THE ACTRESS

CHAPTER 9

Chapter 9

I had all my things packed for today's last photo shoot. After several weeks, finally ay matatapos na ang project na ito. Hindi ko itatanggi ang nararamdaman kong excitement the moment na mapublish na ang magazine with my story covered in it. I never imagined posting in a mag as big as this. Just the thought of it, I can't help but feel proud.

We'll be taking the photos in Tagaytay. Although I've been there many times, naeexcite pa din ako dahil halos dalawang taon na ata nang huli akong makapunta doon. Eight in the morning ang call time kaya naman 5:30 pa lang ay ready na ako.

I was about to put my things in my car when the doorbell rang. Sino naman kayang magdodoorbell nang ganitong kaaga? I temporarily stopped to open the gate and I was kinda shocked to realize it was JP.

"What are you doing here?", I carelessly asked.

I saw him arched his brows and honestly, I would lie if I say he doesn't look gorgeous as early this morning. I can't deny, he's totally awesome kahit na kaunting liwanag pa lang ang sumisinag ngayong umaga.

"I'm here to pick you up. What else do you expect?"

I almost shut the gate when he said that. The nerve!

"I can get there by myself JP. May sasakyan naman ako and as you know, I can drive.", nakakaasar! I was humiliated of course. Like as if I'm expecting any other reason why he's here.

"I insist. Maha-hassle ka pa. Baka haggard ka na pagdating."

"As I've said, I can manage. You don't need to drive for me. Thanks for the concern but I can keep myself fresh and pretty until I get there.", I said emphasizing the two adjectives.

"I know. I'm just trying to offer some h-"

I didn't let him finish what he had to say. Naaasar lang ako. Bumalik na ako sa sasakyan para ayusin yung mga dadalhin kong gamit. Ipapasok ko na sana yung bag nang hablutin ito ni JP at dire-diretsong lumabas ng gate.

"I told you I can drive alone! Ibalik mo yan dito!", I almost shouted. Kahit papano'y sinusubukan ko pa ring pigilin ang damdamin ko. He just continued walking until he reached his car and put my bag in.

"I said put it back here JP!", now I'm sure I shouted but he didn't listen. Instead, he picked all the other things out of my car and put them in his.

Pakshet talaga! Napakakulit! I remained standing beside my car with my arms crossed, giving him a deadly gaze.

"Oh ano? Sasabay ka ba o mauuna na kami nitong mga gamit mo?", he said with a teasing smile.

"Whatever!", I blurted out. Sinara ko lang ang sasakyan ko at lumabas na rin ng gate. Fine, he won! Ano pa bang magagawa ko kundi sumakay di ba? Bullsht! Bastos! Ang sarap niyang pitikin sa balls para matauhan.

"Sasabay ka naman pala, pakipot ka pa.", he teased again as I sat on the passenger seat. Not that I chose to sit here. Wala lang talaga akong choice dahil nandun sa likod yung mga gamit. Bullsht talaga. Pwede namang dun niya ilagay yung mga gamit sa compartment, bakit dito pa sa loob? Gwapo nga, moron naman.

"Excuse me?", I just rolled my eyes. Pakipot mo mukha mo.

"I'm just kidding.", he said smiling. Fck that smile. Bakit ba kahit anong pagkamuhi ko sa kanya, I can't resist to appreciate his smile, his looks, his efforts. HIM. Maybe, I'm just too coward to admit. Pasasaan ba't matatapos na rin ito. After this project, matatapos na rin ang ugnayan naming dalawa. As I've said before, everything that we have is nothing but job. Work lang ito Carisse. Don't take it too seriously.