CHAPTER 1
"IS MY dress ready? How about my makeup? My hair? The catwalk is about to start." Masungit na tanong ni Victoria sa kaniyang mga staff.
The staff are panicking as they ready Victoria's dress, fix her makeup and redo her hair.
After all, no one makes Victoria Danica Salvador wait as she is a descendant from a family of beauty queens, celebrities and models.
Her mother, Rita is the rvery gorgeous Miss Universe from the 90s and the CEO of Almera Beauty Clinic.
Her grandmother, Ophelia is the most popular and sexiest model during her time.
Victoria's older sister, Vincenzia Athena Salvador is model and a CEO of her own fashion company.
To her family, beauty is everything. Anyone who holds the name of Salvador has to live up to its name.
One of the staff hesitantly walked towards Victoria. "Ahm..Miss Victoria?" She anxiously asked.
With one eyebrow raised up, Victoria asked, "what?"
The staff named Marina nervously gulped. "Y-Yung dress niyo po kasi..ahm, the designer called and s-sold the dress to another company."
Victoria stood up. "What?! No! Donnie and I already made a deal. Seven million pesos for that simple dress!" Donnie is Victoria's personally hired fashion designer.
She continued, "kaninong kompaniya ba binenta ang dress?"
Marina gulped for the nth time. "To your sister's company, the Vincenzia Lux. Y-Your sister bought it for ten million pesos."
Galit na kinuyom ni Victoria ang mga kamay. Her sister will really do anything just to see her fail!
Victoria faced the other staff, "get me a new dress." Utos niya.
Natigilan ang mga staff. "Pero Miss Victora, the dresses left in the wardrobe are cheap. Tiyak na hindi iyon babagay sa iyo. Each dresses costs 15,000 pesos. It doesn't suit you."
"I don't care! Give me some new dress!" She snapped.
Bigla namang pumasok ang manager ng event na si Brent at sumigaw, "five minutes till the show starts! Get ready." Bumaling ito kay Victoria, "your sister is outside, watching."
Victoria took three deep breaths until she went to the wardrobe herself.
"Miss Victoria!" One of the staff shouted.
But no one can stop Victoria. She is ready to show her sister who is the queen. Nandito ang kapatid niya para makita siyang bumagsak at pagtawanan but Victoria is not the queen of fashion for nothing.
She can turn any cheap and simple clothes look downright gorgeous and expensive.
Without hesitation, she picked a brown, off-shoulder knitted top and paired it with a simple and unbranded high waist pants with black heels sandals. Then she, herself, braided her brunette hair into a waterfall french braid.
"Woah." Manghang sambit ng mga staff.
Well, Victoria Salvador just turned a simple clothes to a breathtaking one.
"Miss Victoria Salvador, are you all set?" Brent, the manager, asked.
Victoria flipped her brunnette hair before smiling. "I'm always ready when it comes to fashion, Brent."
Victoria confidently walked towards the backstage to wait for her turn. Of course, she is the last one to walk. The best always comes the last.
"Go!" Ani Brent nang oras na niya para lumakad.
Victoria displayed a glee before walking. She walked with confidence and pride as she presents the clothes she's wearing. It's all unbranded but she made it looked like it was a product of a luxury brand.
Natanaw niya ang kapatid na madilim ang mukha.
You failed once again, sister.
Victoria made a slow spin before walking again. Nang makarating sa dulo, she poses for seconds as she admires the whispers of the audience.
"As expected of a Salvador."
"What brand is she wearing? I want that one!"
"The clothes are actually simple but she made it so extravagant!"
She turned back and walked back. Kumekembot siya habang naglalakad and she made sure that she was sexy as hell while walking. Her sister is watching after all. She can't lose to her elder sister.
"Congratulations, Tori!" Brent exclaimed. Tori is her nickname.
"Of course. Ako pa ba? I'm the queen of fashion, Brent. It's natural I'll perform the best." Victoria uttered.
Habang ang isang staff ay lumapit kay Victoria at halatang takot na takot. "M-Miss Victoria?"
Victoria raised her one eyebrow. "Yes?" Masungit niyang tanong.
"P-Pinapatawag po kayo ng head ng event na ito. He's in the office." Anang staff na si Emma.
Victoria chuckled and faced Brent. "Even the head of the event wants to see me. That's my charm, Brent." Aniya at nagtungo sa office ng head.
When she reached the office, Emma left her at tanging natitira nalang ay siya kasama ang binatang head ng event na si Damon Knoxx, a CEO for a fashion line and a model for men's suits and underwear.
