Special Chapter 2
—Collaboration Projects—

I don't know if people noticed that Cashel and I went home together last night, though we never went home together in an actual house, people could make something out of it since it's been so long since the day we've got to hang out with each other.

That's why the kiss was a surprise for me. I never thought he would do something like that. I just never know where this would go.

Ang aga-aga kong iniisip ang mga bagay na 'yon. I should've forgotten about it. He might've forgotten about it. Si Cashel pa ba? He thinks some things are only temporary that's why he took everything for granted—I just don't know if he's still the same after the time we ended things between us.

Nakatatawa lang isipin na parang actual break up ang ginawa namin when we really don't have a relationship. Walang label. Walang exclusivity. Everything was just for a show pero sobrang tumatak iyon sa amin. Hindi naman namin masisisi ang isa't isa dahil napalapit din kami sa mga araw na lumipas and we're trying our best not to mind the past, but move forward.

"Cosette." Sinilip ako ni Minetta sa table ko sa faculty room. May kakaibang ngiti agad 'yong namutawi sa mukha niya. I'm just wondering what is it now? "You mentioned before you'll be having some work-related or business—whatever you called that with Bartholomew?" The way she says his name, her pitch goes up meaning to say... she likes him, obviously.

"Yes... why do you ask?"

Para bang namilipit si Minetta sa gilid ko. "Well... I was just wondering if you could bring me as well? I know this feels like I'm asking too much, que s'il vous plait?"

Natawa ako ng bahagya sinabi niya kaya napakibit balikat na lang din ako. "That's the part where I don't have any idea, Minetta. I don't even know what we'll be doing."

"I hope it's not sex," she said, crossing her fingers with matching pikit pa ng mata.

I scrunched my face when she said that. "No! Why would I have sex with him? I'm not a porn actress or whatever. Geez, Minetta. You're freaking me out!"

"I'm just making sure that you won't be doing anything like that, Cosette."

Umiling ako ng matindi. "I promise you, I wouldn't ever do that. I promise to death, I wouldn't do such a thing. I'm just an actress, not a sex worker." Pagpunto ko pa sa kanya.

She shrugged off. "Okay, at least that's kind of enlightening. I know Bartholomew wouldn't do such a thing. J'espère qu'on fera l'amour à l'avenir," she said, like wishing for it. (I hope we'll have sex in the future.)

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "What did you just say?"

She shook her head, grinning. "Nothing. Just remember, if you needed someone—like me assist you, that would be fantastic, Cosette. I'm hoping for that—really!"

Tinanguan ko na lang siya saka ako napailing nang tumalikod siya sa akin. I don't know kung ano man ang gagawin namin ni Bartholomew. He just told me that this weekend, we'll do something. I just hope nga na hindi isang sex video ang gagawin namin. I'm over with that kind of issue.

When I keep remembering an issue about that, hindi ko makalimutan kung anong nangyari sa amin ni Cashel. That's the start where our friendship—or somehow relationship with each other started collapsing. He thought I was capable of doing that or in such a way I would betray him. I never did that. it was out of my control. Minsan, kumukulo na lang ang dugo ko out of nowhere when Chevy manipulated me at that moment.

But we're passed over that issue, we all move on, and we all back to what we are doing. Para bang may kanya-kanya na ulit kaming buhay.

Cashel sometimes fetches his sister here in the school and we just greeted each other. When Addie wanted to invite me to their home, I tried too hard not to break her heart by rejecting her invitation since I'm still keeping my distance from them.

Masaya ang mapag-isa pero minsan, malakas din ang mga tukso.

Chevy—I haven't heard a thing from him since the party we all went to together. But I think he's doing great even though he put himself in the bad spotlight, he still carried his way back to the top.

Kapag gwapo kasi ang isang tao, people would still support that person even though sinasampal na sila ng mga kamalian nito. May pa-je taime-je taime pa silang nalalaman. They were just blinded by supporting him. Sometimes people are just dumb and stupid to keep those who sinned stayed at the top.

Glorifying them is what they do. They love it.

And then Amauree, we just communicated thru chat the other day. She just showed her growing belly and how happy she is. I'm delighted about the journey she will take. Hindi naman namin pinag-usapan si Cashel, but I know that he's checking on her since they were good best friends—almost lover—engaged—but broke up, at least they remained good friends.

I am fixing my desk when I received a message from Victor.

Victor:

Quelqu'un est venu chez vous tout à l'heure. J'y étais. Il vient de me laisser son numéro de téléphone. Il a dit que tu devrais l'appeler. (Someone came by your apartment earlier. I was there. He just left his phone number to me. He said you should give him a call.)

I texted him back.

Me:

Qui? (Who?)

He replied quickly.

Victor:

Il ne l'a pas dit. Appelle-le. Mais il est mignon. S'il ne te cherchait pas, je l'aurais embrassé. (He didn't say. Just call him. He's cute though. If he wasn't looking for you, I would've kissed him.)

