Chapter 5
‘Fuck,’ Tom whispered to himself. ‘Ano ‘tong ginagawa ko?’ His question was not to stop himself, but more likely, to contemplate whether he was still doing the right thing. Why is he willing to spend so much money for this girl? ‘Ayos lang naman siguro, minsan lang naman ako gumastos saka kailangan ko na rin ng magagastusan. Kaya nga ako nagtatrabaho,’ pang-uuto nito sa sarili. He just recharged 500,000 coins for this live stream. Para lamang hindi matalo si Clarinet. SL also did the same. Parehas sila ng rason. Parehas sila ng pinoprotektahan. Magkasunod na nag-appear ang dalawang mamahaling regalo: isang triple cruise ship na nagkakahalaga ng 300k at isang carousel na 50,000 coins. [Tangina, ang yayaman ng mga tao. Hindi ko afford.] Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalawang magkalaban. Both of them were not expecting this challenge to be this competitive. It was supposed to be a friendly game meant to also increase Mia’s popularity, pero ngayon, it was more than that. Kahit hindi siya sumayaw ay may maa-attract siyang mga tao dahil may dalawa siyang bigatin na supporters. SL was also shocked. ‘Who was this guy?’ was the question in his mind. Inubos niya ang inipon niyang points at c-in-onvert into coins para kay Mia, but someone is also competing with him. Ngayon ay sigurado na ang pagkapanalo ng dalaga. [Grabe, ang yayaman niyo! Salute!] No, SL was not that rich. It was his hard-earned points he used. He couldn’t say the same sa isa pang nagbigay. He just appeared here. No one in their right mind would spend so much for a person they just met… gaya niya. Both of them were fools to do so, alam nila ‘yon. “Nakakalula,” wika ni Mia nang na-realize na totoong may gumastos ng ganito kalaking pera para sa kanya. “Thank you so much! Thank you, guys!” As a form of gratefulness, she signed a gun in her hands and shot her viewers with a kiss. Men received her kiss kahit hindi ‘yon para sa kanila. Parehas naman na nagulat si Strawberry Lover at Tom sa nararamdaman ngayon. Bunny uttered a ‘tsk.’ “You let me down, peeps.” But she was smiling. “Hindi niyo pala ako kayang suportahan kagaya ng dalawang ito.” Kahit ano pa sigurong pang-asar niya sa mga supporter ay mahihirap na sila abutin ang agwat ng puntos. Tom breathed a sigh of relief on his end and so did SL. [Hirap niyo namang pasayahin, si Bunny nga dapat susuportahan natin dito.] [Kill joy ng dalawang ‘to!] [Pangit niyo ka-bonding. Paano na natin mapapasayaw si Clarinet nito?] Wala ng paki ang dalawa sa sinasabi nila. Ang mahalaga ay ang sasabihin ni Clarinet. “Salamat ulit sa iyo. Ayaw ko pa man ding sumayaw.” Her laugh became a music to their ears. It was so good to hear. “Bawi ako sa inyong dalawa sa susunod lalo na sa iyo, SL.” [What about me? I spent a lot compared to him.] “Kapag nagpakilala ka, babawi rin ako sa iyo.” Tom almost blew his cover. Mas mainam pang hindi na lang siya mabawian kaysa malaman ni Clarinet ang totoo. [Forget about it.] “Nga pala, SL, are you a he or a she?” Hindi pinagtutuunan ng pansin ni Mia ang ibang mga komento. She was waiting for SL’s reply to her. [He.] “What?” Another surprise for her. She assumed na babae si SL dahil sa pangalan nito. “I thought na babae ka.” [Because of my username?] “Yes!” Mia slightly moved on her seat, nalilimutan na nasa PK pa sila. [Aside from it being randomly generated, I guess you generalized the association of strawberry and girls.] “Haha.” A small dimple appeared on her cheeks. “You’re right. Ikaw, Tiny Avenger?” [Same.] The people are still suspicious of TA’s identity. Bukod sa biglaan itong nag-appear at nagbigay ng napakalaking regalo, may iilan na naghihinala na sa totoong ito. Some