Meet Me In Mabini (City Series #2)

Chapter 27

#MMIM27

"I'm very impressed," sabi ni Tita Sol.

Nandito kaming lahat sa conference room para sa meeting at pinaguusapan namin ang latest issue this month, which had Vale on the cover of our magazine.

"Sold out nationwide!" Tumawa yung isang head. "That Enrique kid is really something."

"Well, of course, magkadugo kami, eh." Tita Sol joked.

Natawa naman kaming lahat dito sa table. I could tell that they were all very happy with the outcome.

I guess Vale is really something else.

Nakita ko agad yung notification sa cellphone ko habang nagsasalita yung head ng isang department dito at nakitang si Ven 'yon. We've been casually talking and hanging out for the past few weeks, pero hindi naman sobrang landian. We both have jobs, so we just try to fit each other to the other's schedule.

"Natalia, can you make it happen?" Biglang tanong nung isang babae na nakaupo malapit kay Tita Sol.

"Sorry," I shook my head. "What exactly do you want me to do po?"

"Get Vale again for another video. The fans want more. That model, Alice, she had two videos, right?"

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. I guess this time, it won't be as awkward as the first time.

"Okay po." I nodded.

"Also, get him to do a challenge!" anang isa pang babae. "Not just a question and answer. Really dig deep."

"Anong challenge naman ang pwede roon?" tanong ni Yve, mukhang problemado sa suhestiyon nila.

"I don't know! Get him to talk about his past or journey to becoming a star." Umiling yung isang head. "Be creative guys. We're on a roll."

Natapos rin ang meeting namin at bumalik na ako ng office ko at humilig sa likod ng pintuan ko. I took a deep breath, already feeling exhausted for the day.

"Ito na lang ba gagawin ko?" I whispered to myself.

Umiling ako at umupo samay desk. I opened the mac on my desk and started to check some e-mails. Mukhang may mga kailangan pang iapprove na proposals, pero wala roon ang utak ko.

I decided to e-mail Vale, already informing him about the video we're supposed to do. Wala pang naiisip sina Yve na ipapagawa sa kanya, pero gusto ko na sanag iinform siya para hindi na kami mag-apura kapag kailangan na siyang tawagin.

To: Vance Enrique

Hi, Vale. This is Natalia from Radiente Magazine again. If you have some time this week or next week, we'd love to have you come in for another video shoot. Let me know when you're free!

Kumunot ako nang isend ko 'yon.

Parang masyado atang masaya? Bakit ko pa nilagyan ng exclamation point?!

Buong maghapon, nag-brainstorm lang kami ng creative team at inayos na rin ang mga kailangang ayusin para sa issue this month. Hanggang sa makauwi ako, hindi pa rin nagrereply si Vale. Binasa ko ulit yung sinend ko sa kanya at umiling.

Hindi dapat ako nagooverthink!

Habang nagshoshower naman ako, narinig ko ang cellphone kong tumunog kaya hinugasan ko agad yung mukha kong may bubbles pa galing sa shampoo. May shampoo pa sa buhok ko pero nilabas ko muna ang ulo at kamay ko sa shower para makuha ang cellphone ko.

From: Vance Enrique

Hey. I have to record some demos this week but I think next week's okay, or this weekend.