Chapter 18 Chapter 18
Hendeix didn’t speak again, and neither did I. I just looked out the window and copied him. And he was right, because I feel like I have even more questions in my head now. Even more, actually, but at least now, I managed to stop them for a while. Maybe this is why we’re here in Italy—to go around. Maybe it’s for show. I don’t know, and I should not care. What matters is we’re already married, and I’ve gotten far away from the possibility of my ex and I getting back together. I’m sure he won’t bother or trouble me anymore.
Everyone will say I should just block him. No, I don’t want him to see that I’m still affected. Well, I really am, and it sucks. But I won’t let him know that I am bothered by his confusing actions. I won’t give him any reactions. And besides, I’m already here in the place I’ve always dreamed of going to, and nothing will stop me from making the most of our week here. All the dreams he didn’t believe in, didn’t support—I will fulfill all of them without him. I will be happy.
A sudden phone call interrupted my thoughts. I held my phone and saw someone calling me from the Philippines. It was Doctor Apolinaris. I answered it immediately.
“Good afternoon, Doc Mori!” Doctor Apolinaris greeted me sweetly. Honestly, she’s older than me, but the way she acts makes it look like I’m the older sister. I can’t call her a friend, but she’s the one I talk to the most, especially when we’re together at the venue, because she always looks for me, asks me things, and approaches me.
“Yes, Doctor Apolinaris, why did you call?”
“Well, I just wanted to greet you because we saw your viral video helping a passenger on the airplane.”
My mouth dropped open, and I glanced at Hendeix. He was still busy staring out the window. What is he even looking at on the road? It’s impossible he hasn’t been here before. Anyway, what video is she talking about, and why am I already embarrassed?!
“Huh? A video? I-I didn’t know someone recorded it. That’s embarrassing.” I almost sank into my seat. I want the ground to swallow me whole. If I’m viral, then that means my face is everywhere?
“Oh yes, even Doctor Martino saw it, and he’s very, very proud of you. You know him; even if he’s grumpy and not talkative, I saw him smile. He approves of what you did.”
“D-Doctor Martino saw it? Oh no. How am I supposed to face all of you in the next medical mission? I’ll be everyone’s target for teasing.”
“Oh, stop being so low-key. It’s normal for us to be proud of you, okay? You deserve to be flaunted. Aren’t you used to it? The whole Philippines knows you topped the medical board exam. Do you think they will forget your face and your name?”
I just wanted to end the call out of sheer embarrassment. I’m not used to it. I’ve never bragged about that. There’s nothing special about what I did. Of course I passed—I studied. Anyone else could’ve done it too.
“And also, did you think you could escape another news? Your billboard can be seen all over Metro Manila.”
My eyebrows furrowed again. “What did you say? My billboard? How would I even have a billboard? Is this because of what I did on the airplane? How do I get that taken down? Report it! Or send me the link and I’ll take care of it.”
“It’s impossible for you to take it down, and even if you do, people will never forget you anymore. Your face is everywhere—in newspapers and on the internet. Turns out you’re married already! And your husband is the best businessman in the entire Philippines!”
I exhaled sharply. And at the same time I shouted, the car suddenly stopped.
“What’s the matter, my wife?”
I didn’t answer Hendeix’s question; instead, I confronted Doctor Apolinaris.
“What did you say?! The whole country knows I’m married to the one and only Hendeix Kai Lavarre?!”
I ALMOST ran out of breath when I heard that news from Doctor Apolinaris. A few minutes had passed since we ended our conversation, but the shock still hadn’t left me. I couldn’t calm down! How could my face end up on a billboard? Am I a celebrity? A model? Is this really what happens when the person you marry is a billionaire?
"What's going on, my wife?" Hendeix asked me. We were currently walking through the hotel hallway, and the bellboy had gone ahead to our room to bring our luggage. I still couldn’t process everything I learned earlier. I felt like I was about to have a heart attack, and I couldn’t even hold my phone to surf the internet because my notifications kept popping nonstop. I couldn’t bear to watch myself in that viral video Doctor Apolinaris mentioned, but I definitely couldn’t handle answering everyone’s questions about Hendeix Kai Lavarre!
"Is this the reason why you brought me here? You put our faces on billboards?" I asked in panic. I tried to calm myself down, but I felt like I couldn’t.
He shrugged as he opened the door to our room. We were apparently already at the front, and I didn’t notice because shame was attacking every inch of my body. I was overwhelmed. I immediately removed the coat he lent me earlier and put it on the rack. Okay, I need to breathe. Come on, Mori, you can do this.
"No idea. Maybe because I'm too famous. Why? Are you mad?"
I shook my head and tried to calm myself even more. "I am not. I'm just so shocked. There are two issues about me in the Philippines right now."
"And what are those?"
"That I saved someone on the airplane and I am now married to you. Good lord. I don't know how to stop myself from panicking."
"You want me to take it down? Your video and our marriage?"
I stopped at that question. Well, if we’re summing it up, I’m not actually upset about our marriage being announced. And there’s nothing wrong with the viral video either—it’s just incredibly embarrassing.
I heaved a sigh as I stared at him for a couple of minutes. It was like I was drawing calmness from him. And I succeeded in suppressing my panic attacks just by breathing the same air as him. How come he can do this to me?
"No, you don't have to do that. I don't want you to waste your time on this."
"Why? It only takes a single snap for me to do it."
"I just don't want to be a burden. It was just a burst of emotions because I've been living my life in a low profile. But now, I suppose everyone is talking about me."
A smile slipped from his lips. "Well, you need to get used to it. I told you, I'm famous. Everyone is talking about me, and for sure, you'll be in the spotlight whether you like it or not."