Ami's Pov.
Today, all of us feel so dull as Theodore left this morning. Kyle even insisting on coming with him but he refused. He said he can handle it. Timothy stays in his room after he left. Cody and Alex is in the Theater room watching movie.
Kyle stays in the upper living room with Nathan. Waiting for the live broadcast of press conference of Theodore.
Me and Brian is on the kitchen. No one dare to break the silence. I tried to busied myself here cooking our lunch while Brian offered to help. He is actually helping me now because he's cutting the vegetables.
"You know what Ami I used to help my mom on cooking when I was a kid until maybe I was fifteen? I forgot." He said breaking the silence. "And she even scolding me from almost cutting my finger."
I look at him with my eyes wide open. "Really?" I asked amusingly. He nodded. "Yeah she even scolding me for a whole day. I understand her because i was just a six year old boy back then but she didn't know how Terrified I am at that time."
I laugh. "Why did you do that? Cutting vegetables without her consent?" He sigh. "Because she needs help." He reasoned.
I look at him and shocked as I see sadness in his eyes. "You know, we used to be this poor. So I decided to join the company and trained there. I want to make money for my family, to be well but as soon as I became part of our group, this group that I am in right now, I realize that this isn't just for my family, this isn't for me, or for the guys but because this is my dream. To make music, to dance, to make our fans happy. To express myself, Because if i do those things it also makes me happy." Brian said happily.
I sigh. "How about the struggles you face? What did you do?"
He caresses his chin while thinking that's why I turn my back on him and look at the food I'm cooking.
"Hmm tried to strive it. To survive..." He stand next to me and handling me the plates with carrots he cutted. I'm making a Filipino style chicken curry. "... So don't think to much about Theodore. He can also strive it like the way I did."
For sure shock was written in my face as I turn my heads on him. He's smiling at me. "Don't think to much and relax." He encouraged.
I sigh. "You know that I can't help but to do so. Things will be different and all of you may affect by that." I took the plates with carrots and put them in the curry.
"Then why don't you try to trust him?" He asked. He's right. Why I didn't trust Theodore?
"Your answer last night put him there, I'm not blaming you okay, I just wanted you to see the other's perspective here. He wasn't able to sleep last night. He came to my room and asked me a bunch of questions like "why didn't she trust me?" "Why did she have to say yes to it?." And so on." He confessed.
"I Trusted him Brian. I swear." Okay I lied in this part.
He came back sitting on the table where he was cutting the vegetables and put his chin in his hand.
"Then why is that the result of your decision?" I bow my head not because I'm sorry but I am guilty. Guilt is eating me up.
Flashback
"My decision is..."
I look at them and smile. Things is going to be alright if i say my answer. Theodore doesn't need to explain everything to everyone. "Yes."
"WHAT?" Alex asked angrily. Shock was written all over their faces. "I'm expecting you to say no." Theodore said.
"Come on guys. It will be easier to all of you if he admit that I am his girlfriend for the meantime." Alex sarcastically laugh at my reason.
"Do you think it's funny. Once he said that he's in a relationship with you, you won't live a Peaceful life that you wanted."
"Then how about me. If i say no, they will call you liar! And i don't want that."
Cody stand up and face me. He came in front of me and sat holding both of my arms. "But if he says it, if he says yes like what you wanted. Isn't he also lying?".
"Why are you making me feel this way? Why all of you are making this hard?" I asked then confusedly.
"Because I don't want you to feel the burden of your own decision. I don't want you to lie just because of us, Just because of the image we have in public, just because I am a celebrity. I want you to say no because that's the right thing to say. Because that's the Truth." Theodore say angrily.
My mouth fell after hearing his reasons. "Ami, yes its going to be hard, because we're telling the truth here. I'll give you time to decide again until tomorrow morning. I hope for you to change your mind." Theodore continue. He then left the Theater room after that.
End of flashback
"Look at yourself in the mirror Ami, Even you, can say that you don't trust him, that he can clear this issue." Brian said. I pouted that made him shake his head while smiling.
I continue cooking and didn't mind his presence. "Why did you get all of our opinion if you're going to say yes?"
"I don't know Brian. All I think is that to make all of you in a good situation. Not to make it worst. I don't want you guys to face hardship anymore." He frowned at what I said.
