Through the Lens (The Clarin Series #1)

PROLOGUE

I hope you like my first story.

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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"Thanks for doing this, Niquie"

"Ano ka ba, it's the least I could do for you after all you've done for me, Caly." I said as I looked at my best friend who was busy fixing the wedding dress that I'm modelling for her brand, Astra.

I can't help but smile as I watched her do her thing. If there's one thing that hasn't changed about Caly, it's her passion for fashion. I'm wearing a beautiful lace wedding dress. The neckline dips in between my breasts while the back is kind of open and stops a few inches above my butt. I was admiring the delicate floral lace patterns on the sleeves of the dress when Caly spoke.

"Niquie, sorry talaga if this shoot was scheduled a day after you went home. Hindi ka tuloy nakapag-rest nang maayos." I just waved her off.

"Caly, ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sayo na I'm used to this already. This is actually better than what I'm used to. I would usually go to photoshoots after a few hours of rest in a hotel. One day is more than enough for me."

Kumunot noo ni Caly habang umiilang. "But you still might be jet lagged."

I just laughed and said "I was sitting in the business class section, Caly. I was comfortable."

"Kahit na. Sitting for 15 hours on a plane from LA to Manila is still tiring, Niquie."

"Caly, ang kulit mo. Okay nga lang ako sabi eh. I'm well rested." Nagpacute na lang ako kay Caly kasi halatang hindi siya mapakali na ngayon ako magmomodel para sa kanya.

"Alam mo I think you're the Lord's favorite. You're still so beautiful kahit na you're tired from travelling." Natawa na lang ako habang tinignan siya sa salamin. She was looking at me from head to toe while circling me.

"Jenny, I love the low chignon, super bagay ni Niquie!"

While Miss Jenny was finalizing my low chignon, lumapit si Mae, assistant ni Caly, na dala yung work phone niya.

"Ma'am Caly, si Sir Ken po." Sabi ni Mae habag inaabot kay Caly yung phone.

"Excuse me, I'll just take this call." Umalis si Caly sa tabi ko at lumabas ng studio para kausapin yung tumawag.

"Niquie, we have a slight problem. Nagka-emergency si Ken, the photographer for this shoot dapat, because naglabor na yung wife niya."

Caly is biting her lower lip and pacing, habits that she does whenever she's nervous about something. I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Ohh so are we moving the shoot?" I asked.

"Oh no, no, no. We're still g but ano uhm may ibang photographer na pinadala si Ken."

"That's good! Akala ko hindi na matutuloy. Sayang naman effort niyo ng team mo. By the way who's the photographer? Baka kilala ko."

"Ah ano uhm, it's -"

Naputol yung sasabihin ni Caly dahil may biglang nagbukas ng pintuan. May mga bulong-bulungan na rin akong narinig mula sa ibang staff na nandito sa set. Ah yung bagong photographer siguro.

"Sorry, I'm late. This was such a short notice."

I could recognize that voice anywhere. Fuck. That voice. That fucking voice. I'm frozen on the spot and didn't turn around because I would then see him.

Rafael Silverio.

The one that got away.

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Let me know what you think, please.