1

JODY

I don’t care if they hate me because of what I did yesterday. Well, I accidentally spilled the coffee on one of my bosses in the agency when I was in a hurry because of my tardiness. I slept off after I watched the whole series the whole day before the incident happened, which caused me to become tired the entire day. It’s actually good that there are only a few employees left on that floor, and some of them are too busy with their work. And it happened four days ago.

"Jody!" I was back in reality when I heard the howling of my manager, Gaylene. I first met him at the Gala, which served as my debut stage. I was a model before I entered the entertainment industry, and here I am now, four years in this messed up world. Some may think that this job is exciting and an easy one. We had the same thought before. I mean, it looked easy when you were watching television from your couch with a bag of popcorn on the side. People just casually do their thing, which is acting, and then produced a whole movie. But I was wrong. It has an ability to suck up all the blood that your body can provide where nutrients can no longer be found, even though you’ll eat enormous bottles of supplements.

"I don’t know how many times I’ve called your name! Are you even listening? Of course, you’re not. Well, this time you should. Remember the one that you’d rejected, and the board approved it?"

I rolled my eyes when I heard that again. It’s the project that I had to reject because of my partner. Well, he was my ex-love team and he caught feelings when we were doing some of our acts in a movie. I couldn’t help but to grit my teeth while thinking about him. He’s the reason why the wings of my career have been cut. He spread a rumor that I liked him, and he had to cut all his ties with me because I was labeled as "the psychopath bitch" and a desperate actress who wanted to fasten her popularity.

I couldn’t hide the fact that this jerk is quite popular, but I got to admit that his professionalism stinks as well as his attitude. Argh! I hate that guy!

I sucked my tongue, and it created a noise before answering, "Yeah. Just get to the point, Roberto. I don’t want to waste my time with you when, in fact, I am on vacation."

You heard it right. I was suspended for five days just because I spilled coffee on my boss’ shirt... accidentally.

"Don’t call me that, you little frog! My name is Gaylene, so call me that way!" I bet if he was in front of me, his saliva would be all over my shirt.

I stopped myself from laughing. I don’t want him to be triggered as he’s always been.

"Yeah, whatever. What do you want?" I irritably asked.

"I was sitting comfortably earlier behind my desk, doing all the paperwork that I needed to complete because of your behavior. I could still smell the wonderful and marvelous aroma of the coffee I bought in our favorite shop. I ordered their classic latte with extra pumps of caramel and extra whip cream on top with sprinkles and mallows, by the way. As I was sipping on my coffee—"

"I don’t care what happened before that. I’m not interested in your daily life, Lene. Just tell me what you want.”

“Didn’t I clearly say that if I am on a vacation, no job-related activity can exhaust me because of too much stress. And I bet you won’t be happy if I can’t control myself because of your T.M.I.” I continued.

"Okay, okay, easy. I’m just telling you about my favorite event of the day. Relax and keep yourself calm. But I’m not sure if you’ll like what I’ll say next…" I think I know what he’ll say. The agency wants me to accept the offer because I’d clearly stated my disgust when it was given to me.

"Tic wanted you to accept the offer." Tic is short for Terror-In-Closet. The guy that I inadvertently caused a scandalous incident with.

The next day after the incident, which is three days after, as early in the morning, there was a rumor circulating on the agency’s website. We have a website that has been made by the technologically savvy here. And the bosses don’t know that it exists… well, they do now because of what I did. The front page is all about my boss, his characteristics and identity… and the thing that I did to him. Okay, I’m famous again—not because of good deeds, but it’s all about thing that I did wrong.

"Just take it. The above releases another suspension because of your dropping relevance. Consider this as their last offer, Prun. I know it’s hard for you, but it’s harder for me to see them rob your dream. I couldn’t afford that. You’re my friend, Jody. Please, don’t let them do this to you."

I can’t hide my emotions when I heard that name again. My real name is Jody Pruneisis Marval. I kept my identity hidden from everyone for fear of them doing something to me—not that I was famous or rich, but just in fear that if they do, my whole plan will be crushed, and I don’t want that to happen.

My real father is a business tycoon or so everyone thought, when in truth he’s working under one of the most influential names around the country. Doing the most illegal thing just to continue living his life. I just recently found out about it when I am planning to get everything from him as my “token of appreciation”. He’s rich and doesn’t care about me. I mean, I wasn’t a planned child after all. It’s the reason why my mother hated me and my whole existence because I ruined her. My mother was once an actress, and my father was a shareholder of the agency that she was under. She knew my father’s real identity, and they fell in love. She agreed to become my father’s mistress. My mom was known because of her innocent image, how ironic, right?

I was caught in the middle, and no one wanted me. Mr. Dante Cruello, my wonderful father, wanted me to hide my identity. To become nobody. He was paranoid that his wife might find out his secret, while my mother despised me because of what I did to her body. She was rejected because she was old and didn’t look good.

Should I accept the offer when the reason of my misery was because of the guy that will be paired with me?

"I-I don’t know, Lene. I don’t want to be close to that guy again." I tried to hide the stagger in my voice.

"I know, I know. But this is your last chance, Prun. Let’s give it a try, then let’s find you another agency if it doesn’t work out. Okay?" I know he’s trying to console me. There is a reason why I chose Metrypol Agency. Aside from that they are famous, they have the key to letting my father experience what my mother and I experienced... shame. This is where his son works, Timothy, and he didn’t know that I was close to his beloved child. We last saw each other when I was twelve. The first time that I asked for his help, he neglected me and just left me soaked in the painful drops of the rain.

I still remember the time when my mother was dead sick, I didn’t know where to go… I don’t know someone near our place. We don’t have any relatives or what. As I was sitting outside of the room, I heard my mother’s cries, she shouted a name of a man. After a lot of days of finding who she was talking when she was asleep, atlas, I found out in the perfect time that I have a father. The joy that I have was overflowing, I don’t know if it’s about having a father or having someone to help us?

I sighed and let myself think for a second. I wanted to stop, but when I saw my mom’s face in my mind, it ignited my desire to bring him down with his family. He didn’t deserve the happiness that he’s experiencing now. It’s not fair if we are the only ones who were in vain.

"Okay, expect me there by tomorrow." I don’t want to do this, but I need it. I badly need this.

"Your first photoshoot will be held at 3 in the afternoon. So, if I were you, I’d get your a$$ off and get to work. I’ll fetch you at 15. And Prun, I’m glad that you accepted it."

Before I could say anything, the call ended.

I looked around the inside of my vacation home here in Antipolo. The interior is good, and the ambiance is peaceful and nice. This is the perfect space for me to relax.