Chapter 28

Six months later…

“NOW you look like Anna,” Chaya said as she finished tying Rian’s braids. She made her face her and pinched her cheeks.

“Thank you, Mama Ya!” Rian picked up her small mirror from the coffee table and giggled at her reflection. “Please take a picture of me, please?” She pouted.

Chaya laughed. “All right, all right.” She picked up her phone beside her, and it rang. Jellybean was calling. “Rian, can I take your picture after this call?”

“Sure, Mama Ya!” Rian sat on the couch and brushed her doll’s hair.

Chaya stood up and sauntered to the kitchen.

“Jellybean, hi. What’s up?”

Whenever Jellybean called her, Chaya could not help but hope she had news about Kyrie with her. It had been six months, but not even his closest friends knew when he was coming home. All she knew was that Avery had died two months ago.

“Hey. I’ve got some news that I hope will excite you,” Jellybean said. “So, Kving is accepting pitches from different ad agencies for their next campaign. Would you like to sign up with your company?”

“Um, hang on.” Chaya scratched her eyebrow. “Infinitales is not an ad agency, remember?”

“But I’m sure you do know how to make a story concept. If you can write a whole screenplay, I’m sure a pitch is just a piece of cake to you.”

Chaya faked a laugh. “You can’t be sure about that. But why would Kving do that? You have a creative director, remember?”

“No. No one knows when Boss is coming home. Besides, this campaign had been put on hold because he left the country months ago. And if I remember it right, involving other parties outside Kving is also part of the campaign. Wouldn’t it be exciting that we’re finally working together?” Jellybean giggled.

“Hey, I have to talk to my business partners first,” Chaya said. “Besides, there are so many amazing ad agencies out there. I don’t think we stand a chance in the first place.”

“Chaya, don’t be so negative about it yet. Whatever happens, you’ll gain something. I’m sure of that. Besides, I miss you already. We haven’t seen each other since… You know.”

“I know. It was not supposed to end that way.”

Chaya could still hear the last words Kyrie said in her head. For the last six months, all she did was wonder how he was doing. She lost the courage to reach out to him. She hurt him. The next thing she knew, six months had passed.

But maybe she could see him again if it wasn’t too much to ask. She just wanted to apologize. Then, tell him she did not turn her back on him. But just in case he refused to see her because he had nothing to do with her anymore, she would understand.

“Chaya, let’s see each other soon, please,” Jellybean said softly.

“Yeah, sure,” she said in a cheerful tone. “I’ll just have to talk to Ellie and Jae first. I’ll get back to you.”

“All right! I’m going to send all the details to you via e-mail. Good luck, Chaya. I’m rooting for you.”

Chaya smiled.

“Thank you, Jellybean. You’re the best.”

***

“Chaya, it would be a shame to miss an opportunity like that!” Ellie exclaimed.

“I know, right? It doesn’t matter if we aren’t chosen. At least we got to experience that,” Jae agreed.

They were having a video conference. They already received the details that Jellybean sent to her. They found out that the call for the pitch was open for small and budding ad agencies. The two looked ecstatic.

“And it’s your chance to finally see Kyrie again,” Jae added. “Fix the things between the two of you.”

Chaya stared. She felt that familiar pain in her heart once again whenever someone mentioned his name.

“No,” she said afterward. “It won’t be as easy as that. Besides, no one knows when he’s coming back. I’m only doing this because it would benefit our company.”

“You know Kyrie better than us,” Ellie said. “I’m sure you can come up with something that will feel like home to Kving.” She smiled and lifted her fist, her engagement ring sparkling around her finger. “We can do it, Chaya!”

“Yes. Fighting!” Jae seconded.

Chaya lifted her fist, too. “Fine!”

***

“You're leaving again?” Roxanne groaned. “I guess this is your busiest year, huh?”

They'd left Dylan at the store to eat some fries and a sundae.

“I know. And I already feel tired just thinking about traveling here and there.” Chaya massaged her temple. “I just wanted to be the daughter of a billionaire. I’m so tired of hustling.”

“Mama Ya, please say ‘hi’ to Uncle Kyrie from me, okay?” Rian butt in as she licked her spoon. “Tell him I miss his pancakes.”

Roxanne and Chaya exchanged glances.

“Sure, darling,” Roxanne said. “I’m sure Uncle Kyrie misses you too, just as much as he misses Mama Ya.”

Chaya grimaced.

“Don’t you like my pancakes anymore, Rian?” she asked.

“I always love your pancakes, Mama Ya. I just miss seeing you and Uncle Kyrie together. You were so happy, then.”

Chaya stared in surprise and then found her heart melting with sadness.

“I can’t believe you even noticed that,” Roxanne said in amusement.

“I like seeing Mama Ya happy, just like Mommy and Daddy.”

Chaya stroked Rian’s hair.

“I’ll try to be happier, then.”

***

“Hey, you want a drink?”

Chaya lifted her head from hugging her knees as she slumped on the bedroom floor. Ellie was already standing by the open door, two canned beers in her hands.

She sniffed and hastily wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

“S-sure,” she replied weakly.

Ellie frowned at the crumpled paper on the floor.

“Such hard work,” she remarked and sat beside her.

Chaya accepted the beer and took a gulp. She frowned at the bitter taste.

She was writing the pitch by hand. She began to tear up as anxiety and imposter syndrome kicked in, but she did not stop.

“We can’t give up, can we?” Ellie said.

“I don’t want to give up, either,” she said with a sob. “But he just crosses my mind every time.” She faked a laugh. “I look pathetic, I know. I only have myself to blame.”

Ellie clacked her tongue.

“You have your reasons, Chaya. You didn’t do it to hurt him. I pray that you will have the chance to talk things over one day.” She picked up the notebook beside her and opened it. “Is this the final draft of the pitch?”

“I-I’m not sure yet,” she said and shrugged.

Ellie turned quiet as she read the draft.

“Chaya!” she exclaimed afterward. “You’re a genius!”