Chapter 8 - .07

Woooaahhh! Congrats Iyah!

I told the girls that there is no need to party since I won't drink din naman but they insisted.

"We're so happy for you," Xia said while she's hugging me tightly.

"Xia, di na ako makahinga," I told her. She immediately let go of me. Alam niyang di yun totoo. She thinks na alibi ko lang yun para bumitaw na siya. Well, its true.

"Finally!," I was shocked! Pinalo ko si Sav. Bigla nalang siyang sumusulpot.

"Congrats! You're officially part of us!," Then she kissed my cheek.

"I'm so happy," She added. Sav always sees the potential in me as a model while Xia is the one who keeps on forcing me to join the agency. They both believe na kaya kong makipagsabayan when it comes to popularity.

"Of course, alam niya! Obvious ka masyado!," Cairhyll shouted because she heard our conversation.

"Mahirap kayang pagsabayin ang med at modeling?," I curiously asked. I don't want my grades to be affected.

"I think,oo. Pero, you can do that! Kaya nga ni Daron," She didn't realize what she just said.

"Hala! Sorry,"Sav said but she looks like she doesn't mean it.

I told them everything. It's true na pag may napagsasabihan ka, gumagaan yung dinadala mo. When you know na may dadamay sayo, it's like you'll notice na after you shared your problem, the baggage is getting lighter. It's important that we should learn on how to be independent, to stand on ourselves but remember that we can't always stand alone. We will always need someone.

They said na di pa naman daw ako nahuhulog kay Daron. It isn't deep yet. They said na maybe I was just thnking ahead because I'm really scared na maulit yung nangyari sa aming dalawa ni Matt.

"Si Gil nandun sa labas," Avril approached us pointing the door. Zai and Ari were chatting behind her.

"Bakit di pumasok?" She just shrugged.

"Maybe, later," Sav told us.

"Sino ba talaga ang nagpaparty? Si Sav at Xia or ikaw?" Zai asked me looking around.

"Kakilala ni Sav at Xia halos yung nakikita namin," Ari laughed it off.

"Kami rin," Cairhyll suddenly joined the conversation.

"Malamang," Zai fired back. Minsan din kasi nakakainis yung mga banat ni Cairhyll.

"Bakit? May nakikita ba kayong di namin nakikita?" Cairhyll exaggerated her reaction while holding unto her chest.

"Meron," Ari said.

"Hala! " Cairhyll suddenly acted nahihilo.

"Baliw," I told her.

"Yung nang iwan na Cole Archie Sanchez pangalan," Zai bluntly said. We all think na the main reason why Cairhyll didn't allow anyone to court her anymore is because she's waiting for Cole. We usually joke about her that Cole is here. I thought Zai is joking but I realized she's not when Ari tapped my shoulder to look at the direction where Rhyll's looking at.

I saw Cole standing and watching us. When I turned to see Cairhyll, tears pooled in her eyes. We were about to attend to her but she quickly left. We didn't chase after her because we know that she needs space. She'll open up to us soon when she can already control her emotions. She hates it when others see her crying but no matter how hard she tries to stay jolly and alive, we can always see through her.

"I guess, masakit pa din para sa kanya," Ari said.

"Yeah, I hate people leaving without goodbyes," Sav said. She even looked like she would tear up already. I guess puwede na din siya maging artista. She just have to think of shallow thoughts as long as sad siya kahit di siya super sad, iiyakan niya yan.

I felt that my phone vibrated so I checked it and I saw seven new messages. I think I know the person...

Rhyll: Iyah! Sorry hindi pala kita nagreet. Uwi nako. Parang kailangan ko ng fresh air. Congrats!

Rhyll: Congrats!

Rhyll: Congrats!

Rhyll: Congrats!

Rhyll: Congrats!

Rhyll: Congrats!

Rhyll: Congrats! :)

Me: Thank you! It's fine lang, Rhyll. I understand. I know you need space :) Everything will be okay.

