Some Mad Hope (ML, #4.5)

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

Coward

To be surrounded with infinite mirrors scare the shit out of me. My many face caked with thick make up, my hair cut short, the black fitted long strapless dress, and the darkness that I am embracing right now, are totally I can't handle. I stare at my own reflection and touch my cheek. The makeup artist makes my cheekbones exposed. Hindi 'ko makilala ang sarili kong mukha! Gone is the face of an seraph as what people told me. Pinatungan ng makapal na foundation ang aking kilay upang ito'y matakpan. Wow, Maggie.

I am embracing a new personification for this campaign.

A deep.

Edgy one.

That I am not used to.

The photographer, Michael is busy with his camera. Ang iba'y abala sa pag-aayos ng setting. They are trying to make everything flawless as these mirrors around me. We want to impress Mr. Liu which is the owner of the couture dress I am wearing. Kasama rin niya ang ilan sa mga kasama niya sa industriya. I don't want to be prove the EVAF wrong for choosing me in this project.

Though, I know I have one problem. I am doing this campaign to the person I hate dearly. All the nerves in my body are terrified when the news finally sink into my head. Si Marco ang nagbalita sa akin na si, basta! Siya ang makakapareha 'ko sa proyektong ito! Hindi namin siya nakasabay papuntang Shanghai dahil may runway siya Paris. I only saw and met him when we were visualizing for the campaign, contract signing, and meeting the client. And unfortunately, we are on the same hotel and same floor in the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. It shouldn't affect me, right?

We need to set aside, I mean to put my annoyance at the bay. I need to be professional. I can do it. Katulad lang naman ito ng mga dati 'kong trabaho. I have to embody someone's for this campaign. I want it to be succesful.

"Finally, Newt, Maggie is on fire!" ani Mr. Liu sa matigas na ingles.

Bumaling ang tingin 'ko sa pwestong iyon. I know everyone's looking at this beast. I tried to block my emotions when my eyes fixated to him. Newt is gracing the museum with his intensifying look. His exterior is clothed with black long sleeve shirt and black dress pants. Nakabukas ang ilang butones sa pang-itaas na kasuotan, binibigyang pansin ang kurbang dibdib. I almost bit my lip, but I stopped myself. Kahit ayokong tignan ang kanyang mukha ay dumiretso ang tingin ng aking mata. He is so gorgeous. Even I closed my eyes, I will remember his face. His exquisitely foreign features. And his electric ocean eyes. I can't!

"She is always, Mr. Liu," ani Newt sa mababang boses.

I need to breathe.

I look away and see myself in the mirror. Nanlaki ang aking mata nang makita sa salamin na nakatingin din si Newt. He is smirking beautifully. Both hands in his pockets, kinakausap si Mr. Liu ngunit ang mata'y sa akin. He makes me to be a statue of his own gaze. He always has this power. A weakness to my being. That's why I don't want him around.

Michael uses his voice to gather us around. Tumayo na ako sa pwesto kung saan niya ini-instruct. He called Newt. And I immediately shiver with unknown reason. Sa bawat yapak lang kanyang sapatos ay nangangatog na aking sistema. Tinignan ko si Marco kung nakikita niya ba ang tahimik na pakikibaka 'ko sa aking sarili. I breathed in and out silently. My cousin gives me a thumbs up. I can do this!

"Relax, Mags. This is your usual routine," unang bungad ni Newt. He is not looking at me. Sinusundan niya ang sinasabi ni Michael. "Even you know...this is hard for the both of us. Atleast..." Napakagat siya ng labi nang hindi matuloy ang sasabihin.