Hanap-hanap

Chapter 2

A/N: Thank you to those who have bothered to read my work. Comments are more than welcome, positive or otherwise. ;-) Enjoy!
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She pulled her hair carelessly into a bun as she waited in the conference anteroom, pleased that she didn't have to get all dolled up today. Not that she didn't like all the hair, make up, body-hugging dresses, and mile-high shoes that came with the trappings of fame, but she did tire of it every so often, feeling restricted by the limitations placed upon her by every single thing.

Sometimes it was good to just let everything hang, to be herself, and to be loved for that anyway.

She looked at her phone for the fifth time since she arrived and dismissed it just as quickly; it was easier to distract herself with counting minutes than to wonder what was happening behind the closed doors of the conference room. Having been told that the meeting was to start at three, she had dutifully arrived thirty minutes earlier - and was surprised that a meeting had already begun and did not include her, nor her on screen partner, James.

And speaking of James ...

She picked up her phone and typed a quick message: Hoy. Where are you?

The response came quickly: Five minutes.

They've started without us.

Okay.

Not surprised?

Not really.

She sighed, her mind still preoccupied as her eyes found the packet of photos that one of their VIVA managers, Veronique, had sent over to her house that morning. She had taken one look and stuffed the rest back where it belonged - she didn't need to see every single thing to know that they would only be more of the same - and ruthlessly tamped down on the twinge she felt deep in her heart as she did so.

Those sorts of twinges were the sorts she promised herself she couldn't - wouldn't - entertain.

Especially not where it concerned her partner.

"Huy, Naddie," a familiar voice called, pulling her out of her thoughts. Her hairdresser, make-up artist, and good friend rolled into one, Paul, stepped into the room and stopped a few feet away from her, horror dawning on his face as he took in her appearance. "Baby girl, ano ba naman yang buhok mo? Saka yang suot mo, bakit parang gumulong-gulong ka lang sa bed? Ang chaka naman, eh may meeting ka with senior management ..."

Thankful for the distraction, Nadine smiled in welcome. "Naman, hindi 'to photo shoot. Meeting lang. Day off ko today and sabi naman ni Boss Vic noon, pag day off 'tas may sudden meetings, no need to dress up. Kelangan ding magpahinga ng hair ko."

Paul rolled his eyes. "At least sinuklay mo naman sana." He walked over, sat beside her, and, taking a wide paddle brush from his ever-present kit, began to authoritatively pull her hair out of its messy bun and comb it into submission. "Eh kung makita ka ni baby boy ng ganito ... aruy, turn off!"

She shrugged at that, putting on her best blank face. "Sus. Wala namang paki si James sa buhok ko."

Paul's eyes widened at her comment, travelled to the table where the packet of photos lay, then went back to her, his expression softening with sympathy and understanding. "Aruy ulit. Hugot ba yun, baby girl?"

She shrugged again.

He sighed. "Ay naku, ewan ko naman dito kasi kay James. Kung sino-sinong babae ang kinakalantari. Ang papangit naman, mukhang mga ... ay, naku. Hindi ba nya naisip na yung ginagawa nya eh nakakaapekto sa 'yo?"

"Wag mo naman syang i-judge masyado, Paul," Nadine said quellingly, biting her lip as Paul worked the brush through a particularly stubborn knot in her hair. "Buhay naman nya yan. Private life nya."