Last Shot at Love

CHAPTER ONE

MJ ROSS

"Alright, last frame!" I said to the models for the White Dust Campaign of the new collection of Chanel.

Sa wakas. Tapos na ang nakakapagod pero masayang photoshoot namin for their print ad.

"Nice job, people! Congrats!" I said at isa-isang kinamayan ang mga modelo.  I heard my phone ring kaya naman agad kong sinagot ito.

"Ross, speaking. " I said in my formal tone.

"Ross mo mukha mo, Mj! Get your ass in here! Same place, ciao!" And the line died. Tsk. Hindi man lang ako pinagsalita.

I packed my things and drove my way to Henry's. A restaurant here in L.A. where we often eat.

"At last, the busy bee photographer is here!" Kean said as I kissed them in their cheeks.

"Kean, pagod yan for sure. Huwag mo nang pagtripan si Mj." Awat ni Pia kay Kean.

"Alas! Someone's sensible here." Natatawang saad ko. "So what's up? Anong meron at may padinner kayo?"

"Well, Sarah, Alex and Bea wanted to have a conference video call in Skype. Eh magkasama na kami ni Kean kanina so we decided to call you so we can have dinner na rin as well." Paliwanag ni Pia sa akin.

"Gosh! You could have just asked me to open my laptop or something. Pinagod niyo pa ako magdrive." Reklamo ko dito.

"Libre ni Pia ang food, wag choosy, Ross." Kean blurt out.

"Oh, okay." Sagot ko na lang.

"Here comes Cory, cory-pot." Pia said and Kean laughed.

"I'm not kuripot, I'm just-----"

"Frugal, there's a difference. Oo na, papaliwanag ka pa eh." Kean cut me off and laughed harder.

I decided to ignore her. Anyway, I am Margaux Julian Ross. I am a professional photographer who happens to work with different luxury and signature brands and no, I am not bragging it. That's my friends Kean and Pia who stays with me here in L.A. Parehong bank executive ng isang American bank at umattend ng training dito sa LA habang ako ay abala sa kaliwa't kanang photoshoot. Yung tatlo namang sina Sarah, Alex and Bea ay nasa Pilipinas. Sarah is a celebrity fashion designer while Bea is a Lawyer and last but not the least, Alex is a Veterinarian.

My phone rang and I accepted the video call from Sarah.

"Hi, Mj! Oh my gosh! Why are wearing your white button down na naman! Di ba, I told you to wear different tops! I even sent you some!" Here we go again.

"Did you call just to nag me, Sarah?" Masungit na sagot ko dito.

"Kasi naman eh! Anyways, wait up, I'll add the others." Then narinig ko na ang sunod sunod na pag beep.

"Alright, everyone here na ba?" Tanong ni Attorney Bea and everyone said present.

"So, what's this all about?" Tanong ni Pia, our mother hen. But na lang nasa isang private room kami kaya we can freely skype or talk to anyone.

"Well, we all need you here, as soon as possible." Alex announced.

"Why? The training will end naman na tomorrow. Siguro we'll be there in 4 days, I guess? Bakit parang ang serious mo naman, Alex?" Kean said.

"I am not going there." I said coldly. Never again.

"You will, Mj. Friendship over na kapag hindi ka pumunta dito." Saad ni Alex.

"No, I won't go back there, Alex."

"Yes, you will. I am engaged, Mj. I want you to be here. Please. Kahit ito na lang regalo mo sa akin. I'm getting married in two months. Gusto ko sana i-announce ng personal here but it seems that I have no choice." She explained.

"Can't you just get married here?" Anong ko and I bite my lip.

"I can't and I don't want to, Mj. Please, guys, help me naman oh." We were silent for two minutes.

"Come on, Mj. Minsan lang ikakasal si Alex. And it is high time that you come home. Marami rin nakakamiss sayo sa Pinas." Pia tried to convince me.

"Please, M. Gusto namin makumpleto ulit tayo kahit short period of time lang." Sarah said.

"Mj, do we need to kneel pa ba? I thought we'll be each other's bride's maid kapag dumating na tong araw na to?" Bea said.

"Tsaka makakatipid si Alex kapag ikaw ang magshoshoot ng pre-nup at wedding niya. Di ka na gagastos sa regalo, M!" Biro naman ni Kean sa akin.

"Kahit hindi na ikaw ang magshoot ng pre-nup namin, okay lang. Just be here. Yun na lang gift mo sa akin. Just your presence. I can even ask Dad to arrange the private jet to fetch you in LA." I can trace her begging voice.

"Please, Mj!" Sabay sabay nilang sabi.