Chapter 14

For the past couple of days, Cashel and I are on good terms. Kapag sinabi kong good terms, ibigsabihin we kissed and made out in the eyes of the public para lang masabing totoo ang for-show naming relationship.

I mean, it's not bad. Lagi akong may libre halik galing kay Cashel. Hindi ko na kailangan pa ng leading man para lang may makahalikan ako. Cashel would do it for me kahit walang director's cue and somehow, I'm loving it. Gano'n siguro talaga kapag tuyot na tuyot ang acting career.

Though upon thinking it, I know I should be separating what we were doing to what I actually feel for him. I kinda feel bad not telling him about it pero baka ako pa ang umasa sa huli. At sana nandito naman ako para sa trabaho at hindi makipaglaplapan sa kung sino-sino.

The thing about Cashel and I are blossoming in the social media world. I'm afraid that one of these days, my family will contact me to ask what's happening. Nakahanda na rin naman ang magiging paliwanag ko, ayoko lang silang biglain at ma-disappoint.

I'm still not worried about it. Parang wala lang sa akin ang pakulo na ito ni Cashel. Though he's not giving me enough benefits bukod sa paghigop niya sa akin, other than that, his company is great pero alam kong may kulang pa. I'm not leaning to have a relationship with him dahil imposible pang mangyari 'yon. Cashel must have girls reserved for him. He's not the type of person who sticks to one, he's nice, caring, and gentle but all good boys always snitch dirty things behind their backs. And Cashel might be, too.

Since the night Cashel kissed me, my followers on Instagram kept on rising. I didn't manifest for this to happen. I didn't ask for a new break for my career. I'm not expecting someone will pull me out of my misery. Maybe, after all, Cashel is an angel in disguise—I'm not seeing it but he kinda looks like a Greek God in some way.

 Cosette Pelleprose Calafiore — 403k followers

I've only had less than ten or five thousand when I came to Paris but girl, something's really going on right now. When I check Cashel's profile, he frantically jumped over a million followers now. That's how fast it can go kapag palaging nagte-trending o kaya naman laman ng social media. Hindi pa ako nalalagay sa ganitong posisyon no'n, so this is new to me.

Napansin ko naman ang following count nito. It's only a few accounts at mostly mga brands pa, bihira lang ang mga personalities, and then something caught my eye on the very first account he followed.

AmaureeWines. The account is private so I have no idea who it is but I'm sure it's maybe a fan of him, or friend, or a relative. Maybe in one of those options. But I shouldn't bother about it. Cashel and I are on an agreement at hindi naman niya ako hahalikan ng basta basta kung may commitment siya sa ibang tao.

If he cares for his image, he wouldn't kiss a nobody like me. Ngayon pa lang nare-realize kong effective nga ang public stunt na ginagawa namin ngayon. Sa dami ng emails at DMs na natatanggap ko ngayon for sponsors, hindi ko na alam kung anong uunahin ko.

Cashel slips a piece of advice about it. I-entertain ko lang daw iyong mga products or brands na pasok sa preferences ko. Though ang karamihan lang naman ng mga brands na nagme-message sa akin ay magpapadala ng kanilang mga products na equivalent for Instagram posting. At dahil nagsismula pa lang din naman ako sa ganitong kalakaran, kung anong nagustuhan ko, sila ang tinatanggap ko. Marami na akong na-approve at hinihitay ko na lang dumating sa akin ang mga product nila.

Cashel also said that it is his job now. He's an architect student but eventually got dropped out of college in his last year because modeling knock on his door. Nasasayangan lang ako sa kanya ro'n pero kung saan naman siya masaya at kumikita, that should make him happy or if not, he should finish his degree pero sa tingin ko wala na sa isip niya 'yon.

May isa pa siyang binanggit which I already have an idea of, kahit hindi na magtrabaho ng ibang bagay ang mga influencers, hindi na problema sa kanila 'yon.

