A publicity stunt is not new to me. Especially that I was in showbusiness before. Iisa lang naman ang ibig sabihin noon. Magpapansin. Magpapansin sa media at sa mga tao.
And now I wonder why Dale wants me to be involved in a publicity stunt.
"Relationship publicity stunt?" Pag-uilit ko. I know what it means, but I was confused. Anong balak niya?
A shadow of mischievousness flashed in his eyes but it quickly flickered away.
"You see, nayanig ang mga fans ni Noah ganoon na rin ang social media dahil sa kumalat na issue tungkol sa inyong dalawa. Everybody's curious. Noah's one of the most sought after bachelors in our country, maraming nalilink sa kanya pero lahat iyon ay itinanggi niya." He chukled, as if he remembered something so amusing.
"Some even concluded that he's freaking gay. He's just somewhat... stiff and grumpy." He lifted just one side of his shoulder-- a mannerism I once noticed with Noah.
Napalatak ako. "Somewhat? Dear Lord. He's the grumpiest person I know."
Napailing naman ito habamg nakangisi. "True that. I just want the issue about Marc to die down. Isa-isa nang nag-aatrasan ang mga endorsements niya. Na-postpone pa ang upcoming teleserye niya dahil doon."
"And what do you want me to do?" Tanong ko, my eyebrow was starting to rise.
"Since you and Noah aren't really a thing... You have to be. But just for the public." Kumunot ang noo ko sa nakangising si Dale. Ang pagkasabik ay kitang-kita ko sa kanyang mga mata.
Napaurong ako at napatuwid ng upo sa aking upuan nang mapagtanto ko na ako ang nais niyang gamitin para lamang mawala ang issue kay Marc.
"You mean, we will pretend?" Paglilinaw ko. Para kasing bahagya akong nahilo dahil sa kagustuhan niya. Man, Dale is pretty clever. Well, as a manager, it isn't surprising.
Marahan itong tumango.
"And how will that benefit me?" Hindi ko napagilan ang bahagyang pagtaray ng aking tinig. Pinagkrus ko rin ang aking mga kamay sa aking dibdib. I am a businesswoman. I have a name to take care of. Hindi ako maaaring maging utu-uto.
A glint of amusement flashed in his eyes. He obviously finds this conversation very much entertaining.
"50% of Noah's talent fee will be cut down." Aniya at uminom sa kanyang nagyeyelong iced tea.
"That's it? And for how long are we gonna do that publicity stunt?" Limampung porsyento lang? Pagkatapos ay isasapubliko ang relasyon namin? Sa lahat ng nakarelasyon... scratch that. Every male actors or stars that I've had a physical relationship with, none of them was publicized. I never wanted the media to put their nose in my personal life.
Just one. Singer 'yon. Eh ang gago hinarana ako n'ung concert niya, kaya ayun. Nalaman na ng lahat. It didn't last long tho. Sawain nga talaga ako. Once I got tired, I leave.
"Just for six months. Hindi lang naman iyon, Noah will be the ambassador of your new line. And of course that includes some photoshoots, billboards and such. Sa marketing palang ng mga idinesenyo mong suits ay bawing-bawi ka na. Noah's one of the highest paid endorsers." Ang pagkaproud sa boses nito ay damang-dama ko. Kumislap rin ang mga mata niya dahil sa tuwa.
"This stunt will surely be needing my time, my appearance in some interviews, and I will surely receive hate from the die hard fans of Noah. Don't you think it will be fair for me not to pay Noah at all? Tutal ay gagamitin naman namin ang isa't isa, bakit kailangang magbayad pa?" Nagdire-diretso na naman ang mga gusto kong sabihin.
But I think my point is more fair than what he wanted.
Dale laughed heartily. Literal na humawak pa nga siya sa kanyang dibdib. "Oh God. Your choice of words..." Muli ay napahagikgik ito.
BINABASA MO ANG
To Gamble (A heart for a heart) R18
Художественная прозаSa sugal ng pag-ibig, hanggang saan ang kaya mong itaya? In love, we gamble. In love, we take risks. In love, we share our secrets because in love, we trust. But what if I can't?
