Chapter 20

"You can't deny it to me anymore, Cosette. Did you guys already fuck?" Minetta grinned viciously. I know she's only up of knowing that so I won't be giving any satisfaction to her curiosity.

Hinampas ko siya ng mahina sa braso niya. Kung pwede lang itulak ng hindi ako mare-report sa office, last week ko pa ginawa. But I keep being nice to her, we're not friends-friends pero matitiis ko pa naman siya. It's just to crazy to talk about it.

I shake my head at her. "No, Minetta. And why would I say a thing about it if we did? It's private stuff. People should mind their own business," simpleng patama ko sa kanya pero mukhang nakailag din siya kaagad kasi tinawanan niya pa ako.

"It's okay if you admit it or not, Cosette. Everyone's fucking around here," she laughed as if the conversation doesn't bother her. Napalinga-linga rin ako sa paligid at siniyat niya rin ang kapaligiran. And there were kids around us. Mabilis niya naman itinama ang kanyang ibigsabihin. "I mean, adults! These kids don't know about that thing and shouldn't until their legal age. People like us, what I mean, Cosette."

She felt humiliated defending her reason. 

"That's what I thought, Minetta," ngisi ko pa. "Next time, mind where you talk about that kind of stuff. Just like where we are now, kids shouldn't be hearing those stuff."

She pressed her lips. Napahawak siya sa gilid ng ulo niya saka napayuko at iiling-iling. May binubulong pa siya pero hindi ko na nakuha kung ano 'yon. She might be mumbling some curse french words.

Je suis desolee, Cosette," muli niyang pagpapaumanhin. Pero ramdam kong uulitin niya pang itanong iyon sa akin. 

Almost every day last week, hindi niya ako tinitigilan. She's also getting into my nerves but I keep being modest in front of her. She could still report me to the higher office if I ended up scratching her face.

"I think I'll be going back to my class now, they must be finished doing their stuff."

"Absolument," she said, but before I could turn my back on her, muli niyang tinawag ang pansin ko. "Wait, are you going to meet Cashel later? If you are, can you please say hi to me and give me a follow back on my Instagram? I would totally real out if you say that, s'il te plaît?"

"Je vais essayer, Minetta," I said, finally turning my back from her. Hopefully, tinigilan na rin niya ako sa susunod na araw. Medyo nakakairita na rin kasi.

I'm not just Cashel's girl. Hello?

I scurried my way back inside the home room and found the little kids busy playing around. I gave them time to play around kasi maaga nilang natapos ang kanilang mga seatworks. Hindi ko rin sila pwedeng pauuwiin ng maaga hangga't wala ang mga sundo nila.

"Les enfants," pagtawag ko sa kanilang atensyon at sabay sabay naman silang lumingon sa akin. Itinigil nila sandali ang mga ginagawa nila. "We'll soon be leaving school so please start fixing and cleaning your stuff and put it on your bag. Your parents and guardians will be here soon enough."

Matapos kong inanunsyon iyo ay tinulungan ko silang ayusin ang ilang gamit. Ako naman ang naglagay ng ibang laruan sa mga itaas na parte ng mga shelves. But I'm so happy that they were all being so kind and polite. Hindi rin naman matagal ang pag-aayos ng kanilang sari-sariling gamit at hinintay na lang namin ang bell na tumunog. Hindi kalaunan, nagdiwang ang mga chikiting ng marinig nila iyon.

"See you tomorrow, class, be safe and have good day ahead," linya ko sa tuwing magpapaalam sa klase at isa isa silang papalabasin ng pinto para salubungin ng kanilang mga magulang. Napalingon naman ako ng biglang yakapin ako ni Adie sa tagiliran ko. "What's up, Adie?"

"Tu viendras à l'appartement avec moi, s'il te plait?" she pleaded.

I pouted and brushed my finger on his hair. "I'm afraid I can't tonight, Adie. Your Kuya and I will be going to a photoshoot tonight. Siguro by tomorrow after our class? I'm just sorry that I won't be joining you tonight pero sure naman siguro bukas. What do you think?"

