Forevermore Book 3

Chapter 7: Thoroughfare

It was a busy day for Julie. After her exhausting photo shoots and her brand endorsement commercials she immediately drove to GMA Network in order to meet up with her big boss with regards to her new soap opera.

When she had parked her car on the vacant lot, she instantly walked towards the entrance hall of the building and went straight to where the elevator was located. While she was riding the elevator, she took the chance to fix herself up. She fixed her hair, put some red lipstick on and after that, she was all set.

She started walking fast when she had heard the sound of the elevator which signaled her that she was on the right floor already. She was a bit jaded but beyond her weariness she still managed to give her splendid smile to every personnel whom she catches a glimpse of.

She walked, walked and walked until she had reached her destination. She went inside the conference room instantaneously and was surprised to see Sam there. Sam was sitting in front of her seat. She didn’t know what to react at that time because she was still in disbelief.

“Good morning.” Their boss greeted them. “Since we have Julie around already, let’s make this meeting be ended as soon as possible because I have another meeting to attend to in a few minutes.” He looked at Julie and Sam happily. “I’m glad that you made it here. I’m also happy that you two are the lead stars of our next biggest soap opera offering.” He handed two clean folders to Julie and Sam individually. “You may read the content first and then we will discuss further if ever there would be some questions that you have in your mind.”

“Nakakaloka ang araw na ‘to ha, pero mas nakakaloka ‘tong katrabaho ko. Paano ko ‘to sasabihin kay Moe? May kissing scene pa my gosh!” Julie said to herself while she was still browsing her folder.

“Any questions?” Their boss broke their silence.

“Wala na po.” Sam answered calmly.

“How about you Julie?”

She looked at Sam and was surprised because Sam was also looking at her. She didn’t want to feel awkwardness so she looked at her boss directly to wipe away the connection between her and Sam.

“Wala rin po.” She smiled peacefully.

“Good.” Their boss stood up again and went towards them to exchange handshake. “This meeting is adjourned. Good luck with your new project, my precious stars.” He tapped Sam’s back and smiled at Julie before he left the discussion room.

“Okay lang ba talaga sayo?” Napatingin siya kay Sam nang bigla itong magsalita.

“Ha?”

“Okay lang sayo na ako ang leading man mo at hindi si-”

“I work professionally Sam, alam mo naman na hindi stable ang buhay sa showbiz di ba?” She smiled again. “Wala akong karapatang mag-inarte.”

He chuckled. “Buti naman, so paano see you sa set my leading lady?”

“Yes. But for the mean time I’ll be meeting with my real leading man muna. He’s waiting for me at the rehearsal.” She grabbed her bag. “Mauna na muna ako ha?” She smiled.

Tumango na lamang si Sam at sinuklian din ang ngiti na ibinigay sa kanya ni Julie. “Paki-kamusta nalang ako kay Elmo.”

“Sure thing Sam.”

Nang makalabas na si Julie ng discussion room ay para bang nahugutan siya ng tinik sa lalamunan. Sumakay na siyang muli sa elevator at nagsimula ng mag-isip ng paraan kung paano niya sasabihin kay Elmo na ang ex lover niya ang magiging leading man niya sa bago niyang soap opera. 

“This means war.” She sighed.

 ***

Tahimik na nagdadrive si Sam ng biglang pumasok muli sa isip niya si Julie. Hindi niya maiwasang mapailing dahil ramdam niya na naiilang ito sa kanya. 

“Yes. But for the mean time I’ll be meeting with my real leading man muna. He’s waiting for me at the rehearsal.”

 

Alam niya sa sarili na hindi na siya dapat maapektuhan pa dahil tanggap na niya na hindi si Julie ang babaeng nakalaan para sa kanya pero hindi niya maiwasan ang makaramdam ng saya sa tuwing makikita niya ang mala-anghel na mukha ng dating minamahal.

"Sam ano ba, lahat na nag-move on pati traffic dito sa edsa nag-move on narin. Ikaw nalang talaga ang hindi." He said to himself.

Biglang napangiti ang binata ng makita niya sa di kalayuan ang malaking billboard na naglalaman ng mukha ni Julie. Parte narin kasi ng Belo Medical Group si Julie at kamakailan lang ay siya na ang ginawang model ng nasabing cosmetic business. 

"Damn Julie, you’re still hot."

Tumingin siya sa kabilang dako at namangha nang makita niyang muli ang isa pang billboard ni Julie, sa pagkakataong ito shoe line naman ang ini-endorse ng singer-actress.

"Pati pala Primadonna bumilib narin sayo. Iba ka ng talaga."

Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Sam dahil mas narerealize niya kung paano mas umusbong ang career ni Julie kesa dati. Itunuloy pa niya ang pagda-drive at tumitingin parin sa mga billboards na nadaraanan niya.

"Julie, Julie, Julie. Grabe pinakyaw na niya ata halos lahat ng mga billboards dito. Wala na bang iba?" Biro niya sa sarili.

Nawala ang ngiti niya sa labi ng madaanan niya ang isang billboard ng Vans. Alam niyang sponsor ni Julie at Elmo ang mga ito pero hindi niya inaasahan na sila ang ginawang model ng sikat na shoes and clothes apparel. 

Masyadong daring ang pose ng mag-asawa. Nakasuot lang si Elmo ng denim jeans at sneakers, obviously half-naked siya sa billboard na iyon. Si Julie naman ay nakasuot ng short, boyfriend’s t-shirt at sneakers na bagay na bagay sa kanya. 

Hawak ni Elmo sa kanang kamay niya ang isang skateboard na nakatayo sa gilid nito at ang kaliwang kamay naman nito ay nakahawak sa bewang ni Julie. Habang sa dako naman ni Julie, ang kaliwang kamay naman nito ay nakahawak sa half-naked na katawan ng asawa niya at ang kanang kamay nito ay nakahawak sa batok ni Elmo.

Nakatingkayad si Julie sa picture na iyon, ito ay upang maabot niya ang labi ni Elmo. Si Elmo naman ay nakabend sa direksyon ni Julie. Sobrang lapit nila sa isa’t-isa at tila ba’y isang tulak na lamang ay magdidikit ang labi nilang dalawa. Na-emphasize ng husto ang titigan ni Julie at Elmo na lalong nagpaganda sa billboard na iyon. All in all, picture perfect ang ad ng Vans dahil ito’y tunay na kamangha-mangha.

"Fair enough." Komento ng binata ng makalagpas na sa billboard ng mag-asawa. "Bagay talaga silang dalawa, perfect couple." Napangiti muli si Sam habang tinatahak ang daan papabalik sa condo unit niya.

TO BE CONTINUED…