Chapter 3:

KIEL'S POINT OF VIEW

I saw Dad's number pop up on my phone screen. It's not usual for dad to call at this hour. I answered the call.

"Yes, dad?"

"I want you to come with me tomorrow to my friend's house. Don't you dare to be late?" I don't usually come with him to his meetings, but now he wants me to come with him.

"Okay, dad, just text me when and what time." He just hung up the phone.

He usually brings my mom or my sister to his meetings, so all of a sudden he wants me to join him. I just lay on my bed while looking at my phone. It's still me and Sloan on my wallpaper. how lovely she was. I sat on my bed and got a bottle of whisky in my mini fridge.

I was drinking whisky while looking at her pictures, and memories brought back every pain I felt from what she said. I wish this dream were not a reality. After drinking three bottles of whisky, I lay in bed and fell asleep.

*RING*

I tapped the table beside my bed and looked for my phone. I saw my manager calling. Aish, it's too early to call; I still want to sleep for five more minutes. I put my phone on the table. I sit in bed and answer the call.

"What?"

"Are you insane to do that?" Manager Ivan yelled at me, and I kept my phone away from my ears.

"Can you lower your voice? It's just 7 a.m., and you're yelling."

"What do you think? After that big scandal you made last night, can I remain calm? Can't you see on your social media that your fans are flooding in to say that the girl with you was your fiance, and you're just hiding it? Come on, Kiel, what came to your mind, and did you do that? Do you not care about your image? What if it affects your upcoming movies and dramas? and your unreleased album. Kiel, think before you take any action. You're not just an ordinary idol. But you are a superstar. A lot of people were looking at you."

"I know that."

"You know, but you still did that. I don't know what to do anymore. You will not leave your condo today; we will release a statement regarding the scandal. And the building is still surrounded by the press. Did you understand?"

"Sorry, Ivan, but I can't do that. He just chatted with me last night and told me to attend a meeting with him. So call someone to help me disguise, okay?" He suddenly sighed.

"Fine, I'll do anything; for now, just behave yourself. Aish!" He hung up the call, and I lay back on my bed.

I was about to go back to sleep when my alarm rang. Aish, fine, I messed up my hair and stood up. I grabbed a cup and brewed some coffee. After a nice coffee for a terrible day, I scrolled through my social media accounts, and as expected, they were against her.

Wait, what is her name again?

*Flashback*

"What's your name?"

"I-m Ode--"

Ode? I search "Ode" in Google. Hmm, Odette? I look at my Instagram and search for Odette. There are a lot of Odettes in the world. I started stalking everyone named Odette on Instagram. While pouring my brewed coffee into my cup, suddenly the last account was hers.

"Odette Lim? What a nice name for a gorgeous girl." She looks like she comes from a wealthy family. based on her photos. Traveling was her hobby. Suddenly, one photo caught my attention.

She went to Alaska two years ago. same spot I took photos of when I went to Alaska. I saw the date she posted-the same date as mine. I remember going to Alaska alone for vacation; that was the same time I and Sloan were working on different projects. As I zoomed in, I saw a man's back. Is that me? I wear the same blue bubble jacket.

I went out with my cap and sunglasses before leaving my place. I saw Odette's friends entering her condo; I held the doorknob and entered. They were screaming when I entered and saw Odette in her robe.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, I sneaked in when your friend went in. I just want to say something."

"We can talk later; right now I'm in the middle of business and I still need to go to my father's place, sorry." She said

"Nope, it's okay. I was the one who interrupted you guys. I'll leave now." I turned around and went out to her condo, and I came back into mine. I remove my hat and sunglasses and wear my shirt back while drinking my coffee.

Ivan's name suddenly pops up.

"What?"

"Open the door after this call; the makeup team will be there wearing a janitor outfit. Just to make sure you don't do anything foolish again, understand."

"Yeah, yeah." I hung up the call and went to my door. Suddenly, someone knocked.

"Get in." I opened my eyes and turned around. I was walking back to my coffee.

"Whaaaa Kiel!" To my shock, instead of the makeup team, it was a fan who was wearing a shirt with my face on.

"Oh my gosh, Kiel, I know those rumors are fake; that's why I came here to ask you that. Wait, let me broadcast it." I held her shoulder while she was getting her phone.

"I'm sorry, but you can't broadcast it. I hope you understand." She suddenly hugged me tightly.

"Yes, baby Kiel I will not. Your smell is so manly." She was sniffing my scent when my makeup team and security entered my condo.

"Miss, what are you doing?" The securities were pulling her away.

"Hey, let her; don't hurt her. You are?" I said to the security guard while looking at her.

"I'm Elisha, and I'm a big fan of yours." She said this while giggling.

"Elisha, can you get off me? My team is here. Sorry."

"It's okay, sorry, Kiel." She let go of me, and the securities held her.

"Let her walk freely. I'll see you soon, Elisha."

"Whaaa bye, Kiel." She leaves and my team looks at me.

"Sorry, Kiel, we don't get there in time."

"It's fine; I'll just take a bath and cook anything you want. Let's eat first before we do the transformation." They nodded at me, and I went into my room to grab my robe and towel. I went into my bathroom and took a shower.

