TCLM#2: RUMOR

Cali refused to answer the phone. She is not in the mood to entertain whoever it is. It’s been her hobby to keep people waiting for her. She’s a living saint; little did they know she had this kind of hobby. They were blinded by her superb innocent acting and innocent face. She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothes.

Everyone knows that Media control and manipulation can hide ugly truth behind a camera. Everything is possible for those who know how to tame the media. The media is one of the most powerful entities in the world. They have the power to turn the innocent into the guilty and the guilty into the innocent, and that is power. Because they hold massive influence to control the consciousness of the masses. 

“Come on! What is wrong with these people? For Pete’s sake, I’m still on my beauty rest.” Cali reluctantly reached the phone on top of her bedside mahogany table. 

It was her manager, Remedios. She shook her head upon seeing the number of calls. 

'Seriously? 30 missed calls? What’s wrong with her?' her mind wanders.

“Hello. I’m sorry. I just woke up today," says Cali with a husky voice as if she had just woken up.

“Heaven grace! Finally, you responded."

“What’s with 30 missed calls?” she asked. Her manager sounded troubled. 

“Come here. I need to talk to you in person.”

“What’s so important about it that you cannot discuss over the phone?” She laughed to make it sound that she’s not giving her a bitter question.

“Come here if you still want to save your career.”

“I’ll be there.” Cali rolled her eyes as she hung up.

She took a quick shower. She picked a simple white Gucci round-neck shirt and paired it with black-ragged jeans. She put a light rosy tone foundation and peach-orange lip tint to wrap her simple yet elegant look.

“You’re a born goddess!” She is in love with her looks, thus winking and sending flying kisses on her reflection was not enough.

She is about to drive her way to Remedios' office in Makati City but is interrupted by a bulk of reporters from various networks. When was her last time being in such limelight?

It was when she broke up with her eight years boyfriend, Daniel. She never once loved that guy after their chemistry dried out; she had to leave him. It’s a normal practice in Showbiz, their relationship is a scheme of the management to lure support in disguise of love from reel to real. Their break-up had been the populace's cup of tea. Luckily, there is no malicious nor scandal involved with their break-up. They used the ‘different in hobby and hectic schedule card’ to avoid negative impact. She never had a scandal with her fellow actors. Her fifteen years in the showbiz industry never had a bad reputation.

However, a good reputation was not good enough to keep on top of the acting industry. There are lots of actors and actresses who surpassed her fame. Also, there has been a change of taste in showbiz, especially the teen generation.

She halfway opens the window of her 2020 Ford Bronco. She missed this kind of spotlight. The flashes of the camera make her heart feel alive again. 

“Ms. Cali, can we have your five minutes?” A newscaster from the ABC-DE network tried to get her attention.

“I am sorry. I have arrangements today, but I will arrange Press con to answer.” She declined politely as if she meant it. In the showbiz industry, you must have a lot more admirers than bashers.

She caught up with traffic jams along Magallanes road. She slowly turned her gaze on establishments around her. She had a faint smile when she saw a billboard and poster of Julia. 

Some of Cali’s posters and billboards had been taken down and replaced with Julia. The only poster she has right now is her Gucci and Her bench outfit. She used to model and advertise a lot of products like shampoo, soap, and lotion. She used to be a cast member on the different game shows. The only thing she has right now is her modeling career. She needed a new guy or love time to regain her fame. She was zoning out when her manager called her. 

“Where are you?”

“Somewhere along Magallanes road.” 

“Okay, make it fast.” Then her manager hung up.

After an hour, she finally reached Remedios’ office. “My god! Darling, what took you so long?” Remedios welcomed her with a tap on her shoulder.

“Sit down.” 

Cali sat on the cream uratex sofa. 

“Is this true?” 

She smiled upon seeing her picture with Perci. The photo was taken at the last party. The paparazzi took a spectacular shot of them. It turned out perfect; it is as if they are in a drama.

“Yes.”

“Are you dating the new CEO of Melbourne?”

“Nope.” 

“What are you smiling for? What have you done? You know you should not be in any scandal! It will taint your good reputation.”

“Relax. Do not worry. I know what I am doing," Cali replied as her confidence runs all over the corners of the office.

“What exactly are you doing?” Remedios twitched her own hair.

“Taking care of my stepping stone.” 

“You mean…?” Her manager sighed in disbelief; since when did this child learn to play dirty. The manager decided to turn on the television. The news coverage is about the rumored secret relationship between Cali and Perci. “See, now I have their attention. I need to make a buzz to get the attention of viewers and directors.”

“Fine, but I’m warning you. You’re playing with fire.”

“Trust me.” She stood up and was

about to go home. She was surprised to see the son of Remedios —Laurence Tan. Everything stopped for a moment as their eyes met. Her feet were numb enough to keep going. 

'He's back after fifteen years,' says her mind.

Laurence is her first – love and childhood buddy. She and he were good friends since Remedios took good care of her when she became an orphan at 5. They had been in a relationship before her debut when he decided to give up on their three years long-distance relationship. She loathed him for giving up that easily. Since then, she has never had a real romantic relationship. Her relationship with Daniel is just for a show though he admitted that he loves her. 

“It’s been a while since we’ve met. I’m so proud of you. I think breaking up with you is the best thing.” His words cut deeper than a knife.

She thought that staying in love with a long time ex-lover is cliche, but that silly cliche thing hit her.

‘Best thing? So, he didn’t regret it at all.’ her mind protested.

She acted as if it did not affect her. She acted that she was not hurt by seeing how Laurence had moved on. She waved goodbye and went straight to BGC. She wore a black Nike cap and a black face mask to hide her face. Luckily, no one noticed her. She went to her rented private room. She could not remember how many bottles she had emptied. She went out for a while to order another set of liquor. She paused when she felt that her world was revolving around her. She leans on the door next to her, only to fall. To her surprise, the door had not locked.

“Laurence?” Is she seeing someone who looked exactly like her first love? She must be drunk, or maybe someone sabotaged her drink. 

'I guess the drink had run to my head, but who cares?' says her oblivious self.

The guy looked at her but could not recognize her at all. His eyes speak drowsiness, and his face is already reddish. A hiccup escaped from her mouth as she slowly headed to him. She doesn't know what kind of crazy thing she has been doing.

“Do you want to drink?”

That was the last thing she remembered before passing out with a stranger.