Always

One

"James, I am so disappointed." Ate Ca said calmly but James knew she was so close to bursting.

"I know." James replied curtly.

News about James partying hardcore and hooking up with a random girl broke out few days after the party happened. Pictures were all over the internet. Fans and even non-fans went crazy. Bashers increased as the time passed by.

Suddenly, he thought of Nadine.

"Ate Ca, does Nadine know?" James asked. Ate Ca just shrugged.

James was overthinking. He knew well enough that Nadine was so emotional. Nadine's his defender but when bashers became inhuman, Nadine just cried. Nadine does not show that she cries. But James always made sure to ask Nadine's bestfriends about Nadine's reactions on every issues that James was included. And if Nadine already knew about the issue... Damn it.

"James time to fix na!" That made James recover from overthinking.

Today, they were scheduled to do a photoshoot for a magazine.

James was ready in just less than 30 minutes. It wasn't really hard for men ,especially James, to fix themselves. Knowing James, he always does his hair. He didn't like anybody touching his hair except Nadine of course. His thoughts came back to Nadine again. And then he realized, Nadine hasn't arrived yet.

"Ate Ca, wala pa ba sila Nadine?" James asked Ate Ca who was busy with her phone.

"Medyo na traffic lang, malapit na yun."

James uneasiness was almost killing him. He was fidgeting in his seat while waiting for Nadine. He didn't know what to say to Nadine.

Minutes later, Nadine and her glam team arrived. The glam team immediately started their work.

"Ateng, okay ka lang?" Ate Ca asked Nadine. James was eavesdropping their conversation.

"Oo naman ate. Bakit naman ako hindi magiging okay?"

"Wala lang just making sure." Nadine smiled. Damn. That smile. James knew it was not a genuine smile.

"Start na tayo guys!"

"Nadine..." James started but was cut off by the director.

"Nadz sa first five shots stand behind James ka lang muna ha tapos put your arms on his shoulders, basta yun ikaw na bahala." The director instructed Nadine.

"Sige po."

Before James could start to say something to Nadine again, he heard the director say "start". And the cameras started flickering.

"Guys boss Vic just called me. Meeting daw mamaya." Caryl informed James and Nadine.

"Shit."  James cursed under his breath. He knew he was in deep trouble.

"Nadz, gusto mo nang tanggalin yung makeup mo?" Jelly, who was part of Nadine's glams team, asked.

"Ah mamaya nalang. Sa bahay ko nalang to tatanggalin."

"Sige."

To be honest, James liked it when Nadine doesn't have makeup all over face. Hell, he loved it. If only he has a say about Nadine's looks...

____________________

They were currently inside Boss Vic's office. "They" were composed of James, Nadine, their road managers and Ms. Veronique, their mommyger. They were currently waiting for Boss Vic, who arrived few minutes later.

James was so antsy. He was seated beside Ate Ca. In front of him was Nadine, Barbie, and Ms. Veronique.

Shit this was it. His career would be cut off. Nadine would be paired with another guy. He would be kicked out.