Million Dollar Marriage

twenty eight

After that eventful night, every morning that I'll wake up and every night that I'll lay, the heavy feeling and constant attacks of what ifs was gone. I became open about the happenings in the past with Nathalia, dahil kung dati ito ay ang isasagot ko lamang sakaniya ay ang mga pabalang na sagot para makaiwas sa pinaka ugat. Me.

I was in denial for almost four years kaya naman this change is something- actually, no, this is everything to me.

"Milana, angle your head towards the camera. Perfect!" Direk Kei says as I strike a pose.

Today's photoshoot was with Hilith Co. for their latest collection. It was solely for the holiday season sale that is why I'm all prepped up in a red skimpy dress and fake snow for the theme.

Lilo have already arranged my schedule for this year kaya naman with regards sa pasok ko sa airport, ay talagang hindi maiiwasan na mabangga. That decision was rushed and sudden. The team was very happy that we finished the pictorial on time, lalong-lalo na ang mga videographers kasi nakuha raw kaagad ni Direk ang gusto niyang mga clips.

"Thank you po, Miss Milan! Dahil sainyo, maaga tayo magpa-pack up," one of the staff shouted at the corner of the room kaya naman naghiyawan ang iba.

I said my gratitude bago nagsalitaa pabalik, "Sagot ko na lunch natin lahat! Hahaha, 'wag muna kayo uuwi oorder lang si Lilo..."

Naghiyawan ang nagkantsawan naman ang lahat ng marinig iyon. Ibinigay ko nalang ang card ko bago tumango kay Lilo.

"Hindi kita maihahatid niyan eh! Kaya ka siguro manlilibre,"

"Hindi ah! Atsaka it's okay, I'm meeting with Tita Flo naman kaya I'm safe." Hindi na 'rin ako masyadong nagtagal dahil nga may lunch meeting ako with Tita Florence sa may restaurant near the studio.

Tight naman ang security dito kaya panatag ang loob ko. Dire-diretso 'rin ang pagpasok ko dahil na 'rin nainstruct na ang front desk about our reservation.

With my glasses still on, I made my way towards the private room that Tita has booked. I immediately smiled at the thought of things she's going to ask, kung hindi ko lang siya kilala, siguro ay aakalain ko talaga na tungkol ito sa kaso ng Aurubis but I know for a fact that this is about Asia and Venice.

And this is what I admire to Tita Flo, sa harap ng marami, pinapagalitan niya si Asia, but when she's not around grabe ang pagtatanggol ni Tita sakaniya. Oh, what a mother would do for her children.

"This way, Ma'am," nagulat ako nang salubungin ako ng isang babaeng staff at pinasunod ako sa may dulong bahagi na room.

Tumigil kami sa may pinto bago ito yumuko at unti-unting binuksan ang wooden sliding door. I swiftly removed my sunglasses at walang tingin-tingin na pumasok.

When I was about to kiss Tita Flo's cheeks ay tila nabuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig nang makita ko kung sino ang kasama namin sa room.

It was no other than Moesha Charito O. Palmero-Alejandro! Sitting comfortably across the now tensed Tita Florence with Tito Virgil on her side.

Oh my fucking gosh! What the fuck is happening?

"Good afternoon, Ma'am and Sir..." As I give respect to Yago's grandmother and the man beside her.

I think I've seen him somewhere. His face is kind of familiar to me, I just can't remember where and when did I saw him.

The tension in the air was so thick to not to be felt. Idagdag mo pa ang titigan nila, kaya naman bago ako umupo ay humalik muna ako kay Tita Flo at pasimpleng bumulong dito, "What is this?"