'll just take Khloe for a walk somewhere else," I said and picked up the bag that had fallen.

You never know who is telling it how it is in show business. They are aware of your existence, but you will be aware that they are attempting to destroy you. I have a lot of industry friends, but I'm aware that some of them are attacking me and destroying my reputation in order to advance in their careers. That is why I have chosen to trust and love myself even more; I don't need lovely people in front of me, but when I’m not around, they’re backstabbing me.

It's exhausting to be kind since they'll always take advantage of you. They'll accuse you of being plastic and showy if you're kind. They'll tell you that you've been chosen and that you're nasty if you're too far away from them. In front of you, you have no way of knowing which one is correct.

"Khloe, we're just here at the mall. Let's just ride-all-you-can. I have something to do in my office, you know Mimi is working for your future right?" I said and held yer little hands.

She nodded her head. "I'm okay Mimi, I ... want to see you in your office Mimi, I don't want to go home yet," She said with puppy eyes.

I laughed and immediately nodded to her, this is her first time to come to my office in Makati. I also have a hard time because I still live in Cagayan but I have to persevere because it is also for me. We got to my company quickly, this is my own cosmetic company. We make our own makeup product.

"Let's go darling?" I asked and helped her get out of my car.

The guard greeted us, I politely nodded, we walked in and I could see the pink and white theme of my company. I smile because it’s been four years since I fell in love with putting lipstick on my lips and now I have my own product.

We arrived at my office, a few employees greeted me and I immediately smiled at them. Khloe waved and smiled so many were happy with her, she likes attention. When you don't notice her, she gets upset and that's why I always make her happy.

"Mimi, I want to draw," she said as she sat on the sofa with his favorite gummies.

"Sure, here." I gave the paper and a few colors for her. "And also, here." I also provided a few stitch coloring books for her.

I worked all day because I signed a lot about my company’s salaries and budget. My sister is my assistant in growing the company, she also loves putting on skin care and other facial applications.

"Shit, I'm missing my ATM," I said sharply, my wallet was missing.

I rummaged in my bag and immediately searched my ATM because my savings were there. It can't be lost because I've been accumulating it for so many years.

"Oh, God! Where is that?" I asked myself and rummaged in my pocket.

My lips parted when I realized something, had I been robbed before? I remember when my fans and other people were taking pictures with me, there were so many people there that I didn't even notice my bag. Shit, did someone steal it?

Suddenly something pops up on my laptop, an email to Mercado’s Construction Materials. My forehead frowned because I couldn't figure out why they sent me an email, I couldn't do anything but open it.

Good Day, Ma'am/ Sir.

We would like to invite you on our company because it is important. Mr. Ethan Mercado told me that you have to meet him because of the important thing that you left.

If you are coming, please come with at our company. The address is below and you can freely come here, anytime you want.

Regards,

Ethan Gabriel Mercado

I shook my forehead, did I look like I was joking with him? What am I going to do with his company? It's frustrating that maybe he's crazy. I notice that he seems to mean that we meet every day. But then again, what is the important thing that he's talking about?

There's nothing wrong with me going, right? After all it might be important what we talk about. I was shaken and typed a message to him, after which I resumed my work because I might have just misplaced my ATM.

"Do I have meetings today?" I asked my secretary.

"No Ma'am, aside from the launch of our new make-up kit and our newest soap. There's nothing else, we just need to fix the whole hall and I also called our model next week. , "She said in a formal voice.

"Alright," I said. "I want everything to be better, please let me know if I have anything else to do because all I know is I have a shooting tomorrow and a photo shoot," I added as she nodded.

"You can count on it," She said and quickly left after a while.

After my work I immediately went home to Cagayan because I had a shoot. Carrying Khloe who looked asleep because she was tired of watching the tablet, I took a deep breath and immediately went to my car. I put her in her baby seat in the backseat and I adjusted her seating, she murmured somethings so I kissed her forehead.

I got into the driver's seat and my cellphone rang again, it's a notification in Instagram. My eyes widened as Ethan's name popped up.

@Ethn_Gbrl followed you and like your photo.

What the fuck? Won't he stop disturbing me? I close my eyes in annoyance because of what he is doing. Rather than wasting time I drove my car to Cagayan. The strength of my heartbeat, I don’t know how I will feel now that the path of the two of us is approaching.

"Mad's here!" Aunt Ester in a happy voice as she waited at our gate.

I smiled and immediately parked my car, I loaded Khloe and Auntie supported me, I also saw Mom. They hugged me and guide me into our house, I immediately laid Khloe down on the wide sofa.

"Aren't you tired because you've been back and forth," Mom said and handed me a glass of water.

"No, Mom. I'm used to it because I shoot every day," I said while leaning on the sofa.

Aunt Paula nodded and stared at me. “We watched on the news that you and Ethan were meeting,” She said in a calm voice.

I took a deep breath. “If you’re worried that I might have something else to feel for him, I’m sure there isn’t,” I said in a gentle voice.

Aunt Paula took a deep breath and hugged me. "We just don't want you to be hurt, it's enough that you were hurt once. Please don't do it again," she said so I smile.

I looked at Tito who looked at me the same way, I smiled at them to ease their worries. "I won't be hurt anymore," I said in a promising voice even though I knew a lot would happen when Ethan and I met.