The life of a superstar was something I didn't want anymore. But when you sign your life away under a "work 24/7" contract, there's just no way out.

They own me.

They decide on behalf of my name, and I have no control of what they do with my time. It's a life I so badly want to escape, but without the spotlight, I'd have nowhere to go. Without the spotlight, I'd fall into darkness with nothing but silence and a nightmare of what I've lost. Freedom was the price I had to pay when I chose this path, and there was no turning back.

"Smile!"

"Be sexy!"

"Make love with the camera, Elyse!"

"Don't be so stiff!"

I grunted internally as I listened to the photographer rant for the nth time today, and it was only three o'clock in the afternoon.

Camera lights flashed left and right as three photographers from a well-known magazine took pictures of me nonstop. Their voices were louder than normal, but the attorney's words rang in my ears like a piercing scream- occupying my thoughts, controlling my entire body.

"Stop!" We all flinched at the volume of his voice. Even the other photographers were shocked, "Take five!.. Ano ba naman 'yan, Ms. Tuazon?! I was promised a professional! Get your shit together. I don't have all day at binabayaran ka namin dito..."

I faked a smile and went down the platform as if I wasn't affected. I half ran towards my best friend who was waiting for me with open arms.

Diana's hugs were heaven sent. In an instant, all the tension left my body and I breathed out in relief.

"There's something wrong. Tell me what it is, Bee..."

And I knew I had to spill.

Once Diana Grace figures out that something's bothering me, she'll force it out of my system. She'll have me sit on a time out chair if she had to. So, sucking it up, I pulled her by the arm and dragged her behind a rack of clothes.

I looked around to check if someone was near-by, and after seeing that the coast was clear, "I kissed a man..". I dropped the information like a scorching hot potato.

She blinked thrice, unfazed.

"Seriously?", she said with an expression that read that's it?

"Ilang beses ko na ba kayong napanood na mag-halikan ni Rylie- ng buong mundo, actually? That last movie you had with him was too-"

"It wasn't Rylie", I whisper-yelled, "I kissed a man who wasn't Rylie. Just this morning, Dee... Inside a restaurant's bathroom..."

Her eyes doubled in size, and she inhaled. Akmang sisigawan niya ako kaya agad kong tinakpan ang kanyang bibig.

Inalis niya ang kamay ko nang makabawi siya sa pagkagulat.

"Are you out of your mind, Belle? What the fuck were you thinking?!" She flailed her arms around in panic, and I felt my heart rate increase as I watched her horrified expression.

"Does Rylie know?", she followed up, "I know you don't really love the man, but this is cheating! You're cheating on him, Ysabelle!"

I looked at her like she grew two new heads.

"No, he doesn't! And promise me, Diana, he'll never know. I am aware it's cheating, and I know it's wrong!.. But I just.. I don't know, okay? Just please don't tell him.. Please."

I begged, and I felt a different kind of fear crawling up my spine as I imagined what Rylie would do to me if he found out.

Napahilamos ang kaibigan ko sa narinig, "What happened to you, Belle? I never believed that people could change overnight, but wow, you sure proved me wrong.."

How was I going to start defending myself from her accusing tone when I knew deep down that she was right? I looked at her, a sense of hopelessness engulfing my entire body when she looked back at me with a you fucked up face.

I knew I did, and even though I also knew that there was still a way out, there was a part of me that didn't want to leave this mess. It's so wrong that it felt right, if that made any sense.

"I'm sorry-"

"Hold it right there, Ysabelle. Bakit sa'kin ka humihingi ng tawad? And do you even mean that apology?"

I looked at her again with a blank stare.

"Apologies are for things you won't ever do again, Belle. And something's telling me that you have no intentions of stopping whatever foolishness this is.."

I opened my mouth to speak, but I stopped myself just in time to say something I didn't mean again.

Diana held both of my shoulders, her gaze piercing through my soul, "You have two choices, Belle. Piliin mo kung ano ang tama... You have to keep in mind that just because we're hurting, it doesn't give us the right to hurt people back."

"I know what I'm doing, Dee.."

