The Gentlemen Series 6: Chris, The Macho Lawyer (SELF-PUBLISHED)

THIRTY

Bad Dream

The look that I am seeing on their faces is understandable. It took me gazillion years to find a top in my closet that would hide my freaking hickies and I thank God with all my heart when I found one.

I look horrible with the clothes I chose to wear today. They usually see me wearing spaghetti strap dress, flaunting my perfect curves to the world. But this time, I wore a freaking turtleneck top and denim shorts! Okay, I am fine with denim shorts, but turtleneck? My co-models were kinda speechless and few of them that I am not close with raised their eyebrows and even smirked at me! Gosh, if only the organizer wasn't here I would have given them a word. I'm their senior, FYI. Oh well, as long as I don't hear any bad word from them, then it's fine. They better shut their mouths up or I'll do something that would make them run for the hills.

I couldn't blame my stylist when she screamed the moment she saw me. She doesn't allow me this kind of top designs because it will emphasize my long neck and small face.

"Are you dating someone now? Who? Celebrity?" Demi, my hair stylist, asked while blowing my hair.

"Uhm.." Am I? Di ko alam kung ano ang isasagot ko.

"For sure you are. Sinong bampira ang sumipsip sa leeg mo, bish?"

"Wait, what?" I was appalled. How the hell would she know?

She rolled her eyes as I look at her reflection on the mirror. "C'mon, it's obvious you're hiding something underneath this old-fashioned turtleneck of yours. Do I need to check it myself?" She chuckled.

I scoffed as I lean helplessly on the back of my chair. I got busted. That jerk! I will never forgive him!

"So sino?" Rhea, my stylist, na nasa kabilang mesa at busy sa pagtingin-tingin ng magazine ang nagtanong. She was pissed at me because of my look. She was worried paparazzis might post my OOTD on social medias and citizens of the world will feast on me because, let's be real here, this is not my kind of style. And since everyone in the industry knows she's my stylist, she was more worried her name would be drag to hell.

At di ko alam bakit di ko naisip yun. Wala nga pala ako sa Pilipinas na kahit araw-araw mang nakapaskil ang mukha ko sa dyaryo o nakadisplay sa telebisyon, I won't mind at all.

"Someone you don't know." I answered plainly. Hindi naman kasi talaga nila kilala. At wala akong balak na ipakilala siya sa kanila.

"A commoner?" Tila ba may dismaya sa boses na iyon ni Demi.

Hindi ko mapigilang magtaas ng kilay. "A commoner maybe, but I don't think my lovelife has anything to do with you." I got pissed instantly by her remarks.

But Demi dodged the bullet like a fucking pro. She really knows how to annoy the living out of me. "C'mon Veronica! A commoner? I don't think you are the type who stoop down to a commoner's level. I mean, I know you, okay? I know your type towards opposite sex. Your suitors and exes were all gorgeous, sexy and rich as fuck. I don't believe you will let yourself fall in love with someone na hindi mo ka-lebel. You're better than that. You let a commoner kissed and touched you? Gross."

Madiin kong pinikit ang aking mata at kinuyom ang palad. Gusto kong tumayo at plantsahin ang pagmumukha ni Demi. Gusto kong magwala aa galit. Sa inis. Pero mas nangibabaw ang kirot sa puso ko.

They knew me since I started modelling and they were there when guys flocked around me like I was their only light from the darkness. They witnessed how those guys beg for my attention. They were there when my dressing room was filled with flowers, chocolates and stuff toys.

And they knew how cold I was towards those guys to the point that they pitied them.

But now, it's funny how the tables had turned. It was me who did the begging. Seeking for attention from someone who doesn't belong in my elite world.