Serendipity (Dauntless Series #3)

Chapter 24

Months have passed and I'm very grateful that I didn't saw Seamus after my birthday again. Nahihiya pa rin ako sa tuwing naiisip ko iyong ginawa ko. I apologized to him again through text and I know I should do it in person but it didn't happen due to my conflicting schedule.

I am currently packing my suitcases because of the runway that will happen in Huatulco on Friday, February 18. I will walk for this year's Harrison Apparel's spring-summer collection. I haven't met its CEO yet but I heard he's just a few years older than me. He's also one of the youngest businessman in the country.

Isang araw bago ang nasabing fashion show ay lumayag na ako patungong Mexico kasama ang aking manager na si Victoria. Mayroon ding dalawang bodyguard na pinadala sa akin si Papa. This is the second time I walked on the runway held outside of the country but this time, I don't have Jesse around. Unfortunately, he has other commitments.

"I cleared your schedule for two days so you can take a vacation even for a short while. You deserved it." Victoria said while reading a magazine beside me. Gulat ko siyang binalingan ngunit unti-unti ring napangiti nang mapagtanto ang kaniyang sinabi. I kissed her on the cheeks before settling down on my seat.

We are going to stay in Quinta Bella Huatulco hotel located in Santa Maria, Huatulco. After almost 18 hours, my body couldn't withstand the tiredness and jetlag of that excruciating flight. Kaya naman noong makasakay kami sa van na maghahatid sa amin sa hotel ay agad akong napasalampak sa upuan at agad na nakatulog. Ginising na lamang ako ni Victoria nang makarating kami sa hotel 20 minuto ang nakalipas.

Victoria was the one who checked in for us. I sat down on the couch in the lobby. I heard that our rooms are just across each other so that put me at ease. Sinandal ko ang aking likod sa upuan habang naghihintay sa aking manager. Marami na rin akong nakikitang mga pamilyar na mga model na dumadating. Kumaway ako sa mga ito o 'di kaya'y kapag medyo ka-close ay nakikipag-usap pa. However, I lost my composure when I saw a very familiar people approaching the receptionist. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko.

It's as if my world has stopped spinning when Manilka suddenly turns around and saw me. I heard her gasp and tapped Seamus' shoulder. She said something to him and walked towards my direction afterwards. Seamus stared at me for a hot minute. I just waved at him before Manilka got my full attention.

"We met again," she said as she sat down on the chair beside me. Umayos ako ng pagkakaupo at ngumiti.

I chuckled. "What a small world..."

"I'm not complaining, though. It's nice to see you, Guia. The last time we saw each other was months ago and we didn't have a long conversation."

Hindi ko alam kung malungkot ba siya o sinasadya niya lang iyon para makuha ang loob ko, kung oo, nagtagumpay siya roon. Her green eyes stared at me as if there's something in me that needs to be seen. She's sitting beside me, facing me while her elbows rest on both of her knees. Despite her strong features and intimidating aura, I can sense that she's a warm and funny person once you get to know her more.

"Good thing we're both here. We can hang out and talk about things... You know, to get to know each other." dahil sa sinabi ko ay mas lumapad ang kaniyang ngiti. My heart fluttered. I don't want to mess this up.

"Okay... I'm down to it."

I saw Victoria approaching us while holding our keycards. Kinuha ko ang aking calling card sa bag ko. I gave it to Manilka. Malugod niya naman iyong tinanggap.

"My number's on it. You can call me later if you still wanna talk."

"Thank you," she smiled. Naglakad na ako patungong elevator. Hindi ko namalayang kanina pa pala ako nakangiti. My manager teased me and I immediately blushed.