"Gaga talaga to si Cairhyll! Naisip pa number seven kahit nasasaktan na siya," Zai complained. "Nakakabaliw ba masaktan?" Avril asked.

I was shocked na binabasa na pala nilang lahat yung mga text ni Cairhyll. I didn't even notice them move!

"Yeah, sometimes you get lost and you can't recognize yourself anymore," Sav answered Avril's concern.

"Di mo pa kasi nararanasan," Ari added.

"Ayaw kong maranasan. Natatakot akong maging baliw. I saw all of you in your crazy state. Ako lang ang hindi naging baliw," Avril proudly said.

"Magiging pa kasi," I told her but she didn't know what to reply anymore. I know she would also realize that she could already have her own definition of love. I just wish that it won't hurt that much. I can't say na it won't hurt because.....

"You risk when you love. Loving also means enduring pain," I sincerely told Avril.

"Parang natakot ako bigla," Avril stated.

"You may fail to notice but you're willing to sacrifice na pala," Xia told Avril.

It's funny because we are like doing a lecture about love to Av. She can almost do everything but when you would want to ask for advice about love, wala kang mapapala sa kanya.

*******

I woke up early because of the texts I received from Tita A, my mother agent in Mode Exquise.

Tita A: Good morning Iyah! Mode Exquise recommended you to be part of a magazine! Narelease na yung picture ng Summer Collection niyo ni Daron! Ang hot niyo tignan! Bilis! Check it! Mukhang kayo pa din para sa magazine!

Halos manlaki ang mga mata ko sa nabasa kong texts from Tita. I didn't think of that! I totally forgot na release na pala ngayon! I hope di magkatotoo yung sinasabi niyang kami pa din ni Daron for the next magazine. I mean, I'm scared lang na he'll do things which will make me fall for him.

Me: Thanks for the info Tita! Good morning, din.

Huhu! I'm naging plastic tuloy. Pahiram ng Avril principles para di ako tuluyang maging bad!

Tita A: Punta ka dito! Ngayon din! They're deciding pa if si Gil ba or si Daron!

I really hurried there. I just wore an overall jumpsuit in the color olive green. It's like sando siya above and it's showing a lot of skin so I decided to wear a black tube under it. I paired the overall with black wedge. I realized na mas tumaas ako because of the heel I'm wearing. It's too high. Well, nagmamadali nga diba.

Me: Coming na Tita!

When I arrived, I didn't bother na to look where I'm stepping. I felt na the floor is so slippery. Pinagsisihan ko tuloy na dito ako dumaan. I closed my eyes because I know I'd fall in the floor na.

"Fuck! Be careful next time," I heard Daron's voice. I opened my eyes and I stood straight. He assisted me. Nakakahiya, Zariyah!

"Uhm...Thanks! Maybe I'd treat you nalang next time! I'm in a hurry! Thank you talaga!" I opened the door of the room.

"Good morning Iyah!" Tita A immediately greeted me.

"Good morning din Tita A," I went to her and then I hugged her. I also did the same to the staffs and I greeted the photographers too.

"Daron rejected the offer," I just smiled at Tita A when she said that. "Di niya nalaman sino yung partner niya," She added.

"Ako lang ba talaga? Or may choices pang iba?" I tried to ask Tita A.

"The agency decided on you, so ikaw if payag ka. This will be your first project!" Tita A seemed so happy with the thought.

"We need your partner to be hot! Kaya naman hirap na hirap yung handlers sa pagpili kung si Gil ba or Daron! My gosh ! Pareho silang hot!" She exclaimed.

"But, since Daron rejected the offer, si Gil ang magiging partner mo! I heard, nililigawan ka niya diba? And you two are good friends?" She went closer to me and inspected me for possible kahina hinala reactions. I just laughed when I heard what she said.

"Waaaah! Speaking of," Tita A quickly left me alone when she saw Gil approaching me. I greeted him good morning and then he kissed my cheek.

