Chapter 6: The Past
What she did was worse than what happened to me. Mine was an accident, unintentional, and something that has been happening on runways since then. Hers was intentional, hurtful, and disgusting.
I used the stan account that I created to stalk my fans secretly to upload the scandalous video. My account has a few followers, so I think it will take time for the video to go viral.
"Nathalia?" I heard Lady Merryl.
I stood up from my seat and walked to the dresser to keep my phone in the purse. I drew a deep breate before walking to the door. Binuksan ko 'yon. Nakatayo sina Lady Merryl at Hando, pero si Lady Merryl lang ang pinapasok ko.
"What about me?" Hando asked just before I shut the door on his face. "Fine!" I heard him. "You will still close the show, Nathalia!"
Of course he would push me to continue the show whatever happened. Malaking pera ang binayad sa akin at malaking kawalan 'yon sa aming dalawa. Not like it matters to me. I do this for fun.
"What happened?" Lady Merryl asked.
Unlike my manager, Lady Merryl seemed to be more genuine concerned about me. Medyo nailang ako dahil hindi na ako sanay na may pinagsasabihan ng problema.
"I slipped..." I smiled, embarrassed.
"But you stood up to finish your walk fiercely." She held my hands and squeezed them in between her warm palms. "Everyone stood up when you left the stage. You did so well!"
My lips parted. What? Did that really happen? I was too humiliated to look back. Para ngang naglaho lahat ng nasa paligid ko dahil ang gusto ko lang kanina ay mawala sa paningin nila.
"R-really? Hindi ba nila ako pinagtatawanan?" paninigurado ko pa. "I mean... that was hilarious for them."
She sighed. Marahan na hinila niya ako sa sofa saka hinarap sa kanya. Hinawi niya ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko habang nakangiti sa akin.
Lady Merryl is obviously a vampire just like me. She wasn't really naturally born a woman, but she identifies herself as one now. Her taste in fashion is immaculate. I'm even proud to say she's one of my inspirations.
"Have you seen the feedback from viewers? They are all applauding you!"
I didn't want to believe it at first until she showed me the trending topics and all the opinions of viewers. That totally shocked me. I thought they were all waiting for that moment. A moment when they could finally mock and laugh at my face.
"See? They are rooting for you!"
Out of all the feedback on social media, only one post caught my attention. It was from Kathlysse Merlington. It gathered hundreds of thousand of reactions and comments.
"Nath killed it as usual. What an icon," she said.
I bit my bottom lip in confusion. Is it still part of her show? Is it still her pretending to be supporting me just to be good in the eyes of the people?
"She's really a lovely woman," bulong ni Lady Merryl.
Somene knocked on the door. It was my manager telling me to dress again for the final walk. Habang binibihisan ako ni Lady Merryl ay hindi maalis sa isipan ko ang sinabi ni Kath.
She's been nothing but supportive of me since then. Kahit na madalas siyang maikumpara sa akin at laging natatakpan ng anino ko ay wala akong narinig na reklamo sa kanya. No one treated me like that. No one has been consistently genuinely kind to me. No one.
Si Kathlysse ang sumalubong sa akin pagkalabas ko ng dressing room. Nakabihis na ito dahil tapos na ang pagrampa niya.
I stared at her. She was smiling while approaching me. I tried to find a mistake in her approach, but all I could see was myself on that part.
"Good luck, Queen of Runways," she said with a slight chuckle. Siya lang ang tanging model na nagawang kumausap sa akin ngayon. "I hope to see you on the after party."
Pansamantala akong natulala. Hindi ba talaga niya ako pinepeke? Lahat ba talaga ng pinakita niyang ngiti sa akin ay totoo? Ako lang ba talaga ang nag-iisip ng ganito?
"Nathalia. You are next," Hando said.
Sinundan ko ang hallway na pinuntahan ni Kathlysse. Gaya ng nangyari kanina, lahat ng nadadaanan niya, staff man o kapwa model, ay nakangiting bumabati sa kanya.
They just don't adore her, they respect her, too.
