This Could End

Chapter Seven

"May nagpapatamis din ba ng buhay mo ngayon, Kaia?" the staff asked again.

Sneaky. Akala ko ay papalampasin na nila na walang question about my love life. I took another bite while staring at the camera.

I feigned a sweet smile. "Yes."

Nagpaalam na ako at binasa ang outro before the director shouted cut. The filming ended there. I just thanked the team and bid a quick goodbye before heading to my next schedule.

Sa set na kami kakain ng lunch para makatipid sa oras at hindi na ako mapagod sa byahe. Mukhang lunch break din ang buong set. It was surprising 'cos lunch break is usually late.

I found Giovann in my room, chatting with my road manager and Lane. Nang buksan ko ang pinto ay sa akin agad ang tingin nilang lahat. As if a teacher entered a classroom, they all stood up.

"Kaia," Gio sweetly greeted.

Napatingin ako sa team ko. They all looked like they were swooning over him.

Nakalimutan ko na pinayagan ko nga pala siyang dumalaw sa taping ngayon. I had a busy schedule this morning kaya nawala sa isip ko. Hindi rin naman importante para sa akin kaya hindi nakakagulat na nakalimutan ko.

I orchestrated a pleased smile and walked his way. I welcomed him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek to satisfy our audience. "Hi, baby."

"Labas na kami, Seph," paalam ni Darcy.

Nakayakap pa rin ako kay Giovann nang lingunin sila. I nodded at them. They were grinning widely. Mukhang nagpipigil pa ng kilig si Jai nang hilahin siya ni Darcy palabas ng dressing room.

Bumitaw ako kay Giovann nang kami nalang dalawa. My smile faded along with it, too. Naglakad ako patungo sa couch at pagod na sumalapak doon.

"I brought you some food," he proudly exclaimed and walked over to the vanity table. Nakapatong doon ang isang brown paper bag. "You like Fettucine Alfredo, right?"

Sa totoo lang, mas gusto kong matulog kaysa kumain but I don't wanna be rude to Giovann. I sat up straight in anticipation. Hindi ako sumagot but he took that as a yes. Maybe he managed to memorize my body signals.

Inilapag niya muna ang paper bag sa tabi ko bago kumuha ng dalawang upuan. He pulled it towards the sofa.

"How about you? You ate na?"

"Hindi pa. Sasabayan sana kita." Bahagya siyang tumawa.

Kinuha niya ang paper bag at inilabas ang laman no'n. He placed one container on the chair in front me. May isa pa siyang inilabas at inilagay naman 'yon sa isang upuan.

"I also brought food for the entire staff here," sabi niya at lumapit ulit sa vanity table para sa dalawang mineral water bottle naman. So that's why the whole crew is on an early lunch break.

"You didn't have to. May buffet naman dito," I answered while removing the lid.

"It's okay. I heard that's what celebrity boyfriends do when they're visiting their girlfriends on tapings or shooting," masayang sagot niya. He says that as if we're in a real and unforced relationship.

I picked up the fork to feed myself some pasta. "Aalis ka rin ba agad pagkatapos mong kumain?"

"Uhm... Gusto sana kitang panoorin magtrabaho... pero kung hindi ka komportable, aalis ako."

Umirap ako. Why does he always have to sound like na kinakawawa ko siya? At the beginning of our arrangement, I thought he was being emotionally manipulative... but then I realized that he's just really like that. I hate it.