Thirty Five

•BRIGHT•

(POV)

Flashback

(2 years ago)

I decided to kill sometime with non work related internet browsing. Checking the tags our fans send us makes me laugh sometimes. They are extremely witty.

"Nong Bai, Someone gave you this" P' Edd said handling me a brown box bigger than a shoebox that made me divert my attention.

"Woah!"

I took it immediately with my two hands.

This is bigger than the last time but lighter

I shake it curiously.

"Thanks Phi" I wink at her

She snorted as i smile until the corners of my eyes crinkles.

"I leave you for a second. I better find Win before he'll find trouble again."

Trouble containing his mouth for sure

I nodded at her smiling happily.

"Okay, let see."

Left alone, sitting on a folding chair inside a tent resting from our drama shoot early morning. This is a huge break for me. Me, Win and some of my friends will star on this drama.

I removed the red strings around it as my excitement built up.

These days i got a lot of projects as people are getting curious about me. They finally recognized my talent now. I'm thrilled my hard work is slowly paying off.

Now, Some of my fans send me a bunch of stuffs. I never forget to used it as much as i could. I even let Win used mine now.

I almost dropped the box as i saw what's inside.

A stuff white bunny with a knife on it's heart.

I grip the box tighter as took a deep breath. i looked at it further.

I removed the stuff bunny calmly. Inside there's a bunch of scattered photos of me. when i'm not working, playing with my buddies publicly, having fun with the casts of our upcoming drama, and my friends hanging out.

The worst part is all of Win's face and the girls i've been with are scratched up.

These are places and events that no one suppose to know or need to know.

I pick the card up curiously. I felt my blood rush through my body on what is written. It was written bold with black mixed with a dryed maroon ink and it looks like a blood to me.

You are MINE.

I dropped the card back down to the box with the stuff toy and close it as brush my hair off with my jaw clenched.

This is so f*cked up.

Why would someone do these kind of thing? Hurt and traumatized a person whole being?

I understand now why some of our colleagues are frighten for their lives. It's not all glamorous and fun. There's depression, anxiety and terrifying things added to this. The unhealthy obsession of a stalker that will damage person's mental health.

I know fame and money is never easy for unlucky guy like me. I'm not born with a silver or gold spoon as you call it. but in-spite of it all, i will still choose this life. To freely do things i'm passionate about and earn on my own.

I need to shake this off and be prepare for things like this for now.

I better report and warn this to P' Edd

I sighed heavily.

I felt someone touch my forearm. I looked up i saw Win staring at me curiously with is drooped tired eyes.

"Is that for me, Phi Bai?"

i chewed on my bottom lip and furrowed my eyebrows as moving the box aside the ground from Win's hold.

"Just bunch of silly stuffs i needed to dispose"

"Don't be shy, Phi Bai. I will accept anything...."

He grinned as he move near me and made a money pose on his hand.

"Even cash"

I snort as try to ignore him. I grab the open script i left open earlier.

He still cheeky even his extremely tired from filming.

Win said as he side beside me with his coy face on.

"Where is P'Edd? I'm hungry Phi"

"There's food packages waiting for you at the table, Metawin."

He quickly gets up and went to the table still babbling loudly.

"Why are you still awake Phi? Are you waiting for me?"

I sighed. Lean on the folding chair and trying to focus on the script in my hands.

"You're always sighing Phi Bai. You like an old fella turning 60." He muttered loudly with his mouth full of food inside. "Always grumpy"

I decided to ignore the man child and rest; putting the script over my face and said.

"–You better call P' Edd, Win. She's searching for you"

"Oh crap!" Win gasped

"I forgot to bring my clothes again."

—

"Have you seen this, Nong?" Aof asked

We are inside the gym that we usually go for our muay thai session as i was adjusting the hand wrap to my hand; He handed me his phone.

"It's the same photo from the precious gift you received."

I grab the phone quickly and browse it through.