"Don't tell me you know something about us?" I sigh and shook my head. "I didn't Brian. But you won't be here if you guys are not in a bad situation."
He's nodding his head. "No wonder why Alex warned us to watch out for our gestures. You seem to notice something is going on that fast."
I smile at him, But actually to be honest, This morning the papers my brother sent me wasn't just the deed of sale and the Tax declaration. It was more than what I didn't expect. It contains some serious problem regarding the guys. I didn't asked him to sent me those but he seem to know already that I need it too, so I can handle them and their moods.
But something was off here. I'm thinking why he sent me those when I didn't asked him too.
I didn't read any of those. I just look at it and read a bit. "Is lunch ready?" Kyle out of nowhere asked. I look at him and smile. "In two minutes this will be done." He smile back at me, not a usual smile his giving me but an assurance. "Then Brian and I will fix the dinning table. Manager Earo texted me that the conference will be delay because of the fans outside of the company. " I continue stirring the curry so it wont stick to the pan while Brian and Kyle is getting the things we need.
"How's Theodore?" I asked after turning off the fire on the gas stove.
"He's alright. He's okay." Kyle assured me. I turn the stove on again because it's not past two minutes. Its not cook yet.
"You know how to cook now huh?" I look around and saw Cody coming near me after getting a bottled water on the fridge and some fresh fruits. I nodded.
"I need too since you know, I left after the incident." He nodded. "Why didn't you came back there? To your parents after what happened?." I look at him.
I turn the stove off and took the big bowl beside him. "May I?" He asked. I look at him and smile. "Yup."
He took the ladle to me and started pouring the Chicken Curry to the bowl. "Well to be honest, After that incident I came home. There's another reason why I left." I said emphasizing the word "that."
He nodded and smile. "At least there's one thing I know about you after that day." He said while putting the pan on the sink.
I laugh at his remark. "Do you believe what I've said years ago that I can't cook?" His forehead narrowed. Maybe remembering the time i told him that. "Oh! That rainy day when we run because your brother is chasing you!"
We laugh at that thought. At least we both remember that day.
"When you supposed to grab Ivy's arm but instead of her, It's me who you grab without knowing and started dragging me." My smile got weakened after hearing her name. He was continue laughing when he look at me. He then hit the realization.
"What's with you guys? Why are you staring at each other?." Brian came and get the portion of curry. "Let's go and eat. We need energy for later."
He then left after that but me and Cody keep staring at each other. "Maybe we should talk about this but not now. It must be triggering you by the mention of her name." He weakly said. I nod and smile at him. Someday, we will talk about this.
The whole time after we finished eating our lunch we are all restless, Cody who always sleep in the afternoon stay awake, Tim is now by my side, we're both sitting, he's now holding his phone, maybe waiting for Theodore's call, he promise he'll call him before the conference get started. Alex is on the phone, talking with their road manager, Brian is on Their social media group, looking for updates, Nathan get me some water and snacks and now sitting on the carpeted floor. But the person who's really worried the most is Kyle, last night...
Flashback
I was on my way to the room to sleep after an hour of walking around the village to wander and maybe to ease my mind and choose the right decision after the confrontation. Theodore seems not satisfied- scratch that- some of them are not satisfied with my answer. Nathan keep insisting my decision. We're not really gonna lie but their point is it's still a lie wether it be called white lies. Right. I sigh and was about to enter my room when i heard Kyle called my name.
"Everyone is worried about you. You left the house without us knowing." I sigh and tap his shoulder. "Thanks for worrying but you guys don't have to. This village is very secured. I even bumped into the guards patrolling around."
He looked at me intently like i did the biggest mistake in my life and he then shake his head. "Can we talk privately? I know you're tired already with everything that is happening around us but what I'm going to say is really important."
I said okay and we head off to the stuffs room. Seems like he's doing some laundry. "Sorry this room is really messy. I'll fix everything. I promise." He said while putting his clothes on the basket so hurriedly.
"I can help you with that if you want." I offered. I said those because I saw that he's uneasy. He then look at the laundry and look back at me. "I want to turn down your offer but I can't. Can you please help me?" I smile at him and nodded.
While putting the laundry on the washing machine, he started talking.
