His Slave

Chapter 33

Napahikab ako habang inaabot ang kape sa vanity table. "Anong oras ka ba natulog kagabi?" tanong ni Myr habang biniblow-dry ang buhok ko.

"Around 12, I think. May tinapos lang akong movie." palusot ko.

"Ganon ba.." as she put the blow drier down and comb my hair. "Maya-maya lang andito na 'yung glam team."

"I'll do my own hair and make-up. Sa kanila na lang sila mag-focus." sabay nguso ko sa repleksyon sa salamin sa mga ibang models na nandoon.

"Sure ka?"

Tumango ako. "I've been doing it for years. And I'm more comfortable doing my own make up."

"Okay. By the way, I'll introduce you later sa magiging pair mo, okay? You two haven't met last time. Nasa Canada kasi siya nung nag-sign ka ng contract. He's eager to meet you."

Ngumiti ako. "Sige.."

"Heto nga pala 'yung mga set of swimsuits na susuotin mo. Six pairs in all." sabay angat niya sa orange two-piece swimsuit. Biglang kumunot ang noo niya. "Are you really sure you're gonna wear this things?"

Napahalakhak ako. "You're weird. You created those designs."

Sabay irap niya at binalik sa rack ang swimsuit. Bumuntong hininga siya. "What?"

"You're oozing with confidence now." as she smiled

"Is it good?" tanong ko. I wasn't even aware that I was starting to get confident. Not until, I started buying a lot of clothes. 'Yung tipong hindi na ko nahihiya kung ano man ang susuotin ko.

Dati kasi kahit kumupas na ang kulay ng mga damit ko sinusuot ko pa rin. Wala kasi akong pakialam nun sa magiging itsura ko. And I don't even wear fancy clothes back then.

Baka dala na rin siguro sa mga napagdaanan kong training at workshops. It's the nature of my job, I guess. I need to be confident. I am promoting a brand. I must showcase it well to the audience.

Ngumiwi siya ng nakapamaywang. "I dunno. Maybe.." pang-aasar niya. Agad ko siyang kinurot sa tagiliran.

"I'm so proud of you. Who would have thought..." she uttered.

"Yeah." ngumiti ako. "Ikaw rin, you finally got the job you always wanted."

"Tama na nga at baka magka-iyakan pa tayo dito." sabay tawa naming dalawa.

"Ah Ms. Myr..." sambit ng isang babaeng model sa gilid ni Myr. Kasama ang dalawa pang model.

"Yes? Nicole? May kailangan ka?"

"Pwede po bang magpapicture kay Ms. Lauren? Kung okay lang po."

"Sure." mabilis kong sagot. "Wait.." as I stood up.

"Group picture ba?" tanong ko.

"O-Opo.." natatarantang tumango ang tatlo. I chuckled. Agad kong kinuha ang mga phone nila at inabot kay Myr. "Oh picture daw." sabi ko.

Wala siyang nagawa at tinanggap na lang ang mga cellphone. Sabay tawag niya sa ibang staff sa kwarto at inabot sa kanila ang dalawang cellphone. "Patulong please.."

And they started taking a picture of us. "Thank you Ms. Lauren." sabi nila ng matapos ng magkuha ng litrato.

"You're welcome."

》》》

We we're walking our way outside the hotel when we stumble upon Luca, my pair. Who Myr was referring to. "I'm glad I've finally meet you Ms. Lauren." as he held my hand.

"The pleasure is mine. But please, Lauren na lang. Let's do our best for this shoot."

He gave me a smile. "Will do--"