guessed it correctly dahil bago ba naman siya pumunta rito ay nagla-live pa siya, pero bigla na lamang siya nagpaalam na may gagawin. [Amoy rich daddy~] “Kaya nga e.” Mia stood again to get some water. “Saglit lang, kuha muna ako tubig. Nauubos na energy ko kakadaldal sa inyo.” As an introvert, this was not her expertise. Hindi niya nga na-consider dati na magganito. It was really an impulsive decision. Habang wala siya ay nagbalikan na naman ang mga nangmamanyak na comment, pero ang iba, mabuti ay galing sa kapwa niya babae. [Body is tea. How to achieve that sexiness?] Mia was back in no time. Nakita niya ang sinaad ng isa na sinundan ng isa pang tanong. [Share your routine here, please.] Inilapag niya ang baso ng tubig at pumwesto ulit sa tapat ng camera. SL was muting again the perverts in the background. “I actually don’t exercise though.” She ran her hands to her waist. “This is just genetics.” [Sana all blessed!] Inisang lagok ni Mia ang tubig bago sumagot. “Advantage talaga para sa isang tamad na tulad ko.” Ilang segundo na lamang, matatapos na ang PK. Ngayon niya lang ulit naalala si Bunny dahil nad-distract na siya kay Tiny Avenger at SL. Nagulat siyang kaunti na lamang ang agwat nila ng kalaban. [Tiny Avenger sent a Rocket Ship x2] Nawala ang kaba ng dalaga. Mabuti na lang at nandyan ang dalawa para sa kanya. “Thanks, Tiny Avenger. Hug kita kapag magkita.” If only they could see Tom, they would tease him. The guy’s face was probably flushed in his office. [Looking forward to it.] Mia smiled. [Tangina, nanlalamang.] [Etong account ni Tom, dummy lang, pero nanghahampas ng kahirapan.] She visited Tom’s account. Indeed, a dummy. Walang ibang fina-follow o naka-follow. Bigla tuloy napaisip si Mia kung ano ang sadya nito. For a second, SL felt jealous. Para makabawi ay nagbigay din siya kaso isang carousel lang ulit ang kaya niya. “Stop sending her gifts!” Hindi naman talaga nanggigigil si Bunny. Naiinggit na lang siya sa mga pantatadtad ng dalawang ito sa kanya. “Daya niyo e!” Nagtawanan na lamang ang dalawa. Kasabay nito ay ang pagtatapos ng PK, at alam naman na ng lahat kung sino ang nanalo. #Chapter 1Like the air conditioner's blast wasn’t enough to make her shiver, the HR’s gaze definitely had the power to freeze her in place. The longer the recruiter stared, the worse Mia’s anxiety got. She tried to keep her cool, but her mind was already racing with all the possible things this woman might say. She turned to her assistant, her thick ponytail swaying as she moved. She flashed the paper in her hand and laughed before shifting her gaze back to Mia. Then, with a smirk, she spoke, her tone dripping with condescension. “I have to admit, I’m impressed. Ang kapal ng mukha mo mag-apply kahit wala ka namang credentials,” she scoffed. “Pero kung ako sa’yo, hanap ka na lang ng mayamang AFAM na bubuhay sa’yo. Sayang naman yang ganda mo kung dito mo lang gagamitin.” With zero hesitation, she crumpled Mia’s resume and tossed it straight into the trash. The document Mia had worked on for hours—just like that, gone. She lowered her gaze, ashamed, fidgeting with her fingers as whis
Chapter 2Just when Strawberry Lover made that comment, new viewers flocked in her live and seemed to have enjoyed the teasing of other male hosts. [Matrimony Kiss: How much for a dance?]The others replied to him that Mia doesn’t dance which encourages him more to higher the amount. [Matrimony Kiss: If I give you a cruise ship, would you dance for me?]Nakisulsol ang ibang nakikinood sa kanila. Mia laughed it off while the man was serious on his offer.[Matrimony KIss: That’s five thousand coins you shouldn’t miss.]Natahimik na lamang si Mia habang nakakagat labi. It was so tempting. That’s an easy money. Sayaw lang naman ang gagawin niya.“Anong klaseng sayaw ba? Kahit ano?” sa huli ay tanong nito. [Matrimony Kiss: Sexy dance. You know “Love Me Like You Do?”][Alpha of the Universe: O kaya kahit sa thirst trap song na lang. If you know any Denise Julia’s song or Al James…]Kahit ang mga hindi naman nagsabi na magbibigay ay nakikisali.[Matrimony Kiss: Don’t listen to them. Hindi