"You seem so sure about your answer will turn out great. But how about you?" I look at him after putting some soap powder on the washing machine. "Can you hear me out? Are you going to listen to my reason?."
"Go ahead. Ladies first." He said then lean on the wall beside the washing machine.
I close my eyes and sigh. "Manager Earo told me to protect all of you at all cost before you guys came here. I promise him that, that's why I'm doing this. Besides Theodore doesn't deserve to carry this burden alone. We should carry this. He's too nice to go through this Kyle. Yes I'm aware that you know who made this mess to us."
He was nodding his head and scoff. "I never imagine Cody would do such thing to that extent. I mean, He's really quiet and does not care anything or everything, but the moment he told me that, I got angry and wanted to just..." He was shaking his head. I can also read what in his eyes. Really, it's really unbelievable.
"So what are we going to talk about?." I asked that made him stop shaking his head. "I want you to say No." He said directly. I expected him to say that.
"Why would I? Give me a reason."
"I don't want us to mess with your family." My jaw dropped as soon as i heard it. "Alex's family is rich and influential so as you."
I wanted to lie to him but it's to late. "I've hired a private investigator and he gave me the unexpected file. You seem so rich, but what a heir is doing here and working as a maid?"
I sigh. Seems like I don't have a choice but to tell him my reason. "What reason do you want from me?.." I asked. ".. I know you know my reason since you we're there when that incident happened between me and Cody."
The past days I've been thinking why he seem so familiar to me and I remember him standing next to Cody while we we're talking. He sigh.
"Is that really the reason?". He asked. I sigh. "Its not like you didn't know what happened. You said it yourself, you did some investigation."
He came near me, I keep stepping back. I know what he's going to do, he wanted to trap me on the wall but before he could do I slightly push him, enough force to make him stop. "I'm very sure you knew everything. Even in the tiniest secret my family have."
"You need to say no or else one of us, his career I mean, will be in danger." He said without hesitation. I sigh and bow my head. "Let me think about this and in exchange, don't let other guys knows about that. We know how dangerous that Man is." I said then left him there.
End of flashback.
You see i didn't give him the answer he wanted. I want to take full responsibility of this since Theodore didn't know what everything is going on.
He look at me and smile weakly. I know it's hard but let me carry the burden since It's also my fault. "What ever Theodore and Ami's Decision let's protect them at all cost. It will blow the mind of our fans."
We all look at him while saying those words. Timothy came to him and put his arms around on Kyle's shoulder. "We will." He assures. I smile nervously as Tim phone rang and Theodore's name popped up on the screen. He immediately took and answer the phone.
"Tim Is everyone there?" He asked. We all heard what he was saying because Tim put him on speaker. "Are you alright?."
He laugh on the other side that made all of us smile. Even Cody who I rarely see smiling, smiled. "Everything will turn out great guys, so Don't worry, especially you Ami. I admire how brave you are but please accept the fact that we're here to protect you too. Thank you for being brave for us. It makes me feel braver than before."
Sigh. Cody who was by my side tapped my arms and smile. "The live conference will start in few minutes. And I'll be back this evening so you guys better prepare a feast because we're gonna celebrate."
"What will you answer if they asked you about the photo?." Kyle asked. We heard him laugh. "Just watch and enjoy the show. I have to go."
"Wait!" Cody said out of nowhere. We all look at him. "Cody? Why?."
He sigh and look at me and then on the phone. "I'm sorry about this. If i didn't do that, if i didn't gave it to the media this won't happen. I'm really sorry."
I can see the sincerity in his eyes. "What is done is done. We just need to deal with it and Don't be sorry. The time you told me about it and apologize, I already forgive you." Theodore said over the phone.
"Guys I Should go. Kyle relax okay? You're not gonna carry this alone. We're here for you. Ami, Thank you."
I smile after he hung up the phone.
We all sat on the sofa and waited for his Live Press Conference.
I hope everything will be fine. I already gave my decision to him but he said it's still up to him if he will take it or not. I clasps my hand and sigh as the news caster showed up and reporting.
We all saw Theodore Entered from the back door of the stage. There's a long table where he sat on the middle along side with Manager Earo and a guy I don't know.
"Even President Warren is there. They really took this seriously." Kyle said. They all nod.
I look at Cody and He's holding his nose bridge. "I should be the one doing that not him." He utter that made us look at him.