I stood in front of all the spotlights for the second time today. Hindi katulad kanina ay sinubukan kong mag-focus lang ngayon sa trabaho. I was too distracted earlier that's why I messed up.
After the fashion show, I immediately left the venue to go home. May mga naiwang models para sa interview. I don't attend interviews and they all know it.
After I hurriedly got in the car, I took off my necklace and slid it into my purse. An exasperated sigh escaped my lips as I rested my back on the chair.
Kinuha ko ang cell phone ko nung tumunog ito. Hindi na ako nag-abalang alamin kung sino ang tumatawag dahil iilan lang naman ang nakakaalam sa contact number ko.
"Nath?"
"Kristan?"
He chuckled. "Yes. It's me!"
"Kailan ka pa nagka-cell phone?"
"Elvis."
Yumuko ako para alisin ang mga heels ko habang inaalala kung sino si Elvis. Natapos ko ng tanggalin ang sapin sa paa pero hindi ko pa rin maalala.
"He's my driving instructor," he said after noticing that I don't remember him. "Hindi pa rin kami tapos, baka mamayang hapon pa. He bought me a cell phone!"
He sounded so happy to announce that.
"Pauwi na ako," bulong ko bago tumingin sa labas ng bintana. Isang mabigat na buntonghininga ang lumabas sa bibig ko. "I want you to be there."
I thought he was going to ask questions.
"Okay..." he simply said. "I will be there before you."
That strangely put a faint smile on my lips. Hindi naman ako nagmamadali. He could arrive there minutes before me and I wouldn't even mind.
After the call, he flooded me pictures of dogs he has seen on the park. Napangiwi pa ako nung i-send niya ang picture nung lalaking sa tingin ko ay si Elvis.
I was waiting for him to send me a picture of him instead, but then I realized he doesn't have the jewel that would make him appear on reflection.
My phone rang again, but I turned it off when I saw Hando's name on the screen. Malamang na kukulitin niya akong dumalo sa after party.
Pagod at gutom akong pumasok sa elevator. Hawak ko ang mga heels ko dahil tinamad na rin akong isuot ito. Ito ang hindi nila alam tungkol sa akin. I lose my composture, too. I get tired dressing. Ang pinagkaiba ko lang sa iba ay hindi ko pinapakita sa iba.
Everything the camera captures is just the highlights that I want them to see. There's always something behind every scene.
Pagpasok ko sa bahay ay naabutan kong busy si Kristan sa pagkuha ng picture ni Lilly. Napansin ko rin na pinasuot niya ang damit na binigay ko rito.
He stood up and turned to me. The adoration looks in his eyes worn out when he saw me. Binaba niya ang kanyang cell phone sa sofa saka ako nilapitan.
"Elvis told me what happened—"
I shut his lips with mine. Binitiwan ko ang purse ko saka heels nung hawakan niya ang panga ko para mas mahalikan ako nang mabuti.
"I'm so tired..." I sounded complaining all of a sudden.
"Why can't I read you?" he asked all of a sudden. His eyes were full of curiosity and confusion. "Is this because you are a vampire, too?"
"Because you are not inside me..." I bit my bottom lip. I held the hem of his shirt and pulled him closer to me. I was a bit taller than him, but our eyes were straight looking at each other.
"How can I get inside you if you don't even let me get closer to you?" he asked, ignoring the move I just did. "I don't want to be just your slave, Nathalia. I want to be someone close to you."
His words turned me back to his words earlier.
"Why?" My brows arched. "Because you believe no one can befriend me? That I have no choice but to accept the friendship you are offering me? That you are the only one who can stand me?"
"Yes." He moved his face closer that I felt his warm breath brushing against my face. "Do you have friends you can call when things get too much to handle?"
"Do you think I need someone to lean on?"
"Why? Did you never wish to have one? Are you always strong?"
Akma akong aalis nung iharang niya ang kanyang mga braso sa magkabilang gilid ko. Naiwan akong walang galaw sa pagitan niya at diretso sa kanyang mukha.
"That guy..." His adam's apple moved before he talked again. "He was oddly staring at you the whole night. I even saw him put something on your drink."
