This Could End

Chapter Eleven

I've been in Thailand before. It was for a work event. I didn't get the chance to tour around though since I left the same day due to hectic schedule.

We'll probably be given one free day before we head back to Manila. Half day naman tuwing Sunday kaya pwedeng makagala, but of course mas pipiliin ko na magpahinga.

The schedule for this month isn't a joke. Hindi naman kasi katulad sa Manila na ang taping schedule ay MFW.

I brought my whole team with me. Isang lang ang companion na bayad ng production. My agency paid for Jai and Lane. Si Darcy ay bayad ng production. Meanwhile, I paid for Emma's travel expenses. They're staying in a different hotel kasama ang ibang crew, due to budget restrictions. I heard katabing hotel lang naman ng mga artists kaya walang problema.

It was past twelve when we reached Thailand. Instead of heading to the hotel, we were brought to a restaurant for lunch. Two o'clock pa kasi ang check-in time.

"Alam niyo ba yung tungkol sa Dream Girl movie from Blue House?" Lisa asked the group in a hushed voice. I sat with some of the cast.

Umiling lang ako bilang sagot. I'm usually updated when it comes to new releases pero hindi ko rin alam 'yon. Blue House is one of the top motion picture companies in the Philippines.

"No. New release ba 'yan?" Becca asked.

"It's still under pre-prod. I heard they'll start calling for auditions soon," Lisa answered.

"Is it the psychological thriller one?" nakakunot noong tanong ni Rowan.

"Yes! I heard it's going to be a big production," Lisa shared. "I also heard Asia's eyeing for the lead role."

"Ang dami mo namang narinig," halakhak ni Rowan. Tumawa rin si Becca at nakangiting umiling na lang ako.

"Kailan daw ba ang audition?" si Becca.

"Yun ang hindi ko alam," nakangiwing sagot ni Lisa. "Pero gusto ko rin mag-audition."

"Para sa lead role?" Tumingin sa akin si Felix. "Kaia, kabahan ka na."

"Hoy, hindi naman ako ganyan ka-ambisyosa," ismid ni Lisa.

I laughed. "I don't know if I'll be auditioning for that. Never ko pa narinig ang tungkol d'yan. My agency would have advised me about it."

"Kapag nag-audition ka, uwian na," nakatawang sagot ni Becca.

"Kaia, kapag nag-audition ka, 'wag mo ulit akong kalimutan," hirit ni Lisa.

I just laughed and shook my head. Sumubo na lang ako ng pagkain para magkadahilan na 'wag sumagot. God, I really love their Pad Thai.

"Ako naman kunin mong male lead, Kaia," sambit ni Felix at tumingin kay Rowan. "No offense, bro."

"'Wag kang umasa, bro. Loyal sa akin si Seph. Team Raia Forever," sakay ni Rowan at matapos ay kumindat sa akin. I just rolled my eyes. Raia is the love team name that was given to us by our fans.

After an hour and a half, we returned to the hotel. Darcy and Emma helped get settled in my executive suite. Hinintay muna nilang dumating ang mga gamit ko bago pumunta sa kanilang hotel.

I changed into comfortable clothes before hitting the bed for a nap. Pipikit pa lang ako ay naalala ko ang phone. I haven't checked it since I left Manila.

I switched off the airplane mode. Ilang segundo lang ay tumunog agad ang phone ko. It was a call from my father's office. This wasn't a 'perfect timing' call, knowing my father, malamang ay kanina pa niya inutusan ang secretary niya para tawagan ako.