Tried

2

"Ang blooming mo talaga, who's the guy ha?"

"Wala!"

Pinagpatuloy ko ang pag-aayos ng aking buhok, wearing a black slit gown paired with a black stiletto.

"I know you, Abby! After two years, ngayon lang kita nakitang ganyan," dagdag nya.

"Tigilan mo nga ako, Suzy," sabi ko at kinuha ang pouch ko.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang aking kabuuan, my hair is perfectly styled, my dress is perfectly fit, my make up is perfectly applied, everything is perfect. Hope my night will be perfect too.

I parked my car in front of the hotel, agad akong lumabas at inabot sa valet ang susi. Cameras instantly flashed paglabas ko, mabilis akong pumasok sa entrance habang sinusundan ng mga cameraman.

"Good evening, Ms. Abby Torres. Can I ask some question?" the guy with the thick eyeglass and bonnet asked. Mabilis din ang lakad nito habang naglalakad sa aking gilid at tinatapat sa akin ang microphone na hawak nito.

Huminto ako at ngumiti sa kanya.

"Yes?"

"Is it true that there's something going between you and Ricci Rivero?" mabilis nitong tanong.

Agad akong dinumog ng mga reporter, ang daming mga recorder ang aking nasa harapan.

"No," I firmly said.

"So, what is the meaning about the photos that goes viral?" he added.

"Its all misunderstood by the media."

Nagsimula na akong maglakad papasok sa hall, hindi ko alam kung bakit pa ako huminto sa harap ng reporter na 'yon.

It has been two weeks, nagising ako at nasa hindi akong pamilyar na kwarto. I saw the guy sleeping on his full glory, and the next thing I did was get out of his place.

Then last week, bigla na lang nagviral ang mga photos ko kasama ang lalaking iyon. I dont have any idea na isang kilalang tao sya sa media, yes, he got the face and body but I dont know that he's a basketball player for goddamn sake!

Nakita ko ang team kong nakaupo sa isang malaking table, even our model for the month is here. Ngumiti ako sa kanila, they looked constipated, maybe they are nervous as I am but they managed to smile back.

Naupo ako sa designated seat ko. I need to calm and put myself together, lalo na ngayon na this event is really inportant to me. I dont want this day to be ruined.

"Hi, good evening everyone! We are here to celebrate the most awaited SEA Magazine Awards and Conference..."

Everyone in the hall claps their hands. For years, we are always leading, we are always on top but sadly, last year we didnt make it. So this year, we all did are best to back again on top.

After the conference, the event will be followed by prestigious awards ceremony that recognizes and honors individuals and companies that are leading the way in the community across the Philippines.

Tinuon ko ang buong atensyon sa harap, the emcee are now announcing the winners.

The Most is nominated on 3 categories and these are Cover of the Year, Chief Editor of the Year, and Magazine of the Year.

I intertwine my hands, pinapakita sa malaking screen sa harap ang mga nominee for the Cover of the Year.

"And for the Cover of the Year goes to... Preview Magazine! Congratulations!"

I stiffed from where I am seated. The Preview team is with their cover model, the guy is all smiles and holding the plaque.

It's damn Ricci Rivero!

I want to get out of this place! Why he's here? Why I didnt know that he's the cover model of our rival magazine?

Minutes had passed and Im still stunned.

"For the Chief Editor of the year goes to... Ms. Abby Torres of The Most! Congratulations!"

My team clapped. I smile fainted.

Habang umaakyat ako sa platform ay hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang aking nararamdaman.

"Congratulations, Ms. Torres," Mr. Lorico said as he gave me the plaque.

Lumapit ako sa microphone at nagbigay ng maikling speech para sa pagkapili sa akin bilang Chief Editor of the Year.

"And for the most awaited award of the night, the Magazine of the Year goes to... Preview!"

Damn!

"Congratulations!"

Naghintay lang ako ng ilang saglit bago tumayo at mabilis na naglakad palabas ng hall.

Really? Ngayon pa talaga? We did our best to win the Magazine of the Year but I think our effort is still not enough.

I am about to egressed when someone grabbed me.

"What the fuck?" I hissed.

Bigla akong nanlamig ng makita ang pamilyar na likod, braso at tindig.

Huminto sya sa tapat ng isang pulang sports car, tulad noong dala nya sa Valk.

"Get in."

"Why would I? I dont even know you and theres nothing to talked about!"

"Get in," he said again this time, but now more adjure.

His pitch eyes looked dangerous. Umigting ang kanyang bagang na tila kanina pa sya nagtitimpi.

I suddenly set foot in to his car. Damn his eyes! Umikot sya at tuluyan ng umupo sa driver seat.

He started the engine, I thought we're be going somewhere to talk pero hindi kami umalis.

"I think you know me, kanina lang ay pinakilala ako."

Hindi ako makatingin sa kanya, hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong isagot sa kanyang sinabi.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago nagsalita, "You know what, wala naman talaga tayong dapat pag-usapan and if you remembered what happened to us, its nothing."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko, ang dami ko yatang nasabi. What the fuck, Abby? Get yourself fixed!

"I want us to talk after that night but when I woke up the next day, you're gone," he said like he is really disappointed.

"Can you hear yourself? You sound like a fucking virgin, Rivero!"

Ano ba ang dapat naming pag-usapan? I really dont get his point!

"You sound like a bitch, do you know that?"

I reached for the open handle the door pero agad nya itong nilock.

"Unlocked this door or I'll fucking break this?"

He laughed sarcastically. Akala nya ba hindi ko ito mababasag?

"Try then."

I slammed my pouch to his window pero parang walang nangyari. His laugh grow even more, it should annoy me but fuck he is laughing sexily.