CHAPTER 4...
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~SEOUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ~
Violet was heading out of the airport in disguise. She was putting on baggy jeans and a boyfriend sized t-shirt as well as a nose mask and face cap. She was giving a street girl vibe back at the airport.
She arrived later than she expected, she got hold back in Japan for some meetings.
Regardless of Violet's disguise, she still stole the attention of people passing by with her catwalk and fair skin.
She took out her phone from her pocket when she got to the entrance.
"Simone... What's going on? You've not been taking your calls? I thought you were to come pick me up at the airport" She complained the moment he took her call.
"Something happened to Raph... We're currently at the hospital now" Simone informed and she widened her eyes in shock.
She quickly waved down a cab and rushed in with her little luggage.
"What hospital?" She asked curiously.
"Please take me to Seoul national hospital!" Violet notified the chauffeur.
"Ok ma'am..." He replied and drove off.
Violet tightened her fist worriedly.
"Simone, what happened to Raphael? Please tell me everything, don't spare any details" She begged with so much concern.
Her heart was beating faster than she expected as she waited for Simone's response.
Simone kept mute, refusing to answer her question. He knew Violet was going to lose her cool if he says anything negative about Raphael.
"Sim, answer the goddamn question... What happened to Raphael?" She yelled anxiously slamming her palm against the car door.
Nervous sweats were starting to pop out on her forehead
The chauffeur looked at her from his rare view mirror.
"He was only stressed out so he passed out at the funeral hall..." Simone finally speaks up.
Violet hung up the call angrily.
"I can't believe him... Passing out in front of the whole world for Rein! Why would he stress himself out like that..." She half yelled covering her mouth with her shaky hand.
Violet was stomping her foot nervously as she looked out through the window.
It was becoming unbearable for her to breathe with the nose mask on so she took it off angrily.
"We lost Rein already... You don't have to kill yourself for her.." Violet uttered as tears suddenly roll down her cheeks.
She wiped them off angrily. She was feeling so upset and irritated at the same time.
She knew exactly how Raphael loved Rein and how much he must be hurting at a time like this but she's angry cos she can't do anything to ease his pain.
"Goddamn it!" She exclaimed and sniffed in back her tears as she quickly wore back her nose mask.
~ SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ~
Raphael was kept in a private room. He was fast asleep on the bed with a drip connected his veiny hand.
Simone stood at the door waiting for Violet when he saw Mabel running towards the room with a nose mask on.
"Mabel, is everything okay? Is it safe for you to be out here?" Simone asked knowing full well that a star like Mabel can be pictured easily even though it's her shadow that was been recognized.
She held the wall with her hand on her waist as she tried to catch her breath.
"How's he doing? I couldn't come with you guys because my manager was strict about the reporters capturing me as they ran after Raphael but how is he now? I was a bit worried when he fell down in front of everyone" Mabel stated calmly wiping off the sweats on her forehead with Raphael's handkerchief.
Simone saw the handkerchief and took his eyes off it.
"You seem to have grown closer to Raph... Did anything happen between you two last night?" He asked avoiding her question so he doesn't disclose Raphael's report.
Mabel nodded slowly.
"It's a bit weird of me to say this but I got a lot of comfort from Raphael last night... He was hurting but he comforted me regardless and also I came to return this" She said displaying the handkerchief in her hand.
I need to confirm if I was seeing things or his eyes really did change its colour then. Mr Raphael, what are you? Mabel questioned in her head.
Simone took in a few deep breaths as he glanced into the room.
"Don't worry you can give it to me... I'll relate your concerns to him when he wakes up. He's sleeping now" Simone informed and Mabel nodded disappointedly.
Are they hiding something? Why won't he allow me give it to Raphael in person? She questioned in her head about to take a step but she thought on giving it her last shot.
"Can I at least take a glance of him from the door? I just want to make sure he's fine!" Mabel uttered softly.
"Mabel!" Her manager called running towards their direction.
Mabel flinched in shock at the mention of her name.
"What are you doing here? I clearly told you to stay away from the hospital... I can't believe someone uploaded your photo already running into the hospital... Mabel why don't you listen? What if a scandal arises from this and you shouldn't be seen anywhere close to Raphael not after the rumors circulating him and actress Rein" She nagged.
Mabel rolled her eyes and looked at Simone with an embarrassing smile.
"She's only worried... That's not how she usually talks" She tried to defend.
"Jennifer, I only came to check up on him... You don't have to make him sound like a virus just cos of his rumors with Rein!" Mabel said seriously.
Mabel glared at her manager so she doesn't utter another upsetting words.
"Simone! Simone!" Raphael called from inside.
"Raph!" Simone called out in surprise and ran into the room.
Mabel was about running in also but she turned to her manager.
"Stay out here and look out for any photos that have been taken" She said strictly and ran into the room.
"Raph, how are you feeling now?" Simone asked worriedly as he helped him up in the bed.
Raphael looked around the room and exhaled deeply.
"How was it?" He asked referring to Rein's burial.
