"Perfect," The photographer said.
"Good. Good."
I continue what I'm doing and pose like a pro in this. Although I'm not very good at it. I can’t let this opportunity go unnoticed.
"Another one."
Toci is right. The brand of this clothing line is famous.
"Okay, last shot." The camera clicked and the light flashed.
The photographer smiled at me. I walked towards him.
"Shouldn't you just be a model?" he asked.
"If I'm not the one taking it, I'm the one taking it." It's a promise.
"I didn't know you were also a photographer." I said.
"I took a photography course." He promised. My head is shaking.
"Really?" I asked her.
"Yup." He smiled at me.
I turned my eyes to the computer. Andon are my pictures. The director also approached.
"You look stunning in the photos! Perfect! I thought this shoot won't take long, guess I'm wrong," he said while looking at the photos.
"Wrap up!" He shouted.
"I don't regret that you were taken on this project, you're good and beautiful." He says.
"Thank you." I answer.
"Toci Pwede is also a good scout. You're a photographer and a model, so don't worry, you'll still take jobs from the others." Promise it while laughing.
"What can I do? I'm talented." He said, shrugging his shoulders.
The director just laughed.
"After lunch, we will shoot the next one. You guys can eat for the meantime. The catering is just right there," he said. It also pointed to the food row, not far from the stand.
There are already queues there.
We both nod at him.
I turned to the woman who had just entered the door.
"What's wrong?" Toci asked me.
My eyes stayed on the woman laughing at those around her.
"What is she doing here?"
"Your cheap shoes and dirty shoes don't compliment him, he is rich and you are poor."
"Yes he put his dick inside you but he will never put a ring on your finger."
Her voice echoed in my mind.
"I didn't know she would be here." aniya.
I glared at him.
Toci told nothing about them and Aira before. What do they have?
Probably what they have is over because it's going to marry Magnus isn't it?
He's also the son of a business tycoon, so Magnus and I really matter. Both rich and have reached in life. While I'm here, working hard. Still in process. But even so at least has a process.
Aira and I met eye to eye. His right eyebrow rose. I was the first to evade. I don't want to hear its insults against me again.
"Aira!" The director called him.
She waves then walks towards him. "Why are you here? I thought you turned down this project?" He asked.
"I just came here to visit and congratulate the model," she said.
They looked in our direction. In less than a minute they were here in front of us.
"Toci! It's been a while!" she said.
"Hey." He sparingly promised.
Its gaze shifted to me.
"She's the chosen model. Celiza Carosca." Promise of the director.
"I don't know you're a model," she said.
"This is his first big project. He used to model only local magazines." The director promised.
"I'm happy for you. Congrats," she said with a sweet smile.
Is it true that he is happy for me?
No. I knew he was mad at me. Especially with what happened yesterday. You can see and up to here I will see him. Even though I tried to stay away from them, we met even more.
Small world.
Small world that is further diminished by my destiny.
"I think you should thank me too," she said with a straight face.
My forehead furrowed at what he said. Even direk and Toci.
"I mean, if I didn't turn down this project you would be here." she said.
I swallowed hard.
I knew it. He is here to embarrass me. If I wasn’t the model that got it would he say the same? Or is he kinder?
"She doesn't owe you anything, Aira. I offered her the project that you turned down." Toci said.
"If he has anything to thank, it's the brand and sponsor. Not You." Toci followed.
Hey eyebrows furrowed when he said that.
Its gaze shifted to me.
"Eat first Aira, there's catering there." Direk replied.
Maybe he was feeling the tension in the three of us so the conversation changed.
It left in front of us. You followed his gaze as he talked to direk.
The photoshoot ended quickly. They were able to choose a photo to put on the billboard. I changed my clothes to go home. This day is tiring.
How are they at the coffee shop? I took a day off today for this photoshoot. Can I stop by the shop?
I glanced at my wrist watch.
I may not be able to catch up anymore. Close to close and traffic, that’s for sure.
"Let's go?" he asked me.
I nodded. He will take me home. I’m not sure if it’s right for me to deliver with him because Mom and Dad will ask me. Especially Mom.
It also saves on the fare because he has a car.
We are about to leave the building.
"Let's celebrate," he said.
My forehead furrowed. I stopped walking. "What are we going to c-celebrate?" I asked her.
"Your success!"
