Deanara Samaniego’s POV
“Aren’t you supposed to be with Gray?” Ethan raised his brow upon welcoming me with not-so-open arms. “Why did you suddenly call me? Did you two fight? C’mon! I didn’t help me do the proposal for you to just fight--”
He realized what he just said when I looked at him.
“Forgot what I said, but why are you asking me to fetch you with a plane?” He asked again as he glared at me. “You know, I am a busy person and it’s fucking dawn!”
He brushed his hair as he sighed. “I am still sleepy and I don’t know how to fucking fly a plane and I had to borrow from Gray’s aviation. Do you see how much favor I did for you and you are just going to stare at me like that?”
I continued to stare at him like that...lifeless. Honestly, I am speechless, that is why I couldn’t give him an answer. I am still flying above the clouds after what happened between us and Gray. I am blushing and having so many butterflies in my stomach as I think about it. But, that’s not the issue.
I finally left Gray without saying goodbye. He was sleeping peacefully after I had put sleeping pills on his water, so I could execute my plan. Gray is a light sleeper and I know I won’t be able to get away from him if I don't do it.
I laughed at myself. It felt like a one-night stand. I should have left money or some note, but I left nothing. I just gave him back the ring he gave me because there’s no use for me to wear it. I am never going to be his bride as today...I will become the bride of someone else.
“Can you get me to Mattel’s concert in time?” I finally spoke. “And, let’s go before he realizes I am no longer beside him.”
“What? I don’t understand. What do you mean by that?” He was confused as I pulled him inside the small plane that he had brought to fetch me.
I motioned the pilot to start flying away from that place before Gray even noticed that I left him. Well, he might wake up the next day considering the dosage of sleeping pills I have given. I don’t intend to kill him, I just don’t want to give him enough time to ruin my plan.
“Why are we suddenly leaving Gray alone here?” Ethan kept on asking while I sat near the window and stared at the night sky.
It was still three in the morning. I could see the lights of the temple from above and even though I don’t share the same religion as the people in that place, I prayed to the temple to give me strength to do this.
What I wished was not to be with Gray because I am already tired of wishing that. All I wanted is peace and if peace means leaving Gray then I would accept it. I would move forward and never look back.
“What’s happening? I don’t understand? Why are we suddenly going to Mattel’s concert? What happened to his proposal? Did you not like it?” Ethan’s voice echoed from inside the plane as we were the only ones inside. The attendants are hiding at the back waiting for us to call them.
Gray would probably know that Ethan was the one who fetched me and that’s the goal. For him to know that there’s something going on between me and Ethan. I want to hurt him like how he hurted Ethan and me. Although, Ethan is not the one I am marrying.
I finally agreed on marrying Mattel just like what my mother had been telling me to do. And, appearing in his concert would be the best thing for me to do as it would be aired in the whole world and I don’t need to explain it to Gray. The world will explain it to him and show him the pain I have felt when he betrayed my trust. Now, he can have Vivian by himself because I will not let Ethan suffer alone.
“I loved it.” My voice broke. I am trying hard not to cry because I am already tired of crying. I just want to move forward.
“Then, why are we here?”
“I fucking love it and hate it at the same time.” I said with bitterness. “And, for the record, I accepted his proposal.” I faked a laugh.
“And, why are we here if you accepted his proposal?”
“I accepted his proposal…” I bit my lower lip and lifted my head to stop my tears. “Because I don’t have the nerve to say no. I don’t have the courage to reject him and I don’t have…” I heaved as my tears fell again.
Ethan panicked as he rushed towards me. “Hey, what’s happening? What did he do? Fuck! Why are you crying?” He asked, concerned as he kept on wiping the tears that were falling from my eyes. He couldn’t stop it and I couldn’t stop myself.
“I don’t have the courage, Ethan…” I shook my head. “Because I don’t want to see him hurt...I don’t want to hurt him…” I gulped the lump in my throat. “I don’t want to see him cry even though he already made me cry.”
“What did he do?” Ethan seriously asked as he hugged me. “Tell me what he does?” He raised his voice as he enveloped me inside his arms. “Ssssh! Don’t cry. Tell me what he does and I’ll make him pay.”
“He’s cheating on me.” I whispered that made Ethan loosen his grip. “He’s cheating on me with Vivian…”
There was silence between us as Ethan slowly let go of me. I saw him close his fist and close his eyes. He was trying to calm himself just like me because we would probably explode any moment if we don’t know how to handle our emotions.