"The whole hall got disrupted by you passing out but the burial went smoothly..." Simone informed and he nodded with a relief.
Raphael's face was so pale like that of a ghost. His eyes dry as that of someone who hasn't slept in weeks.
"Raphael, how are you feeling?" Mabel cut in so he would look in her direction and she can confirm her doubts.
Raphael's long lashes went up slowly as he looked at her.
"Mabel, what are you doing here?" He questioned seriously.
Raphael remembered vividly what he saw before he passed out.
Seeing her face again was sort of a reminder of what he hoped to be a dream or even a nightmare.
"I...I came to return this and also check up on you.." Mabel stuttered as she suddenly got nervous cos of his tone and her doubts turned out to be false.
Raphael looked away.
"You can trash it and I would appreciate it if you stay away from me. I don't remember having any business deals or contracts with you... I only drank with you last night cos I wanted to know what you knew about Rein. Rein's gone now and I don't think I'll be needing any confirmation on why she ended her life..." Raphael uttered rudely then removed the drip on his hand angrily.
"But Raph... " Simone tried to stop him from getting off the bed.
Raphael looked at her.
"I can rest better at home. Let's get out of here!" He said seriously and walked out of the room completely snubbing Mabel.
Mabel stood there dumbfounded on what was going on.
"What just happened?" She laughed in disbelief.
"Sounds like, he doesn't like you one bit... He made a good choice, stay away from him Mabel. Mr Raphael is trouble, I just know it" Jennifer cut in right through her thought.
Mabel glared at her.
"Did you hear me say anything about wanting him to like me... I also don't like him so get those silly thoughts out of your head" Mabel barked and walked out of the room.
****
Raphael walked out of the entrance door alongside Simone.
"Raphael..!!" Violet screamed as she spread her arms running so fast towards them. She shut her eyes as she ran, she didn't even know when Raphael pushed Simone in front of him so she ended up running into Simone's arms.
"Raphael... What were you thinking? Passing out in front of the whole world... Do you know how worried I was?" She nagged crying loudly.
Raphael ruffled her hair from the side like a little kid.
"I'm fine! You didn't fly all the way from Japan just to come cry in Simone's arms right?" He asked jovially and Violet opened her eyes and pushed Simone aside.
Simone's cheeks were so flushed, his heart almost beating out of his chest.
"Raph... Come on, that hug was for you!" She rolled her eyes.
"What are you wearing? You look like a gangster.." Raphael joked forcing a smile on his face.
Mabel watched all of this from behind and she rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"I can't believe he's mourning... One might think today's the happiest day of his life" She hissed and walked away.
Jennifer looked at her and shook her head as she ran after Mabel.
~ SIMONE'S APARTMENT ~
Violet frowned with her arms folded on her chest.
"Why's your face like that?" Simone asked serving each of them a glass of wine.
Violet rolled her eyes and turned to Raphael. He was so lost in thoughts, his eyes were fixed on the glass of wine, he was even blinking.
"Raphael, we would've gone to my apartment... Why did you choose Simone's?" She pouted.
Raphael wasn't even listening. His mind was lost in some other world.
"Raphael!" Simone snapped his finger before him and he blinked forcing a smile on.
"It breaks my heart to see you smile like that... What am I here for? We're willing to cry and laugh with you, Raphael... So please don't wear such a sad smile again" Violet stated with teary eyes as she suddenly sounded serious.
Raphael dropped his glass of wine on the table and stood up.
"I'm tired...I need to go rest. I'll feel better tomorrow" He uttered tiredly and walked up to Simone's room then shut the door behind him.
He dragged his legs to the bed and fell on his belly.
He pulled the pillows to his face as tears roll down uncontrollably from his eyes, soaking the pillow wet.
He sobbed silently so he doesn't alert his friends.
Violet placed her ears on the door, she could hear Raphael cry, she cried silently also covering her mouth so she doesn't make any cry sounds.
Simone patted her back from behind, holding himself back from crying also.
WEEKS LATER•••
~ RAINING BEAUTY STUDIO, GANGNAM~
Raphael resumed work after weeks of mourning Rein. He took some time off social media and the outside world but now he's been called back to work.
"Good morning, boss!"
"Good morning boss! It's good to have you back, boss"
Greetings came from all corners of the company. Raphael nodded to it with a warm smile.
He got to his office and he found Mabel seated on the visitors couch with her legs crossed. She looks elegantly beautiful in her white dress, she lost so much weight over the past few weeks. Rein's death and Raphael's thought clearly made her lose some.
She stood up from the couch at the sight of Raphael and she bowed slightly.
"What are you doing here, miss Mabel?" Raphael asked strictly.
"Business! I want to sign a contract with you!" She stated boldly and confidently.
Raphael scoffed and walked up to her.
"Miss Mabel have you fallen in love with me?" He spoke brazenly with his eyes fixed on her.
Mabel lost her balance cos of his statement but he grabbed her by the waist pulling her closer to himself.
"Watch it so you don't fall for me twice!" He uttered arrogantly as he stared at her with seductive eyes.