Perfect Fake Lovers

Chapter 14

#NewClassicPFL

Chapter 14
Wedding

Wearing a white tank top, tucked in a denim fitted jeans, I partnered it with my white Loubi Queen heels from Louboutin and a Kate Spade knot flop crossbody bag in black. Hinayaan kong nakalugay ang aking buhok at hindi na rin inabala pa ang sariling maglagay ng makeup dahil aayusan naman ako pagdating sa studio.

Pagkababa ko sa kusina ay katatapos lamang iinit ni Ritchelle ang croissant na hawak. Maingat niyang inilapag iyon sa lamesa katabi ng orange juice.

"I just bought you a butter croissant from your favorite bakery," she told me. "Gusto mo ba ng avocado?"

I smiled at her. "Yes, please."

"How about scrambled eggs?"

"No, thank you."

Nginitian lamang ako pabalik ni Ritchelle at kinuha na mula sa refrigerator ang glass tupperware kung saan nakalagay ang mga sliced avocado. Madalas ko 'yong kinakain tuwing umagahan kaya laging mayroong nakahandang stock no'n na nakahiwa na.

Habang hinahanda ni Ritchelle ang avocado ay maingat kong hinati sa gitna ang croissant gamit ang bread knife. Doon ko napansin na wala siyang pagkain para sa sarili niya.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked her, worried that she still had not eaten. "Samahan mo na ako."

Umiling naman siya at nilagay sa ibabaw ng hiwang croissant ang sliced avocados. "Kumain na ako sa bahay bago umalis," sabi niya. "Just eat your breakfast quick. Ang sabi sa akin ni Mr. Joel ay dadaanan ka raw ni Sic at doon tayo sasabay sa kanila kaya hindi ko na pinaghanda ang driver mo."

I snapped my head up to Ritchelle. She was casually pouring herself a glass of water.

"He will?" Sic didn't even tell me about it.

Tumango siya sa akin. "It's a good thing for you two to be seen together more frequently," paliwanag niya. "Iyong naging date ninyo kahapon sa Enchanted Kingdom, naging trending sa social media. It increased your brand reputation."

After biting my lower lip, I began beating the croissant with avocado as I remembered how our pictures caused an uproar in all social media platforms. Pinagkatuwaan nilang lahat ang pag-iwas ni Sic sa tubig upang mabasa ako. They all liked his playfulness. A lot of people even said that they wanted the relationship we have―a couple who acts like they're just best friends.

If they only knew how tiring it was to keep up with Sic, they might reconsider that thought. But at the same time, it's also possible for them to like it even more if they get to know him better.

"A few offers from top and famous brands want to collab with you for a solo endorsement," she told me. "I will go through their emails tonight and review everything. Kapag nafilter ko na ang mga brands na sa tingin ko ay maganda ang offer at bagay sa 'yo, saka ko ifo-forward sa 'yo. As usual, you'll make the final decision."

Napangiti ako at saka tumango. It was nice to see Ritchelle growing so much as my manager. She became more knowledgeable about her job. Siguro'y talagang nakatulong sa kanya ang pagsama kay Mr. Joel. She was learning a lot from him for free. Mas lumaki rin ang kanyang koneksyon.

Nagmadali ako sa pagkain lalo na nang magtext si Mr. Joel na parating na sila in fifteen minutes. Sakto namang pagkatapos ko ulit na mag-ayos ulit ay dumating na sila.

Naunang pumasok si Ritchelle sa loob upang maupo sa likuran. Si Mr. Joel ay katabi ng driver sa harapan at si Sic ang aking magiging katabi na mukhang natutulog kaya tahimik lamang kami ni Ritchelle.