My manager commended me for last night. Good job daw dahil nagkalat ang photos namin ni Gio kagabi dahil sa dinner date.
I drank my coffee before doing my work out. It was around seven when Emma came in my unit. Dala niya ang outfit ko para sa schedule ko ngayong umaga.
Naligo na muna ako at si Emma na ang naghanda ng breakfast ko para sa akin. It's just a simple blueberry oatmeal.
It was at eight o'clock when we reached the headquarters of the first internet media company that I'll be doing an interview with. Ito ang schedule ko sa morning. Lunch time ay deretso na ako sa taping.
Si Jai ang nag-ayos sa akin para sa interview. Sa mga event na ganito na hindi sponsored o hindi pang editorial ang shoot, nagbibitbit talaga ako ng sariling artist.
It's important to have your own makeup artist, otherwise, expect constant changes in your looks. May kakilala akong artista na ayaw sa ibang makeup artist dahil ang sariling makeup artist lang ang may kaya ng gustong nose line niya. There are also artists na nag-aayos ng sarili. I can do my own makeup din naman but it's additional work for me which is exhausting.
My outfit is a simple white tube top and boyfriend jeans. The silver necklace with a circle pendant completed the basic look and also highlighted my collarbones. The outfit heightened my morena skin tone.
Jai opted for a nude earthly look. My almond eyes were enhanced with light brown eyeshadow and a little pinkish shimmer. The brown shadow matched my brown eye.
She just curled my eyelashes and coated it with mascara instead of making me wear thick false lashes to stay true to the natural look.
According to Jai, madali lang akong ayusan dahil simpleng concealer at foundation lang ang kailangan sa akin. Contour and bronzer only sharpens the existing shape of my face.
I have a Roman type of nose that doesn't need to be contoured and a subtle hollowness in my cheek that heightens my cheekbone and jawline. My lips were already fairly plump that a coat of pink lipstick will do.
I was blessed and cursed with a beautiful face, according to many. I was bound to get lucky in that aspect. My father is a good looking man with German blood and my mother was a beauty queen in her prime.
As for my hair, Jai just ironed it with lazy curls it to achieve a beach wavy look.
Nine na nagsimula ang filming. The first video is a question and answer with a twist, the twist is that I'm making an edible cookie dough. They only said what I'll be doing when the camera was rolling, so my reaction was legit.
"I can't remember the last time I ate a cookie dough," I enthusiastically said as I fixed the apron on me.
"Have you made one before?" the staff asked from behind the camera.
"Ah. No." Tumawa ako at umiling. I clapped my hand. "I'm excited to learn dough."
I got zero reactions. Napangiti ako. "That was a joke. Please laugh."
That was effective and they laughed after realizing the punchline. Napailing na lang ako at sinimulan nang basahin ang script na nakasulat nasa malaking papel.
"Hi, I'm Kaia Ziegler and for today I'll be showing you how to make an edible cookie dough," I lively said at the camera.
The questions started as I read each step. It was witty, dahil related sa step ang mga tanong nila. I actually enjoyed the whole process and it only took fifteen minutes.
"Time for a taste test," I playfully said at the camera and got a spoon of the dough. My eyebrows raised. I'm quite surprised that it turned out delicious. I groaned. "Guys, this is actually good and tama lang ang tamis niya."
"May nagpapatamis din ba ng buhay mo ngayon, Kaia?" the staff asked again.
Sneaky. Akala ko ay papalampasin na nila na walang question about my love life. I took another bite while staring at the camera.
I feigned a sweet smile. "Yes."
Nagpaalam na ako at binasa ang outro before the director shouted cut. The filming ended there. I just thanked the team and bid a quick goodbye before heading to my next schedule.
Sa set na kami kakain ng lunch para makatipid sa oras at hindi na ako mapagod sa byahe. Mukhang lunch break din ang buong set. It was surprising 'cos lunch break is usually late.
I found Giovann in my room, chatting with my road manager and Lane. Nang buksan ko ang pinto ay sa akin agad ang tingin nilang lahat. As if a teacher entered a classroom, they all stood up.
"Kaia," Gio sweetly greeted.
Napatingin ako sa team ko. They all looked like they were swooning over him.
Nakalimutan ko na pinayagan ko nga pala siyang dumalaw sa taping ngayon. I had a busy schedule this morning kaya nawala sa isip ko. Hindi rin naman importante para sa akin kaya hindi nakakagulat na nakalimutan ko.
I orchestrated a pleased smile and walked his way. I welcomed him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek to satisfy our audience. "Hi, baby."
