6 years later
"Seriously, Tommy?" bulalas ko sa aking talent manager na si Thomas o mas kilala sa mundo ng showbiz bilang si Big Tom. His name fitted him a lot because he has the power to make anyone relevant in the Elite industry. Isa ito sa pinagkakatiwalaang talent manager ng Philippine showbusiness at isa sa mga top producers sa nangungunang Entertainment Company ng bansa na IBN Network.
In fact, Tommy is the producer of my own show called Cooking Pleasure with Chef Yen that is aired from Monday to Saturday in IBN channel.
"Do I look like I'm joking to you?" seryoso ang mukha nito. "I'm not kidding around, Yvonne. Will you accept it?"
"No." matigas kong sagot. "I'm a professional chef, not an actress."
"Correction, you're a celebrity chef."
"Whatever. Hindi ko tatanggapin ang offer mo na yan. Bakit mo naman ako isinama sa casting? I can't even act."
"Hold up, stop right there. Baka nakalimutan mo, you're under IBN Management, aka home of the biggest stars. Just a few workshops and you'll be more than ready to take the role. Trust me."
I blowout a heavy breath. "Why me?"
"And why not?"
"Seriously, bakit ako?"
"Because this project is not a typical lovey-dovey drama. It's a cooking show and soap opera rolled into one. It's like teaching the viewers how to cook while they're enjoying the show's main spice which is the leading character's love story. The management wanted a real chef, someone who really knows how to cook, and since you possessed a main lead appeal with a talented cooking skill, they want you."
"Haha," sarcastic akong tumawa. "I'm flattered, but no. Ayoko."
"Oh come on, Yvonne. Ikakasiya ng mga fans mo 'to, promise.
I heaved a sigh.
Ever wonder why I landed in the Elite world? I tell you why.
6 years ago, 3 months after my graduation. I opened a YouTube account that contains vlogs about my cooking. It took a while before my channel became known. The number of viral videos I gained has given me the title as the sexiest female chef in town. Umabot sa iba't-ibang social media platforms ang pangalan ko, at sa loob lamang ng tatlong taon ay humigit nasa 8 million yung subscribers ko. I was flattered for the amount of people supporting my passion in cooking. It was overwhelming and very unexpected. At dahil sa pag vlo-vlog ko ay nakapag-ipon ako ng malaking pera para makabili ng sariling bahay at lupa.
I was at the peak of my YouTube career when Tommy reached out and offered me something. At first, I was hesitant. But since it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, tinanggap ko. Pina guest niya ako sa isang afternoon variety show sa IBN para magluto, and that episode spreads fire in the internet. Ang daming nag-request para pabalikin ako, which is ginawa ko naman. Naging regular yung guesting ko sa loob ng isang taon at nag-resulta yun sa mataas na ratings ng show.
IBN Network saw my potential kaya kinuha nila ako bilang exclusive talent. I have guessed in several shows under the company until they gave me my own show named Cooking Pleasure with Yen, and became a popular celebrity chef.
And because of this, I have established my very own restaurant and called it Yen's Garden. As of now, my restaurant has 5 branches around metro manila, and it's co-managed by my mother. Time flies so fast diba? kung dati karinderya lang meron kami, ngayon restaurant na. I'm truly am blessed, and I thank God for all of this.
Ang daming pangyayari sa loob ng anim na taon, lalo na sa'ming magkakaibigan. At sa sobrang daming ganap ay di ko na maalala kung ano yun.
Sue is now a CPA and an in-demand fashion designer. Maggie and Gail are now the country's top award-winning News Anchors and Journalists. Rivah on the other hand continues her studies as an Aviation/Pilot student in Atlanta International Flight School and a mother to a cute baby girl.
It's been years already, and despite of our busy individual careers, our friendship remained solid as always. Yung bonding namin noon ay ganon pa rin hanggang ngayon. Till death do us apart ikanga.
"Ano bang magiging plot ng story aside sa Cooking theme siya?" curious na tanong ko kay Tommy.