"Miss Victoria Salvador!" Damon exclaimed as he spread his arms open widely.
"Damon." Victoria shortly called before sitting at the chair infront of the table.
"First of all, I want to congratulate you. You have once again, impressed the audience with your natural beauty and skills when it comes to modeling."
Victoria chuckled. "Oh don't flutter me now, Damon. You don't need to tell me. I already kmow that."
Damon just laughed and later on cleared his throat. "Anyways, I called you here for a very important matter."
Victoria frowned. "What is it?"
"I heard that you wore unbranded clothes during your walk earlier?" Damon asked.
Victoria stilled. It is true, she did worr unbranded clothes earlier.
"Yeah, so?" She carelessly asked.
Pinagsiklop ni Damon ang dalawang kamay. "You know that this event is sponsored by luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Hermes and Chanel. How come you wore unbranded clothes? Nakarating ito sa kanila and they were offended! The famous Victoria Salvador just wore unbranded clothes at a luxurious catwalk event." Damon explained.
Victoria rested her back at the chair. "I had no choice. Donnie sold the dress I'll be using. Alangan namang mag back out ako sa event na 'to? Besides, I made those unbranded clothes look branded and luxury anyways." She shrugged.
"That's not the point! The sponsors have stopped sponsoring this event so a day 2 and 3 catwalk is now impossible!" Damon defensed.
Victoria furrowed her eyebrows. "So what will you do, huh? Tatanggalin mo ako dito?"
Damon nodded. "I have no choice—"
"That's nonsense! You need me, Damon. A fashion walk is nothing without me—without a Victoria Danica Salvador!" She shouted.
"The sponsors all agreed to remove you from the fashion event. In exhange, ibabalik nila ang sponsored items nila sa event."
Viictoria combed her hair using her fingers. "That's bullshi—"
"Just this once, Victoria. We need the sponsors. Irerefer naman kita sa kaibigan ko. He'll be hosting a small fashion walk this July. I'm sure he's willing to accept a popular model like you."
Napangiwi si Victoria. "You know that I don't do small fashion events. That's an embarrassment to the name of Salvador!"
"Well with you, that fashion event can be big! Pangalan mo palang nakakaattract na ng tao."
Huminga nang malalim si Victoria. "Sino naman ang papalit sa akin sa day 2 and 3? There has to be someone as greater as me."
Damon nodded. "It's Vincenzia. Your sister. She already agreed—actually, she was the one who proposed this idea."
Kumuyom ang kamao ni Victoria at mahinang dumaing.
Her sister really is a pain in the ass sometimes!
"Give me your friend's number. I'll contact him and ask about this fashion event he's holding." Ani Victoria.
When she received the number, she went out of the office only to see her bitchy sister, Vincenzia.
"Hey, old hag." Victoria greeted.
Vincenzia frowned. "That's not a nice way to treat your sister."
"I'm sorry, but contrary to your belief, I'm a bitch, sister. I don't play nice."
Vincenzia crossed her arms and raised her brow. "You looked pissed. Dahil ba ito sa ginawa kong pagbili ng dress mo?"
Victoria didn't answer so Vincenzia continued. "It's because that dress was so nice that I think it fits more perfectly to me than you."
"Fine, it's yours. Tutal, mas bagay naman sayo ang mga second-hand." She smirked and left her behind, speechless.
• • •
"What just happened at the fashion event?! Vincenzia told me you wore unbranded clothes?" Salubong ng ina ni Victoria nang makapasok siya sa mansyon nila.
Victoria tirelessly sat on the sofa. "I'm tired, mom."
Her mom, Rita, crossed her arms. "No. Tell me, you wore unbranded clothes at a fashion event?"
Hinilamos ni Victoria ang mukha sa palad. "I did—"
Rita looked at her in disgust. "That's a shame, Victoria! You know that our family never wear unbranded clothes. It's all about luxury!"
Victoria rolled her eyes. "I know that, mom. I made it look like it's branded, anyway." she defended.
"That's not the point here. You are ruining not just your career but the whole reputation of our name!" Rita defended back.
Victoria lazily stood up and waved her hand in the air like she doesn't care. "Everything is all about the name! I'm tired, mom. I want to rest."
Hindi na niya pinansin pa ang inang patuloy sa pagsisinghal.
When she reached her room, mabilis niyang kinuha ang call card na binigay sa kaniya ni Damon Knoxx.
