A Month before August

Chapter 5 *Paparazzi*

Chapter 5 *Paparazzi*

Alexander

July 09, 20xx - Hotel Martinez

I was inside my room watching television, when something came up. And that something is not just something.

That something is a picture of me and Abby! What the heck.

I hurriedly dialed my secretary's number.

"Secretary Bea." Tinawagan ko ang secretary ko kase kumalat sa media ang picture namin ni Abby. Di naman ako nanghihinayang kase, first and foremost, we looked like a couple in the pictures pero, ang binabahala ko, ang tahimik na mundo ni Abby magugulo. Iimbestigahan siya and worst is, yung sakit niya. Baka lumala dahil sa stress. Ugh, this is infuriating.

[Yes, sir?]

"Who leaked out those pictures in the Media?" I asked, mahinahon but authoritative. Minsan lang ako manggalaite. Pero this? This is beyond forgiveness. I don't know what the hell I'll do to those fuckening paparazzis.

[S-Sir, we don't know who did it. Pero one thing's for sure,.. it's one of the Paparazzis. Right now, we're doing everything to contact the media to stop posting such pictures of you with Ms. Tiffany Bryzone..]

"Okay, cancel all of my appointments. Tell Leo I will be out for,.. Three Weeks. And, file me an appointment, a press conference in the Philippines on July 16 to clear out our names, alright?"

[Yes, sir. Hope it'll be done sooner.]

"Good. Just tell me the news okay?"

[Yes, Sir.]

Shit! Shit shit shit shit shit. Ang dami dami kong pipirmahang papers, kase I set it all aside nung naging tour guide ako ni Abby. And hell, ngayon ang sakit na ng ulo ko. Pero hindi naman ako nagsisisi na sinamahan ko siya. Infact, I'm very happy. It's a feeling of contentment. It's a first.

Because my parents, their minds are always flooded with business matters. Di ako napalaki ng maayos, because they're always not around. But I don't blame them. Well, slight.

This is my first time being interested in a girl.

Well, heavens. Her Looks, her personality, her Attitude? It's beyond perfection for me. Urgh, the Great Alexander Lee's dying because of her.

I don't like the fact that her days here are counted. Parang gusto ko nga sumunod sa kanya kung, you know. Mangyari man 'yun. *sigh* This is frustrating.

Papahinga muna ako bukas and sa next day ko nalang kakausapin si Abby about sa issue. Stupid Paparazzis. Not that I'm blaming them, but, heaven, yes.

This is why I hate being on the limelight. I have no privacy and I hate that. Stupid, stupid career.

July 11, 20XX Hotel Martinez

Nag-ayos muna ko ng damit and when I thought I looked presentable, I went to Abby's room. I knocked. Well, supposedly you should knock first, right?

Biglang nagbukas ang pinto. At tumambad sa aken ang bagong gising na Abby. She still looks cute.. and gorgeous.

"A-Alex,.." Her voice saying my name sounds too good to be true, I'm telling you. It's so gay, guys. Am I turning gay? This is.. I don't know.

"Didn't expect me to be here, huh?"

"Ye-yeah... Come in.." Pumasok naman ako. Ang linis ng hotel room niya. It's really neat and tidy.

"Magbabathroom lang ako ha, okay lang?" She's so damn cute. That's a given. So I nodded.

"Take your time." then she rushed like a horse in a race to the bathroom. But the thing is, she's too beautiful to be a horse. Hah. Humour.

After reminiscing some memories, alam ko na ngayon. I think I, Alexander Lee, is falling for Abby. Not think. But it's true. Hay, kakakilala lang, agad agad.

This is a first. Di naman siguro ako nagsisisi na, I love a dying woman.

Well, on the first place, maybe I did.

Argh! Sumasakit ulo ko sa kakaisip. Or maybe my heart.. I don't know what the fuck to do. She's a mystery but that's the interesting part. Curiosity killed the cat. Curiosity about her can kill me.

"Uy! Okay ka lang ba? Di ka natagalan?" tapos na pala siyang mag-ayos. Hindi ko napansin ang oras kakaisip.

"Yup, never better."

"Umm, so..." she started. Well, di ko alam sasabihin ko.. so gay.

"Yeah?.." Ah, shit. I'm a total loser.

"Bakit ka nga pala nandito?" hmm, oh yeah, that..

"Ah , kasi, yung about sa scandal.." Oy, scandal meaning yung kumalat na magkasama a. Taeng Paparazzi kase e.

"Ah, 'yun ba? Okay lang 'yun no! Alam ko naman ang lifestyle mo e. Ako nga dapat magsorry e, kase kung di ako nagpasama o ginawa kang tour guide, di siguro mahahantong sa maiissue ka.. sorry talaga." What? Akala ko galit siya? Well, now I know she's not. She's not the bitchy type.

"Don't be sorry, kagustuhan ko kase yun e."

She looked so beautiful, so innocent, I can't handle myself anymore, urgh! My feelings,.. I dunno how but now I really really know, Now I know.. but..

What should I do?

"Abby.. I,,. ugh.." Tinitigan niya ko na para bang nagtataka. Guess there's only one option left.

Fuckening Alexander. "I don't know when or where it started and I don't know if you'll believe me Abby but, I'm falling for you. And it's not just an infatuation because heaven knows, God knows, I'm already falling in love with you."

Pumikit ako ng bahagya. I confessed. I told her the truth. Kesa naman patagalin ko pa 'to di'ba? Kahit mabusted man ako, atleast I told her the truth. Ready na ko, nagready na ko. But I still want her to.. love me back.. Just this once..

"I.." I think I lost. There's no way she would love me back, hah. The great Alexander Lee-- busted. What a great headline. Bukas nasa media na yan, newspapers, maybe it'll even be known worldwide!

I closed my eyes, ready for the incoming words. Ready for her saying sorry for not loving me back. Ready for the words I never wanted to hear.

"I love you, too."

Aah, she said it. My hopes are--

Napamulat ako at tumambad agad sa mukha ko ang namumulang mukha ni Abby.

Did I just hear her right or am I hallucinating? What the fu-- say what?!