Chapter 4
At last, natapos na ang show. Everyone were clapping and I feel so relieved. Nagbunga din ang ilang araw kong pagpupuyat.
“JC darling.” I heard someone called.
It’s Mariz, my mentor. “Mariz. I’m happy to see you here.” I hugged her tight. Matagal ko na di kasi itong di nakikita mula ng magretiro ito sa pagihing modelo.
“Same here JC. And by the way, what else can I say? Wow. That was a great show darling. I’m so proud of you.” I can sense the sincerity in her voice. Simula pa lang ay malaki na ang suporta nito sa akin. Sje was not just a mentor, she's also a good friend.
“Thank you Mariz. Alam mo naman na utang ko sa’yo lahat nang to. You’re a great mentor, that’s why.” I said as a matter of fact.
“Oh c’mon JC. Don’t flatter me that much. Alam natin na lahat ng narating mo, hindi mo mararating kung di dahil sa pagsusumikap mo.” If there’s one thing that I like in her, it’s her own way of making me feel proud.
“By the way, who’s this handsome man beside you- your boyfriend?” Tumingin sya sa left side ko.
N’on ko lang napansin na nasa tabi ko na pala si John. “No. He's not my boyfriend. John, this is Mariz Salazar, my beautiful mentor. And Mariz I want you to meet John Cordero, a good friend of mine.”
“A friend?” Alam ko na may nais iparating si Mariz the way she said it pero di ko na lang pinansin. “I’m pleased to meet you John.”
“Same here Ma’am.” And they shake hands.
“Oh please. Don’t call me Ma’am. Just call me Mariz. Wait.” Tinitigan nyang mabuti ang mukha ni John. “You look familiar hijo. I think I saw you somewhere but I don’t remember.”
“Maybe you saw him in one of the magazines.” I said proudly.
“Yeah. Yeah. You’re in the cover of the latest issue of the Bachelor’s Magazine. Now I know why you are hailed one of the most sought after bachelors in town. To tell you, those pictures didn’t give any justice. Don’t you think so JC?”
“Huh?” Nagulat ako at di nakapagsalita agad. “Yeah, maybe.” I answered. “Just maybe Mr. Cordero so don’t flatter yourself too much, ok?” Nakangiting sabi ko kay John.
“Sabi mo eh.” He said laughing.
“By the way John, are you somehow related to Fely Cordero?”
“She’s my mom.”
“Really? What a coincidence. She used to be my buddy way back in college. Ikumusta mo nga ako sa kanya.”
“I’ll tell her Mariz.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you two meet?” Nagpalipat- lipat sya ng tingin samin.
“Remember Ashley? My bestfriend?” I asked her.
“Of course I remember her. Sya lang naman ang author ng isa sa mga paborito kong libro."
“They’re cousins.”
“Now I know. Fame runs in your blood.” Mariz said as a matter of fact.
“I agree.” I said. Lahat naman kasi sila sa pamilya nila ay nakapagcreate na ng kanya kanyang pangalan. Ate Maegan, the eldest sister of Ashley is running an international school. Ate Mhyca, is a news anchor while Ate Marionne is a great lawyer. They made their own names without the influence of their father- Bernardo Pineda who happens to be the president of Pineda Group of Companies. So tell me, am I right or right?
Nagpatuloy ang kwentuhan namin. Natigil lang ng tawagin na si Mariz ng iba pang personalidad na matunog din ang pangalan pagdating sa fashion industry.
“So, aren’t we going to celebrate the success of your show?” John said after Mariz left.
“Kaylangan pa ba’yon?”
“Aba syempre. Kahit naman hindi ito ang first major fashion show mo, still this is the first one I witnessed.” Pangungumbinsi nya pa sakin. “Please.” At talagang nagpacute pa.
“Haisst. Oo na. Basta treat ko.” Pagsang-ayon ko na lang.
“No. This will be my treat.” He insisted.
“But..” Di ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko cause he sealed my lips with his finger.
“Pssh.. No more buts. This is my treat ok?”
Sino pa ba naman ang makakatanggi kung ganito kagwapo ang magdedemand sa’yo. “Fine. Basta next time ako naman.” Tsk ano bang next time ang sinasabi ko. Malamang sa malamang di na to mauulit pa.
Sige na nga, susulitin ko na lang ang mga sandaling magkasama kami. Once in a life time lang to no.
