Hiding Behind the Lenses (Arte del Amor #3)

Chapter 27

"I told you not to listen to Mommy!" frustrated na sigaw ni Kuya Gael. I just shrugged it off and let him rant. I literally just got back in Manila and he's already acting like this.

Hindi naman ako nagsisisi sa desisyon ko, eh. It was either me or my brothers' dreams. Again, it was an easy decision.

"Gemini Luz!" tawag niya sa akin, naiinis na. Pinilit kong tumawa para pagaanin ang loob niya.

"You don't have to feel guilty about this, Kuya. It was my choice."

Sinabunutan niya ang sarili niya habang paikot-ikot siya sa living room. "Gemini naman! Ayos lang kami ni Kuya Gavin! You didn't have to do this—"

I cut him off, "Don't worry, I didn't do it for you."

"Sinungaling. Huwag kang magsisinungaling kay Kuya. Not to me, Gem." I swear I could see tears forming in his eyes. He blinked multiple times to get rid of it.

But that wasn't fully a lie. I did it for myself, too. I'd never forgive myself if my brothers suffer because of my stubbornness.

Seeing them happy in their chosen field is enough. Choosing that for them doesn't seem so bad. It's not even bad at all.

He doesn't have to feel guilty about it. Really...

I sighed and stood up to give him a hug. I swayed the hug to lighten the mood. "Tulog na muna ako, Kuya. Bukas mo nalang ako bungangaan."

"Take care of yourself. If you couldn't, call me and I'll be there to take care of you." bulong niya. We both know what I'm getting myself into once again.

But now, I feel a little braver. I know that my brothers got my back. Gavin called a while ago to check up on me. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung wala ang kahit isa sa kanila.

"Are you back for good in the modeling industry?" one of the journalists asked.

I have a lot of microphones set in front of me on this table. A lot of cameras are also on me. Even after years of not being in front of those, I am still so used to it.

Everything I do should look natural, but shouldn't be too natural. If that makes sense.

Tumango ako, "Yes."

"Is it true that the cause of your hiatus was rebellious behavior? Was it an act of defiance against your mother?"

I recalled my rehearsed answers. "No. I just wanted to take a break. My mother had nothing to do with it." Sinundan iyon ng mahabang bulong-bulungan.

Satisfied? After those long years of unanswered questions.

"Were you in your hometown the whole time? The media never got a hold of you. You were so good at hiding that we thought you weren't just in Pampanga."

"I was in Pampanga the whole time. I finished my studies there, actually."

Akala ko ay hindi na sila magtatanong pa ng kung ano tungkol sa ginawa ko sa Pampanga dahil kanina pa nagsimula ang press con na ito. It's been dragging for so long now.

Laking gulat ko sa tanong ng isang babae, "Reports say that back in high school, you were linked with Mr. Chadryk Santeiro. Was he the reason why you came back to Pampanga? To rekindle an old fire?"

Chad? I hardly even talk to him now since he's busy with his career! Hindi ko na nga maalala kung kailan kami huling nag-usap. Nag-iimbento na lang sila sa puntong ito, basta ba may ma-ichismis.