First day of classes went well last Saturday. It's Monday and I'm here sa Restaurant ko. Although I have a manager here in the restaurant, sometimes I drop by to check if everything is okay. I'm kind of hands on in terms of business. Hindi lang sa pag-aartista ang source of income ko because I know hindi naman panghabang buhay iyon. Biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone at nakita ang name ng naka register, it's my manager in showbiz.
"Yes, Eugene?" Agad kong tanong. Sa pagkakaalam ko wala naman akong schedule for tonight and tomorrow pa ang taping ko.
"Athena, you won't believe me!!! Omygod!" Nabingi ako sa pagkaka excite ng baklitang manager ko.
"Spill it, Eugene! What is it?" Ayaw pa sabihin agad.
Eugene is my manager for three years and l am very lucky to have him because he can do anything for me and one of the people whom I trust the most. He knows me inside and out and makes sure that I am well taken care of. And oh, he is gay by the way.
"May kumuha sayong pinakasikat na collection items company dito sa Pilipinas bilang model! The owner saw you on TV Ads and agad kang ipinahanap. And don't worry hindi ko tinapat ng Sabado because I know kakalbuhin mo ako. Sayang naman 'tong -"
Hindi ko na siya pinatapos dahil curious ako kung anong brand name.
"Which brand ba, Eugene? And great that you didn't schedule it on a Saturday." Bigla kong nilagay ang right arm ko sa may bewang ko in order to balance myself while my left hand is holding my phone.
"Ang tagal na nating pinangarap 'to, Athena, mygosh!! It's ER Collections!! Mr. Ernesto, the owner is excited to meet you on Friday in Tagaytay para sa shoot! Pinirmahan ko na rin agad ang contract para wala ka nang kawala. Sayang ang opportunity, girl"
Natatawang baggit ng manager ko. Yes, ER Collections is one of the leading companies here in the Philippines and their items are very expensive. Nasa higher classes ang bumibili nito. I have 3 signature bags under their name as well.
It's Friday and today is my photoshoot sa ER Collections. I had a busy schedule starting Tuesday until Friday in the wee hours in the morning para sa taping ng soap opera na on-going ngayon sa TV.
After my taping, dumiretso ako agad sa Tagaytay para sa photoshoot. Hindi ko na kaya mag drive kaya sumabay na ako sa driver ko kasama si Joana (make-up artist) at ni Eugene. I am really damn tired but I have to do this. This is once in a lifetime opportunity. I will get there around 10 am siguro kasi 12 pm pa naman ang start ng pictorials.
Pagdating ko sa location, agad akong nilagyan ng make-up ni Joana habang nagbabasa ako ng notes sa cellphone ko because we have short quiz tomorrow in Economics. Ang bilis diba? Quiz agad? Ganun talaga eh.
After she did my make-up, I saw myself sa mirror. Wow.. sobrang Ganda ko today. My wavy ash brown hair ay tumatama sa aking bewang while wearing the ER V neck peach mini dress, and boots. Nilagyan ko ang aking leeg ng isa ring ER signature necklace para mas gumanda pa ako lalo.
"Ang ganda, Joana. Thank you" Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na may igaganda pa ako lalo.
"Maganda ka na talaga, ate Athena. It's all on you" Hinahawakan niya ang aking magkabilang balikat habang binabanggit ang mga katagang iyan.
Kinuha ko si Joana as my make-up artist because she can really make a great masterpiece. She has obligations too but her artistic quality helps her right now. I'm very thankful that she's in my team helping me boost my confidence all through out the way.
The photoshoot started and I had to promote different items ng ER Collections, simula sa bags, then belts, boots, dresses and shades. It was a fun shoot kasi kalog ang International Photographer na kinuha nila.
The shoot ended at 6:30 pm in the evening, actually I'm hungry na and good thing that the owner wants to meet us kasama ang team ko for us to eat dinner. Since nasa Hotel naman kami, may restaurant din sa baba so doon kami tumungo ng team ko. I'm now wearing a floral print short sleeve wrap formal dress still from ER Collections and high heels.
Pagdating namin sa Restaurant, agad namin nakita ang limang tao na naka formal attire sa round table. I know the other man is Mr. Ernesto because we have seen him on TV as well. I was shocked when the other lady from their group walks towards me because we have not reached the table yet, with a huge smile on her face and hindi niya ma contain ang excitement.
