“Mackie, I just want to say I’m so proud of the work you’ve done this past month,” the Director, Mr. Lawrence, said with a smile as he leaned back in his chair. “Thank you, Sir. I’m really grateful to be doing what I love,” Mackenzie replied, her own smile bright with pride.
“I heard you have an interview later with Star Ent?” he asked, his tone casual but sharp. “Yes, Sir. It’s for this month’s Streamer Magazine feature,” Mackenzie answered, keeping her tone professional. “Good, good,” Mr. Lawrence said, pausing for effect. “Do well. And about your… relationship with Addison—make sure to keep mentioning her to the press.” Mackenzie blinked, her smile faltering. “Po? Bakit po?”. “Any publicity is good publicity, Mackenzie,” he said, his voice firm now. “Build the narrative. Make it seem like there’s more between you two.” Mackenzie froze, the weight of his words sinking in.
“If you have to,” Mr. Lawrence added, his tone growing sharper, “ligawan mo para magmukhang totoo.”
“Ate Ads, bakit hindi ka pa pumipili ng dress?” Shan asked, glancing at Addison, who sat quietly in the corner while she and Mandy tried on outfits.
“Hindi pa ako sure kung pupunta ako,” Addison replied softly, avoiding their curious gazes. “Huh? Eh si Ms. K na mismo nagsabi na invited ka, part ka pa nga ng event,” Mandy said, her confusion evident. “I know… pero parang hindi ako bagay dun,” Addison admitted, her voice tinged with worry. “I barely know anyone aside from Jhai, Gab, at Mackie.” “Eh kami?” Shan exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips. “Nakakahiya naman, Ate Ads. Kami nga pupunta, ikaw hindi,” Mandy said, trying to convince her.
“Eh invited din naman kayo nila Jhai at Gab,” Addison countered. “Ahh, so may iniintay mag-invite,” Shan teased with a sly smile. “Ang hina naman kasi ng bata ko, torpe pala,” Mandy said, shaking her head in mock disapproval. “Luh, hindi noh. Hindi naman niya obligasyon yun,” Addison said, her eyes dropping to the floor. “Mali rin naman mag-expect.”
“Wag ka na mag-expect, Ate. Every year since debut nila, si Dior lagi ang date ni Mackie,” Mandy pointed out with a shrug. “Iba na ngayon. May MaDdi na!” Shan chimed in, nudging Addison playfully.
“Pustahan tayo, oh—si Dior pa rin ang date niya,” Mandy said, extending her hand for a shake. “Si Ate Addison na yan. MaDdi tayo!” Shan declared, shaking Mandy’s hand with a grin, sealing their playful deal.
"Ms. K, ano bang gagawin ko?" Mackie groaned, pacing like a restless kid in front of her manager. "Aba, malay ko sa’yo," Ms. K replied, barely looking up from her clipboard. “Problema nga naman ng mga pogi,” Jhai quipped from the couch, smirking as she sipped her soda. “Problema kamo ng mga red flag,” Gab chimed in with a laugh, earning a playful glare from Mackie. “Red flag agad?” Mackie shot back, crossing her arms. “Alam ko naman na choice ko eh”.
“Alam mo na pala, eh bakit hindi mo pa tanungin? Sige ka, maunahan ka pa,” Jhai teased, wiggling her brows with a mischievous grin.
“What are you guys on about?” Dior asked as she entered the room, her voice cutting through the low buzz of conversation. “Oh, D! Andyan ka pala,” Gab said, startled by her sudden appearance. “Just dropping by,” Dior replied, casually flopping onto the couch beside Jhai. “Kakatapos ko lang mag-stream.” She leaned back, glancing around. “So, anong pinag-uusapan niyo?”
The room fell into an awkward silence, everyone avoiding eye contact until Ms. K walked in briskly. “May fitting kayo bukas para sa damit niyo sa Saturday, ha,” she announced, her tone all business. Dior smirked, breaking the tension. “Do you two have dates na?” she asked, looking at Gab and Jhai.
“I asked Ate Mandy. Ang saya niya kasama, eh,” Jhai said with a grin. “Shan asked me out,” Gab added casually.
“Ha?!” Mackenzie burst into laughter, shaking her head. “I was gonna ask her, pero nauna siya magsalita,” Gab admitted, scratching her nape with an embarrassed smile. Dior turned to Mackenzie, her eyebrow raised. “Ikaw?”
“Oh… I’m preparing for it na,” Mackenzie said quickly, a little too quickly, her tone betraying the nerves she tried to hide.
“Aanhin ko kaya ‘to,” Addison muttered to herself, staring at the dress she’d reluctantly bought. “Ano ba ginagawa mo sakin, Mackenzie Lim,” she groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Bakit ba kita hinayaan…” she whispered, her voice laced with frustration as she messed up her hair, replaying the kiss in her mind for the hundredth time. Lost in her thoughts, the sharp sound of a knock pulled her back to reality.
“Oh, ano ginagawa mo dito?” Addison asked, her voice laced with confusion as she opened the door to find someone unexpected standing there. The girl in front of her hesitated for a moment before meeting Addison’s gaze, her tone steady but nervous. “Will you be my date this Saturday?”
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@everyone, are you guys open to reading a bit of intense scenes (ifyk) please comment so I know if I'll write. Guys I have to know 😭
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Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU
FanfictionWhen a world-famous eSports champion pairs up with a clueless newbie for a livestream, sparks fly-but not the kind you'd expect. As Mikha patiently guides Aiah through game fails, fans can't get enough of their chemistry, pushing Mikha's management...
