ZEKIAH XYRIEL'S POV

"Another pose, face to the left, look at the camera, just fierce....and done."

I sighed right after the last shot and accepted the water that my manager handed me. Honestly, I'm tired of smiling in the crowd but I have to do it in the half of my entertainment. I don't want to humiliate them in front of these people. Napilitan lang naman talaga akong ngumiti dahil may mga taga-media rin na nandito para kunan ang mga behind the scenes ko. In short, this isn't just a simple photoshoot.

"Zeriel, you did a great job. They were amazed the way you pose and talk. I really trained you well," my manager, Caroline said with a big smile.

I rolled my eyes on her in the mirror."Yes, you trained me but it's up to me to decide what should I do. Sa'kin lang sila proud at masaya, hindi ka kasama."

"Maldita ka talaga kahit kailan, tsk. Just prepare yourself for the next products you're going to endorse." And with that, she finally left the dressing room.

My make up artist changed some of my eyeshadow palette and the colors. She also removed my earrings, necklace, bracelet, and changed it in to a new one. Marami silang reserbang gamit para sa'kin dahil hindi ako basta-basta lang na guest o baguhan sa isang industriya.

I admit that I have been working here for one year and a half but I already experienced being hired on different countries just to endorse their products. I have encountered a lot of famous people worldwide and was impressed on my skills. 'Yong mga matagal na nga kesa sa'kin ay mas nalamangan ko pa eh.

"Change your outfit, Zeriel. The next advertisement will start 15 mins. from now," my designer said and gave the paper bag to me.

I immediately accepted it and she covered the curtains to gave me privacy. I started removing my tube silver dress that I wore earlier when I endorsed a new fashion of dresses. They even gave me this dress as a thanksgiving for endorsing those.

Kapag kase may isang bagay akong inendorse ay sisikat agad 'yon dahil nga kilala ako ng karamihan. I replaced it with a black high-waisted shorts with a pair of beige turtleneck jacket. I removed my 6 inches sandals and wear the 4 inches black boots.

Nang lumabas ako ay inayos ng pagka-bun ng buhok ko at niretouch ng konti 'yong mukha ko. Caroline entered the room and told us to go out because we're going to start. When I finally walked outside, cameras were everywhere to take a picture of me. There are also some reporters and medias who were monitoring my actions. Alam ko kaseng ibabalita 'to sa TV mamayang gabi.

"Hello, Ms. Zeriel. We're so thankful for giving us the chance to endorse our products," said the guy who approached me.

Lumingon muna ako kay Caroline at binigyan siya ng makahulugang tingin pero tinanguan niya lang ako.

"You're welcome." I walked away to proceed on stage and they handed me the lipstick that I'm going to endorse. It's the third one so maybe I could stand this for a while.

I tried to make a pose for 5 times and even made a fake smile. I'm always like this whenever I had a photoshoot. Seems like I don't know how to show them a real smile. Yes, I love this career and I'm enjoying it but I felt like something is missing and I don't know what is it. I've never been happier since I got this job because I'm already broke when I started this career. Parang pampalipas oras ko lang 'to para ilibang ang sarili ko.

"And...gotcha! You're shoots are so great. Hindi talaga kami nagsisi na ikaw ang kinuha namin dito."

Again, I gave them a fake smile before ending the photoshoot so that we could proceed to the remaining two products. After the endorsements, I had a photoshoot for my new album entitled 'Z Fashionista' and it will be released tomorrow. Pagod na akong nakauwi dahil buong araw akong nakababad sa camera at nangangalay na rin ang panga ko kakangiti ng peke. I jumped on my bed and closed my eyes, relaxing myself to sleep.

I opened my eyes tiredly when my phone suddenly rang and there I saw Alina's name on it. Pinikit ko ulit ang mga mata ko at nilagay sa tenga ang phone ko para masagot siya.

[Where are you right now? Tapos na ba ang photoshoot mo? I saw your pictures on social medias, you're even the talk of the town in twitter]

She sounds so hyper and energetic. Mabuti pa siya walang trabaho, ako kumakayod para sa sarili ko.

"Yeah. Nasa condo ako ngayon, nagpapahinga. What's the matter?" I asked her on the other line.

[Kakauwi lang namin ng parents ko galing sa City. Nagbonding kami kase nga babalik na si daddy bukas. Can I go there?]

My brows furrowed, still closing my eyes."Why? Just be with your dad for now, he's coming back tomorrow right? Sulitin niyo na lang ang oras niyo."