Me:

Haha funny! I'll do that after class. Oh! I'll be seeing you later, right?

Victor:

Oui. L'endroit habituel. À plus! (Yes. The usual place. See you!)

I slide my phone into my skirt's pocket and grabbed my things to get to my afternoon class. I left the faculty room and headed to my homeroom. Pagkapasok ko ay nakaabang na agad ang mga chikiting sa akin. I am still in awe when they all acknowledged my presence by saying hello, pointing at me their little cute fingers, or just smiling at me was enough.

My class isn't boring when the kids are so active and hyper. Hindi ko na lang napapansin na 'yong oras ay sobrang bilis at patapos na. When the kids are about to go, lumapit sa akin ang isa kong estudyante and that's Addie.

"Miss..." she called. Well, Addie knows what to call where I'm inside of the school and out of the premises. "When will you go into our apartment once again? I can cook for you if you want or we bake cookies once again! This weekend!"

"Oh..." I muttered. Inabot ko naman ang kamay niya at hinimas iyon. "As much as I want to go, I have other things to do, Addie. But I'm going to tell you soon when I can, alright?"

She sighed deeply and the disappointment in her face is so vivid. Naawa ako bigla at hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. I know I made a deal with Bartholomew this weekend and I can't make any adjustment to it since iyon lang din ang nakikita kong available schedule ko.

"You know what," I said and she looked up at me. "I might visit you at night... bring you some cookies na lang. Is that alright?"

"This weekend?" she asked, her hopefulness makes me feel so fragile.

I smiled and then I nod. "Yes, sure! This weekend, but I'm coming at night, alright?"

She nodded hastily. "Thank you, mademoiselle!" Niyakap ako nito nang napakahigpit.

"Come on, let's get you to your kuya. Baka naghihintay na rin siya sa labas."

Iniwan ko muna ang gamit ko sa loob habang hinatid ko si Addie palabas ng school. Just like what I'm expecting, there's Cashel waiting for her little sister. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit napadadalas ang pagsundo niya kay Addie when most of the time iyong driver niya lang ang nagsusundo rito. Una nitong binati si Addie na patakbong lumapit sa kanya. He hugged and kissed her then Addie announced something to him na dahilan para mabilis na tumapon ang tingin niya sa akin.

With a little shock tainted on his face, he opens the door for Addie while his eyes are at mine. Sinilip naman niya nang mabilisan si Addie.

"Juste une seconde, Addie," he said. (Just a second.)

Lumapit sa akin si Cashel na nakakunot ang noo. He slides his hands inside his pocket and breathes in then let them go as he came closer to me.

"What did Addie say? Is it true? You're coming by this weekend?"

Tumango na lamang ako. "Yes, I will, but I will be coming at night. I still have things to do in the morning."

"Like what?"

"It's none of your business, Cash."

"Ah... is it the thing that Bartholomew offered to you? Is it happening already?"

"How do you know that?"

He shrugged off. "Well, I was just guessing. So, is that true?"

"Yes." Tango ko pa. "Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin namin ni Bartholomew. Wala pa siyang sinasabi sa akin."

"But you didn't have to promise to Addie, you know that, right?"

I sighed and nodded. "Yes, I know... but she's been asking for me to come by at your apartment many times and my conscience wouldn't let me sleep anymore. I just can't decline her invitation anymore."

"But you know our situation right now... it's never like it was before..."

"I know that... but I'm gonna try—"

"Don't try, fulfil your promise to Addie. That's how you're gonna make her happy."

"I hope so..."

"Cool. We gotta go. Take care of yourself, Co."

"You, too, Cash. Drive safe, take care."

"I will. See you around."

When he turned around, get on his car and give me one last look, I know I might break a promise to him and his sister. Hindi ko pa sigurado kung magagawa ko nga ba talaga 'yong sinabi ko o mapapako rin ng tuluyan. I just hope I could make it work or Addie would hate me forever.

Addie wave at me when the car drove past by me. Yakap-yakap ang sarili, we were happy—all those times we did before was some kind of magic, but because of some issues, nawala lahat iyon. But sometimes it's okay that it happened or else, it would be painful at the end of the day.

I turned back to enter the school again. I headed straight to the home room and then to the faculty room to grab my things. Mabuti na lang ay hindi ko naabutan si Minetta sa loob ng faculty room dahil kung hindi, she will just hold me up until hindi na naman niya mapapansin na umabot na ng isang oras 'yong chismis niya just like last time. Well, I was so interested naman that time to listen, but I have to leave early dahil may mga ganap ako today.

I left the school and waited for a taxi to come. Naging keen na rin ako sa paligid since the last time I was harassed here. Hinding-hindi ko makalilimutan 'yon. The school heard about the incident so they've put CCTV on outside of the building in case something bad will happen again ay wala ng kawala kung sino mang sang damuho na 'yon.

