"Let's go, Ma'am Chantal, magsisimula na ang photoshoot." Sumunod na kami ni Shane sa organizer. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa studio, magphophotoshoot kami ng summer outfit sa isang kilalang clothing line. Madami ding models ang nadito ang iba ay galing sa Montero Agency. We curtly greet each other because we are not that close but we are not on bad terms. Nakita ko din sila Triha, Ella at iba pa but we weren't able to catch up much. We just set a date next week to hang out.
"Now, move closer. Another pose." Kung ano-anong instructions ang binigay samin and after an hour ay natapos din kaming kuhanan. I tiredly sat at the bench matapos kong magpalit. After kasi nito ay may shooting ulit ako mamayang hapon sa isang perfume brand. I was drinking water when Alessa suddenly pop out of nowhere.
"Hi po. Ma'am Chantal kumusta na kayo?" kumunot ang noo ko. We are not even close so why is she acting like we are. I decided na I won't get involve to any of them anymore because that's the key for a happy life. They can be both miserable for all I care.
"Why are you asking? Are we close enough for such formalities?" yumuko naman sya. I should make it minimal baka mamaya ay ipatumba ako ng knight in shining armour nito.
"I'm just concern because last time Ma'am Shane was asking where you live. Ilang linggo ka daw po kasing nawala." updated naman pala sya sa buhay ko. Why is she being nosy nasaan ba ang amo nito. Hindi ko alam pero naiinis ako sa presensya nya. Maybe because she's too good to be true.
"Why would you be concern about me? We are not even close. Are you dumb? What I do in my life has nothing to do with you." Nag-iwas lamang sya ng tingan.
"I'm just concern ma'am" Halos pabulong nyang sabi.
"Well don't be. I don't need it. I'll say this once but stop what you are doing. Don't come near me ever again." Natanaw ko na si Shane na paparating kung kaya ay tumayo na ako papalapit sa kanya. I can't stand Alessa. She need to have some self respect and she need to stop bothering me.
" Anong nangyari bakit mukhang kinawawa na naman yun? " nagkibit balikat lamang ako kay Shane.
"Hindi ko alam diyan, she acts like we're friends." Papalabas na sana kami ng makasalubong namin ang organizer at si Shawn.
"Ma'am Shane sa inyo po bang gamit yung naiwan sa dressing room?" Magalang na sambit ng organizer. Nagpaalam naman si Chantal para kunin ito. Sasama ako sana sa kanya ng magsalita si Shawn.
"Chantal, Let's talk." iniwan naman kami ng organizer.
"About what?" Naglakad lamang sya papunta sa bench. Hindi ko sya sinundan, ano sya boss. Ni ayaw ko ngang makasalamuha sila. Itinext ko si Shane na uuna na ako sasakyan. Papasok na sana ako sa kotse ng hilahin ni Shawn ang braso ko.
"I said let's talk." Madiin nyang sabi.
"Did I agree with it?" Lalo namang sumama ang kanyang ekspresyon.
"What are you up to, woman?" Hindi ko sya maintindihan.
"What do you mean?" inalis ko ang pagkakahawak nya sa aking kamay.
"Why are you so mean to Alessa?" Ito ba ang gusto nyang pag-usapan? May nakapagsumbong ba agad sa nangyari kanina. I want to laugh, this is just ridiculous.
"I am a mean person. I simply don't like her and you know what? She is the one who keeps appearing in front of me. Not me, her. So, kung ayaw mo na may marinig syang kahit ano ay ilayo mo sya. Ikulong mo sa bahay mo or itali mo sa beywang mo. I don't even care. " Humakbang sya papalapit sa akin ngunit hindi ako umatras
"Funny but that's not what I'm asking. Are you doing this because I like her? " I wanna vomit from his words.
" Excuse me, Sir. I don't like you anymore. I was just momentarily blind before and I'm sorry for all the rude things I have done. However, I really do not like you anymore. So don't even think that everything is about you." I smiled at him and he seem shock. Papasok na sana ako sa aking sasakyan ng hilahin nya ako ulit.
" You are lying. You did many things to her and you even told Alessa na 'I'm yours' and that we don't belong together. " oh he's talking about the time na nagkasagutan kami ni Alessa bago materminate ang contract. I was blindly following the plot thinking that it's the key to get back. Had I known that it's pointless I would be out of his company like a flash.
"Oh that? But that was like 3 months ago. Like I said I don't like you anymore. If I say that I don't then it means I don't. So stop acting so hang up with it. You have your Alessa and this talk is getting really pathetic." With that I entered the car and open the engine. Maya-maya pa ay dumating na din si Shane at umalis na kami. I looked at the side mirror and I saw him looking at our car while one of his hand is in his pocket.
" Anong problema ni Sir, bakit ka kinausap at mukhang badtrip kayong dalwa." She asks curiously
"Ewan ko dun, tungkol kay Alessa e." Tumawa lamang sya. I kwinento ko ang mga nangyari hanggang sa nakarating kami sa next venue. Isang garden theme ang scenery ng photoshoot. Actually, nature scent kasi yung perfume and saktong sakto lamang yung tema. It will be in a video and photo form. Ilalagay ito as a promotional video sa bawat branch ng store. Nagsimula na ang shooting at after ilang hours ay natapos din. We decided na maghire na kami ng driver sa susunod, kasi parehas kaming napapagod sa mga schedule ko. Pagbalik ko sa bahay ay nakatulog agad ako. Nagpatuloy lamang ang sunod sunod kong schedule sa mga nakalipas na araw. It's really exhausting since dadalwa kami ni Shane unlike noong nasa company kami na madami kaming kasama.
"I transferred all your money na sa iyong account and these are the payrolls if you want to check. Nakaltas ko na din diyan sahod ko and tax." I looked at it but didn't pay much attention. I know naman na she wouldn't extort me.
Pagkauwi ko sa bahay ay chineck ko ang bank account ko and I was shock. What? I have a lot of money that I can travel all around the world.