"It's too late. Just apologize thru SNS if he reveal what you did, but I bet he won't." Alex said. They all look at the T.v but my gaze stay at Cody.
He's still massaging his nose, that's one of the thing's he's doing if he felt bad or if he regret something he did.
"It's done Cody. Let's move on after this." I said and smile at him. Our gazes with each other cutted as we all heard Theodore cleared his throat on the mic.
"He's really something. He can turn the serious atmosphere into funny one." Kyle said while smiling.
"I won't take to much of your time since all of you went here early in the morning just to cover this press conference." Theodore started speaking without letting the reporters asked of him. The Theodore i know is bubbly but now all i can see was the serious side of him. He sigh and look straight into the camera. He was like looking at us who's listening to his speech.
"First of all, I want to apologize to the woman who got involved in these schemes, second to the fans and third to my members. The woman I'm with in this photo.." Manager Earo handed him a photo and he show it to the reporters. ".. she's the woman I thought who easily get scared, who won't fight back, but i was wrong, all the traits I've said was the opposite of her, she's this brave but kind hearted woman, brave because she speaks for herself, because that's the only thing i saw that she has, her pride, kind hearted because she easily forgive us for the mistake we did, if you asked me if i Want to date a kind of woman like her then yes i want to date her..."
My eyes got bigger as i heard him say those.. no Theodore, all the dream that you and your members have will drop drastically if you choose that!...
The reporters cam is clicking endlessly as he said those.
We waited for his speech since he's still not getting up from his seat. He sigh and continue...
Flashback
Before Theodore left the Lewis Town
I'm at my room right now. Theodore said He'll drop by at my room. But it's been 10 minutes since he told me to go to my room.
I look at the time on my phone. It's 6:50 in the morning. He'll be at San José around 9 in them morning.
I was about to grab my pillow when Tim opened the door with a worried written all over his face.
"He's leaving. He tell you to wait for him here so he could leave with out your knowledge." He said in a rush tone while panting. "Come and let's run after the van."
I throw my phone on the bed and run out of the house with Timothy. I saw the van just left.
I run as fast as I could just to get him. No. He need to know my answer.
I keep running with Timothy until the van stop on the village gate. Since Tim can run fast as soon as the van stop he knock on the window endlessly.
I reach him and saw the van door's open. I saw Theodore's worried face.
"What the hell? Why did you two run?" He said angrily.
"I need you to take my answer." I said while panting. Timothy is holding his waist while catching his breath. Theodore rush back to the open van, I thought he'll leave but the van door's still open. He came out and handed us two bottle of water.
Tim get it and drank the other one, Theodore open the other on and gave it to me. "Breathe... I know that you want me to say yes so why did you stop me?"
"Cause i want you to say..."
End of Flashback
"... But I couldn't-no scratch that- i won't because she became someone dear to me and also to the members, and I won't cross that line because of a friend of mine. Yes, She's not my girlfriend, she's my friend, don't believe those articles that circulating online saying she's my girl because she's not. Yes I like her but as a friend."
He sigh and bow his head but before he got up from that presidential chair he said something that makes me and Tim smile.
"Remember this, The Most Free Person In The World Is The One Who Has Nothing To Hide."
Flashback where Ami and Tim Chase Theodore's Van
"I Wanted you to say no.."
He look so shock. "Why?" He only asked.
"Because The Most Free Person In The World Is The One Who Has Nothing To Hide Theodore. So we Shouldn't hide the truth instead we should tell them the truth because they deserve it." I said to him while staring straight in his eyes.
He smile and He hug me and Tim.
"But it's still up to me Ami." He said. I sigh.
He hug me and Tim Tightly. "I don't know what to do if the two of you didn't chase me. I'm scared." He confessed.
We parted from the group hug and Tim just slap his arms hard that made him frown in pain.
"Remember what you told me?. No one should decide for you, only you can decide on your own." Tim said.
He smile and thank us before leaving the town. After that Me and Tim decided to walk slowly on our way to home.
End of Flashback
"Should we prepare for the feast?" Cody asked as soon as Alex turn the Television off.
I sigh and look at them.
"I have something to tell you guys..."
Everyone look at me after i said those...
I hope they wont get angry at me.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••