Ms. Artista (Book 2)

Eighteen

"I thought you're taking just one?"

"I've changed my mind." I said to Loli.

"So, let me repeat it again. You're collaborating with Camille, and Zion Lapaz?"

I nodded my head. "Yes." I answered.

Maybe it's a good thing to help that Camille to debut, and well, as for Zion, I want him to talk to me. He's fucking ignoring me that's why I need to make a move. We're working together but he acts like I didn't exist.

His damn audacity, really.

"Ayiee, why did you changed your mind?" she teased me.

"Nothing special." I answered, "It's good for publicity, you said?"

"Absolutely." she answered, "Kailan niyo nga ba ia-announce 'yung teleserye niyo? It's been awhile na din, ah?" she said.

Yeah, it's really been awhile. Parang kahapon lang ang lahat, but damn, no. It's been 2 months. Dalawang buwan na kaming nagta-taping for the teleserye. And, tatlong linggo na akong hindi pinapansin ni Zion Lapaz.

And, fuck. Tatlong linggo na din ang nakaka-lipas ng makita ko siya. When I saw her. When I saw Rose Suazo.

"Francine, are you listening to me?"

"No." tumingin ako sa kanya, "What's that again?" I asked.

She glared at me. "Kailan niyo balak i-announce 'yung teleserye niyo?" she asked.

"I don't know." I answered, "I think they are currently making the trailer." I said.

"Oh." she nodded her head, "So, medyo matagal pa." she said. Tumango naman ako.

After my meeting with Loli, dumeretso na ako sa studio because we have a photoshoot today with the whole cast of the teleserye.

"Francine! Ang ganda na naman ng umaga ko dahil sa mukha mo!" Pen immediately hugged me when she saw me.

I am happy that they are really my friends now. Lexi even called us the 'Cover Squad' because when we hang out before, we're all wearing a face mask and a sunglasses.

"Good morning too, Pen." I greeted her.

"Good morning to the gorgeous babe of the town." Lexi also hugged me.

I also hugged Kleo and Kian. While Zion? No. Bahala siya sa buhay niya. He's ignoring me so I am ignoring him too. Ano'ng akala niya sa'kin marupok? Well, marupok naman talaga.

It's his fault though. Dahil sa pag-iwas niya sa'kin, feeling ko ay makapal na ang wall sa pagitan namin.

It makes me sad, but damn. What should I do? He's ignoring him. I never thought that he can do that to me.

He said he loves me? Fuck. What a liar.

"Zion, Francine. Ready na ba kayo?" the photographer asked us matapos kaming ayusan ng glam team.

"Yes." I answered while Zion just nodded his head. He's not even looking at me. He's not smiling at me. Parang hindi niya ako kilala.

"Okay, closer, please." the photographer said that's why I leaned closer to him. We're looking at each other now. He's holding my waist and my arms are encircled on his neck.

"Look at each other intimately, parang mahal na mahal niyo ang isa't-isa."

Damn. How can we possibly do that?

He's distant. Very distant.

"Now, hug each other. Francine, isandal mo ang mukha mo sa dibdib niya." the photographer said and I immediately followed him.