Damn, she's wearing a purple mini dress and she's hot. Her hair is sandy brown color and straight ang pagkakaayos nito na hanggang balikat. She's also wearing high heels.
"OMG!! Athena De Vera! Finally! So lucky to meet you! I am Carina, the one and only Marketing Manager ng ER Collections." Excited na pagkakabanggit nito then she hugged me na parang mapipipi na ako dito.
I hugged her back as well. "Nice meeting you too, Carina! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be your model for your collections." Agad kong tugon dito while smiling.
"Babe, don't worry about that. I personally talked to Tito Ernesto to get you as a model. Gosh, I have a huge crush on you and I really find you gorgeous! Tara, I'll introduce you to them." Hindi na niya mapigil ang kilig niya. Wait, crush daw? Girl Crush niya ako?
Agad kaming dumiretso sa table. Carina is still holding my hand na parang makakawala ako any time. Pagdating ko sa round table, agad na tumayo si Mr. Ernesto and extended his hands towards me.
"Iha, it's a pleasure to have you here." Kinuha ko agad ang kamay niya while smiling. Ang tangkad niya at maganda ng tindig. Businessman na Businessman ang porma.
"It's my pleasure, Mr. Ernesto. Being the face of ER Collections is an honor." Napangiti ako dahil kahit mukhang strict itong may-ari ng company, nakangiti ito sa akin. Mukha naman siyang mabait.
Isa isa namang tumayo ang nasa table at nakipag shake hands din sa akin pati na rin kay Eugene, na aking manager except for the other lady who is wearing a maroon mini dress and boots. Hindi ko masyado makita ang mukha niya dahil nakatutok ito sa phone niya. Naka side view siya ngayon at natatakpan ng light ash brown wavy hair ang face niya.
"My bitchy cuz, care to greet my future girlfriend?" Carina is referring to the lady who is still sitting down sa round table.
Agad naman napatingin and babae sa gawi namin. I was shocked and I almost lose my balance because of her. I definitely know her. She changed the color of her hair. Last time I saw her color blonde pa ang buhok nito.
Shocked was evident on her face as well. Kitang kita ang gulat sa kanyang mga mata.
"Hey, babe.. are you okay?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Carina sa akin dahil na out of balance nga ako pero hindi naman aso natumba. Agad naman akong nakatayo ng diretso.
"Yes, I'm good." I gently smiled at Carina. Mabait siya infairness hindi kagaya ng babaeng nakaupo.
Speaking of that lady, I saw her gently stand up and extended her hands towards me. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko.. akala ko wala siyang pakialam.
"Are you just gonna ignore my hand? Look, if you don't wanna shake hands with me..-" Nakatitig kasi ako sa kamay niya ngayon. Para akong tanga.
Kinuha ko naman agad iyon before she continues speaking. She has a soft hand and it seems like she's not doing any household chores. I am looking intently at her eyes while shaking her hand. She is not smiling and she's wearing poker face. She looks intimidating but hell, she looks so pretty tonight. Professor na professor ang aura niya ngayon.
"I don't have to introduce myself." Mabilis na banggit niya.
Agad naman niyang binawi ang kamay niya from me and bumalik sa prenteng pagkakaupo. Carina hurriedly whispered something on my ear.
"Don't worry about her, she's Eira, the one and only daughter of Mr. Ernesto. She's an ice cold princess and bitchy talaga ang attitude but she's the Vice President of this company." Napatingin ako kay Carina dahil sa gulat sa sinabi niya kaya naman ay ginantihan ko na lang ng ngiti.
So she doesn't want to introduce me as her student, huh? She's the VP and she didn't even know na I'm their brand's model? Fine! I'll play her game.
We started eating different dishes that were served here on our table. Eugene is talking to the people gathered here and Mr. Ernesto is happy with my gay manager because of an interesting topic about commercials.
Soon after that, they are talking about the history of ER Collections na ipinangalan pala kay Eira Rodriguez na only daughter ni Mr. Ernesto Rodriguez. What a coincidence right? But we did not know that because most of the time, Mr. Ernesto is the only one who is attending events about ER Collections and siya lang din ang kilala as Celebrity Entrepreneur. I wonder where her mom is? I also wonder why Eira is not appearing on any TV shows about it.
