Olga Serrano, or Madame O as her famous name, is one of the respected pillars when it comes to handling talents and brands. Senior vice president siya ng Sun-Dias and the current handler of Sabrina's brand. Five years ago when my professor introduced me to her, kasama namin si Mum. Isa siya sa pinagkakatiwalaang managers ng napakaraming celebrities and brand ambassadors sa bansa.
Buti nga, available siya ngayon sa office.
The office of the SVP screams achievements. Hile-hilera sa left side ang lahat ng photos ng talents na nahawakan niya. Malalaki ang mukha ng mga sumikat talaga nang sobra under her, and I belong to those faces. From the front view, kitang-kita ang buong Metro from the blue-shaded fiberglass wall. Minimalist si Madame O kaya apart from her oval office table sa right end, navy blue couch and center table lang ang makikita sa malaking office niya.
"Sabrina! Good morning," Madame O greeted. She's a 59-year-old lady wearing thick glasses with a golden frame. She kept her silver hair brushed up to keep a thicker volume kahit maikli na. I could see her age sa wrinkles niya, but she likes things in their natural form since she believes that beauty is always natural—ironic sa field kung saan nagbebenta kami ng beauty products.
She likes her dress to be formal but elegant. A knee-length formal wrap is a better option, and ivory is a heavenly choice to pair with pearls. Tan heels are perfect, and everything about her looks today is divine.
"Good morning, Madame O. It's so nice to see you again!" I gave her a kiss on the cheek and hugged her tightly.
"How are you, honey?" she asked as she held my hands. "Tessa said you're getting married. Congratulations!"
My excitement automatically shut down after she said that.
"Kaya nga pina-process ko agad ang contract kasi I understand and I get where she's coming from. You're not getting any younger, and alam mo namang sobrang close kami ng mama mo. Parang anak na rin kita."
Could we skip to that part where I explain why I needed to keep my brand?
"Actually, Madame O—"
Her mouth opened wide when she glanced at my back. "Oh my—Mr. Mendoza!"
"Hello, madame! Good to see you again!" Clark greeted cheerfully.
"Hindi ka nagpasabing pupunta ka!"
"Well . . . hehe." Paglingon ko kay Clark, pilit na pilit ang ngiti niya habang nagkakamot ng leeg gamit ang pointy finger.
"Wait . . . magkaiba ba kayo ng agenda?" Madame O asked, pointing at me and Clark. "So I could book a different location aside from here."
"Okay lang, madame," sagot ni Clark. "Actually, I'm with Sabrina."
"Oh! Why?"
"About sa contract niya."
"Ah! I see. Have a seat," Madame O offered. She pointed at her free couch.
Clark went there first, but let us sit first before he sat beside me.
Hindi na ako na-surprise na magkakilala si Clark at si Madame O. Baka nga mas masorpresa pa ako kung hindi sila magkakilala, knowing Clark who could pull so many strings if he wanted to.
Madame O looked at us with curiosity. Kahit naman sino.
"Akala ko, nandito ka na para kunin ang contract mo under us," biro ni Madame O kay Clark habang magkasalikop ang mga kamay niya at nakangiti. "Kinukuha ka rin ng Rayvën for their new release, ayaw mo talaga? Sayang!"
I glanced at Clark and he was just grinning at Madame O's "parinig" about his offers.
Nagmo-model si Kuya. Si Clark din, nagmo-model. Pero super rare nilang kumuha ng projects kasi . . . hindi ko rin alam. May ina-accept sila, but I had no idea how they pick their projects. Walang favoritism, sobrang random din ng brands.
"Gusto ko sana ang offer, madame," paliwanag ni Clark. "Kaso alam mo naman, hectic ang sched ko. Anyway!" Inakbayan niya ako. "Ite-terminate na raw ang contract ni Sab."
"Oh." Madame O's cheerful face turned to a frown. "I'm sure, na-explain na ng lawyer ni Sabrina ang reason why we have to terminate the contract. Although, stated naman na since fulfilled na niya ang first five years of the brand, puwede na 'yong i-terminate without any violation, or i-amend based on the other clauses related to her age."
My right hand unconsciously held Clark's left leg and clawed at his pants out of nervousness.