Asher Suarez
Photographer/CEO/Model
097xxxxxxxxx
She immediately called the number. Nang may sumagot sa kabilan linya, she spoke, "is this Asher Suarez."
In a deep voice, the man from the other line answered, "yeah, who this?"
Victoria casually flipped her hair. "It's Victoria Danica Salvador, the most famous model—"
The line died.
Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin si Victoria sa phone. He just hanged up on her!
Wala sana siyang balak na tawag ulit ito but since she badly needs a job, she called the number again.
When it answered, she spoke, "hello—"
"Hi, I don't tolerate scammers. If you call me again, I'll report you to the police" he ended the call.
Victoria scoffed. So someone had tr guts to call her a scammer and decline her call for two times!
She groaned and took a selfie. Sinend naman niya agad iyon kay Asher Suarez at nagtype.
"It's the real Victoria Danica Salvador, you dumbass! I want to apply as a model to your fashion event in July. Say yes or you'll beg on your knees!"
She sent it at agad na nagreply si Asher.
He sent a shocking emoji and a reply, "omg😱 I'm so sorry Miss Salvador. Of course, I'll consider your application. Please come into my office today after lunch."
At dahil tinatamad magtype si Victoria, she called him again. Wala pang dalawang rings, sumagot na ito. "Hello, Miss Victoria?"
"You don't need to consider my application. Ako na ang mismong nagaapply sa maliit mong kompanya. What's there to consider?"
Tumikhim si Asher. "Miss Victoria, I may have a small company but I have very strict rules. Please come into my office as soon as possible and bring your applications—"
"I'll have my secretary bring it to you today." Sabi nalang niya at pinatay ang tawag. She's irritated today.
Iritadong nagdial ng number. Tinawagan niya ang secretary niya na si Aqua (not her real name)
"Aqua," bungad niya nang sagutin nito ang tawag, "I called because I want you to send my applications and documents to Asher Suarez, CEO of Suarez Fashion Company."
Sa halip na pumayag, Aqua spoke, "I told you not to call me Aqua. My name is Alexana!"
Victoria chuckled. "Ayaw mo ba ng Aqua? It's like a name for a dog that suits you. You are, after all, my loyal dog."
Aqua groaned before ending the call. Natatawang nagtext siya sa sekretarya. "Don't forget to bring the documents, Aqua. Asher Suarez should have it after lunch."
After sending the text, she rested on her soft queen size bed and fell into deep beauty rest.
• • •
"So, why did you call me? You already accepted my application?" Victoria smirked as she sat in front of Asher's small office. Nasa likod niya lang si Aqua at nakatayo habang ang dalawang kamay ay nasa tiyan.
Asher looked at her intently. "What?" She asked feeling uneasy.
Agad na sumabat si Aqua, "please don't look at Miss Victoria like that. You shall not make the queen anxious and nervous." Aniya.
She smiled and winked at Aqua behind her but Aqua rolled her eyes at her making her chuckle.
Asher cleared his throat. "So, ahm, Miss Victoria, rules are rules. We can't accept you. Don't worry, we'll keep it a secret—"
"Teka, ano bang pinagsasabi mo? What secret? Anong rules ba ang sinasabi mo?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Victoria.
Asher looked at Victoria, confused. "You're married, Miss Victoria."
Victoria's eyes widen in shock. She gasped so does Aqua behind her. "W-What do you mean? I'm not married! I'm perfectly single." She defended.
Umiling si Asher at pinakita ang dokumento niya. It states that she's a married woman. Pinakita rin nito ang married certificate na hindi niya alam na mayroon pala siya.
She continuously try to catch her breath. Aqua was fanning her using her hands. In short, she's hyperventilating.
Agad siyang dinalhan ng tubig ni Asher. "Are you okay, Miss Victoria?"
Uminom siya ng tubig. She drank all of it and looked at Asher. "W-Why am I suddenly married?! Who the hell is my husband?"
Asher looked at her marriage certificate before looking at her.
"Your husband is Vergel Noah Alegre."
• • •
PANAY ANG daing ng mga kliyente sa J&R Law Offices.
"S-Saglit lang po, mga ma'am, sir! W-Wala po si Attorney Guevarra at Attorney Rowen. Nandito naman po si Attorney Alegre—"
"Ayoko! Gusto ko si Attorney Guevarra o di kaya si Attorney Jerard. Ayoko diyan kay Attorney Alegre. Di ko naman kilala yan. Si Attorney Guevarra ang attorney ko. Sa kaniya lang ako magpapaconsult." Ani Mrs. Nesita.
