Chapter 6: No Way!

"No, no absolutely not!" Jarx exclaimed strongly. His arms crossed in front of him

He would never ever do that!

'There is no way that I will agree. Isn't this the typical plot of those cliché novels? The Mc and their ex would be forced into a situation where they would have to meet and spend time together. During that time, feelings would bloom, and misunderstandings or whatever would be resolved. I would never be involved with Zesther again!' Jarx thought

"Yeah, that's a horrible idea. Besides, I'm sure that someone here would never agree. I can see the gears in his brain churning while creating a novel-like scenario" Zesther also refused and Jarx shot him a look of disbelief

How did this shitty bastard know what is going on in his head?

As if Zesther can hear the question in Jarx's mind, he answered it. "You have that stupid look on your face whenever you think that something would be the start of the plot from those cringy novels you read"

The side of Jarx's mouth rose and twitched, his desire to hit Zesther in the mouth, growing

"Next time don't call someone stupid" he scolded

"Don't act like one then... fictions are fictions and reality is reality. Don't think that everything would lead to a dramatic life" Zesther rebuked and Jarx can't take it anymore as he stood up

"Why don't we just talk another time since someone here is being Mr. Rude Mouth. Grandpa, Shanty, I'll go first"

With that, Jarx turned his back and walked away

"J-Jarx, wait! At least drink tea with grandpa!"

"Kuya Jarx, please reconsider my suggestion!"

Everyone in the room watched Jarx leave. The chairman felt it was a pity, Zesther just shrugs his shoulders, as for Shanty... there is a smirk on her face that no one can see

——-

Jarx's Apartment

As soon as Jarx entered his apartment, he immediately laid his lifeless body on the couch

He was only sitting for a moment when he wiggled his body like a madman. His fists and feet hitting the air

"Aahhh!!! So annoying! I'm so annoyed!" He screamed in frustration and he only stops when a certain someone blocked the light above and cast a shadow over his body

"Here, drink a cold lemonade first and calm down" Kenzo said as he handed the glass bottle of lemonade

Jarx received his favorite drink, twisted the cap off, and drank its content

This specific brand of lemonade was sweeter than sour which suited Jarx's taste and it was his favorite

The sweet lemony scent and tastes along with the cool refreshing juice calmed Jarx a bit

"Thanks, kuya"

"Don't sweat it but Jarx..."

"Hmm?"

"While I was in the van, I received a call from our agency's CEO..."

Jarx immediately sat straight, his heart beating in nervousness

"W-what did he say?"

"Relax, it isn't that bad. He just asked me to clarify this matter with you since the PR team has to release an official statement as soon as possible"

That might be the case but Jarx is still nervous. He just won an award yet such a big scandal broke out. If the matter is not handled properly, this would greatly affect his career

"Argh... what to do now... huhu..." Jarx smacks his head using the pillow on the couch and Kenzo can't help but stare at him with pity

"Alright, alright, calm down. I guarantee that the agency would not let go of you" Kenzo promises

"Aahhhhh... should I confirm the matter and speak the truth or what? I feel like I would rather die than let the whole Philippines know who my ex-husband is!"

Jarx continue to throw a tantrum, annoyed and frustrated because of the problem he was facing

"What actually happened? Did you talk to him? He's a capable businessman, that guy should have at least tried to help you..."

"He did... half-assedly though!"

"Meaning?"

"He gave me two choices. Either we deny it and say that the photo was edited or we confirm it but say we broke up. The first choice has the risk of being found out and the second choice... please just kill me!"

"Wow... you hate him that much, huh?"

"Absolutely!"

Kenzo shook his head with a sigh at that. He too laid his back on the soft and smooth sofa

"But, is that really it? No other solution?"

"Well... there is one..."

"Which is?"

"It's his cousin that suggested it. There's a book with the main characters having the same name as Zesther and I... we can say that it was a prop for the book adaptation but I don't want to act with that bastard! You don't know this but..."

Kenzo wanted to ask how such a coincidence was possible for their names to be in a book but he missed the chance since Jarx started venting his frustrations about his ex-husband

"Alright, alright, wait for me here, I will return" Kenzo said as he stood up

Jarx's mental state would continue to deteriorate if this goes on and Kenzo decided to do something to prevent that from happening

"Eh? Kuya, where are you going?" Jarx asks but Kenzo was in too much of a hurry to answer him

——

It took tens of minutes before Kenzo returned and Jarx almost fell asleep

However, as soon as Kenzo returned, Jarx's nose was assaulted by a familiar scent

"Kuya you didn't..." Jarx said in surprise and Kenzo raised the plastic bag in his hand

"Tadaaa! Mami from Aling Sita, your favorite comfort food!" Kenzo said with a smile

[Note: Mami/Beef Mami is a Filipino soup typically made from tender beef brisket, egg noddles, boiled eggs, and other toppings with a hot strong beef broth]

[Note: The word 'Aling' is a respectful prefix for an older woman]

"Kuya, how did you buy it this late at night?" Jarx asks in surprise and Kenzo lightly scratched his nose

"I might or might not have knocked on their door until they wake up... and these might or might not be leftovers for the day" Kenzo replied sheepishly causing Jarx to laugh loudly

The man stood up from the sofa and hugged the person that is like a blood brother of his

"Kuya, you're the best!"

"Hahaha, you only say that whenever I bought you your favorite food!"

"Hehehehe!"

Kenzo grabbed two sets of bowls and spoons to pour the soup in and the two of them started to eat in the kitchen

"Ahhh... still as delicious as before!" Jarx muttered with a sigh after the strong beefy flavor bursts on his tongue

Kenzo just smiled at that as he also started eating. The hot bowl of soup warmed their stomachs and made the atmosphere calmer than before

"So... do you want to talk about it?"

"About what?"

"You... and your ex-husband. You might think that I didn't notice it but you are trying to get your mind off some things..."

"Tsk, kuya, why are you too perceptive? Nothing can escape your eyes!"

"That's only because you're like an open book, easy to read!"

"Hmm, I think I'll talk about it next time. For now, I want to finish this soup and rest"

"Okay then, leave the dishes to me, I'll do it"

"No need, I'm not 'tired-tired'. I'm more mentally drained"

"And that's more physically tiring"

Without a choice, Jarx can only agree. After eating, he took a quick bath and changes into his pajamas before drifting off to the dreamland

——

6 years ago

"Shit, Tita will scold me!" Jarx muttered as he tried to remove the ketchup stain in his white short-sleeved buttoned-up uniform

[Note: Tita is a Filipino word that literally translates to Auntie. Can also be used for older women you are not blood-related with]

He is on his way home, trying to remove the stain as much as possible when his attention was attracted by a sudden commotion near him

He can see people gathering at a single point while looking at something on the ground

"Hmm?" Jarx's curiosity was piqued and he squeezed himself through the crowd to see what was going on

He saw a sweating old man lying on the ground holding his chest while trying hard to breathe. From the looks of it, he might be having a heart attack

Jarx do not know who this old man is but wouldn't everyone be worried if they see such a scene?

"What are you doing?! Why is no one helping?" Jarx asked the people angrily

There is an old man clearly experiencing some sort of medical condition but no one is helping!

"Young man, calm down. Someone already called for an ambulance but these days, there are many old scammers. They would act as if they had a heart attack to exploit money from the ones that would try to help them" one of the people around said but the young and inexperienced Jarx don't think that was the case

He really thinks that this old man is having a difficulty in breathing!