CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4

"Fierce look! You got it!"

"Bite your lower lip, please! Yes! That's it!"

"Bravo!"

"Excellent! That's a wrap!" 

The whole team cheered as I quickly made my way down the podium. Kayla, my manager, immediately ran towards my side. There was a huge and proud smile on her face when she neared me.

"That was so good. You look amazing. As always." She whispered with a smile, so I smiled back.

"Thanks, Kay..."

The photographer approached us. He was already sporting a wide smile as he looked at me intently. 

"You're really good, huh? No wonder why you became the face of NYC Magazine for three consecutive years."

I smiled humbly. I felt good with the compliment. It always boost my confidence, but this time, I couldn't help but to feel a little awkward with the way the photographer is looking at me. And no, I'm not being assuming or what. I just can feel something. Something... off.

"Nah, you're just really good with taking pictures." I answered shortly.

Nagawa ng mahina ang lalaki at bahagya pang napakamot sa kaniyang batok bago nito inilahad ang kanang kamay sa akin. 

"I'm Tenuu, but you can call me Ten. And uhm, are you free tonight?" He was smiling widely, but his eyes looked hopeful. I sighed.

I slightly raised my right brow. Tinanggap ko ang kamay nito at bahagya itong inalog bago binitawan. Ramdam ko pang ayaw nitong bitawan ang kamay ko pero wala nang nagawa nong bumitaw na ako.

"I am Zoe, and I'm sorry, but I'm not free for tonight." Diretso kong sagot dahilan para mapahagikhik si Kayla sa aking tabi.

I saw how his smile slowly faltered. "O-oh, next time, then?" 

I smiled. "Uh-huh, next time. Anyway, I gotta go."

Tumango naman si Ten, nasa mukha nito ang panghihinayang habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Alright. Nice working with the gorgeous and daring face of NYC."

I laughed. "Don't flatter me too much. I might get use to it," I answered jokingly.

"Well, you should. Coz' I might spoil you with it everyday," 

Napailing nalang ako bago ito tinalikuran. I've been here in New York for almost 5 years and I already know how some men work it out with women here. Ayoko pa munang pumasok sa mga ganiyan. Lalo na't may anak pa akong inuuwian. And my young man is a jealous kid. He doesn't like to see me with guys. Kapag nga may proyekto akong kailangan ng partner na lalaki ay kailangan ko pa ng permiso niya bago ako pumirma ng kontrata, dahil kapag hindi ako nagpaalam ay talagang magkakagulo ang lahat.

And I don't want that to happen kaya susundin ko na lamang ang anak kong sobrang protective sa akin.

"Ten is clearly hitting on you, Zoe." Kayla blurted out while she was fixing my hair. 

I just smiled. I already know it, but I refuse to acknowledge. Bahala na siya diyan. Magpaalam muna siya sa anak ko kung gano'n. But, it's not like papatulan ko si Ten.

"I don't really care, Kay. I have to avoid the likes of him, because I don't want my young man to be mad at me." 

Kay laughed. "Right. I almost forgot about that jealous son of yours," I laughed with her.

Well, everyone is aware about my son. I didn't hide him from the eyes of all people here. Tanggap naman iyon ng kompanya ko kahit na may anak na ako. Sinigurado ko iyon bago ako pumasok ulit sa industriya dahil ayokong itago ang anak ko kaya minabuti kong malaman ng lahat ang tungkol kay Luke. 

Mahirap magtago lalo na't anak ko ang pinag-uusapan. Gusto ko ring ipagsigawan sa mundo na hindi lahat ng babae ay kailangan ng lalaki sa buhay nila para maging masaya, maging kumpleto, at mabuhay. Women should be away from irresponsible men. And we, as women, should know how to be independent. We shouldn't depend on men, because responsible men are very extinct these days. I want to empower women that it is fine to be alone whole raising your child, and that, it won't really make you less of a woman.

Everyone accepted it, I guess. Dahil wala naman akong nababasang mga hate comments galing sa mga tao sa social media. Hindi ko pa naman naranasang mabato ng itlog o kung ano pa man. I think they're more open when it comes to this kind of things. 

Hindi gaya sa Pilipinas na talagang kung ano-ano nalang na mga salita ang matatanggap mo kahit na hindi pa alam ang buong panig ng istorya. Well, you're not a Filipino if you're not like that, I guess. 