That baffled me. Who is he talking about?
"Hindi ako tanga para hindi maintindihan na may kakaiba sa hinalo niya sa inumin mo, Nathalia. I was carefully watching him from afar. He was exchanging looks with the other guy in your circle. They have plans."
"Dylan?" My lips parted when I grasped who he was talking about. I gasped at the realization. "He mixed something on my drink that night?"
Mas dumiin ang tingin sa akin ni Kristan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit galit na galit, pero napansin kong mas sumidhi ito nung malaman na wala akong malay sa nangyari nung gabing 'yon.
"Your insecurities will kill you..." he said so clear that I immediately processed it. "What a weird way to die knowing how strong you are."
I was too stunned to talk back. I've never been insulted like that in my whole life. I don't have insecurities. When in fact, I have always been the reason why they are insecure.
But he also got me stunned by how observant he is. Hindi naman kami nagtagal sa party na 'yon, pero tila mas kilala niya pa ang mga kilala ko kaysa sa kilala ko sila. Parang nakilala niya lahat ng naroon sa loob ng maikling panahon.
He sighed. "Anyway... are you okay now?"
His mood suddenly turned softer. As if he didn't slap me with his harsh words and assumptions.
Pinakawalan niya ako sa kanyang mga braso. Akala ko ay lalayo na siya pero nagtaka ako nung bigla siyang lumuhod para suriin ang binti ko.
"Which one?" he asked.
And I was dumb to respond.
"Left..." I said.
Nakiliti ako nung hawakan niya ang kaliwa kong binti para doon ituon ang atensyon. Bahagya niya pa 'yong tinaas para mas matingnan.
"I was not hurt," I breathed.
"I've seen this video. Malala ang pagdulas mo."
I rolled my eyes. Binawi ko na ang binti ko saka pinulot ang mga heels ko. Kukunin ko na rin sana ang purse ko nung maunahan ako ni Kristan.
"Here..." Binigay niya sa akin ang purse. "Are you sure it doesn't hurt?"
I smirked. "I've experienced worse, Mr. Admiral."
"But I am here now..." he said before he smiled. "I don't want you to see you hurt, Milady. As your slave, my duty is to make sure you are safe."
"Are you being sarcastic?"
"I am being a slave to you..."
Inirapan ko siya at tuluyan nang pumasok sa kwarto ko. Pagkasarado ko ng pinto ay napabuga ako ng isang mabigat na hininga.
I should have already cut him off when he insulted me, not now that he thought he did something good. Oh, I know it. He did that to make up for his harsh words. Alam niyang hindi maganda ang kalalabasan kapag iniwan niya ako iritago.
Good for him. He's learning fast.
I took a quick shower. Paglabas ko ng shower room ay may tray sa ibabaw ng nightstand. May red wine roon saka kulay pulang tinapay. I think this is a cupcake. Nakakain na ako nito dahil kay Hestia.
But... red wine and cupcake?
While I was drying my hair, I took my phone and called someone. I took a bite on my cupcake while waiting for him to pick up his phone. It unusually took him time to answer it.
"Hey. I left my phone on my table. What's up?"
"Dylan..." I sighed.
"I'm sorry, Nath. I saw the video. Are you okay?"
Inubos ko na ang cupcake saka uminom ng alak. Saka lang ako sumagot sa tanong ni Dylan gamit ang aking malungkot na boses.
"Not really. I was hurt..." I said in a low voice.
"My bad. I should have not asked that. Are you in a hospital? I'll go there after my schedule later."
"No. I am home. I'm still embarrassed..." I responded. Sumandal ako sa headboard ng kama. "Can we meet tonight? I really need someone to talk to."
"Yeah. Sure!" Nagalak ang boses niya. "I'm really sorry that happened to you. I will try to make you feel better tonight, babe."
I bit my bottom lip. "I hope so, babe..."
"Damn..."
"Anyway, I need to sleep. See you later..."
"See you later, gorgeous..."