“I guess so…” He heaved. His voice broke as he leaned his head on the chair and closed his eyes. Tears fell from his eyes. “I could feel Vivian was cheating on me, but I never thought…”
“It would be Gray.” I continued.
“Maybe, it has always been Gray…” Ethan bit his lower lip and I cried harder upon hearing his sobs.
We’re two crazy people crying inside the plane for almost a minute until we got tired and just stared blankly and laughed at ourselves.
“Do you want to run away with me?” I asked him.
“Do you want to marry me?” Ethan asked me. “I prepared a proposal for Vivian. We can marry each other and they can marry each other.” He faked a laugh and tried to be cheerful, but he couldn’t.
“I am marrying Mattel.” I told him. “And, I want you to know that before I leave this place and never come back again.”
“You didn’t confront him?”
I shook my head. “He had all the chances to tell me the truth, but he didn’t. So, I don’t think I owe him any explanation. He broke my heart. And, he cheated. Do you want me to send you their video?”
“I think Vivian’s pregnant.” He confirmed it to me.
Those words felt like slapped in my face. I know that, but why does it still hurt? I am aware of that but it is still killing me.
“How did you know that?”
“Well, I am that good and these past few days, she’s really different.”
“How sure are you that you are not the father? You could be the father.” I reacted as I am trying to convince myself that maybe Vivian is wrong. It could be Ethan. For sure, something already happened between her and Ethan.
That is why I was so shocked when Ethan smiled at me and said, “Would you believe me if I tell you that nothing happened between us and Vivian?”
“What?” I raised my brow. “You are kidding me? I don’t believe in you.”
“Well, something happened between us. But, these past few months since Gray…” He paused and thought of something.
“What?” I raised my brow.
He hesitated. “Uh. Nothing. I am just sure it’s not--”
“What is it Ethan? You owe me the truth. I told you there---”
“Since Gray introduced you to the family.” He dropped the statement. “At first, I thought it didn't mean anything as it never bothered me at all. We are both busy and that’s not the reason why I wanted her to be my girlfriend. It’s not about sex.” He explained.
“But, slowly I am starting to see how different she was and that’s when I know that she still loves Gray and she felt threatened by you that she started doing the things you do.” Ethan laughed. “You know, there was even a time when she asked me what’s your perfume.”
“You didn’t say it, did you?” I glared at him.
“I loved you first, Deanara.” Ethan looked me in the eye and caressed my face. “And, I wished it was you until the end.” He pouted. “You should have chosen me.”
“Well, it’s not too late.” I chuckled as I hugged him.
“We should really run away,” he whispered to me. “Let’s leave them both without saying anything because they definitely deserve that.”
I nodded. “Yeah, and I hope they will find each other and stop pretending.”
“But, are you really going to marry Mattel?”
“Yeah.” I smiled a bit. “I have now a reason to marry him and it’s also his wish before he dies.”
“Wait, he’s dying?” Ethan’s eyes widened.
He sniffed and wiped his tears. We are both tired of crying and I just can’t believe how we are casually talking about how our loved one cheated on us. I guess, we have already accepted it even more. My heart already knew that Gray is such a sweet lay-over, but never the destination.
“Yeah. Although, don’t tell anyone. He asked for my mother and he also doesn’t know that I know his condition.”
“Oh. Now I get it. I saw him in the hospital and I thought he was just visiting but I didn’t know…” Ethan was so shocked. “And, that’s why he wasn’t on his usual self during live interviews and he no longer sings live.”
“I also didn’t know that.” I sadly smiled. “The last concert is dedicated to me like he promised and I don’t want to let him down.”
“Do you still love him?”
“My love for him never died, Ethan. It’s just that I accepted the fact that our love story had ended. Sometimes, it just has to end with no reason and unlike Gray...I don’t have sorrow and hatred in my heart for Mattel because he left for me. He left because he doesn’t want to be a burden to me, and so I would like to take care of him for the rest of his life. I mean, he’s Mattel and you know he was the reason why we never became together.” I teased him.
“Ugh! I am jealous.” He laughed a bit as he brushed my hair. “Thank you.”
“Do you want to go with me to Spain?”
“And, what? Make me jealous between you and Mattel?” He pouted his lips.
“You can marry me after I become a widower.” I offered.
“I think that would be a great idea.”
We both chuckled.
Finally, we arrived at the airport.
“What are you doing?”
“Throwing my phone? Would you like me to throw your phone, too?” I said.
He smiled at me. “Your mother would kill you.”
