Chapter 3 - Trigger

Solange Raviea Cervana.

“You’ll be the front cover for Cosmopolitan Magazine next month, right? It’s ten days from now, I think?” Avril started a conversation when we’re about to leave the agency. Shantal left early since they had a family dinner. 

“Hmm, yeah, the manager already told me,” I said. Rinig ang tunog ng stilettos ko sa bawat paghakbang.I pressed the button of the elevator before I put on my Gentle Monster shades. When the elevator opened, I sensed something I had forgotten.“You go first, Ril. I forgot my phone sa make-up room, I can’t find it here.”

“Yeah, sure. See you tomorrow, Seia!” she waved her hand before the elevator closed. 

Bumalik ako sa room para hanapin iyon pero hindi ko talaga makita kaya hinayaan ko na lang. It’s an old phone and I rarely use it. Hindi ko lang mabitawan dahil sa mga files and photos na naroon. I pressed the button again, when the door was about to close, someone stopped it. It’s Griffin, Vernon’s brother. He’s under the same agency as mine. People said he’s the most popular model among their team. I’ve been working for years now but I only saw him when the dinner at the mansion happened. 

“The same floor, sa ground din ang punta ko.” He suddenly talked behind me. I just nodded and didn’t say anything. “How’s Vernon?”

He’s definitely being an asshole.

“He’s fine, I guess?” I shrugged, getting irritated by just talking about that guy.

“Is he going to fetch you?” Malumanay niyang tanong. He has a calmer voice unlike Vernon’s.

“No, I have bodyguards with me, and he’s busy with his shooting.” Napatingin ako sa orasan dahil sa tagal ng pagbaba ng elevator.

“Oh, you’re texting with each other?” 

Why is he so curious about it?

“Prolly,” I replied. “But, I don’t reply to messages unless it’s important, so…”  He suddenly chuckled. Hindi ko na lang pinansin pa dahil bumukas na ang elevator sa ground floor. 

“Solange! Show yourself, you slut!” someone shouted.

Nagulat ako sa dami ng tao na nasa labas. The noise became so loud dahil nag e-echo ito sa buong parking lot. Security guards were protecting the railings dahil patuloy itong inuusog ng mga tao.

“What’s happening?” Griffin asked. Hindi ko siya sinagot at hinanap na lang ang sasakyan ko. Butlers are watching me, so I don’t have to worry just in case they attack me. 

“There she is!” someone shouted again. “Crazy bitch, problematic artist!”

“Don’t you dare engage yourself with Vernon! You slut! Malandi!”

“Hindi mo siya makukuha! Stop ruining Vernon and Wendy’s relationship!”

“Dream on, bestie! We’re gonna ruin everything about you if you marry him!”

“Stop using your face for everything! Leave Vernon with Wendy! Mang-aagaw ka talaga, dati pa!” The girl started to throw eggs, sunod-sunod na ang pagbato nila pagkatapos noon. 

“User!”

“Clout chaser!” 

“Bitch!”

The egg slipped on my dress, mayroon na ring tumama sa braso ko. Nang magsimula na silang mag-akyatan sa railings ay agad akong kinabahan. Griffin quickly pulled my wrist, tumakbo kami papunta sa sasakyan niya para makapagtago. Nang buksan niya iyon ay agad akong pumasok dahil rinig ko na ang yapak ng mga tao. Nagkakagulo na at sa tingin ko ay mas gugulo pa kapag naabutan nila ako.

What the hell is happening and who’s Wendy? Is she his girlfriend? 

“It’s tinted, don't worry,” He muttered. Pumasok na rin siya sa loob. He immediately gave the wet wipes to me para mapunasan ko ang lagkit na nanggaling sa itlog. Hindi ko agad natanggap iyon dahil nagkagulo na sa labas dahil nakapasok na ang mga tao. “Vernon’s fan, tsk.” Umiling siya nang paulit-ulit. He didn’t start the engine. Malamang dahil malalaman ng mga tao kung nasaan kami dahil liliwanag ang sasakyan.

“Thank you…” Kinuha ko sa kanya iyon at mabilis na pinunasan ang sarili ko. I’m honestly so embarrassed. Mabaho ang amoy ng itlog at dumikit na rin iyon sa passenger seat dahil mayroong nalagay sa damit ko. “I’m sorry for this, I’ll pay you na lang—”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing.” Umiling siya at bahagyang ngumiti. “They’re crazy, probably they already saw the news. May ganoong mga fans talaga, it’s not that I’m tolerating them, but alam mo ‘yon? They’re losing morals over a showbiz love team.”

“Love team?”

