Chapter 95

95 Because of Me

“Just let me know...” Justin said calmly.

“I won’t quit. Just...give me some time to sort myself out a little,” I replied determinedly.

“Alright. Don’t stress yourself out,” Justin said encouragingly.

“Thank you...” I replied sweetly.

I hung up and then tossed the phone onto my bed. It bounced a couple of times on the mattress before settling down. I stared down at the half-full ice cream pint and wondered if it was half full or half empty. Doesn’t really matter either way. The calories that I had consumed would be the same no matter how I looked at it. I laughed a little to myself as I stuffed more ice cream into my mouth. If I ate it all, then I wouldn’t need to worry if it was half full or half empty.

If only my troubles will disappear along with this pint of ice cream...

...

Due to my messy state of mind, I was permitted to stay home for the day. That didn’t mean that I didn’t have to work. It just meant that I didn’t have to physically meet my clients. I had a call scheduled with Mark today. Although I didn’t want to take the call, Justin had told me that it was only fair for me to answer their questions regarding my request to terminate the contract. That was that.

Right on the dot of our appointment time, my phone rang, and I knew that it was Mark. He was a kind man and I really liked working with him; however, I thought that this call was pointless. The main reason was that I wouldn’t honestly tell him what happened between EROS and me. Why can’t they just terminate the contract and let me go free? Why can’t he just ask EROS all about it?

.....

“Hello...” I answered the call softly.

“Hi, Elena. It’s me, Mark,” Mark said politely through the phone.

“Yes, I was expecting your call,” I replied.

“Thanks for taking the time to talk to me,” Mark continued politely.

“There’s no need to be so formal,” I said casually.

“Right...then, let me get to it...” Mark said before pausing.

“Ok...” I said encouragingly.

I could sense that whatever Mark was about to say wasn’t easy for him to say. I could sense his hesitation or rather his struggle to put his thoughts into words.

“It’s about your request to terminate your contract. I guess asking you for the reason why you chose to request for a termination wouldn’t help us much. So, instead of asking that, I want to ask if it would be at all possible for you to reconsider your decision,” Mark requested politely.

“I’m a little relieved that you’re not asking why but I would like to stick with my decision,” I replied.

“EROS is having some trouble at work. Honestly, I’m not even sure if it’s related to this but ever since you stopped turning up, he’s been having trouble...” Mark confessed miserably.

I could tell from the worry in his voice that it was probably a big deal. However, just like Mark had alluded to just now, I didn’t think that it had anything to do with me.

“What trouble?” I asked.

“Well, things like, he’s losing focus at work. He’s extra moody like...I don’t even want to start explaining how bad it is. He’s made no progress in his acting practice and says that he just wants to drop the project entirely. He’s not cooperating with the producers or any team members on his new single either. The upper management is going crazy over this and of course, I’m bearing the blame as well...” Mark explained with a mix of complaint.

I could feel the pain and frustration that he was going through in this voice. However, I wasn’t sure if I could do anything to help. Continuing to work with EROS isn’t something possible for me right now.

“Right...” I murmured.

“So please...can you please reconsider your decision?” Mark pleaded.

“As you said, EROS might just be going through a tough time and it probably doesn’t have anything to do with me,” I replied empathetically but I wasn’t about to change my mind.

“I understand. Then, could you please meet with him. Please, just once is enough,” Mark said pleadingly.

“I’ll think about it...” I replied softly.

Mark probably wouldn’t take a straight no for an answer. Although, I pitied the man and the rest of EROS’s team members, I didn’t really want to meet him, and I doubt that meeting him would help fix anything including his performance at work. It has nothing to do with me.

“Alright. Thank you...” Mark said gratefully.

I stared at my phone screen after the call had disconnected as I wondered how EROS was doing. Then, I slapped my cheeks with my hands to snap me out of my own thoughts. No, I am not worried about him.

...

Staying alone in my apartment for a day wasn’t a bad deal at all. I got to rest. I got to think and reflect about the various things that had been happening lately. Life got a lot more complicated after George passed away and I started a new life. The television in the room showed various news and I listened to it passively as I lazed around on my bed. Tomorrow is another day of work because it would be Friday. So far, I had no idea who I would be seeing. I’m seeing Adrian on Saturday so there was only Brandon left and things are complicated with him right now...so...

While my mind lazily reflected on all that was going on, something on the news caught my attention. A blonde female reporter was talking excitedly as she reported on celebrities and entertainment news.

‘We are standing in front of GH Entertainment where the superstar EROS is about to make a public statement and announcement regarding his latest single that is due to be released very soon. There are so many fans here and it’s such a big crowd. We are waiting for EROS to make an appearance. Oh, here he comes!’

–To be continued...