Victor sent me the location of the coffee shop we'll be meeting tonight. Hindi ko alam kung anong agenda niya today, but I wouldn't forget to tell him about meeting Cashel today. Si Victor lang din naman ang nagiging kasama ko these past few months and he's been helping me a lot lalo na sa bulol kong dila kapag nagsasalita ng lenggwahe nila. He even told me I was murdering their love language and my bad, my teacher was google anyway—can't argue.

Mabilis lang din akong nakarating sa meeting place namin. Maaga-aga pa naman. We can stroll near the Eiffel tower if we want to or just roam around Champs-Elysees, pampalipas lang ng oras.

Hindi naman matagal ang paghihintay ko, Victor came in fashion. He's wearing a colourful top tacked in to his shiny pants—and this is normal around here. Makaagaw man ng pansin ng ibang tao, but it's minimal. Kapag sa Pinas niya pa 'yan ginawa, masabihan pa 'yang bida-bida. Ang init-init kumakarengkeng. Gano'n sila ka-judgmental.

"Salut," pagbati nito sa akin. (Hello!)

"Salut, Victor!" Ngiti ko pa.

Nakipagbeso pa ito sa akin saka pinalibot ang kamay sa braso ko saka namin hinarap ang coffee shop na Café de Flore kung saan naisipan ni Victor na magliwaliw. Good thing, there's a vacant table outside and it's pretty convenient for two of us. We like the view and we like watching people so it's nice to stay around here.

A waiter then came to our table and listed our order. I only ordered a regular coffee while Victor went for a milkshake. We both buy croissants as well. When I came here to France, every boulangerie has a significant or special way to serve their croissant. Hindi nakasasawa. It's like I can eat this every single day, I won't mind.

"So, what are we really doing here, Victor?" I asked as soon as the waiter left.

"Well, I just wanna tell you personally that Jean-Luc and I are officially friends now," he said.

Napataas naman ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "You're just gonna say that? Why didn't you tell that to me right when we saw each other in the morning?!"

"I also just confirmed it earlier when we talk over the phone," kilig nitong kwento sa akin. "I was really sure that he's gender-fluid as well. I can feel that... though because of his image, he might be protecting it. But we're friends, he actually invited me to his home tomorrow. After my work."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi. "Is he making a move on you? Maybe he likes you!"

He shrugged off. Then our orders came so he just grabbed his milkshake and drink on it. "I don't know about that. I won't assume for it. I'm not that kind of person, but I'm good that we're friends. He might like me or not, he's not the only guy in the world. Duh, Cosette? C'est toi seul qui garde Cashel dans ton monde." (It's only you who keep Cashel in your world.)

"And why did I hear Cashel?"

He shook his head as he sips on his drink again. "Nothing."

"Okay, I've got news about Cashel," panimula ko.

He grinned. "C'est intéressant. Il t'a encore embrassé?" (That's interesting.)

"What?" I scrunched my face.

"I said did he kiss you again?" he repeated.

"No!" I disgustingly answered, shaking my head. "Why would I let him do that? We're in school when we met. And yeah... I promised Adie that I'll be going to their apartment this weekend."

"Oh putain," he muttered. "Why did you promise on her? You have to go to Bartholomew on weekend, right? You're crazy, Cosette. I don't know what to do with you." (Oh putain.)

"No, it's not like that. Adie's been wishing for me to come to their apartment."

"You could've said yes, but just not this weekend. I thought your situation would be easy since Cashel is out of your life now... but you're still making it complicated. And he's still there to make it more complicated. C'est génial." He crossed his arms as he might look pissed about what I did. (How great.)

"I just couldn't resist—"

He just rose his hand in front of my face and he kept bubbling random words ignoring my explanation. "I don't wanna hear more about it, Cosette. I'm not your manager, but I'm saying it to you now that going to the Corprew's apartment is not a great idea. Be with Bartholomew. That's an easy thing to do."

"I know, I know..."

"You don't know, Cosette. You're confused," he said, shaking his head. "Good thing this milkshake is good. You just pissed my mood off, Cosette. I just hope you did the right thing and you're not walking back to his traps again."

"I'm not. I know what I'm doing now and I'm not doing this for him. It's for Adie. She's lovely and sweet, how could I reject her, right?"

He just shrugged off, leaving me hanging there on my question.

"How was the number I've sent you earlier? Did you call him?" he asked and I shook.

"Not yet. I was working when you called. I don't have time to call whoever that it is."

"Call him," he ordered. "He's pretty. Call him."

Sa pamimilit ni Victor, wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang tawagan ang number na binigay niya sa akin kanina. Hindi naman daw binigay ang pangalan kaya hindi ko sigurado kung sino 'to. Nang i-dial koi to, ilang saglit lang ng mag-ring ay sinagot agad nito ang tawag ko.

"Salut," bungad nito sa akin. "Salut?"

"Hi! Salut! Bonjour!" panic kong sagot. "Who is this?"