She raised an eyebrow at me, it was so foreign on her always-serious face.

"Really? Because it seems to me that you can't get any more lost than this. I don't know about you, Ysabelle, but I'm not ready to see my best friend fall..."

Then Diana walked away. Back to her little corner like nothing happened- like she just didn't find out her best friend's making the biggest mistake of her life.

I walked back to the platform with a new sense of determination in my system. I pulled my game face on, drowning in the mood of what I was supposed to do.

Diana Grace got one thing wrong, because I'll never let myself fall.

When an entire continent knows who you are, it's your job to make sure they don't see a vulnerable spot they could use against you. There was no room for mistakes.

And the brooding attorney may be one of my sweetest crimes, but he was not going to be my downfall.

The photographers crowded me once again after that five-minute break.

"Ready, Ms. Tuazon?"

I nodded and gave him a tight lipped smile. I was born ready.

Camera flashes started again, attacking my eyesight, so harsh that I could barely see anything. And the huge spotlight shining towards me didn't really help.

A smile slowly formed on all of the photographers' faces, finally, they were satisfied with my performance. It was just another day of a lingerie photoshoot. 

Sexy, sultry, steamy. My expertise.

The entire country watched me grow. They bore witness to how I grew out of my innocent shell, and like what my management predicted, my fanbase doubled.

Who would want to see a prissy princess on the big screens? No one. But everybody would pay to see a seductress peel off her clothes. That was my harsh reality. Sometimes, I would watch my own movie premieres and I would be far from satisfied with my performance, but people would tell me it was a bang just because of a two-minute bed scene.

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

And I almost staggered back when a familiar figure occupied my vision.

God, I was hallucinating.

That knowing smirk would end me sooner than later. His high nose bridge, a jawline so sharp it would cut my finger, sinful lips that devoured my own just this morning, and those eyes...

Those obsidian eyes that bore hell through my skin- I was hot all over.

Why the fuck was I seeing Lucifer?!

"And that's a wrap!"

The flashes stopped and they turned off the lights, Lucifer's smirking self disappeared with them.

I was cut off from my own thoughts when the same photographer who screamed at me earlier came rushing to my direction with the biggest smile on his face. I rolled my eyes so hard I was surprised I didn't see my own brain.

He took both of my hands in his as he was on the brink of jumping up and down, "Elyse! I knew we made the right choice!"

I fought so hard not to give a sarcastic remark.

"Thank you rin for choosing me," I answered with a smile.

"Ano ka ba! Siyempre ikaw agad ang kukunin namin... Gusto mo bang ikaw ang pumili ng ilalagay sa cover page?"

"I'll leave that to you. I trust your judgment.."

That's it. Drink a glass of my validation. I'd pay to see you drown in it.

He blushed. I stood before him in awkward silence. Hindi ako makaalis, pakiramdam ko ay may gusto pa siyang sabihin.

Napakamot siya sa batok, "Ms. Elyse, may itatanong sana ako kung okay lang?"

I faked another smile, "Oo naman. Si Rylie ba? He went to his dad-"

"Kakasuhan niyo ba si Jea Navarro?"

Nakagat ko ang dila ko sa pagpipigil kong 'wag mag-mura sa harapan niya.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could even utter a word, Diana saved my unprepared ass.

"Rylie and Elyse will be releasing a statement about that issue after everything has been finalized. As for now, we are in talks with the best lawyers and we'll get back to you soon." Humarap siya sa akin, "May bare-all interview ka pa pagkatapos mo rito and one last photoshoot for the day with Rylie, it's best if we leave as soon as possible"

Tumango ako ng isang beses bago niya ako iniwan. Muli kong hinarap ang photographer, "Thank you so much for being patient with me today. Pasensya na kung na-delay ko kayo kanina.."

"Wala 'yon, Ms. Elyse! Alam ko namang stressed ka ngayon.. Ikamusta mo na lang ako sa jowa mo..."

I doubt Ry would remember who he was sa dami na naming napuntahan na shoot.

I gave him one last smile and followed Diana and my guard outside the studio. I changed into my clothes and prepared to leave.

