Playing with Fire (Acosta Sisters Series #3)

Kabanata 14

Kabanata 14

I blew a deep breath as the photoshoot finally wrapped up. We had been working all day, and it was the longest shoot I had ever done. Kada click ng camera, para bang walang katapusan. I lost count of how many poses I did throughout the day. Idagdag pa ang grabeng atensyon ni Kuya Walter sa mga detalye at anggulo na gusto niyang makuha.

Hindi lang iyon ang ginawa namin. The reason we spent the whole day working is because we also filmed a promotional video. It's not easy though. This is my first time to do an advertising video. Medyo nangangapa ako pero mukhang okay naman. Hindi ko naman maitatangging nag-enjoy ako sa experience. Sobrang nakakapagod lang talaga. Nasisiguro ko ring hindi ko kayang panindigan na parating ganito. I can't do this every week. I still have other responsibilities. Pinagbigyan ko lang talaga ang isang project na 'to since it was Tita Ria's decision to choose me for the cover of the magazine they were going to publish. Tsaka ilang linggo na rin akong hindi tumatanggap ng shoot sa kanila kaya hindi na rin ako makatanggi.

'Yon nga lang, I feel like I've pushed myself too much and haven't had time for myself or my studies. I've been feeling pretty worn out since sunud-sunod ang trabaho ko.

These past few weeks have been filled with events and activities. The latest one was something I never expected. Medyo naninibago pa rin ako't nagugulat kapag binabati ng mga kilalang tao, artista, model, fashionista and so on from the alta.

Yes, I've been getting a lot of recognition now. I didn't see it coming, and honestly, it's a lot to take in. Parang dati lang, pinapangarap kong makilala sa industriyang ito, ngayon, unti-unti ko nang naaabot.

It all started when I agreed to walk the runway for one of Polly's shows. Iyon ang dati niyang ipinangako sa'kin at ako ang napiling main model dahil hindi available si Chloe that time because she's currently still in Paris. Sa akin lang din sumakto 'yong mga sanang isusuot niya kaya wala na rin akong nagawa at tinanggap ang pabor ni Polly.

And that moment changed everything in me. People have taken notice. I saw how they were amazed by my performance. And now, my email is flooded with offers from brands and designers. Sabi ng handle ko, pinag-aagawan na raw ako ng malalaking brands.

Honestly, I feel so overwhelmed especially when a big, well-known companies approached and give me an offer. But I've made my choice. Hindi ko kayang mag-commit sa kahit na kanino sa kanila. I'm sticking with KMF and Polly's. They're enough for me. I also don't want to spread myself too thin. After all, this career wasn't part of the plan. It's just a hobby, my way of relieving stress. Hindi lang naman kasi rito iikot ang mundo ko. This is not permanent, it's just a temporary. I'm just doing what I want dahil nasisiguro kong pagdating ng panahon, iiwan ko rin ang industriyang 'to para sa batas. Ayokong magsisi sa huli the reason why I pushed this too. Atleast, I experienced to do something I like before I proceed with law.

"I'm sorry, Kali," Kuya Walt apologized as I collapsed into the chair prepared for me.

Umiling-iling ako. "I'm fine. I knew what I signed up for," I answered with a weak smile.

Nagpaalam siya sa'kin. He said he'll look and review my shots, kung maayos ba, kung may kulang and kung may need pang itake, also if need din ng adjustments. Tumango na lang ako't ngumiti.

Kasabay ng pag-alis niya, dumating naman si Tita Emily na may matamis na ngiti at may hawak na bote ng tubig na alam kong para sa'kin.

"I won't ask if you're okay because I could clearly see how tired you are."

I get the water from her when she offered it to me. It's already open so I drink it.

"But you did great. Everyone's impressed, as usual."