I furrowed my eyebrows as recognition dawned on my face as i scrolled down the page. It was an fan account made for me. The handle name is a typical fan account. There are bunch of videos and photos about me on public places.

Some of the photo match from the box i received.

Who might this be?

Hell sure has a good stalking skill.

I give he/she/they credit for the photo quality though.

It's immaculately done.

" the same, Phi." I looked at him seriously as i as agreed and asked

"how will i deal with this?"

As I grip the phone tighter.

He put his arm around my shoulder as his eyes lit up and muttered

"Easy nong, we report them"

I snort as i looked at him unamused.

Like that will work

He lean his head with a grin and whispered.

"Everything now is on internet, Bright. Leave it to me."

End of Flashback

—

DEMI

(POV)

"I thought you'll never be out from your lair, Dee?" Moi said sarcastically as she poured me a glass of wine.

"You tell her baby mama" Charlie added joyfully as she wiped her hands with a dry towel after washing the dishes while walking towards us.

We are currently hanging out at Charlie's house to celebrate her birthday. The day Charlie's mom is taking care of by godson Mace and Pete is busy chatting with the guys. Even though we always communicate through the phone we prefer much meeting personally. The drama feels different we talk loudly together.

I snorted as slowly shake the bottom narrow stem of  the wine glass.

"Leave me be. I'm happy living inside my tiny bubble for a change"

"The tiny bubble you're talking about named Bright, right?" Kai interjected grinning wickedly

I give Kai the side eye while Charlie laugh as she sit beside me.

"I really made a huge mistake introducing you to my cousin" Moi muttered dramatically as she sipping her non alcoholic concoction.

"Moi, would you prefer Dee will never be watered forever?" Charlie insert teasingly

They look at each other then laughed.

I rest one elbow on the breakfast nook with a disapproving scowled.

This is hardly fair!

They are ganging on me again.

"You guys, Why it's all about me again?" I snapped "this is certainly bullying."

"Cause this is more interesting!"

Kai muttered loudly with her eyes flashed with anticipation.

"Come on Dee! There must be something you want to share with us! The night is still young."

As i looked at Moi. Moi disgusted face sipping her drink amused me.

"I'm curious to know too. I never thought you'll be hooked for good" Charlie added "any spicy news?"

"Something dirty?" Kai added wiggling both her eyebrows. "If you want help. We can coach you"

My eyes widened and face flushed.

"Some friends you all are" i said mortified As they laughed loudly on my misery.

"By the way, Dee, did you tell him about the stalker lurking on your neighbor?" Moi asked curiously

My smile faded slowly as I remember what happened the other day. I shake my head disagreeing.

-Flashback-

I was watering my plants with a watering can in front of my house when I heard P' Beam shout from the distance street.

I looked around to where P' Beam was. He was trying to stop a person wearing a black hoodie. But the person stumped his foot and outrun him.

I run to where P' Beam was gasping.

With furrowed eyebrows raised i asked

"What happened,Phi?"

"That motherf*cker stump me" He was hissing when i face him. I look on his left shoe there a trace of a dirt of a foot shoe and look back at him.

He put his hand on my shoulder and said

"You better be careful, nong. Somebody's stalking you."

-End of flashback-

"You better tell him, Dee" Moi added sternly with a worried tone on her voice leaning on the table in front of me. "Has it been caught already?"

I shook my head sadly.

I'll be lying if i'll tell them i'm completely fine. I don't know who it was. I'm terrified for my safety and what will happen.

Dragging Bright in to this is the last thing on my mind. I don't want to bother Bright with my problems. Specially he's career in on the line.

I smiled timidly as I reassured them about my situation and said "I filed a complaint to the police already. P' Beam helped me. He said it's better if i'm back here again"

"What about the shop, Dee?" Kai asked

"P' Beam took over. He was worried he kick me out" i said wryly

"He's right, Dee." Moi admitted  "it's better this way, really"

"Yes, I prefer you here with us so that we can protect you"

Charlie added as she put her arm around me half hugging.

As I forced a smile.

I hope so.

I really hope so.

—