Tyrone and I spent our three days resting and doing something fun. And when I say fun, it was more of arguing about petty things like what to eat and what to wear.

Hindi talaga kami makaka-survive nang hindi kami nagtatalo.

8 AM to 10 PM ang schedule ng coverage ng La Mari for the actual competition so a day before the official launching of the event, and we have to go to Injap Tower near St. Francis for the stay. That was the hotel we were supposed to stay and may room na designated for the contestants ng event. Kaso kahit si Tyrone, alam na dudumugin ang kuwarto ko roon ng media kaya nagpa-book pa talaga siya ng Executive Suite sa Tower Wing ng EDSA Shangri-La four days ahead of the competition.

In the middle of the freaking night, kailangan naming bumiyahe ni Tyrone para lang hindi kami maharang ng press sa kalsada. Aware naman ang lahat na hindi ako umatras for La Mari after what happened to me because of Jomari Lianno.

The busy highways weren't as busy as during its daytime state kaya from Taytay, sobrang bilis na ng fifty minutes para makarating sa Shangri-La. Malinis ang kalsada, at iilang private cars na lang ang makikita sa daan. But still, it was a business center so I already expected na sobrang dami pa ring gising na employees in the middle of the night.

Pagkatapos ibigay ni Tyrone ang kotse niya sa valet, may bellboy na naka-black polo ang kumuha ng mga bagahe naming dala na good for six days kung tutuusin. Apat na maleta rin 'yon kahit na for three days lang naman talaga kami.

I missed the grand atmosphere of hotels. I find myself in an awkward place since alas-onse pasado na ng gabi pero naka-shades pa rin ako samantalang ang dilim-dilim nga sa paligid. I wore a black face mask and a black coat for my incognito mode. Sinabi naman na namin sa security kung sino ako so hindi na nila pinilit na alisin ang mask and shades ko para hindi ako ma-report.

The whole place was lit with yellow-dimmed lights to establish a warmer feeling sa loob ng hotel. We headed to the Horizon Club on the 14th floor. Dumeretso kami sa lounge and the hallway was colder kahit pa warm tone ang gamit nilang lightings.

Since may recommended dress code sa lounge, as much as possible, we need to wear smart casual attire.

Sumaglit kami sa may garden wing para makausap ang isang staff doon na magha-handle ng press once na malaman nilang nandito ako sa Shangri-La bago kami dumeretso sa Tower Wing.

Eight in the morning ang start at dapat natutulog na 'ko, yet here we are, preparing for an expected event na nagiging unexpected na habang tumatagal.

The room was a beige-and-salmon-toned interior. The floor was made of floral-designed carpet and in front was a long glass window showing a magnificent view of Manila cityscape. May full-size, oval-shaped executive writing desk sa kanan katabi ng wooden side table na may nakabukas na lamp. May single couch na nakatalikod sa window view katabi ng gray sofa at 50-inch smart TV. Isa lang ang kama pero queen-sized naman kaya kahit pa magtabi kami ni Tyrone, wala namang problema.

Nakatabi na sa may dresser ang mga maleta namin at wala akong balak maglabas ng damit doon sa ngayon, so I guess either mag-uutos si Ty o siya na ang gagawa.

"Puwede ka pang mag-back out," sabi ni Tyrone na hindi ko alam kung nang-aasar lang ba o seryoso siya na pasukuin ako sa last minute.

Naghubad na lang ako ng napakainit na leather coat at ibinato iyon sa may couch.

Napapangiti na lang ako sa sarili ko. Kinakapa ko ang pakiramdam ko pero wala akong maramdaman.

"I hate it every time na naghahanap ako ng kaba, wala akong maramdaman. I dunno, I'm not that excited to be here, I guess."

He went near me and stood in front of me but not blocking my view of the window full of city lights. Hinawi niya ang buhok ko sa may kanang pisngi at sinilip ang benda kong nakatakip doon.

"Once I saw you in pain, I'll take you out of your warzone."

Marahan kong in-uppercut ang baba niya gamit ang kanang kamao ko. "Once you see me in pain, wait until I get back. That's not your battle, that's mine."

