53: Epilogue

Drino’s short romcom film is out!

Many of their fans are screaming their names. They are delighted to see the actors in person. Drino wore formal attire fitted for this specific event.

Drino and Ritch walked along the red carpet before the screening. After the film showing, there is a specialized fan zone. It is a public-accessible area where artists sign autographs and take photos with fans who arrive early to wait. Minutes after meeting with their fans, his friends showed up to support him.

Drino’s parents dropped by to see him and his friends. Edmont sent his regards for Drino’s film.

“Hi, Drino! What would you say about the success of your first-ever short film?”

“Drino!” Savi greeted him with a big, warm hug. “Oops, sorry! Am I not allowed to hug you?”

He smiled. “No worries. How are you guys?”

“What’s up?” Terryl waved his hand.

Anthasia smiled.

“Everyone’s fine. Look at who this fine man is talking! You’re like an utterly different person.”

“Take it easy,” he laughed. “This is still the old me, with an upgrade. How’s Anjoe?”

“Anthasia didn’t tell you?”

“Should I know something?”

“We broke up a year ago. It was bittersweet. Hey, I’m not here for drama. We’re here to celebrate with you!”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Anthasia gave him a medium-sized gift. “Congratulations on your debut.”

“You did it, dude!” Terryl gave him a fist bump. “Drinks’ on me.”

“How are you?” Drino asked Anthasia.

“I will be back in the other city to continue my law school.”

“Still a busy bee.”

“After all, my family and I can’t afford to lose a case.”

Drino smiled. “It’s good to see you all. Although we’re missing Anjoe and Jeron.”

“Jeron’s working in his hometown,” Savi informed. “He’s doing well in the corporate world. They send their best wishes to you.”

Terryl whistled. “Your leading lady, Marshe, is here, Aldrin.”

Ritch went into the room to meet Drino’s friends, too.

“Hi, hello! I’m Ritch,” she shook hands with all of his friends.

“Kyah! You’re more beautiful in person,” Savi squeaked. “Let’s take a selfie.”

They took pictures together. They also met Drino’s co-stars.

“And here’s your original first lady,” Terryl remarked in a swift and suave tone when Ashmille arrived at the scene.

“Hi,” Ashmille greeted them shyly. She’s wearing a face mask.

They all greeted Ashmille.

“Are you my fan?” he raised his eyebrows.

Terryl and others made a room for them.

“Uh-huh,” she replied.

“When did that happen?” he crossed his arms.

“Tonight”

“Just tonight?” he cleared his throat. “Pardon, Miss, but I couldn’t give you an autograph.”

“Why? I’m your fan. A newbie fan.”

Little did Ashmille know that she was becoming Drino’s fan. She couldn’t accept it at first, but she fell right into the person’s trap. She became a fan when she learned more about Drino and not only because he is a rising star, but also because he is a rising dough. They’ve been together as classmates, as friends, as prototype dating lovers, and now as real-life lovers. Look how far they’ve become.

He stood up, leaned closer to her right ear. “You’ll get a kiss instead,” he said softly in an alluring voice.

Before she could move, Drino already made a romantic move. He kissed her left cheek in a flash and went back to his seat for a second as nothing happened.

“I couldn’t kiss you. You’re wearing a face mask,” he whispered.

She froze. She didn’t hear a thing after he kissed her face mask.

He cleared his throat. “And what kind of a fan are you when you didn’t bring anything with you for me to sign?” he acted bossy.

Ashmille went back to her senses. “I-I forgot to bring something…”

The crowd is getting loud.

“Miss, aren’t you done?” Drino’s fan, standing behind her, complained.

“Never mind. Your kiss is more valuable than your autograph,” she smirked at him and left.

Drino froze. He didn’t expect she could rizz him. He underestimated her flirting capabilities.

***

After Drino’s film was released, it made a big impact on the audience nationwide. The people, especially his fans, began shipping Drino with Ritch in real life. They made them an on-screen couple and demanded more projects to come.

