• JANINA NICOLE FORTALEZA •
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!!"
"Yes, honey! It's true! You passed at the Eastville College of Business! ECB is the best training ground for the next business owners of the country! I am very proud of you!" My dad exclaimed.
"But.. Dad.."
"Hephep! No BUTs baby girl! Everything is set for you. You'll be the CEO of Fortaleza Foods Inc. soon. Isn't it amazing?"
"Dad.. What I was saying..."
"Janina darling, don't worry, I already have Faye worked on all of your enrollment requirements. You also have your dorm near the campus. It's the best one in the area! Your high school friends Debbie, Karen and Farrah are also enrolled there! You'll have fun! All you have to do is to pack your things up and be ready!"
"Dad!!!" I already shouted.
"No shouting, baby girl. I know you're excited! Me too! I am very excited for you! But I have to go and check on our business. Bye, take care and I love you!"
And just like that, umalis na si dad. Hindi man lang niya pinakinggan ang side ko. Tsssh. I really don't like to go to that Eastville school. Yucky kaya. I hate business! Why ba na dapat ako ang magmanage ng business niya? He can do it naman on his own! I really wanted to be an international model. And now that I am already one step closer on getting that dream, haharang pa si dad? No way!
I won't let that happen!
I left our house and hurriedly asked Dave, my boyfriend, to fetch me and bring me to the Murray Modelling Agency for my initial interview. Mamaya ko nalang proproblemahin si dad.
I got a call from Murray Modelling Agency in New York last week. They said that my portfolio was shortlisted. They also said that I have an interview today and a contract signing.
I was so happy!
Magiging model na rin ako finally!
No one can stop me!
Not even my dad!
Hmp!!
***
"Hmm, 2067 MMA Building, Makati Avenue? Where are we going again, babe?" asked Dave while smoothly driving his Porsche.
"Babe! We're going at Murray Modelling! I was shortlisted, remember?"
"Ah yes. Oo nga pala. Congratulations, babe!"
When we arrived at the MMA building, he kissed me full on the lips. I kissed him back. It was a torrid one. Ganito kami lagi ni Dave. Kung wala lang akong appointment ngayon, I know that this little kiss will turn out to be a wild love making in the car. We always do that. Maybe it is our habit as a couple. We're only 18 but we're kind of liberated. We do all things couples do. It's normal nalang naman nowadays.
And we're rich.
They can't pull us down.
No one would believe them.
And we don't deny it anyway.
Sinamahan ako ni Dave hanggang sa office ng Murray Modelling but unfortunately, hindi na siya pinapasok. Hindi naman daw siya kasama sa list of models for interview. Sayang naman yung porma niya! He's wearing a plain white tee, maong pants and a black leather jacket with his hair all up. I think he also likes to be a model and get discovered.
But unfortunately, he can't.
I felt sad for Dave so I kissed him and whispered "It's going to be a wild night later." before I confidently went to the Murray Modelling office wearing my Jimmy Sacson flowy orange cleavage showing gown with a high slit, sky high black pumps and heavy party make-up and stylish messy bun by my personal hair and make-up artist Shibama Castro. I also have pure gold jewelries as my accesories.
***
[Murray Modelling Agency]
"Ms. Fortaleza! I am glad you're here! Please take a seat first."
I was accomodated by a beautiful western looking lady wearing a corporate attire. She looked so kind. She looked like she's in her late 20s.
"You're so pretty in person, Ms. Fortaleza! So are you willing to sign a contract with us?"
"Thank you and sure, ma'am.. ?"
"Cassandra. Cassandra Murray. I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I'll be your manager once you already signed your contract with MMA. I will also be the one to join you to New York for your upcoming pictorials."
"Oh, I see." I said with a big smile.
After the interview, I answered some forms for profiling, did a photoshoot for a look test and she explained the contract to me. I feel like flying! Dreams really do come true! She said na she can give me only 3 days to decide on their offer. Kahit hindi na 3 days, I already have my answer.
I really can't hide my happiness!
It's a BIG YES!
I went inside the car with a big smile on my face.
"You look happy? Good news? Come on babe! Spill it!" Said Dave happily.
"Guess whaaaat?!"
"You got in? You're now a model?"
"Uhmm. Yeah. But there's more!"
"Wow. What is it?"
"I already signed a contract!!!"
"Wow. I told you you can do it. I'm proud of you babe!"
And before I know it, he already unhooked my bra and started carressing my breasts.
I was feeling infinite with the good news and with Dave's expertise.
He was about to kiss me but then I said..
"There's more!!!!"
"Really?! What?" He looked surprised. He was smiling.
"I'm flying to New York next week to start my modelling career!!!" I was so excited.
Silence...
His smile was kind of fading. He stopped whatever he's doing and looked me straight in the eye.
"Babe? Anything wrong?" I asked.
"Wait. What? You're flying? Next week?" He looked confused.
"Umm. Yeah?"
