I was never into using my phone and lurking in social networking sites. I was too busy and I thought I was better off doing something more productive, or maybe actually resting since I'm always overworked... but seeing Hades in my notification right now...
hserrano:
Thanks for following me back, Kore.
hserrano:
Seen?
I changed my password first. I wouldn't want Gior, my PR, to see our conversation. Why am I entertaining him? I wish I can play dumb and say that it's just boredom but I knew better. I was curious about Hades.
I don't know if it's just him alone or the way he psychoanalyzed me and concluded that I was lonely.
kaiapersephone:
Don't get too excited. It's just fan service.
"Bye po, Ms. Kaia," someone bid, making me look away from my phone.
Nakita ko ang nakakumpol na staff na masayang kumaway sa akin. I smiled brightly at them and waved. "Thank you. Ingat kayo."
Nagpatuloy ako sa paglakad. Nakasunod lang sa akin si Emma habang dala niya ang bag ko. My phone lit up for a new message. Wala akong sound para sa mga social notifications. It gets too loud and it easily drains my battery dahil maya't maya ay meron.
Habang naghihintay para sa elevator ay binuksan ko ang phone para i-check.
hserrano:
Are there other special services that I can avail?
I snorted. This lewd asshole.
kaiapersephone:
Have you ever been blocked by a celebrity before?
hserrano:
Noooo Kore
I was just kidding ;(
Imbis na mairita ay nakuha ko pang mapangiti sa kalokohan nito. Dumating ang elevator kaya itinago ko na ang phone sa bulsa.
I don't even know what I'm doing with him. At first, I entertained him because his name caught my attention then his comment that got me bothered but now... I just find myself looking forward to hearing the next stupid thing that will come out of his mouth.
He just seems... fun. I'm allowed to have fun, right? This is harmless. As long as no one will find out.
hserrano:
What's my wife doing right now?
I made a face as I entered the vehicle. I'm off to my last schedule for today which is a one and a half hour dance workshop.
kaiapersephone:
Don't call me that.
"Gusto mo mong mag-drive thru, Kaia?" tanong ni Emma sa akin.
I dropped my phone on my lap and gasped. "Ohh. I want some Hibiscus Lemonade."
Tumango siya at tumingin sa harapan. "Starbucks tayo, Kuya."
I brought my attention back to my phone again.
hserrano:
Why? Ano gusto mo? Baby?
hserrano:
Ako kasi mas gusto ko ikaw.
Damn pickup line.
kaiapersephone:
What happened to being friends?
hserrano:
So you want to be friends with me now? ;)
He's impossible.
hserrano:
What are you doing, friend? :)
I was snapped out of my own stupidity when my other phone rang. I saw Gior's name plastered on the screen. It wasn't just a call. It was like a wakeup call that I needed.
I asked myself the same question that he asked me.
What am I doing?
It's obvious how much of an expert flirt Hades is. He probably just said that lonely stuff to get my attention. It's probably a pickup line that works and it worked on me.
Us? As friends? What a scam.
Gior's call was relentless. He's probably panicking because he lost access to my account. Panigurado ang iniisip niya ay na-hack kami.
I blocked Hadeon's account and deleted our conversation before locking that phone and answering the other one.
"Seph! I got logged out of your IG," he started in distress. "Were you logged out, too?"
"No. Relax, G. I just changed the password," sabi ko.
"Huh? Why?"
"I got bored," I nonchalantly answered. "I'll just text you the new password."
"Akala ko naman na-hack na tayo. Alright. I'll wait," sagot niya. Hindi ako nagpaalam at pinatay na ang tawag.
Pinilit kong alisin sa isipan ko ang tungkol kay Hades. I should stop being curious about him. It's just a name. The lonely comment was just a line. He's just like another good looking guy who made a pass at me.
Iyon ang paulit-ulit kong inisip hanggang sa mapagod ang utak ko. I burned my remaining energy with some exercise and wine until sleep finally caught on me.
Everything went back to normal. Hindi ko na ulit ginamit ang phone unless I need to attend some calls. My schedule got hectic; the aftermath of the proposal stunt.