I lightly punched his chest and went to my things. I have to choose the best outfit for tomorrow's event.

♥♥♥

Call time for the designers was six in the morning. Seven, dapat naka-ready na ang mga gagamitin for the clothes. And since the event was sponsored with different names in the industry, five pa lang ng madaling-araw, sobrang dami nang camera sa kung saan-saan sa may Square.

The whole square wasn't a room. It was a huge activity area na madalas gamitin kapag may concerts or mall shows. The whole floor and the rest of the top floors were full of bazaars na madalas gamitin ng fashion designers, fashion shops, coutures, and some artists kapag nagbebenta sila ng mga damit at gamit nila. Every Christmas sale, sobrang sikat ng Square na 'to kasi dinadayo talaga for dresses.

May malaking fiber glass wall sa apat na sulok ng activity area. May open gate for the entrance. Sa loob ay may kanya-kanyang station ang bawat designer na kasali at umabot lang kaming lahat sa 18 designers na maglalaban-laban for La Mari's Fashion, Apparel, and Garment Design. Out of 83 registrants, 18 lang ang nakapasa sa preliminary assessments nila.

Naging mahigpit sila sa registration kasi kinailangang mag-provide ng portfolio. Wala akong issues sa portfolio pero sure na may issues ang ibang designers for that, especially those aspirants na wala pang background sa industry. Isa sa minimum requirements nila ang three years of service sa fashion industry or garment-related field.

If confirmed ang background ng contestant, hindi pa siya makakapasa for the final qualifications kasi hihingan sila ng sponsors. Isa 'to sa naging unfair na part ng La Mari for the other contestant na sila pa dapat ang maghahanap ng support nila financially to provide them their materials. Ang mahal ng mats, ang mahal ng fabric, ang mahal ng rhinestones. If you were a millionaire or something, you can have all that on your own. If not, you definitely need a sponsor.

I can provide for myself, pero for this competition, I was sponsored by Tyrone Chen, not for Lion Fashion management, but for Li-Shang Metro branch. Isa ito sa napagkasunduan namin noong pumayag siya na once manalo ako, included siya sa recognition na matatanggap ko. I said okay lang. After all, lahat naman ng achievements ko, naroon siya. He deserves that recognition as well.

I was the 18th contestant na huling nagpa-register sa competition na approved after my sponsorship, at ang contestant din na hindi pa sigurado ng lahat kung pupunta ba kahit na nag-announce na ako ng apperance.

"Ang daming tao. Are you sure you're gonna be okay?" bulong ni Tyrone habang nakatambay kami sa may second floor katabi ng escalator. In case na kailangan nang bumaba, hindi na kami makikipagsiksikan doon kasama ng mga press.

"I can't guarantee anything. But if something worst happens, wait until I gave up or wait until I passed out."

8 a.m. at wala pang tao sa square nang ganitong time. 10 a.m. ang opening pero mukhang isinara muna nila sa public ang activity area para lang dito.

Wala pa kaming ibang audience maliban sa mga press na nakaabang na. Nagmo-monitor din ang security para sa mga press na hindi naman talaga magko-cover as fashion insiders kundi for showbiz issues lang related kay Jomari Lianno at sa akin.

Ang daming guards sa labas pa lang kaya sana ma-filter nila nang maayos.

"I'll be seating at the second level beside your station," Ty said while pointing the empty Post 18. "If you need help, just call me on the audience."

"If I will be needing you."

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We're calling the attention of all the contestants, please stand by for the announcement of La Mari's Summer Fashion Competition's official opening. We'll be starting the competition within ten minutes."

Hinahanap ko kung sino ang announcer at naroon ang nagsasalita sa magkakatabing speaker sa labas ng glass wall.

Hinaharangan ang area ng metal baricades na pinatungan ng black cloth. Nagsisipuntahan na roon ang ibang mga designer kasama ang mga sponsor nila.

Napahugot ako ng hininga nang makita ko ang namumukod-tanging white cashmere sa wooden pole na pinapasok kasabay ng mga tela ng ibang designers.

"My fabrics are already here," I whispered loudly for Tyrone. Ibinaba ko pa ang face mask ko bago ko siya tiningnan. "I should go. Wish me luck."

