Chapter 8: 'Helping' a Friend

"Who?! Who will say and do something like that to the person they met for the first time?!" Jarx cried out, cursing his young and immature self for being that cringy

Just why does he have to dream that disgusting memory?

In frustration, Jarx buried his face in his pillow as he screamed out of embarrassment while wiggling his body, especially his arms and legs

When he calmed down, his face was already wet from sweat, strands of his hair sticking on his forehead

He sat on his bed while fanning his face. "Forget it, forget it. Act as if that didn't happen" Jarx tried to convince himself as he braced his heart for what will happen today

His head turned to the bedside table where his phone was placed. Because of the number of calls and messages he was receiving last night, he turned his phone off

Jarx is afraid of answering those calls or reading the messages. He doesn't have to be smart to figure out why there are that many people contacting him

It surely has something to do with that damned leaked marriage certificate!

Jarx took a deep breath as he finally turned his phone on but as soon as he did that, his phone received tons of texts, calls, and notifications

He panicked a bit as he once again turned his phone off

"Forget it, let me have breakfast first before I let these people tear me apart!"

With that decided, Jarx went out of his bedroom and on the dining table, he saw a take-out bag and his eyes lit up

"Jollibee!" He said happily

[Note: Jollibee is a famous fast food restaurant in the Philippines]

There was a note attached to the takeout bag and Jarx read it

"Eat well and if you can, please come to the company!

-Kenzo"

For the nth time, Jarx's heart warmed again. Kenzo really treats him the best!

Last night, Kenzo bought him mami and this time, a takeout from Jollibee, both are his favorites

In Jarx's life, there is at least one person that cared about him and that made him happy

"Alright, self, you eat and face this problem head on. You are not a weak person that will succumb to the problem!" Jarx said to himself as he reheated the fried chicken, rice, and spaghetti in the microwave

——

Morelle Corp

Jarx stood in front of his agency's company nervously. He was wearing a white hoodie, a black face mask, and shades to cover his face

His hands were inside the pockets of his hoodie, trying to hide his sweating palms

Morelle Corp. is a new and rising company. It doesn't have deep roots since it was new but the company's prospects were really great

It's not a giant like Star Entertainment but the company's accomplishments in just a few years of its existence were way better than the older companies

If Kenzo did not discover Jarx, he might not even have had the chance to enter this company

"Here comes nothing..." Jarx said to himself before entering

He showed his employee ID to the guards and although they let him enter, the guards' gaze lingered on him

Jarx is not aware of the exact extent of the leaked marriage certificate's effects but at this time, he can only connect every little thing that would happen with him today to that

Jarx tried to minimize his presence as much as possible but the employees' discussions still entered his ears

"Hey, do you think it was true?"

"What's true?"

"That one of our actors is married to Blaire Nixon of the Star Entertainment!"

"It shouldn't be, right? I haven't heard any news of them being together"

"Yes. Besides, why would he enter another company if he has that kind of connection with Star Entertainment? He just has to rely on his husband to advance his career!"

"But have you watched the video? Jarx's face stiffened and froze! He hasn't given a formal statement until now. The marriage might be true"

"I don't think so. Maybe, he is just using Mr. Blaire's name to gain even more fame! He's not content with just being the most popular rookie!"

"Gosh, then doesn't that mean that his image of being a genuine person is fake?"

"What do you know? Haven't you seen how these celebrities always think that they are above everyone off camera?"

These people were clearly gossiping about him and their voices rang in Jarx's ears. If not for Jarx doing his best to calm himself, he might have already launched himself against these gossipers to give them a beating

They should watch their mouths! Not to mention using Zesther's name, Jarx doesn't even want to be associated with him in the slightest!

Fortunately or not, Jarx is already used to people talking about him behind his back. It was sad but this is the reality for celebrities

Any and every action of theirs would be talked about and criticized. It's like they were living in a world that has CCTV everywhere

Jarx can only sigh as he continued on his way to meet his manager and friend

Since Kenzo is one of the more famous and well-known managers in the company, he has his own personal office

However, before Jarx can push the door open, he can already hear sounds from inside the office

The office room cannot completely prevent the noise from the inside to be heard outside but that would only happen if the people inside were talking really loudly

Jarx can't understand what the people inside were saying but he can still recognize who was talking

One of them he recognized as Kenzo and the other one...

"C-CEO Brixter Morelle!" Jarx muttered as all the hair on his body stood up

That was the CEO and also the owner of the Morelle Corp since it was a private company

Instantly, all sorts of scenarios played inside Jarx's mind

There is one where Brixter was verbally abusing Kenzo

There is also one that instead of suffering from verbal abuse, Kenzo was being punished physically

And also a scenario where Kenzo has to swallow his pride and kneel down to plead Jarx's case

The scenarios ranged from 'relatively normal' to 'extreme' scenarios but they have one thing in common... Jarx thinks that his manager and friend are in trouble all because of him!

"This wouldn't do... I can't let Kenzo suffer!" Jarx made up his mind as he hurriedly swung the door open, startling the people inside

The first thing that Jarx had seen was Brixter holding Kenzo's shoulders

In Jarx's exaggerated eyes, Brixter was holding his friend's shoulder with a lot of force!

When the startled Kenzo turned his head to look at him, Jarx can see the man's red face and that made his theory sounds even more possible

In a hurry, Jarx pulled Kenzo behind him as if he is willing to use his body to protect him

"Sir Brixter, this problem with the marriage certificate is all because of me. Please don't implicate and hurt my manager, he is innocent! I am willing to bear all the consequences!" Jarx stated seriously

Kenzo has always treated him kindly. He cannot possibly let him suffer because of the consequences of his actions

It was his decision to be married to Zesther in the past and now because of that, the best friend that is like a brother to him is facing the 'wrath' of their boss. Jarx can't just stand idly and let that happen!

"What?" Brixter said, his facial expression contorted. "I didn—

Brixter was about to speak again when Kenzo beat him to it

"J-Jarx, t-this is nothing. I can deal with this..."

"No! I heard him shouting at you and it's my fault! I will take responsibility!"

Jarx insisted but Kenzo desperately shook his head

"Hey, listen..."

"Sir Brixter d-didn't mean to do it... d-don't worry about me, Jarx"

Brixter looked at Kenzo with an expression of asking what the hell is happening

Unfortunately, Kenzo can only act as if he hadn't seen that as he tried to pull Jarx outside

"Kuya, please don't sacrifice yourself. I know that you like taking care of other people as if you are born to do that but I am already an adult. I can take responsibility for my own mistakes!" Jarx said while gently holding Kenzo on the shoulders

While watching these two, Brixter's gaze darkened as he fought the urge to tear the two away from each other

His heart swelled from anger causing him to speak in a cold and unfriendly tone

"Oh, yeah? Let's talk then. How do you plan on cleaning this mess? Please enlighten me" Brixter questioned unhappily that he did not notice the deadly glare that Kenzo shot at him

"W-well... t-that..." Jarx fumbled for words but what was he supposed to say?

He bravely said those words but he doesn't have a plan!

This moment made him remember Zesther's arrogant words saying that the only thing he know is to charge head-on without any plan in mind