She let her arms go from embracing me. That's a sign of disappointment and sadness at hindi ko alam kung paano ko babawiin iyon.

Umupo naman ako para magkausap kami ng hindi niya kinakailangang tumingla. Mabuti na lamang ngayon ay nag-flats ako dahil nakakangalay ding tumayo ng almost half and an hour during discussion.

"What do you think, uwian ka ng Kuya mo ng isang tub ng ice cream?"

Nagliwanag agad ang mukha niya ng sabihin ko iyon. Mukhang alam ko na kung anong pang-budol kay Adie. Her smile grew so big at hindi rin naman masamang pagbigyan si Adie for some time.

"J'adore ça! Dis-lui que je voudrais une glace aux fraises!"

"Oooh! Fraises," I swooned. "Of course, I would tell him that. You should go now, your driver must be waiting for you outside."

She nodded so energetic at dali-dali rin siyang lumabas ng room. Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga at hindi ako sure kung papayag ba si Cashel do'n pero pipilitin ko siya. Hindi rin naman 'yon nakakatiis kapag ako na ang nag-request.

And what I'm not expecting at, Minetta's standing on the door side, crossing her arms while raising her brow. I flaunted her with a smile at saka ko siya tinalikuran para kunin ang gamit ko sa table ko. But then when I turned my back to face the doorway, she's already blocking the way out.

"What are you doing, Minetta?" tamad kong tanong sa kanya. I have no interest in repeating the same conversation we have.

"I heard you talking to Cashel's little sister," she pointed out.

"It's as if I'm going to tell you what's more of it," ngisi ko pa.

"Then try me, I won't spill it out. I can keep my mouth shut. You can trust me, Cosette. So... you guys are going to have a photoshoot? What kind? Nude?"

I almost gagged when she listed. Napailing na lamang ako at pasimpleng lumagpas sa kanya.

"Maybe, next time, Minetta," I said and hurriedly walked out of the room.

Nag-sign out lamang ako sandali at tuluyan na akong lumabas ng bahay. Medyo kabado pa rin ako na baka maulit iyong nangyari no'ng nakaraan pero matapos namang ma-call out ang paparazzi na 'yon, I think he was fired. Magpapatuloy pa rin naman kami sa charges and it's an ongoing process. Binabalitaan na lamang nila ako.

Ilang saglit lang ay tumawag si Cashel para sabihin on the way na siya. Agad din naman niya iyong binaba. HIndi rin naman nagtagal ng ipinarada niya ang sasakyan sa tapat ko. He opens the car door from the inside and push it from me to hop inside. Pumasok naman ako sa sasakyan.

"Salut, Cash," bati ko sa kanya.

He timidly glances at me. "Salut."

"Oh, okay..."

"How's Adie?" he asked then started driving again. We're finally heading to where will be the studio is happening.

Hindi ko naman nakalimutan ang sinabi ko kay Adie. And she would probably hates me kapag kinalimutan ko 'yon.

"She's doing great. She's perfectly active in my class. And she wanted to go to your apartment later but because we have an appointment tonight, I can't go with her so I just told her you will be taking some glace à la fraise."

"Pssh," he snorted. "You're spoiling her. You don't have to do that to her anytime. She understands what's going on. Don't be so nice to her or she'll get used to it."

"And so?"

"So she won't look for you when you left Paris after a year," he said those words nang walang preno. Hindi niya inisip kung anong sasabihin niya. I just slip in his mouth and he doesn't care anymore.

"Oh..." I mumbled. Hindi na naman ako nagsalita at nanahimik na lang ako sa biyahe papunta sa studio.

We're not even talking to each other. Hindi niya rin ako sinundo kaninang umaga which he usually does for the past few weeks. Nai-kwento ko na rin naman kay Victor ang pagiging fishy ni Cashel and he just reminded me not to do anything dahil baka ako pa ang mapasama sa huli. Observe and find what's going on.