"We're trying to keep the brand," Madame O continued, "pero marami kasing effect ang wedding since ang balita ni Tessa, may media. May interviews din. Nagpapa-reserve na siya ng slot for the magazine cover and other articles. Hindi namin puwedeng i-disregard 'yon kasi may market ang Sabrina's. We have to stay sa market na target ng brand, which, unfortunately, is not the market of a married woman."
That moment when I understood everything clearly but couldn't accept it because I wasn't prepared for it
For the past few years of my life, it was the only thing I've done apart from making suits and dresses. I am the face of Sabrina's, and now . . .
"May chance ba for rebranding para sa market?" tanong ni Clark. "I mean, iki-keep ang Sabrina's pero ie-expand lang ang market sa another age bracket."
"'Yan din ang napag-usapan namin ni Tessa last time, and she's still in consideration sa pag-extend ng contract. Gusto kasi niyang mag-focus na lang si Sabrina as a housewife after the wedding. Sabi ko nga, sayang naman."
Housewife?
Gusto ni Mum na maging housewife lang ako? Hell no! Anong housewife? No, not in a million years no!
"Wala pang amendments, madame?" tanong ni Clark, at siya na ang nagsasalita for me.
"Wala pang amendments na napagkakasunduan kasi wala pang update sa wedding. Basically, heads up lang ito for us, and for Sabrina kasi it will take us, at least, thirty days to process everything. May ongoing releases kasi ang Sabrina's and the whole cancellation process costs too much."
Clark clapped once and nodded. "Good! Bigyan kita ng offer, madame!"
All of a sudden, my heart beat ecstatically, and I didn't know what to do or what to expect. Si Clark ang kasama ko, not some lawyer na expert dito at alam kong magtrabaho.
"Oh, offer?"
"Magpapa-amend kami ni Sabrina ng contract niya for Sun-Dias," Clark started.
"Okay, then?"
"Magpapasa ako tomorrow ng copies ng amended articles para sa contract ng brand."
"Oh, bakit ikaw? Where's the lawyer nina Tessa?"
Clark grinned mischievously. "Ako na kasi ang magha-handle kay Sab."
And I could see Madame O's face starting to question Clark's plan. Ramdam na ramdam ko na hindi siya kumbinsido sa sinasabi ni Clark.
"Why you?" she asked. "I mean . . ." She waved her hands to defend her question. "No offense meant, Mr. Mendoza, pero . . . si Tessa kasi ang kausap ko regarding her kid."
"I'm Sabrina's soon-to-be husband," Clark answered so casually.
"Really?!" Madame O exclaimed, and she sat straight from her comfortable position just to listen to Clark's confession.
Hindi ako confident sa inamin ni Clark, pero nagliwanag ang mukha ni Madame O, as if may nalaman siyang good news.
"Wow! Congratulations to the both of you!"
"Thank you, madame," mabilis na sagot ni Clark bago bumalik sa topic. "Gusto ko sanang ako na ang maghawak kay Sabrina para sa future projects niya. Si Tita Tess kasi, gusto niyang i-terminate ang contract. Ako, personally, nanghihinayang ako sa possible income and sa upcoming projects na maka-cancel."
"Yes, I know . . ." Now, Madame O's tone suddenly became so soft and understanding, as if she didn't question Clark's entitlement to steal me from Mum. Tumatango-tango pa siya habang nakikisimpatya kay Clark.
Grabe, ha. Ang bilis ng shift ng mood.
"What I want is sa amendments, lahat ng karapatan ni Sabrina, mata-transfer sa firm ko," Clark explained. "Magkakasundo tayo sa amendments at sa percentage. Labas na ang mga Dardenne dito."
"Puwede ko bang i-update si Tessa regarding this?"
"Nakapirma po ba siya sa contract, madame?" Clark asked.
Madame O shook her head. "Her lawyers fixed everything."
"Ah, I see . . ." Clark nodded. "Let's agree to this, madame." He leaned forward and intertwined his fingers. He rested his elbows on his knees and spoke so calmly. "Gusto ni Titang i-cancel ang contract. Hindi puwedeng malaman ni Tita Tess na nilalakad ko 'to para kay Sab."
"Okay, then?"
"I'll give you time to consider this offer, madame. Kapag nag-agree ang Sun-Dias na i-amend ang contract ni Sab under my supervision, tatanggapin ko ang isang project under Sun-Dias."
Madame O's eyes widened, and it looked like Clark had made a surprising offer she wanted to accept after a very long time of waiting.