"Well, wala pang scripts at plot actually dahil plano pa lang yan, pero kung gusto mo, isabuhay natin yung story na ginawa mo noon sa WebNovel. Yung The Chef's Kiss. What do you think?"
Natigilan ako. An image of the person behind that story flared into my mind. Mabilis kong ipiniling ang ulo ko at bitter na ngumiti.
"That story hasn't been updated for like 4 years now. Huwag yun."
"E di tapusin mo. Ang ganda-ganda kaya 'non. Why did you discontinue it anyway?"
Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Nawalan ako ng gana. Yun lang."
"Hmmm, why do I have a feeling that it's dedicated to someone?" a wicked smile formed to his lips.
"Honestly, oo. Inspired nga siya sa isang tao. Pero dahil impakta yun at isang malaking pagkakamali, hindi ko na tinapos. Para saan pa?"
Tommy laughed. Amusement dance his eyes. "So is it okay if we will use it?"
"No because I have no plans of accepting your offer."
Tommy snorted. "Fine. I'll give you time instead."
Tipid ko lang itong nginigitian bago tinignan ang orasan. Pasado singko na ng hapon. I need to visit my restaurant now.
Nag-paalam nako kay Tommy saka lumabas ng IBN. I drove my way to Yen's Garden main branch to check out the operation. Madaming customers pagdating ko. Ang iba'y binati ako habang yung iba naman ay nagpapa picture. I'm still not used to this whole popularity thingy kaya medyo awkward parin para sakin.
"Nay," tawag ko sa aking ina pagpasok ko sa kusina. Nagsisilbi ito bilang head chef ng restaurant aside sa pagiging manager. Yumakap ako sa likod nito na parang bata. "Hi po."
"O, nak. Napaaga ka ata?"
"Next week na kasi mag-reresume yung taping namin kaya napaaga ako ngayon."
"Mabuti naman kung ganon, kumain ka na ba?"
"I'm not hungry yet, mamaya nako kakain. Pasok muna ako sa office. Love you mwah." I kissed her cheeks bago tinungo ang admin office ng restaurant. Ngunit bago pa man ako tuluyang makapasok, narinig ko ang chismisan ng mga waitress sa gilid.
"Grabe ang gandang pogi niya talaga noh?" sabi ng isa na para bang kinikilig.
"Ay sis, sinabi mo pa. Noon pa man, gwapings na yan e." segunda naman 'nong isa.
"Ang tagal-tagal niya ring nawala sa pilipinas noh? buti at nakauwi na siya ngayon." komento rin ng isa sabay hagikhik. "May jowa na kaya yan?"
"Aba, malay ba namin. But who knows diba?"
Tumikhim ako upang agawin ang kanilang atensyon. Sabay silang napalingon sakin.
"M-ma'am!" sabay din na bulalas nila.
"It's working hours, ba't kayo nagchichismisan dyan? Ang daming customers o."
"S-sorry po, di na po mauulit." tinago ng isang waitress ang cellphone nito.
"Dapat lang." tinalukuran ko na sila at pumasok na ng opisina. Binuksan ko ang tv at nanood ng balita. Mukha agad nila Maggie at Gail ang nakikita ko, tungkol sa politics/government issue ang topic nila.
I am keeping myself busy by reading monthly summary reports. At nang makadama ng konting pagod, binuksan ko yung Instagram account ko para aliwin aking sarili.
I was scrolling down my feed when I suddenly felt the urge to stalk the person whom I blocked for years. I went to her profile and pressed unblocked.
I was quite surprised after seeing new posts on her feed. Wow, himala. Buhay pa pala ito? Matagal-tagal rin mula 'nong huli itong mag-post, like 5 years ago? Yeah. Glad to know she's okay.
Nag logout nako saka bumalik sa aking trabaho.
"Nak?" rinig kong katok ni nanay sa labas.
"Pasok po."
Pinihit ni nanay ang sendura at sumilip. "Alas nueve na, nag-close na sila. Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?"
