Chapter 3

"Drive?"

I furrowed. Why do I need to learn how to drive?

“Yes. You don’t know how to drive, right?” Lance said

I nodded. But I still don’t get it. Why do I need to learn how to drive?

“Yes, I don’t know how to drive, but why do I need to learn that? I don’t even have a car?” I asked.

“We will buy you then.” My cousin cooly said.

I shook my head.

“Wow! You say things as if cars are cheap!” I told him and rolled my eyes.

They all laughed.

“You are in sales. That means you always go on the field. And do you expect us to allow you to commute? It's not safe.” Lance explained.

I sighed. “I have no problem in commuting. I have been doing that for years, and nothing bad has happened to me. So you don’t need to worry.”

“Do we wait for something bad to happen to you before we get you a car?” He asked me seriously.

I wasn’t able to give him an answer.

I am getting shocked by this cousin of mine. He acts so comfortably with me. He acts now like he is my father, deciding things for me. While my birth parents are asking me first before they do something.

Mommy also asked me earlier when we had breakfast if I knew how to drive because they wanted to buy me a car.

Yes, they are my parents, and if you think about it, a car is nothing to them. I can even collect cars if I want to, and it will not affect their wealth.

But I just met them last night. I am still not that comfortable with them. Also, people might think ill about me.

Yes, I am very conscious about what other people will think or say.

I know they will question me because I quickly accepted my parents. And I know that no matter how hard I explain myself, they will just believe what they want to think.

The truth is that I agreed immediately because I did not want to prolong our agony. I also know that I will still accept them in the end, so why should I prolong it? And as if they really abandoned me, right?

I came back from reality when my feeling close cousin speaks again.

"It's settled then." He said.

This guy is a control freak. I laugh at myself.

“But wait, why will he teach me? Can’t you be the one to teach me instead?” I asked Lance.

"Well, that's one of my friend's businesses. You're so lucky because he will teach you for free because of me. And usually, he doesn't do the teaching because he has other people to do that. But because you need to be safe, I asked Andrew to teach you. He is harmless, so you don’t need to worry. " He said with a wink.

I looked at the guy he was referring to. In fairness, he looks so handsome. Well, the four of them are all stunning. As I said a while ago, they look like a celebrity. But this guy, I knew why he did not pursue showbiz because even if he is so handsome, but he looks cold and a snob. He has no PR in itself.

“Wait, looks like Andrew was the one who is not safe from you?” I heard Vince saying that

I glared at him.

They all laughed. Do they see me as their clown? They always laugh at everything I do or say.

I just shook my head. I just went to my room to changed clothes.

When I got out of the room, I saw my brother, who had also changed his clothes.

“Angelo, you should have worn the shirt that I bought you.” I tease him.

He was being sweet to me and asked me to buy him a shirt. I am buying him one, but I thought of teasing him.

I showed him a shirt that is not so bad but based on how he dresses, it's obvious that he does not like those styles. I still bought that for him. And because it was my first gift to him, he had no choice but to accept it.

“You know I don’t like that kind of style, but you still bought it to teased me.” He hissed.

I chuckled. "You know what? If you are confident with how you look, it doesn’t matter what you wear. Even if I asked you to wear rugs, you would still look handsome wearing that.”

"Whatever!” He said, a bit irritated.

"Cute" then I pinched his cheek. My brother blushed.

“Looks like you guys are having fun there.”

I look at the guy who spoke. It's Lance. He is with his friends, and I think they will go to his room.

He went to us. “It's nice to see that you are getting comfortable with us. You don’t feel shy anymore.” Lance said.

I just smiled at him.

“Anyway, do you like bands?” Lance asked me.

“A little. Why?”

He shrugged. “I just want to ask if you want to watch us play? We will have jamming now.”

“Sure.” I just said.

"Nice. Let's go." He put his arm around me, and we went to a room next to his.

And my eyes widened when I saw the inside. It's like the one I see in the band's practice room that I saw on TV. This room also looks soundproof. And I love the brand of their instruments. Well, I know a bit about instruments and brands.

"Can you play?" Mike, their drummer, asked me.

"What kind of instrument?" I asked.

"Anything." He said.

"Hmmm ... Bandurria. I was a member of rondalia when I was in high school." I said.

"Cool," Vince commented.

I just smile at him.

"Are you still practicing it?" Vince asked.

Honestly, I was a bit shy talking to him. He is a celebrity! I can’t believe that I am talking to him casually!