"Uh? Tu m'as appelé alors qui es-tu?" Ang lalim ng boses nito kaya hindi ko masyadong naintindihan ang sinasabi.

"Hey, I barely understand French so could you please speak in English if you don't mind?"

"Okay... I said you're the one who called me so I should be the one asking... who are you? But..." Napangisi pa ito. "I think I already have an idea. My Cosette?"

"My agad?" mahina kong sabi. "Ah! Yes, yes! This is Cosette... and finally, who is this? My friend, Victor, said you stopped by my apartment earlier? How did you know I live there?"

"Ah, yes! Victor, your friend. I knew it because of the media. Maybe you should already move out of your place and live with me so people won't know where you are staying."

Napangiwi naman ako sa sinabi nito. "Okay, you didn't answer my question and I'm fine living in that apartment, thanks for the offer."

Put it on speaker, Victor mouthed, so I put it on speaker mode.

"I'm Youssef Sauveterre," pagpakilkilala nito. "I hope you've heard my name before?"

I winced. "Uh... unlikely. I haven't, I'm sorry." NIlingon ko rin naman si Victor just to confirm kung sino itong tumatawag sa akin, but he couldn't also recall who is this person. "But I'm not sure. Have we met?"

"I was in Trudy's Party. You forgot me already, My Cosette."

"Oh, really? I'm sorry! I've met a lot of people that night and I'm sorry if I forget about you... at least now, I remember you!" I said kahit hindi ko pa naman talaga siya naaalala. "So... why did you call? I mean, why were you also at my apartment? For your real agenda of course."

"I knew you and my friend Bartholomew will be going on a collaboration? I'm sure that it was it, right?"

"Uh... yes... we'll be doing it this weekend."

"Great!"

"Bartholomew didn't mention you... did he tell you about our collaboration?"

"Ah, yeah, he did. He did."

He sounds so sketchy. Victor mouthed. Tumango naman ako sa kanya para sumang-ayon.

"So... what do you want?"

"I want us both to have a collaboration as well. Are you okay with it?"

Napabitaw ako nang malalim na hininga. "I'm not really sure, Youssef. Wait, did I call your name right?"

"Oui."

"I really have a tight schedule this week and I'm not even sure how my schedule would look like in the future. I just put my collaboration priority this weekend so I will be free in these coming weeks. Free means, no work and all, so I'm not really sure."

"So, it's a no already?" he questioned.

"It's not a no, but maybe I'll keep your invitation in mind while I'm still coordinating with all the things I do. Alright?"

"Okay. That's a no. Merci, mademoiselle."

And before I could even respond, he just dropped the call. Nagulat pa kaming dalawa ni Victor sa inasal nito.

"Don't entertain him again. He's rude."

"Yeah, I kinda noticed that. I have to tell this his friend. He's the one who asked for it and he's rude. Oh, French people—" Biglang tinakpan ni Victor ang bibig ko at saka ako pinandilatan and I already know what that means.

If people around us heard what I just said, they will pour their hatred on me and I don't want that to happen. Natawa na lang din naman kaming dalawa. Mabuti na lang din ay walang nakarinig kaya minabuti nang tanggalin ni Victor ang kamay niya sa bibig o kung ano pang magawa ko ro'n.

"Don't go to Cashel. Don't entertain that rude Youseff. Just go to Bartholomew and marry him."

My eyes widened. "No. I'm not gonna marry, Bartholomew. You're crazy."

"I'm not crazy, you are, Cosette." Tawa pa nito. "But follow what I said. No buts and all."

After our crazy conversation and coffee session, Victor and I decided to just walk on the streets and watched people. Hindi ko naman alam kung ano ba talagang gagawin ko. I know I will break Adie's heart if I won't come to their place and it feels like I'm coming back there for Cashel which isn't the case. But if I can still manage whatever might happen that day, I'll just have to go with it.

But I'll be following his order not to entertain that Youssef guy anymore. He's not worth my time. Something does... and it's making me choose now.

***

"Minetta would probably hate me so much," I uttered.

"Just say something to her, she'll understand it. This is a private business anyway. We're not here for fangirling stuff," sagot ni Victor and he was right about it. Pwede ko namang isama si Minette to watch us there, but then this is something that Bartholomew and I wanted, some privacy—kahit na for public din ipalalabas ang show namin. But that's a different case so it's better to keep the circle smaller.

Bitbit ni Victor ang mga damit na susuotin ko—in case I need to change my wardrobe or something accidentally occurred. As head out of the apartment, naghintay naman kami ng taxi na masasakyan papuntang 16th arrondissement. It is where also Cashel lives so in case I saw him in the neighbourhood, hindi ko na kasalanan 'yon.