Napangiwi si Aeign, ang sekretarya. "Pero wala po talaga sila dahil nayroon silan inattendan ng meeting. Ang tanging available na attorney lang po ngayon ay si Attorney Alegre."
The clients all groaned and grunted. "Bahala na. Hihintayin namin dito si Attorney Guevarra o si Attorney Jerard."
Dahil sa sobrang ingay ng buong office, lumabas si Noah sa kaniyang sariling opisina. "Aeign, anong nangyayari?"
"Attorney Alegre!" Lumapit si Aeign kay Noah. "Sila ang mga kliyente nina Attorney Guevarra at Attorney Jerard. Kanina pa sila naghihintay at nagrereklamo."
Tumango-tango si Noah. "Are any of them my clients?" He asked with glints on his eyes.
Aeign winced and gave him an apologetic look. "No. They're all Attorney Guevarra and Attorney Jerard's clients."
Noah sighed. "Ten clients for only half a year, huh? Hindi ba ako ganun ka ganda sa trabaho?" He asked with his shoulders down.
Aeign messed his hair and patted his shoulder. "Cheer up, Noah. You are an amazing attorney. Hindi lang nila nakikita dahil nasasakupan ka ng magagaling na abogado. Why don't you nuild up your own law firm anyway? Marami ka namang pera."
Umiling si Noah. "I considered that one months ago but, I'm not popular, Aeign and I don't advertise well. I'm not even good at socializing."
Vergel Noah Alegre is an attorney who graduated with flying colors. Ang ama niya ay dating jeepney driver at ang ina naman niya ay dating caretaker sa London.
Pero ngayon, dahil may nagandang trabaho siya bilang isang attorney na may malaking sahod, nakapagpatayo siya ng bahay na tama lang ang laki sa kanilang tatlo. His parents stopped working dahil sa pagpipilit ni Noah. He wanted his parents to rest. He wanted to pamper them with all the money he earns by working.
Pero dahil sa kakulangan sa kliyente, hindi nakakaipon masyado si Noah. He is not popular and because of that, the people thinks he's the frailest of all the attorneys working in J&R Law Offices. Kaya wala siyang kliyente.
Hindi rin naman siya nagpapakita sa tao. He's scared of people. Tinatatagan niya lang ang sarili niya dahil sa trabaho. Kailangan niyang maging palakaibigan sa kliyente niya.
"Hi, uhm, nandito po ba si Attorney Alegre?"
Natigilan si Noah sa narinig. He has a client?!
Dali dali siyang lumapit kay Aeign at hinarap ang kliyente. "I'm Attorney Alegre. How may I help you?" He asked.
The woman probably in her 30s smiled sadly. "Gusto ko sanang kasuhan ang asawa ko." Pinakita nito ang mga pasa sa katawan. "He'd been abusing me for the past seven months."
Noah stared at the woman's bruises. Ang ayaw sa lahat ni Noah ay ang mga asawang nanakit sa asawa. That is one of the reasons why he chose the be an attorney. He wanted to help people attain justice.
Dahil kung siya ay magkaasawa, hinding-hindi niya sasaktan ang asawa. Mamahalin niya ito nang buong-buo.
Giniya ni Noah ang babae patungong office niya. Narinig niya ang bulungan ng kliyente ng ibang abogado pero hindi niya iyon pinansin. When he's in work mode, no one and nothing can distract him—except for the feeling of anxiety he's having when he's alone with a person.
Tatlong tao lang siya komportableng pakisamahan. His mom, his dad at si Aeign, ang sekretarya.
Pinaupo niya ang ginang. "Ano pong pangalan niyo?"
The woman answered, "Mrs. Rosero nalang po, Attorney."
Noah sat on the sofa infront of Mrs. Rosero. "He's been abusing me for seven months now. Sa tuwing umuuwi siyang lasing, kumukuha siya ng kahoy at pinanghahambalos sa akin. Noong umuwi siya galing sa trabaho, lasing siya noon habang ako naman ay naghahanda ng hapunan. Late na akong nakapagluto dahil sinundo ko pa sa school ang anak ko at nay trabaho din ako. Dahil sa galit niya, binuhos niya sa akin ang pinakukuluan kong tubig."
Noah suddenly felt pity on the woman. "You said he's been abusing you for seven months. Why would you file a complaint against him now?" Tanong niya.
Mrs. Rosero sniffed. "Eh kasi pati anak ko ay nadamay na. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na palihim niyang binubugbog ang anak ko sa tuwing nasa trabaho ako. Sinasampal-sampal niya at pinagpapalo ng belt niya."