[But we don't have time for each other. Namimiss ko na ang kamalditahan mo couz]

"Duh. We can see each other tomorrow before the class. I'll hang up now, I'm tired," sambit ko at bumuntong hininga.

[Yeah, you sounds like one. Sige bye, love you]

Nagising ako nang biglang magvibrate ang phone ko kaya bigla akong napabangon. It was already 7:00 in the evening and I haven't eaten yet. Napabuntong hininga lang ako at tumayo para maghilamos. I fixed myself because I'm going to visit mom in the house. Hindi ko sasabihin sa kanyang pupunta ako kaya alam kong magugulat siya kapag nakita niya ako do'n.

I just wear a white fitted long sleeves with a pair of gray pants and flat shoes. 'Di bale, sa bahay na lang ako kakain pagdating ko dahil alam ko namang palagi siyang nagluluto.

Nilock ko ang condo ko bago lumabas dala ang sling bag ko. While I was waiting for a taxi, I saw an old man who's walking towards me. His clothes were ripped and it almost reveal his body. May dala siyang isang lumang bag at mukhang nabibigatan din siya sa pagdala nito.

"Hija, may konting pera ka ba d'yan? Hihiram lang sana ako dahil isang linggo na akong hindi kumakain," nanghihina niyang sambit ng makalapit siya sa'kin.

I look around to find a guard that could help him but I think they wouldn't waste their time for him. Knowing people nowadays, they easily underestimates those poor ones. But...he's a guy and I hate them. Besides, I have to go home right now to see mom.

"Kahit hanapin lang kita dito para ibalik sa'yo ang perang hihiramin ko. Baka makahanap ako ng trabaho para mabayaran kita," dagdag niya pa.

How could he find a job with that posture? He looks so old and I know he couldn't handle some things. I saw how his eyes were pleading on me just to borrow some money. I suddenly remembered my dad, those things he did that's why I suffered like this. But this man, seems like he also experienced the way I did. How could someone...a cold-hearted one could abandon this old man in front of me.

"Come with me, I'll treat you for dinner. There's no need to pay me back," I said and gave him a light smile.

"P-Pasensya ka na, hija. Hindi ako nakakaintindi ng ganyang salita," sagot niya naman at inayos ang pagkakahawak sa dala niya.

"Ang sabi ko, sumama ka sa'kin at papakainin kita." Lumapit ako ng konti sa kanya para tingnan ang bag niya."Ano ba ang laman niyan at mukhang nabibigatan ka?"

"Ah, konting gamit ko lang na luma na at mga lata na napupulot ko. Nagbabakasakaling may bumili kahit isang piso lang pambili ng konting makakain," paliwanag niya naman kaya parang may kumirot sa puso ko nang sabihin niya 'yon.

I looked at him intently and reached his bag to carry it."Ako na ang magbubuhat nito hanggang sa makarating tayo sa kakainan natin. Halika po, aalalayan kita."

I don't even know why I suddenly changed to be like a soft kind of person. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay matagal ko nang kinalimutan ang ganitong pag-uugali ko. But here I am, helping an old man who's been walking in the street just to beg for some money for his own needs.

Kung siya lang sana ang naging ama ko, kahit anong oras ay aalagaan ko siya. Mas mabuti na rin ang kagaya niya dahil kahit papaano ay hindi niya kami iiwan para humanap ng iba.

"Maam, hindi po pwedeng papasukin ang kagaya niya dito," pagsita sa'min ng guard dito sa restaurant.

"He's with me so better shut up your mouth if you don't want to be fired. Kahit hindi ako ang may-ari nito, kaya ko pa rin 'yong gawin kung gusto ko." Pinauna ko pumasok ang matandang kasama ko bago ako.

People inside the restaurant were shocked after seeing the old man together with me. Their stares were so sharp but I didn't bother them. Alam kong hinuhusgahan nila ang matandang kasama ko at gulat din sila na makitang kasama ko siya. It made me pissed but I calmed myself and told the girl to prepare a private room for us. She seemed so shocked but I gave him a deadly look that's why she was back on her senses.

"Halina po kayo, kakain na tayo." Inalalayan ko siya at sumama naman siya sa'kin para pumasok sa isang pinto.

"Alam kong sikat ka hija kaya pinag-uusapan tayo ng mga tao roon. Baka makakasama sa'yo ang pagsama mo sa'kin," nag-aalala niyang sabi pero nginitian ko lang siya.