And back in the Philippines, ang problema ko ay paano ako mata-target ng mga brands para lang mag-sponsor ako ng mga product nila. Ni isa walang DM's or email sa akin. Naiinggit lang ako sa mga kasabayan kong artista na halos every taping may mga dala dalang paper bag na ipinadala raw ng sponsors. Pero pinalampas ko na lang 'yon. Pero nakakainggit dahil hindi nila pino-problema ang pera pero ako kailangan kong kumayod para lang may kumita ako.

And now that everything is turning around, tila ako naman ang nasa ibabaw ngayon at maraming naghahabol, ewan ko na lang talaga sa mga taong sinayang ako. Ngayong napapansni na ako, lumalaki na rin ang talent fee.

Cosette Calafiore, an international social media influencer. Lumaki ba ang ulo ko? Nope. I'm just living the moment I didn't ask for in Paris.

At for sure, nalamangan ko na iyong mga dukha sa Pilipinas. Tapak-tapakan pa nila ang aking character, ngayon hindi nila ako mahihila pababa. I'll keep rising like a phoenix.

My phone rings and I answered it while waiting outside the building. Good thing, Minetta wasn't around. Though she keeps coming at me like I'm a liar. Seriously, jealousy became her ultimate fashion and she likes wearing it when I'm around her.

"Cash?" I started when I placed my phone on my ear.

"Hey, Cosette, where are you now?"

"I'm outside the building. Waiting for you. Nasaan ka na ba?"

"I just got out of the apartment. Papunta pa lang ako. I just waited for Adie to come home, we'll be going to Boujolais tomorrow so I need to tell her something about it."

"Sure... pero mabilis ka lang naman ano?"

"Yup. I'll be there in ten or fifteen. And please, don't bail on me and take the metro. We're going to meet Trudy. She's expecting us, okay?"

"Okay, I can wait here naman." Nang mahagip ng mata ko ang isang lalaking papalapit sa akin, hindi ko magawang makapag-concentrate dahil bigla akong nabahala. He's also holding a camera. He's a paparazzi but he's not Toro. Nakakasanayan ko na si Toro pero ang isang 'to, I've never seen him before.

"Hey, Cosette, are you okay?"

"Oui," tatango-tango kong sagot sa kanya. "It's just that... Oh my god! Stop! Bastos!"I exclaimed and shoved the paparazzi's hand on my chest. Umatras ako papalayo sa kanya at halos yakapin ko na ang sarili ko. "C-Cash..." I stuttered.

"Cosette? What's happening?!" he yelled, he's panicking, concerned and I hope nothing bad will happen to him.

"Stop coming at me! You're harassing me!" I shouted pero mukhang hindi niya naiintindihan ang sinasabi ko. May ilang taong napapalingon sa amin pero nilalagpasan lang nila kami o kaya naman ay kinukuhaan nila ako ng video. "Stop taking pictures of me!" I tried to smack him with my bag pero dahil ayokong lumapit sa kanya.

He keeps coming at me and then I couldn't focus on my phone right now and tell Cashel what's happening. But my hands are shaking but I feel like every part of my body is shaking right now. My anxiety goes higher and I feel like I'm hitting a critical level.

"One last shot," he demanded and then he moves closer to me.

I prepared my weight was about to jump on him and smack him on his face when someone pulled me off the sidewalk. I didn't get to see his face when he gave me a helmet that fits my head and when he hopped in his motorbike, I did the same thing.

"Hug me if you want," he said and I wrapped my arms around his waist and then he started riding it fast until we're out of the Rue de Entrepreneurs and I have no idea where he'll bring me. Ang gusto ko lang din ay makaalis sa manyak na paparazzi na 'yon. At habang papalayo kami ng papalayo ay nakakahinga na ako ng maluwag at doon ko lang na-realize na ibang tao pala iyong humila sa akin at sumagip doon sa manyak na iyon.

When this mysterious guy dropped me off the Champ de Mars where it is a public space so he thinks that I'll be safe around here. Hindi ko siya nakilala kanina dahil may suot siyang mask. Hindi rin naman malayong si Cashel din ito but on the way he stood and his voice, he sounds so gentle rather than Cashel.