Mrs. Rosero looked at him begging as she continued, "anong kaso po ang pwedeng isampa sa kaniya?"
Huminga nang malalim si Noah. "Matanong ko lang po, ilang taon na ang anak niyo?"
"Seven years old po, attorney." Sagot ni Mrs. Rosero.
Noah crossed his arms as he leaned on thr back of the sofa. "pwede natin siyang kasuhan ng paglabag ng Republic Act 9262 o tinatawag ring Anti-violence against women and children. Dahil sinasabi niyong binubugbog kayo at ng anak niyo ng asawa niyo, pwede po natin siyang kasuhan. If the court finds him guilty, he'll be fined five to fifty thousand pesos and one year of imprisonment."
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ng ginang. "Huwag po kayong mag-alala, Mrs. Rosero. This law also protects the safety of a family. Titiyakin kong maayos ang lagay niyo ng anak niyo at malayo sa kapahamakan mula sa asawa niyo."
"Ipapasa ko agad ito sa korte lara maaksyunan. Sa ngayon, bilang attorney mo, I prohibit your husband into seeing you. Kung maaari ang maglipat bahay muna kayo habang on going ang kaso."
Pinunasan ni Mrs. Rosero ang luhang tumutulo. "Maraming maraming salamat, Attorney Alegre. Tama pala ang kumare ko, magaling at mabait kang attorney."
Noah smiled. "Walang anuman po, Mrs. Rosero."
Tumayo na ang ginang at nagpaalam. Hinatid niya sa labas ng office ang babae at nang makaalis, dali-dali siyang naglakad papasok ng opisina niya at nagbasa ng libro.
It may not show but he's really having anxiety when it comes to meeting his clients. Dinadaan nalang niya sa ngiti dahil ayaw niyang matakot sa kaniya ang mga kliyente niya.
And when he's anxious, stressed, sad or depressed, he reads a book. Some educational books like advanced mathematics, basic law, political science and other edicational books. That is why his fellow attorneys call him the Nerdy. Pinaghalong Attorney at Nerd. Dinagdagan lang ng y na mula sa attorney.
Binuklat niya ang notebook at sinulat ang pangalan ng kliyente. He always writes his clients' names dahil espesyal sila para sa kaniya. Kakaunti na nga lang ang mga kliyente niya. Ayaw niya ang mga ito kalimutam.
"Noah?"
He looked up to the door. Aeign's head was peeping inside. "What?" Tanong niya.
"May bago kang kliyente." Ngiting sambit nito.
Hm, mukhang maswerte siya ngayon araw. Dalawa na agad ang kliyente niya.
Pinapasok ni Aeign ang kliyente. Dalawang babae. Ang isa, nakadamit pang maid na may literal na dog collar sa leeg na may nakasulat na Aqua. Ang isa naman ay nakapink fur coat at sunglasses.
"May I help you?" He asked.
The woman in fur coat removed her glasses as she sat down on the chair infront lf his table. Madilim ang mukhang nakatingin ito sa kaniya. Agad siyang inatake ng kaba.
Is she mad at him?
What did he do?
"Seriously? No reaction here?" Mataray at maarte nitong tanong.
Kumunot ang noo ni Noah. "What reaction?"
Agad na sumabat ang babaeng nasa likod nito. "Hindi mo ba siya kilala?"
Confused, Noah shook his head. "Are you someone important?" Tanong nito.
Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin ang babae sa kaniya. "My name is Victoria Danica Salvador. Descendant from the family of—"
"Ano pong maipaglilingkod ko sa inyo?" He asked.
He wants to finish this fast. Everything is making him nervous.
Victoria scoffed. "Did you just cut me off?"
He tuned her out. "Ano pong maipaglilingkod ko sa inyo?" He smiled as widely as he can.
Victoria leaned on the back of the chair. "I'm here to sue someone—no, I'm here to imprison someone."
"Hm, that will be hard. You need to have concrete evidence to imprison someone." Noah answered back.
Victoria chuckled. "You want proof? I'll give you then!" Bumaling ito sa kasama na nasa likod.
May binigay si Aqua kay Victoria. Isang brown envelop. Victoria placed it on the table.
"Here. That's the proof you need." Giit nito.
Kunot noong binuksan at nilabas ni Noah ang papel na anda brown envelope.
"Oh, it's a marriage certificate and it states here, you're married to—" he stilled before shouting, "ME?!?!"