"'Yan ay kung matutuloy sa akin si Sabrina, madame," Clark disclaimed and comfortably sat on the couch as he wrapped his left arm around my waist para lang ilapit sa kanya. "Take her, take me."
I wanted to punch Clark's face right now, but Madame O looked like she wanted the offer but was not yet convinced.
"How about three brands?" Madame O bartered. "I can't keep the process going for Tessa that long. Pina-process din niya 'to."
"Two brands?"
Madame O frowned. "Three. Final offer."
Clark shrugged. "Okay, three. As long as sure ang amendments under me."
Madame O offered her hand for a handshake. Clark gladly accepted it, and they both smiled triumphantly.
"All right, since we agreed to it, madame, magpapasa ako tomorrow ng soft and hard copy ng amendments sa contract ni Sabrina," Clark informed after he let go of madame's hand. "Ipade-deliver ko na lang direct dito sa office mo, madame, para i-review." Tumayo na rin siya at kinuha ang wallet niya sa back pocket. Kumuha siya roon ng black business card saka ibinigay kay Madame O. "You still have my contact number, pero tatanggapin ko ang soft copy ng contract for me under Sun-Dias para i-review. Hoping by next meeting, magpipirmahan na lang."
Madame O accepted the card and nodded at Clark. "Thank you so much for considering things today, Mr. Mendoza."
Clark offered his hand to me para kunin ko. Kinuha ko naman saka ako tumayo. It was weird na nakikita kami ni Madame O na magka-holding hands, but I guess it was a part of the setup.
"By the way, congratulations to the both of you!" madame said with a wide smile. "Sana ma-invite ako sa wedding."
"We will, madame," Clark said. "Mauuna na po kami. Maraming appointments. You know, business days, as usual."
"Ah, yeah! Yes, sure."
Hindi ganitong convo ang ine-expect ko, but it was better kasi verbal agreement pa lang ang meron. Written and signed agreement, basically, drawing pa lang ang mga 'yon. Bound pa rin ako sa contract with Mum. But still, I appreciate Clark's effort to save me from my misery about my brand.
Pagsakay namin sa elevator, nakatingala lang ako sa kanya habang sinusukat siya ng tingin.
"Ano na naman?" sarcastic question niya.
"May offer ang Sun-Dias for you? Anong brand?"
"Hindi ako sigurado sa new projects, pero may offer silang endorsements para sa bath soap, energy drink, saka men's wear."
"Tapos wala ka pang tinatanggap?"
"Hindi mo kasi puwedeng tanggapin lahat kahit maganda ang offer, kasi maraming agency ang maglalatag ng offer sa 'yo. Mas maraming offer, mas tumataas ang value mo, mas madaling makipag-bargain."
I was still holding his hand and I started swaying it habang nakatingin sa kanya. "And you accepted Sun-Dias' offer?"
"Kung hindi nag-drop si Madame O ng offer sa akin, maglalapag ako ng presyo para i-bargain ka. But since open pa rin sila sa offer sa akin, natural iga-grab ko ang chance kaysa gumastos ako. At least, kapag nag-endorse ako sa kanila, ako ang babayaran. 'Yon lang, dagdag sa calendar ko kasi panigurado, may mga tour and conferences 'yan. Kailangan kong pumunta. Magbabawas na naman ako ng appointments kasi kapag nakapirma ako roon, may photoshoots 'yan. Shooting for commercials. Ang dami ko na namang dadayuhing studio. Ubos na naman ang oras ko."
Oh fuck, oo nga pala.
"Hindi ko alam kung magpapasalamat akong wala akong girlfriend," dagdag niya. "Hindi ako makakarinig ngayon ng reklamo sa schedule ko."
Natawa tuloy ako sa kanya. "Bakit? Clingy mga ex mo?"
"Lahat naman ng naging girlfriend ko, clingy." Nakasimangot pa siya habang nakababa ang tingin sa 'kin.
"Hindi kaya clingy si Jaesie."
"Hindi ko ex 'yon."
"Pero niligawan mo."
"Hindi ko niligawan 'yon."
"Pero nag-date kayo."
"Special case si Jaesie, okay? Nag-date kami para lang sa setup, hindi para ma-in love siya sa 'kin. Nagsapakan nga si Rico saka si Patrick dahil sa kanya tapos wala siyang pakialam. Tingin mo, may paki rin siya sa 'kin?"
