Alluring Glances (SCS #1)

Prologue

This is a revised version. There are some additional scenes here that isn't included on the first version and also, there are deleted scenes and characters. Thank you!

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Eversince I was a child, I always admire how my father captures every single beauty and memory from our daily lives. Every moment we are all together, he captures it. When I ask him why is he so fond of capturing every thing, he said.

"Photos can preserve memories. Our minds and hearts can too but, photos can make us feel a lot as it serves as our visual representation of the memory we wanted to remember. Understand, anak?"

And ever since that, I started to learn how to appreciate every thing. Even myself. Even my beautiful self.

"Ate, what are you doing?" Nilingon ko ang kapatid ko na nakabusangot sa may pintuan suot ang uniform niya at naka cross arms pa.

Hmp! If I know, he just wants to brag about the Iron Man watch he's wearing! Umiilaw pa 'yon at nabubuksan! I have one too! Barbie naman!

Huh! Akala niya siya lang meron? Binilhan din ako ni Mama!

"Why, Sarus? Nagmamadali ka ba?" I asked and continue to fix my hair. I smile cutely at the mirror and showed different poses.

"You look stupid, Ate. Male-late na tayo! Papa is waiting for us downstairs!" My grumpy little brother said. Napasimangot naman ako at itinigil na ang pag-pose sa harap ng salamin.

I grab my Barbie bag and went to my brother. Inirapan niya ako at tinalikuran kaya napangiti ako. Such a grumpy boy.

Pagkababa namin, nakita ko agad si Mama at Papa na nasa living room and nakaupo sila sa sofa. My Papa's hand is around Mama's shoulder and Mama is leaning on him.

I squealed, making them look at our direction. "Ang sweet!" I exclaimed and run towards my sweet parents, accidentally bumping to Sarus who groans.

"Ate!" He hissed. Papa chuckled and went to pick him up. Binuhat niya si Sarus at ipinaupo sa hita niya. My brother glared at me but I just flashed my smile.

"Hey, no fighting, okay? Sarus, don't glare at your sister and Vanessa, don't tease your brother," Mama said calmly. I saw Sarus' eyes soften and he look at me.

"Sorry, Ate. Nagulat lang ako na nabangga mo ako," he said.

I pouted. "Sorry, Sarus. Hindi sadya ni Ate," sabi ko at humalik sa pisngi niya.

Papa Victorious smile and hugs Sarus as he stares at me and Mama with his admiring and loving eyes.

"Kumpleto agad ang araw ko! Pahingi nga ng kiss si Papa mula sa gwapo at magandang mga anak ko!" I giggled and went to Papa to kiss his cheeks. Sarus doing the same.

Papa glance at Mama. "How about from my beautiful baby? Wala bang morning kiss?" I squealed silently as I look at them.

Aww, I wish I'll have that kind of relationship in the future.

But no, I'm just grade 6! No relationship!

"Manahimik ka, Victorious. Hindi ka nagsaing kaya walang kiss," Mama said and Papa immediately pouted. I giggle. My father is really handsome.

His pout suddenly turned into a smirk. "Oh, kahit wala na palang morning kiss. We already have our morning session of our love mak–" Mama move quickly to cover Papa's mouth. Nakita ko pang pinanlakihan niya ng mata si Papa na parang sinasaway.

What's with my parents?

"Shut up, Victorious Khein!"

Papa drove us to school. He said that he'll be staying with Mama for the whole day. Bukas naman ay pupunta siya sa Bohol to attend some client. My Papa is a well-known photographer and I was always in awe everytime I see his shots. So beautiful and soulful.

Papa also painted our family portrait. Kaming apat. He painted it all by himself and surprised us on Christmas. Mama cried and hugged him. Me and Sarus cried too when we saw Mama cried. We both hugged Papa and kissed him.

"Good luck at school, mga anak. Remember, ha? Kapag nagpa-recitation, always pretend that you are listening para iwas mention," he said seriously and I can't help but to laugh.

Sarus pouted. "Papa," he called with his complaining voice.

Papa laughed. "Just kidding. Do well at school, okay? Bye, mga anak ko!"

One moment, I was just a little kid but, as time passes, I found myself in front of the camera and fiercing my face to get a beauitful and cool shots. The photographer repeatedly shouts good job's and it boosts my confidence.

"Very good, Vanessa! I think this will be a hot trend for the month of November!" My manager, Rea said and it made me chuckle.

"Grabe! Masiyado ka namang bilib sa akin, Aurea!" Natatawang sabi ko.

"Of course! You are the ace in our agency and every product you endorsed was sold out! Vanessa lang sakalam!" She stated making me laugh.

Unlike other models who has a strict manager, Rea is a happy go lucky woman. Kaedad ko lang rin siya at para kaming magkapatid kapag magkasama. Sobrang close rin kami at minsan ay hindi na tungkol sa trabaho ang usapan namin. She became my bestfriend.

I am under the agency called Starshines. It is located in Manila so, I had a hard time at first because of the thought of separation with my family. Madalas akong ma-homesick noon pero, dahil sa tulong na rin ni Rea ay nasanay ako

Puro modelo ang naroon sa agency. I was scouted back then when they saw my photos that Papa is posting on his facebook page. Since Papa is quite famous, many people recognized my photos and that's where Starshines found me and scouted me to their agency.

Now, projects and endorsements keep coming and I can't help but to feel thankful because they are trusting me to endorse and model their brands and magazines.

"Vanessa, you can change your clothes and go home now to rest. We will send you the photos and copies of magazine once the editing is done. Thank you for your hardwork!"

After bidding goodbye to the staff, photographer and director, dumiretso na kami ni Rea sa sasakyan niya. Napasandal ako at nakaramdam ng antok.

"Mabuti at wala kang sched ngayon. Makakapagpahinga ka," aniya. "Gusto mo daan tayo sa Starbucks?" Tumango ako at agad naramdaman ang pag-andar ng sasakyan. Napamulat ang ako nang tumunog ang cellphone ko.

I answered it without looking at the caller.

"Hello?"

"Ate," I immediately smile hearing my brother's voice.

"Why?"

"I called to ask how are you. Hindi mo na raw nare-replyan si mama. Kapag libre ka raw, uwi ka dito sa Laguna," my heart immediately softened.

"Of course, I'll go home once I got a free time. Ikaw, kumusta? Inaayos mo ba ang pag-aaral mo, Sarus? Tell mama that I'm sorry, I couldn't text back. Busy talaga," sabi ko at sumandal saka ipinikit ang mata ko.

"My grades are fine, ate. I'm taking care of myself too," sagot niya kaya napahinga ako nang maluwag.

Being away with my family made me emotional. Laguna to Manila is a long travel. Hindi rin lahat ng oras ay makakauwi ako kaya matagal talaga kaming nagkakahiwalay at hindi nagkikita.

After talking with Sarus, I hid my phone and rest until the vehicle stopped at the condo I'm currently living in. Provided ng Starshines ang condo kaya hindi na ako nahirapan. May mga co-models din akong kapitbahay sa condominium building na 'yon.

I bid Rea goodbye before I went inside. Nang makarating sa unit ko ay agad akong kumain at nagpahinga. Binuksan ko ang cellphone ko at nilibang ang sarili ko sa pagsi-scroll online. I spend time surfing the net until I felt myself getting sleepy. Itinabi ko ang phone ko at pumikit para magdasal.

"Guide me every day, Lord. Guide my family and fetch us away from danger. Amen," I whispered before sleeping.

My body felt tired and maybe, that's why I fell asleep seconds after I closed my eyes.