Versailles Series Book 5: The Barista

CHAPTER 36

~ tabi ~

"How do you like the trial?"

I looked at Chael. Nandito kami sa test kitchen niya dito sa Cebu. We had a trial run for the cooking series he proposed to me. We had two challenges: re-invent lechon Cebu and daing. We tested how we looked in front of the camera.

"I really enjoyed it!" Masayang sabi ko habang hinuhubad ang chef's coat ko.

"You're a natural, darling!" Sabi ng direktor sa akin. "Pwede ka maging artista." He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"Uh...no..." I cringed at the thought.

"You know her best friend? Calhoun Esteves?"

My heart stopped when I heard his name. Guilt gripped my heart. I have avoided him like a plague. I wasn't necessarily preparing myself to talk to him. I just wasn't ready to look at him and not see the best friend I used to.

"Oh yes. Handsome fella. And a really good actor too." Bumaling ito sa akin. "Best friend mo siya?"

"Yup. Since diaper days."

He sighed. "Oh, how can you not fall in love with him."

I just gave him a tight smile. Calhoun is the last person I want to talk about right now.

"Anyways, I'll show this to the executives and I will let you know." Napahawak ito sa dibdib. "I just know this is going to be a success."

"Kung mapapayag natin si Tabi." Sabi ni Chael.

"She will. The camera loves her! And I can really see the enthusiasm while she cooks. I think hindi lang ikaw ang pagkakaguluhan sa show na ito, Chael. You two have good chemistry. Are you two dating?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Chael bago natawa.

"Oh no. He likes his women feisty." Sabi ko na tila nabubulunan.

"She'll fall for Calhoun first before me."

Kung alam mo lang, Chael.

Nag-ayos na kami ng mga gamit namin bago sumakay ng van. Babalik na kami sa Baguio. I came here in Cebu weeks before Chael did. Dito ako nag-kampo habang iniiwasan ko si Calhoun. I saw all of his missed calls and messages.

Gusto ko lang naman mabasa na mahal mo ako eh.

"Did you enjoy Cebu?"

I nodded. "Matagal ko ng gustong magbakasyon dito eh."

"It's a great island, right?"

"Dito ba tayo mag-shu-shoot kapag tinanggap ko ang series?"

Umiling ito. "I was thinking of a studio in the metro. Cebu is too far for us."

"Okay..."

"You have Tasteful Trails in the metro, right? You can stay there for a while."

"I'll see." No, I won't. That means I'll stay with my family and for the sake of my mental health, I won't.

Nang makarating kami sa Versailles ay dumiretso ako sa apartment. Nagpahinga ako saglit bago pumunta sa cafe. I knew Calhoun went here after my assitant texted me. He was furious alright.

He should be back at work now so he won't be here for a while. Minsan ay matagal talaga itong nagshu-shoot kaya matatagalan pa bago ito bumalik dito.

The next day, I busied myself with work. I am finishing up a wedding cake that will be needed for tomorrow. Dito ako maglalagi ngayong araw. Cooking and baking soothe me. As extroverted as I am, I don't want to talk to anybody right now.