Versailles Series Book 5: The Barista

CHAPTER 8

~ calhoun ~

"Alam niyong dalawa, kapag nagse-schedule kayo ng biglaang meeting na ganito, kinakabahan ako."

I scheduled that meeting a week after I received the email from the scriptwriter. Hindi ko alam na pinagsabay pala kami ni Asia ngayong araw na ito. We just found out ten minutes ago while waiting outside.

Mama Jove is one of the names in showbusiness that manages talents of the best calibre. A lot of those under him are well taken care of. Hindi nito kinukunsinti ang mga talent na maraming problema o eskandalo. While Asia and I steered off serious rumours, it didn't mean we didn't have any.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Asia. If Tabi is my best friend, Asia is my work best friend. Even if we started as a love team, we decided to remain friends. We confided in each other when work was getting hard. I met Asia when Tabi was in Paris. When Tabi met Asia, I thought she'd feel bad for having another close lady friend but knowing Tabi, they hit it off of course.

We are two of Mama Jove's highest-paid talents. Ito ang magulang namin sa showbiz. He took care of us like his actual children kahit na wala talaga itong pamilya sa labas ng trabaho. He worked too hard to form his own family. Which is why what we are about to say will hurt more.

"Ikaw muna." Sinipa ako ng mahina ni Asia.

"Ikaw muna." Sabi ko rin dito.

Tumayo si Mama Jove. "Magtigil kayong dalawa." Tinignan ni Mama Jove si Asia. "Asia, bakit ka nandito?"

Bumuntong-hininga ito. "Akala ko nakausap na kayo ni Mom, Mama Jove."

"Obvious ba na hindi?"

"Ikakasal na ako, Mama Jove."

I wasn't shocked. She told me this before we went in today. I don't know who she'll marry and the circumstances. Knowing Asia's controlling mother, it was most likely an arranged marriage.

"Ano? Sino? Kailan? Ano ba ito, Asia?"

"Pinagkasundo ako ni Mama. Hindi ko pa po kilala kung sino, Mama Jove. Pero pagkatapos po ng kontrata ko sa inyo, aalis na po ako ng showbiz."

Napabagsak ng upo si Mama Jove. Nang tumingin ito sa akin ay parang gusto ko na lang lumubog sa kinauupuan ko.

"Ikaw, ano naman ang pinunta mo rito?"

I took a deep breath before answering him. "I want to pursue my dream to be a director, Mama Jove. Like Asia, I plan to leave the front of the camera after my contract. I'll still be in the industry but behind the camera now."

"Aatakihin ako sa inyong dalawa."

Asia reached her hand out and clutched my hand. We always do this when we are in troubled times like now.

"May movie pa kayong dalawa ngayon. Matatapos iyon bago matapos ang kontrata niyo. Hindi naman kayo atat na umalis ano?"

"Sorry, Mama Jove. Pero wala naman po akong magagawa. Hindi po ako pwedeng hindi tumuloy. Alam niyo naman po si Mom."

We nodded. I knew what her mother was like. I'm happy my mother is miles different from hers.

Tumango ang manager namin. "Iwan niyo muna ako. Kailangan kong mag-isip. Sasabihan ko kayo kung may kailangan pa ako."

Tumayo kami at niyakap ito.

"Sorry, Mama Jove." Sabi ko.

"Mahal ka namin, Mama Jove. Alam mo iyan." Sabi naman ni Asia.

Pareho kaming parang pinagbagsakan ng langit ni Asia pagkalabas namin ng opisina ni Mama Jove. We felt bad as it is but we can't do anything about it.

"So you're working on your directorial debut?" Tanong ni Asia sa akin habang nasa condo kami nito.

"Yeah. I have been thinking about it for quite some time. I wanted to try something new."

"It has been a long time is it?"

I nodded. I'm almost thirty. I wanted to settle down soon.

"You'll do great, Baby Cal. I believe in you."

"Thanks."

"What did Tabi say?"

"I haven't told her yet."

The shock was written on her face. "Whoa. That's new. Are you both okay?"

I nodded. "We are. I want to spend more time with her too. We have lost so much time together since we were working."

"You'll have more time with everybody now."

I chugged down the water she handed me before looking at her. "Getting married? All of a sudden?"

She shrugged. "I have always been my sister's substitute, you know. Even this career I've built seems like something I stole from her. Years of hard work and my mother still attribute to her."

I knew her sister passed away when Asia was young. "What's that got to do with the marriage?"

She looked at me straight in the eye. "It was supposed to be her who'll get married off, not me. I'm substituting for my sister again."

I wish I could do something to help her but this is beyond my reach. "And you don't know the guy?"

Umiling ito. "No. Not yet at least. I will know in the coming days."

"And if you won't conform?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. You know what, freedom for me now is just a dream. Something unreachable. I've been trapped in this celebrity life since I turned sixteen only to be trapped forever in another life."

"Why can't you take control of your life, Asia?"

"I love my mom, Baby Cal. Even if I'm just her cash cow."

I exhaled. I wish I could help her out. "Maybe the guy you're marrying is a good guy?"

"Can't be sure of that. Mom looks scared whenever she talks about it. So must be some mafia guy or something."

"I'll be here, Asia."

"How are you and Libby?"

"We broke up weeks ago, Asia." I almost shuddered at the memory. That woman is unhinged.

"Thank, God! I was close to banging your head somewhere. God, Baby Cal. What did you see in her?"

I shrugged. "When I think back on women I dated, they are what I needed at some point. I don't date seriously but I was hoping I could stumble upon a gem you know? I see the goodness in them. I didn't know their ulterior motives."

"You know I would have asked you to marry me at thirty if you didn't have that agreement with Tabi."

I chuckled. "I doubt if she remembers it."

She poked my side. "You want her to remember it don't you."

"I don't deserve-"

"Oh shut up Calhoun Esteves. Don't fuck with me. If there is any man out there who deserves Tabi, it's you."

I shook my head. "I've known Tabi since we were kids. I know she deserves better than me even if people see me as the best guy around her every time."

"Why does that make you sad? Just think about it, Baby Cal. It's not too late. Sabi mo nga, you have lost so many years. Why lose more? C'mon. One of us should be in a happy relationship. Let's not be a bunch of sad fools."

We clinked our glasses even if it was just water. I guess we're miserable fools.