These Triplets Aren't Mine

Chapter 17

Caius

"C-Caius?"

Mabuti na lamang ay walang nakarinig sa sinabi ko dahil nakatuon ang atensyon ng lahat sa bagong dating na lalaki.

He's Caius Vindiez Lomonosov, my almost spouse.

I was 18 when I met him in the celebration of my debut. I knew something was up when our relatives gathered in one place, it was not an ordinary reunion or to celebrate my birthday as a new fully adult person.

They had planned to make it an engagement party, claiming that it would be the best gift I'll ever receive in my birthday.

Sinong debutante and may gusto ng regalong asawa?

He removed his face mask and smiled at the camera.

Mabilis na napunta sa direksyon niya ang mga camera kasabay ng pagkislapan ng mga ito. Bawat anggulo ay nakuhanan ng litrato.

"The Jack of all Trades! Mr. Lomonosov! Are you the director who'll replace Direk Perez?" The face of the journalist lit up by the sight of the hottest director in the country.

He still shines the most when he's doing what he loves.

Caius chuckled and shifted his gaze at me. I pretend to glance at my phone, refusing to have an eye contact with him. Ayokong magkaissue, ako lang yata ang artistang hindi matulong-tuloy ang pagsikat dahil sa iba't ibang issue.

But thanks to him, the attention is now all over him instead of me.

"I think being called the jack of all trades is too much. But thank you." He smiled. "For those who doesn't know me, I'm Caius Lomonosov and I just want to clarify that I'm not here to replace Direk Perez, no one can replace him. I'm merely continuing what he started with Sir Won and the whole production."

Everyone's full of smiles with his humble statement. It's admirable how his presence alone is enough to calm this crowd of untamed servants of media starving for controversial content.

Kahit na ang kabadong si Sir Won na kanina ay todo paalala sa'min ng mga dapat lang naming sabihin sa presscon ay tila nakahinga nang malalim dahil sa pagdating ni Caius.

The presscon went smooth after Caius took over in answering questions from the press.

"Parang mawawala ka." Nilingon ko si Desmond sa tabi ko. He's browsing the script. "He's staring too much na parang mawawala ka, Era."

Napaayos ako ng upo ko. He's talking about Caius.

Lahat ng tao rito ay palihim ding inoobserbahan ang reaksyon ko. They know that Caius and I almost got married. Laman kami ng showbiz balita dati. They even named us as 'the perfect couple.'

Until we broke up.

Mula no'ng araw na lumabas sa media ang balitang hindi na matutuloy ang kasal naming dalawa, nasira ang lahat ng sa akin. I was the one blamed for it.

"Don't put any meaning to it, Desmond." I whispered to him.

"He's intentionally staring. Nagpapapansin." Desmond clicked his tongue in irritation.

Katatapos lang ng table-reading, naging maayos din ito dahil professional ang mga kasama ko. It was finished with minimal modification and recommendation in improving the dialogue of some characters.

"Erasmin."

Natigilan ako sa pagpapaalam sa mga co-actors ko. Nilingon ko si Caius na tinawag ang pangalan ko.

My heart's pumping so loud. Ang tagal naming hindi nagkita at nagkausap dalawa.

"Hello, Director." I smiled at him.