When he steps out of his car, hindi na naman ako naghintay kung pagbubuksan niya ako o hindi. I steps out of his car and see what he did next? He just locked it with his key remote.

Sinundan ko na lamang siya papasok sa loob ng building at sinalubong din naman kami ng ilang staffs na idinirekta kami sa floor kung saan ginaganap ang photoshoot.

I was greeted by few at ang nakakatuwa pa ay kilala nila ako. Some took pictures with me. I'm not sure how to keep up with this when Cashel's avoiding me. Ilang saglit lang din naman ay nagpakita si Miss Trudy sa amin at binati kaming dalawa ni Cashel.

"Good to see you both are here now," aniya, hinalikan niya kami sa magkabilang pisngi. "Are you ready to do your first magazine cover?"

Sabik naman akong tumango sa kanya. "Yes, I am!"

"You guys should be preparing now. You need to go to our make-up artists, hairstylists, and fashion stylist are all in the same room." Hinarap naman niya ang staff niya. "Please direct them to that room."

"Oui, Madame," sagot ng assistant niya.

Muli siyang humarap sa amin. "Please enjoy yourselves around and I'll be seeing you guys later."

"Suivez-moi," the assistant said and we followed him behind

Sinisilip ko naman ang mukha ni Cashel at hindi niya ako nililingon. He looks bored. Parang wala siyang interes gawin ang bagay na 'to. This thing is new for me. First time ko lang din 'to gagawin kaya kinakabahan ako ng slight at excited at the same time.

When we finally come into the room, doon ko lang na-realize na ang busy pala nila. Everyone's doing something at hindi nawawalan ng trabaho. Nang makita naman nila kami ay agad nila kaming dinala sa harap ng salamin, pinaupo sa make-up chair. Sa salamin ay may nakadikit na picture kung saan paggagayahan ng histura ko. Not totally the same I think the artist will do its own way.

Hinayaan ko na lamang sila sa gagawin nila sa akin. My makeup artist started putting hairnet on my hair. I took a quick glance at Cashel at napakaseryoso naman ng mukha niya. Nakatitig lang siya sa salamin and when he glimpse on my side, binalik ko rin ang tingin ko ng diretsyo at ipinikit na lang ang mata ko.

My artists keep speaking in French at sinasabi niya lang sa akin kung anong sunod niyang ilalagay sa mukha ko. Tango na lamang ako ng tango sa kanya. As if, meron akong option umangal?

"Cosy?"

Napadilat ako nang bongga nang marinig ko ang pangalan ko. And I only know one person who calls me that. Hindi nga ako nagkamali nang makita ko sa reflection ng salamin si Chevy and he's removing his coat and polo kaya naman tumambad sa akin ang maganda niyang katawan. He's tanned, really great pecs, and he has eight abs and his V-line is outrageous. Hindi ko naman hinayaan pang bumaba pa ang mata ko sa pinagbabawal na lungga dahil masyadong obvious 'yon.

"Chevy?" gulat ko pa nang banggitin ang pangalan niya. Doon ko lang na-realize na long hair pala siya and it's kinda wavy up until the length over his shoulder. Hindi ko napansin iyon kasi lahat ng post niya sa Instragram ay naka-bonnet siya. At ang huli kong kita sa kanya ay naka-helmet siya. I should've stalked him more! "Is this what you're also talking about?"

"Probably, yeah!" ang laki rin ng ngiti nito sa akin. "I didn't expect we'll be having the same photoshoot at Trudy. How fascinating is it, Cosy?"

"Cosy?" Cashel wondered. Tumapon ang tingin namin sa kanya. "Do you guys know each other?"

"I'm sorry, Cashel, hey, I didn't notice you were here too!" pagbati ni Chevy sa kanya. He tried making faces at him at natawa na lang din si Chevy. "Yes, I was the one who took Cosy to Champ de Mars when she was harassed by a paparazi."

