JACKSON’S POV
I woke up with a sense of purpose, knowing that today was my day off and that I had plans to indulge in my newfound passion for painting. Zaniyah had been a great source of inspiration, with her constant encouragement for me to pursue this creative outlet.
I gathered my painting supplies and set them up in a corner of my spacious living room. The canvas stood ready—blank and full of possibilities. As I dipped my brush into the vibrant colors of acrylic paint, I couldn't help but think about how far I had come since I started this journey.
Painting had become my sanctuary, a place where I could express my emotions and thoughts freely. It was a stark contrast to the scrutiny and demands of the music industry. Here, I was in control, and the canvas was my canvas, waiting for my interpretation.
As I painted, I lost track of time. The strokes of the brush were like a dance, each one telling a story or conveying an emotion. The colors swirled and blended, creating a symphony of hues that mirrored my inner world.
Hours passed, and I found myself immersed in my artwork, completely absorbed in the process. It was a therapeutic escape, a way to unwind and detach from the pressures of my career.
But as I stepped back to admire my work, I couldn't help but think about Zaniyah. Her unwavering support and belief in me had fueled this newfound passion. She had seen something in me that I hadn't even recognized in myself.
I was in the middle of painting when my phone suddenly rang, and I saw that it was Calix calling. It struck me as odd since Calix rarely called me directly. With a hint of concern in his voice, he asked if I had seen the news that was spreading.
"Hello, Jackson, have you seen the news?" he asked, his tone laced with worry.
I furrowed my brows in confusion. "What news? What do you mean?" I inquired, wondering what he was talking about.
"Open your social media accounts now. There's a picture of you and Zaniyah together at Nexus Painting. It looks like someone took a picture of you without your knowledge," he explained.
I abruptly ended the call, feeling a sense of urgency. I quickly opened my social media accounts and was bombarded with mentions from Laarni's fans and others. There it was, the picture of Zaniyah and me, with her looking at me, and the caption read, "Jackson at ang feelingera niyang PA."
I scrolled through the comments, seeing a mix of harsh criticism and supportive messages. It was clear that the picture had caused quite a stir. Without wasting another moment, I searched for Zaniyah's contact information, determined to reach out to her.
However, she wasn't answering her phone, no matter how many times I tried. Frustration gnawed at me as I dialed her number repeatedly, but there was no response. Realizing that I needed to talk to her in person, I grabbed my jacket and hurried to the office.
Habang nag da-drive nag try pa rin akong tawagan si Zaniyah pero out coverage na, kaya nag try din akong tawagan si ate Sab pero hindi pa rin sumasagot. Habang naglalakbay patungo sa office, hindi ko maiwasan ang mag-alala kay Zaniyah.
As I walked into Mark's office, I couldn't help but notice the tension in the room. People were looking at me as if they already knew about the spreading news. Mark, wearing a frustrated expression, acknowledged my presence.
"Oh, there you are," he said calmly, though irritation was evident in his face. "What? You're here because you know what's going on, right?"
I met his gaze with seriousness. "Walang kasalanan si Zaniyah dito." paliwanag ko
His expression shifted suddenly, and he appeared irritated. "No fault? Jackson, do you even realize the problem you've caused?"
"Mark..."
"Jackson, let me make this clear. Hindi lang ikaw ang mapapagalitan dito. Kundi ako, tandaan mo ‘yan!" he raised his voice. "Kasama na si Zaniyah, kaya layuan mo muna si Zaniyah."
My expression changed when he mentioned Zaniyah's name. "Mark, ‘yong tungkol sa picture, wala talagang kasalanan do’n si Zaniyah, pinilit ko lang siyang sumama saakin." paliwanag ko
"Pero, sana hindi ka niya kinonsinte, personal assistant kaniya dapat alam niya ‘yong responsibilidad niya!" sigaw niya, na parang ginigiit niya na kasalanan ni Zaniyah ang lahat.
Napaiwas nalang ako ng tingin dahil hindi ko na rin alam ang gagawin ko, "Kailangan mo ‘tong ayusin, maraming fans ni Laarni ang nagagalit sa’yo."
Napatingin naman ako sakaniya dahil parang may kasalanan pa ako sa mga fans niya. I chuckled. "Bakit? Bakit sila magagalit sa akin?" I asked, irritated.
"Jackson, alam mong naghihintay sila ng comeback niyong dalawa, kaya gano’n ‘yong reaksiyon nila." paliwanag niya
I grew even more frustrated upon hearing his explanation. "Comeback? Kayo lang naman ang may gusto ng comeback. Bakit ba kasi pinipiliit niyo ang dapat nakaraan lang?!" inis kong sagot. "’Yong sa amin ni Laarni, hindi na mababalik ‘yon."
Mark sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Jackson, it's not just about us. It's about your careers, your reputation, and your fans. They loved the two of you together."
I slumped into a chair, feeling the weight of the situation. "I just want to move forward, Mark. Laarni and I have both moved on."
"Maybe you have, but your fans haven't," he said, his voice softer now. "You need to understand that your actions can affect not just your life but also the lives of those who support you."
I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. "I never wanted any of this. All I ever wanted was to be an artist, to paint, to create. But it feels like everything's been taken away from me, and I'm stuck in a world I never asked for."
Mark leaned forward, his tone gentle. "Jackson, I know it's tough, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the things we care about. And right now, your career, your fans, and your reputation are at stake."
Mark's words weighed heavily on my shoulders. "Gusto man kitang intindihin Jackson, but I'm not in a position to change things. In this industry, you should have known what would happen," he said softly. "I don't want to do this, but we'll have to stop your guestings for now. I'll also tell Laarni to postpone some of your photoshoots." With a heavy heart, he left the office, and I was left feeling drained, not knowing what to do next.
I sat there for a while, replaying the events of the day in my mind. It seemed like my world had crumbled around me, and I was struggling to find solid ground. The thought of disappointing my fans and losing the career I loved was devastating.