Special Chapter 3
-Interview-

I pulled the soft blanket to cover my body. It was so soft I was so comfortable thinking of getting a longer sleep even more, but then I realized something strange that isn't normal for me.

Agad akong napamulat ng mga mata ko saka ko lang na-realize na wala ako sa kwarto ko. Ibang kwarto ito. Alam kong iba dahil pamilyar ito sa akin. I've been here before and I know what happened last night.

No. Nothing happened between us. Ako lang ang mag-isa rito sa kama at hindi ko sure kung nasaan siya ngayon.

I was still in my clothes since last night. Hindi agad ako nakabangon mula sa pagkahihiga ko dahil parang ang bigat pa ng katawan ko. Buhat kung buhat ko ito. I hastily get out of the bed and figure out if there's something wrong with what I have right now. So far, I feel so relieved that nothing actually happened... or maybe there is and I wasn't just aware of it.

Dahan-dahan akong naglakad patungo sa pinto at saka ko ito binuksan. Good thing, it didn't make a loud creaking sound.

Dumiretsyo ako sa sala at una kong napansin ang nakaluping kumot at dalawang una sa may couch. I'm already guessing na ro'n siya natulog. Well, at least he have me some space and that made me feel so okay about it.

"You're awake!" Napatingin ako sa likod ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Cashel. Hinarap ko siya at may hawak itong spatula. "I was about to call you in the room and saw you here."

"Yeah, sorry... I woke up a little late," I said, looking away.

"No, it's fine. And I don't wanna bother you sleeping earlier so I let you sleep."

I nodded. "Ah, I see... merci. Where's Adie?"

"She went out with Salve, they'll be back in an hour, I guess," he answered.

"Alright... I think I should go now... where's my stuff?" I muttered, looking around to see my bag.

"Please stay," Cashel said. "I've cooked us some breakfast. Eat with me and after that, you can go... or do you want me to take you a ride back to your apartment?"

I immediately shook my head. "No, you don't have to... I guess I'll stay for breakfast. I'm kind of hungry now..."

He chuckled. "Good thing, I've cooked something you'd like. Come on, follow me to the dining."

As I followed him towards the dining and the smell of the breakfast he cooks greeted us, I found my seat around the table and then he said he'll take care of serving it for us. Hindi niya naman iyon pinatagal. He cooked me some fried rice which really completes my day because I've had more croissants and bread the past few months and it wasn't bad, I just missed what I was eating back home and Cashel had the idea to do it for me.

Alongside the fried rice, there's sausage, scrambled egg, bacon, and of course, hindi mawawala ang baguette at croissant au chocolat.

"Thank you for coming in last night," he started. "I know that you don't really have to do that, but you still did so I'm very much thankful of you."

"Everything for Adie, I would," I said. I took a bite of my meal.

"What about your collaboration with Barry? How did it go?" he asked.

Napangisi naman ako. "Well, you've seen half of what I did there so you basically know that it was tiring. But it was fun."

"You would like to do it again?"

I shrugged off. "I don't know... maybe. But I guess not this week or in the next few weeks. I'll just let it go in the meantime and see how our collaboration will go so well. If that happens to be received so well by many then I'd like to do it again with him."

"Would you like to have a collaboration with me?" Cashel asked and it was a little surprising for me since I have no what would happen if we did that.

"Uh... maybe... sure. Why not?" ang nasagot ko na lamang.

Bigla namang may namutawing ngiti sa labi niya and that means a good thing for him. We continued eating and with a handful of conversations and talks about Amauree's pregnancy. He said she really had a difficult pregnancy since she's doing it by herself back in Beaujolais. He said if he has no work in Paris, he would go back there, but then he needs to work, but his support for his friend never stops.

When we finished eating, tutulungan ko pa sana siyang maglinis ng pinagkainan namin, but then he doesn't want me to do anything. Kinuha ko naman ang hand bag ko. Lumabas naman ako ng unit nila saka ako naghintay sa elevator at sakto namang dumating sina Adeline at Salve.

Nagtaka naman si Adie kung saan ako pupunta kaya nagpaalam na akong uuwi muna ako. She even asked if I could come again tonight. Napalingon pa ako kay Cashel at kinibit balikatan lang ako nito. Dahil wala rin naman akong gagawin, pumayag naman ako sa sinabi ni Adie.

After that, I went inside the elevator and head down on the ground floor. I immediately called Victor if he was around or we could meet somewhere else, but he's not picking it up so I just decided to head straight back to my apartment and take a quick bath before I put myself on the bed.

I know what happened between me and Cashel last night and earlier is something we cannot ignore. We remained good friends, but even though things didn't well the last time, I'm sure what we have now can create something new.

Iba lang talaga prayoridad niya no'n... siguro hanggang ngayon dahil buntis si Amauree. Their friendship is something I was jealous of—hindi ang mabuntis.

Just a moment later, while I was spending my time on my phone and all, I received a message from an entertainment journalist back in the Philippines and he would love to interview me just to share my journey here in Paris.

