Prologue

This close

"Tell me you're kidding." I hissed.

Napahilot sa sintido si Rafa. "I'm sorry, Nari, but I'm not.. Believe me, hindi talaga siya yung sinabi nilang kapartner mo nung meeting! Nagkaproblema lang daw kaya nagkaroon ng changes." stress na stress na sabi niya.

Napailing ako habang pabalik-balik ng lakad sa dressing room. "I can't believe this!"

"I know, sorry talaga. Kung hindi pa lang sana tayo naka-pirma sa kontrata ako pa mismo ang magsa-suggest na mag-backout na lang.." Malungkot na sabi niya. Kitang-kita ko ang guilt sa itsura nya. Napatawa naman ako nang bahagya.

"Nah. I don't want them to think na hindi ako professional."

Tila nabuhayan ang mukha niya, Napangiti naman ako.

"Nagulat lang talaga ko tsaka.. well, hindi ko inexpect kasi according to you, si Kaiden lang ulit ang makakapareha ko for this ad." dagdag ko.

Napasimangot siya, "That's what they said!"

Humalakhak ako. "Don't worry, I will... manage."

I gave her an assuring smile para gumaan ang loob niya dahil alam kong nagu-guilty pa rin siya nang may kumatok sa pinto.

Bumukas ito at lumitaw ang ulo ng isang staff, "Excuse me po Miss Nayeli, standby na raw po. Start na in 10 minutes."

Chineck lang ulit ng stylist ko kung okay na ang lahat sa akin bago kami lumabas ng manager kong si Rafa. Pakiramdam ko naman ay nakalutang ako habang naglalakad. It's been what? 7 years I think? Pitong taon mula nung huli ko siyang makita nang personal.

I didn't made it much of a big deal to Rafa since wala naman akong dapat ikagalit sa taong makakasama ko sa shooting and pictorial ngayon. Tampo siguro pwede? Napatawa ko sa naisip. Nah, I'm not even sure kung deserve kong magtampo. I chose this. I was the one who made the decision. Kaya lang talaga ganun yung reaction ko nung ihatid sakin ni Rafa yung balita ay dahil hindi ako sigurado kung paano siya haharapin at pakikitunguhan.

Just be civil, Nari. Yeah. That's probably the best choice.

I was already there on the set, patuloy ang pagreretouch ng stylists habang medyo inaadjust ko ang suot na bikini nang matanaw ko na siya na papalapit na rin. Damn.

Tumigil na rin ang nagaayos sakin nung sumigaw na yung direktor na magsisimula na raw. Thank God for my mastery in modeling at walang bakas ng panginginig ang tuhod at binti ko habang naglalakad papunta sa gitna kung san na rin siya papunta.

We were just briefly instructed since according to the director, he already knows that we are veterans in this field. May specific suggestions lang sya for the poses since ang theme for this summer collection ay sexy at affectionate. Habang nakikinig, I can feel the heat of his body radiating from my side. Tangina lang. Naiimagine ko pa lang yung mga sinabing poses ni direk halos mahilo na ko. I mentally slapped myself. Fuck, Nari, focus. You're a fucking professional for pete's sake.

I gave my best to hold my shit together when we started. Unang pagtama pa lang ng mga mata namin paglingon ko sa kanya, I immediately knew that he changed. He's not the same as before. He's far different. His aura is screaming maturity. I felt a light pang in my chest thinking that he's a fully grown man now and the baby in him is now gone. My baby. I mentally shook my head. Pucha ka Nari, erase.

His intense stare is piercing through me. I didn't show any unnecessary emotion in my stare, yes I can do that. I'm not an artista for nothing.

"I thought you're so done with this whole modeling and acting career of yours, Colton." I tried to casually speak with him as he started wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me very close towards him until I can feel his bulge on my stomach. Nah, he's not turned on or something, he's just really huge. I convinced myself.

He never broke his gaze with me as I started running my fingers on his hair while the other one held on to his hard as fuck na arms. Something flashed into his eyes as he put his other hand just below my boob and slowly pulled his face closer to mine.

"But being this close to the great Nayeli Reese is an opportunity I wouldn't miss." he breathlessly whispered staring right through my lips. My gaze shifted from his eyes to his soft lips. Damn, how I miss those. Can I have a taste, baby.. What the fuck am I thinking-- but can I? I didn't even notice that I was slowly pulling my face closer to him too.. just a taste... but then he stopped going near me. He fucking stopped when our lips are just about to touch. My eyes are still on his lips when he did the unbelievable.

He smirked.

He fucking smirked.