"First project with me, huh?" I just smiled at him. I think it's better pag si Gil kaysa kay Daron. Kakaposin yata ako ng hininga pag si Daron.

I checked my phone and my eyes widened when I saw Sav's message just now.

Sav: Hi Iyah! Apologies :) Take a look!

She forwarded me her message to Daron.

Sav: Hey Daron! Iyah's accepting the offer about the magazine thing. I've heard na kasali ka sa mga pinagpipilian?

I quickly typed a message to her.

Me: Sav! What the hell?

"What's wrong?" Gil asked me. He noticed yata na di ako mapalagay. That's why pala Daron was leaving because he rejected the offer. I think he won't come din naman.

"Nothing," I gave him a smile so that I can assure him that everything is fine.

"So final na yung models?" A handler asked. The door suddenly opened revealing Daron.

"Mas lalong nawala yung epekto ng aircon!Ang init," Tita A shouted. Then, everyone laughed.

"Yes, Daron? Bumalik ka. May nakalimutan?" A staff asked him. He just nodded.

"Ano? Ipapa search and rescue natin," The staff inquired again.

Daron laughed and then whispered something to the staff which made the staff smile and nodded. She looked at my direction.

"I'm accepting the offer," Daron suddenly said. It made the whole room noisy.

"So? Iyah?," Tita A turned to me.

" Who do you prefer?" What? Why do they suddenly transfer the spotlight to me?

"Either," I just answered to be fair to both. Kahit na mas gusto kong si Gil ang maging partner ko, I can't voice it out because I'd be unfair.

"So, let's see then kung kanino mas bagay yung posisyon," a staff suggested.

"Ngayon na! Maaga pa naman," Tita A said.

"May lakad kayo?" She asked us. The three of us said no so it was a go signal for them to start moving.

When everyone agreed, Tita ordered us to change into swim suits. She gave me a black two piece. Nung tapos na ako, inayos na nila yung buhok ko. Then, they placed light makeup since its like beach theme din naman.

I walked towards a chair near the two models and I noticed that Daron scanned my body. I suddenly felt conscious and my face heated. I'm far but he still has that effect on me. This is not getting any better.

He looked mad at what I'm wearing. Do I even have a choice? What? The question should be. Do I even care? Get a hold on yourself, Zariyah! You're not falling for a playboy!

"So, Gil at Iyah kayo muna," Tita's assistant escorted us and told us our pose. I glance at Daron and I saw him looking at my every move.

Tita placed my hand on Gil's shoulders while Gil snaked his hand on my waist.

"Shit," I heard Daron cussed.

"Very Good!" The photographer shouted.

"Daron, please come over!" Tita A called Daron.

He didn't need instructions anymore. He snaked his hands on my waist so I also did it around his neck. I froze when he moved closer to my neck and acted like he's smelling it. Is he really like this?

"Perfect!" The photographer said.

The voting started and it ended up the same. I'm really nervous about this. If it would be Daron, that means I have to work with him for a long time and I have to deal with my heart. The president of Mode Exquise was asked for his opinion.

Right now, he's looking at the photos and then he smiled at one.

"I can say you really are good models,"He started. Why is he slowing everything down? Can he just say kung sino ba talaga ang napili niya?

"You can be paired with anyone and your performance remains your best," He added.

"It's my pleasure having you as models in this agency. I'm very pleased. When, I stared at this photo, I smiled. Wanna know why? Because it reminded me of those moments where I was so possessive with my wife," He slowly turned the camera and showed us the picture.

I think I'd have to prepare myself......

The picture is Daron and me. Oh, no.....

******************************************

#ForeverYours #ForeignGirlsSeries1

A/N: The name of Zariyah is from my real name. I just shuffled the letters :)

Haha! Payag naman pala si Daron! I think may update bukas :) Love lots!

-Pinkish_3007