CHAPTER 8...
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NEXT MORNING...
~SEOUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ~
Raphael arrived at the airport already. Simone drove down with him, he was on a video call with Violet the whole time.
She cried almost jumping out of the phone to bid Raphael good bye.
"It's fine, Violet, it's a good thing you're not here in person! Wailing your eyes out on such a trip isn't going to do me any good. I want you to stay safe over there! I'll get in touch with you both" Raphael stated looking at Simone whose eyes turned red already.
Raphael handed the phone over to Simone.
"Violet... I'll call you back when he boards the plane" He said forcing a smile on before ending the call.
Raphael scoffed.
"Don't act like a baby in front of me! Don't make me rethink my decision to leave the company in your care!" He teased.
Simone sniffled then laughed.
"What do you take me for? I'm only feeling this way cos you made Violet cry again!"
"Yeyeye... Whatever you say!" Raphael responded sarcastically shaking his head as he talked.
They both were silent for a minute.
"What happened last night? You didn't open when knocked to check up on you?" Simone asked looking at Raphael.
Raphael looked away immediately, he knew Simone's gaze was trying to read out his thoughts.
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I drank too much and slept off the moment I clocked it... Sim, can I ask you for something?" Raphael asked with his gaze down leaning closer to Simone.
Simone nodded attentively.
"I don't know what came over me last night but I don't wish to leave my country with regrets. Say this to Mabel, it was a mutual thing not a mistake!" Raphael uttered in between his breath.
Simone wore a silly smile while still listening to Raphael.
Raphael looked up to him and saw the smile.
"What's that smile for? Don't make me look stupid. I'm being serious here!" He grunted cutely.
Simone laughed out loud covering his mouth.
"Too bad I can't do that for you... I don't want to get involved in a mutual thingy. You might breakdown her pride if I do that and she's definitely going to hate you for sending me instead of you doing it yourself! I'm pretty sure she understands... You don't have to rub it in again by sending someone else" Simone sided with a wink.
Raphael rolled his eyes.
"Oh please... Nothing happened and why are you suddenly being all supportive? You don't even know what happened..." He blurted and Simone giggled.
"You definitely had a fun night with her. You look all refreshed, it's been awhile since you slept this well!" Simone replied pointing at Raphael's eye bag.
Raphael grabbed him by the collar looking around to see if anyone heard him.
"Not a word about this to anyone not even Violet..." He threatened.
Simone smirked.
"I've never seen you this protective of anyone except... Take a chill pill, what are bros for and you make it sound like I share everything with Violet..." Simone pouted.
Raphael let go of his collar then adjusted it properly for him.
"7AM California... All passengers should head to the boarding room!" An announcement came on repeatedly.
Simone and Raphael looked up at the speaker.
Raphael exhaled deeply. Stretched out his hand to Simone for an handshake but he hugged him instead.
"I'll come visit sometime! Don't stay long out there... You've got a family here, Violet and I will be waiting for you!" Simone uttered softly as he broke the hug.
Raphael nodded with a smile.
"I'll go now!" He cut in pulling his luggage closer to himself.
Simone nodded still smiling.
Raphael walked away without looking back.
Simone waved at him, even though he wasn't looking.
"Find back your happiness my friend!" He mumbled with a smile.
~ OCLOUD HOTEL ~
Mabel was sleeping peacefully on the bed when a call came in through her phone.
It was a call from her manager Jennifer.
"Who is it?" She groaned in her sleepy tone as she stretched out her hand to the phone on the cupboard next to the bed.
Her eyes were still shut when she picked the call, placing the phone on her ear.
"Hello!!" She grunted over the phone.
"Mabel... Where did you spend the night?" Jennifer asked curiously.
"Where else? Of course, my apartment" Mabel answered without even thinking but suddenly last night scene flashed before her eyes and she woke up immediately.
"Your apartment... That's interesting! I've been waiting at your apartment for hours now. Not a sight of you!" Jennifer uttered placing her hand on her waist.
Mabel looked around the room, not a sight of anyone. She blinked nervously.
"I spent the night with Charlotte... Charlotte is calling out to me... Bye!" She cut in sharply and ended the call.