Chapter 3The PK has ended. Naiwan si Mia sa sariling live, at mayamaya ay nag-uumpisa ng magdagsaan ang viewers. Some were the original ones, those who were there even before they started the PK, some were Tom’s supporters na nandoon lamang para abangan ang pag-alis ang beauty filter ni Mia.[Pakita mo na totoo mong mukha, pangit!][Girl, alisin mo na filter. Ang sakit sa mata.][Kapal-kapal ng filter. Halatang mukhang tae in reality.]Those were just a few of what the people were saying. Normally, if it is about her other characteristics, masasaktan siya lalo na kung alam niya na totoo, but this was opposite. She was not feeling anything. In fact, she was feeling more confident to slap the truth to the bashers. Mia couldn’t figure out why they have to be this harsh gayong wala naman siyang ginagawang masama.[Ang bagal mo naman. Nasaan na ang hinihintay namin?]Mia forced a smile to the waiting audience. “Sorry, but I am waiting for Trojan Virus as this is a deal between him and me.
Chapter 4She was about to reply to what Tom said, pero nauna na itong umalis. She clicked his profile through his last comment. Doon niya nakitang finollow siya nito. His message appeared in her notification.Trojan Virus: Follow me back.Dahil mabait naman sa kanya si Tom ay sinunod nito ang sinabi niya. Pagkatapos ng ginawang iyon ay bumalik na ulit siya sa sarili niyang live stream. “Ang babait naman pala ng mga tao rito. Ang dami kung magbigay.”Strawberry Lover contradicted her statement. [Strawberry Lover: Not everyone is as kind as him. Mayaman lang ‘yon at bored kaya kung saan-saan ginagastos ang pera.]“Oh.” Her mouth slightly opened.”Gets.”Chineck niya ang account niya habang naghihintay ng kung anong mangyayari. Dumadami na ang followers niya. What a good start for a beginner, and with people like Tom na namimigay lang ng pera kasi gusto niya, that’s all she needs to search for in the application. She could get close with them, and maybe, after some time, become as popul
Chapter 5‘Fuck,’ Tom whispered to himself. ‘Ano ‘tong ginagawa ko?’His question was not to stop himself, but more likely, to contemplate whether he was still doing the right thing. Why is he willing to spend so much money for this girl?‘Ayos lang naman siguro, minsan lang naman ako gumastos saka kailangan ko na rin ng magagastusan. Kaya nga ako nagtatrabaho,’ pang-uuto nito sa sarili.He just recharged 500,000 coins for this live stream. Para lamang hindi matalo si Clarinet. SL also did the same. Parehas sila ng rason. Parehas sila ng pinoprotektahan.Magkasunod na nag-appear ang dalawang mamahaling regalo: isang triple cruise ship na nagkakahalaga ng 300k at isang carousel na 50,000 coins.[Tangina, ang yayaman ng mga tao. Hindi ko afford.]Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalawang magkalaban. Both of them were not expecting this challenge to be this competitive. It was supposed to be a friendly game meant to also increase Mia’s popularity, pero ngayon, it was more than that. Kahit hindi s
