UE#1 - Sleep Tight, Orion [BXB - SPG]

/01/ - Red Flags

"And that's a wrap, Chef Skylar Almeda," shouted Direk Klara, clapping her hands while nearing the newest chef influencer in town. "Iba ka talaga, chef. You make everything look so easy. Parang gusto ko na tuloy mag-transition to vegan," dagdag niyang puri.

Rubbing his nape, Sky returned an awkward smile. In his two years in the industry, he still doesn't know how to respond to accolades like this. "Thank you, direk," he maintained as he shook hands with the director. "It's nice working with you. And I am honored to be featured in one of the notable cooking shows in the country."

"Eh, kami nga dapat ang magpapasalamat sa 'yo for freeing your time for us. For sure, matutuwa ang mga followers mo rito sa new project mo."

"Anytime po, direk. I'm always willing to free my time para sa inyo," Sky said, curving his lips into a smile, making his dimples clearer. "This joint venture will surely inspire more people to go vegan. We're slowly cleaning the earth, direk."

"Kaya ka maraming nahahatak na tao, eh. Sobrang pure kasi ng advocacy mo. #VeganPhilippines is making records already."

"I am happy to share my journey to the world, direk. I promise to keep on inspiring people as much as I can."

"So, can I invite you for coffee? Pambawi ko man lang sa 'yo dito sa effort mo. If you're not busy though."

Leaving the set near the sea, facing the horizon, the two started walking towards the guy's tent. Around them were the production team already packing up.

"Sure," Sky replied. "Free naman ako in the next three hours. At minsan lang ako ma-invite ng isang Direk Klara Mariano." He giggled which made the latter do similarly.

"Nambola pa nga. Sige na. I know a coffee place nearby. Their menu is lit and I am sure, magugustuhan mo rin doon. They're vegan friendly."

Tumango si Sky, nanatiling nakangiti. "Sige, direk. Magpapalit lang ako. Then I'll notify you."

"Sige." Klara waved goodbye nang pumasok na ang lalaki sa loob ng tent nito.

The tent, when Sky entered, was almost empty already. His makeup artists had left and it was only Adie, his manager, also his long time best friend, and some prod staff who were there. But unlike Adie, the crew seemed invisible to the influencer.

When Sky was already on his chair, he immediately released the heavy air he'd been concealing even before the shoot begun earlier. While Sky was just leaning his back on the chair, looking at his reflection, Adie was busy packing his things. Adie, although intrigued of the sudden change of mood, still continued doing his business.

Sky spent the next few seconds with another nonsense staring game with himself at the mirror. Maybe he'll let some five minutes to pass bago siya magpalit. Nakasuot pa rin siya ng chef coat at paminsang ginulo ang nakaayos niyang buhok.

"Tulala ka na naman." Hindi napigilan ni Adie ang sariling hindi pansinin ang kaibigan. "Akala ko ba maganda ang kinalabasan ng shoot kanina. Bakit parang pinagsakluban ka na naman ng langit diyan?" Nakapamewang siya habang tinitigan si Sky doon sa salamin. "Si Tinik na naman ba 'yan?"