“You didn’t know?” He glanced at me, umiling ako dahil wala akong alam sa sinasabi niya.

“Vernon and Wendy, they became a love team for three years already.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t watch his movies.” Pilit akong ngumiti. 

“But, they’re popular—Well, that’s fine, you’re not obliged to know every single thing about it,” he stated. “This isn’t the first time this has happened. You know, my brother is a big ass flirt.” Tumawa siya. I let him speak, expecting he’ll say something that might be beneficial for me. “The first time it happened, nakipag make-out siya sa bar with someone from a known university. Yup, he likes college girls. Then, after that day, fans were raging. Natyempuhan pa na iyong kaklase ng babae ay solid supporter ng loveteam ni Vaughn and Wendy. Kaya ayon, nagkagulo. I don’t really know what’s with him, he enjoyed being the talk of the town.”

“Why?” I gazed at him.

“He’s smart, mysteriously smart. He can make issues without people judging his personality. You should be careful with that.” Napatingin din siya sa ‘kin nang makahulugan.

I craned my neck. “Why…Why are you saying this to me?”

“Because he's dangerous, Solange. The girls he indulges himself to lose their mind. I don’t want you to end up like that.” 

“He’s your brother,” I mumbled.

“If he keeps you assured and safe, then, I’m his brother.” He darted his dark eyes on me. I looked away and formed a small smirk. 

Turns out I found my ally, huh?

Vernon Thobias Alejo.

“Fiercer! Yes, that’s right… Nice shot, my God, Solange! You’re way too good for this.” The photographer exclaimed. “That’s a wrap for today!”

I decided to go here to pretend that I’m checking on her. Kakatapos ko lang pumirma ng mga papel dahil napagdesisyunan ng manager ko na itigil na ang love team namin ni Wendy. Although the contract will end months from now, it’s bad for my image since my engagement with Solange was already publicized. Wendy agreed to it as well and decided to continue her acting journey alone. Most of the supporters were mad and I honestly don’t know what to do with them.

“Vernon Thobias Alejo, right?” The middle-aged guy approached me, he’s probably Solange’s manager. 

“Yes, sir,” I smiled and offered my hand. “Just call me Vaughn po.”

“Very humble, I like it.” Malawak siyang ngumiti. “Are you waiting for your fiancée?”

“Yes,” I politely replied.

“Hmm, I heard, you two moved out together, huh?” I nodded with his question. “Congratulations! You two look good together, by the way. Make sure to take care of her, okay?”

“Surely.” Surely my ass. We’re not even compatible with each other. She makes me sick. 

“Are you done for today, Love?” I asked her when she went in front of us. I offered my hand so that I could hold hers. “Let’s go?” I hold her dustproof cover with her dress inside.

“Hmm.” She smiled sincerely, almost convincing me that it was genuine. She accepted my hand and intertwined her fingers with mine. “I’ll go home na po.” Bumaling siya sa mga taong nasa loob. 

Everyone was smiling when they saw our hands. Some congratulated us, while some didn’t even bother to look. I waved and bid a goodbye to them. Seia’s manager led the way. He stopped and went inside the building again to leave us alone. Nang wala na ang mga tao ay marahas niyang kinuha ang kamay niya sa ‘kin.

“The building was quite big, hmm,” I stated. 

“What are you doing here?” She asked, as usual.

“Lagi na lang ‘yan ang tinatanong mo sa akin tuwing magkikita tayo.” I chuckled when I saw her getting pissed again.

“Because we’re not supposed to meet.” Masama niya akong tiningnan.

“We’re living on the same roof, what do you mean?”

“I’m not gonna sleep there, I have my condominium.” She pressed her smart key as she couldn’t find her car. Lumakad pa siya nang kaunti para mahanap iyon pero walang tumunog na sasakyan.

“I said to the butlers to bring your car since I’m fetching you.” 

“Tanga ka ba!?” She exclaimed. 

“Woah, chill down, Seia,” I raised both of my hands. “I thought we’re supposed to pretend? Besides, your Dad told me to fetch you. I’m not the one who wants this to happen.”

“Pretend? What’s your plan, then?” Umismid siya at lumapit sa ‘kin.

“Plan to what?”

“You said, we’re pretending to make them believe this is all true. What’s your plan, then?” She put her shades on top of her head.

“Act like a fiancée in front of people, then I’ll do the same.” Nilabanan ko ang titig niya.

“Then, what? How are we supposed to stop the marriage?” Hindi agad ako sumagot dahil baka may masabi akong hindi maganda. “See, you don’t even know kung kailan at paano natin tatapusin ‘to.” Pinagdikit niya ang kanyang labi. “If you didn’t agree, we’re not seeing each other by now.” 