Mabel jumped out of the bed, she was putting on her panties and a bra.
She rushed to the washroom, the door was wide open. Not a sight of Raphael.
She exhaled sharply placing her hand on her chest which was pounding heavily.
"I did it with him??" Mabel questioned in disbelief staring at the bed.
The whole erotic scene last night came flooring through her mind.
She remembered vividly having a good time last night.
Mabel bit her lower lips sexually with her head filled with lustful thoughts as she slowly walked up to the bed and sat down.
"Let's see if he dropped any messages about last night!" She uttered with a flushed cheeks.
She searched the cupboards if she would find any written cards or note.
"He didn't drop any... How cold of Raphael? Was I the only one who had fun... Leaving without a note or message, that's the worst thing a man can ever do!" She groaned angrily punching the bed.
She frowned looking at the door.
"Raphael...!!" Mabel mumbled clenching her fist.
I feel so little! I shouldn't have done it with him... She said in her head and buried her face on a pillow.
"Ahhhhhhh!" She screamed on the pillow covering her face as she felt so embarrassed.
DAYS LATER...
~ RAINING BEAUTY STUDIO, GANGNAM~
It is Monday already.
Simone was getting everything ready for Mabel's shoot when Mabel walked in with a mean look.
Seeing Mabel in that mood made it a bit awkward for Simone bringing up a conversation.
"Em..." Simone cleared his throat walking up to her.
"Too bad Raphael isn't here. I'll be in charge of your shoots till the contract elapses" He uttered calmly.
Mabel looked at him almost venting her anger on him.
"Raphael didn't drop any messages for me? Not even a word?" She questioned curiously.
Simone glanced at her and exhaled sharply. He remembered Raphael's request.
Telling her is only going to make things awkward at work... That isn't good for business. Simone said in his head.
"I don't think Raphael has your number... He probably would have apologized to you in person!"
Mabel widened her eyes curiously.
"Apologize? What ...is he apologizing for?" She questioned curiously staring deep into Simone's soul.
She hoped deep down inside, Raphael at least dropped a word for her.
"Apologize for leaving so suddenly!"
"Oh that!" Mabel uttered and followed it up with an awkward laugh.
She seems curious though... Should I give her a hint? Simone asked himself.
"Em... And again I just remembered, Raph said something at the airport. He said I should tell you, it was mutual!" He stated calmly.
Mabel raised her brows in surprise.
"Raphael said that to you?" She asked in disbelief.
For the past week, she told herself Raphael wouldn't remember a thing but that didn't seem like it.
A sudden smile appeared on her lips. "What else did he say? Did he add anything else to his statement?"
Simone coughed out of the blue.
"I don't think he did! That was all he said" Simone lied without even blinking.
The smile on her face instantly disappeared.
"Let's get to work please!" Mabel mumbled suddenly sounding serious as she head up to the make up room.
Simone exhaled through his mouth and smacked his lips with a grin following up.
"Hey Simone!"
Simone halted at the sound of his name.
He looked behind him. It was Elle.
She ran up to him like a doll in distress. She looked so ungroomed and pale.
Simone moved backwards so she doesn't bump into him.
"Elle... What's going on with you? Why do you look like this?" He asked with his brows up.
Elle took a quick glance at her appearance and sighed tiredly, sticking her lower lips out like a crybaby.
"Simone, please tell me... None of this is true... Please tell me!" Elle pouted taking out her phone and showing Simone a photo of Raphael and a lady hiding in his jacket as they headed into the Ocloud hotel.
The photo was focused mainly on Raphael so much detail of the lady wasn't seen.
Simone swallowed hard but still kept his cool.
"Where did you get this photo?" He questioned curiously noticing the portrait part of the photo.
Simone looked up at her seriously. "The lady was blurred... Is Raphael being followed?"
Elle wiped off the tears on her chin with the back of her palm. Simone cut her off guard with his question.
"What do you mean? Is the lady some sort of celebrity? But does any of it matter... Oppa isn't even in town anymore. Simone, please tell me this was photoshopped? Raph just lost his girlfriend, there's no way he's seeing someone else already..." Ella exclaimed as she continued crying.