"Labas na kami, Seph," paalam ni Darcy.
Nakayakap pa rin ako kay Giovann nang lingunin sila. I nodded at them. They were grinning widely. Mukhang nagpipigil pa ng kilig si Jai nang hilahin siya ni Darcy palabas ng dressing room.
Bumitaw ako kay Giovann nang kami nalang dalawa. My smile faded along with it, too. Naglakad ako patungo sa couch at pagod na sumalapak doon.
"I brought you some food," he proudly exclaimed and walked over to the vanity table. Nakapatong doon ang isang brown paper bag. "You like Fettucine Alfredo, right?"
Sa totoo lang, mas gusto kong matulog kaysa kumain but I don't wanna be rude to Giovann. I sat up straight in anticipation. Hindi ako sumagot but he took that as a yes. Maybe he managed to memorize my body signals.
Inilapag niya muna ang paper bag sa tabi ko bago kumuha ng dalawang upuan. He pulled it towards the sofa.
"How about you? You ate na?"
"Hindi pa. Sasabayan sana kita." Bahagya siyang tumawa.
Kinuha niya ang paper bag at inilabas ang laman no'n. He placed one container on the chair in front me. May isa pa siyang inilabas at inilagay naman 'yon sa isang upuan.
"I also brought food for the entire staff here," sabi niya at lumapit ulit sa vanity table para sa dalawang mineral water bottle naman. So that's why the whole crew is on an early lunch break.
"You didn't have to. May buffet naman dito," I answered while removing the lid.
"It's okay. I heard that's what celebrity boyfriends do when they're visiting their girlfriends on tapings or shooting," masayang sagot niya. He says that as if we're in a real and unforced relationship.
I picked up the fork to feed myself some pasta. "Aalis ka rin ba agad pagkatapos mong kumain?"
"Uhm... Gusto sana kitang panoorin magtrabaho... pero kung hindi ka komportable, aalis ako."
Umirap ako. Why does he always have to sound like na kinakawawa ko siya? At the beginning of our arrangement, I thought he was being emotionally manipulative... but then I realized that he's just really like that. I hate it.
He always act like he's sorry about our situation which is stupid. Kung alam niya naman na ayaw ko sa 'relasyon' naming dalawa at wala lang akong choice, bakit pa siya pumapayag?
Sasakit lang ang ulo ko kakairap. Hindi na ako umangil. "Do what you want."
"Really?" he brightly asked.
I just resumed with eating the food. I didn't say no and that's enough to make Gio happy. He knows it's the closest thing to yes that he'll get from me.
Masarap itong pasta. He really knows a lot of good restaurants. I think he mentioned that it's his hobby? He likes gastronomical tours. Sanay rin ata siyang magluto. Hindi ako sigurado. I rarely listen to him whenever he's talking.
"Ever thought of establishing your own restaurant?" I offered.
Mukha pa siyang nagulat dahil ako ang nag-umpisa ng topic. "Naisip ko... but I feel like I'm better off investing."
"You should try it. You have an exemplary taste," I suggested and crammed my mouth with food again.
He began to tell me about the seminars that he attended. That's when I confirmed that he actually cooks and that's when I also confirmed that I find his presence really annoying. Sinusubukan kong maging civil pero hindi ko mapigilan isipin ang totoong sitwasyon naming dalawa. He reminds me of my father and that makes me feel hateful.
I stood up. That made Gio stop from talking. Hindi ako masyadong nagsasalita kaya mabilis kong naubos ang pagkain ko. Habang si Gio naman ay may natira pa.
"I'm gonna go out," I announced. Hindi ko hinintay ang sagot niya at naglakad na patungo sa pinto.
"Oh. Okay." I heard him say before I closed the door.
It was rude to leave him alone but if I stayed, my patience will snap and I'll end up snarking at him again. Mahirap magpanggap kapag kaming dalawa lang ang magkasama.
Wala akong ibang mapupuntahan. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan ang team ko. The only place I can think of is Rowan's dressing room.
I knocked a few times before entering the room. I found Rowan comfortably lying down on his couch. Malaki ang ngiti niya habang hawak ang phone. He was alone in his dressing room.
I closed the door behind me. Napatingin na siya sa direksyon ko dahil doon.
"Oh, Seph." Umayos siya ng upo at itinago ang phone.
"Can I stay here?" Tumingin ako sa buong silid. He's all alone. Better.
"Why? Nandito yung fiancé mo 'di ba?"
I casually walked towards the chair while thinking of an excuse. "He's on a business call. I need to read lines."