A full week passed by like that. Naisingit ko lang ang dinner date namin ni Giovann nang dumating ang free day ko which is Saturday.
I wore a one-shoulder red dress. Its sleeve has a small but fancy ruffle that looked like a crepe. The dress hugged me tight like a second skin, showing my slight curve. I don't have a voluptuous body. My built is for the standard model with tiny waist and thigh gap, pero may figure pa rin naman. It has a high slit in front of my leg.
I wore glittery silver strapped heels and equipped my matching glittery silver clutch. As for the accessory, I just wore dainty diamond earrings and my engagement ring, of course. I just opted for a simple copper makeup and red lipstick look.
As for the hair, I just straightened it. I don't know how to do my own hair and I won't bother booking an appointment at the salon just to get my hair styled for a dinner date with Giovann. The only reason why I'm all dressed up is because I'm already anticipating there will be photos of us that will circulate online after tonight.
Sinundo ako ni Giovann sa unit. He's wearing a crisp white dress shirt tucked in a charcoal colored fitted slacks. May dala siyang bouquet ng bulaklak. Inilagay ko muna 'yon sa isang vase bago kami tuluyang umalis.
Gio reserved us a table at a five star Japanese restaurant around Makati. It's a new establishment and I've never been in it before. He said it's good.
I am a great actress. I didn't win awards just because I'm pretty or popular. I'm passionate about my own craft and I always give my hundred percent in it. That's why pretending to look happy and in love with Giovann is such an easy task.
He got us the most private table. Walang private room pero nasa parte kami ng room na malayo sa ibang tao. It wasn't fully booked but there are only a few tables with no occupants.
He didn't bother to ask me what I want. Alam niya na ang mga paborito ko. He ordered for the two of us and added a few new dishes that I haven't tried.
"How's your new TV Drama?" umpisang pagtanong ni Giovann nang iwan na kami ng server.
"Good," simpleng sagot ko.
He earnestly nodded as if I said something insightful and long. "When will the pilot episode air?"
"We need to complete three weeks worth of episodes first," I explained. "We're scheduled to shoot in Thailand in two weeks. They're just finalizing the working permit."
"Thailand?" Napasimangot si Giovann. "Bakit hindi ko alam? Does Tito Zeus already know about this?"
Pinigilan ko ang sarili na mapairap. Like you need to know. Kung kaming dalawa lang at wala kami sa public place ay 'yon ang naging sagot ko.
"Wala pang final schedule kaya hindi ko pa sinasabi. I'm informing you now," matamis kong sambit. I briefly scanned the restaurant after I said it. Wala naman nakatingin sa amin.
"Gusto mo bang samahan kita? I can take a leave," he offered.
"No need to bother," kontra ko agad. "I'll bring Emma with me."
"It's not a bother. I'm due for a vacation anyway-"
"Hindi na nga kailangan." I cut him off. Hindi ko na napigilan ang iritasyon.
Giovann frowned. "Then at least let me visit you in your taping."
Huminga ako nang malalim. Napaayos ako ng upo nang may lumapit na server sa amin para maglagay ng drinks. I fixed my face and lovingly smiled at my fiance. "Alright, baby. Whatever you want."
That made him stop insisting on coming with me to Thailand. Tuwang-tuwa na siya dahil ito ang unang pagkakataon na pinayagan ko siyang bumisita sa akin. Visitors are allowed in the set naman. Hindi ko lang talaga gusto pero ngayon ay para matahimik siya, kailangan kong pagbigyan.
"Congratulations on your new sponsors and being the next month's issue cover for Omega," he calmly exclaimed.
Gio is a really nice person and that vexes me even more. It annoys me to death that he's still nice to me even when I've been nothing but flat out rude to him. He had always been patient. The only negative trait he has is that he lets his father control his life.
"Stop being nice to me," I hissed when the server left.
His face contorted like he was in pain. He weakly smiled. "That's hard. How can you be mean to the person you're in love with?"
Hindi ako nakakaramdam ng sakit para sa kanya. I just feel... angry and at the same time... resigned. Kahit puro galit ang nasa puso ko, may puso pa rin naman ako. I may seem like it but I'm not a heartless bitch.
