Ever since I started working as a personal assistant to Sir Lars Altaria, my days were fleeting and spent productively. I could barely go out to enjoy myself, but I didn't mind. It was fulfilling.

For the first time in my entire existence, I was actually doing something for my future. It was the first step in sorting out my life.

"Put your phones into silent mode." paalala ni Sir Lars na noo'y mukhang hindi na naman maganda ang gising. "Refrain from doing anything that could distract the models. If you have no assignment in the shoot, leave the studio. Hindi namin kailangan ng sagabal."

In my case, I was assigned to provide the needs of the models such as water, tissues, pins and the likes. I had to be on standby from the start of the photoshoot until the end. I was also tasked to keep the food prepared clean and to distribute them to the entire crew when lunchbreak comes. Other than that, I had nothing else to do.

"Listen to my stomach, Aria. It's growling by eight counts."

Tobi, who loved pestering me for no reason, kept lurking around the table where all the packs of food were placed in an orderly manner. Kanina pa niya ako tinatanong kung anong ulam.

"Bawal pa bang kumain?" pangungulit pa niya.

I nervously bit my nails. "Maaga pa. Hindi pa tanghalian."

"I'm so hungry! Kahit pakurot lang konti sa ulam?"

I sighed in relief when Miss Kyla noticed that he was bothering me. Lumapit siya sa amin at piningot niya si Tobi palayo sa akin. "Sorry about this ignorant boy, Aria. He was an earthworm in his past life."

"What kind of insult is that?!" Tobi exclaimed in disbelief.

She glared at him. "Don't wait for me to kick you out, Tobi."

I watched them go back to their own business. When I tilted my head to the right, I saw Nami alone in the corner. She seemed troubled and pensive so I decided to approach her amicably.

"Hi." I politely greeted our copy editor. "Are you okay?"

I was taken aback when her eyes watered with tears.

"Oh, gosh." Her lips quivered. "Lagot ako kay Sir Lars."

Nataranta naman ako. "Ano bang nangyari-"

All of us were startled when the rack of clothes nearby collapsed. Or rather, it was kicked down by somebody. Lahat kami ay napatingin kay Sir Lars na noo'y nakapikit at tila nagpipigil ng galit.

"Who's in charge of the wardrobe?"

None of us dared to speak.

"I thought I made myself clear that this is supposed to be a one-day shoot and there's no room for mistakes or malfunctions." Sir Lars remarked, his voice dangerously calm. "One of the most important props is missing. Now, tell me. Who's in charge of the wardrobe?"

I returned my gaze to Nami. Nakayuko siya at labis ang panginginig ng kanyang mga kamay. My eyes widened in realization. Don't tell me... she's actually the one in charge of the wardrobe?!

"The hair wreath meant to be worn by the main model is missing. Saan napunta? Ano, kinain niyo?" he stated with sarcasm. Mas lalo siyang napikon dahil sa katahimikan. "Tell me who the fuck it is!"

Hindi na ako nakatiis. Hinawakan ko sa kamay si Nami kaya nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. I was extremely nervous, but I gave her a reassuring smile. I had my qualms, but I still did it anyway.

"It was me, Sir Lars." I made a small step forward.

He gave me a cold stare. "Don't lie to my face, Moya."

"It was me." I insisted anxiously.

His jaw clenched. "That's not your job. You're my assistant."

"I volunteered. Everybody had their plates full, so I offered to take charge." Pilit kong nilakasan ang loob ko sa kabila ng matalim na tingin ni Sir Lars. "I'm sorry. I forgot about the hair wreath."

"What the hell, Moya?" His eyes twitched and his voice thundered throughout the studio. "You're the one who volunteered and you can't even get the job done? Don't give me that crap! Bida-bida ka!"

My gaze instantly dropped on the floor. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko ito ginagawa. I just had to do it for Nami. We weren't particularly close, but she's been nice to me since day one.

Sir Lars took a deep breath. "Get out of my sight."

Tinalikuran na niya ako. Lahat sila'y nakatingin sa akin at bakas ang pag-aalala sa mga mukha nila. Si Nami naman, tuluyan nang napaiyak at paulit-ulit na humihingi ng pasensya sa akin.

But I wasn't going to let it end there.

I always mess up. I have been so used to failure to the point that I didn't know what to do with my life anymore. But this was my first ever decent job and I wasn't going to give it up just like that.

"Thirty minutes." I bravely requested. "Give me thirty minutes and I will bring back some sort of substitute for the hair wreath, Sir."

Muli akong nilingon ni Sir Lars at nanliit ang mga mata niya.

"Please." I beseeched. "I only need half an hour."

Sandali muna siyang napatitig sa akin bago magsalita.

"Very well. I acknowledge your guts. Twenty minutes, Moya. If you don't return with anything satisfactory, you're fired." he stipulated.

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras. I quickly grabbed my bag then left the building hurriedly. Geez, he's such a difficult person. Talagang binawasan pa niya at bente minutos lang ang binigay niya sa akin!

"Why do you keep getting yourself into unnecessary trouble, Aria?" dismayado kong bulong sa hangin.

Napakamot naman ako sa ulo dahil punuan ang mga jeep at wala akong masakyan. Time is running! I was just about to book an Uber when a motorcycle beeped and stopped in front of me.

When the rider lifted his helmet, I was surprised.