"How about your studies? Next week na ang pasukan natin sa ECB ha?"
"Nah. I'll ditch it."
"What? Alam ba to ng dad mo?"
"Not yet."
"Hindi ka niya papayagan, babe."
"No one can stop me. It's my dream! Hello!"
"Not even me?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, I guess not. Kung yung dad mo nga di ka mapipigilan eh."
"Dave come on! You should be happy for me."
"Of course I am happy for you. But I am not happy for us."
"We can still make this relationship work naman even though I'm far!"
"Long distance?"
"Yeah! That's it!"
"No babe. I don't like it."
"UGH COME ON!" I'm getting upset.
"Janina, you have to choose. Me, your dad and your studies or your f*ckin' dream?"
Silence..
Of course I love dave.
I love my dad.
But this is an opportunity I can't miss.
I have made my decision already.
I have made this decision even before I met Dave.
"My dream." I said in a blank tone as I wore by bra and gown back to it's place and left him.
I left Dave alone in his car outside the MMA building. Nagtaxi nalang ako. I hate him! He should've supported me nalang! They're all so selfish! Ugh!
"Ma'am, mukha kang galit. Nag-away po ba kayo ni Boyfriend?" Tanong ng pakialamerong Taxi driver.
"It's not your business. Will you please just drive."
"Okay. Sayang naman. Baka pwede akong makatulong. Kilalang kilala ko pa naman si Lalaine."
"What? How did you know my mom?"
"Jowa ko siya noon."
"Ugh. Ew."
"Pero di kami nagkaron ng anak. Sila ni Peter, oo."
"What?! Who's Peter?"
"Alam mo bang nang pinakasalan na niya ang tatay mo, nagkaanak pa siya ulit sa ibang lalaki? May bunso kang kapatid, Janina. Kamukhang kamukha mo nga eh. Xerox copy."
"Stop playing around me, old man!"
"Pumunta siya sa Bohol noon diba? Nagkita sila ni Peter."
"I don't believe you."
"Tanong mo nalang nanay mo. Nanay mong haliparot!"
"Shut up!"
Nagkwento pa siya ng kung ano ano. Pero I didn't mind him nalang. He's crazy.
"We're here! 245 pesos lang, ganda."
I gave him 1000 pesos and didn't ask for the change.
I was too upset.
And confused.
***
It was bugging me all night.
May kapatid ako?
So that means nagtaksil si mom kay dad?
Ugh! I should be getting ready for my flight and making up with Dave right now. But here I am, thinking about things and possibilities said by a complete stranger.
Actually, wala naman talaga akong paki if mom had an affair. I have had a lot of affairs too at my age. Mom is really pretty and dad, well, he's just rich. But there's this one thing that the taxi driver told me that could actually solve all of my problems right now.
"Kamukhang kamukha mo nga eh."
He just gave me the brightest idea ever.
***
I went to mom's room that night right after she came from work. Hindi na ako magpapaligoy ligoy pa. I want everything rushed.
"Mom."
"Yes, honey? Have you packed all your things? You'll be going to your dorm tomorrow!" She said happily. Eww.
"Ugh.. Yeah." I lied.
"You're dad and I are very excited for you. We'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, mom."
"It's just a year anyway. And you'll be here again in our mansion for the summer break."
"Uh-huh."
"You'll do great."
"Umm, mom, I need to know something before I leave. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure honey."
"I need answers. Promise me to tell the truth."
Nakita ko na parang naging nervous siya. But she still tried to look relaxed as she smiled softly.
"Okay. I promise."
"Good. You went to Bohol before right? Nung naghiwalay kayo ni dad?"
Silence...
I can see her eyes widened.
"Umm... Yes."
"Pinagtaksilan mo ba si dad? May anak ka ba sa labas?"
Kitang kita ko na nagred face niya at na super shocked siya. She's funny.
"W-Who told you?!"
"Yes or no."
"Anak, let me explain."
"Yes or no."
"D-Don't be mad at me.. Let me explain first."
"No mom. I'm not mad."
"Ha? B-bakit? I haven't explained anything yet."
"You don't need to. I don't care if you have an affair or whatever. I just want you to do something for me in exchange for my silence."
"In exchange of your silence?"
"Yup."
"H-ha? Anak I can't understand."
"Who's you're daughter? I want to meet her."
"W-What?! It's been years that I haven't seen her... Why do you want to meet her all of a sudden?"
"What? Is it wrong for me to meet my little sister? I just want to see her and that's all. I won't do anything bad. I'm just longing for a sissy." I smiled.
"Are you sure about that honey?"
"Yeah."
"She's in Bohol." She said. She's still nervous.
"Her name?"
"Alynna Marie Paredes."
"Oh? So she's an 'Ina' too?"
"Yes. She's Ynna."
"Age?"
"17 years old."
"Kamukha ko ba siya?"
"She has the exact same face as you."
"Perfect." I grinned.