Honne; Tatemae

Chapter 12

Kaylee

"I've met your Payne."

Awtomatikong napabitaw ako sa mga damit na tinitingnan ko nang marinig yung sinabing iyon ng isa sa mga sponsors na kakilala ni Mommy.

Noon ko lang napansin na sobrang lapit na pala nito sakin na kulang na lang ay idikit na nito yung katawan nito sa likuran ko.

I gave him a blank stare as I take few steps backward to keep my distance. "I'm sorry?"

The smug look on his face is still visible as if he knows something that I don't know.

"Charm Olsen?" ulit pa nito na pasimpleng sumulyap sa paligid namin na akala mo may sikreto itong sasabihin na hindi ko magugustuhan.

Well, totoo naman. Ang kapal ng mukha nito na banggitin yung pangalan ni Payne sa harapan ko. Lalo pa yung dating pangalan na ginagamit ni Payne noon.

"What about her?" I asked in a neutral tone.

"Are you sure you want to talk about it while...." He pauses, glances at the other models that are checking the clothes, before lifting his gaze back at me. "People might hear." halos pabulong pang sabi nito. "How about we talk about it inside my lounge? I've got my business partners there. We can discuss the other details of the contract there."

I made a mental note to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

Akala ba nito ay masisindak ako at matatakot kung sakali man na kakilala nya si Payne?

Hah! I am not a Montello for nothing. Subukan lang nito na siraan si Payne at magsabi ng kung ano-ano, sisiguraduhin ko na may kalalagyan sya.

"Just tell me what you have to say here, Mr. Trewster." I raised my hand in mid-air to dare him to show what he's up to.

There's a momentary confusion that cross his face as he sees that I am not a bit bothered by the fact that he knew Payne.

Iniisip ba nito na wala akong ideya kung ank yung dating trabaho ng sarili kong girlfriend?

Tumikhim ito para alisin yung bara sa lalamunan bago tumango, "I've met her before. She was posing as one of our client's date that time. If you want to know more about it, we can talk about it in private." iminuwestra pa ulit nito yung direksyon ng opisina nito.

I raised a brow. Hindi ko na nagugustuhan yung mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig nito pati na din yung mga innuendos na binibigay nito.

Is he trying to blackmail me to keep his mouth shut about this kind of information she holds against the woman I'm currently dating?

Ang kapal ng mukha. Literal.

"Is that all that you have to say?" Umismid ako bago tiningnan ito mula ulo hanggang paa. "You look like an old hag trying to get a lay. Are you really trying to pull that dirty tactic on me? Because if you do, wait 'til my mother hears about this. I'll make sure that you'll never have any projects coming inside your doorstep again. She can easily get you blacklisted in all galas and fashion shows."

Umawang yung labi nito. Yung ibang mga modelo naman ay nagpanggap na may kanya-kanyang pinagkakaabalahan at kusang lumayo sa direksyon naming dalawa. Mukhang mga nakaramdam na hindi na maganda yung timpla ko.

Ang ayoko pa naman sa lahat ay kinokontrol ako at pinapaikot.

"Miss Montello, you're in my territory. Please beware of your accusations." Mariing banta nito. Namumula yung buong mukha sa pinaghalong pagkapahiya at galit.

I faked my innocence. "Oh, so it's now part of your job to express your malicious opinion about my girlfriend?" balik tanong ko dito.

Hindi ito nakapagsalita. Halatang nagulat sa pagkumpirma ko ng relasyon ko kay Payne. Akala ba niya ay idedeny ko iyon?