ARCADE [feat. LeGine]

1: HOW EMMAN MET MARLEY

Emman has always been a lipstick lesbian. She prides herself with the job she does and goes by the name Aspen Salviejo when in the spotlights. When not, she lends her voice to animated characters as a voice actor. She also perfected being the voice behind DJ Twilight — a dj at a national radio station back in her home country, the Philippines.

Emman was working on a production in Broadway entitled "Allegiance" when she first met Marley.

It was the one night she had an understudy take over for her as she was invited to a casual charity gala by some friends which she gladly obliged to. She was invited in the event to sing a few songs to entertain the guests. It's a one-time thing and she wouldn't miss it for the world — her friends don't really ask her for much knowing full well that she's a very busy person. This was the least she could do for them.

Marley, on the other hand, was in New York during that time for a business meeting with some of her clients as she used to live there during her maiden days. The charity gala was some event a client made her go to as a favor. They wanted her to enjoy being in New York as they are not only clients to her but have also become her friends in the Big Apple.

The event took place at Feinstein's/54 Below where Emman had already performed before. It was not new to her anymore and so was it not new to the people who works at the establishment especially to the management. Once they have spotted her after she performed, they ecstatically welcomed her and even offered her a spring show that was consisted of 15 performances which she delightfully accepted.

After talking to Feinstein's management and signing a contract, she strutted back to the party and ordered herself a drink at the bar in celebration of what just happened.

"Well, I hope you read that contract to a tee," an anonymous woman told her.

She smiled as she tried to be polite, "excuse me?"

"I'm Atty. Marley Soriano, and you are — Aspen Salviejo, right?"

"Yes, I am she. And yes, I read that contract to a tee. I've been doing this gig long enough to know what I'm getting myself into," Emman chuckled, "is Marley your real name though?"

"Well, no. Not really. It's Marien Calista but just Marley will do. Can I buy you another drink, Ms. Salviejo?"

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you're hitting on me... just Marley," Emman chuckled again, "by the way, just call me Emman."

"Another round, please," Marley told the bartender then faced Emman once more, "Emman? Surely there's a story behind that name."

"It's Aspen Emmanuelle Salviejo. I prefer Emman though. And thanks for the drink."

"Teka... I mean wait up. Hey," Marley said as she got Emman by the arm, "can we please have a photo of us taken?"

"Oh! Wait! What? Did you say teka? So, pinay ka? Akala ko local ka dito," Emman giggled.

"And here I was thinking the same thing. Akala ko rin taga-rito ka," Marley chuckled.

"Sige, pa-picture muna tayo then we can talk about stuff. You know?"

"Photo's not too bad," Emman suggested as they looked at the printed photo that the photographer took on a polaroid camera as per their request which left them with only one copy.

"Pero sinong magtatago niyan? Ikaw ba or ako?" Marley asked her.

"You keep it. I'll take a photo of it on my phone right now," Emman stated and did what she said she'll do.

The night went on and they have already talked about so much. It's as if they already knew each other all these times and this event was just them reuniting. In short, they got along pretty well for two strangers who just met at a charity gala.

In fact, too well that they ended up both stark naked in Emman's hotel room with Marley splayed all over Emman and with just satin sheets covering them.

"I don't sleep with people I just met, Marley," Emman whispered.

"I don't sleep with strangers either, Emman. But I want to know more about you and the world you live in," Marley stated as she gave Emman a kiss which the latter responded to.