Alluring Glances (Soaring Courage #1)

30.

I woke up early at that morning, getting ready for the shoot for a fashion brand. Maaga pa lang ay tumungo na si Rea sa condo ko at tumawag na rin sa akin si papa. He's on his way here, giving me another reason to be excited for today's shoot.

I busied myself watching random videos from my feed. Habang nasa byahe patungong studio ay nililibang ko ang sarili ko. Sanay naman ako na makatrabaho si papa. I've seen how professional he is and even if my father looks strict and cold in work, I know that he'll not do nor say something that could offend someone. Kaya kampante ako ngayon at walang masiyadong inaalala.

When we arrived at the building, Rea immediately assisted me inside. Nasulyapan ko sa labas ang sasakyan ni papa kaya alam kong nandito na siya. Now, I'm excited!

I obviously ran towards the elevator. I'm excited to see my father, that's why! Rea just chuckled at me and shook her head, telling me to be careful while running.

When I opened the door, I saw the staff preparing the set. Lumawak ang ngiti ko nang makita si papa na kausap ng director ng shoot. I saw my father nodding to whatever the director is saying. When my father saw me, he smiled at the director and said something before walking towards me.

"Papa!" I greeted him with a hug.

"Vanessa ko! Miss na miss kita, anak!" my father hugged me tightly before planting a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm excited to work again with you, papa," nakangiting sabi ko. Tumango ang tatay ko at akmang sasagot nang tumunog ang phone niya. He smiled at me and gestured me to wait.

"Hello?" my father said, brows furrowed. "Saan ka na? Dalian mo at malapit nang magsimula ang shoot, aba!" he scolded, gone the serious look on his face. Nakangisi na si papa at mukhang tuwang-tuwa na pine-pressure ang kausap.

Sino kaya 'yon?

"Essa, sa dressing room ka muna. The shoot will start in 10 minutes," Rea came to me so, I had to tell my father that I need to get ready. Tumango ang tatay ko at humalik sa noo ko bago ako tumungo sa dressing room.

It's work time so, I need to be professional.

They styled me up. Nakasuot ako ng pulang dress. Fitted 'yon at medyo malalim sa may cleavage part, spaghetti strap din sa magkabilang balikat at may suot akong gold na kuwintas. They styled my hair after the make-up. I wore heels and there, I'm done.

"Ms. Vanessa, labas ka na raw po," sabi ng assistant ng direktor kaya napatango ako. I went outside and saw my father setting up the cameras. He glanced at me and smiled. I smiled back to my father but it faded when I saw someone approaching my father.

I watched how my father talked to that someone, giving him instructions and the other one nodded before walking away. Nakatulala lang ako roon at hindi pa ako matatauhan kung hindi ako kinalabit ni Rea.

"Start na raw, Essa. Akin na 'yang robe mo," sabi niya at tinulungan akong magtanggal ng robe. I took a deep breath before stepping towards the set.

I must be hallucinating. It's not him, Vanessa.

The director instructed me on what pose I should do with the products the staff gave me. I did my best to pose great. My father also instructed me on what to do to make the photos look fantastic and I could see him smiling behind the camera and it's enough to boost my confidence.

"Look ahead and show that lipstick on your hand," my father instructed. "Nice! Another pose, please?" I did what my father and the ditector instructed.

I heard praises from the director as we go on the photoshoot. After multiple shots, the director clapped his hands, satisfied with the shots. Nagpalit ako ng dress at ngayon ay long sleeve na ito. Kulay silver 'yon at may mga maliliit na diamonds na kumikinang. They gave me a wrist watch to wear before giving me another product under the brand. This time, it's a facial cream.

Inabutan ako ni Rea ng tubig habang naghihintay na tawagin. I stood up and decided to go outside. Sumunod sa akin si Rea nang lumabas ako mula sa dressing room. I went beside the director and my father to see the photos.

My Papa Victorious glanced at me and smiled, showing me the photos.

"You look great, 'nak. Ang ganda-ganda mo talaga," puri ni papa kaya napangiti ako.

"Siyempre, kayo po ang tatay ko eh," I said while grinning, earning a laugh from the people around. My father gently pinched my cheeks.

"Sabi na at ako nag kamukha mo eh, hindi si Mama Sheen mo," aniya habang tumatawa pero, maya-maya'y may binulong. "Joke lang, 'nak. 'Wag mong sabihin kay mama mo na sinabi ko 'yon. Baka sa labas na naman ako patulugin," he whispered, making me laugh so hard. Pati ang mga staff na nakarinig ay natawa rin.

"Yam, pakibigyan muna ng upuan si Vanessa!" I heard the director instructed to his assistant. Napalingon ako at akmang tatanggi nang may naunang magsalita.

"Ay, ako na po!" Ilang sandali pa ay narinig ko ang paglapag ng upuan kaya lumingon ako.

"Here. You can sit down, miss."

"Salamat..." my voice immediately fades when I came face to face to him. I gulped, finally seeing his gentle eyes closely after a long time. He looks back to me, nothing in his eyes but gentleness. Hindi nagbago ang paraan ng pagtingin niya. Puno ng lambing pa rin.

Am I really hallucinating? I saw him a while ago and thought I'm just imagining things but, with him in front of me again, I'm having second thoughts. Is he really here? Or I'm just missing him so much that I'm seeing him right now?

"Ay, salamat, hijo! Ikaw pa ang nagbitbit ng upuan, salamat! Vanessa, maupo ka na," the director's voice sounds unclear. My eyes couldn't look away from hin. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal akong nakatingin sa kaniya pero, nang tawagin ako ni papa na may tinatagong ngisi sa labi, napaiwas ako ng tingin.

"Shoot's resuming. Punta ka na do'n, 'nak," sabi ni papa. Ilang sandali pa akong nawala sa ulirat bago ako tumungo sa harap ng camera. My heart couldn't stop beating so fast.

"Give her a chair, please," my father instructed and without further ado, the man lifted up the chair and went to me. Inilapag niya ang upuan sa likod ko bago tumingin sa mga mata ko.

"Upo ka," aniya at bahagyang ngumiti sa akin. "Goodluck, madam."