"Oh. Okay." Ngumiti siya nang malaki. "Game."
We rehearsed for the next twenty minutes. Natigil lang kami nang tumawag si Darcy sa akin para hanapin ako.
"Balik na ako," paalam ko at tumayo.
"Ayos lang." Tumayo na rin siya. Umangat ang kilay ko. "Pupunta ako ng toilet. Okay lang po ba, Ma'am?"
Hindi ko siya sinagot at umirap na lang. That only made him laugh. Nauna na akong maglakad palabas ng dressing room.
"Saan ka galing?" Darcy asked as soon as I entered the room. Nandoon na silang lahat. Gio was still there, quietly seated at the couch. Tapos na siyang kumain.
"I read lines with Rowan," sagot ko at naglakad patungo sa bathroom. "I'm gonna brush my teeth before mag-retouch."
"Sana sinabi mo sa amin para naman may kasama si Gio dito," Darcy scolded. Kumilos naman si Emma para kunin ang toothbrush ko sa bag.
"Okay lang," salo ni Gio sa akin kaya hindi ko na kailangang sumagot pa.
Gio watched one sequence pagkatapos ay nagpaalam din na umalis. It was past eight when the taping wrapped up.
Nag-aya si Darcy na kumain sa labas. Maaga pa naman kaya sumama na ako. They have decided on a shabu-shabu restaurant. It was located in a commercial complex.
Just like the usual, a few people approached me to ask for a picture with them. Pinigilan lang ni Darcy ang mga lumalapit nang dumating na ang pagkain namin.
The food was great. First time ko sa restaurant na ito. Maybe it's new? Hindi puno ang restaurant kaya baka hindi pa ito sikat.
I stood up. "Toilet lang."
"Samahan na kita," sabi ni Emma.
"No need," pigil ko kaya hindi na siya tumuloy sa pagtayo.
I brought my bag with me and headed to the restroom without making eye contact with anyone.
Maliit lang ang restroom at dalawa lang ang stall. Mabuti na lang at walang tao kaya mabilis akong natapos. I was washing my hands when my personal phone pinged from my bag.
I dried my hands before taking my phone out. It's a text message from Rowan.
Rowan:
There's a rumor about us. We'll be trending soon. Just a heads up.
What?
I returned my phone to my bag and took out the other. Binuksan ko ang Twitter application. I just had to search for my name and look at the top tweets.
The first tweet is a photo recently taken in this restaurant. Ang sumunod ay tungkol sa nangyari kanina. Someone saw me enter Rowan's dressing room at alam ng nakakita na kaming dalawa lang ang nandoon. Mas naging issue dahil nasa set din si Gio kanina. Apparently, I boldly left my fiancé in my own dressing room for Rowan.
The post is already garnering attention. Malamang ay natunugan na ito ng iba't ibang gossip sites. We'll be all over the news. Kukuyugin na naman ako ng press!
My current location is revealed. I have to get out of here. Now.
Itinago ko ang phone sa bag at matapos ay lumabas na ng toilet. Mabilis ang bawat hakbang ko at deretso lang ang tingin sa exit.
Aalis ako mag-isa. I don't want to cause more scene by dragging my team out of the restaurant in the middle of their meal.
Nakalabas na ako ng restaurant at pababa na ng complex. The parking lot is just in front of the building. So far, wala pa naman pumipigil sa akin.
Inilabas ko ang phone para tawagan si Kuya Victor. He answered on the fourth ring.
"Hello, Kuya? Saan po kayo sa parking?" I asked. I've reached the lot and now I'm looking for the company car among the parked vehicles.
"Naku, Ma'am. Pasensya na. Kumain kasi ako saglit pero pabalik na ako."
"How long, Kuya?"
"Baka fifteen minutes po," sagot nito.
I facepalmed. Inaya ko naman itong sumama sa amin sa pagkain, pero tumanggi siya dahil maselan daw ang tyan niya sa mamahalin na pagkain.
"May nangyari po ba? 'Wag po kayong mag-alala. Papaliparin ko na 'tong sasakyan. Ten minutes siguro, Ma'am."
I still can't wait that long. Baka may dumating dito na media. Mahirap na. Sesermonan na naman ako ni Mama Ton.
And fuck. My father.
I was in the beginning of a meltdown when I heard a vehicle horn in front of me. I opened my eyes and brought down my hand. I saw a black SUV.
"Ma'am?" Kuya Victor asked on the other line.
The car window rolled down. The person on the driver seat leaned down. My lips parted when I saw Hades.
"Need a friend?"