The Dating News

"If you feel indebted..." Sharie looked intensely at him, she got closer to him. "What if we start dating?"

Zee stared at her and did not have a chance to utter a word.

"I'm just kidding," she said.

Zee's eyebrow lifted and he laughed so loud. "You're funny today, I admit that."

They departed after a brief conversation. When Zee arrived home, he cleaned himself up and went to sleep. It had been a great charge for Zee's body even though he slept with many questions in his mind. But when he woke up, the next happenings were unexpected to his current situation.

"Oh my! Are they dating? I'm so jealous,"

"I knew it! I think they were already dating a long time ago,"

"I don't approve of Sharie, why would Zee date her?"

Many netizens are commenting and talking about some news that shocked everyone, especially their beloved fans, and bashers of course.

The headline on billboards and in the news read, 'Sharie's New Relationship with Zee Rocks the Hollywood World.' A picture of them is included, appearing as if they were about to kiss on the rooftop.

Positive feedback far outweighed the negative. Almost instantly, they even coined a couple's name for them - the 'Zerie' couple.

"Why would it be 'Zerie'? It could be 'Zeerie' or 'ZeeSha'. Who cares? I don't like them both!"

"I think the name is cute, it suits them well. I'll cheer for this couple from now on!" More comments keep popping up in the forums and videos.

The news came out at exactly 5:50 a.m., while Zee was still asleep. His schedule for the day remained the same, he would wake up at 6 a.m. He had to be on set by 7 a.m. However, just before 6 a.m. struck, the loud ringing of his phone startled him.

As he answered the call, his friend, Jen, explained the situation to him.

"Don't be surprised by the dating news today," Jen said. "I'm the one who took the photo, and the agency already confirmed it."

"Dating? Who am I dating?" Zee asked as he pulled his blanket off.

"I took a photo of you and Sharie last night."

"I'm dating her? Why would you do that? Did she even agree to this? What's happening?"

Jen explained to Zee that a reporter had discovered his bracelet at a crime scene.

Their manager thought it would be better to divert attention from the crime scene story by creating a dating rumor. He managed to reach an agreement with the reporter to publicize the dating news instead of portraying Zee as a suspect at the crime scene.

Jen was the one who contacted Sharie to meet up with Zee. When the two of them met that night, that's when Jen took their photo and sent it to their manager. The photo looked like they were about to kiss, capturing the moment when Sharie's face got closer to Zoren's.

"I understand," Zee replied. "Do I need to go to the police station today?"

"No way. Someone will come to your house. I'll accompany him later at lunch," Jen replied. "I already told the director that you can't shoot today. I just said that you're sick."

"Okay… Do I need to prepare something?"

"Not for now. I'll be there soon. Let's talk when I get there." Jen ended the call. She was currently at a cake shop choosing a flavor. She chose pandan flavor since it was always Zee's favorite when he was craving.

When Jen arrived at Zee's house, it seemed like no one was home.

"Zee?" Jen shouted. "Where are you?"

"I'm taking a bath," Zee replied.

Jen just took the cake to the fridge and sat down to watch television for a moment while waiting for Zee.

"What are you watching?" Zee asked as he came out of his bedroom rubbing the small towel on his wet hair. He's looking fresh as he has just finished taking a bath. He was wearing normal clothes, an oversized yellow shirt and shorts.

"I'm watching my favorite drama. And I don't want to miss it today," she replied.

"You're not even affected by the dating issues? I thought you liked me."

"Wow, you can really make things up these days," she responded.

"What's this?" Zee asked when he saw the cake as he opened the refrigerator.

"Woooooowwwww!!!" His face lit up as he opened the box. "I thought I shouldn't eat cake, but here you are, giving it to me."

"You said you were craving it, what could I do? I'm just too kind," Jen replied with a smile.

"You're so cool," he smirked. "Aren't you even worried about what will happen to me later on?"

Jen paused what she was watching and became silent before saying something. She looked at him before saying anything. "I'm not worried. I think it'll be fine. What about you, are you worried?"

"Of course, I'm a little worried," he replied. "But I'm trying to keep my mind off it."

"I get it... I agree that you should just enjoy your time today. You haven't had a great time for yourself these past few months."

"I'm sorry, Jen," Zee said after clearing his throat. "I give you a lot of headaches every time."

Zee put down the cake on the dining table and continued what he was saying. "I sometimes think it would be best if I could just get caught." His eyes looked sad. "I can get treatment if this is a disease. I'm tired too... sometimes I feel like I want to end everything."

Jen wasn't ready for this moment. She saw Zee as always positive and smiling even in tough situations. It was the second time she saw him look hopeless. The first time she saw him devastated was when he was rejected for a role that he really liked.

"Why would you say that?" Jen quickly turned to him. "Don't say that, it's not your fault."

Zee forced a smile. His eyes became teary. Jen did not expect Zee's reaction that day.

Jen grabbed a piece of tissue and gave it to him. "You can use this, you can cry, cry all you want. Curse everyone, curse your annoying disease, be angry and lonely, and do whatever you want. But after that, come back stronger. Don't just end everything."

Zee looked at her and was about to cry.

Their emotional moment was interrupted by a call on Jen's phone. It was Zee's younger brother, Chared.

They both looked at the phone as it rang a second time. Jen answered it and turned up the speaker volume for Zee to hear what Chared would say.