Despite the hardships in hiding, Era's relationship with Zenith had been a bliss for the last months kahit na nahihirapan silang magtago. They went out sa mga alanganing oras para walang makakita sa kanila. They ate on places na malayo or malabong puntahan ng nasa circle ni Zenith.
She put out her phone and dialed Zenith's number, but it couldn't be reached. She messaged him instead, asking if he would be fetching her and spending the night with her.
He replied with, K.
Nailing na lamang siya sa reply nito bago napangiti. She went back to work for their proposal to a large fast-food chain.
***
Michelle scanned the photos of Zenith with a woman who was in the back of his motorcycle in Cebu. She swore, she looked familiar. If her memory served her right, the photo was taken almost three months after they filed for annulment. Their divorce was granted, but their annulment? It was under proceedings when they learned she was pregnant.
Muli niyang sinipat ang larawan. She really looked familiar. Isang katok ang pumukaw sa kaniyang atensyon.
"Ma'am." It was her EA, Shiela.
"Yes, Shiela?"
"Ipinadala na po ni Ms. Era ang proposal for the new client. It is for your approval po."
"Please, pakipatong dito."
Shiela put some of the files on top of her table. She hanged the story boards sa isang panig ng kaniyang home office.
Pinag-aaralan niya ang flow of story sa ginawang scenes ni Era. Hindi nagkamali ang dating may-ari to keep her. She was great at what she was doing. Tumayo siya at sumandal sa kaniyang office desk.
It was for their fast-food chain client.
She used the "appeal to heart" strategy. Tiyak marami ang makaka-relate sa in love with a best friend, then saka nila napagtanto na mahal nila ang isa't isa at nagkatuluyan.
She dialed Era's direct line.
"Era, speaking." Her sultry voice echoed over the line.
"Oh, hi, Era! Did I disturb you?"
"M-Michelle? I mean, ma'am."
"Drop the formalities, Era."
"O-Okay. Yes, Michelle, what can I do for you?"
"I have some minor alterations on the proposal for the fast-food outlet."
"Go ahead, I am all ears."
"Instead of these best friends ending up with each other, why not the woman will get married to the other guy? Then he did not realize, there's a woman waiting to be noticed by him."
Matagal itong nawala sa linya, but she heard her breathing.
"That's awesome. We can propose na para siyang mini-teleserye?" ani Era.
"What do you think? Is it doable? Aren't we gonna overshoot the budget?"
"Unfortunately, we might and baka hindi natin makuha ang project." She heard Era tap her pen.
"I was thinking, can you be the lead actress?"
Hindi niya mawari, pero gustong-gusto niya ang mukha ni Era. She never craved for any food. Mukhang ngayon pa lamang nagsisimula ang paglilihi niya—at si Era iyon.
"Me? You are kidding, right?"
She almost laughed dahil naiisip na niya sa isipan ang maaaring reaksyon nito.
BINABASA MO ANG
A Sinful Forbidden Affair
Roman d'amourEra has been in a relationship with Vernon for more than a decade. They met each other when they were still young, and both dreamt of a bright future together. They committed to love each other despite whatever challenges life may brough them. Year...
