"That's a wrap!" yelled the photographer. As soon as i heard those words, my smile even got wider. Finally, i'll be able to go home and enjoy the rest of the day with no work. I barely got enough sleep. Actually, wala talagang tulog. Late kasi nag pack-up yung taping for the new show 6am na natapos then dumiretso na ko sa studio for a guesting. Tapos may interview and photoshoot pa for this magazine. Ako na ang busy! But hey I'm not complaining. I love my work. I could not ask for more. Well maybe just one thing.. SLEEP! Buti na lang Saturday ngayon and wala namang schedule until tomorrow. So meaning, mahabahaba ang pahinga ko!
"Ms. Kim Chiu?" someone called me from behind. I turned my back and saw someone coming towards me. I have no idea who he is, pero he really looks cute, no cute is an understatement, HOT that's a better term. His eyes, his lips, his jaw! Kahit na ang seryoso ng mukha niya super gwapo pa rin niya. And now he's standing right in front of me.
"Uhhm. Ms. Kim? Hi. I'm the associate editor of People Magazine. I'm sorry if i'm late. Marami lang inasikaso sa office for our other articles." I was just staring at him the whole time. His voice. His eyes, it;s hypnotizing. "By the way, I'm Mr. Xian Lim." Then he extended his right hand. I was standing still the whole time. I looked at his hand and shook my head a little to bring back my senses.
I reached for his hand and shook it. "It's ok. Maayos naman yung shoot and I must say, you're staff is really professional. Thank you pala Mr... "
"Xian Lim."
"Ahh yes, Mr. Lim. I'm really honoured to be the cover story for this issue."
"It's our pleasure Ms. Chiu! Matagal ka na rin namin gusto kunin for our cover story but your schedule doesn't permit. So when we heard from your manager, we instantly booked you. I mean who wouldn't want you on the cover di ba? You're one of the most beautiful faces in the industry."
Kim blushed at his comment. "Ahh ehhh. Thank you. uhhhmmm." before she could say anything else. He was already walking towards the photographer.
"Ayy ganun. Layasan ba ko? Di man lang nagpaalam." Kim thought to herself. Disappointed, she took her bag from the dressing room and before leaving bid the entire staff goodbye. She was waiting for him to talk to her or at least say goodbye or if she gets lucky maybe even escort her to her car. Much to her dismay, he didn’t even notice her. “Busy nga!” she thought again.
She finally made her way out to the parking area. Her driver and PA are already inside the van waiting for her. She was about to get in the car, when someone tapped her from behind..
“Hey Ms. Chiu. I’m sorry I was rude a while ago. I didn’t even say goodbye. I just have lots of things to do. Alam mo na deadlines.” Xian said.
“It’s fine. I know the business. Lahat ng tao nagmamadali. Lahat ng tao may deadlines na kealngan i-meet.” She sounded sarcastic and this didn’t go unnoticed by Xian. “But hey, we got to do what we got to do, right?” Kim added.
“Yeah you’re right. So, umm. It was nice meeting you personally Miss Chiu. Good day!” He didn’t wait for her reply. Turned his back and walked towards his car.
“Hey Mr. Lim, please call me Kim.” She yelled as he stopped walking and turned to face her again. “Masyado naman pormal yung Ms. Chiu. I feel so old pag ganun.” She was already standing a few feet from him.
“Ahh. Ms… I mean Kim. Thank you again for being our cover girl. And I’m really glad to have met you.” He smiled. That million dollar worth of a smile. “And please do call me Xian.” Once again he extended his hand. She shook it and smiled. He walked her to her car before going to his.
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Later that night, while having dinner at Kim’s house.
"Ate Mary, sino yung Xian Lim na yun?" she curiously asked her PA. “Bago lang siya? Ngayon ko lang siya nakita.”
“Ahh oo. Bago lang yun sa People. Ang sabi sabi laking States daw and big time girl. Bukod sa real estate, meron din silang publishing house kasama dun yung People tapos may nagsabi sakin na may telecom and airline company rin sila. Oh di ba corporate tycoon lang si Kuya.”
“Kung marami silang business bakit sa People Magazine siya na assign?”
“Ayun na nga, sabi sakin ng source ko eh medyo na-smesmell daw nila tong si Mr. Xian Lim.”
Kim looked confused. Di niya maintindihan sinasabi ni Ate Mary. “Anong smell?”
“Hayy Kimmy! Ano ba! Eh di kasama siya sa mga kaagaw natin sa mga boys. Isa siyang becky. Ano gets mo na?”
Nagulat si Kim sa sinabi ng PA niya. “I don’t think so ate. Mukhang di naman siya gay. I mean ang gwapo gwapo kaya niya. Tapos ang manly manly pa. Ang lakas ng appeal.” Depensa ni Kim. “Baka naman chismis lang yan ate. Hhhmmm..”
“Ewan ko lang Kim ha, pero ngayon kasi uso na yung ganung gay eh. Yung parang metro. Wait nga bakit ba masyado ka interesado kay Xian Lim?” panunuksong tanong ni Ate Mary at taas baba pa ang kilay nito.
“AHAHA. Wala lang ate. Ngayon ko nga lang kasi siya nakita at nakilala. Di ba pwedeng maging curious sa mga nakakatrabaho natin? Ikaw talaga ate kung anu-ano iniisip mo.”
“Defensive ka girl. Wag masyado pahalata.” Sabi ni Ate Mary. “Sige na. Magpahinga ka na at bukas maaga pa call time mo. Goodnight Kimmy!” “Goodnight ate Mary.”
She was already lying in her bed but she isn’t sleepy. She can’t stop thinking of what her Ate Mary told her. Is he really gay? Is that why he works for a magazine? Sana naman hindi siya gay. Sayang naman siya. Wait nga Kimberly! Bakit ba masyado ka interesado sa kanya? Are you smitten with him? Hay naku Kim! Matulog ka na nga lang.
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