Beauty and The Beast

Chapter 3

ALDEN

Kasalukuyang nasa isang endorsement shoot si Alden para sa isang sikat na clothing line. Katatapos lang ng first set nila at nagpapahinga siya. He is currently enjoying his food together with his glam team. Sometimes, he checks on his phone: answered some calls, reading comments from his Instagram posts, and checks on his Twitter notifications. Kani-kanila lang pagkatapos ng Eat Bulaga ay pinutakte siya ng biro ng mga co-hosts niya. Alam naman niya ang dahilan kung bakit. It's because of his tweet recently. In just a matter of 30 minutes, it gained 25 thousand favorites and 15 thousand retweets; hindi pa kasama diyan ang mga nag quote. He knew why. It's because of her: Binibining Marikit. He will always be grateful having a fan like her, who loves him unconditionally. Nagmamahal ng walang kapalit. Nagmamahal ng totoo. What he tweeted was just a small favor compared to what she has done for him for the past 5 years. As an actor, he is not usually interacting with his fans on social media. He wants to leave a little privacy for him and his family. Minsan kasi, naba- bad vibes siya lalo na kapag may mga lumalabas na mga false accusations tungkol sa kanya. Pero, sanay naman na siya talaga. Matapos niyang kumain ay naghahanda na siya para sa second, and probably the last set of the photo shoot. Bigla niyang naalala na may dapat siyang tawagan.

He searches from his list of contacts and dialed a certain number. After a few seconds, someone answered his call.

"Hello, kumusta? Are you ready?"

"Hello there! I guess so, RJ. But I'm really nervous. Do you think I can really do this?" sagot ng kausap niya sa kabilang linya.

"Of course, you can. It will be great. I promise. I'm still at the photo shoot but I will do everything para makahabol ako."

"Really? That's so sweet of you. But, no pressures. Kung hindi kaya ng schedule mo, huwag mo nang pilitin. I'll be fine."

"No, a promise is a promise. Kung hindi ko man masimulan, at least I can still watch you. 'Di ba ikaw ang pang finale?"

"Yes, I am. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit eh. But, if you're coming please let my floor director know. Baka hindi ko muna mahawakan ang phone ko later para makapag focus ako. Alam mo na."

"Alam mo ba kung bakit pang finale ka? It's because you're the best and I would agree with the saying, "Save the Best for Last", he said in a sweet way.

"Hay naku, nambola ka pa! But, yeah. I just wish that you were here with me. Ang clingy ko, 'di ba? Hahaha!"

"It's okay. I promise. I'll be there. At hindi kita binobola noh! Totoo lahat ng sinabi ko sa'yo."

"Alright then, Mr. Richard Faulkerson Jr. Take care and I'll wait for you here. Wish me luck."

"Hey, I would rather say...God bless you. Dadating ako. Pagkatapos ng shoot, deretso na ako diyan. Don't worry. You'll do great. I'll be there for you, Rachel."

After 2 hours and the shoot was done. It is already 8:00 o'clock in the evening. He rushes to his car. He can't afford to disappoint her. Buti nalang may driver siya ngayon. Nakasakay na siya sa kotse at papunta na ng Sofitel sa may Pasay City; ang lugar na pagdadausan ng Musical Play ni Rachel de Guzman. It is a Charity Event Musical Play for the benefit of the Operation Blessing Foundation. It is spearheaded by Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF). He knew Rachel for 2 years now. She became his spiritual mentor, life coach, and most of all...his best friend. Malapit din si Rachel sa family ni Alden at ganun' din naman siya sa pamilya nito. There were moments na nagkakasama ang pamilya nila lalo na kapag may special occassions. He knows that it's sounds so ironic but he feels comfortable with her. Kapag may problema siya, si Rachel ang madalas niyang pinupuntahan. She is a good person. She is also a child advocate, and most of all an aspiring Broadway singer. He knew that it's really her dream, and this event at Sofitel might be her chance having a break. Balita niya ay may mga producers na manonood. Gusto ni Alden na nandun' siya para sa kanya. He is her number 1 fan.