I'll be there for a job and nothing more. Actually, I treat this life of me being an influencer as a side job since I still get paid from brands, shoots, sponsors, or anything that needs my influence. Hindi koi to nagagawa sa Pinas. Ako pa mismo ang lalapit sa brands at sponsors na in the end ay walang pumapansin since I don't have enough followers... but now, my followers come all over the world—that's why when the news broke out last year, the whole world knows it, too.

Siguro nga tuwang-tuwa iyong mga kasamahan ko sa Pinas nang malaman nila iyong nangyari sa akin. But I'm coming back to spotlight, ano kayang reaksyon nila? I've read some of their messages last year and they were all hate messages, but when I came back on my feet, they all love me now. Ang bilis magbago ng tao kapag fame ang usapan.

Saglit lang ng may taxi na kaming nakuha. Of course, the taxi didn't decline our ride since we'll be going to one of the expensive arrondissements in Paris so they knew we've got a lot of money to pay.

"Do you think I should buy a car?" tanong ko kay Victor.

"If you would find yourself a personal driver because I won't be driving for you, darling," he said, waving his hands just to mean na ayaw niya ng ideyang iyon. "But you don't have plan on staying here, right? You'll be going back to the Philippines once your contract end at your school?"

"That's the ideal plan, but they will extend my contract then I might be staying longer than I expected. I just hope they would. Paris is home for me now."

"I bet it is," he muttered. "I'm glad you chose Paris."

I smiled. "Of course, I've been dreaming to be here so I make the most out of it. I just didn't expect Paris will drastically change my whole life."

"Well, that's the magic of Paris, you will never know what happens next. So, when we got into Bartholomew's place, don't kiss him, do you understand?"

I nodded. "I wouldn't kiss him. Why would I do that."

"Yup. And when you did, why did you that, right?"

"Touche, but nope. That won't happen."

Ilang saglit lang din naman ay narating na namin ang apartment ni Bartholomew. I paid for the taxi while Victor took my bags out of the car.

"It would be the luxury one," I uttered. "We're on the exact location, right?"

Victor nodded. "I bet that this appartement." Pagturo pa nito apartment na two blocks away from us.

Sinubukan ko namang tawagan si Bartholomew and he immediately answered it. Ang sinabi na lamang nito ay susunduin kami ng assistant niya. Hindi rin nagtagal ay lumabas ang isang tao sa apartment na tinuro ni Victor kanina. Lumapit ito sa amin at nagpakilalang assistant nga ni Bartholomew. He guided us inside the apartment.

Pagkapasok pa lamang namin ay namangha na kami sa grandiyosong hitsura nito. All what we are seeing right now screams luxury. Nakatatakot lang hawakan ang mga ito. Baka pagbayarin pa kami ng bongga. Pero baka naman pwede ang posting as payment?

To our shock, receiving area pa lang pala ang bumungad sa amin. Pinapaakyat kami sa third floor kung saan mangyayari ang shoot. There's the grand staircase leading upstairs and Victor and I are absolutely worried dahil ang bigat ng dala naming gamit. But good thing, this is a luxurious place and they have their own elevator so we went there up to the third floor where the door finally opened, Bartholomew greeted us, kissed me both cheeks.

May isang staff pa sana na kukunin ang bitbit na gamit ni Victor pero pinigilan niyang ibigay ito at itinuro na lang sa kanya ang designated dressing room ko.

"Good to see you here today, Cosette. I'm happy you've accepted my collaboration."

"Ah, yes. De rien, monsieur." Niyakap naman ako nito saka idinala niya ako sa isang staff niya para ipaliwanag sa akin kung anong gagawin namin today. He just left so he could continue what he will do.

His assistant explained to me the agenda for today. There will be two parts where we will do some cooking show segments and a romantic date-like interview. I will be commissioned to it with fifty thousand euros once the two videos have been released. Nalula naman kaagad ako ro'n dahil in conversion, that's almost three million in peso.

I signed the agreement and that I should be posting it on my social media for further promotion. Wala naman problema 'yon sa akin. As long as I'm getting the right treatment. This is fine for me.

Dinala naman ako sa dressing room kung saan aayusan nila ako according to what the video aspire to be. Mabuti na lang ay marami-rami akong dalang damit na pagpipilian and I thank Victor so much for carrying the bag for me.

I wore a high-waist white pants with brown skinny belt together with white blouse. Kung ganito lang pala kasimple ang susuotin ko, hindi na sana ako nagdala pa ng maraming damit. But Victor approved to it kaya hindi na ako umangal. They just put light make-up on my face then curl the bottom of my hair.

With a few briefing, nagsimula na ang shooting namin and this will be posted on Bartholomew's Youtube channel. People are trying every income outlet so aside from being an actor, with all the fans he has, madali siyang naka-accumulate ng subscriber which leads him to achieve six million subscribers in the span of seven months.

Bartholomew is very expensive to look at. He's just wearing a nude turtle neck sweatshirt and tailored dark brown trousers.

