Encore at Midnight (Chances Series 1)

Prologue

Laurene knew she made the right choice leaving without a trace. River got the things he wanted, the things he talked about at 2am on their hushed video calls—the music, and the fame and money that came with it.

Hindi na ito kumakanta sa kung saan-saang bar sa kakarampot na talent fee. Hindi lang siya ang pumapalakpak at sumisigaw ng encore pagkatapos nitong kumanta. Hindi lang siya ang nagtataas ng "You rock, River!" sa cellphone sa bawat gig nito.

Laurene stopped doing that years ago.

She stopped being the supportive girlfriend.

She stopped screaming for his name.

She stopped coaxing him with, "Lab-lab, world tour, 'di ba?" then swearing she'd be at the VIP section.

She had to, because she was the one who took away his music.

Ngunit ngayon ay muli na silang magkaharap, siya bilang makeup artist at ito bilang sikat na musikero.

"Riv, this is Laurene," pakilala sa kanya ng kaibigang si Camille. "Popogi ka lalo sa make-up skills niyan. Siya muna bahala sa'yo. You know, bundat." Itinuro pa nito ang tiyang nasa kabuwanan ang laki at humagik-ik. "Maiyak-iyak na asawa ko, malapit na raw ang due date."

"Long time, no see, Lau," bati ni River.

You made it, Laurene thought. I'm proud of you. Nilunok niya bawat salita. She had no right to tell him that, not anymore. Alanganing tinanggap ni Laurene ang pakikipag-kamay nito. Tanging sa magkadaupa nilang palad siya tumingin. 

Kuhang-kuha ni Zio ang mga mata nito. Ngunit imbes na mga matang puno ng pagmamahal tulad sa anak niya, iba ang tingin ni River. 

His stare burned her and she felt so small. "Long time no see, po."

"Oh, magkakilala kayo?" tanong ng kanyang kaibigan.

"A long time ago," saad ni River. "Right, Lau?"

Finally, Laurene met his eyes and forced a smile. "Right."

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