"You can come to the set on Monday," I quietly said and reached for the glass of smoothie.
Nawala ang lungkot sa mga mata niya at ngumiti na parang bata na binigyan ng chocolate. "Alright."
The rest of the dinner was peaceful. Nagtatanong lang siya tungkol sa trabaho ko. I tried my best to answer him without snapping. Nagkwento din naman siya. Nakikinig lang ako at nagsasabi ng kaunting reaction. I didn't bother asking him questions. He doesn't mind though. Marami pa rin siyang na-kwento.
Bago umalis ay pumunta muna ako ng restroom para magre-apply ng lipstick. As soon as I looked presentable again, I went back to our table. Tumayo si Gio nang makalapit ako.
"Ready?" he asked. Tumango ako.
"Excuse me po," a lady's voice joined us. Napatingin kami pareho dito. It's a woman who looked like in her mid-thirties. Napansin ko agad ang name tag niya. Her name is Carmelle and she's the manager.
"Yes?" si Gio na ang sumagot.
"Pwede pong magpa-picture sa inyo kasama ang mga staff?" she sheepishly requested.
I brightly smiled and nodded. "Sure."
The manager beamed. She quickly turned and waved at a direction. Napatingin din ako doon at napansin ang nakakumpol na mga staff sa isang tabi. Pati yata ang nasa mga kitchen staff ay kasama. Nagsilapitan ang mga ito sa amin.
"I'll take your photo," Gio offered.
"Kasama po sana kayo sa picture, Sir," the manager replied.
"Oh." His eyebrows raised in surprise. Napatingin siya sa akin pero tumango rin sa manager at ngumiti. "Okay."
After a few photos with the staff, most of the customers approached us to get a picture with me. Pumayag ako. It turned into a brief meet and greet. Halos kalahating oras na nang magawa naming umalis.
"Is it always like that?" Gio asked as he drove away from the parking lot.
"Pretty much." I nodded.
"It must be exhausting for you to be nice all the time," he commented.
That actually made me laugh. "Are you implying that I'm not nice?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Gio at umiling. "No. I meant-"
"You don't have to explain. Totoo naman," nakangising sagot ko.
"It's not." He shook his head. Seryosong-seryoso ang mukha niya. "You're kindhearted, Seph. I'll be honest. You're a snob but you still try to be nice... and that's nice."
Napangisi ako at umiling na lang.
The ride back to my condo building was quiet. Gio didn't attempt to start a conversation. He knows how I am. Madalas talaga sa car ride ay mas pinipili kong maging tahimik at manood lang sa bintana.
"We're here," Giovann announced. That made me stop from spacing out. I didn't even realize I spaced out. Nakita ko ang main entrance ng condo building.
"Thank you." I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the car.
"Goodnight, Seph."
I just looked at him for a few seconds. I didn't return the gesture and stepped out of the car without a word.
Alam kong hindi pa siya aalis hanggat 'di pa ako nakakapasok kaya 'di na ako nag-abalang lingunin siya ar dumeretso na sa loob ng building.
It's already ten in the evening and I'm beat. I still have to do some readings before I go to sleep. Maaga ulit ang call time bukas.
"Good evening po, Ma'am," one of the front desk officers greeted me from the desk.
"Evening," I muttered and walked straight to the elevator banks.
I pressed the up button and peered at the indicator. One elevator was going up and one is coming down from the twenty-first floor. I let out a heavy sigh and patiently waited.
I took my phone from my clutch to check my calendar. My schedule for tomorrow is filled with interviews. Morning schedule ay para sa tatlong popular internet media at ang pang huli ay ang TV guesting para sa isang Sunday night program.
There's a message from my stylist. She sent a couple of photos of outfits that I can choose from. The elevator dinged. I continued to browse it as the door opened.
I lifted my head up to see if anyone's going out and I was floored when I saw him. He looked exactly how I feel. Nonplussed.
His lips momentarily parted then he licked his lips and he managed to straighten his reaction. He averted his eyes from me. He actually looked like he's pretending he didn't see me.
I thought he was just messing around but his line of vision remained the same. Nanatili lang deretso ang tingin niya hanggang sa tuluyan niya na akong malampasan.