Napatingin ako sa relo ko. Late na pala, di ko namalayan yung oras. "Sabay na po tayo nay."
"Sige, sa labas nako maghihintay."
Tumango ako saka tumayo na para mag-handang umuwi. I locked my office and went outside the parking lot.
Safe kaming nakauwi ni nanay sa bahay. Nauna na itong pumasok sa loob habang ako naman ay nagpaiwan sa labas para tignan ang kabubuoan ng aming tahanan.
Our new home is a two-story house with an amazing modern interior design. I'm so happy knowing that I got this through my hardships of work. It's so far the best investment for me. Bukod pa dito, may sarili din akong condominium unit sa BGC. Doon ako nanatili tuwing sabado at linggo.
I went inside and climb upstairs. Bumukas ang kabilang pinto ng kwarto at lumabas doon ang cute kong pamangkin na si Dahlya.
"Tita!"
"Hello baby girl," lumuhod ako upang salubongin ang yakap nito. "Why are you not sleeping yet? Where's your mama?"
"She's sleeping na po in the bed. She's tired po e."
"Bakit, saan ba kayo galing?"
"Sa amusement park po with Tita Billie."
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes po, opo."
"Nag behave ka ba?"
"Yup!"
"Very good." amused kong ginulo ang buhok nito at pagkatapos gigil na hinalikan. Kinarga ko ito at isinama sa aking kwarto. Nag tita bonding muna kami sa pamamagitan ng paglaro ng video games. After that, kinarga ko ulit nang makatulog na. Ibinalik ko ito sa kwarto nila ni Rivah at inihiga sa kama. I kissed her forehead three times before going back to my bedroom and went to sleep.
***********
The next day, late na akong nagising. Ginawa ko lahat ng mga morning routines ko at hapon nako nagreport sa restaurant.
Madaming tao as usual pagdating ko. Nakita ko sa isang sulok sila Sue, Maggie at Gail na agad kong nilapitan. Nag chikahan kami saglit bago ako nagpaalam para pumunta sa admin office at nagbasa ng mga dokumento.
Nasa kalagitnaan ako sa pagcheck ng book of accounts nang biglang may kumatok.
"Come in."
The door opened and a tall figure stepped in. Hindi kita ang kanyang mukha dahil natabunan yun sa bitbit niyang bulaklak. Napakunot-noo ako. Who the hell is this?
"Yes? How may I help you?" taas kilay kong tanong.
The person didn't answer, instead she just walked closer and stop in front of my table. My mind's full of confusion. I was about to ask another question when she lowered the bouquet and revealed her face. Napasinghap ako at nagulantang.
"I-ikaw?"
A dashing smile formed her lips. "Hi baby." it was Vaughn.
Pakiramdam ko ay tinakasan ako ng hininga. Bumilis bigla ang tibok ng puso ko at nataranta.
Holy shit, holy shit, shit! Anong ginagawa niya dito? Kailan pa siya nakabalik? Punyeta sino nagbigay sakanya ng karapatan tumuntong sa opisina ko?! How dare her stepped in my territory!
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" mataray kong tanong.
"Obviously, visiting my girl?"
"Girl? Pwes kung sino man ang babae mo, wala siya dito. Lumayas ka na, shu!"
"What do you mean wala siya? She's literally right in front of me looking so beautiful on her leopard printed outfit." she winked at me, making my heart tumbled like before.
"Pwes, ibang tao na ang kaharap mo ngayon. Yung hinahanap mong babae, patay na siya. She's no longer exist, kaya umalis ka na. Evaporate, you lying stupid scammer!"
Vaughn doesn't seem affected with my harsh words, sa halip, mas lumapit pa siya at itinukod ang mga siko sa aking mesa. I gulped hard because she was so hot while doing it, every inch of her presence screaming with capital H.O.T, Puntangina! Red flag! Lumayo ka sakin!
"A-ano ba? Lumayas ka nga! Trespassing 'tong ginagawa mo. Pwede kitang kasohan sige ka!"
