One week later...
" Damn it, Aga! "
Vice sat awkwardly on the sofa as he listened to his friend pick a fight with Aga. She has been on the phone for 15 minutes now, and he was sure that Aga was being snobby and cold on purpose, like he was supposed to, according to their plan.
" Anong hindi ka makakapunta dito? Diba ang usapan natin sabay tayong pupunta ng Araneta? And then suddenly, biglang nandito si Vice, telling me that you can't pick me up, so you sent him instead? Sana man lang you gave me a heads up, 'no? "
Lea was now pacing back and forth, her face reflecting how she was feeling. She was pissed off, and Vice wasn't looking forward to the silent car ride they'll be sharing in a while.
" Alam kong busy ka! God, am I not? I made time for this, Aga. You should have told me nang maaga, edi sana dumiretso na ako dun, instead of going home because I thought you'd be here, waiting for me. " Feeling irritated because of the lack of proper response from him, Lea said, " We haven't seen each other in days, Muhlach. Hindi ka na nga nagre-reply sa messages ko, hindi ka pa sumusunod sa usapan. Are you avoiding me or something? Is there something I should know? "
Vice felt the need to intervene, before Aga slips up, " Lei, it's really okay. Malapit lang naman ako dito- "
" I am not talking to you, Viceral, " she snarled, giving him a threatening glare. He raised his arms in surrender. No use fighting the bull when you're not the rodeo master, after all.
" Babawi ako your face, Muhlach. Kay Dawn ako sasabay pauwi mamaya, bahala ka sa buhay mo, " Lea muttered angrily, before pressing the end call button. Vice made the mistake of not averting his gaze quicker, so she caught him staring at her. "What? "
" Wala... "
" What, you think I was too harsh? "
" Wala nga, Lea, " he answered, trying to avoid her gaze.
" Hindi, meron eh. You're looking at me like i'm crazy. What, what is it? Tell me! "
" Ay nako, wag niyo akong dinadamay dyan. "
Not in the mood to play games, Lea told him, " I hate you. "
" Pinapaalala ko lang na hindi ako ang boyfriend mo, teh. "
That word only made Lea more unhinged. " Hindi ko nga siya boyfriend! "
Well, after tonight, let's see. Vice thought. He almost smiled, but fortunately he remembered that Lea was in front of him, and she must not have any idea about what's going on.
---
Regine, clad in a bathrobe, listened intently as Dawn and Richard fought inside her dressing room. The plan was going well, and the only thing left on the list was the audience, whether it should be a private moment, or something for the whole world to see.
" Gomz, listen to me, you've known Lea for how long? You still think that she'd appreciate being wooed in a room full of strangers? I'm telling you, this should be a moment between the two of them, and well... us. "
" Pero paano nga 'yung background lights? I thought Aga wants it to be bright once she arrives? "
" Ipaayos na lang sa stage manager. Let's just light up the whole stadium, kung 'yun ang gusto mo, " Dawn insisted. " I'm telling you, Gomz. If this whole plan goes sideways, we'll be glad that no one is there to see it. "
