LOVE OR REVENGE (TAGLISH VERSION)

PROLOGUE

I'm Freen Sarocha Chankimha, 20 years old. I'm a model, and I live in California with my dad. But I'm doing well on my own. I'm studying at home because I don't have time to study in school. I'm studying accountancy, but I think I need to change my course to business. I don't want to struggle because being a model is already hard, and I have so many problems when it comes to my family. My dad wants me to manage his business because no one else will do it. That's why I don't want to stay at home because I don't want to argue with him anymore. I don't want him to control my life. So, I'm going to do what I want. Even if people think I'm rebellious, I have the right to decide what I want in life.

I'm also picky about the kind of person I want to be with. For example, I don't like arrogant or over-the-top people. I also don't like people who are pushy about getting their own way. I want someone who follows me, not someone who's "under" me, right?

It's just that...

If he loves me, why shouldn't he follow what I want? I mean, treat me like a princess? Duh!

"Alright, everyone, let's take a break!" our director called out to the crew. I quickly left my spot and approached one of my makeup artists.

"Hey, could you please check my account?" I said to her, while looking at my phone that she was holding.

"Hey!" I called out again, trying to get her attention. She seemed lost in thought and visibly nervous. I glanced around, waiting for a response.

"Hey, are you even listening?!" I muttered in frustration, grabbing my phone from her hand.

"Ano bang nangyayari sayo?" I asked her with annoyance. She just stared at me, and I couldn't tell if she was scared of me or just didn't like me.

Finding a seat in the corner, I sat down and opened my Facebook account, quickly realizing I needed to log out and switch to my Instagram account instead. As a model and popular artist, I have a significant number of followers. I can't deny that I'm quite addicted to social media.

"So what?!" I smirked at my own behavior, engrossed in my phone. Suddenly, my phone rang.

"Who dared to disturb me while I'm in the middle of something?" I muttered, answering the call.

"What the heck?!" I said with annoyance while looking at the number on the screen. I didn't know who was calling me because it wasn't saved in my contacts.

"Hey! Who's this? Wala ako sa mood, kaya don't bother me, okay!" I shouted into the other line. To my surprise, laughter erupted from the other line.

"Seriously, P'freen?" I had to pause at that. The only person who throws that tone at me is my enemy/bff Pnam. I cracked a smile at her comment.

"Nasaan ka na naman ba? The director is always waiting for you, kahit kailan talaga palage kang late." I fired back. She just burst out laughing.

Pnam: "So, kamusta ka naman diyan, freen. Nasa bakasyon ako, pasabi kay Direk Gwen."

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. Kahit kailan talaga walang paalam ang babaeng ito kapag magbabakasyon.

"Pmind with you?" I asked her. I could sense the change in her voice.

Pnam: "Uhm! Ayan ka na naman e." She bragged.

"Saan mo na naman ba dinala si Pmind? Sa SOGO ano?" I teased her.

"Siraulo ka talaga, freen!" She replied angrily.

"Ikaw naman... Hindi ka na mabiro, ano?" I replied, still laughing.

"Nandito kami sa Malibu ni Pmind. Chill lang, daming problem diyan sa set eh."

"Asus! Chill daw oh. Pero si Pmind gagawin mong chili mamaya haha!" If Pnam was here with me while I was teasing her, I'm sure she would have punched me.

"Bweset ka talaga, freen... Humanda ka sa akin pagbalik ko diyan." She threatened me, but I didn't care about her anger.

"Bheb!!!" I moved my phone away a little when I heard Pmind's voice.

Pnam: "Ah! Freen, cut Pmind some slack. She's just naturally sweet," she said, followed by a bit of forced laughter. I eavesdropped on their chat and caught Pmind's voice...

"Hello, Pfreen?"

"Yeah?" I responded softly.

Pmind: "I'll catch up with you later, alright?" I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Gusto mo lang ma-solo ang kaibigan ko, eh." I teased, and they both erupted in laughter. Suddenly, they hung up.

"Hey, that's rude!" I never really liked Pmind for Pnam, no matter what. I sighed, put my phone in my pocket, and took a deep breath, closing my eyes. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep! I must have been in that position for a few hours. I woke up when I heard some whispering nearby.

Assistant MA: "Hey, can you wake up, Miss Freen? I'm scared she might just yell at me!"

Staff: "Miss Freen is so aloof. She could have been beautiful, but she's so grumpy." The girl smirked. They thought I was still asleep... Ugh! I've been pretending to sleep this whole time! I thought to myself. Just playing possum.