Nang bumaba ako ng motorbike niya at muntik pa akong matumba dahil medyo may kataasan iyon. Dahan dahan ko namang inalis ang helmet sa ulo ko pero tinulungan na niya akong tanggalin ang pagkakahapit nito sa ulo ko.

"There you go, thanks," ngiti ko pa sa kanya at inayos ng bahagya ang buhok niya.

Hindi pa rin naman niya inaalis ang suot niyang mask. I'm kinda wondering what he looks like. Kasi kapag mga ganitong get-up, hindi malayong mapagkamalang sangkot ito sa riding-in-tandem. Pero mukhang hindi naman siya masamang tao na may masamang intension. He actually smells nice, mukhang mamahaling brand ang gamit nito. At saka no'ng humapit ang braso ko sa katawan niya, I can tell, yummy siya.

"Pas de problème," he chuckles.

"Thanks ulit," ngiwi ko pa at hindi ko alam kung paano ako makakapagpasalamat pa sa kanya. He literally saved me from that paparazzi. Nakakasar lang kung iisipin ko pa 'yong nangyaring iyon. What he did was harassment and I feel so humiliated and horrified.

"I guess you're not from here?" he asked the way he speaks in English is cute. Slang siya pero understandable.

"I'm not but I work here," sagot ko sa kanya.

"And why are you being followed by a Paparazzi?"

"I guess..." I composed a message in my head. Pa'no ko ba sasabihin 'to sa kanya? "Je ne sais pas."

"Vraiment?" he wondered. And the moment of truth when he finally—slowly removing his helmet and then his mask. Literal na natulala ako sa kanya. Ngayon ko lang din natitigan ng maayos ang kanyang mga mata. He has chestnut brown eyes and his curly brown hair and his smiles are worth dying for. "Can I know your name, Mademoiselle?"

"Oh, I'm Cosette. Cosette Calafiore," pagpapakilala ko.

"Enchantee, Cosette. Je suis Chevalier Fitzgerald, but most people call me Chevy,"

"Enchante, Chevy," ngiti ko pa sa kanya at nakipagbeso ako. Siguro wala namang masama. It's kind of their thing naman din dito, might as well sulitin ko na habang may chance pa ako. "Again, thank you for pulling me out of that scene, I feel so nervous. I'm still trying to get a grip but it's too much for me."

"Well, I'm glad that I've got to save you from that disgusting human being. Don't worry, not all French people are like him. You don't me know me so there's more to it."

Bahagya akong natawa sa sinabi niya. At nakuha ko pang humarot ah?

"Are you sure that you're fine alone here? I can stay with you here until you feel okay?"

Umiling ako. Masyado na akong abusado kung papahintayin ko siya rito sa tabi ko. "No, I'm fine, I will be, thank you though, I really appreciate it."

"De rien, Mademoiselle, see you around?"

"Sure!"

"Genial," and then he kissed me both cheeks again before he put his mask on and his helmet and ride away.

Napahugot naman ako ng malalim na hininga nang mawala siya sa paningin. Was I in love? Nakakaloka. I have an agreement with Cashel pero nasa ibang lalaki ngayon ang isip ko. But he save me so I think he's a very nice person. Sana nga lang magkita ulit kami sa susunod. Kung kasing tapang lang ako ni Cashel na nanglaplap ng taong hindi kakilala, I would've done the same thing but because I still have mu decency, pretty much, lalaki dapat ang hahabol sa akin.

And then I forgot about Cashel. He's calling so I quickly answered his call.

"Cosette? Where are you now? I just went to your school. You're not there anymore. Where have you gone?"

"Don't panic but someone harassed me there. A paparazzi. Someone just saved and help me. He dropped me off here in Champs de Mars. It's near the Eiffel Tower. Are you going to pick me up now?"

"Of course, I'm near so wait for me," aniya. "And don't drop the call until you see me."

