"Are you nervous?" Shane asked me. Katatapos ko lang make-upan and nakatingin na kami ngayon sa isusuot kong gown.
"Yes, sobrang daming taong nanonood lahat sila mukhang high profile." Madami ng tao at reporters kahit maya maya pang 9pm ang start ng runway show. Siguro ay mas dadami pa ito mamaya.
"Don't be. Ang ganda ganda mo kaya. I know you can do it." Trisha assured me.
"Isuot mo na yung damit. We'll help you." pumunta na kami sa dressing room.
The gown is really pretty. It is a red, square neck, backless dress. Ang top part ay nababalot ng mini rubies. Sa bandang beywang ay may pa v-line, emphasising my waist. The gown is flowy, may nakaadorn ding gold tassle sa may vline section and it's literally a gold. My hair is loosely braided and bunned. My neck, nape and back is fully exposed. I'm wearing a ruby earrings and ruby thin bracelet. I'm also wearing a 6 inches sandals which compliments the gown. This is such a masterpiece. I heard this dress costs 5 million or so and it's the only piece. This is the only piece and Chantal is the first one to wear it.
"It suits you reall well." Mrs. Gray eyes is full of admiration. Lahat ng staff ay napatingin sa akin.
"Thank you, Ma'am. Your work is truly a masterpiece. I'm so honored to have the privilege to wear it." Umiling naman sya.
"What do you mean? Ikaw talaga ang model ko sa gown na ito. You and this gown are both a masterpiece." I smile and thank her wholeheartedly.
Maya-maya pa ay lumapit na ang organizer at tinawag si Mrs. Gray. Ipapakilala nya na ito dahil magsisimula na ang show.
All in all ay nasa 30 ang eexhibit na pieces. Ang ibang model ay mula pa sa ibang bansa. This is her first time to do a runway show sa Pilipinas, kadalasan ay sa Italy, Germany, Paris at iba pang bansa nya ginaganap ang venue. I'm nervous. I close my eyes and took a very deep breath. Malapit na akong rumampa. I gathered all my thoughts and take all the confidence I can muster.
Sunod-sunod ang lagitik ng camera ng magsimula akong maglakad sa flatform. There are so many people. All eyes are on me and I did my very best to do my part and exhibit the gloriousness of the dress. Matapos kong rumampa ay narinig ko ang sunod sunod na palakpakan ng manonood.
"Wow, sobrang galing mo kanina. Everybody is fascinated. This show is a great success" Puri ng mga kasamahan ko.
"Thank you, I was really nervous earlier." Sinamahan nila ako sa dressing room upang tanggalin ang gown na suot ko dahil paniguradong may bibili na nito. I change into a long, bodycon, glittery, gold, strappy dress. I undid the bun of my hair and let the braids on.
Paglabas ko ay sumama ako sa mga kasamahan kong model. Maya maya pa ay dumating si Mrs. Gray at pinasalamatan kami lahat. She hugged me and said that the dress is very popular. Nagkaroon pa nga daw ng bidding dahil iisa lang ito. Sa huli, it was sold for 20 million. Halos napatanga naman ako dahil ang halagang iyon ay talagang sobra sobra para sa isang damit.
"Wow, grabe. Isipin mo yun yung isinuot mong damit nagkakahalaga ng 20 million. How to be you po." They are teasing me as we walk to the event hall.
"How does it feel Ms. Chantal? Madam Gray said na ikaw ang inspiration ng main piece ng show na ito." I smile sweetly at the camera. I'm getting interviewed as soon as I enter the hall.
"I am very honored of course. It is such a privilege to be chosen as one of the model and I will be forever thankful for this." This is really a big deal. Like I said before eto ang unang beses na ginanap nya ang event sa Pilipinas.
"There's a rumor na terminated na daw ang contract mo sa Montero Group of Companies?" another reporter asked. Well, mabilis talaga kumalat ang balita.
"It is not a rumor. I am no longer part of Montero Agency." I curtly answered. Lalo namang umingay ang mga reporter.
"Bakit hindi ka nagrenew ng contract is there some sort of internal conflict." Nakangiti naman akong umiling sa kanila.
"No, nothing like that. It's a personal reason and a mutual decision between me and the company." madami pang tanong ngunit hindi ko na ito sinagot.
"Well let's not talk about it. I said all the necessary information. Besides, this event is the highlight. Isn't it?" Muli naman silang nagtanong about sa runway show and I answered some of them.
Makalipas ang sampung minuto ay nagpaalam na din ako sa kanila. Hahanapin ko sana kung nasan ang kasamahan ko ng biglang sumulpot sa harapan ko si Shawn.
" Congratulations." He said without any sincerety as he sip his cocktail.
"Thank you." I smile sweetly at him. I don't want to cling into him like the real Chantal would.
"Now, I don't have to see you ever again." This man, pwede naman nya akong hindi lapitan kung ayaw nya ako kausapin at makita pero nadito sya sa harapan ko para mag monologue.
"Well, you don't have to greet me like this. Everybody knows that I am not your employee anymore." He just sipped the entire glass of cocktail and took another one. I want to leave him but he is looking at me without saying anything.
"So, why are you here? Well it's not too late, just ask me and I might go back to your company. Or did you miss me? Hmm?" I almost laugh as I tease him. It seems like I hit a nerve.
"You really think highly of yourself. What a crude, arrogant woman. " madiin nyang saad.
"Well, I thought you already know that. I am a model and I'm required to have such confidence."
He was about to say something ng nagkaroon ng commotion malapit sa amin. Magkasabay namin itong pinuntahan and there we saw it. Alessa is on the ground, covered with broken glasses, cocktails and wines. Nakayuko sya at bahagyang natatakluban ang mukha nya ng kanyang buhok. I look at Shawn and I saw him clenching his teeth as he approach her. I guess these will turn into a pity party.
