A Designer's Creation

19. The Fiancé and the Lover

Since Jericho was somewhere running errands, I went home alone and prepared for my dinner. If today was any other day before I met him, for sure nasa bar na naman ako to drink. But since I needed to welcome him by tomorrow sa premises ng Lion, I had to be sober.

Dinner time and I was eating my beef teriyaki when I scanned the La Mari's Summer Fashion Design Competition announcement. The latest update was 79 designers and models were already registered and they have five remaining days before they close the registration. That means I still have five more days to convinced Jericho to be my model.

Tatlo ang category na kailangang ipasa sa competition. Isang for summer swimwear, isang for casual wear, at isang formal attire. May model na ako for women's category at never akong hinindian ni Gwynette. I called her last time and she said wherever I needed her, one call away lang siya. Sa male model lang talaga ako nagkakaproblema dahil nagkakaubusan sila ng magaling magdala ng damit.

Jericho could carry himself. His confidence was enough kahit nga pagsuotin ko lang siya ng swimming trunks. Jomari would be nice sana, pero mukhang magiging literal na madugo ang paghaharap namin kung sakali man.

There were so many familiar faces on my iPhone's screen. Wala akong makitang designer na reputable, karamihan sa kanila, sponsors and judges naman. If ever I will join this one, for sure na mabibigla silang lahat since I was in the judge level na at hindi pang-contestant lang.

I know, Ty has a point when he said na malaki ang chance na matalo ako kasi maluluto ang laban. Teritoryo 'to ng mga kaaway ko, and I will compete just to show them how great I am. And that alone could ruin my image if ever I lose this competition. Kakalat at kakalat ang balita na kung sakali mang matalo ako ng mas mababa ang level sa 'kin, mababawasan ang credibility ko as a well-known fashion designer.

But I don't care. I just want to show them and I wanted to feel kung ano ang ginawa nila sa Lion Fashion three months ago.

They went to our event just to flex their fucking couture with an ugly design? Bold of them to assume I will not take my fucking revenge in their own place.

Wala akong pakialam kung matalo ako. Ang gusto ko, maranasan nila ang ginawa nila sa event na highlight ang design ko.

I planned everything later that night. I created prototype sketches. I even asked some of my colleagues regarding the trend this summer sa iba't ibang location outside the Metro and abroad.

I needed to create winning pieces na kahit maluto man ang scores, at least the sponsors will know the difference of what an acceptable design should be like.

♥♥♥

Six-thirty in the morning, I called Jericho for an update kung saan kami magkikita.

"I forgot to tell you, you should have a résumé," I said while wearing my René Caovilla's pearl-embellished black wrap sandals.

"Naka-ready na rin, chill ka lang, Cinnamon." He laughed at the other side of the call. "Nag-breakfast ka na?"

"Sa Sip and Drip ako nagbe-breakfast."

"Oh! Nakakain na 'ko pero sige, bibilhan na lang kita ng almusal mamaya para hindi ka na bababa. Lagi ka pa namang naka-heels."

Wow, that was sweet.

"Wear something formal or casual at least, ha?" sabi ko agad kasi baka mag-T-shirt siya, please. Please, no. Ako mismo ang maghahatak sa kanya sa store namin para bihisan siya kung naka-T-shirt and jeans lang siya.

"Sabi ko, chill ka lang. Nate-tense ka ba kasi ipapakilala mo 'ko sa boyfriend mo?"

I let out a hopeless laugh because of that. Not that I don't want Tyrone to see him in his low-class social degree, pero kasi ayokong gisahin siya ni Ty about something personal.