"Oh! And you punched Pat as well because of her, di ba? Kuya was there too! I saw that!"
"Buti nga, ako lang ang sumapak kay Pat. Si Leo, gusto ring manapak that time," kuwento niya. "Alam mo, si Jaesie, kapag sinabi mong ayaw mo na, kahit joke pa 'yan at nanti-trip ka lang, hindi 'yan magtatanong kung bakit. Hindi 'yan magdadrama, tatanungin ang sarili kung saan siya nagkulang. Magugulat ka na lang, may ka-date na siyang bago tapos wala ka nang lugar sa buhay niya."
Ayoko sanang tumawa pero natatawa ako sa kung paano siya magkuwento about sa sister-in-law ko. Parang ang lalim ng sama ng loob.
"Si Pat, slow burn ang pagdurog ni Jae sa kanya pero fault din kasi niya 'yon. Nilalaban pa rin kahit wala na, e. Kaya nga deskumpiyado kami kay Melanie. Kung malala na si Jaesie, mas malala si Mel. Ewan ko na rin kay Patrick. Buhay niya naman 'yan."
"Pero crush mo si Jae?" buyo ko.
"Crush ko siya noong cute pa siya sa paningin ko."
"Ngayon, wala na?"
Bigla siyang nag-pokerface sa akin. "Kulang na nga lang, saksakin niya 'ko sa leeg kada kita namin. Paano mo magiging crush 'yon?"
"Pero dinala mo siya sa hotel para sa one-night stand."
"Hindi 'yon para sa 'kin, gagi."
"Ah . . ." I acted as if I was disappointed and scowled. "Paanong hindi pa sa 'yo?"
"Kailangan ko lang siyang dalhin sa hotel para magka-love life na ang kapatid mo. Hindi ko naman kailangang makipag-sex sa kanya, duh!"
Natatawa pa rin ako sa kanya kasi parang hate na hate niya talaga si Jaesie as a person. "Sayang yung chance! Jaenna Rosenthal 'yon, ha."
"Alam mo, Sab, kayang ipahiya ni Jaesie ang lahat ng lalaking dumaan sa kanya. Mabuti nang hindi ako mapasama sa mga 'sinusukat' niya ang tapang, okay."
"Pero fave niya si Will, ha. Same kami, actually."
Clark rolled his eyes and exactly the elevator opened.
We were still holding hands and it was a gesture I always do sa kahit sinong kasama ko. If si Kuya, I might probably hug him rather than hold his hand.
"Saan na tayo?" tanong ko.
"Sa mall siguro," sabi niya, kunot pa ang noo paglabas namin ng building gawa ng umagang sikat ng araw. "Baka batuhin na 'ko ng kitchen knife ni Leo kapag siya na naman ang bumili ng damit mo."
Oh shit, oo nga pala.
Ayoko na ring pabilhin si Leo ng damit ko kasi nahihiya ako. Nalalaman niya ang size ng katawan ko samantalang ang sungit-sungit niya.
Nearest mall na sa amin ang Glorietta, and as much as I don't want to spend money from clothes, hindi puwede kasi kailangan kong lumabas nang lumabas.
Yes, thirty thousand is never enough to maintain my lifestyle, but Clark's the rich one here (for now) kaya siya na ang pinagastos ko.
Pumili na lang ako ng damit na kasya pa for my remaining 25k. Three casual pairs of clothes na naka-sale, a dozen of bottom undies na naka-box, and seven bras with different styles depende sa isusuot.
I borrowed Clark's clothes bilang pambahay, so I could work on them until I receive my ROI.
Ayokong nagtatagal sa mall kapag walang pera. I didn't want to spend my time window shopping because time spent on leisure means money wasted for nothing.
Doon na rin kami sa mall nag-lunch, but I said that we have to finish the meal as soon as possible kasi magtatahi pa 'ko.
Clark was serious when he told me na bibilhan niya 'ko ng sewing machine. We didn't buy it sa actual shop, but may pinuntahan kaming warehouse at parang doon yata pinaiwan ang machine.
Yung warehouse, around Muntinlupa lang din. Mukhang hindi naman bilihan ng sewing machine doon. More like a stockroom ng packaging materials. May nakikita akong foams, some bubble wrap rolls, and other folded balikbayan boxes.