Hindi ko naman binaba ang tawag at nagsimula na akong magkwento sa kanya sa nangyari habang hinihintay ko siyang dumating. Base sa tono ng mga sagot niya sa akin, galit siya at gusto niyang manakit. Hindi rin katagalan ay nahanap na niya ako. Nagmadali naman siyang bumaba ng sasakyan niya at patakbo niya akong pinuntahan. At that moment, maraming nakapansin sa kanya. Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit. I know this is for a show but I also need it.

"I'm glad you're okay," he muttered between his breath. "I'm gonna fucking kill that paparazzi who harassed you. We're going to press charges."

Nang umalis naman siya sa pagkakayakap sa akin ay napansin naming nagsisimula nang magkumpulan ang mga tao sa paligid namin.

"I think we need to leave now, mamaya na lang natin pag-usapan," aniko.

Sumunod si Cashel sa request ko. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko habang papunta kami sa sasakyan niay. He secured getting me first inside his car and then he get in. Saglit lang din ay pinatakbo na ni Cashel ang sasakyan.

At this moment, I know he cares a lot for me, not just because I'm a girl and my privacy got violated, alam kong hindi basta bastang lalaki si Cashel. Minsan mukha siyang tanga pero kapag unti-unti na siyang nakikilala, he's not dumb as hell. He's more than that. He just doesn't worry about himself or his image, Cashel might really be the perfect guy. Sadly, aside from knowing him, we're just acting.

Papunta kaming dalawa ngayon sa place ni Trudy Kamakala. We're heading just around the 7th arrondissement. We were invited to her home para ma-settle na ang agreement namin na maging front cover sa next month issue ng magazine nila. Hers was my first engagement from my sponsor's kaya naman ito ang magbubukas ng marami pang opportunity sa akin.

Hindi rin naman katagalan ng makarating kami kung saan nakatira si Trudy. Cashel mentioned that Truly lives in an expensive duplex apartment costs forty million euros and I was left speechless and we come inside, Trudy's staff let us in and we were ultimate can't say a word other than wow. Everything is filled with white and gold. Even the ceiling has authentic designs. Glass chandeliers and luxurious furniture are places around the room. Pakiramdam ko mahirap gumalaw dito at marumihan ang paligid. This place is totally worth forty million euros.

We were escorted to wait outside Trudy's office dahil may kausap pa raw ito kaya naman nanatili kaming dalawa ni Cashel sa wing couch.

"Hey Cosette, do you remember the face of that paparazzi?"

Tumango naman ako. "I do but I don't have any photos of him pero at that moment, may ilang taong dumadaan at kinukuhaan nila iyong nangyari kanina. I just hope those pictures will come out para may proof ako."

"Yeah, we'll surely wait for that," pagsang-ayon nito at kanyang kinulong ang kamao niya sa palad niya. "If I was there, I'll definitely knock that guy's face. Dudukutin ko ang mata no'n."

"Sana nga you're there agad," buntong-hininga ko pa.

"I'm sorry, Cosette, I just need to—"

I cut his sentence before he could finish it. "No, it's fine. Priority mo naman talaga ang kapatid mo at mabuti na rin 'yong may tumulong sa akin kanina."

"Yeah, about that, you didn't mention who is it?"

"His name is Chevalier—I mean, he pronounced it like she-va-ye. And I guess he's a modern kind of knight, he's riding on a bike rather than a white horse."

"You don't like my Black Chiron?" he asked, arching his brow. Natawa naman ako ng bahagya roon. "Anyway, I'm not sure I know anyone who's name is Chevalier but thank him for helping you. Kudos to him."

"He's a beau," I giggled.

"Qoui?" his brow pulled together on my remarks.

Hindi na siya nakapagsalita pa ng buksan na ni Trudy two swing door sa harapan namin. Tumayo na kmaing dalawa ni Cashel saka lumapit sa kanya. She gave us kiss on both cheeks and invited us to come inside her office. Just like what we've seen earlier when we come into her apartment, pati ang floor ay carpeted.

