Rastro Rehab (A Rastro Fanfic)

3. Confounding Connection

('Barcelona' plays in background...)

Rhian was listening to Barcelona, one of Glaza's songs in her self-produced album Synthesis, as she rode in the back seat of her car while her driver was battling with the bustling Manila traffic.

I'm getting a bon.er and I don't even have a bone. Rhian contemplated to herself as Glaiza's voice raised into an ever so tender falsetto during the chorus of the song and gave her chills all over her body. Glaiza had this unique and soft tone that can put any hyped up athlete to sleep or make anybody feel like they have been gently massaged by a million octopus tentacles. Rhian was indeed feeling so... well, touched... by Glaiza's voice. Then she surprises by suddenly bringing her voice to a higher register, she almost sounds like she's having an or. gas. m even if she was just singing. Rhian thought. Holy mother of dragons, does Glaiza even know how sensual her voice sounds like in this song?

"Uuugh.." Rhian couldn't help but let out an involuntary mo.an before realizing that she did it out loud.

"Ma'am?" Asked her innocent driver.

"I mean, UGH! This traffic is terrible. Maybe you could step it up so we won't be late for Glaiza's concert rehearsal. I could drive but I don't wanna tear all these cars ahead of us to pieces." Rhian told her driver defensively.

Nice save, Rhian, she mentally gave herself a wink. She was just really anxious to get on Glaiza's good side by coming early this time, since there have been quite a few times when she arrived late (not on purpose!) to events and guestings with Glaiza and she couldn't help but feel that the musician was showing more and more signs of annoyance everytime she had to wait for the racer, almost like a disappointed girlfriend... and she doesn't wanna put that cute little pout on her girl's face, no matter how adorable it actually looks. Girlffriend, haha. What was she thinking... First of all, Glaiza was straight and seemed to have a very religious family and very high standards. She even said that she has had no boyfriend for over four years now because she was too busy and choosy... Four freakin years! The drought... Glaiza was like a desert that needed watering and Rhian was a raging river; she'd love to tend that garden and make it sing to its cli .max like how she sounds in her songs. In bed. During cuddle weather... Gosh, she wished she was wearing some boxing gloves right now so she could punch her own face for thinking such stupid, random thoughts. Rein in the breeze Rhian, rein in the breeze.

-----

Everything seems electrically charged and in slow motion as Rhian hugged Glaiza upon arriving at rehearsals. She anxiously prayed to the old gods and the new that her breezy facade was convincing (and admirable) enough for the Alluring Rock Diva. Yes, that was the title given to Glaiza in Philippine showbiz and with reason! Her mysterious and weird charisma was al-luring Rhian in, alright. Keep your cool Rhian, act normal, act normal. So she gave G a silly salute after hugging her.

"Born ready and reporting for duty, commander!" Was all she could blurt out. Shoot. She even almost tripped as she tried to make a cool pose by shifting her left foot.

"So, our director was thinking that maybe I could sing 'Til It's Time' first then you could come onstage and sort of surprise me with the song we are gonna sing together, sounds good?" Glaiza gave her that trademark warm and sincere smile. 'Til It's Time' was one of the theme songs of their soap TRMD. It was sang by Glaiza herself.

"That sounds perfect Glai, I like it!" Rhian brightened up and intensely looked at the other girl with an affectionate smile. DO NOT BITE YOUR LIP RHIAN DENISE RAMOS HOWELL. Do. not. bite. Okay, I'm totally biting it, oh God my gay is showing, help. Rhian thought. If Glaiza could stop looking at her with those hawk-like nose and eyes maybe it would help. It is actually G's fault why she is like this. She blames G for being so hot damn beautiful. And G does not have her frustrating and bipolar Dora bangs today, she clipped it back, hallelujah... she can see her perfect eyebrows in all its glory. So on fleek. Focus Rhian. Focus.