Will you choose me? (Montecarlo Heir #2)

Kabanata 2

"It's nice to finally meet you, Ria." Bati ni Nala. I was wrong. Hindi siya isang organizer. Fashion designer pala siya. And a proud gay designer at that. Nakipagkamay ako sakanya at ganoon din sa dalawang ginang na kasama niyang nakangiti at pinakilala sa akin ni tita Elisse.

"Would you be interested to join beauty pageants? Maganda ka hija. And you being a transwoman makes you special! Walang bukayo! Mananalo ka for sure." Dagdag naman ng kasama nitong middle-aged na babae na may-ari daw ng isang sikat cosmetic line sa Pilipinas na nagsponsor sa mga beauty pageant na kinabibilangan ng mga kandidata na nandito. I don't see their relevance to be in this simple dinner anyway pero wala naman na akong pakialam doon. My eyes drifted to the other woman beside her that was also introduced to me by tita Elisse. She is staring at me with a smize. Mariin ang panonood niya sa akin.

"Ahh.." hilaw kong ngisi. "I'm still a student po. And I'm not sure if I can commit to that responsibility given my strict schedule sa school. Hindi rin po ata papayag ang daddy ko." Besides, I want to be a model. Not a beauty queen. There's a difference when making an impact to the world and just walking the runway. Mas gusto ko iyon for I don't see the need for me to compete. I am beautiful alright. I don't have to convince the people about it.

Natawa si tita Elisse. "Naku Adriana! Hindi papayag ang daddy niyan at napakahigpit noon sa unica hija niya. I'm just glad he allowed her to pursue modeling in the future."

Bakas naman ang gulat sa mukha ng tatlong kaharap namin. "Oh you want to pursue modeling ba? Much better, hija! Bakit mo nga naman kakailanganin ng korona kung pwede ka namang makilala parin sa buong bansa dahil sa larangang iyan. I can help you, Karina here, is also a transwoman and she owned a modeling agency. Her models are wearing most of my designs."

Bakas ang mangha sa mukha ko. Wow. She's a trans din pala? She's so beautiful.

"Really? Wow. You're so beautiful po ma'am." Hindi ko napigilang puna. Tipid lang na ngumitii ang huli at mahinang napahalakhak.

"Thank you. You too, hija. You have a fresh yet fierce facial structures. Your beauty will surely standout in the modeling industry." She commented. I felt the heat rushing through my cheeks. Nakakakilig pala na mapuri ka ng kapwa mo transwoman.

"Naku! Karina is managing some models who are wearing my designs nga hija. Some of them even went abroad for my fashion shows. You should try it! Not for the money since you are the so called "Montecarlo princess", but certainly it can make you famous lalo na at gusto mo pala tahakin ang industriyang iyon!" Pangeengganyo muli sakin ng bading na designer.

Pabebe lang akong ngumiti. Hindi ko mapigilang maexcite sa inaalok pero bakit ba marunong pa ito sakin? "Thank you. Soon po siguro. For now, I want to focus on my studies. It's my last year na po kasi in senior high school."

"That's alright, maybe I can give you my business card? And Karina too.. pwedeng siya ang magmanage sa iyo hija. Kontakin mo lang kami kung sakaling interesado kana. I want to see you model my new collection." Sagot ni Nala at nagkukumahog na inabot sakin ang maliit na business card niya. Tumango naman ang dalawang babaeng kasama niya.

"It's good that you focus on your studies, Ria. It's unfortunate that I don't have a business card with me for I rarely bring one, but just in case you wanted to try modeling in the future, is it okay if I contact you through Karina and Nala? I want you to be one of the new faces of my cosmetic line hija." Singit ng babaeng Adriana daw ang pangalan. Wow. Imagine the offers I'm getting tonight! This could be my dream come true!

"Sure po." Nakangiti pading sagot ko. Magandang ideya nga iyon. Pwede ako doong magsimula at sunod naman... sa mga clothing line at lingerie. Iyon ay kung papayagan ako ni daddy.