“Not anymore. I miss playing bandurria. I originally wanted to learn guitar, but I am finding it hard to learn that. I am planning to learn how to play the bass, though. I think I can play that instrument because it's pretty similar to bandurria.” I explained.

"I can teach you if you want," Vince said.

My eyes widen. Is this real?!

"Wow! But aren't you busy?" I said instead.

But deep inside, I was screaming.

"I think I can still find time to teach you. I don’t have an everyday taping, so I can still find time to do this." Vince answered.

"Okay," I said, trying to be just cool with it.

Will you believe that? The very famous Vince Concio will teach me to play bass?! I want to scream with excitement, but I need to control myself. I can’t make him notice it. I’m a Filipina, so I should be tamed. Wait, Alli, what are you thinking? He will just teach you to play and not courting you. Don’t be so assuming.

“Vince, let’s be clear here. You will only teach her to play, and you will not court her.” My feeling close cousin is trying to be protective of me.

“Don’t worry, bro, I will just teach her.” He said while winking at me.

I just smiled. I can’t make them notice my giggling.

They started their jamming. Vince on bass, Mike on drums, Lance on rhythm, and believe it or not, their lead guitarist and vocalist is none other than Mr. Snob with no sense of PR in his body.

‘Oh

Love of my life

Destined forever

I will be right here by your side’

I am getting goosebumps when I heard him sing.

They are playing ‘Love of my life’ by south border. He has a cool and beautiful voice. You will fall for it.

'No falling tears

When where together

You know the joy you bring to me.’

Oh my gosh! I didn’t expect that Mr. Snob has such a beautiful voice. His aura is also a bit different when he sings.

I suddenly wonder why they didn’t pursue this career. I mean, they can produce an album, and I’m sure with their looks and talent, it will be a huge hit. They will surely have sold out concert and platinum album.

And they don’t look like a rugged band. They look so clean. They are like FT ISLAND and CNBLUE, my favorite band in Korea. They all look handsome and clean but outstanding when they are performing.

I was in awe when I heard Mr. Snob reach the difficult part of the song. He delivered it so well. He is outstanding in singing. It would be a waste of their talent if only this room and I could hear their music.

After that song, they played again but a rock song this time; they are so versatile. I want to apply as their manager if they allow me, but I know I can’t.

On Monday, I will file my resignation to start working for daddy's magazine company.

I’m okay with it since I finished Mass Communication. That is also one of the mediums I want to enter after graduation, but of course, TV Network is my first choice.

But it's hard to apply for a TV Network if you don’t have a backer or experience in media. I didn’t know why I did not do an internship in a TV Network; maybe I will have a chance if I did.

My work was okay. It is still in line with what I studied. But of course, it is still different when you got your dream job. That’s why I am very thankful because now, I will finally work in my dream job.

I was back to reality when they finished playing.

"What do you think?" Lance asked me.

“You guys are so good! But it is just a waste because it was only me and this room hearing you guys performed!” I couldn’t help but tell them.

He chuckled. "As much as we want to pursue this, we can’t. We were too busy with our family business.”

I frowned. “Why can Vince do it?”

He patted my head. "That is because they owned the TV Network. His celebrity status is one of his training ground when it's time for him to manage it.”

"Is that so?"

He nodded. "Yes."

An idea suddenly popped into my head. It's now or never. I want to experience working in media.

"Hey, Vince," I call his attention.

"Yes?" He said.

“Are you in need of people like, for example, Personal Assistant?” I asked him.

“Why? You want to apply?” He teases me.

“Yes, if you are still hiring.” I honestly said.

Their jaw dropped from what I said.

“What kind of joke is that, Alli?!” Lance butt-in.

“I will pass my resignation on Monday because dad wants me to work on his company,” I explained.

“Then why do you still want to apply to Vince?” He asked.

“Because I can ask dad to delay it for a month or two. I just want to experience working in a TV Network, especially in a shoot for a movie or TV drama. If the TV network only gave a chance to those applicants who have no backer and experience, I could have a chance to experience working there. Sometimes those people who has no experience are more talented and skillful than those who they hired!” I can’t help but tell them my frustration.

I heard them chuckled well, except, of course, Mr. Snob.

“I already have a PA, and so far, she is doing good with the job,” Vince said.

I just sighed and feel sad about what he said.

"But I think my stylist will need a stylist assistant; she can not accompany me always because of the load in her work.” He added.

That gave me hope. But I remembered I don’t have any experience in that field.

“I have no experience in that field.” I honestly said.

"Don’t worry. I can handle that." Then he winked.

Why are you so nice, Vince?