Ang isolated ng pinasukan naming alley. Ramdam na warehouse nga kasi ang laki ng area. May mga naka-park na L300 van sa gilid before the wall na bakod ng warehouse.
From there, sinalubong kami ng isang manong na naka-uniform na yellow with brand, printed sa likod. Naka-jeans lang din and may hawak na Good Morning towel.
"Ser, pa-check na lang kung goods ang machine!" sabi ni manong habang sinasabayan kaming maglakad. "Tinanong kami kung anong tatahiin e, sabi ko na lang, damit."
We headed to this huge entrance. Kitang-kita roon ang loob ng buong warehouse na imbakan talaga ng mga bubble wrap at mga box, at hindi patahian.
May nakabalot doon sa gilid ng pinto. Sewing machine nga, but not the kind of machine na gusto ko sanang bilhin, yung handy.
Inalis ni Manong ang cover, at nakita ko ang brand. My jaw almost dropped after I saw it. It was the same Japanese brand na ginagamit ko sa boutique! The same high-speed machine with table, stand, and motor na rin.
Oh my God. "Second-hand po ba 'to?" tanong ko kay manong.
"Yes, ma'am. Wala kasi kaming available na brand new sa warehouse kung saan 'to kinukuha. O-order-in pa 'yon overseas, e sabi ni ser, ASAP daw, e."
Shocks. Mas mahal pa nga kapag brand new, at kukulangin ang budget ko.
"Ready to ship na po ito, ma'am," sabi ni manong. "Kung goods na 'to, dadalhin na po namin sa location ni ser."
I was staring at Clark na busy sa phone niya. May ka-text siya at sinilip ko kung sino. I just raised my brow when I saw Early Bird sa contact name.
"Ser, okay na po ba 'to?" tanong ulit ni manong.
"Okay na ba?" tanong niya sa 'kin, pero nasa phone pa rin ang tingin.
"Yeah."
"Boss, okay na. Padala na lang sa bahay, salamat!" Saglit lang na sumulyap si Clark kay Manong saka ako inayang umalis kahit pa tutok siya sa phone.
"Kausap mo si Kuya?" tanong ko habang naglalakad kami paalis.
"Yep."
"What's up?"
"May urgent meeting kami ng barkada."
"Can I come?"
"Hindi ka ba busy sa tinatahi mo?"
"So, hindi puwede," sabi ko, sinusukat kung ayaw ba niya akong pasamahin o hindi. "Gimmick ba with girls?"
Clark stopped walking and placed his hands on his waist. Nakatingin lang siya palabas ng lote ng warehouse habang nakakunot ang noo.
Kinakabahan tuloy ako kung may mga kasama nga silang babae. Wala akong karapatang guwardiyahan siya, pero ayoko sanang sumama siya.
"Siguro, stay ka na lang muna sa bahay," sabi niya.
"May mga babae ba sa pupuntahan mo?"
Ang lalim ng paghinga niya saka sinalubong ang tingin ko. "Actually, nakipagtalo kanina ang kuya mo kay Tita Tess."
"About pa rin ba sa baby nila ni Jae?"
Napailing na lang siya habang nagkikibit-balikat. "May go signal na yata sa kasal ni Leo, ang kaso ayaw ni Tita Tess na gumastos si Rico sa kasal. Ayaw rin daw ni Tita na mag-sponsor kaming barkada. Hayaan na lang daw ang mga Chua sa gastos since wedding naman 'yon ni Kyline."
"Yes, exactly!"
"Ang kaso kasi, kinausap daw si Ky ng ninang niya kaninang lunch, willing mag-sponsor sa wedding nila ni Leo."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Ngayong year ba?!"
"Next month."
"HA?! Agad?!"
Ang bigat ng buntonghininga niya habang umiiling. "Ang problema, hindi tumanggi si Ky. Ayoko ring tumanggi siya. Ang tagal na nilang hinihintay 'to, e."
Oh shit.
Kahit din ako, ayoko. Ang selfish kasi kung pipigilan namin samantalang ang laki na ni Eugene. Si Luan, marunong na ngang man-degrade ng kausap.
"Anong plan?" tanong ko.
Napailing na naman siya. "Ewan ko. Hindi namin makokontrol 'yon. Si Ky lang ang nakakakilala sa ninang niya, e. Kakausapin muna namin si Leo tungkol dito."
Fuck.
Ano na'ng gagawin namin?
♥♥♥