Act of Fervor (Mad Men, #3)

Kabanata 3

Kabanata 3

Mom:

Did you get in touch with his sister?

I love mom. I love my mother. I really love her. I love her to death. No matter how stubborn she is, I will never get irritated with her. I love her.

These words played inside my head as I stared at my phone while waiting. In a day, I received multiple texts and calls from my mother, looking for a reply. I haven't had an answer to their request.

Seb is unreachable. It's been three days since I came back here to Manila then flew to South Korea for a campaign, pero wala pa rin akong natatanggap na sagot sa kanya. I even contacted Conrad, Nella (my cousin), Benj, and even Lana's best friend (sabi ni Lana) si Leigh Salazar.

Ang kapal na nga ng mukha ko para matigil na sina Mum and Dad sa pangungulit for these past few days. Even Miles, the whole time we were in San Mateo, we tried to contact the people we knew.

Pero wala talaga.

Iba talaga minsan ang trip nitong mag-asawa. It's probably Lana's idea na no phone allowed or what or baka walang signal 'yung pinuntahan nila. I love you, Lana, pero why?

I took a deep breath and calmed my senses. I typed a reply.

Me:

No answer yet po. Will reach out ASAP. Might take a while to reply, work na. Love you, mom!

My phone pinged quickly.

Mom...

I sighed and shook my head.

Hindi 'ko na sinilip ang nilagay na ang telepono sa bag. I looked at myself in the mirror. Today's campaign is not simple. The style, the make-up, the set-up are all out of this world. I am exaggerating, of course. Pero believe me or not, it is really exciting to shoot it, given the place is in the courtyard of the 14th century Gyeongbokgung Palace. A fashion show will also be held here. So freaking thrilling and royal-ish!

A tent was set up for the models and for the stylist to prepare. Lumabas muna ako panandali upang umihi pero sumabay naman ulit si Mommy.

Heavenly Dream, the concept. I was assigned for the South Korean's fairytale, The Green Frogs with Kiko, a model from a different agency. But she is a good friend of mine. Kiko is mix of Korean, Filipino, and American blood. Born in the States but current location is Manila. Long story-short, we were dressed in green corset bodysuits with a long loose skirt.

The brand set up an improvised pond for us to lie down in, complete with real plants and frogs. I'm not scared of frogs-I've worked with them before, and they're actually friendly and professional. I swear.

Kidding aside, no animals were harmed in our campaign, and they were well taken care of.

Tapos na rin ang parte namin ni Kiko, but the photographer and creative director still had lingering thoughts on their mind's kaya namalagi pa rin kami. Si Kiko naman nagpaalam sa akin para lumabas saglit para mag-smoke. I don't know where it is mukhang malayo pa at ginamit pa ang kotse nung kapatid niyang photographer, si Choi. I had to text her kapag nagpatawag na ulit ang director.

Ugh, my hair is back to black now. I'm glad about it but for how long.

I washed my hands and dried them with the tissue available. Isa pang tingin sa salamin ay lumabas na ako ng restroom.

"Jameica..." a manly and familiar voice appeared.

Halos masapo ko ang dibdib sa gulat.

"Choi!" gulat 'ko sabay tawa ng medyo kinabahan.