"Bonjour à tous! Bienvenue sur ma chaîne Youtube. Aujourd'hui, j'ai une invitée spéciale que beaucoup de mes fans ont demandée pour qu'elle soit dans l'une de mes vidéos à l'avenir et maintenant, c'est le moment pour nous de le faire." (Hello, everyone! Welcome to my Youtube channel. Today, I have a special guest which a lot of my fans have been requesting for her to be in one of my videos in the future and now, that is the time for us to do that.)

Kinakabahan ako ng bongga. Hindi ako prepared sa matindihang French.

"Accueillons tous, la charmante et douce Cosette Pelleprose Calafiore!" he introduced. (Let's all welcome, the lovely and sweet, Cosette Pelleprose Calafiore!)

Pumasok naman ako sa eksena saka niya ako kiniss sa cheeks at niyakap. Kung ano-ano pa ang sinabi ni Bartholomew at mabuti na lang ay siya na ang nag-adjust dahil hindi ko talaga kakayanin at dudugo lang ang ilong ko kung diretsyong French siya makikipag-usap sa akin.

He then introduced what we will be doing today. His cooking show segment and many people know that he's not just an actor, he's a great cook—aspiring to build his own restaurant.

"Do you have any idea what we will be cooking today?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Nope. Not at all."

"That's alright. But I'm sure with all these ingredients, you'll know what it is... parts of the chicken, soy sauce, vinegar, bay leaf, peppercorn, two cups of water, garlic, salt, and I don't know why... but brown sugar." He chuckled.

"I know what this is," I said. "It's chicken adobo, right?"

He giggled, nodding his head. "Yes, yes, you're right. I'll be cooking chicken adobo for you."

"I can't wait to taste it!"

Ang role ko lang pala sa video ni Bartholomew ay maging assistant cook niya at taga-sagot ng mga tanong niya. But I was just enjoying my part. Hindi masyadong stress. May ilang palya na nangyari, but he made it worked in the end. When he asked about my past relationship, hindi naman ako masyadong nagbigay ng sagot hangga't sa ipinasok niya si Cashel sa usapan.

I tried my best to answer without hurting our image again. Minsan, ang awkward lang ng mga pasok ng tanong ni Bartholomew, but I still tend to act cool. Tumagal ng dalawang oras ang shoot naming dalawa dahil marami pang pinasok na eksena at mga b-rolls na kailangang gawin. I've also got to taste his creation and it doesn't taste close to what I imagine, but because he has his own way of cooking.

"You've got an easy job there, Cosette. Just assist and answer his questions." Tawa pa ni Victor. "You're just another kind of decoration."

"I know, but that's fine. I'm still getting paid anyway."

When we're about to be ready for the second shoot, I received a message from Cashel kung anong oras niya ako susunduin. Alas y quatro pa lamang ng hapon at maaga-aga pa. Sinabi ko na lamang na bandang alas y sais na siya pumunta para sakto. Our second shoot might take up to two hours din since ibang set-up naman iyon. I just replied when he could come and the location of where we are. Hindi naman siya nagreply na.

Nang matapos akong ayusan. I wore a peplum red dress which suits the theme for our next shoot. Pagkalabas ko ng dressing room, I was about to meet Bartholomew na pero natigilan ako nang makita ko siyang may kausap na lalaki. When Bartholomew saw me, nilingon ako no'ng lalaki saka ako kinawayan at nginitian.

Beside me, Victor gasped and I checked his reaction. Doon pa lang, nakilala ko na kaagad kung sino itong lalaking ito.

Lumapit sila sa amin at saka pinakilala sa akin ni Bartholomew ang kasama niyang lalaki.

"I'm not sure if you guys have met already, but this is Youssef, my very good friend."

Napangiwi na lamang ako kasi hindi ko pa rin siya maalala during the event. Or maybe we never really had an interaction that night.

"Youssef said you guys already talked to each other?" he asked and I nodded. "And you're doing a shoot soon?"

"Oh!" I gasped. "I'm sure that I haven't agreed with anything yet. Right, Youssef?"

He just shrugged off. Hindi ko alam kung anong reaksyon ang ibibigay ko sa kanya. He really felt so confident about himself.

"I'm sorry to intrude, but I was listening when you guys talked. Cosette never agreed to anything yet," pagdedepensa pa ni Victor sa akin. "I hope you understand that so clearly."

"Oh, well, you guys can still work it out that later, but let's start with our final shoot today," Bartholomew said. He's wearing a navy blue formal suit and he looks so good in it.

"À plus tard." Kindat pa sa akin ni Youssef. (See you later.)

I feel so weird towards him. Mabuti na lang ay kasama ko si Victor.

The next thing we did, we started the romantic date interview—this is just for a show and nothing romantically. May mga camera na nakapalibot sa aming dalawa kaya lahat ng angle ay kuhang-kuha. The set-up is on the balcony with have a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower and the sunset. Kaya hindi pwedeng ubusin ang oras dahil may hinahabol talagang timing.

