The Burning of Summer

Chapter One

Chapter One

I sighed as I realized that my father will not be happy about the latest news about me. Looking at a tabloid with my face on the front page with my supposed catfight with my co-model is making my assistant and my manager groan in pain.

"Summer naman! Ano nanaman to?!"

"It wasn't a cat fight okay, that bitch was trying to slap me kaya inunahan ko lang!" nanlulumong napasabunot si Margaux, my manager, sa sariling buhok.

It's only ten in the morning and here I am being scolded again. I have been living in New York for years now. A month after graduating college, I flew here to pursue my dream. And I did not fail.

I am proud to say that I've reached my dream to become a successful and famous international model.

Summer Martinez is known in almost all parts of the world and I've never been so proud and happy about my success.

I smiled at that thought.

"This is not a really good time to be smiling like that Summer."

Umayos ako ng pagkaka-upo sa kama at nagseryoso ng tingin dito.

"I know Margaux, then do some damage control. I know you're good at that."

"I already did but expect to get a call from the Philippines Summer. Alam mong wala akong magagawa doon." napabuntong hininga na lang ako at saka binagsak ang sarili sa kama at tinakip ang braso sa mga mata.

I heard Margaux say something to my assistant Sandra but I didn't bother to eavesdrop. Mayamaya pa ay naglakad na ito palabas.

"Miss Summer alam mo maaga tatanda si Ma'am Margaux sa inyo." tumatawang sabi ni Sandra saka ko tinanggal ang nakatakip na braso sa mata at tumingin dito.

"You know it's funny because I heard someone say something like that years ago."

Ngumiti ako dahil na-alala ko ang Ate Winter ko na sinabi din yun sa akin.

"Anyway, wala kang schedule for today so rest day for you but your gym trainer called to remind you to go, said that you missed three sessions last week." nawala ang ngiti ko sa sinabi niya.

"Hayaan mo na, I've been feeling lazy these past few days. Hindi ko alam kung bakit."

"Baka naman stressed ka lang Miss? I think you need a vacation."

"Well you don't need to worry about that. I will be having that vacation two weeks from now."

I think it is a family tradition for us to have a vacation for the whole two months. Ganoon na ang palagi naming ginagawa simula nung nag high school kami. Dahil doon ay kung saan saang bansa na kami nakarating.

Kaya kahit busy sa mga trabaho ay naglalaan talaga kami ng oras para doon dahil na rin sa impluwensya ni Dad. Palagi niya kasing sinasabi that family always stays together and that family should always be our number one priority.

"Miss Summer I'll be going now, I suggest you just stay indoors for now. For sure marami nanaman ang paparazzi na mag-aabang sayo sa labas."

"Thanks Sandra."

Nang ma-iwan ako mag-isa ay saka naman tumunog ang phone ko. Hindi ko na kailangan pang tingnan kung sino iyon dahil sigurado akong kilala ko ang tumatawag.

"Hi Ate!" I greeted her cheerfully.

"U-huh Summer.." I heard her sharp breathing on the other line. "Don't worry hindi na ko magsasalita, hindi rin naman gumagana dahil hindi mo naman pinapakinggan."

Na-imagine ko kung anong itsura ni Ate ngayon habang nagsasalita sa kabilang linya. I know my eldest sister is very strict, too formal and cold but I also know that just like Dad, she's concern about my welfare.