Inubos ko ang alak at dahil nauuhaw pa rin ako ay lumabas ako para pumunta sa kitchen. Hindi ko naabutan si Kristan. Malamang na nasa kwarto 'yon o 'di kaya'y nagbabasa na naman sa itaas.
Instead of wine, I had myself a pocket of pure human blood. Napansin kong maraming nabawas sa stock. Lagi sigurong umiinom si Kristan para hindi mauhaw at makagawa na naman ng mali.
I poured the pocket of blood on a glass. Saka ako pumanhik sa itaas kung nasaan ang mini library. Naabutan ko si Kristan na nagbabasa nga. Nasa tabi niya si Lilly na tahimik lang.
"I need to take Lilly on the vet," he said without lifting a gaze at me. Saka niya inikot ang swivel chair paharap sa akin. "She needs some cleaning."
"Sure..." I took a sip of my drink. "May pambayad ka ba?"
Natigilan siya. "I guess next time, then?"
"What if mamatay na siya?"
"What the hell?" Wala sa sariling binuhat niya si Lilly saka sinandal sa kanyang dibdib. "That's rude, Nath. She just needs some cleaning!"
"Syempre ichek-check up din siya. Hindi mo nga alam kung saan kinuha ni Hando 'yang alaga mo. What if she has some sort of serious sickness?"
"Stop!"
"I guess your money will be used for her funeral instead?"
"Okay. That's not funny anymore."
I smirked. "I can lend you some coins though..."
"W-will you really do that?"
"Of course! But..."
He winced. "But, what?"
"You will let me makeover her again!"
"M-make over?" Lumunok siya at tila napaisip. Bumuntonghininga ito. "Fine. Mas maganda na siguro 'yon kaysa sa mamatay siya. Okay. Deal."
I giggled. I will order her an outfit online tonight. I posted her picture on my social media and it gathered a huge amount of reactions. They loved it!
I took a nap. Nagising na lang ako nung tumunog ang cell phone ko. Nung mapansin ko ang pangalan ni Dylan doon ay nairita ako agad. God damn this man.
"In my condo rooftop," he told me.
Geez. Does he think this is a date?
I yawned and spent another minute just staring at the ceiling. Saka ko ulit inabot ang cell phone ko. Binuksan ko ang account kung saan ko in-upload ang scandal ni Kathlysse. Na-disappoint ako dahil halos wala man lang reactions.
Really? I thought humans love scandals. I am actually freely giving them the biggest scandal of the year yet they pay it to dust.
The annoyance led me to just delete the video entirely and even deleted it directly from my cell phone. It's senseless anyway. Whatever!
Nag-ayos na ako para puntahan si Dylan. The surrounding was strangely quiet. Don't tell me tulog din si Kristan? If that's the case, then he was sleeping beside that bitch.
I opened the door of my room. Kumunot ang noo ko no'ng mapansin na nakapatay lahat ng ilaw. Tuluyan na akong lumabas ng kwarto kasabay no'y ay ang pagbukas ng mga ilaw.
"Congratulations!" Kristan suddenly appeared in front of me. He was smiling while holding two red cupcakes in his hand. "You did well today, Milady."
I gawked at him. What is this?
"Wait..." Binitiwan niya ang isang cupcake para sindihan ang maliit na kandila na nasa isa pang cupcake. "Wala pa akong pambiling cake kaya ito muna."
I sighed. "What the hell is this?"
"Uhmm. Celebration?" he responded, unsure. "Your week has been hectic. Bihira na nga kitang makita rito. You are working so hard. Nagluto ako ng dinner para hindi na tayo um-order!"
I just looked at him, idly. Why does he look so excited about it? Does surviving a busy week something worth to be celebrated? That's a waste of energy. I prefer to rest.
"I have to go somewhere," I said.
"Oh..." Siya na rin mismo ang humipan sa kandila saka niya ito binaba sa lamesa. Humarap uli siya sa akin. "Puwede ko namang initin ang mga niluto ko—"
"It's a dinner date," I cut him off. "Baka hating-gabi na rin ako makauwi."
