Vrixian: The Missing Piece

Chapter 2: First Step

Christian sat in front of his computer, adjusting the camera and checking the lighting. The soft hum of the air conditioner mixed with the distant sounds of traffic outside, creating a familiar backdrop to his daily routine. naging normal na sa kaniya ang ganitong set up kaya naman kapag hindi niya naririnig, naninibago talaga siya. Nag-start na siyang mag-setup ng live stream niya—isang bagay na araw-araw na niyang ginagawa pero hindi pa rin siya nagsasawa. Hindi lang ito basta trabaho para sa kanya; ito ang paraan niya para maabot ang mga tao, maibahagi ang mga produkto na pinaghirapan niyang i-design at i-market.

As the countdown for the live stream began, Christian took a deep breath. "Okay, kaya natin 'to," he whispered to himself, a small smile playing on his lips. Palagi niya itong ginagawa upang mas lalo pa niya na mapakalma ang sarili niya. Sinasabi niya iyon habang nakatingin sa screen, nakita niya ang sarili niyang reflection—mukha siyang handa at determinado.

It was showtime.

"Good evening, everyone!" he greeted, his voice bright and energetic as the live stream started. Isa ito sa mga gustong gusto ng kaniyang audience. "Welcome back to another live session with me, Christian. Today, I have some exciting new pieces to show you, perfect for your everyday style!" Sandali tumigil si Christian saka ngumiti, "Paki-comment na lang po. Mine plus color plus item. Again, Mine plus color plus item."

Bumuhos agad ang mga comments at hearts mula sa kanyang viewers. He loved how engaged they were, always ready to support him and his brand. Pinakita niya ang mga bagong designs—mga damit na may simple pero classy na style, na perfect para sa casual at semi-formal looks. Habang nagtuturo siya, may mga comments siyang binabasa at sinasagot, making sure na lahat ng viewers niya ay nakaka-relate at nage-enjoy.

Ngunit sa kabila ng kanyang ngiti at lively na boses, may isang bagay na tumatakbo sa isip ni Christian—isang alalahanin na hindi niya basta-basta
maiwaksi. Kahit na anong sigla at saya niya ay mayroon la rin talagang nagkukubli sa likod nito na hindi alam ng karamihan.

Kagabi, nakipagtalo na naman siya sa girlfriend niya. Muli na namang nauwi sa usapang pera at mga demands ang kanilang diskusyon, at tulad ng dati, siya na naman ang nag-compromise. Hindi niya alam kung hanggang kailan niya matitiis ito. Pero ngayon, habang live siya, hindi puwedeng makita ng viewers niya ang bigat ng problema niya. Hindi rin naman niya magawang ipakita iyon sa kaniyang mga viewers dahil ayaw rin naman niya magkaroon ng issue.

As he wrapped up the live stream, Christian’s phone buzzed on the table beside him. Tiningnan niya ito at nakita ang isang email notification mula sa isang kumpanya—Big Gym Products. He frowned, puzzled by the sudden interest. Kilala niya ang kumpanya—isa itong malaking brand na kilala sa quality ng mga produkto nila sa fitness industry. Pero bakit kaya sila nag-email sa kanya?

Curious, he clicked on the email and began to read. As he scanned through the message, his heart skipped a beat.

What the...

Dear Mr. Martinez,

We are pleased to inform you that after thorough consideration, we have selected you as a potential candidate to be the brand ambassador for Big Gym Products. We believe that your positive image, growing influence, and personal commitment to fitness make you an ideal representative of our brand. We would like to invite you to a meeting to discuss this opportunity further.

Please let us know your availability so we can arrange a convenient time for you.

Sincerely,
Kevin Santos
Executive Assistant, Big Gym Products

***

Napabuntong-hininga si Christian. Ang dami niyang iniisip—ang bigat ng opportunity na ito, pero kasabay din nito ang mga tanong na bumabagabag sa kanya. Bakit siya? Bakit siya ang napili sa dami ng mas kilala at mas malalaking content creators? Masaya siya sa opportunity na ito ngunit  bakit pakiramdam niya ang bigat nito?

He couldn't deny the excitement building inside him. This could be a game-changer for his brand and his career. Pero kasabay nito, naroon din ang takot na baka hindi siya sapat, na baka hindi niya kayanin ang expectations ng isang malaking kumpanya tulad ng Big Gym.

"Shoot," he muttered, rubbing his temples. He needed to talk to someone about this, someone who could help him sort through his thoughts. But when he thought of his girlfriend, alam niyang hindi ito ang tamang tao para kausapin tungkol dito. She would probably just see dollar signs, thinking about how much money they could make from this deal. Pero sa totoo lang, more than the money, ang naiisip ni Christian ay kung paano nito mababago ang buhay niya. Instead, he found himself dialing a different number, one that had become a source of comfort and advice in recent weeks.

"Hello? Abuela?" he said when the line connected.

"Yes, mijo? Is everything alright?" Mrs. Alvarez's warm voice came through the speaker, instantly calming him. Iba talaga nagagawa ng family sa kaniya.

"May sasabihin sana ako," Christian started, pacing back and forth in his small living room. "I just received an offer… a really big one. Big Gym Products wants me to be their brand ambassador."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Mrs. Alvarez spoke again, her voice full of pride. "That’s wonderful news, Christian! I knew something great was coming your way. You’ve worked so hard, and you deserve this opportunity."

Christian smiled at her words, feeling a bit of the weight on his shoulders lift. "Yeah, it is good news… pero, I don’t know, Abuela. I’m worried. What if I’m not good enough for this? What if they’re expecting too much from me?"

Mrs. Alvarez chuckled softly. "Mijo, you’ve already proven yourself time and time again. You’re smart, hardworking, and you have a good heart. Those are the qualities that matter. Just be yourself, and everything will fall into place."

Her words made Christian feel better, easing some of the anxiety that had been building up. "Thank you, Abuela. I really needed to hear that."

"Always, mijo. I believe in you," Mrs. Alvarez said warmly. "Now, go and take that opportunity. Show them what you can do."

With renewed confidence, Christian ended the call and turned back to his computer. He opened the email from Big Gym Products again, rereading the offer with a new perspective. His doubts hadn’t entirely disappeared, but they were overshadowed by a growing determination to prove himself—not just to Big Gym, but to himself as well.

Meanwhile, in the sleek, modern office of Big Gym Products, Vrix Gallano was staring out the window, his thoughts far from the bustling city below. Nang ma-confirm ng kanyang assistant na pumayag si Christian sa meeting, hindi niya mapigilang makaramdam ng excitement na matagal na niyang hindi nararanasan.

He had finally found him. Matagal na niyang hinintay ang sandaling ito, at ngayon, it was within his grasp. He could almost see the future unfolding before him—Christian standing beside him, just as he had always imagined. But along with the excitement was a lingering sense of dread. What if Christian didn’t remember him? What if the connection they once had was gone?

No, he couldn’t think like that. He had to stay focused, take things one step at a time. And the first step was to make sure Christian agreed to be the face of his brand. The rest would follow.

Vrix sat back down at his desk, looking at the profile picture of Christian on his screen. "I won’t let you slip away again," he murmured to himself, determination hardening his gaze.

Little did they both know, this meeting would set off a chain of events that would not only bring them back together but would also challenge everything they thought they knew about themselves and each other.