"You will be an international model and you will have a big billboard at edsa." Laughing it says.
"Tsk. Then when it happens." Ismid ko sakanya. I continued walking.
It blocked in front of me.
"Come on, Babe. Please?" He pleaded.
Babe.
We called them.
"Please? Just one drink then I'll drive you home." He said.
"Please?" It was exaggerated.
I rolled my eyes. "Fine."
Everyone is looking at us in the bar.
Toci ignored it.
Like he said, we were only there for a while. I had four shots of alcohol. He is five. He was still alone but I stopped him and he would still drive.
He parked his car near the bar. We get inside of the car.
I sat in the front seat, I don't like the back and I might mistake him for my driver, it's embarrassing.
He was a handsome driver.
I closed my eyes.
I'm kinda tipsy.
"Are you okay?" He asked, then turned his gaze on me.
"Of course." My answer.
"That's tired maybe?" I nodded at his question.
"When you become a full time model, you will get used to your daily routine," he said.
"Don't worry I'll help you."
"Thank you," I said to him.
"You're welcome. I'm happy that you accepted my offer. You're good at modeling. You should pursue it," he said, then glanced at me.
"You think so?" I asked.
"Yes."
"You're so good," he teased.
"You think I'm good?" I laughed at her question.
"Of course, you learned from me." He smirked.
"What did you learn? You can't say anything. I can only pose there!" I laughed while saying to him.
Its face is serious. Her cheeks and the side of her forehead were red. Maybe because of the alcohol that was drunk.
"Oh, why are you serious?" I asked her.
He leaned closer to me. I blinked and our lips touched.
It tilted its head to the side to kiss my lower lip. I feel so hot. Because maybe it’s in the alcohol.
The softness of its lip, as before. The first lip I kissed.
Is this right?
Is it right for him to kiss me?
Yes, because no one gets angry.
'You are single and the man you love is getting married.' My brain whispered.
I reciprocated with a kiss. I could feel her smile as I kissed her.
As we kissed Magnus's serious face entered my brain.
I pulled away from the kiss.
Shit.
What's that?
"What's wrong?" Toci asked.
He looked shocked.
"M-that's wrong." I averted my gaze.
Even though another man was with me, Magnus was still on my mind!
"I-I'm leaving," I said and got out of the car.
He called my name but I didn't bother to look back.
I stopped walking when someone stopped in front of me.
"You didn't sleep with Magnus so now you're targeting Toci. Don't be greedy, Celiza, you're as thirsty as a man. So stay away from Toci."
My eyes narrowed at her. I understand the source of his anger back then at me because Magnus liked me and he was just his friend.
"Why are you so concerned about Toci?"
Her eyes turned round, I'm sure she did not expect me to notice her too much care for Toci's life. I watched her gulp.
I don't understand why she's acting like this between me and Toci.
"For the two of us, you were mine and thirsty for attention then and until now. You changed yourself just so they would notice. Well, congrats, you're noticed. Wish granted. Magnus and you are going to get married, aren't you?"
Her eyebrows furrowed. I don’t know why it acts like it doesn’t know what I’m saying. But I'm sure it's just a gimmick. It was probably one of his ways to tease and insult me.
But I won't let her. In all I went through, only a mosquito bite was the equivalent of his insults to me.
"Y-yeah," she stammered, "But I don't want you near Toci as well.
My forehead furrowed at what he said. What else does he want? He has everything! Toci is just an old friend to me but I don't get it.
"You don't belong with him..." she paused, "especially with Magnus."
"Which thing, you?" I laughed, "Edi, stab me in the lungs, just in case your lack of attention and love is filled." I smirked.
"But I doubt you'd be content, you're greedy Aira." I said and turned around.
"They love me Celiza."
Even though I can't see her face, I'm sure she's grinning and her voice is proud and certain.
"They won't love a whore like you."
My fist balled and my teeth gritted as I faced her.
"A slut will always be a slut."
I approached it. I restrained myself from catching up with him, I wanted to hurt him but I knew I was also the only loser in the end. Even if I hurt him, the wounds they inflicted on me will not heal. It will only get deeper, and it may never heal.
I kept looking at him. Her smirking shows how proud she is.
"With your lack of attention, your brain seems to be closed Aira. Yes, maybe I'm a slut, but I'm trying to change and be a better person. Are you? Remember, delusions makes you go crazy."