I only agreed because it’s for Sariah’s peace and If I could only say no to this plan, I would… I would never want to meet you.

“You agreed, too. Stop putting the blame on me.” Like what you did to Sariah.

I clenched my jaw when she sarcastically laughed. “I don’t have a choice, while you have!”

“Stop acting like you know everything. Hop in the car before I even leave you here.” I muttered and walked away to find my car.

“Leave me, then. It’s my pleasure if you leave me!”

“You’re way too loud,” I held her wrist and made her go inside the car. “One thing is for sure, Seia. I’m not going to marry you, so stop making me look like I’m going to chase you because I’m willing to die before I do that. Do you understand, hmm?”

“So full of yourself, you can’t even decide on your own,” She whispered. Hindi na ako sumagot at tuluyan na lang pinaandar ang sasakyan. She’s so stubborn.

Solange Raviea Cervana.

Two days later, I slept in the house where Vernon and I should live. Baka rin kasi makahalata ang magulang ko dahil nitong mga araw ay sa condo ako natutulog. He’s sleeping somewhere, too. Kaya madalang magkaroon ng tao rito bukod sa nagbabantay at mga katulong.

“This one fits your body perfectly, Madame!” My private clothing designer remarked. I’m wearing a black fitted halter gown, revealing my chest down to my abdomen. I look at the big mirror in front of me and check if it’s worth wearing for the auction. I saw Vernon’s reflection from behind, examining my dress. 

“Love, what do you think?” I asked naturally, almost cringing inside. Humarap ako sa kanya para mas makita ang reaksyon niya sa sinabi ko. 

“Hmm, it suits you.” He slowly walked closer to me and held my waist. He made me look in the mirror again while his hand was still there. “But, it suits you more when I’m beside you,” he added. “Right?” he asked the designer.

“Definitely, sir!” She cheerfully said. 

Hinatid namin siya palabas ng bahay pagkatapos noon. I was about to remove his hand on my shoulder when he quickly went inside to answer the call he’s receiving. 

“What’s up, Evarius?” Hindi ko na siya pinakialaman pa, I went on the kitchen to drink water. Rinig ko pa rin ang boses niya hanggang dito. “Where? Oh—with my fiancée? Sure, but I'm going to ask her first, since she’s busy.”

Lumabas na ako ng kusina para umakyat. The phone call ended, I just found him typing on his laptop. Aakyat na sana ako pero nagsalita siya. “Your father was on the news, did you know?” 

“What?” 

He pressed the remote’s button, so I glanced at it. “Watch,”

“Sergio Cervana, dating batikang aktor, sangkot nga ba sa illegal drugs?” The reporter stated. 

“Let me do a drug test, then?” My father flashed on the screen. “These people keep on finding mistakes in me. Para sabihin ko ho sa inyo, wala kayong makakalap sa akin. Can’t you mind your own life? Wala ba kayong sariling buhay?”

“Tsk.” Vernon slightly laughed. “Why is he so defensive?”

“What did you say?” Kumunot ang kilay ko sa narinig at matalim siyang tiningnan. 

“He’s defensive. The news isn’t about him doing illegal drugs, it's a speculation, not a damn factual act.” 

“What do you want him to do, huh? Let people believe it?” I hissed.

“No.” Umiling siya. “It’s just that his choice of words aren’t accurate to the issue blowing up.”

Lumapit ako sa kanya at malakas siyang sinampal. “Don’t fucking talk to my father like that.” 

I saw blood coming from the side of his lips. He smirked and wiped it using his thumb before he stepped slowly, closing the gap between us. “I guess you’re just like him, huh? Very defensive but in another way,” He chuckled. Lumapit pa siya lalo ngunit hindi ako natinag sa tingin niya. “Why are you protecting him from me? Isn’t he the one who made you grow up in a miserable way?” 

I was dumbfounded by his question. I remembered what he told me when I first met him, that he hoped he wouldn't get to know everything. Now, it looks like he definitely knows something.

“Stop putting your nose in my family's business!” I pointed my finger at him.

“You think of me so lowly, Seia. Do you really think I had to stick my nose in your family? Well, think again..” Dinuro niya ang sintido ko pero agad ko iyong tinanggal. “I don’t engage myself to dishonourable thief—”

Before he even finished his sentence, I let out my gun and pointed it at his lips. “Shut your own mouth or I’ll shut it using the bullet inside.”

“Shoot me if you can,” he said in monotone.

Kinasa ko ang baril at diniin ko iyon sa labi niya. He was caught off guard and remained silent, probably losing his mind. “The next time you talk bad about my family, I’m going to pull the fucking trigger.”