We took another shoot after an hour. Medyo natagalan pa kaming natapos dahil matagal dumating ang lalaking ka-partner ko sa isang shoot. Napagalitan pa nga pagdating. Ilang beses pang nagpa-umanhin ang lalaki ngunit hindi ko naman nakita ang kaseryosohan niya habang ginagawa iyon. 

The man is an ass, I see. 

"Sorry about that, babe. I shouldn't keep a Queen waiting I know, but no one informed me that you are my partner for this shit, so I was completely unaware. If I just know that you'll be paired to me, then there's no way in hell that I won't fucking rush my way here. I'm really sorry babe," Nakanguso pa nitong saad sa akin ngunit nanatili lang akong nakatingin sa kaniya. 

The hell is wrong with this ass? Walanghiya, ah.

"Don't say sorry if you don't really mean it." Nakangiwi kong sagot dito.

Ngumisi ang lalaki at umiling. "I didn't mean it a while ago while I was saying sorry to them, but I mean it now. I feel bad for keeping a Goddess waiting," He shrugged. 

My lips parted in disbelief. Wow, this flirty asshole, really.

"You're so bad, you know? Kung nasa Pilipinas lang tayo, matagal na kitang nakaltukan," Binulong ko nalang ang huli kong sinabi ngunit nagulat ako nang tumawa ito. 

What the fuck? Don't tell me...

"Huwag po. I'm so takot naman," My eyes widened. 

No fucking way. 

Tumawa ang lalaki nang makita ang gulat kong ekspresyon. "Oh, don't be surprised. I'm a pure Filipino, babe. Hindi halata, no? Oh, yes! It's because I'm handsome. Overloading handsomeness." Nag-pogi sign pa ito na mas lalo kong ikinangiwi. 

Jejemon.

"Hindi ka talaga mukhang Filipino dahil mukha ka namang abnoy." Mabilis ko itong tinalikuran at maya-maya pa ay bahagya akong nagulat nang marinig ko ang halakhak nito na alam kong nagpagulat rin sa mga tao sa paligid. Nagpabalik-balik pa ang tingin ng mga ito sa aming dalawa. 

Mariin akong napapikit. Nakakahiya. Nakakahiya ang lalaking 'to. 

Tinapos namin lahat ng kailangang tapusin sa araw na iyon. Malakas akong napabuntong-hininga nang sa wakas ay nag-wrap up na kami. Hindi talaga madali ang trabahong ito, pero dahil ito ang gusto ko, kinakaya ko pa rin. 

Sinabayan ako ni Kayla habang palabas ng aming building. She was talking about my schedule for tomorrow when I felt a heavy arm suddenly draped around my shoulders. 

Napalingon ako sa taong 'yon, only to see a grinning Filipino Clown. 

Mabilis kong inalis ang braso nito sa aking balikat at siniko ang tiyan. I heard Kayla's stifled laugh when the man groaned in pain with my sudden act.

"You little sadist. That hurts." Daig nito habang napapapikit pa.

"Yeah, and it would hurt more if you keep on doing that," Mataray kong sagot.

"Ya chill out, bro. I'll just introduce myself, ya know. I didn't get to say it to you a while ago since you were prettily rolling your eyes at me," 

I rolled my eyes again. "Whatever. I don't have to know your name, bro. Your name isn't a big deal to me. Don't worry," The man pouted. Damn. He looks like a fucking spoiled duck. 

"Interested or not, you should know my handsome name babe." Ngumisi ito sa akin na ikinairap ko. "I'm Seamus Timber Samaniego, babe. Nice meeting you Amberleigh Zoella Estopia," 

Napaawang ang labi ko sa gulat dahil sa kaniyang sinabi ngunit agad ring nakabawi. Gusto ko na sanang magtanong kung paano niya nalaman ang pangalan ko. I almost forgot that my life is open here.

Nginisihan ko siya. "Nice meeting you too, Seahorse." With that, I walked out of his face and I laughed when I heard his loud curse from behind. Kayla laughed with me too, so we both look like a fucking villain who just bullied a child.

Yeah, a child who knows how to curse and embarrass himself in front of everyone. 

What a stupid dumbass.