Nagdalawang isip pa ako kung anong isasagot ko. I know it was a good opportunity for me to talk about everything that happened here. From the very start and how I endured all the criticisms and hatred from the online community after the issue that happened last year. I tend to forget about that stuff, but sometimes these people like to bring them up just to torture my mental health.

But in the end, I accepted the invitation because, I guess, this is the time for me to see kung sino ang sinayang nila no'ng nasa Pilipinas pa lang ako. He immediately replied when I responded to his request and then we quickly settled with a schedule. Dahil hindi rin naman ako magiging available this week dahil sa work ko, I wish the interview to happen later this day at pumayag naman agad siya.

I just needed a good space para maganda ang background ko and then I thought about the balcony on Cashel's apartment. I immediately give him a call when that idea comes in.

"Hey, Co," bungad nito. "Did you forget anything?" he asked.

"Uh, no. I just wanted to ask something."

"Sure, tell me something about it," he said.

"Well, I just talked to a journalist from the Philippines and he's inviting me to do an interview. You have a strong internet connection there, right?" I winced.

He chuckled. "Yes, I do. Why? What? Do you want to do your interview here?"

"Uhm... well, that's why I really called you. I don't have stable internet and... maybe I can use your laptop? Sorry! I haven't bought myself since I'm kind of saving as of the moment."

He giggled. "Of course, you can. When will you be here so I can set it up?"

"Oh, I'll be there by five. My interview will be around six."

"Okay, got it! Where do you want me to set up your space here?"

"Maybe we could do it on the balcony since it really has a beautiful view?"

He chuckled. "Sure, why not? I'll set it up for you in a moment. Aside from that, do you need anything else?"

"Uhm... none that I could think of."

"Alright," he said. "Anyway, do you want me to pick you up later?"

"No, no! You don't have to. I can go there by myself. I don't wanna cause you any more trouble."

"You're not a trouble for me, Co," he said. "No buts, I'll pick you up later, alright?"

"Sure... it's up to you."

"We agreed." He smirked.

"Okay, gotta go now! I have to find something to wear."

"Bye! A plus tard!" (See you later.)

After that call, i immediately check my drawer and pick what I should wear. Alam kong online interview lang din naman iyon, but I still should be presentable enough dahil ibabalita iyon sa buong Pilipinas at ayokong maging kahihiyan. I've been through it, uulitin ko pa ba?

Good thing I have so many dresses to choose from. Karamihan pa ro'n ay mga bigay ng fans ko o kaya naman bigay ng sponsors. I've picked the white dress with truffles on the chest and then the champagne trench coat which perfectly matches the outfit. Dahil hindi naman makikita ang suot kong sapatos, I just picked a flat nude sandal so I can still be comfortable in any way.

Three in the afternoon I started preparing myself. Wala naman talaga akong gagawin ngayong araw kung hindi ang magpahinga. Iyong nangyaring collaboration namin ni Barry ay inubos ang energy ko, but it was such a nice experience. He's just a good friend—and hindi naman sa pagiging assumera o kung ano man, I don't think he likes or he feels something towards me. He's just after business here since it would be a good content to put ourselves together and make something fun.

Just when I was trying to do my hair, saktong dumating si Victor kaya naman hindi na ako nag-atubili pang utusan na ayusin ang pagkakaplantiya ng buhok ko.

"I'll go with you Cashel's house," he said. "It'll be interesting to find you connecting with him again..." Ngisi pa nito.

"Issue 'to," bulong ko. "We're just friends."

"Friends?" he questioned. "That's a complete joke... and I bet that at the end of the day, I'll see you both finally kissing once again."

I scrunched my face. "I highly don't believe that it will happen."

He smirked. "Let's see."

Sinimangutan ko siya. "Why would you insist him for me? I don't think we'll ever be together again after what happened."

He tapped my shoulder. "What happened last time is something you should forget about. I think people forget about it anyway. And I can see that Cashel's doing very good now... maybe he's really a changed man now."

I shrugged off. "I don't know about that... I'm just gonna do an interview later, alright? Let's not make it complicated."

Victor chuckled because he knows what he was doing. He continued what he was doing. While we're waiting for Cashel to arrive, nakuha pa naming mag-picture ni Victor sa may hagdanan. It also didn't take too long when Cashel arrived and saw what we were doing. Napamulsa na lamang siya at natawa sa nakita niya.

As we left the building and was about to get into his car, may ilang taong nag-aabang na fans sa labas ng building. Iyon pala ay nakita nila si Cashel kaya sinubukan nilang makapagpa-picture sa kanya at nang malaman nilang kasama ako ay kinuha na rin nila ang chance to take a picture with me.

They weren't that aggressive and obsessed dahil nang sabihin namin na nagmamadali kami at kailangan na naming umalis ay hinayaan nila kami. Cashel drives going to his apartment. When I keep noticing he looks at me from the rearview mirror so I intended to catch him looking at me. Napangiti ako at iniwas na lang din niya ang tingin niya sa akin hangga't sa makarating kami sa apartment nila.