"Hindi po, wala naman akong pakialam sa sasabihin nila. Teka lang, hihintayin lang po natin 'yong pagkain saglit." I put his bag on the floor and sat on the chair in front of him.

When the foods arrived, I placed the food on his plate properly and just gave him a spoon. Sinabihan ko siyang kumain na kaya masaya siyang sinunod ang sinabi ko. I ate a little even though I'm hungry because I was watching his actions. He's really hungry because he already finished his food in just 5 minutes. I handed him a soft drinks and he happily drink it, looking so thirsty.

"Maraming salamat, hija. Hindi mo alam kung gaano ako kasaya dahil sa wakas at nagkalaman na rin ang tiyan ko." Ngumiti pa siya sa'kin kaya napangiti na lang din ako.

"Wala pong anuman 'yon, lolo. Matanong ko lang po, bakit palaboy laboy po kayo sa kalsada? Nasa'n po ba ang pamilya niyo?" I asked him and took a sip on the soft drinks.

I saw him let out a sigh and bowed down his head."May kanya-kanya nang pamilya ang aking mga anak at hindi na nila ako naaalala. Ang asawa ko rin ay kakamatay lang noong nakaraang buwan at binawi na ang lupang tinitirhan namin. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta kaya nagpalaboy laboy lang ako sa kalsada at natutulog lang sa kung saan."

Parang may napunit sa loob ko nang sabihin niya 'yon. I easily felt pity to those who were in needs. I even remembered those times that I donated my price that I won on a singing contest to a charity. Noong may nagpa-feeding sa school namin no'ng highschool ay sumali rin ako at nakipagpicture sa mga bata. I love kids before so I usually visit them whenever I have time.

But in his situation, how could his relatives forget him? The person who works for them so that they could eat three times a day. Their father who sacrifices everything for the sake of his children. Kahit man lang bisitahin nila ang ama nila at padalhan ng pera, hindi pa nila magawa?! Anong klaseng anak ba sila?!

Kase kung ano ang naging anak niya, I would never ever do that to my father. They are so lucky to have a father that would never left them behind. Things that I wanted for so long because my father left me and he never came back to us.

"Tutulungan ko po kayo kung gusto niyo. Magrerenta ako ng bahay para matirhan niyo. Araw-araw din akong magdadala ng pagkain sa inyo tapos bibili rin ako ng mga kakailanganin niyo. Okay lang ba sa inyo 'yon?" Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang nangungulubot na.

He suddenly cried that made my heart shattered."M-Maraming salamat sa iyo, apo ko. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang saya ko dahil sa sinabi mo. Nawa'y pagpalain ka ng Diyos dahil sa kabaitang taglay mo."

Nang makabalik kami sa hotel kung saan ang condo ko, kinuha ko ang kotse ko sa garahe para isakay siya ro'n. I'm going to find a house for sale that is good for only one person. At first he was shocked after he saw my car. He said that he haven't tried riding on a car ever since he was married. Mga bigatin na rin daw ang mga anak niya pero ni hindi nga siya inimbita sa kasal nila. How rude!

But now, I'm going to take care of him since he's on my protection. Ipaparamdam ko sa kanya ang pagmamahal na hindi naibigay ng mga anak niya sa kanya. Even if he's not my real father, I felt comfortable on his presence. Baka sakaling maiparamdam niya sa'kin ang pagmamahal ng isang ama na matagal kong hinangad.

SHAWN AXCEL'S POV

"Sir, eto po ang papeles na kailangan niyong basahin sabi ng kuya niyo. You also have to encode this and change the ideas if you want."

I motioned her to put the papers in the table while I'm busy typing for a reply to our business partners. Grabe naman 'to! Sobrang dami nang tinanggap na projects tapos ako rin naman pala ang susunod. It wasn't supposed to be me but daddy has a business trip to Spain and mommy has a lot of works in New Zealand. Si kuya Daron naman, umalis sila ni Katria dahil February 28 ngayon, 6th monthsary nila. I just agreed because it serves as my gift for them.

[Bro, bar tayo oh. It's Sunday and tomorrow's gonna be tiring. Chillax muna tayo ngayon]

I pressed the loudspeaker button to hear Mile's voice. Pinagpatuloy ko lang ang pagbabasa sa mga papeles kaya hindi ako makapag-isip ng maayos kung anong sasabihin ko.