"Yes, he was the one I was talking about and you told me you didn't know him," sabi ko kay Cashel at inilingan niya ako.

"I didn't say that," pag-de-deny pa nito. "I don't know what you're saying..." may sinabi pa siya pero hindi ko na naintindihan kung ano-ano pa 'yon.

"Are you finished with your photoshoot, Chevy?"

"I just finished," sagot nito. "I think you guys are going next."

"Are you guys close with each other that you call each other with a nickname?" Cashel asked.

"We maybe do," Chevy chuckled. "Do you guys have something to do tonight after the shoot? We can hang out right after."

"No," Cashel turned down.

"Yes," salungat ko naman sa sinabi niya.

"No, you're not available tonight after the shoot, Cosy—Cosette," he stuttered mentioning my name. Ano kayang iniisip nito ngayon?

"I'm not. Maybe you are."

"You're going back to the apartment, right?" 

Umiling ulit ako. "Nope, ikaw lang. You'll bring Adie an ice cream back home and then I can hang out with Chevy tonight. Wala namang masama 'di ba? Hindi naman tayo magjowa."

"Don't say that."

"Ano naman kung sabihin ko? Hindi naman nila ako naiintidihan e."

He just grunted at me. Bakit ba ganito 'to ngayon? Sobrang grumpy. Gusto niya ba ulit akong laplapin para maalis ang pagka-bad mood niya? Duh. Won't do it in front of these people. They are professionals.

"I'll let you guys sort it out first and see you after the shoot," Chevy said and then he focuses changing his clothes pero hindi naalis ang tingin ko sa kanya. When he finally removes his pants at nakita ko siya ng buo in his underwear lang, kahit nakatalikod ay ang gwapo niya sa paningon ko. Napakagat pa ako sa labi ko dahil he's so perfect to me. Mas malaman siya kaysa kay Cashle. He might also be longer than him.

"Huy," hinagis sa akin ni Cashel ang piraso ng tela at saka ko siya tinaasan ng kilay. "Don't look at him like that. I'm your boyfriend, remember?"

But I just wiggled my head. Bahala siya sa buhay niya. I'm going to fall in love tonight with Chevy and Cashel can't stop me.

Mga fifteen minutes pa ang nagtagal nang matapos akong ayusin. My hair was straighten and my eyeshadow was painted yellow, orange, and green. Naging matapang din naman ang paglagay ng eyeliner sa akin dahil sa tulis ng dulo nito. My lips have a touch of red and orange at nilagyan pa ng glitters ang paligid ng labi ko. I wasn't prepared for how glamorous I looked like right now pero nagugulat na lang ako dahil hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ganitong ang resulta ng pag-aayos sa akin.

They made me wear a colorful dress as well. It's a patterned colored coat at rainbow net tulle skirt. I wear a transparent six inches heel. Nang muntik pa akong mawalan ng balanse ay bigla naman akong sinalo at inalalayan ni Chevy.

"You can't be falling on that pretty, gorgeous outfit, Cosy," he said.

"Let me take her hand," bilang singit ni Cashel at kinuha niya ang kamay ko kay Chevy. "I can take care of her, she's my girlfriend."

Chevy raised his hands up in the air. "I'm sorry, I understand. But I'm going to wait for you guys tonight, okay?"

"We'll see Chevy, we'll see," Cashel muttered and had to pull me from him and we're also been called by the photoshoot director so we both headed to the shooting area.

"Why are you being so salty so Chevy?" I asked him.

He smirked and tightened his grip on my hand. "You don't wanna know why. Just don't get too close to him. Trust me, I know what we're doing okay?"

Hindi na naman ako sumagot then we proceed to meet the director.

After this shooting, I'm looking forward to having Chevy join us tonight. But what made me curious about, why does Cashel looks jealous of him? Wala naman dapat siyang ika-selos 'di ba? He has Amauree and I have Chevy.

What a nice thing to have, and I'm so ready for more!

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!

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