Meanwhile, I looked at Professor Eira and she seems quiet and I feel like she is not comfortable. Binigyan siya ng food ng katabi niyang guy na si Lorenzo, he is cute, well built ang katawan and he looks formal. Sabi sa akin ni Carina ay family lawyer nila ito. I think Lorenzo and Eira have the same age. Are they in a relationship?
"Tito, about your upcoming business trip.." Lorenzo was about to say something to Mr. Ernesto when Mr. Ernesto signaled him to pause.
"Lorenzo, iho, I told you to call me Dad... You'll be my son soon." Nakangiti naman ngayon si Mr. Ernesto sa kanya. That answers my question earlier.
"Omygod! Eira! You didn't tell me na sinagot mo na si Lorenzo!" Excited na sinabi ni Carina na katabi ko lang. Hindi ko alam pero parang bumigat yung pakiramdam ko sa narinig ko. Tinignan ko agad si Eira na tahimik lang at hindi ginagalaw ang pagkain.
"Babe, see that? Taken na siya. Tayo rin soon, ha?" Ang lawak ng ngiti ni Carina ngayon. Nakakahiya kela Mr. Ernesto pero nakangiti lang ito sa amin.
"I didn't know you are into girls, Carina? Since when?" Tanong ni Mr. Ernesto sa kanya.
"Ngayon lang, Tito. And I'll do my best to court Athena with all my might!" Napapalakpak agad itong si Carina habang sinasabi ito kay Mr. Ernesto. Napaubo naman ako ng mahina.
Gosh, anong pinagsasabi nitong babaeng ito? We just met each other court agad? This is not new to me.. I had girlfriends and boyfriends before. Nakakagulat lang din kasi ang ganda ni Carina, babaeng babae at may gusto sa akin.
Biglang nilagay ni Carina ang kamay nito sa bewang ko. I suddenly looked at Eira na nakatingin sa direction namin. There's a look of disgust on her face. Is she homophobic?
I saw Eira stood up and get her pouch from her seat. Nagulat na lang kami nang bigla siyang magsalita.
"Dad, I have to go. It's getting late and I have to go back to Manila. I still have a class tomorrow morning." She said it loud enough para marinig ng buong tao dito sa round table. Nakita ko siyang bumeso sa Daddy niya.
"Lorenzo can drive you home, iha."
"No, dad, I can drive by myself. But thank you." She shifted her eyes on me and Carina. Nakahawak pa rin ito sa bewang ko.
"Hope you guys have fun tonight." Yan ang narinig ko bago siya maglakad palabas ng restaurant. May diin ang pagkakasabi niya.
She's referring to whom? Is it about me and Carina or the people around here?
Agad akong tumayo para sundan si Professor Eira at nagpaalam na kunwari mag C-CR. Gusto ako samahan ni Carina pero sabi ko kaya ko na mag-isa. Mabuti na lamang at sa labas ng restaurant sa may bandang hotel lobby ang CR para hindi mukhang sinundan ko ang isang ito.
Nakita ko siya na naglalakad papunta sa isang color red Chevrolet Camaro. Tumakbo ako palabas ng hotel para maabutan ko siya. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya.
"Hey, wait Professor Eira-" Pagharap niya sa akin ay mukha siyang galit. Shit, she looks scary right now. Mas matangkad pala ito sa akin ng kaunti lang mga 2 inches siguro.
"What the hell do you fucking want?" Angil niya agad sa akin at napa cross arms. Wow ha anong ginawa ko sa kanya?
"Woah there! Uuwi ka na pala.. pa Manila rin naman ako." Kamot ko sa batok ko.
"I have my own car, you have your own car, there's no fucking sense." Aba.. kanina pa ito nagmumura ah. "And besides, you have Carina with you. Please, I just wasted my time for tonight. I have to go now."
Pumasok siya ng sasakyan niya at agad din nag drive papalayo ng Hotel.
I have my driver and pwedeng pwede siya mag drive ng sasakyan ko. Pwede ko naman siyang sabayan eh kaso ayaw niya. Bahala siya. Grabeng ugali yan.
I headed back to the restaurant instead. Guess I'll see her tomorrow.