The Paparazzi And His Target

CHAPTER 06

Aida Point Of View

At 7:30 pm, when I arrived at Do Meng's office, my face was scowling as I stepped into the elevator and made my way to his office hallway. The reason? You never wanna know.

I still can't get over what happened earlier, and to make matters worse, I just read Magenta's article and I was annoyed because there were so many positive reviews from our bosses about her scoop.

"Oh, my favorite whiskey is here, come inside child. How was the press conference?"

Do Meng greeted me, holding a bottle of whiskey, again.

"You've seen Magenta's reviews?"

Umirap ako.

"Pwede na."

Ngumisi naman ito at sininyasan ako na umupo.

"It's not easy to fool Kim Woe Ben. As I expected. But Magenta did her job nicely, and you? Where's yours?"

He asked.

"She caught me off guard earlier, but don't worry, I recorded everything what happened at idudugtong ko na lang."
"Aren't you supposed to have a scoop by now? O ba't naunahan ka ni Magenta?"

I paused for a moment, still unsure because I haven't--

"You haven't done it yet?"
"Well, you see! I think she recognized me earlier. She was staring at me intensively, and I thought she would come up to me and expose me to the world as the most wanted paparazzi, but I'm wondering why she didn't."
"Magenta told me earlier, and it seems like you haven't done your assignment yet, obviously."

I was taken aback and looked at him with a 'I'll find a way' expression, but I could see the disappointment on his face. My god! Is this mission already a failure?

"It's up to you now, Aida. You still have a week--wait, only four days left actually. So, make our client satisfied or else--"
"Yeah, I know what will happen to me."
"Huh?"
"Huh? Uh, a-ang ibig kong sabihin bukas na bukas tapos na 'to thats for sure, bye see you tomorrow."

Even though it's difficult and risky, I'll find a way. After all, I'm the most feared paparazzi in the whole Philippines. It would be ironic if I couldn't finish the job I started. And that's me being sarcastic on my own lies.

***

Time check 08:20 PM.

"Maraming salamat sa motor kuya Roger, walang gasgas 'yan ah, salamat sa pagpapahiram mo ng motor thank you."

Ika ko at nag-paalam na rin, hindi ko na pinakinggan ang words of wisdom niya pa-tungkol sa ate. Dahil mas lalo lang akong magtatagal do'n, talks a lot kasi siya manang mana lang kay aleng Erna-- "Sh*t! Kailangan ko nga pala umuwi ng maaga!"

I poured all my strength into running, only to remember that I needed to go home early. When I arrived in front of our house, my back was in so much pain, as well as my feet, my arms, my whole body, and even my soul.

All in all my entire body was exhausted, and on top of that, I felt discouraged because I wasted this a day, tsk. But I will never give up now. I really want to take down Woe Ben for not showing up. I feel like I'm crawling up the stairs, I'm so tired.

"Nandito ka na pala, ikaw lang ba mag-isa?"

Na-bigla ako ng sumulpot si mama sa entrance ng convenience store at sumilip-silip pa ito sa likuran ko, nag-tataka nga ako kasi maaga silang nag-close. 8:25 pm pa naman. May mahalagang lakad ba si mama? Bakit ayos na ayos siya? Omg baka may namamanhikan sa ate ko!

"Saan ka ba nanggaling bakit ngayon ka lang dumating?"

Ano ba kasing meron?

"W-wala birthday kasi ni- nang kaibigan ko."
"Sinong kaibigan na naman ba 'yan--"
"Ma si ano si-- birthday ng kaibigan ni Jim na kaibigan ko rin."
"Ano ka ba akala ko sinabi na sa'yo ng ate mo na may bisita tayo!"
"Eh kaya nga ako umuwi."