Vaughn smiled again, dumako ang mata niya sa picture frame sa gilid. It was too late for me to hide it dahil kinuha niya na ito at pinag-titigan.
"Hmmm so you still keep my pictures here huh?"
It caught me off guard. Tumayo ako at inagaw sakanya ang picture frame at iniligay yun sa trash bin. "I was about to throw that out dahil dumi lang siya sa mesa ko."
Vaughn laughs, lumapit siya sa pwesto ko at bigla akong niyakap. "I miss you, goldilocks."
"Ano ba bitawan mo ako! Hindi tayo close!" sinubokan kong kumuwala sa yakap niya pero masyado siyang malakas. "Let go of me, you lying son of a bitch!"
Vaughn chuckled and suddenly carried me in bridal style. Nagulat ako sa ginawa niya.
"Hoy anoba!"
"You still haven't change a bit, baby. Ang sakit parin sa tenga yang bunganga mo."
"Put me down! Help! Somebody!"
Hindi siya nakinig, bagkos lumabas lang kami ng office at tinungo ang exit. I was still screaming my lungs out while trying to escape. Naagaw pa namin ang atensyon ng mga customers na kumakain.
"Vaughn, ano ba? Bitawan mo nga ako!"
Hindi parin nakinig ang bakulaw, she just opened the car door and put me inside. Sinubokan kong tumakas pero naka locked yung pinto. Umikot siya sa kabilang side at pumuwesto sa driver's seat. She started the engine and hit the gas off the road.
"This is illegal kidnapping, Miss Tuazon! Saan mo ako dadalhin ha? Don't tell me dadalhin mo ulit ako sa yatch mo? I swear to god, susuntokin kita!"
"Nice to meet you again, Miss Yvonne Chua."
"Shut up! Hindi ako natutuwa sa ginagawa mo!"
"Whatever, babe. You owe me a date after this."
"Date? Date mo yang mukha mo letse ka!"
"Bakit ba ang highblood mo sakin? Hindi mo naba ako mahal?"
"Mahal? Eww, I have standards duh. Naka moveon nako sayo noh."
"Really huh? Balita ko, wala ka pang karelasyon. Hinihintay mo ba ako, baby?"
I made a disgusting look. "Yucks, ang kapal naman ng mukha mo. Feelingero ka talaga kahit kailan."
"I miss you baby." sweet na sabi niya.
"Pwede ba tumigil ka na? Nakakalilabot yang pinagsasabi mo. Bwesit."
"Baby baby boo boo." pang-lalambing niya pa.
"Hoy, Vaughn. Kung inakala mong madadala mo ako sa ganyan, pwes nagkakamali ka. I'm not the old Yen anymore."
"I know, hindi ka na nga si goldilocks na madaling amuhin. You're now a famous celebrity chef. Alam mo bang binili ko yung magazine na ikaw yung cover? Hmmm I found it very sexy, babe. Are you trying to seduce me? Because hell, I am." she bit her lip, making my cheek burned.
"Ang halay mo!" malakas ko siyang hinampas sa braso
"Ouch baby, watch it. Baka madisgrasya tayo."
"Naiinis ako sayo! Sooner or later nasa social media na 'tong mukha ko. At kapag nangyari 'yon, hindi lang kita sasabunutan kundi sasampalin na rin!"
"Ohhh violent." a playful smile stretched her lips. "Ayaw mo bang ma-issue sakin? Don't worry, willing din naman akong magpasampal sayo e."
Nag-init ang ulo ko. "Bahala ka sa buhay mo."
Vaughn winked and smiled at me again. Kahit kumukulo aking dugo, I just found myself swooning over her gorgeous smile again.
Lord, this is a 911 emergency. Hindi pwede 'to. Please lang ilayo nyo ako sa temptasyon, utang na loob! Kung saan okay nako, saka pa susulpot ang taong nagapapabaliw sa puson ko noon? No, I'm not letting my heart to surrender for this walking scammer again.
Never!
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