Bab 17: Irene’s Dream

Few weeks have already passed and during those weeks, Irene does her best not to encounter Jerrick. Since the night they went on a dinner together, Irene has not given him an answer yet.

Surely, Jerrick is a complete package but there is just something that stops her from taking a leap.

"Hey, I just got a message! Your schedule is cleared for the day," Valerie enters the dining room in a high ponytail and wearing her signature bold red lipstick.

Blinking her eyes rapidly, Irene receives the tablet from Valerie and her schedule is indeed vacant for the day.

Stuttering, "But I-… I thought we have a lot of activities for the day? Didn't you say that I have a shoot for a commercial today?" Irene spoke so fast as she could not understand how her usually packed schedule is cleared.

"Our CEO must have wanted you to take a rest. I mean, you have been working nonstop for the past few months. Does he like you that much? Jerrick does not usually allow artists to clear an entire day's schedule," Valerie says while typing in something to her work tablet which has all the information about Irene and all necessary stuff a manager needs.

Irene tilted her head, "Could that be?" And took a sip of her blue ternate tea coffee.

Since the day Amiel came into her condo unit, there has not been any bad incidents which jeopardized her safety. Irene is thinking that today maybe finally the day where she could ask him all the questions she has kept inside her mind.

"Where's Amiel?" Irene asks Valerie.

Valerie lifted her head and gazed at Irene's excited face, "He went out for a run,"

An hour later, Amiel arrives drenched in sweat but is still looking good anyway. It seems that he is getting used to living with Irene. Though at times Amiel would insist to contribute for the condo's expenses, Irene would strongly disagree.

All Irene says is, "There is no need for you to contribute. I even owe you a lot for saving me that horrible night."

Irene excitedly knocks on the door of Amiel's room. She almost fell on her knees and butterflies flying in her stomach when Amiel opened the door with only a towel wrapped around his waist, exposing his perfectly chiseled abs and powerful arms.

"Do you need something?" Amiel casually asks Irene who is stood frozen in front of him while covering her eyes with her palms.

She thought to herself, 'He sounds like he does not know the effect he has on me!'

"Let's go to the mall together," Irene shyly says and hurriedly left, running.

Valerie frowned looking at Irene shouting at the top of her lungs while her mouth is covered with a throw pillow. While doing so, Irene is continuously kicking into the air.

"You face is as red as a ripe tomato," Valerie commented while typing something on her laptop.

"Good morning, Miss Irene!" A group of ten salesladies lined up in a black formal attire greeted in chorus and bowed altogether as Irene and Amiel go inside a luxury brand store to shop.

Luxury stores are a much better option than shopping in a mall where a lot of fans could recognize her. Irene didn't want to cause any commotion.

Looking around the store, "Please give me suits, tie, shoes, and anything that would suit him." Irene politely smiled as they escort Amiel on the other side of the store where the men's section is.

As for Irene, she sat down on a cream-colored couch and read a latest magazine issue where she is the cover girl. Her lips are curved upwards, extremely satisfied with how she looks and how beautiful the pictures turned out in magazine print.

"Miss Irene," A polite saleslady caught her attention as they presented Amiel in a formal dark blue suit which looks utterly better on him than those models promoting the brand.

Irene's jaw drops to the floor, "We'll take that as well as the other pieces you have chosen for him. And also, please help him wear something casual and please choose a casual look for me too," She instructed the salesladies.

"Miss Irene! You are here early!" A middle aged woman in plain and faded set of clothes wearing a straw hat greeted them. It was just an hour after Irene and Amiel had their lunch.

Amiel leaned closer to Irene and whispered, "What is this place?"

Irene drove an hour from the city to an animal rescue haven in the countryside where they help abandoned and abused animals regain a happy life. Irene has been supporting this organization secretly for years, even before she debuted as a famous singer.

"We are at my dream project." Irene answered Amiel and took huge strides forward when a swarm of cute little puppies as well as dogs, cats, and all sorts of animals greet her with wagging tails and euphoric animal sounds.

It is Amiel's first time witnessing Irene like this, not worrying she might get dirty or in her usually dazzling and glittery clothes. Irene is currently at her simplest form.

A few hours later after helping out in the animal rescue haven, the middle aged woman, Irene, Amiel, and other staffs enjoy a fresh cold orange juice to ease the intense summer heat.

"Miss Irene, we could never thank you enough for supporting this team. You helped so many animals survive and you can see in their eyes that each of them is grateful," The middle aged woman warmly said which made Irene smile, a black dog is wagging its tail beside her.

Smiling, Irene replied. "It has always been my dream to help stray animals have a second chance in life. No matter what happens, I will continue doing so." She patted the dogs head which is rapidly wagging its tail.

It was around five in the evening when Irene decided to hit the road on their way home. The purple red sky is slowly melting into a dark bluish hue as it transition into a night sky.

While Irene's sight are fixed on the road and her hands are on the steering wheel, Amiel can't help but give her quick glances but would immediately look away when he notices he has been staring at her for a long time already.

The corner of Irene's mouth rose because she knows Amiel's eyes are all over her.