I busy myself with work. I made sure there's no time to spare for sulking on the corner. Iros never miss a night to call me, he's obviously bored since aside from endorsement shoots he has nothing to do with his life.
I answer his calls but refuse to go out with him. Not because I am still mad but I am busy.
"We have a problem."
Anika pull me from the crowd. The show will start in less than an hour. I am over the clouds— I'll launch my biggest lingerie collection tonight.
"What is it?"
Mas lalo niya akong hinila palayo sa mga guest and staff. "May diarrhea ang isang model. She can't make it kasi na-admit siya sa hospital."
Umahon ang kaba sa puso ko. I invited international personalities and press. Of all days, I can't fail right now
"I thought we have a standby model?"
She shake her head guiltily. She was our standby model. But she's very much pregnant.
I take a deep sigh. I guess I have no other choice. "I'll do it."
The show must go on. This is my name on the line. It was already considered before that I will walk for finale. I guess destiny made it's way for me to do it.
Napasilip ako sa stage mula sa dressing area— the first batch of my collection is already walk on stage. This isn't my first modeling stint. I did small gigs when I was still in college, but this is the biggest and most daring.
Nasa audience sina Cali, Kuya Seb, Karina and Auntie Elena. Eaton is also present, he just got home from France yesterday. I can feel my gut in my throat. My whole body is trembling with anxiousness. Hindi ako pwedeng pumalakpak.
I was about to close the curtain when I saw Dylan. He wave his hand to me, I smile and wave my hand, too. Last time we saw each other was his dad's birthday.
"Miss Paris palit na po kayo. 10 minutes po, lalabas na kayo."
Nagmadali akong sumunod sa backstage staff para makapagbihis na.
I am wearing a white lingerie with white see through robe. It symbolize purity and revelation. Napakagat ako sa labi ko. Para akong nakahubad kahit hindi naman. I wore my collection, but only inside my room. Kahit kay Iros hindi ko pa nagawang magsuot ng ganito ka daring.
"Miss Paris, 1 minute on standby na po kayo," rinig ko na salita ng staff sa labas ng bihisan.
Mabilis kong tinignan muli ang sarili sa salamin tsaka ako tuluyang lumabas. The other models are halted when they saw me. I got a little conscious.
"Oh God, luluwa ang mata nila sa labas dahil sa 'yo," tuwang tuwa na sabi ni Anika. Muntik pa siyang madapa nang mabilis siyang lumabas papunta sa audience.
Makailang beses akong napabuga ng hangin habang naghihintay. Nang oras ko na ay pilit kong kinalma ang katawan ko. I can feel my whole entire being shaking.
I take a deep breath before stepping out of the stage. Flashing of camera almost blinded me but that boosted my confidence.
I feel so care-free.
Nang sa dulo na ako ng runway ay saglit akong tumigil. I give a flying kiss to my family but since Karina and Eaton has a dirty mind they tease Dylan because of it. I playfully roll my eyes.
