Steal Your Heart

Chapter 27.1: Exhibit

AXEL

"Tito Derek, ano'ng schedule mamaya?" tanong ni Julian sa manager namin habang inaayos ng mga assistant stylists ang damit naming lima.

"Your recording was moved for tomorrow so after this interview, you're free to go," sagot niya habang nakatingin sa hawak niyang itim na planner.

"Mamayang gabi, pupunta tayo sa launching ng art and photo exhibit ni Ethos, 'di ba?" tanong ni Stefan at tumango naman ako habang isinusuot ko ang itim na leather jacket. "I'm bringing Mary with me," dagdag niya.

"Are you going to bring your girlfriends as well, Dane and Kevin?" tanong ni Tito Derek sa kanila at si Dane lang ang tumango.

Hindi sikreto ang pagkakaro'n nila ng girlfriends. Hindi rin pabor ang management dito noon dahil makakasira lang daw ito sa career namin. But in our defense, we're here for our music, not to please their whims regarding our personal lives.

"Yes, Tito. We're allowed to bring our plus ones, right?" pagkukumpirma pa ni Dane.

"Yes, but please be careful. You have an image to protect. Ikaw rin, Stefan," paalala ng manager namin. "How about you, Kevin? You're not bringing Sophie with you?"

"May family event sila, Tito. She won't be able to come," sagot niya. "I'm bringing Rheigne with me."

"Joaquin and Sophie's cool with it?" patanong kong sabi.

"Nag-away sila ni Rheigne kaya ayaw niyang isama si Joaqs. Sophie's cool with it. She's friends with the girls so that's not really an issue," sagot niya bago siya bumaling sa manager namin. "You're invited, 'di ba Tito? You're not going to come?" tanong niya.

"Pupunta ako, Kev. But that's your free time so I'll let you be," paliwanag ni Tito Derek. "Pinapaalalahan ko lang kayo. Naiintindihan niyo naman siguro, hindi ba?"

"Yes, Tito," sabay-sabay naming sagot.

Tito Derek's been managing us for three years now. Kabisado na niya ang mga ugali namin at kung paano niya kami i-ha-handle. Hindi rin siya masyadong mahigpit sa amin pero hindi siya nagkukulang sa mga paalala tungkol sa mga dapat at hindi namin dapat gawin.

"Boys, I brought new wardrobes for you and your suits are already here as well," bungad ni Tito Tony nang pumasok siya sa dressing room. Isa-isa kaming yumakap sa kanya bilang pagbati bago namin tinignan ang mga damit na dala ng mga assistants niya.

"Here are your new clothes and these are the suits that you'll be wearing for tonight. It's a formal event and you must look presentable even if it's not a part of your schedule. Axel's cousin is pretty famous, if I may add. Siguradong maraming press people ro'n mamaya," pagpapatuloy niya.

"Kailan pa nakabalik si Ethos?" tanong ni Kevin sa akin habang inaasikaso siya ni Ate Iah, isa sa mga assistant stylists.

"Kagabi lang. He's with his girl. Sabay silang umuwi," simple kong sagot.

"Ohh... this night's going to be interesting," nakangising sabi ni Stefan bago kami sunud-sunod na lumabas sa dressing room.

The interview is about to start and we've been briefed about this by the management. The main focus of the interview should only be about our upcoming major concert to celebrate our third anniversary in the music industry. We've been instructed not to divulge or answer personal things because we're only here to promote. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Please wait for my signal. Sasabihin ko kapag lalabas na kayo sa studio," pag-i-instruct sa amin ng staff habang nasa backstage kami at nakikinig sa sigawan ng mga audiences.