His Nefarious Schemes

Kabanata 22

Tahimik lang ako habang pinapaliwanag ni Engineer Falcone ang plano niyang gawin. I actually don't care! Hindi nga ako nakikinig!

"Do you have any questions or problem with the plan Ms. Devero?" Napa kurap-kurap ako bago umiling.

"No, you can start." pilit akong ngumiti at tumalikod para puntahan si Aisha.

"You bitch!" I hissed agad naman siyang yumuko para itago ang pagmumukha niya.

"Bakit ba? Matagal na yun Aubrie." tinignan ko siya ng matalim. I'm pretty sure I told them to call me Isla.

"Isla pala..." she added.

"Kahit na Aisha! Sana sinabihan niyo man lang ako! You should have informed me!" galit na sabi ko.

Liningon ko si Engineer Falcone na busy sa pakikipag-usap sa mga trabahante. God! I can't even bring myself to call him by his first name! The last time we saw each other we weren't on good terms and acting kind is just an act of professionalism.

"Even if I informed you or your parents did I bet my career hindi ka papayag." Umirap siya.

"Hindi talaga! Do you think I'd be happy to have a meet and greet with my ex?" nakataas ang isang kilay na tanong ko.

"Sabi mo naka move on kana? Dito mo ipakita." I groaned wanting to pull her hair.

"I don't need to prove anything to anyone! This is fucking bullshit! My God!" nasapo ko ang aking noo.

Stressed na agad ako dahil dito. I should calm down. Magka-wrinkles pa ako dahil dito. Aisha smiled at me and showed me her phone.

"I have a meet up with my client." imporma niya kaya nagkasalubong ang kilay ko.

"Edi sasama ako!" wala naman akong gagawin dito!

It's not like my opinion matters here or even if it matters I don't know anything about what they're doing! I don't expect myself to be locked up here.

"Diba one hour?" paalala niya. Huminga ako ng malalim at pinakalma ang sarili ko.

"Ngayon ba yun?" I acted like I didn't know. She smiled and tapped my shoulders and walked away but I was quick enough to hold her right hand.

"Sino ang susundo sa akin? Paano kung matagal matapos ang meeting mo?" tanong ko. Trying to pursue her to just bring me with her.

"I have a shoot later." pahabol ko pa para mas ma kumbinsi siya. Ngumiti siya sa akin at dahan-dahang tinanggal ang nakahawak kong kamay.

"Try calling Amelia or grab. Mamaya pa naman ang shoot mo. Around one in the afternoon right? It's only nine twenty eight." Nakangiting sabi niya sa akin. Pilit akong ngumiti.

"Make-up! You know all those-" Inirapan niya lang ako tinalikuran.

Of course! I know my excuse was petty. Tumalikod na lang ako at dahan dahang nag-lakad papunta sa pwesto ni Engineer Falcone. He's wearing a hard hat and also holding another hard hat.

"Ms. Devero please wear this." abot niya sa hard hat.

Tahimik ko itong tinanggap at sinuot. This is so awkward. Remembering my cries and slapping I did to him. Like wild waves, those past memories came back. Ever since that happened my trust issues grew. I've been so insecure too. With my face, with my body, hair, wealth, name it all!

Ganon ang epekto sa akin ng break-up at nang nalaman ko na pustahan lang lahat. My insecurities haunted me until I finished college. In my first year of modeling my confidence was so low that I thought I wasn't going to be successful in this field. I would lie if I say I'm already confident right now. My insecurities are just there waiting for it to be triggered again.