"Tobi." My lips parted. "Wha-"

"Tara na!" Bigla na lang niya akong hinila at sapilitang ipinaangkas sa kanyang likuran. "Kumapit ka. Baka huling biyahe mo na 'to!"

I shot him a frightened look. Labag man sa kalooban ko, sinunod ko na lamang siya. I instinctively wrapped my arms around him.

"Cool." He giggled childishly. "Okay, here we go!"

Napatili naman ako dahil sa bilis ng pagpapatakbo niya. Hindi ko napigilang yumakap kay Tobi dahil sa takot. Siya naman, patawa-tawa lamang at mukhang pinaglalaruan pa ako dahil panay ang pag-overtake niya sa mga sasakyan kahit hindi naman kailangan.

"Tobi," I said in between sobs. "Don't make fun of me!"

He burst into laughter. "You're in safe hands, Aria!"

Shortly, we arrived at the nearest mall safe and sound. I made a quick search on some stores, but none of their crowns suited the color of our Bohemian props. I had no choice but to make one.

I bought the necessary materials in making an improvised hair wreath. However, I didn't have enough money to buy the artificial Eucalyptus leaves. Iyon pa man din ang importante sa lahat!

I was thinking of an alternative when Tobi offered to pay for it.

I nervously bit my nails. "Nakakahiya naman, Tobi."

"I don't mind." He chuckled. "Just treat me to dinner next time."

After buying everything I need, we hurried back to the office. Tobi accompanied me to the second floor, where all of our desks were located. Everybody was still in the studio on the third floor.

"Wow!" Tobi exclaimed in amazement as he watched me wrap the base with the Eucalyptus leaves. "Where did you learn that, Aria?"

"My older sister taught me. She loves making accessories."

He rested his chin on the back of his hand. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment when his eyes stayed on me instead of the wreath.

I cleared my throat. "Why did you help me, by the way?"

"I was bored in the studio. I wanted to have some fun."

"Was it fun putting my life in danger?" nakanguso kong tanong.

"Nah. But it was fun being hugged from behind. I felt like Rose from Titanic." Tobi sloppily spread his arms into the air, reenacting the scene from the legendary film. "My heart will go on and on~"

Humagikgik naman ako sa ginawa niya.

Shortly, I finished the hair wreath. I perused it on my hands with satisfaction. It actually turned out prettier than I expected!

"How many minutes have passed?" I asked him.

"Forty minutes." he answered coolly.

"Oh, christ." I grudgingly pulled my hair. "I didn't make it."

Tumayo naman si Tobi at niyaya na akong umakyat.

"Let's go! Aren't you done already?" he urged me.

Nalugmok naman ako. "What's the point? It's been forty minutes."

"I don't think he really means it." Tobi consoled me.

But I was inconsolable at the moment. I'm fired. I'd have to start looking for another job. Just when I was starting to have fun here.

"Please give them the wreath for me." I didn't even bother to hide how crestfallen I was. "They can't start without it, so please do."

I was surprised when Tobi took me by the hand.

"You worked hard for this, Aria." he remarked softly then gave me a small smile. "Let's go change his mind. I'm here. I'll back you up."

Wala na akong nagawa nang hilahin niya ako paakyat.

The whole team was busy when we arrived in the studio, but they all stopped upon our return. It seemed like they were anticipating our arrival. Sir Lars, who was helping with the hair and makeup of our models, glanced over my direction then crossed his arms.

"Hi." Tobi squeezed my hand as he spoke. "Look at this Eucalyptus hair wreath. Aria made this herself! Fufu. Isn't she awesome?"

Miss Kyla snapped. "Tobi, you idiot. Where did you wander off?"

"What? I have the right to pee." katwiran ng kasama ko.

"No one pees for forty minutes straight!" she fumed.

Sir Lars didn't break his eye contact with me. I lowered my gaze to the floor because I couldn't take the intensity of his stare.  I held my breath when he stood up then walked towards us.

"Look, boss." Tobi confidently showed him the hair wreath before wearing it on his head. "It's so nice. Doesn't it make me pretty?"

"Stop it, Tobi. You might break it." malumanay na sabi ni Sir Lars. Tumingin siya sa akin. "Come to the smoking area. Let's talk."

I nervously followed after him. Upon reaching the secluded area, my employer lit a cigarette of his own before tossing the pack to me. Pinasalamatan ko naman siya at nagsindi rin ako ng akin.

"I'm curious." He broke the silence. "Why did you do that?"

I eyed him. "Do what?"

"I knew that it was Nami who messed up. I was waiting for her to speak for herself, but then somebody else stood up for her." His eyebrows creased. "I was even more upset because she wasn't saying anything. I hate people who can't own up their mistakes."

I swallowed the lump on my throat. "She was too scared to even look at you, Sir. I felt bad for her." I offered as an explanation.

He exhaled smoke to the opposite direction. "Don't do that again."

"Why not? It wouldn't hurt to be kind every once in a while."

"You want an honest answer, Moya?"

He threw away his stick then stepped on it.

"Because I don't give a fuck about gender when it comes to that." He gently held my chin. Sir Lars took my cigarette then placed it on his own mouth. "It doesn't matter whether you have balls or not. I'm weak to kindness and it turns me on, so don't do that again."

---

Okay, this is boring even for me. But this is an adult fiction and the development between Lars and Aria will be slow.

Anyway, keep safe! Lovelots.

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san