Strangers On-Set

Chapter 1

"Congratulations, Ms. Naomi. You are indeed our top actress." 

The head of my agency said. 

I smiled. "Thank you, Ms. I'm also thankful to you for choosing me." She offered her hand for a handshake, so I accepted it. 

Today's the Global Artist Award and I was chosen and awarded as the Best Actress of the Year. I didn't expect that since in our last movie, I was just the side character. It's not that I'm downgrading that 'title', pero kasi magaling talaga ang dalawang main character doon. And I was expecting that the actress who played the role of the leading lady will be the one to receive this award. 

After my speech, I got back to where my seat was and was greeted by our head agency. 

"For our Best Actor of the Year... Congratulations to Mr. Pierre Devereux!" Loud cheer and clapping enveloped the whole place as he stood up right next beside me. 

I sighed, defeated.

Siya na naman. 

I just clapped my hands and didn't look at him. 

Since that dinner with our parents happened, we just came back to our own career without minding each other's busnissess. We came back to our own little world, separately. After that announcement, ang akala ko magre-react siya o sasabihing may 'lover' siya, like those stories I read. Pero ni wala siyang sinabi about doon. He just said 'okay' and proceeded to talk about business with our fathers. Aside from acting kasi, he's also managing half of their company. Kaya kapag ma bash at mapatalsik 'yan sa industry, hindi iyon magiging kawalan para sakaniya. Not to mention, both our families are one of the most powerful families to have handled the business they have and make them the most powerful companies around asia. Kaya ganoon ang desisyon ng pamilya namin na magpakasal. Para mas aangat ang Salvatore-Devereux businessess. Especially now, na medyo bumabagsak na ang business ng Salvatore because of those shits who spied and betrayed us. That's why I agreed to my parents' decision na magpakasal sa Devereux, to help our business. 

"You're not congratulating your fiancee, are you?" I felt shivered when I heard him whispered. 

Nakabalik na pala ito sa upuan niya. 

I secretly looked around if there's a camera monitoring us. Mahirap na.

Ayokong magka-issue kasama ang lalaking 'to. 

"Why can't you answer me, my fiancee?" Naramdaman kong mas lalong lumalapit ito sa 'kin kaya isiniko ko siya ng palihim. 

"Bakit ka ba lumalapit? We're not close." I said and moved my chair away from him. 

I saw him smirked which isn't a good idea. Alam kong may binabalak 'to. 

"Oh, yeah? As I remembered, you're my soon-to-be-wife and I am yours." I cringe at what he said. 

"What? Why are you suddenly like this? Is it bacause we both won the award?" I rolled my eyes. "Gosh." I scoffed. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to win the award higher than yours." 

"Oh, yeah? Try me then." He said while looking in front. I just shook my head in disbelief. 

Hours have passed at hindi na kami nagpansinan ng lalaking katabi ko hanggang sa matapos ang event.

"Naomi, you received a call from your mother." Nagulat ako sa biglang pagsulpot ni Aya kaya napahawak ako sa upuan. Kinuha ko ang phone at sinagot ang tawag. 

"Hi, mom?" 

"Anak, I'm sorry if ngayon ko lang sasabihin 'to kasi nakalimutan ko kanina." 

"It's okay po. What is it, mom?"