My makeup artist was about to approach me when I suddenly opened my eyes!!! It startled her, and she quickly backed away, visibly trembling. I stood up and approached them, flashing a mischievous smile.

"Hey! Someone said I'm aloof and grumpy?!" I whispered to the three girls, wrapping my arm around them.

"Yes, that's true. But next time, just make sure I won't hear it, okay?" I said. After saying that, I tapped each of their shoulders, then walked away towards the bathroom to freshen up. Our last photoshoot was about to begin.

After that, I felt like an eternity...

When I stepped out, I noticed all the crew members were staring at me. Some were blushing, while my makeup artist was tapping her head when she saw me. But I knew it was because of my attractive figure. Ugh, their problem, not mine!

"What???" I shouted at them, noticing the director holding a bathrobe. I quickly looked down...

"Why are you all looking at me? Is there a problem?" I exclaimed, grabbing the bathrobe from the director.

Director: "Next time, bring your towel before entering the bathroom so your body won't become a feast, okay?" The director turned away, and I just lowered my head, returning to the set. They quickly applied a bit of makeup and oil on my body, and when the director signaled, I immediately posed alluringly.

Director: "Stop looking at me, Chankimha!" she yelled at me while handing me a rose.

"What's this for?"

Director: "Just hold it, it's part of the photoshoot."

Staff: "Then, seduce everyone," they said.

After several sessions of various poses, I realized it was exhausting. After an hour of posting, they claimed everything was perfect. What else were they expecting?

I walked out of the studio carrying my bag, unaware that someone called my name. I ignored it and continued opening my car. Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.

I turned to see who it was, and it was Yoko, my friend.

"What are you doing here, young lady?" I asked, trying to keep my tone calm and polite.

She smiled bitterly and replied, "Uhm! Wala lang, namiss lang kita?"

I ruffled her hair because of what she said. But I was surprised when she suddenly punched me in the arm.

"Hey, stop that!" I shouted, grabbing her hands to prevent her from hitting me again.

"I hate you, Chankimha! You're always calling me young lady! I'm not that young, okay?" she yelled at me, her frustration and annoyance evident in her voice.

I was confused and didn't know what to do. Before I could say anything else, she opened the front seat of my car.

"Get in, or else I will leave you!" she said, raising her eyebrow at me. Well, this woman is really crazy.

"Ano ba 'to? Get out!" I protested, but she didn't seem to care. She closed the door and opened the window, urging me to get in.

Feeling uneasy and unsure of what to do, I reluctantly opened the driver's seat of my car and gave her a stern look. I couldn't believe what was happening and wondered how I had gotten myself into this situation.

Yoko POV

When she saw me, she immediately started teasing me. I was angry because every time she called me "young lady," it felt like she was disregarding my age. I'm Yoko, Freen's best friend, but I call her Chankimha. She was surprised to see me and surely wondered why I suddenly got into her car.

While we were on the road, I noticed the Minions displayed on the dashboard. I thought of touching them, but she quickly tapped my hand.

"Don't touch my Minions, or you'll be dead, young lady!" I frowned at her threat.

"You're so stingy," I said, but her smile made my heart beat faster.

"What's going on?" I wondered. My heart was racing so fast, maybe I have a heart problem. I really should get a check-up.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Yoko?" She asked. I couldn't help but giggle.

She called me by my name, and I couldn't help but smile at her words. However, I felt my cheeks turning red. I just lowered my head and covered it with the hood of my jacket. I didn't want her to notice my blushing. After several hours, we arrived at her condo.

I immediately stood in front of her door and smiled at her.

"What are you doing?" she asked me.

"I'm entering the passcode. What's wrong?" I replied, wondering why she smiled at me like that.

I quickly pressed the code (2210), but a message flashed on the screen, indicating 'Access Denied.'

I immediately looked at her.

"Did you change the passcode?" I asked.

Freen: "Are you crazy? Do you think I would still use that code? Tsk! You always come here without telling me, and you keep finishing the food in my fridge," she complained. I couldn't help but smile at her and pleaded in front of her like a child.

"I haven't eaten yet, Chankimha! Maawa ka naman sa akin, please!" I begged her, because I hadn't eaten yet. I just ran away from home.

Freen: "Ugh! Why don't you just leave, Yo?!" she angrily said, covering the door with her hand while entering the passcode.

She's so stingy.

"Pssh! I'll find out your passcode too, Pfreen," I whispered and smirked at her.