Before I could hear his response, he just held my left cheek and planted a soft kiss on my cherry-balmed lips. "You don't need the luck, I know you can do better them."

I smiled sweetly and before I returned the kiss for a temporary goodbye, a flash of a camera caught our attention.

Pagtingin ko sa ibaba, karamihan na ng mga camera, nakatutok na sa 'min. Lumalakas ang bulungan doon at mukhang nakita na nila 'ko.

"You should definitely go," sabi ni Tyrone at inalalayan na 'ko pababa ng escalator.

"Miss Cinnamon de Chavez!"

"Cinnamon!"

"Madame!"

Sinalubong na kami ng naglalakihang mga security personnel na nakasuot ng white uniforms para harangin ang media.

"Keep your medicines in you, Cin!" paalala agad ni Tyrone bago siya harangin ng guard. Nakalingon lang ako sa kanya habang patuloy ako sa pagpasok sa loob ng activity area.

The designers I would be competing with wore simple black shirts and slacks according to the dress code of the competition. And here I was, wearing a black leather coat with a fur collar and black pants. I couldn't wear a T-shirt or something na fit kaya umasa na lang ako sa tank top na kayang isara using zipper.

They all looked at me like I was a supervisor of this event. Sobrang tipid ng mga ngiti nila sa 'kin at sa iba, pilit na pilit pa. But what made me smirk was the raised brow of my favorite nemesis—Petunia Adarna.

At last, bitch.

She's the 10th contestant of this competition. I raised my brow as well habang naglalakad palapit sa kanya papunta sa huling puwesto ng mga nakahilerang designer.

"Iba talaga kapag masamang damo, ang tatagal mamatay," parinig niya bago pa 'ko makalapit.

"Contestant Number 18, please remove your coat."

Tuloy-tuloy lang akong naglakad habang hinuhubad ang coat ko. Napangisi na lang ako nang mapatapat kay Petunia saka ko ibinato sa production staff na humahabol sa akin ang damit ko.

"Welcome to hell, de Chavez."

"You have no right to welcome me in my territory, bitch. I own the place."

The flashes of the camera surrounded my path after I removed my coat. Kitang-kita ng lahat kung gaano pa karaming sugat at natitirang pasa ang natamo ko sa ginawa ni Jomari Lianno kahit isang buwan na ang nakalilipas.

Obviously, kayang-kaya kong ipanalo 'to kung wala akong masamang nararamdaman. Bibigyan ko na sila ng partida. Kapag natalo ako rito, I could blame my wounds for not functioning well. Kapag nanalo ako rito, I could regain what was lost for the past four months of my dreadful life. Walang mawawala sa 'kin kung career ang pag-uusapan.

Pagtabi ko sa huling designer sa pila, biglang lumakas ang background music at mukhang magsisimula na ang opening ng competition.

"Welcome to La Mari's Fashion, Apparel, and Garment Design Competition," the lady in the background announced. Before the event started, nag-flag ceremony muna for the national anthem, and La Mari's head of the committee led the prayer.

"La Mari's Fashion, Apparel, and Garment Design Awards is a two-phase competition. The first phase of the competition is free to enter. Fashion designers, fashion brands, stylists, couturiers, fashion houses, tailors, outfitters, and garment manufacturers can register at La Mari Awards to submit a work for the Fashion Awards, and get a preliminary score for their projects. Projects that pass the preliminaries can proceed with nomination along with their models."

Sobrang tagal na rin.

Ang tagal na noong una kong naramdaman na hindi kabahan sa isang competition na dapat kinakabahan ako.

I dunno. Walang pressure. Walang stressful expectations. Walang ibang dahilan kung bakit ako nandito kundi iiwan ko na ang buhay ko noon para magsimula ulit ng panibago.

Wala akong ibang nakikita ngayon kundi ang exit sa impyernong ginawa ko. Gusto ko na lang makaalis kung saan ko ikinulong ang sarili ko noon.

