City of Dreams

01

"I'll get this, this and this, uhm this too!" I said as I walk inside Chanel.

"Girl, sino siya? Bakit ang daming camera?"

"Gaga si Stella yan, yung sumali sa Asia's Next Top Model!"

"Sabi licensed Interior Designer din siya."

I just got myself a day off today because I've been dying to get some new bags and clothes.

Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mag shopping because it became my happy pill.

"Ma'am, this bag is one of our best selling items. Would like to get one of these?" said the sales person beside me. I looked at her with full of disgust as if she said something wrong.

"What do you mean one? I'll get two." I said proudly.

I've been living this life since I became a model. Halos ang pinoproblema ko nalang ay kung anong brand ang susunod kong pupuntahan.

I could throw my money away, get drunk all night, make out to whoever I want, and of course date the hottest men in this City.

A City where you could live your dreams. Not because it is free, of course you gotta work hard too, duh? Nothing's free these days.

This City made my life unimaginable. I never knew that moving in this City could get me a life that I've been dreaming of.

Masaya akong lumingon sa bawat corner ng store, pinagiisipan kung ano pa ang susunod kong ituturo.

Nakangiti ang mga sales lady sa gilid ko at parang hindi na makagalaw sa kinatatayuan nila.

"M-Miss Stella!" napalingon ako bigla sa direksyon ng boses na tumawag sakin.

"Yes?" I gave her a smile.

"I'm your fan! Can we take a picture?"

Before I could say yes, may umagaw agad ng attention ko.

It was him. I suddenly want to vomit dahil sa kaba.

"Fuck!" I shouted in frustration

"I-I'm sorry, Miss Stella." rinig kong sabi ng babae.

"Hala sorry, it's not for you. Gosh, I'm sorry." I gave her an apologetic look and held her hands to assure her na hindi para sakanya yung mura ko.

Para yon sa lalaking yun.

"Si Yves yun diba?"

"Shit ang gwapo ni Yves sa personal!"

"Yves!"

"Grabe ang tangkad niya teh!"

"Aaaah! Yves!"

Sunod-sunod ang bulungan ng mga tao sa loob ng store. Halos mabingi na nga ako dahil sa sigaw at tili ng mga babae.

I need to get out of this store immediately! Pero, paano na yung mga binili ko? Hindi pa yun bayad! Ayoko namang mag shop and run, nakakahiya baka mag trending pa.

"Hey, I'll get my stuff now." I said to the sales lady na hindi mapakali dahil nasa loob ng store nila si Yves.

Sabagay, artista.

"Hey, I said I need to get my stuff-" before I could say the next word, biglang may naramdaman akong presensya sa tabi ko.

Here we go again.

"Hey" rinig kong bulong si Yves sakin.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at nag lakad nalang muli, this is not a good idea. Ang daming tao dito.

"Hey, Elle"

Please stop calling me that.

"Elle, How-"

"What do you want?" I faced him. I could feel my heart beating so fast.

"How are you?" he said, pretending like we're friends.

Like we're in good terms,

"I'm doing good." I answered.

He's pretending like he didn't make my life miserable.

"Good to hear that."

He's pretending like he didn't fool me.

I didn't say a word instead, I began to walk towards the cashier to pay for my things.

He's pretending like he didn't break my heart before.