Screams filled my ears once we exited the building going to the parking lot. I huffed. Of course, they would release my whereabouts to cause a crowd.

Isinantabi ko ang pagod na nararamdaman at ngumiti. Mataas ang araw at hindi nakatulong ang dami ng tao sa init ng panahon, pero wala akong magawa kundi ngumiti at kumaway na para bang hindi ako pagod.

Security personnel created a human barrier to stop the crowd of people from crashing towards me.

It took me full seven minutes to walk from the door to my van. I had to stop for selfies, to accept gifts and flowers, at syempre may ilan-ilan ding humingi ng autograph. I loved being Elyse Tuazon, but I hated what it demanded from me.

I hated what it asked me to sacrifice.

The drive from the studio to a different one was silent, nothing but the radio blasting Mariah Carey songs cut through the air. I pressed a button on my side to raise the divider between the front and the passenger area of the van.

"Are we good, Dee?"

Diana looked up from her tablet, brows furrowed from confusion "Bakit naman hindi?"

Bumuntong hininga siya at saka nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita, "Labas ako sa mga desisyon mo sa buhay, Belle. Ang trabaho ko lang ay siguraduhin na hindi masisira ang tingin ng mga tao sa'yo. Everything you do behind the curtains, I have no say."

"But you're my best friend.."

"Yes, pero hindi ibig sabihin ay may karapatan na akong pakialaman ka. You're old enough to know what's right and wrong. Alam mo ang pwedeng maging resulta ng mga pinapasok mo." Then, she angled herself to face me, "I will always be your best friend and I have your back always, but know that I can't make your choices for you. Just being here for you is enough for me, Bee.."

Hinila ko siya para yakapin.

"Thanks, Diana.."

Our hug was cut short by the continuous ding of her tablet. She groaned in annoyance.

"Remember what I said about having a day off today, Bee? We'll take a raincheck on that..."

I grunted, not bothering to whine knowing I didn't have a choice.

And then, it dawned on me. Maybe that's the reason why I was having second thoughts on ending whatever shit it was I started with Lucifer Gomez.

Knowing that I chose it.

I pressed the button again, rolling the divider down.

Ayaw kong magduda ang kasama naming driver at bodyguard. Masyado silang tapat kay Rylie, siguradong magsusumbong ang dalawa 'pag may ikinilos kaming kakaiba ni Diana. Isa na roon ang pagbubulungan sa loob ng sasakyan.

Maya-maya pa ay nakarating na kami sa building na pag ma-may ari ng mga Allegre. Lahat ng interview na hindi ko kasama si Rylie ay dito ginaganap. Utos ng nakakataas.

"Nandito na po tayo, Ma'am", nakangiting sabi ng driver ko.

Nginitian ko rin siya pabalik, "Salamat po, Manong Gilbert."

My bodyguard opened the door for me and Diana. One thing I loved about this building was their private parking space. Me and my best friend went down and walked quietly towards the elevator. One wall was made up of see-through glass. I turned around and admired the view as we ascended the building to the 27th floor.

Tuloy tuloy lang si Diana sa pag pindot sa tablet niya habang naglalakad kami papunta sa lounge area. Minsan ay hindi ko maiwasang humanga sa kaniya.

"Nasa loob na raw si Krissy. Your dress was prepared earlier habang nasa biyahe tayo kaya magbibihis ka na lang. Do you want hair and make up or? Okay. No hair and makeup.."

Agad na nabasa ni Diana Grace ang reaksyon ko. This was a bare-all interview. I strive to be as raw as possible.

"Elyse!", I turned around and it was Dave.

"Hey!"

"Congratulations again for the success of the teleserye. Hindi na kita nahanap sa after party!"

I chuckled, "It's all thanks to you, Dave."

Bumeso siya sa akin bago tuluyang naglakad palayo.

I walked through the open door and the stylist immediately came running towards me with a white lace dress. It wasn't anything fancy, courtesy of Diana. She knew just how I wanted it.

