Irresistible Pulchritude

Chapter 21

HINDI NASUNDAN ng isa pa ang dinner nila ni Atticus. Hinatid lang siya nito sa unit niya at nagpaalam. Khaila took her time to digest everything, his explanation was enough for her. But not enough to let him in again. To take him back.

Atticus was generous enough to give him the space he promised. He was sending her messages like, good morning, good evening, reminding her to eat, and such. Hindi ito nagpapakita sa kanya, dinamay pa pati ang anak nito. Fleair wasn't visiting her for a week now, either.

"Ang galing mo talaga pumili, 'no?" Amanda praised her while eyeing their new models.

"Ang ganda at gwapo, grabe!" Gayle exclaimed. Mahina siyang natawa nang pumalakpak pa ito.

There's a lot of applicants, and recommendations. Pero iilan lang ang tinanggap niya sa mga 'yon. She's being careful, ayaw niya na may isang Veron pa na makapasok sa agency nila.

"And looks like they all admire you…" Jane noticed. Napalingon siya nang marinig itong tumawa. "Oh boy, look at them gawking at you. They're gonna be in trouble, kung nandito lang ang kapatid mo."

Her gaze went in front. All eyes on her. May mga ilan pa na ginanahan at nagpasikat. Khaila shook her head. There's a lot of them, at sanay na siya sa ganoon. They admired her, she let them.

"Am I super busy this week?" tanong niya kay Jane.

Kanina, habang nagpapalit siya sa dressing room, she heard one of the models talking about her vacation. Khaila got curious and asked her right away. Ang sabi nito maganda raw. A peaceful place to stay.

"Medyo…" Jane answered.

Khaila smiled when she handed her an avocado juice, and it was from the café near their school. Kung saan sila unang beses na kumain ni Atticus, kasama 'yung bata na pinaliguan nila.

"May cake pa, gusto mo?" tanong nito.

"Hindi ka pupuntahan ni sir?" Gayle asked. Kaagad naman siyang siniko ni Amanda at pinanlakihan ng mata.

Umiling siya. "He's busy…"

Jane showed her phone and saw Atticus' message.

Atticus Klein:
In case she'll ask, kindly tell her that we need to go back. Uuwi rin kami ni Fleair within a week or so. I also informed the cafe. Order lang kayo, ako ang magbabayad. Thanks.

"That's why Fleair is not coming home?" tanong niya kay Jane.

"Yes, hindi ko natanong kung ano ang rason. You two are talking, right? Bakit sa akin nagpapaalam? Nanay ba ako?" Jane laughed at her own remarks.

Hindi siya sumagot sa tanong nito. She read his message again and again. He was messaging her yet he wasn't talking about him, leaving the country again. Sa assistant slash manager pa talaga niya ito nagpaalam. Khaila mentally facepalm.

"Next week, pwede ba na i-reschedule lahat ng trabaho ko? I promise, I'll work hard this week. I need a few days to rest."

Umawang ang mga labi ni Jane sa sinabi niya. Halata ang gulat sa mukha nito. She never asked for a vacation before, ngayon lang.

"I can do that… Kailangan mo ba ng kasama?" nag-aalala na tanong nito.

Mabilis siyang umiling at sumagot, "No, I want to be alone."

"Uy beh! Anong trip 'yan? Sure ka ba?" Gayle interrupted.

"Ikaw lang talaga mag-isa? Wala kang kasama? Kahit kapatid mo?" sunod-sunod na tanong sa kanya ni Amanda.

She chuckled lightly at their reaction. "Please, I am not a kid. Of course, kaya ko."

"Beh, hindi ka sigurado sa sagot mo." Gayle said in a matter of fact tone.