"The La Mari Fashion, Apparel, and Garment Design Awards includes: design excellence certificate, lifetime license to use the La Mari Fashion, Apparel, and Garment design awards winner logo, yearbook of best designs, exhibitions of awarded works in Italy, exclusive design award trophy, two-person invitation to take part in the La Mari Awards' Gala-Night, translation of awarded works into foreign languages, entry to prime clubs, as well as inclusion in World Design Rankings, designer rankings, fashion design classifications, and design legends platforms."

"In addition the Fashion Design Awards winners will also get an exclusive interview which will be published at Designer Interviews website as well as included in the Press Kits. Award winners will also get a press release prepared to announce their victory."

I tried to check the faces of my co-contestants and they were all serious while announcing what we will receive after this competition. Then, my eyes shifted on the far end of the glass wall and saw Tyrone watching me while I wasn't giving my focus on the announcer's words.

Itinuro pa niya ang nag-a-announce sa gitna namin na may hawak na cue card. Inuutusan pa yata akong makinig. Hindi ko naman kailangan ang mga sinasabi nito.

At this moment, we weren't just a representative of a famous fashion company in the country. He wasn't my boss. I wasn't an employee. We were just us.

He's Tyrone Chen, a sponsor of this competition, and I'm Cinnamon de Chavez, a fashion designer. Nothing more.

"Please head to your designated post so we can start the competition proper."

Isa-isa na kaming pinapasok sa loob ng activity area. Nauna si Number 1 sa left side, sunod si Number 2 sa right side. Nilakad namin ang aisle at wala akong ibang sinusundan ng tingin kundi ang kabila ng glass wall. Tyrone was walking toward his seat on the audience at paminsan-minsan, sumusulyap siya sa 'kin habang sinasalubong ang ibang taong kanina pa nakaupo sa dinaraanan niya.

Ganito rin naman kami noong mga unang tapak ko sa competition—mga panahong tanga pa 'ko sa mga nangyayari sa industriya. Mga panahong naniniwala pa 'kong pangarap ang mag-aakyat sa 'kin sa pedestal.

Pero hinatak ako ng bangungot paibaba. Sinira ako ng ambisyon ko. Nagiba na ang pedestal na pinangarap ko. Pero kung may hindi nagbago roon, iyon na malamang na kapag tumitingin ako sa lahat ng nanonood sa akin, isang tao lang talaga ang nakikita ko. At kung sermunan man niya ako mula sa audience, hindi na ako magtataka.

Huminto ako sa Post 18 at eksaktong huminto na rin si Ty sa isang blangkong upuan doon for the VIP audience. He raised his right fist to cheer me up and confidently smiled at me. I tried not to grin para hindi mabanat ang pisngi ko.

Mula sa puwesto ko, pagtingin ko sa harap, may malaking screen pala roon na showing ang live coverage ng event. And there I was, smiling on the left part of the divided screen and Tyrone was on the right side of it searching for the camera na nakatutok sa kanya.

Narinig ko ang sound ng speaker sa corner malapit sa amin.

"Looks like the former power couple of Lion Fashion enjoys this event more than anyone else here," a male announcer pointed out, and they were on the lower part of the screen giving their side comments. Napapabagal tuloy ang kilos ko sa pagkuha ng mga gamit sa material box.

"I'm sure of that, Gary. And it's really a surprise to see the Lioness back on track despite of her medical condition. We can still see her wounds, so the medic needs to standby in case of emergency."

Mukhang iikot sa 'kin ang usapan nila sa opening pa lang. Kinapa ko agad sa bulsa ng pants ko ang maliit na medicine container saka ipinatong sa working table.

I really need to do this as fast as I could, or else, I couldn't finish it kahit gustuhin ko man.

Sumulyap na naman ako kay Tyrone na komportableng nanonood sa audience habang nakakrus ang mga braso.

Napakuha agad ako ng malinis na sketch paper at pencil saka nagsulat. Sumaglit ako ng daan sa glass wall na katabi lang ng fabric na dapat kong ilapit sa mesa ko.

Malakas kong itinapal sa salamin ang papel saka ko siya hinamon ng tingin.

"I'll take that fucking trophy for you, Tyrone Chen. Watch me."

Loud giggles rose from the audience and the crowd started to cheer for both of us.

They want a good show. I'll show them what a good show should be like.

♥♥♥