Because of this, Ashmille couldn’t help but feel insecure and jealous. Despite her feelings, she has become more understanding than ever. So, Drino did what he should to assure her and prove her genuine love for her. His agency and management warned him not to do it, but he’s stubborn. If his acting career interferes with his love life, then he would explore other opportunities outside acting in romantic films. He joked that he could be a comedian instead.

The news is out!

Drino Montezales is Dating a Non-showbiz Girl He Met in College.

Negative comments are to be expected. But rest assured, I will be delivering more than satisfactory entertainment to all of you, whether you are a basher or a fan. I hope this statement will clear all the rumors. I wish us all victory and happiness in life.

He didn’t state further who the girl was or confirm if she was the same girl at the spa and buffet. He didn’t reveal her face and didn’t disclose any personal information about her. He expressed his thoughts through a brief written statement online and refused to do an interview.

“You’ve finally got balls, dude,” Terryl commends him.

Terryl is spending more time with Drino. He is now at his house hanging out while he’s off duty.

“You dared to confess your feelings for her on the day of our thesis. I could’ve failed my thesis because of you.”

“It’s payback time for ditching our group thesis.”

“Such a prankster.”

“Nah, I was just starting to like her.” – Terryl

“Huh? I thought you confessed to her when we were in college?”

“I did”

“Then what are you talking about that you’re just starting to like her?”

“That was a lie. I didn’t like her in college. I did it to tease you for being a sore loser who didn’t ace up his game.”

“You’ve known along?”

“I always did. The way you stare at her could be creepy if you weren’t good-looking, you know?”

“C’mon, I’m not a creep!”

“And how you smile like an idiot when you see her or when you’re with her.”

“Still, doesn’t qualify me to be called a creep.”

“Thank your parents for those genes.”

“Oh, shut it.”

“For sure, she knew.”

“About what?”

“Ashmille knew that my confession to her wasn’t real. Or at least she knew I wasn’t serious with my confession because she rejected me indirectly. She wasn’t even interested in me, so don’t worry.”

“Really…”

“Dude, I was a dumb college student, but not dumb enough not to detect the way you stare at Ashmille. Anthasia noticed it first, then I looked at what she was glaring at. That’s why she was furious when you teamed up with her. Not only is she angry with you when you left our group to take your thesis alone, but eventually, she knew you also did because you’re copying Ashmille.”

“How am I copying her?”

“You may be aware of it or not, but based on much research, people often tend to copy those they like or love.”

“That’s a thing?”

“I cited that information during my thesis, so yes, it is a fact.”

“You’re becoming mature and smarter, Terryl,” He said proudly.

“Don’t ya underestimate me.”

“I was that obvious. Now, I felt conscious and embarrassed about it.”

“Most people at that time must’ve forgotten it. Besides, what’s to be shy about when you already professed your love to her publicly?”

“Thanks, man. You’re redirecting me back to my senses.”

“As what buddies should do.”

“But I was still disturbed when you confessed to her in college.”

Terryl laughed. “That was a fake confession!”

“What are you talking about?”

“I haven’t told her yet, but I think she knows that it wasn’t true. I confessed my feelings to her to trigger you. You were so slow in taking action towards her; I made it ahead of you to make you jealous. That was also my revenge on you for leaving our thesis group and for being Anthasia’s shock absorber.”

“What?...” he is currently confused. “That was so lame, man!”

“And you deserved it.”

“Quit it, will you? Don’t come near my Ashmine again.”

“My hands are off of your Ashmine,” he is mocking how Drino pronounces his endearment.

“Good”

“But seriously, thank you. I wouldn’t man up if it wasn’t for you.”

It turns out that it was Terryl who got rejected in the first place by Ashmille and not Drino when Terryl confessed his feelings. The great pretenders included not only Ashmille and Drino for pretending not to have romantic feelings for each other, but also Terryl, for pretending he was in love with Ashmille.

Drino offered Terryl a shot of liquor.

Terryl raised his drink. “Cheers to your melodramatic love life like you’re the leading man of your own story!”

“And cheers to your medical career. I hope you don’t kill your patients.”

Their shot glass clinked, and they drank it.