Through Days and Nights

19

Warning: Language, R-18

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"Daniella you’re here!”

Madame Ulyana exclaimed when Dani and I entered the room. Today was the scheduled day of our fitting for the Ulyana Show. Some models were looking at us like were a puzzle to be solve. Nag-usap sina Dani at Madame Ulyana tungkol sa career ni Dani and Dani would always smile at her politely. Ako naman ay tinawag na ng isang assistant para sa damit na susuotin ko sa araw ng fashion show. Dalawang damit ang pinasuot nila sa akin. Syempre, kinukuhanan muna kami ng litrato bago umalis para sa final touches ng mga damit.

“You’re new here?” one assistant asked me. “Perhaps a beginner?”

“Yeah. I’m still new to this kind of situation so I look awkward.” I smiled at her.

After that ay lumabas na ako para hintayin si Dani. Hindi pa siya tapos sa fitting dahil sa  pag-uusap nila ng designer. Nadatnan ko sa labas ang mga models and some looked at my way kaya naman umiwas ako ng tingin. Mukha kasi silang mananakal kapag tinitingnan sila eh!

Sinabi na ‘rin sa’kin ni Dani na sobrang competitive daw talaga ng modeling industry dito sa Pilipinas. ‘Yung tipong lahat ng brand, guto nilang mapasukan! Some of the models I meet were nice to me, pero hindi pala lahat. ‘Yung mga models sa agency namin ni Dani are nice and friendly kaya hindi naman ako nahihiya sa kanila. Tinuturuan pa nga nila ako ng mga tips eh! 

“Tara na Gabbie.” Si Dani pagkalabas ng room.

“Tapos ka na?” tanong ko sa kanya. “Let’s go eat lunch, gutom na ko.”

Sabay kaming naglakad palabas ng building para kumain ng lunch sa labas. Some models were looking at us o kay Dani? And one model approach us o kay Dani lang?

“Dani…hi! Tapos ka na sa fitting?” she asked Dani.

Hindi man lang ako tiningnan nitong babaeng ‘to! She has a classy aura. With his cropped top shirt and a jeans together with her heels and bag, she looks like a model na makikita mo sa feed ng Instagram. Nagmumura ang mamahaling niyang relo at accessories. She looks familiar for some reason! Nakita ko na ba siya?

“Hi Venice!” Dani greeted the girl with a fake smile. Muntik na ‘kong matawa. “Tapos na ‘ko, ikaw? We’re going to eat lunch na. Right Gabbie? ”

Venice? Like Venice Ferrer? That’s why she looked familiar. She’s a childstar turned into a model.

“Y-yeah.” I awkwardly answered.

“Gabbie?” Venice looked at my direction.

“Oh! This is Gabbie my bestfriend.” Dani said to Venice. “Gabbie, this is Venice. I know you know her, because I definitely know her.”  

Dani gave me a meaningful look. She smirked at Venice.

“Yeah, I know her. Hi! Gabbie Santiago.” I introduced myself.

“Gabbie. I like your name.” then she smiled at me before looking at Dani. “You got in for Francis Libiran? Or Michael Cinco?

‘Yun yung brands na pupuntahan ko mamaya for my go and see! After lunch at diretso kami ni Dani sa mga brands na ‘yun, baka sakaling makapasok sa show nila. Sabi sa’kin ni Dani, mahirap makapasok sa mga designer brand na ‘yun dahil pili lang ang mga kinukuha nila. Mabuti pa si Dani walang problema dahil brands na mismo ang lumalapit ka sa kanya. So…nakapasok pala si Venice? Sanaol talaga!