Jhoanna's POV

"Breaking news: Soloist Jhoanna caught on camera in a restaurant singing her heart out. She said that the song was for her greatest love. The JhoNeo supporters and fans are getting wild now. Trying to find that greatest love of her and petitioned Jhoanna to make a statement regarding the video." my manager read it out loud to my face, obviously mad. I rolled my eyes and had a sip of my coffee.

"You better make a good statement about this, Jhoanna. This is disappointing!" she yelled at me. I'm not scared, though. I'm so done with this.

 
"Yeah." I shortly replied and smiled sweetly to her. She maybe noticing by now that I'm being sarcastic.

Sooner, my makeup artist arrived. Today, Taneo and I will release a statement about the issue. And yes, I'm being controlled again.

Colet cut all her communication with me. My friends and her family remained silent about it. Maybe they know where she is but I didn't bother them anymore. Her socials are already deactivated. 

People often talk about love like it's the most wonderful thing in this world. How love conquers all and fight against all odds.

But nobody told me that when in love, one should always be prepared to pick oneself up especially when there is no one to catch you when you fall this time. Like what happened between Colet and I.

The sweet nothing stories about love made my hopeless and poor heart believe in fantasies that when life gave me a dose of reality, it hurt more than what I've expected for. It was shallow then deep in the next minute. I'll be getting on with my daily routine and forget that I was hurting in the first place, and then suddenly everything will crash back in waves as if it was taunting me for actually believing that it's already gone. It takes a lot of courage to wait for a person who suddenly disappeared after all.

Love is not just something that will disappear in a flick of a finger. But in due time it will, and with the right person, everything will never feel wrong. But a part of me hopes that ... that person is still Colet.

Losing her was painful, but she made me realize that I should become a better version of myself first. I should be brave enough so when the time comes, I should be able to fight for her despite any instances. It wasn't her fault but mine. We both loved each other but timing was not right, and no matter how I try to make the ends of it meet, I cannot force something that isn't meant to happen.

I heard cameras flashing as I entered Taneo's car off to the venue. I'm so sick of this!

"You okay?" he asked and gave me a bottled water as soon as I'm settled inside. I nodded to him.

 
"Jho, can we talk? I'm pretty sure the media can wait." he gently told me.

 
"What is it all about?" I asked, curiosity within me is rising up. I mean, there's a lot of issues going on.

"Why can't it be, Jho? You see, I'm really trying." Taneo said with a hint of pain and sulking in his voice. I gently hold his hand and look at him.

"Taneo, I have attachments I could no longer give to anyone but one."

——————

Taneo's POV

I parked my car outside the venue where we will make a statement. I know I need to clear things out to protect my peace and Jhoanna's.

"You've already decided, haven't you?" I asked. She froze and wasn't able to speak.

"Uhmmmm." She stuttered. I waited for her words to come out but nothing came. She just nodded as answer.

"Okay. Let me guess. It's a heartbreaking 'No?" I asked again but I'm smiling this time. I expected this. I know that she won't give us a chance. I understand her. I can see the way she looks at Colet. It's something that every man in the world will wish to have.

Someone who can make her feel that the sun is not the center of the universe, but her. She is the sun. She will be the sun. And I cannot help myself to envy Colet for having Jhoanna.

"Ha! I knew it." I said. I clapped my hands and smiled widely but deep inside I'm hurting.

"I'm so sorry, Taneo. I've hurt many people around me already, I don't wanna hurt you too. You're kind and genuine, you deserve better." she said and I can't help but to admire her even more. She really knows what to say and do. We're just stuck in this kind of situation.

"Thank you for saving me from a deeper cut." I smiled and reached for her hand.  understand our situation.

"No, thank you. For saving me a thousand times in this industry." She answered and squeezed my hand back.

"You did the right thing, Jho." she let out a heavy sigh and nodded her head.

"She's so lucky to be loved by you." I said wholeheartedly, also, I know Colet is still in love with this girl in front of me. It's just too obvious. It's the kind of love where everyone else already know except for the two of them.

"I hope she may think the same way." She smiled bitterly. And in that moment, I was determined. I am determined to help the both of them.

If I can't have the happy ending I want for myself, then at least, I can help these two lost hearts find their way to each other. I wanna make them realize that love has already been served in front of them for too long. It was already long overdue.

"Let's slay this interview and chase after your girl, partner!" I said cheerfully. She looked at me and nodded, determination all over her face.

We walk hand in hand as we enter the venue. Our managers, fans, media, and even the CEO are already here waiting for us. I gave Jhoanna an assuring smile and nodded my head. Let's do this!

"Jhoanna, can you explain about the viral video of yours singing for your first love? Some source said it was a girl. Are you part of LGBTQ?" the reported asked Jho.

"Relax, I'm here. You got this." I calm her down.

"For Colet." she whispered.

"Yes ...." I crowd became noisy. Flashes everywhere.

 
"Falling in love with a girl is already hard and very complicated for me. I'm straight. Or at least I was. Then suddenly everything changes, because in a blink of an eye, like a lightning striking a point in one place, I felt billions of voltage in my body caused by her touches. A whole butterfly garden in my stomach every time she's too close. I have hurt her so much, I do not know where to start fixing her. I do not know how to breathe her back to life. I do not know how to wreck those walls she built. I do not know anything but to love her more than anyone and anything else. To give her anything. To make her feel that I deserve her, and she deserve me. I'm planning to quit showbiz, I want to take a break away from people who made me do things I do not want in the first place. I hope you still support the Filipino artists with or without love teams. Trust their talents and the things they can offer. That would be all, thank you." Jhoanna ran to the backstage after she made a statement.

"It's true, the management set all things up for the both of us. I'm the witness of Jhoanna's love towards this girl. I see the way she look at her, it's different from how Jhoanna look at me. I wished one day she will look at me the same way, too. But I think that's not even close to possible. So, let's just support our Jhoanna's happiness. Ang tagal nang natengga ng love story nila! And to that girl Jhoanna's talking about, you better not hurt her." I thanked the media and the fans before going outside the venue.

I heard our managers calling my name but I Ignore them.

As a part of a boy group, l always daydream about the curve of her smile when she finally recognize her eyes described in my lines, or maybe, she'd be shy and pretend she hadn't noticed at all.

But tonight is gonna be different.

I'm putting down my pen and guitar because I know now that no matter how many songs it writes, it will never find its way to Jhoanna's heart.

I truly love and care about her but unfortunately, I guess, this is where the train ends.