The Fan

CHAPTER 7

Have you ever experienced something weird? Like feeling familiar with someone you have not seen before? A spine tingling feeling in your guts, pushing you to run behind that person and wrap your arms around her like a friend you have not spoken or see for a very long time?

Iyan ang nararamdaman ni Rhian, aka Calliope, ang pinakasikat na artista ng bagong millenia. She's walking in a slow motion tulad ng sa pelikula kung saan ang kikitain ng bida ay ang hindi niya inaasahang tao, at biglang may epic suspense sound effect na tutunog to make the scene more dramatic.

"Hija, you're here! Come.. Come, take a sit here," umupo ito sa tabi ng kanyang tiyuhin at sa kabila naman ang girlfriend nitong si Mildred. "Where's Mason?"

"Ahm, he went back to his home. Hinatid niya lang ako dito. He sends his apologies,"

"Very well since nandito ka na, we can order," kumaway si Tito Ronnie upang kunin ang atensyon ng waiter.

Habang kinukuha ng waiter ang order ng bawat isa, hindi mapigilan ni Rhian ang mapatingin sa kaharap nito. Long hair but not that long, or baka kasing haba rin ng buhok niya, but this woman's hair is ash brown in color. Maganda ang kanyang mukha, angelic for Rhian's first impression. Matangos ang ilong and expressive eyes.

"Since nakaorder na tayo, Rhian I want you to meet your personal bodyguard,"

***My personal bodyguard is a woman?*** Rhian thought as her jaw dropped.

Not that she's hoping for a muscled man in black suit or blue PSG uniform, pero when you say bodyguard, unang papasok sa isip mo ay lalaki. But hers is a beautiful, sexy looking woman that could pass as a Victoria Secret lingerie model.

----------

Glaiza is all over her mobile phone. Kapapa-pakilala lang sa kanya ng kanyang magiging alaga o babantayan. When she was told back in the car na artista ang kanyang babantayan and it was all over the news na may threat ang buhay ni Calliope, she thought na ito ang kanyang babantayan. She was excited dahil idolo niya ito.

They reach their first stop, and restaurant kung saan nila imemeet ang unang kliyente while Solen was left in the vehicle. Walking slowly, Billy James pointed at the table where three people are seated.

"Mr. Tuviera! Tony!" tawag ni Billy James sa isang lalaking may edad, na pero matipuno pa rin.

"Billy!" iniabot nito ang kamay ng boss ni Glaiza for a hand shake. "Please sit down,"

Sinunod naman ng mga bagong dating at umupo sa kabilang side kaharap ang dalawang babae.

"Billy, this is Maine Mendoza and her mother, Mary Ann Mendoza. This is Billy James, may-ari ng isang martial arts school in Manila," pagpapakilala ng dalawa sa mag-ina that the latter two acknowledge.

"This is Glaiza de Castro, one of my Martial Arts grandmaster. Siya ang magiging personal bodyguard mo, Ms. Mendoza,"

"Hi!" Maine extended her hand na magiliw naman tinaggap ni Glaiza.

Glaiza was astounded by the beauty of her subject pero deep inside ay disappointed siya dahil hindi ito ang artistang hope niyang bantayan. Bakit kaya hindi si Calliope ang kliyente ng boss nito samantalang sinasabi sa balita na may panganib sa buhay nito? Ano ba ang dapat bantayan sa artistang nadiskubre sa kalyeserye? Baka pati siya ay isali pa sa segment nito bilang babaeng Rogelio, tutal may Rogelia na sila sa katauhan ni Sinon.

"Tony, hindi na ako magtatagal because I have another meeting with a client who asked for a bodyguard,"

"Sino?"

"Ronnie,"

"Oh, si Ronnie. Hindi ba't manager siya ni Calliope? Siya ba ang kailangang bantayan? I heard she's in danger," sa narinig na pangalan, nakaramdam ng kuryente si Glaiza sa kanyang katawan.