Victor and I hopped out of the car while he parked it on the parking spot. Nauna na kaming pumasok sa loob ni Victor at nakasalubong namin si Adie pagkapasok namin sa room nila. She immediately hugged me.

"How are you, Adie?" I asked. "Are we going to play again or maybe we could bake some cookies?

"Ah, sure... we could do that," I told her. "But I'm here to do some interview. I asked your Kuya to help me."

She nodded. "Oh, I see..." She grabbed my hand and then we proceed to the balcony where Cashel set it all up.

Saglit lang din naman ay dumating na si Cashel at ipinaliwanag niya sa akin kung saan ako uupo at kung anong gagawin ko. Basically, I know what I would do, pero binigyan niya pa rin ako ng advice on whatever stuff I could share or say in this interview.

Waiting for the interview, Victor watched me drinking a glass of wine he requested from Cashel. Adie wants to play with him, but he didn't like children so he keeps shooing her away.

Not that long when I told them to be quiet as my interview started.

"Good afternoon, MJ," I greeted.

"Good afternoon there, Cosette," he greeted. "Though it's midnight here already, that's okay."

Natawa na lang din naman ako dahil nakalimutan ko 'yon.

"So, how are you, Cosette?" the first question he asked.

"I'm actually feeling great," I replied. "How are you, MJ?"

"I'm so excited and so happy that I finally got to interview you! I've been wanting to do this ever since so it's a pleasure for me you've given me a chance to talk with you."

"Oh, of course. Thank you rin po sa invitation. I'm so happy to do this interview with you."

"So, how's everything there, Cosette? Anong pinagkakaabalahan mo?" he asked.

"Everything here is great. Paris has been a rollercoaster for me. Aside from my day job as an English teacher, I've been collaborating with some of the artists and models... so you just have to wait for coming weeks who I collaborated with or what I do."

"Nice to know that, Cosette. You've been receiving a lot of success there and you deserved it. Aside from all of the most awaited projects you have, people also have been asking and waiting when you will come back here in the Philippines?"

"Oh, this isn't a secret, but I'll be back maybe around October, so, yeah... see you all when I get back in the Philippines. For now, join me on my adventure here in Paris."

"Wow! We're so excited to see you personally! For sure, isa ako sa mga taong mag-aabang talaga sa 'yo at ma-interview ka na in-person. So, isa rin ito sa mga tanong na hindi ko palalagpasin. How's your love life?"

Napatingin ako sa harapan ko kung saan pinapanood ako nina Cashel at Victor. Obviously, they understood the question that was asked to me. Muli kong hinarap si MJ sa screen at nginitian ko siya.

"Oh! That smile means something, right?"

I chuckled. "Well, just to answer your question, I am single and I'm not dating anyone else right now."

"Wow! You looked so blooming though," he said. "But what about you and Cashel? There have been reports that people see you and Cashel sometimes... so how's your relationship with him?"

"We're friend," I answered. Hindi ko pa nilingon si Cashel dahil alam kong titig na titig silang dalawa na nanonood sa akin. "We just move on from what happened before and we're happy to what we have right now."

"So, you're not dating him?"

I shook my head.

"Are you with him right now?" he asked.

At that point, I looked at him and he was just shaking his head that I won't tell him that we're not together right now.

But when I look at MJ and said, "yes... I'm actually at his apartment right now."

"Wow!" MJ was so astounded. "So, you're not dating him and all, but you guys are just friends?"

"Why can't we be?" I answered.

Victor silently clapped at me for answering that question.

"Can we see Cashel now?" MJ requested.

Tinawag ko naman ito para magpakita siya. Ayaw pa nito sa una dahil ayaw niyang gawin iyon kaya saglit akong umali sa kinauupuan ko saka ko siya hinatak papunta sa harap ng camera. Kumaway rin naman ito nang makita siya ni MJ. He was so surprised to see Cashel with me after all the things I've answered to him.

Umalis din naman agad siya dahil ayaw niyang matanong pa ni MJ. My interview with MJ continued. We talked about everything that happened before I came to Paris. The part where I was just an extra to some TV shows and couldn't even get myself a role.

The interview ended after an hour and it was full of fun. After that interview, Cashel invited us to get some dinner outside so the four of us get out and look for a restaurant we could eat at without booking any reservation—good thing there are some near his restaurant near his place.

Some saw us and asked for pictures so we gave them what they want. They even asked if we're together or dating at all—natatawa na lang ako sa mga tanong nila. Even though we're not really dating, I can see where we are heading...

Hindi ko man alam kung saan ba talaga patutungo itong pagkakaibigan namin ni Cashel, but the future is clear... things could change along the way and maybe... maybe things would change drastically since I've seen his growth and all. What he did to me may be engraved in my heart and mind, but the possibilities are always open.

Maybe it's time to fall in love in Paris. 

-end of Special Chapter 3-