On the table, there's authentic French dish and sweets. May candle lighting pa which makes the atmosphere some kind of romantic. I've never really had this before, ngayon lang.

The date started so nice, magaan lang sa pakiramdam at kung ano-anong random talks lang. We also appreciate the view we're in. Nakai-in love naman kasi talaga. If people are seeing this kind of view, they wouldn't leave France. This is majestic. A kind of total wonder.

"So... how's your single life?" he asked.

"I'm good. I'm doing great. As everyone knows, I'm also an English teacher here in Paris so I'm making quite of my time here not just an influencer. And being single in Paris doesn't have to be bitter about it, I'm living my dream and it's nice to find my own self here."

"That's good to hear..." Bartholomew said, sipping on his wine. "Are you ready to enter a relationship again?"

I shrugged off and then on my peripheral vision, I saw Cashel standing there at the back of the staff. Deep inside, nagulat ako kasi nandito na siya para sa sunduin ako. Wala na talaga akong kawala na pumunta sa kanila. Even Victor on his side was shocked to see him here. And there's Youssef waiting for me—ew.

"Cosette?" he called my name.

I put my attention back to him saka ako umiling. "I don't think I am... I thought I almost did, but things don't always come along the way we wanted to. I'm not ready, Bartholomew."

"Oh, I guess that's a complete rejection from you." He laughed. Natawa rin naman ako sa sinabi niya. "But yeah, I'm not making a move on you, I'm happy to be friend with you anyway. And I hope you'll find the love you deserve. That's all we wanted."

"Oui. That's all we wanted."

We finished the shoot by drinking the wine completely and take pictures with the sunset and the view of Eiffel Tower. Nang matapos ang shoot ay nagpalakpakan ang lahat dahil natapos namin ng wala masyadong problema ng shooting namin. Agad namang nawala sa paningin ko si Bartholomew. Mag-thank you pa sana ako pero mabilis din kumilos ang mga production staff to clean the premises.

Mabilis namang lumapit sa akin si Victor at inunahan ang dalawa na makalapit sa akin. Pero nang papalapit sa amin si Youssef, pinigilan ito ni Victor since I'll be changing my clothes sa dressing room kaya kahit papaano ay nakahinga kami ng maluwag.

Nagpalit lamang ako ng mas komportableng damit. Shirt at saka ko pinatungan ng coat at baggy pants.

"How will I be able to get out of this place without being trapped by those guys?" tanong ko kay Victor, patukoy ro'n sa dalawang lalaki na naghihintay sa akin sa labas.

"Maybe we could jump out of that window," suhestiyon nito na tinuro pa ang bintana sa gilid.

"Hell no! I wouldn't jump there. Bahala na nga sila sa buhay nila."

"Huh? What did you say."

"Basta."

"Une fille folle," he mumbled. (Crazy girl.)

When we're done and ready to go. Hinanda ko na lang din ang sarili ko kung ano man ang gagawin nila.

"But why's Cashel here?" Pagpigil pa sa akin ni Victor bago kami tuluyang lumabas ng room. "Are you really going to their apartment?"

"He's here already and it's still early, I just can't break Adie's heart."

He sighed, rolling his eyes. "Whatever, just don't kiss him again, alright? You did quite well with Bartholomew so don't do it to Cashel. We just have to ignore Youssef."

As soon as we head out of the dressing room, agad na bumungad sa amin si Youssef at namimilit agad ito sa akin na makipag-collaborate sa akin. I just explained him once again the thing I've told him the other day pero parang hindi naman niya ako pinapakinggan so Victor stepped in pero ayaw niya ring pakinggan ito until... Cashel joined the discussion.

"Laisse-la partir. Elle a expliqué qu'elle avait un emploi du temps chargé. Ne sois pas une salope," ani Cashel. (Let her go. She explained she has a busy schedule. Don't be a bitch.)

"Qui as-tu traité de salope?" Youssef questioned, nagmama-angas na rin ito. (Who did you call a bitch?)

"Vous. Ce n'est comme si quelqu'un d'autre était une salope ici." Ngisi pa ni Cashel, I was shaking my head because I know what he's saying is not a good thing to say. (You. It's not like there's someone else is a bitch here.

And right in front of me, tinulak ni Youssef si Cashel sa dibdib. Napaatras naman si Cashel at itinaas ang kanyang kamay sa ere and before the fight could even start, may humarang na sa kanilang dalawa. Nahihiya rin naman ako nang makita ni Bartholomew kung anong nangyayari. I immediately apologized for the scene they have caused. Wala namang pakialam si Youssef. Victor carried my bags out, while I grabbed Cashel on his arm taking him with me out of the apartment.

"You didn't have to say that to him," inis kong usal sa kanya nang makalabas kami.

Napayuko na lamang ito. "I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that, but he's harassing you."

"It's not harassing... basta. You didn't have to make a scene there."

