After I graduated, I focused on my modeling. Kabi-kabila ang projects at fashion shows na dinadaluhan ko. A lot of designers were inviting me to showcase their creations, to which I happily accepted all of them. Arty got busy as well. Sa sobrang dami ng projects ko, he became my full-time manager. Ako na lang ang talent na hinahawakan n'ya ngayon.
I didn't know that I would enjoy modeling this much. At first, I was having a hard time smiling genuinely at the camera. Palaging pilit ang ibinibigay ko o hindi kaya ay iyong mas appropriate sa image that the public had given me. The innocent and kind angel.
But... I guess I somehow matured, and it manifested in my looks as well. Mukha pa rin naman akong maamo but I think I look like a full-bloomed woman now. I still had that innocent aura around me, but Arty said that something did change in me. That was also why all the clothes I modeled then got a bit more revealing as well. Hindi na natakot ang mga designer na ako ang kunin na model kapag ganoon ang mga disenyo nila. Even Arty was accepting those projects for me kahit na malayo iyon sa mga damit na isinusuot ko noon.
At first, we were worried about the changes in me as well as in public opinion. But everyone accepted that. Hindi rin naman ganoong kalayo ang naging changes, and I still had that innocent look kaya sa tingin ko ay hindi rin nahirapan ang mga tao sa changes na 'yon.
There was only one person who didn't seem so happy with the changes in me. It was Devlin.
Ang akala ko pa nga ay mag-aaway kami noong una. I mean, I would really get angry with him in case man na pigilan n'ya ako but he didn't say anything. It had been more than a year since I graduated, and I started with my modeling changes, but still, Devlin remained silent.
I knew he was angry. I knew that he didn't like the changes. He was so... possessive of me. He always said that he didn't like sharing what was his. Pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako nakakarinig ng reklamo tungkol sa kanya.
"You can be honest with me, Devlin. Tell me if you don't like my job."
We were in my room. I just had another fashion show I attended yesterday, so I have free time now. Napagod ako roon so I chose to rest instead for this day. Next week pa rin naman ang next project ko so I had time para sa mga ibang bagay na gusto kong gawin.
We were both lying in my bed. Naunan ako sa dibdib ni Devlin at ang isang braso n'ya ay nakayakap sa 'kin. While he was using his other arm as a pillow.
"It's fine, Yelizaveta... As long as you're having fun."
His hand was caressing my bare arm. I was wearing a sleeveless dress kaya naman damang-dama ko ang paghaplos n'ya. It was tickling but making me hot at the same time.
Ipinasok ko ang isa kong kamay sa loob ng shirt n'ya. I touched his body, caressing every contour of his muscles and abs. It always amazed me how hard his body was. Ang sarap hawakan. Lalo pa at nararamdaman ko ang init ng katawan n'ya sa palad ko.
"So, hindi mo nga gusto?" Tiningala ko pa s'ya.
His dark eyes stared intensely at me.
"Will you quit your job if I say yes?" He challenged me.
"Of course not."
He chuckled. The rumbling in his chest as he let out his low baritone chuckle felt so good against my palm. At dahil nakaunan din ako sa dibdib n'ya, mas nagtunog malalim ang pagtawa n'yang 'yon.
I touched that little dent on his left cheek. I still haven't seen his dimple yet. 'Yung magpapakita talaga. Although I knew mas lalalim iyon kapag ngumiti na talaga s'ya. And it was then that I realized I hadn't seen him smiling fully. I didn't know but... it kinda saddens me. Para kasing hindi pa talaga s'ya nagiging masaya kaya hindi ko pa nakikita ng buo ang mga ngiti n'ya.