Odette Lim; her last name was familiar. I don't know where I heard that last name. I was washing my hair and body as I looked up, the water pouring onto my body.

I can't forget her face. I grab my robe and towel. I'm drying my hair while grabbing a polo shirt, trousers, and loafers.

After I finish, I step out and go to the dining table, where they are sitting.

"Why are you guys not eating yet?"

"We are waiting for you," Joyce said while Kris and Anne were busy on their phones.

"Let's dig in first before we start my transformation."

I sit beside Joyce and get bacon, a hotdog, and an egg. While we are eating, I notice they feel awkward.

"I'm just ordinary, just like you guys. There's no need to feel awkward." they just nodded and started eating quickly. I shake my head and smile.

After we eat, I grab the plates and put them in my sink.

"I wash the dishes," Joyce insisted.

"Nope, just sit and I'll do this." I start washing dishes while Joyce leans against the corner.

"We never experience an artist being good to us. Cut the act; what's the catch about this?"

"Nothing; I just want to do this."

"You've been known as arrogant and cold-hearted, yet you change. Why?"

"No reason." After washing the dishes, we start doing my disguise. It took an hour to finish my disguise.

"Ta-da." They said so and gave me a mirror. I stood up and looked from all angles. The makeup makes me a different person. I hug them.

"Thank you." I grab my phone and keys.

"Shall we?" I opened the door, and we all stepped out and went to the parking lot safely. No one noticed that we were in front of my car.

"Thank you." I step in my car and start driving to the address dad gave me. Why would we go to dad's business partner's house? if we can meet outside. I shook my head and drove fast.

I was on my way to see my dad's friend when I saw Sloan calling. I immediately answered the call.

"Yes?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm on my way to dad's friend's house; why?"

"I need you, Kiel; I need your help."

"Tell me exactly your location."

"I'm in my condo." I turned and drove on to her condo. What am I doing? I saw reporters surrounding Sloan's condo. I park my car in the corner and step out. While walking, I try not to be noticed. One of the securities came in front of me.

"No media is allowed inside."

"I'm not part of the media; I'm a guest."

"Sorry, but can I have your ID, sir? for security protocol." I gave him my ID, and he looked confused while looking at me.

"Are you Mr. Kiel Calvin Lopez?" I nodded, and he grabbed my hand.

"How come you were him? Take off your mask and sunglasses." I immediately took off and ran. All the media were running next to me. I was lucky they were stopped by the securities. I went into the elevator and tapped the 7th floor. I lean against the wall.

When the elevator opened, I stepped out, went to her condo, and texted her.

-I'm here.

She immediately opened her condo and hugged me tightly.

"Kiel, I thought you were not coming."

"What can I help you with?" She looked up at me while still hugging me, while I was not looking at her.

"Let's get in first." She immediately went in; I followed her, closed the door, and sat beside her.

"So why did you need my help?" She touched my cheeks while looking at me.

"I want you back." She sits on my lap and kisses me torridly. Those lips I was longing for when I was on my world tour But nothing affected me; her kiss was not the same. But I try to respond to her kiss.

"Babe, come back on me." Sloan took off her shirt while licking my neck.

"Let's make it later. I still need to go to my dad's friend's house. Sorry, babe. I'll need to go." I went out and immediately stepped into the elevator. She was the girl I loved for the last 8 years of my life. Once I step out of the elevator, security surrounds me. while the reporters tried to get in.

"Kiel!"

"What are you doing in Sloan's place?"

"Did you two get back together?"

"Tell us why you came here."

"Kiel, give us a statement."

They said while trying to push the securities. I looked down, got in my car, and started driving. I was outside a villa when I saw my dad's car parked in front of it. I drive in and park next to Dad's car.

"Good afternoon, sir, this way." A maid approached me, and I followed her. I saw Dad with his business partner and his family. Wait? Is that Odette? when we get into the dining area. Dad stood up and tapped my shoulder.

"This is Kiel, my son." His business partner stood up and shook my hands.

"Nice to meet you."

"My pleasure was mine, sir."

"Your son just looks at you when you are young."

"Of course, my genes make it."

"Let sit." I sit in front of Odette and wink at her. I knew she knew who I was, after all.

"So shall we eat first before we introduce them to each other?" Mr. Lim said, and the maids served the food. While cutting my steak, I felt Odette looking at me. As I look at her, she eventually looks to the other side.

"So, Odette, I heard from your dad that you are on top of the licensure exam for architecture. Did you feel pressured about your dad? Did you just take architecture because of him? Knowing Richard, he always says, "Dad said while cutting his steak."

"Hmm, no, because dad never pressured me on my studies. Also, he believes in my work. I took architecture, and since I was a kid, I looked up at him."

"A lot of us looked up to her when we were in college. Because of his attitude and hard work, he just to make him remain a student. So, Richard, let's seal the deal. I'll message my secretary to sign the contract immediately. How about tomorrow's lunch?"

"Sure, Carter, I'll cancel my appointment tomorrow lunch."

"I'm sorry, but may I know what the deal is with you guys talking about?" Odette looks curious.

"An arranged marriage, I like you to meet my son, Kiel Calvin Lopez, your fiance." In shock, we almost shower each other with food.

"Fiance?!"