Lose to Win (Trazo Real Series #2)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

"There were rumors again", Justin lazily laid down on our sofa. I brought him to the ball that I attended so the rumors sparked again. I've been bringing him to all my social gatherings as my escort and he was not complaining. Aniya'y mas gusto niya 'yon kaysa naman daw mabalita na naman na may nambastos sa akin.

One time, I was drinking inside a club when a male model harassed me. Simula noon hindi na pumayag si Justin na mag-isa akong lalabas kahit pa formal o hindi formal ang events. It also alarmed Troy so he tries his best to come with me despite his busy schedule.

"Okay lang sa'yo?", I asked while swatching some lippies that a sponsor sent earlier.

"Kaysa naman sa ibang tao ka ma-link? Okay lang din naman kung kay Neil", saad niya.

"People won't believe it. Minsan na silang umasa sa amin ni Neil", napangisi ako at naalala ang mga panahong 'yon. I was so young that time, huh?

Neil is also making it big in the industry. May inaayos na pelikula ulit naming dalawa at pareho kaming umaasa na matuloy 'yon. I quit doing loveteams and became content being partnered with anyone. Hindi na ako umaasa pa sa makakapareha ko sa kahit na anong proyektong ibigay sa akin.

I realized that I can do it alone. I am thankful to the male leads I get partnered with but I am no longer the same young Clara who used to depend her fame and success to her loveteam. I changed.

"There's this project... partners ang Vivaldi at Trazo Real", sambit niya.

"Oh? Interesting", I said and continued checking the lipsticks.

"Pinag-initan ako ng ex mo sa meeting kanina", humagalpak siya ng tawa at parang aliw na aliw pa sa nangyari. "I didn't know he was that petty. Kaunti na lang talaga, iisipin kong ikaw pa rin ang mahal 'non. I don't remember offending him in any way kaya hindi ko alam bakit mainit ang ulo niya sa akin kanina", sambit niya pa.

"Maybe he's just too competitive. I mean, it's Vivaldi. No one's willing to let the other take charge of the project", pangangatwiran ko pero ngumisi si Justin at umiling-iling sa akin.

"I don't think so. He sounded so bitter earlier. Akala rin siguro niya boyfriend mo ako. I can't believe someone as rich as him can't afford to hire a private investigator or something", sambit niya pa.

"What for? Isn't he being linked to a new girl?", I asked and rolled my eyes.

Nabalitaan ko na unti-unting nakuha ng mga Deltrazo ang negosyo ng mga Tan. They're still operating but they are now under the Deltrazo Holdings. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari basta lugmok na rin ngayon ang mga Tan.

Akala ko ba may something na sa kanila ni Theo? Isn't he supposed to help the Tans? Bakit parang pinagsamantalahan pa niya? Ugh! I don't know anymore.

"Rumors lang. Jane Ocampo yata", napatigil ako sa pag-swatch ng mga lipsticks dahil sa nasabi ni Justin.

"Sino?!"

"Jane Ocampo nga. Artista rin", ulit niya pa.

Hindi ko alam kung anong sumira sa mood ko. Iyong nalilink si Theo sa panibagong babae na naman o iyong doon pa siya na-link sa dating kaibigan na ngayon ay kaaway ko na.

Hindi na nga ako nagdrama pa noong mga panahong natsi-tsismis sila ni Helena Tan. Kaya siguro itong pagkamuhing naramdaman ko ay marahil dahil kay Jane.

Theo knew that I fought with Jane. He knew all about it. Kaya bakit doon siya ngayon? Hindi man lang ba niya talaga naisip na kaaway ko 'yon? Wala na talaga siyang pakialam!

Jane transferred to a different management and there were also rumors about our ruined friendship. I remained mum about the rumors but she continued giving hints that it was true. Ilang taon na rin naman ang nakalipas simula noong naungkat 'yon pero palagay ko ay mainit na usapin pa rin 'yon sa mga tao lalo na't dati kaming matalik na magkaibigan.