"Pass, bro. I'm in the company right now. I have to fulfill my duties here since my brother wasn't around," sagot ko naman dito at nilagay ang papel sa gilid para mag-encode sa laptop.

[Eh? Can't you leave that for 5 hours? Ang panget naman kung kami lang tatlo dito]

I looked at my watch and it's already 3:00 in the afternoon."Sorry, I can't go. Kayo na lang muna sa ngayon dahil baka malintikan ako ni kuya kapag hindi ko 'to natapos."

[Just finish that, Shael. Don't mind us]

"Babawi na lang ako sa susunod, Rynier."

In-off ko 'yong phone ko pagkatapos kong i-end ang tawag. Mahirap na. My flings will going to distract me and it's very annoying. I couldn't focus on my work since it should be passed this evening. Kailangan din walang mali sa mga 'to kundi lagot talaga ako.

It's not that hard for me because it's more on Algebra and Statistics. This was our topic last semester that's why I'm not having a hard time getting the exact calculations. Tutal, ang parte ko lang din naman ang ginagawa ko at 'yong iba ay kay kuya na. Since my course is Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology, it's just a piece of cake for me.

I massaged my nape when mom's secretary entered while carrying a tons on papers and put it on my desk without saying anything. Alam niya sigurong busy ako kaka-compute dito kaya hindi niya nalang ako inistorbo. Damn it. Why is it so stressful working in a company?!

I know that there are a lot of things to do like attending a conference, dealing with different business partners from the other companies, signing some documents, and many more. Akala ko ang gara ng buhay kapag nagtrabaho ka sa isang kompanya pero hindi pala. Katria was right, as always. It really sucks.

Natapos ko na ang isang toneladang papeles pero may kalahati pa akong dapat tapusin. My head even hurts because of solving some stuffs. Ni hindi pa nga ako nakakain ng tanghalian dahil marami talaga akong ginagawa kanina. I just ordered a box of pizza and a cappuccino to have something to eat. Hindi kase ako makakapagfocus kung kumakain ako ng tanghalian habang may ginagawa. Hindi ko naman pwedeng iwan kahit saglit dahil sayang sa oras.

Haist. It's because our parents are both business partners so we couldn't do anything. Besides, darating din naman ako sa puntong 'to kaya mas mabuti kung masanay din ako.

I opened my phone because I was really bored and I also have to relax myself even if just in a minute. Kumunot ang noo ko ng makitang hindi pala messages ang dahilan kung bakit punong puno and feeds ko. It was because of Zeriel's photoshoot. I was curious about it so I clicked the link of her video that was posted one hour ago.

She was endorsing a perfume on her first outfit and took some pictures because she left. Then, she was back after a few minutes wearing a night gown, probably endorsing a fashion gown. Nagpatuloy ito hanggang sa matapos siya at ngumiti sa camera. I admit that she has a unique beauty but her attitude was never reverent.

"It's Zekiah Xyriel Knoxville introducing my new album Z's Fashionista. I'm expressing my gratitude to all of my fandom especially for your endless support. Thank you."

Habang sinasabi niya 'yon, parang wala lang siyang emosyon. I couldn't sense that she's happy nor excited while stating that. Nakangiti siya sa camera pero alam ko namang hindi talaga siya masaya. She's not just fooling herself but also the people around her. Hindi ba talaga siya marunong ngumiti ng totoo o ano?!

After watching the video, I was stalking her pictures while doing her photoshoot. She was definitely gorgeous and attractive in any corner of her looks. Nasa kalagitnaan ako nang pag-scroll sa mga pictures niya nang may biglang kumatok sa pinto at bumungad dito si Olivia na may dalang schedules.

"Sir, the stockholders, clients, and employees were in the conference room right now. Ikaw na lang po ang hinihintay," sambit niya kaya agad akong napatingin sa wrist watch ko.

Napatampal ako sa noo ko at agad na tumayo para ayusin ang sarili ko. I brushed my hair to my back before getting the folder on my desk. Everyone bowed their head when they saw me and I just nodded in response. Mabait naman kase ako hindi kagaya ni kuya na snobber at cold tapos ang lambot pagdating kay Katria.

"Good afternoon everyone. Is everything ready?" I asked all of them when I entered the room.

"Yes sir, okay na po ang lahat."

I nodded and sat on my swivel chair in front of them."Let's start so we could end this meeting immediately."

