DENISE
I remember the year Ocean and I met, but I don’t remember where is it. He’s my favorite actor that time and my favorite Villain of all time. He’s the kind of movie villain that no matter how bad they are, you will stan them no matter what because they’re hot.
To be honest, him and Mira was perfect around that time. The only thing that separated them was my conflict with Mira when we separated our own ways.
The day I found out about the Article, I was rushed into the emergency room because of panic attack. Luckily, no news about that was leaked.
I would understand if he cheated with another person, but Mira? I mean why her? Ocean knows how much I hate her and how much it will hurt me if I see them together, he did it anyways.
Now, he’s dead.
The day that I hired someone to kill him, I was totally out of my mind.
- Flash back -
After I yelled at everyone to get out of my house I decided to sit and stare at the wall. What am I suppose to do? I know that every one pity me right now and I hate that. It’s embarrassing enough that Ocean cheated on me with a girl I have competition with.
I need my Mom right now, but maybe my Dad? I don’t know. Dad knows how to control this situation but I can’t ruin their Vacation in Palawan. My Dad doesn’t know but since 17, I know his dirty secret.
He got this family of killers that is loyal to him. He uses them with his competitions in the business. How’d I know? I always check his phone so I can tell my mom if he’s texting another mistress again.
I took my phone out and start texting Tale a code message. I’m just typing, not thinking what I’m about to do. I called Tale on a different phone.
“Rocky.” I said.
“Tale.” He said.
Tale is the 3rd generation who continued the killing business. His grandfather originally served for my family since 30’s. Mom knows about them but decided to step out of it. When I asked her about it, she said that “You tell no one about this, okay? Tell no one that you know about it. Even your father.” So I kept it a secret.
My Dad is a powerful man, the kind of man who uses his resources for absolute privileged thing.
“Can we meet tomorrow?” I ask him. I’m sure that he still lives around the City.
“How about tonight? I have somewhere to go tomorrow.”
“Sure. Just please—“
“Don’t be obvious on my way there. Got it.” Then he hangs up.
I was biting my finger nails while I waited for him to arrive. The first few cars are all my celebrity friends who asked me if I’m okay. Of course I told them that I am. I had to text every one to not come over because I need some personal time.
What’s taking this man so long? Waiting just makes everything worse.
“Finally!” I rushed through the drive way when I recognized him. “What took you so long?” I flinched when I accidentally bit the skin of my fingers.
“Traffic.” He casually said then he enters the house.
There’s no traffic at this hour. “Arrogant sh*t.” I whispered. I don’t care if he’s arrogant, as long as he will do the job for me.
He’s already sitting on the sofa. The cigarette that I placed on the table for him, he’s already got it on his hand. “So, what’s my task?” He asked straight.
“I know you know it, Tale.” I sat in front of him.
“Of course. Your family drama is very interesting. Now, you’re building your own.” He laughs.
I rolled my eyes on him. Maybe it’s wrong to call this man. I should’ve called Zeke, but I have to be smart that Tale does his job clean.
“Then you know what to do.” I threw him a phone. “I still know the codes, and we’ll do the planning using only our new phones. Got it?” I raised my eyebrow on him so he knows that I’m the boss and that I’m hiring him.
He scoffs, then laughs. If he goes on like this, I’ll shoot him in the leg. He’s so annoying, so before I do him bad, I need to kick him out of here. “First timers, hate it. I know that, Denise. I’m third generation and I’ve been doing this for a long time.” Then he gets up.
Lucky for me, I didn’t have to kick him out of the house because he looks too bored to be here.
After he left, I called Dad. “Hey, Dad. Sorry for calling so late.” I hear papers crumbling on the other line, he’s working. “Are you busy? Cause I can call you tomorrow.”
“No, no, sweetie. It’s okay. How are you?” With the tone of his voice, I already know that he read the Article.
“I’m good, Dad. How about you? Are you taking your vitamins? Don’t want to shout at you again if you prioritize liquor over health.” We both laugh.
“Oh, sweetie. I actually miss hearing you shout while reciting your lessons. Feels like your grandma is here again.” He exhales. “No need to pretend. I’ve read about it.”
“You know the media, Dad. Always put their own stories on everything. I’m sure Ocean got explanation for this.”
“He better be. I don’t want him hurting my daughter—“
“Dad, it’s okay. I will handle this. I promise you that. Now, finish your work and go to bed, it’s getting late.” Then I hang up.
My Dad might be arrogant and uses his resources for inappropriate privileged thing, but he’s a good dad.
His connections made me through my way to Ocean. It wasn’t easy building my way to Ocean because of Mira. Ever since we were teenagers, we hated each other. Most of the agencies wants her more than me.
It actually feels so good that people thinks that Mira is the bad one. She’s open with her attitude while I keep mine to myself. Even Ocean is not aware of it.
I dialed his number again, he’s not picking up. “Where are you, Ocean?” We are suppose to have our dinner together. I made a deal with 2 for an exclusive project and I’m going to tell him tonight.
The food is getting cold and I don’t want to shove everything back into the microwave and re-arrange the table. He said that he’ll be home by 7 pm, it’s 8 pm.
I already sent him 16 messages and called him 8 times, but no answer. The messages aren’t even delivered. I hate to do it because I know he does not like it when I call his Personal Assistant. “Cherry?”
“Hey, Cherry. It’s Denise. Are you still with Ocean right now? He’s not answering my texts.” I ask.
“Denise. We delayed the shooting today. He told me to take the day off. Is everything okay?”
What did she just say? “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I just thought that he’s with you because he said that he’s picking something up. Thank you.” Then I hang up. My explanation doesn’t make any sense. I’m glad to call Cherry because I found out that Ocean is lying to me.
He’s got his Personal computer in his office where his accounts are logged in so I sneak in to check where he is. While waiting for it to load, I tried to call him once again but nothing.
“Alyssa?” A fellow celebrity. They’ve been texting each other and they are together hanging out at the hotel. “What could you two be possibly doing, at a f*cking hotel?” I turned the computer off to go check.
I know that many ‘celebrities to celebrities’ happens in the Industry, but I don’t want it to happen to us. I’m not going to let her between us.
After microwaving the dishes and re-arranging them back to the table, Ocean finally arrived. He said that he’s sorry and that he forgot about the time. Of course I said that I overslept and that I’m lucky to finished cooking before he arrived.
We finished the night. He didn’t tell me about Alyssa, and I didn’t tell him about what I did. He’ll know it tomorrow.
If you google Alyssa, it is stated that she died May 23 because of over dose. Ocean never knew about it to his death. Now, it’s sad to know that I wasn’t able to keep my obsession for him a secret because he found it out. He gave himself a reason to die.
I’m biting my nails again, in control this time. I don’t want to bite my skin again, the last time hurts for a week.
What is this man doing? His work is very simple, kill and go.
“F*cking tale.” I walked back to the same path again, again, again, and again. Finally, my phone dings. I closed my phone when I see who it is.
Now, I’m laying on the bathroom floor after puking for 5 minutes. I don’t expect the confirmation to be actual. I thought he’s going to blur the nasty part.
“I did it.” I said. It is not out of happiness, it is out of nothingness. I don’t feel anything, the only thing that confirmed what I’m feeling is when something from my eyes fell down, tears.