“Well, I’ll be going back to Spain.” I shrugged before throwing my phone in the water area near the airport. I wasn’t surprised when Ethan did it too.
“Let’s buy a new phone with a new number.”
“I would love that.” He clung to my shoulder as he called for a taxi and headed to the concert area.
“Are you ready?” He asked me. “Is that what you are really going to do?”
I nodded. “This is what I should do.”
Ethan smiled at me.
“I’ve been wanting to greet you since a while ago, but I don’t think you would love to hear a birthday greeting.” He kissed my forehead and I wished he hadn’t because I remembered Gray who loved to do that all the time.
“Let me accompany you.”
We both went inside the concert hall. Thankfully, my brother was there waiting for me.
“You knew…” I said to Mikee. Of course, he wouldn’t be waiting for me at this concert if he didn't know about it. He knew that I was going to this concert.
And, so did my mother.
She didn’t greet me or didn’t say anything and I almost cried when she hugged me. I would have prepared if she would scold me or tell me stupid things, but she didn’t do it.
“Come, Mattel is waiting for you.”
The crowd was already wild when we reached the insides of the big dome. It wasn’t my first time going to Mattel’s concert as I used to accompany him when we were still okay. But, it was the first time I went to his concert with so many people. His fandom became huge compared to before . I felt suffocation when I stood inside.
“Wow…” I whispered to myself.
I never told him this but I am proud because he did the right thing. He chose the right thing. This is what he wanted all his life and I am happy to witness his last concert on my birthday.
We were standing on the VIP spot, waiting for them. I just stood there, not really thinking, as my mind was already blank. I just listened to the crowd as they sang Mattel’s song while waiting for him. It took half a minute before the big dome started rocking.
The teaser started playing from the big screen. My heart was beating so fast. And, the crowd went wild when Mattel appeared from the stage with his band. I could no longer hear my breathing as people continued to shout his name.
From the stage, he looked at the crowd. He was looking for someone, expecting for someone, and I know it’s me because he smiled upon seeing me.
“Hi…” He started saying. “I am Mattel.” He chuckled and the crowd went wild again.
I covered my ears when they all screamed. Mattel waited for a minute until they all stopped screaming and the whole crowd waited for him to say something.
“I finally came back here.” He smiled. “And, I am so grateful to all of you. You are such an amazing fandom. I would definitely miss all of you.”
The crowd started to whisper to each other and expressed their sadness as they already have a hint of what will happen.
“I don’t want to ruin the night as it hasn't started yet, but let me say that I am happy to finally do my last concert in my hometown.”
Mattel raised his hands, stopping the crowd from screaming and talking.
“You heard it, right. So, please let us enjoy this whole night. Shall we?”
The band started to rock the moment Mattel said that. It was a two-hour concert and the people including me joined Mattel in singing. I could see that he was having a hard time and he was in pain, but he still managed to give us a rocking moment. He still sang live and he still rocked the stage and what’s worse is that he still had that smile on his face even though he was hurting inside.
“Did you like it?” He coughed so he removed the microphone from his mouth and one of the staff immediately gave him water and a chair.
“Oh...sorry…” He smiled at the crowd. “I used too much of my energy, so I hope you enjoyed it.”
The crowd answered him in affirmative.
“Before this ends, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you the love of my life.” He smiled as his eyes searched for mine amidst the crowd.
“I have already told you about my dating scandal and everything you have to know. I have cleared it up and you might be wondering who is the reason why I could write such wonderful songs.” He shook his head as he slowly walked towards me.
“She’s here now and we are celebrating her birthday. So, can you sing her a happy birthday?”
The crowd started singing as Mattel held out his hand to me. They all jumped from their spot and screamed for joy as soon I reached for Mattel’s hand.
“Happy birthday, my love.” He smiled at me. “Would you do me the honor?” I turned to the crowd as Mattel held my hand.
If this was before, I would probably be the happiest girl as I have always wanted Mattel to introduce me to the world. It has always been my dream. But now, all I have is regret and I felt sorry for Gray because he has to witness this. He’s going to watch this, listen to this, and be reminded how I broke him slowly.
And, I don’t know what Gray would do, especially that he’d be seeing how Mattel kneeled in front of me and asked me to marry him.
“Will you marry me?”
Gray would see how I nodded my head with a smile on my face as Mattel put the ring on my ring finger.
What’s worse is that Gray would start questioning how I managed to kiss Mattel in front of the world after giving myself to him.
But, it would be too late for him to stop it.
So, I guess...it's goodbye without looking back.