Pinalalaruan ko lang ang ballpen ko habang nakikinig sa isang member na nagdi-discuss sa harap. It was all about a marketing project to be held in Cebu City. I just agreed on it but mom will take care of this project. All I have to do is to listen carefully to the informations so that I won't be confused and I could report it clearly to mommy.

"Is there any questions regarding the informations I had discussed?" tanong ng presenter sa harap kaya nagbulungan sila na parang nagtatanong ng opinions sa isa't isa.

One of the staffs raised his hand and stood up."How could we balance the amount of money to be used in the marketing project if the minimum wage is just 300, 000 in a month?"

"Each one of us will pay 300, 000 and it will be given to Mr. Shael since he's the in charge of the marketing project. He will be the one to manage the money and will divide it equally so that we could adjust the amount of money to be used in a month," sagot naman sa kanya ng presenter.

Tang'na! Ba't ako 'yong ginawa nilang treasurer dito?! It should be mom because she'll be the one to handle the company two days from now.

"How about the products that we're going to sell? Are you really sure that people would like to buy it?" the other one asked, probably assuring that everything will be alright.

The presenter pointed the projector to let us know the products that we're going to use."You're already aware that people nowadays are fond of such things like skin products, beauty products, makeups, and so on. Since our country has been importing some products like that from Korea, the one home of every products we've been using. What if we're going to promote the products of the other country who aren't given a chance to promote their products?"

Nagbulungan ulit sila at 'yong iba ay parang sumasang-ayon sa sinasabi niya. Well, her idea wasn't bad after all. They give their opinions to each other and the presenter will be the one to answer their questions properly.

I guess, there's no need to worry about this marketing project. Ang pinag-aalala ko lang ay ako ang kailangan mag-budget ng pera. Takte!

"I'm planning to talk with the entertainment under the control of Ms. Knoxville and I hope that she'll going to agree to endorse our products," biglang sabi ng isang stockholder na may tiningnan sa phone niya.

What the fuck! They're going to get her as the model of the products?! Asa namang papayag 'yon!

"That girl was absolutely known as the 'Queen of Malditas' so we're not going to expect that she will cooperate with us," sagot naman ng isang staff na ikinatango naman ng iba.

"What if we're going to get another model that will surely accept our offer? It's better if we'll choose the prospective one," singit naman ng isang client sa gilid.

I raised my hand that made them silent and waited for my statement."I'll be the one to approach her, don't worry. Is it all the finalization we needed?"

They reviewed something on their folders and nodded."Yes, sir. As of now, we're waiting for your mother's update to gave us permission to start our project," answered the presenter.

"I see. This is all for today, meeting adjourned," sambit ko kaya lahat sila ay nagsitayuan at yumuko sa harap ko bago umalis.

After the meeting, I immediately called mom to tell her the discussions that we did earlier. Knowing mom, she's always in favor of our ideas and decisions because she believes in our skills. Uuwi din naman daw sila ni dad sa Thursday kaya makakaabot pa sila sa evaluation sa Saturday. I couldn't attend in their evaluation because it's our game with the other school so I shouldn't think about it anymore. Do'n lang sa part na ako ang kakausap kay Zeriel na hindi ko naman pinag-isipan bago ko sinabi. I don't even know if she would really gave me a chance to participate in our project.

It was already 8:00 when I finally finished the half of the papers. Mukhang nahihilo na rin ako ng konti dahil hindi ako kumain ng tanghalian at late na ako sa hapunan. The night shift were already here because it's their turn to work. Nagpaalam ako sa kanilang lahat bago lumabas at sumakay sa Lamborghini ko. I was even hesitating where should I stay this night. Sa mansion ba o sa condo ko na lang pero sa huli ay sa condo pa rin ako umuwi dahil kailangan ko pang kausapin si Zeriel bukas.

"Okay lang po ba kayo na bisitahin ko nalang kayo bukas? Magdadala po ako ng pagkain para sa inyo."

I heard her voice in the garage that's why I hid in the hallway. She was talking to a guy...an old man to be exact. What is she doing to a poor man? Pati ang tono ng boses niya nag-iba, para bang lumambot siya.

"Hindi iyon problema, hija. Maraming salamat ulit," sagot naman ng matanda sa kanya.

She smiled at him, ngiting hindi ko pa nakita kahit kailan sa kanya."Walang anuman, po. Tara na, baka lamigin po kayo dito."

My brows frowned until they already left. What's with her? Akala ko ba galit siya sa mga lalaki? But I just saw her...helping an old man. Is that the sweet side of hers?

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