The Greatest Pretender

Chapter 35

A Year For Her

It has been a year. It’s good to be back! Nandito ako sa airport and kakarating ko lang. Yes, I left the Philippines a year ago. After I modeled for the cover of VenusPH magazine, I received tons of offers here and abroad. That is why I’m really thankful with Jerks because if not for him I wouldn’t be who I am today. While shooting the cover for VenusPH, I realized that modeling is the right job for me. I excel at it because I am great at pretending in front of the camera, moreover, in real life, so I grabbed the offer abroad and chose to be a full-time model. I earn a lot from my projects too. Biruin niyo, napagkakitaan ko pa itong kakaibang skill ko sa pagpapanggap.

I can see the media as I approached the exit. Nagkagulo sila ng matanaw ako. Dinumog nila ako nang tuluyan na akong makalabas sa airport. 

‘B, how long do you plan on staying here?’

‘Is it true that you’re dating Matthew Filmore now?’

‘Are the rumors true that you were spotted going out from his apartment late at night?’

‘B, I thought you and Jerome Guitierrez were an item? What happened? Did you two finally called it quits?’

Ang dami nilang tanong na ibinato pero kahit isa sa mga ito ay hindi ko sinagot. Wala naman kasing mga kwenta ang tanong nila. Nilagpasan ko lang sila at sumakay na sa kotse na naghihintay para sa akin. When I got in, I immediately rolled my eyes at their questions. Matthew and I are just friends. Really close friends. Same goes with Jerks, he’s my guy bestfriend because Krizzy is my gay bestfriend. People have been creating rumors like we’re together or we are dating just because they always see the two of us hanging around and doing things together. Ang tao talaga lalo na kapag showbiz, makita lang na magkasama nilalagyan agad ng malisya. Can’t a woman and a man – not related – go out on a friendly date without people creating a buzz about them?

Biglang nag-ring ang phone ko.

“Hello?” I answered it right away without looking at the ID. Whoever it is, I know him/her personally naman because the caller is calling my personal phone.

“GF!” tili nang nasa kabilang linya. Alam na! “Ngayon pala dating mo?! Hindi ko man lang knowings! Ba’t hindi ka nagsabi!? Sana nasundo kita sa airport! Omygosh! Can’t wait to see you na girl! I have lots of kwento! Saan ka tutuloy? Uwi ka ng condo mo?”

“FG! Kalma, pwede? Isa-isa lang, I didn’t know what question to answer first. Any, of course I’ll be staying at my unit. Where else would I stay? Sorry, I didn’t bother informing you because I know you’re super busy especially that the fashion week is approaching and besides I wanted to surprise you. Looks like a failed on doing so.” Sagot ko dito.

“I really thought sa makalawa pa ang dating mo but yeah, how can you not fail eh laman ng balita yung pagdating mo! Inabangan ka talaga! Wow, GF! Sobrang sikat mo na talaga! Bongga! Dumadami na ang kaibigan kong sikat internationally! Sana ako din!” Sabi nito at naiimagine ko ang nagiinarte nitong nguso.

“Lukaret! Kung makaemote ka naman dyan akala mo hindi siya sikat! Eh, internationally acclaimed din naman ang mga shoe designs mo! Ilang Hollywood actresses na ba ang nagpadesign ng shoes sayo? Di ba? Kaya wag kang umarte dyan!” ani ko ng natatawa.