Parting Her Petals (Monforte Series #2)

Kabanata 25

Ulan

"Is that the guy from your cousin's post?"

Napabaling ako sa tinutukoy ni Rex. Norman didn't leave the set even if I told him to. Maraming napapatingin sa kaniya dahil ngayon lamang siya nakita na narito. And they were eyeing me lightly if he's with me. O kung mayroon ba akong relasyon sa kaniya.

Hindi pa nakatulong na nakabuyangyang ang binibigay niyang bulaklak sa'kin sa labas ng tent.

I immediately shook my head and tried to focus on our work. Rex just smirked at me and shook his head after.

"Ang hirap maging maganda?" he concluded.

I eyed him for him to stop talking about it. His foreign eyes made him look menacing. His stubble made him more mature than every girl was craving for him. I get it but don't usually fold when it comes to looks.

Oh, before.

I raised my brows. "I didn't say anything, Rex."

He bit his lower lip and pouted. "Alam mo, gusto ko rin sanang sumali sa bandwagon ng loveteams dito sa Pinas, e." he puffed on his cigarette and blew the smoke out. "It will be chaotic but I'm sure it will be beneficial." he cocked his head. "Gusto mo bang ituloy ang gusto ng fans?"

His voice rolled down his throat like he was whispering something evil to me as he looked at me with devilish eyes.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't wanna be caged in that. And also, I know I can do it by myself."

He smirked at me. Nilingon niya si Norman na mariing nakatingin sa aming dalawa. Hindi ko na gusto pang tingnan si Norman dahil ayokong isipin niyang mayroon akong concern. I don't want him thinking that we do have a chance.

Rex and I were in a bed. The set that the production made for us. A lot of staff were in front of us doing their jobs. Kami naman dito ay naghihintay na lang na mag-roll. Wearing our sexy pajamas, you would think this could be something else. And without all the people around, it looks like we are a couple for real. Pero hindi.

"This guy is a tough cookie. At dahil nandito siya, maaaring nasa internet na 'to ngayon. If you will agree to this upcoming love team, your ass will be saved. Kaya kitang i-save. I can just tell on an interview that you're not with him and you're with me. Ganoon lang kadali."

Umiling ako. Masama ko siyang tiningnan para matigil siya sa mga gusto niyang mangyari. I can't believe he's trying to do this all along. Naramdaman kong hinawakan niya ang buhok ko pero tinabig ko ang kamay niya. Natawa siya sa ginawa ko at pinakatitigan pa ako.

"Come on, you think models did that all to themselves?" humalakhak siya. "Kung walang pumayag sa kagustuhan ng nakatataas, walang modelong rumarampa ngayon na may milyon sa balikat."

I sighed but I felt something in my stomach. I want to remove myself from him but I still need to do my job.

I am not blinded by this side of the industry. Marami nga'ng ganoon ang ginagawa dahil masyadong makipot ang daan papunta sa itaas. Some people do that to climb easily... or maybe get carried to be on top. I don't wanna judge those people because I do understand all the struggle. Dahil ang iba nga'ng nasa itaas na, gustong manatili at kailangan ring i-secure ang pwesto.

"Kaya ba biglang sabog ng pangalan mo?" I spat because I remember how he's been introduced all of a sudden by the management.

He nodded profusely. "And still doing so..."

"Is that why you asked me to be your lead?"

I slowly turned to him, trying to catch his reaction. He smirked. Like a cat being caught. No, a cat that has been caught but tried to scratch me until I bleed... until I agree. He's proud of what he's trying to do.