"Okay, I apologize. I'm sorry..." I can sense the sincerity in his voice. "It won't happen again."

"Sure it won't because that's the last time you'll do that," singit ni Victor.

Hindi na naman sinagot ni Cashel si Victor kasi alam niya kung saan din mapupunta ang usapan.

"Are you ready to go to my apartment? Adie's waiting for you."

Tumango naman ako sa kanya. Hinawakan pa ako ni Victor sa braso ko kasi ayaw niya talaga akong papuntahin, but this is my decision and this would fall on me. Bahala na kung anong mangyari. We went to his car. Mabilis lang din naman ang biyahe dahil nasa area na lang din naman ang apartment nila.

He dropped me off. "Hey, I won't be around until nine. Adie might be sleeping around eight so you can leave by that time. I'll let one of my drivers take you home, alright?"

"Saan ka ba pupunta?"

"After I drop your stuff and Victor, I'll be meeting someone."

"Ah... okay..." Kaya ba ayos na ayos din siya ngayon? He look so formal kasi. "I'll just message you when I left the apartment. Thanks, Cash. And see you tomorrow, Vic."

"Don't make a mess, alright?" babala pa nito.

"I know, I know." Hagikgik ko pa.

Before I left the car, may inabot sa akin si Cashel na cookies which shocked me dahil nakalimutan ko ngang magdala para kay Adie.

"I know you would be busy so I took care of it..." he said and I think that was the most genuine thing he did—well, after what happened before.

When I jumped out of his car and watched them drove away, hinarap ko naman ang apartment building nila saka ako pumasok sa loob. I find my way to the elevator going up to the pent house floor where they are residing. Huminga ako nang malalim at saglit lang nang katukin ko ang pinto ay narinig ko na ang mabilis na malilit na yabag ng pagtakbo saka bumukas ang pinto at bumungad sa akin si Adie.

She just grabbed my hand and then I just dropped my hand bag on the table and do whatever she wants me to do. Napatingin-tingin pa ako sa paligid at sinuri ang apartment. May ilang changes na nangyari. Kapansin-pansni din naman kasi. Ngayon lang ulit ako nakapunta rito since nang tapusin namin ni Cashel ang showmance namin.

Nang ibigay ko kay Adie ang bag of cookies, she jumping out of excitement. At for sure, kung hindi naalala 'to ni Cashel, Adie would be so disappointed in me. Hindi ko naman mapigilang mapangiti.

"I missed this..." I mumbled.

"Kuya missed you, too, ate..." Hagikgik pa ni Adie. She casually said that na parang wala lang.

"Anong sabi mo Adie?"

She shrugged off. "Sometimes when kuya and I talked, she talks about you and he's saying he misses you. He said he regretted the things he did. I hope you're his girlfriend, ate..."

I chuckled. "Silly, Adie..." Kiniliti ko pa siya at nagtitili naman ito. Maya-maya ay dumating din si Salve saka kami binigyan ng juice. "Are you talking to Amauree, too?"

She nodded. "Yes, her tummy's big."

"Yeah, she's pregnant. She's gonna have a baby soon."

She screamed her joy and then expresses her excitement about what she will be looking forward to in the future. Hindi rin naman ako makapaghintay for Amauree. And I know she didn't expect that it will happen, but she's happy in it so she deserves to be happy as well.

I yawned.

"Are you sleepy, ate?" Adie asked.

I shook my head. "No. No. It's normal for me."

Maaga akong nagising kaninang umaga para mag-prepare tapos parang binugbog pa ang katawan ko sa shooting kahit hindi naman gano'n karami ang ginawa ko. And the wine! The wine started to control me, inaantok na ako pero nilalabanan ko pa rin since this is the moment I've got to hang out with Adie again.

**

I haven't received a message or a call from her, I don't know what's happening so when I called Salve to check-in, she said that Adie and Cosette are still enjoying each other's company and that was an hour ago so I don't know if she already left or not. My driver didn't even notify me if he drives her back home so I have no idea. I was so occupied most of the time so I wasn't able to check on her.

I'm with someone... but my mind is with Cosette.

So, when I pulled up back into the apartment and rushed to our floor, as I came inside the room and look for them, the place is quiet and dark. Salve's not around, but I noticed the handbag on the table near the door and I know that Cosette owns it.

"Elle est toujours là?" I mumbled. (She's still here?)

I find my way to my room, but I found no one there so I came to look at Adie's room and there I found Cosette and Adeline sleeping together. I thought I should leave them both, but it would uncomfortable for both of them so I carried Cosette to my room so she could properly have a good sleep.

I just took a quick bath and changed my clothes. I look at Cosette and she's sleeping so hard so I didn't bother her. I kissed her on her hair and I walked out of my room and find my way to the living room and headed to the balcony.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

Things may not perfectly come together, but I hope we'll get better and go back to the things the way it was before.

J'espère juste que ça durera. (I just hope this lasts)

end of special chapter 2