Irresistible Pulchritude

Chapter 19

WORK was waiting for her when she got back to the Philippines. Khaila was thankful that Jane already fixed her schedule, nakahinga siya dahil doon. She has time for herself, to rest in between modelling and managing the school and her father's agency.

Amanda and Gayle were the happiest people because of her comeback. Even Chris, kaagad nitong pinalinis ang artista van na gagamitin nila. He says he missed driving the van and he missed how busy they were.

"Ayos ka lang?" nag-aalala na tanong ni Jane sa kanya. First week and she's already grinding hard. Sa dami ba naman ng mga nakuhang trabaho para sa kanya ng pamilya niya.

Minasahe niya sariling balikat. "I'm good."

Malaki ang pasalamat niya kay Jane na hindi siya nito pinatigil sa pag g-gym, sa pag-practice ng lakad niya, sa lahat.

"Si Veron, hindi," singit ni Amanda at malakas na tumawa.

Hindi tinago ni Khaila ang pag simangot nang marinig ang pangalan ng babae. She's always kind. She wants to. But deep inside her, alam niya na malapit na maubos ang pasensya sa kapwa niya babae.

Khaila already expected that the news will reach her, alam na rin niya na hindi maganda ang magiging reaksyon nito.

"Kasama mo siya sa isang runway show…" Jane trailed.

She side eyed Jane, and answered, " Ayos lang, let's be professional. Don't say something that'll cause us trouble."

Khaila still wanted to work in peace. Kababalik niya lang. Trabaho ang binalikan niya, hindi ang pasiring na isyu ng babae.

"Paano kung napikon kami nung makeup artist niya?" tanong ni Gayle.

Jane chuckled. "Edi, tumahimik tayo. Titigil din naman ang mga 'yon."

"Paano kung hindi tumigil?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong sa kanya ni Amanda.

"Be kind to people as well as animals." Khaila sighed heavily.

Amanda snickered at her answer. She wasn't referring to Veron as animals. She just couldn't help it since she was acting like one ever since.

And the fact still remains that she left her daughter. Khaila doesn't exactly know what happened, but for her, that's what made her an animal.

Nang makarating sila sa destinasyon nila, agad na inayos ni Amanda at Gayle ang likuran ng artista van. Gayle turned on the vanity lights, siya naman ay umupo sa harap. Gayle fixed her makeup and Amanda re-do her hair style. Jane on the other hand was telling her the details of photoshoot.

"You're so gorgeous!" Tili ni Gayle sa tabi niya nang matapos. "Na-miss ko 'yang mukha mo!"

Natawa siya sa sinabi nito. Palagi naman niya 'yong sinasabi noon nang mag decide siya na tumigil sa pagmomodelo. Gayle only like touching her face, madali lang daw para sa kanya na ayusan siya dahil natural ang ganda niya.

Amanda, on the other hand, finished styling her hair. Her own van doesn't have a bathroom unlike Tally's van, wala siyang choice kung hindi ang magbihis sa dressing room ng studio with Gayle and Amanda as her bantay.

Khaila smiled when they entered the studio, halos umikot ang mga mata niya nang makita si Eli na naghihintay sa kanya. He wasn't wearing any top. May mapaglaro na ngisi sa labi nito.

The sly man slid her mother's engagement ring on her finger without her knowing. Binalik niya lang 'yon nang mawala na sa paningin nila si Atticus. It was her mother's treasure. Mawala na ang ibang gamit nito, huwag lang ang mga singsing na binigay ng Papa niya para rito.

"How's my soon-to-be wife?" nang-aasar na sabi nito. Agad na nagsilingon ang mga kasama nila sa studio nang marinig si Eli.

"Please, Eli, you're too young for me." Pabiro niya itong inirapan. Eli pouted and playfully dropped his arm around her shoulders.