Simone looked away, thinking hard on everything.
"Elle, let's talk about this some other time okay... I need to make a phone call" He cut in and headed to his office.
He placed a call across to Raphael.
~ SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA ~
Sunday, 4PM...
Raphael was fast asleep on his bed, he was having an intense dream.
His was sweating tremendously on the bed.
"Raphael... Raphael!" Josh tapped his lightly on the arm to wake him up.
Raphael jacked up breathing heavily. Looking at his side, he saw Josh staring at him.
Josh Miller is a Californian friend, who Raphael crossed paths with in college when he was schooling abroad. Josh's the same age as Raphael, he's a well known artist, who draws images of the unknown and as well as a theologist.
Raphael exhaled deeply wiping off his sweats with his palms.
He got off from bed and walked up to the refrigerator, grabbed himself a bottle of water and gulped half of it down without even blinking.
Josh walked up to him with his phone.
"Your phone's been ringing!" He informed.
Raphael looked at his phone tiredly.
"It's probably Simone calling... He's the only one who's got my number. I'll call him back later..." He uttered looking away.
Josh placed it in Raphael's pocket.
"You want to talk about it?" He asked in a concerned tone.
Raphael clipped his lips sadly.
"Sure!" He concurred.
Josh led the way downstairs to the vast balcony which was breezy and comfortable, hiding under the shade of a coconut tree.
Josh grabbed them glasses of juice and a jug of juice, placed it on the glass table at the balcony.
"Thank you!" Raphael appreciated as he poured him a glass full of mango juice.
"My pleasure!" Josh uttered humbly as he crossed his legs leaning back on his chair.
Raphael gazed at the beautiful scenery of the compound.
"What's on your mind?" Josh asked calmly.
Raphael had a sip from his juice and dropped the glass, leaning forward.
"It's strange how I see her in my dreams everyday... I fear I must've done something regretful. I shouldn't have gone with her that night..." He stated with his gaze down.
"Do you still yearn for her?" Josh asked referring to Rein.
Raphael looked up at him, Josh clearly didn't understand his statement.
"I fear I'm thinking about someone else..." He mumbled with a frown.
Josh looked at him intensely. "What happened that night?"
Raphael exhaled deeply.
"Something a man of God shouldn't hear of..." Raphael teased.
They both laughed.
"Come on, Raph, don't make me look like an old geezer" Josh rolled his eyes making Raphael laugh even more.
Simone's call came in through again. Raphael took out his phone.
"Excuse me, I have to take this!" He said and stood up from his chair, took a few steps away from the table.
He took the call, placing the phone his ears.
"Raph, I fear you were being followed back here in seoul" Simone jumped right in.
Raphael's expression was blank.
"Sim, calm down! I don't know where this rumor is coming from but I really don't wish to get dragged into any of it. I left Seoul cos I needed a break from everything including rumors and scandals so can we talk about something else..." Raphael cut in with a relaxed smile not feeling bothered at all.
"How's everything back at the studio?" He followed up with a question.
LATER AT NIGHT IN SEOUL...
~ MABEL'S APARTMENT ~
Mabel was busy preparing dinner for Charlotte and herself cos Charlotte visited at the last minute.
Charlotte went up to her bedroom to make use of the bathroom.
Heading out of the bathroom, she saw the dress Mabel wore the night she went to the hotel with Raphael.
She picked up with a frown. Took her phone from her pocket then made a comparison with the photo released of Raphael and a mystery lady at the hotel.
Charlotte immediately grabbed a scissors on the dressing table and shredded the dress into pieces angrily.
Mabel walked into the room. She was shocked at the sight of what she saw.
Charlotte turned to her with a smile.
"I kinda despise this colour... I'll get you the latest dress from this brand to make up for this one..." She said smiling cheerfully.
Her smile sent shivers down Mable's spine.
"What are you waiting for? Let's go! I thought you came to inform me, dinner is ready!" Charlotte cut in and ran her arm into Mabel's.
"Y...yes!" Mabel stuttered forcing a smile on.