For His Entertainment

Chapter Forty-six

Sorry for the late ud :)

Hushed silence filled my ears. Everything fell into a background noise. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang mga reporter na nagpapaunahan para makakuha ng maayos na coverage sa amin. They all wanted a piece of my fame, but if it were up to me, I'd gladly give this back to them.

"Remember to always smile," Gwen, my manager would tell me.

Doing this for three years, I know I've become an expert in putting on a mask - metaphorically of course, although the make-up helps, too. Or maybe I wasn't really that successful, because I forgotten how to dissociate who I really am versus who I am in front of the camera.

Hindi ko na alam kung sino ako.

The sounds everywhere started to materialize. Unti-unti ko nang naririnig ang mga ito hanggang sa halos mabingi na ako.

"Ally, what can you say about the rumors telling that you're pregnant because you're gaining weight?"

I ignored the question and did my best to tuck my stomach in.

"She's not pregnant," Zach answered on my behalf.

Kahit nasasaktan na ang mga mata ko sa flash ng camera, I remained there, blinded by the light of everything. Lahat sila ay nag-aagawan sa atensyon naming dalawa, being paid to get the perfect picture of us as if we are the only source of income they can ever have. Zach's hands remained on the small of my back while we walked inside the banquet hall. We were greeted by several people in the industry, and every time a big gathering like this happens, napapaisip na lamang ako. Kaninong ngiti nga ba ang totoo rito?

The media has curated perfect lives for all of us, but aren't we all slaves?

"Congratulations on your newest film," a familiar man in a seamless, expensive, black coat said as he approached us. "Balita ko box office hit na agad kahit first week pa lang."

"Thank you, Direk Patrick," Zach replied. "I believe you haven't met my girlfriend?"

"Ah, the best actress," the guy named Patrick offered his hand to me. "It's a pleasure."

"Nice meeting you, Direk," I shook his hand and gave him a slight nod.

"I'm currently working on a project but I'm still finalizing the details; I have my eyes on the both of you."

"Thank you, Direk," Zach said and pulled out a calling card from his wallet. "Please call us."

"No problem! O, siya, enjoy the night." He gave Zach a gentle tap on the shoulder and smiled at me. Then, he turned his back and went on to socialize with everybody else.

Well, that's all there is to this--network.

Marami pang lumapit sa amin ni Zach, all of them congratulating us in our sudden fame. Napakaraming projects ang naka-line up sa amin, I lost count of it all that I had to ask my secretary to keep notes. And who would have thought I needed to employ a secretary? Someone who would keep tabs of what I need to do everyday?

This was the life I wanted. There's no room for complaint.

"Hey, are you okay?" Theo tapped my shoulder. "Why are you alone?"

I smiled at the sight of him. Agad ko siyang niyakap nang mahigpit, trying so hard to put it together, trying to survive another night. I feel like he's the only genuine person in this room, someone I really know. Others are mere ghosts.

Pinigilan ko ang pagtulo ng luha ko lalo na nang haplusin niya ang likod ko. When I saw a few camera flash, doon lamang ako lumayo sa kan'ya.

"It's so nice to see you," tugon ko. "It's been a year! You look good."