Trudy instructed us to seat on the chair in front of her desk and then Cashel presented the documents we signed for our agreement. Tiningnan naman Trudy ang mga documents kung napirmahan na ba namin at saka niya pinirmahan ang mga iyon. When we finally concluded finalizing it, she lay down all our schedules where the photoshoot will happen. Good thing, hindi iyon sasagasa this weekend dahil pupunta kami nila Cashel sa Boujoulais. Trudy then excuses herself when she needs to attend an important call. Saglit lang din naman na binalikan niya kami ay pu-pwede na raw kaming umalis saka hindi na niya kami ma-e-entertain pa dahil kailangan niyang kausapin ang isa sa mga client niya.

Nagmadali na rin naman kaming lumabas ni Cashel sa apartment ni Trudy dahil ayaw naming mapagbintangan na may mawala o masira kami sa bahay niya. We can't pay million to her. Jusko. Saan ko naman pupulutin 'yon? I'm working my ass off here in Paris and I'm not going to be so clumsy with it.

We went straight back to his car and I feel exhausted already. Gusto ng bumagsak ng katawan ko sa maliit kong kama sa apartment ko. At kahit gano'n lang 'yon, it is my home and I wouldn't change it for anything.

"Where do you want to go?" Cashel asked when we finally settled inside the car.

I yawned. "Home, I guess? This day was too much for me."

"C'est vrai et je suis toujours désolé à ce sujet," he sighs.

"Don't be," inabot ko ang kamay niya. "I'm fine, but I'm hoping we can find that paparazzi again and press charges on him."

"Can I hug you?" Cashel asked out of nowhere.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko. "Uh... sure."

He then moves a little close to my side and reaches for me. His arms widened and enclosed it with a tight hug from him. He smells so nice. Pero parang mas mabango si Chevy sa kanya. Bu then I didn't mind how long we were hugging until he pulled himself out dahil may bigla siyang naalala.

May inabot siyang paper bag mula sa ilalim ng upuan niya at inabot niya sa akin iyon. It was a LV small paper bag. Nagdadalawang isip pa ako kung kukunin ko ba iyon sa aknya o hindi. But he insist so I took it.

"Galing din ba 'to sa mga fans mo? Ang galante nila. First, they gve me a Chanel tapos LV naman. What in the world?" tawa ko pa.

Cashel chuckled. "No, that didn't come from any of my fans. That was mine. I bought you that."

My brow arches. "Why would you do that?"

He shrugged off. "Just open it," he demanded.

And then when I took the item out of the paper bag, nang buksan ko ang pinaglalagyan nito ay  napauwang na lamang ang bibig ko ng makita ko iyon. Bumalik kay Cashel ang tingin ko at ngingitian niya lang ako. Muling bumalik ang mata ko sa item at hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. It is the same fake LV purse I had. This is a Dauphine chain wallet and it cost around two thousand dollars or more. Alam kong nakita niya iyong peke kong LV pero hindi ko naman inaasahang bibigyan niya ako ng original. Accepting these kinds of items from him is the last thing in my mind.

And then I had to give it back to Cashel. I'm handing it back to him.

"What are you doing? You don't like it?"

"I do, so much! But I can't take this, Cash. This is too much."

"If I'm going to take that back, who's going to use that? I can't let Adie use an expensive item in her school. She might lose it. And that's why I'm giving it to you."

"Cash kasi..."

"Don't worry how much many I paid for it, it doesn't matter," aniya pero hindi pa rin ako sumagot. "I'm not going to touch have it back. That's yours so please... say something."

And then I look at his face. He's a little worried about it. At pakiramdam ko, sa bawat araw na lumilipas, mas guma-gwapo ang tingin ko rito kay Cashel na hindi ko maipaliwanag. But to give him an answer, I guess there's only one thing I had in mind.

"This means much more than words," and then I hastily jumped myself on him and give him an intense kiss. And I surprised myself with what I did but maybe this is how we should end it. That we might seal everything in a kiss.

And just like that, Cashel's lips became an addiction for me.

***

#FrenchKissInParis14 #FKIP14

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