"Gano'n ba?" He sighed. "Okay. Can I drive you there? Marunong na ako!"
"No. I prefer to go there alone."
I watched the excitement plastered on his face washed out. Tumabi na rin siya para mabigyan ako ng daan. Kinuha niya ang mga cupcakes.
"Hihintayin kitang makauwi..." aniya.
Hindi ko na siya tinugunan. Tuluyan na akong lumabas saka sumakay sa elevator. I didn't bother to wear my necklace this time. Ginamit ko ang bago kong sasakyan para kung sakali mang may nakasunod na paparazzi ay hindi nila alam na ako 'yon. Alam na kasi nila ang plaka ng mga sasakyan ko. Ayoko na ng issue.
Pumasok ako sa elevator saka pumunta sa rooftop. There, I saw the jerk casually sitting on his chair while sipping wine. The entire rooftop has candles scattered around and a small round table in the center.
The place was too romantic for what was about to happen.
"Hey!" Dylan stood up. "I've been waiting for you—"
I grabbed him on his neck and pushed him to the edge of the building. Tanging ang kamay ko na lang ang nakahawak sa kanya. Kapag binitiwan ko siya ay mahuhulog na siya.
I tried to scrutinize his expression and compared it to a human. A human should be trembling by now, not smiling. Dapat ay umiiyak na siya ngayon dahil sa takot.
"You think you can fool me?" I lifted an eyebrow.
"Damn. The fun is gone."
I gritted my teeth. Tuluyan ko na siyang tinulak. Naghintay akong sumigaw siya pero wala pa rin akong narinig. Hanggang sa naramdaman kong nasa likod ko na siya.
"I was hesitant at first..." Dylan told me.
I turned to him. Nagawa pa niyang humalakhak.
"You put something on my drink—"
"You didn't even notice it," he sounded disappointed. "I thought I was wrong because your sense of sensitivity was low for a vampire, but it didn't affect you either after you drank it."
"You don't know me, Mr. Carter," I smirked.
"Really..." He crossed his arms on his chest. "Interesting. If then, I want to know you more."
In just a blink of an eye, I appeared in front of him. That caught him off guard. Sinipa ko siya sa sikmura kaya tumalsik siya sa lamesa. Nawasak ang lamesa at nabasag ang mga alak doon.
"Damn..." he cursed.
That didn't satisfy me. Kinuha ko ang basag na piraso ng bote saka 'yon tinapat sa kanyang leeg. Napalunok siya habang nakatingin sa akin.
"This is a warning, Mr. Carter. Don't mess with me."
He stared at me in disbelief. Ilang ulit siyang napalunok habang dumudugo ang leeg niya dahil natutok ko roon ang piraso ng basag na bote.
Tumayo na ako at binitiwan siya. Mabilis naman siyang bumangon at lumayo sa akin. Humilom ang sugat sa leeg niya, pero nanatili na roon ang dugo.
"I see. You are really a Cardinal..." he said.
"I am Nathalia Cardinal."
"I can be your slave..." he smirked. "It will be the biggest pleasure for me. I've heard a lot of great things about your family."
"I am not interested."
Tinalikuran ko na rin siya, pero may sinabi pa ito.
"I am better than that weakling guy you are hiding there in your penthouse!"
I sighed. Tinanaw ko kung gaano kataas ang building na ito. Tinatamad na akong sumakay sa elevator. Hindi naman siguro ako madudumihan.
Nung nakapagpasya na akong tatalon na lang ay hinarap ko muna ulit ang madaldal na lalaki. Seryosong nakatingin lang siya sa akin.
"Stay away from me..." I said.
"Please? Let me prove my worth to you!"
"I already have a slave. I don't need another one."
He smiled. "What if..."
"Don't you dare touch him..."
"Or else what?"
I glared at him.
"I will tell Brixton to kill you..."
Doon na siya napaatras. Halatang nasindak siya sa sinabi ko.
"He already killed you once..." I whispered in a threatening tone. "He can do it again."
"Y-you know me..."
I chuckled.
"Goodbye, Dylan. Or should I say... Terrence. My ex-lover."