Chapter 4She was about to reply to what Tom said, pero nauna na itong umalis. She clicked his profile through his last comment. Doon niya nakitang finollow siya nito. His message appeared in her notification.Trojan Virus: Follow me back.Dahil mabait naman sa kanya si Tom ay sinunod nito ang sinabi niya. Pagkatapos ng ginawang iyon ay bumalik na ulit siya sa sarili niyang live stream. “Ang babait naman pala ng mga tao rito. Ang dami kung magbigay.”Strawberry Lover contradicted her statement. [Strawberry Lover: Not everyone is as kind as him. Mayaman lang ‘yon at bored kaya kung saan-saan ginagastos ang pera.]“Oh.” Her mouth slightly opened.”Gets.”Chineck niya ang account niya habang naghihintay ng kung anong mangyayari. Dumadami na ang followers niya. What a good start for a beginner, and with people like Tom na namimigay lang ng pera kasi gusto niya, that’s all she needs to search for in the application. She could get close with them, and maybe, after some time, become as popul
Chapter 3The PK has ended. Naiwan si Mia sa sariling live, at mayamaya ay nag-uumpisa ng magdagsaan ang viewers. Some were the original ones, those who were there even before they started the PK, some were Tom’s supporters na nandoon lamang para abangan ang pag-alis ang beauty filter ni Mia.[Pakita mo na totoo mong mukha, pangit!][Girl, alisin mo na filter. Ang sakit sa mata.][Kapal-kapal ng filter. Halatang mukhang tae in reality.]Those were just a few of what the people were saying. Normally, if it is about her other characteristics, masasaktan siya lalo na kung alam niya na totoo, but this was opposite. She was not feeling anything. In fact, she was feeling more confident to slap the truth to the bashers. Mia couldn’t figure out why they have to be this harsh gayong wala naman siyang ginagawang masama.[Ang bagal mo naman. Nasaan na ang hinihintay namin?]Mia forced a smile to the waiting audience. “Sorry, but I am waiting for Trojan Virus as this is a deal between him and me.
Chapter 2Just when Strawberry Lover made that comment, new viewers flocked in her live and seemed to have enjoyed the teasing of other male hosts. [Matrimony Kiss: How much for a dance?]The others replied to him that Mia doesn’t dance which encourages him more to higher the amount. [Matrimony Kiss: If I give you a cruise ship, would you dance for me?]Nakisulsol ang ibang nakikinood sa kanila. Mia laughed it off while the man was serious on his offer.[Matrimony KIss: That’s five thousand coins you shouldn’t miss.]Natahimik na lamang si Mia habang nakakagat labi. It was so tempting. That’s an easy money. Sayaw lang naman ang gagawin niya.“Anong klaseng sayaw ba? Kahit ano?” sa huli ay tanong nito. [Matrimony Kiss: Sexy dance. You know “Love Me Like You Do?”][Alpha of the Universe: O kaya kahit sa thirst trap song na lang. If you know any Denise Julia’s song or Al James…]Kahit ang mga hindi naman nagsabi na magbibigay ay nakikisali.[Matrimony Kiss: Don’t listen to them. Hindi
Chapter 1Like the air conditioner's blast wasn’t enough to make her shiver, the HR’s gaze definitely had the power to freeze her in place. The longer the recruiter stared, the worse Mia’s anxiety got. She tried to keep her cool, but her mind was already racing with all the possible things this woman might say. She turned to her assistant, her thick ponytail swaying as she moved. She flashed the paper in her hand and laughed before shifting her gaze back to Mia. Then, with a smirk, she spoke, her tone dripping with condescension. “I have to admit, I’m impressed. Ang kapal ng mukha mo mag-apply kahit wala ka namang credentials,” she scoffed. “Pero kung ako sa’yo, hanap ka na lang ng mayamang AFAM na bubuhay sa’yo. Sayang naman yang ganda mo kung dito mo lang gagamitin.” With zero hesitation, she crumpled Mia’s resume and tossed it straight into the trash. The document Mia had worked on for hours—just like that, gone. She lowered her gaze, ashamed, fidgeting with her fingers as whis