The Gold-Digging Goddess [Completed]

Chapter 3

More than a year ago...

"Good luck! Baka ito na ang magsa-salba sa lahat ng mga problema mo ngayon," nakangiting paalam kay Anya ng matalik na kaibigan na si Robbi.

She sighed and hugged him tight. "Thanks, Robbi. I owe you this one. Sana talaga kumita ako ng malaki sa one-day exhibit na 'to. If not, mapapalayas na talaga ako this week. Baka makitulog ako ulit sa condo mo," pagbibiro niya dahil alam nitong dalawang buwan na siyang hindi nakakapagbayad ng rent sa maliit na apartment na tinitirahan niya.

"I doubt that. I believe in you, Anya," he said while holding her close. "Now, go at bantayan mo na ang gallery. Baka isipin ni Madame Ana na puro lakwatsa ang inaatupag mo. Hey, do you have money at least to buy yourself a decent lunch?"

"Huwag mo na akong isipin. Masyado mo na akong natulungan. Kaya ko na siguro 'to!"

"Sigurado ka? Bukas ang condo at ang ref ko para sa'yo," he said jokingly.

"Salamat. Okay, bye!" And she ran back inside the building. She saw Robbi walk away. She's thankful to have him, to have a real friend to run to when she needed support or help. He was a long time friend since college when they were both majoring in Fine Arts in the university. They have a long history. It was him helping her out all the time. Pero alam niyang pareho lang din silang struggling artists. That's why she's going to try her best to not need him anymore or ask for his help. She'll try to make it on her own this time.

Nahihiya na rin siya sa kaibigan. At medyo nahihiya na rin siya sa sarili niya kung hihingan na naman niya ng tulong ito para makabayad siya sa landlady niya at makakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw.

Patay na ang pareho niyang mga magulang two years ago. They both managed to attend her graduation five years ago though. Pero simula nang magka-cancer ang Mama niya, nawalan na siya ng magulang. His dad focused on her sick mom. And after six months of undergoing chemotherapy, binawian rin ito ng buhay. And her dad followed a few months after due to depression.

So at twenty-two, she became an orphan. Walang kahit anong naiwan ang magulang niya dahil sapat lamang ang kinikita ng ama niya para sa pag-aaral niya noon. At naisangla ang bahay nila para sa chemotherapy ng Mama niya.

The elevator brought her to the seventh floor, the gallery where she now works as an apprentice for a painter. At binigyan siya nito ng pagkakataong mai-display ang mga paintings niya sa gallery nito for a day. The exhibit will last for a week pero one day lang ang pagkakataong ibinigay sa kanya nito. Hindi na raw kasi bagay sa theme ng mga susunod na araw ang mga gawa niya.

She gladly took it still. After all, kilalang tao ang mga pumupunta sa exhibit ni Madame Ana. She should be grateful.

The exhibit started on time and she was busy assisting clients when they have questions. Umaga pa lang pero marami-rami nang tao ang dumarating. Pero nakakapagtaka kung bakit hindi masyadong napapansin ang paintings niya. Probably because walang signature iyon ni Madame Ana.

Her paintings are beautiful. She likes abstract. It mirrors her emotion all the more. Anim na paintings niya ang nakasabit ngayon sa isang corner ng gallery. A lot of people would look at it pero wala pang naga-attempt na magtanong tungkol dito.

Bandang hapon na ng dumating si Madame Ana. Nilapitan siya nito nang mapansin na tahimik na siya at hindi siya nakikihalubilo. She was just on the bar area near the window, staring at everyone.

"You should try networking. These people are rich and they have great connections. Talk to them about your painting. They might like it."

Umiling siya. "Wala pa pong nagtatanong about my paintings since kaninang magbukas tayo." She sat down on a stool by the glass wall overseeing the Makati skyline. "I'm just... a little disheartened."