Nagbihis na ako at saka nagtungo sa gitna kung saan naka-handa na ang dalawang upuan para sa akin at sa mag-iinterview.

I was about to greet Krissy when my eyes caught a familiar face. My breath hitched and suddenly, the air in the room was a little too thick.

"Hi, beautiful!"

Rylie Allegre came walking towards me with a smile, carrying a bouquet of flowers in his hand.

"Ry.."

"Surprised to see me?", he kissed me on the lips, "I got these for you. I know you love them..."

Pink roses. I did love them, but they weren't my favorite flowers.

"Akala ko ba may lakad ka?" Mukhang hindi niya nagustuhan ang tanong ko dahil bahagyang kumunot ang kanyang noo.

"Aren't you happy I'm here?", he whispered with an underlying threat.

I shook my head, "Of course I am! Nagulat lang ako.."

The smile reappeared, "I'm here to watch your interview, babe. Then I'll drive us sa location ng shoot after."

He winked at me and then went to the side. Umupo na siya at saka muling ngumiti.

Shit! We weren't supposed to see each other until 7:30 for the evening shoot. He can't be here! It's only 4:45 pm..

"Are you okay, Elyse? Pwede namang mamaya pa tayo magsimula..." Krissy asked.

I swallowed a lump in my throat before responding, making sure that my voice wouldn't hint any kind of a suspicious tone. "I'm perfectly fine. Shall we start?"

Muli akong lumingon kung saan nakaupo si Rylie. Mas tumindi ang kaba ko nang makita kong nakatuon sa akin ang buo niyang atensyon. Hinanap ng mga mata ko si Diana at nakita ko siyang nakatayo sa gilid ng camera. She gave me a knowing look. My gaze went down to her hand that she slid inside her pocket. It was my phone!

Hindi ko alam kung paano niya nalaman, pero agad akong nagpasalamat sa kung sinumang anghel ang nagpadala sa mundong ito kay Diana Grace.

I smiled. A smile that wasn't fake. A smile that showed relief. For now.

"Sasagutin mo lang lahat ng mga itatanong ko sa'yo, okay, Elyse? 'Wag kang mag-alala, nacheck na ni Rylie 'yung mga tanong kanina..."

He did?

"Three, two, one...rolling..."

Just smile, and answer. Got it!

"Welcome to Bare-All with Krissy! Today, I am joined by none other than, Ms. Elyse Tuazon!"

I waved at the camera and said hello.

"Hindi ko na patatagalin pa..For your first question, at what age did you lose your first kiss?"

Hindi ko sinasadyang mapalingon kay Rylie na siyang nakapagpalaki sa ngiti niya. Nagsigawan ang mga taong nakapalibot sa amin.

The camera panned to Rylie, this was going to trend in a snap.

The more I stare at him, the more I question myself why I find it so hard to love this man. Any girl would've been lucky to be the subject of his love.

I decided to put on a show. For sure, attorney suplado won't have time to watch any of this nonsense.

"If I remembered it correctly, I just turned eighteen. Right, Ry?". Rylie was enjoying this, he gave me a nod.

"Was it on cam or off cam?"

I bit my lip, praying to all the saints that I was blushing. A little acting wouldn't hurt.

"It was off cam. It's a funny story actually.. We just finished shooting a heavy scene under a fake rain. To put it out there for everyone to know, it's not easy to compose yourself after pouring all your emotions kahit na acting pa 'yon. So, we were dripping wet, and my face was entirely red.." I paused, remembering that exact moment I thought I had fallen in love with Rylie Allegre. Back to that moment I made my first mistake.

"Umiiyak pa rin ako nung tumakbo ako papasok sa loob ng tent to change. Diana was there with her mom, tapos tinatawanan niya ako..."

"Bakit ka tinatawanan?"

"Kasi mukha raw akong basang siopao na umiiyak.."

They all chuckled.

"After two minutes, pumasok si Ry sa tent. Hindi pa rin siya nakakapag bihis. Tapos pinapagalitan kami kasi kailangan na naming magbihis. Falling sick that time would mean delay sa shooting. We couldn't have that."

I continued telling the story as if it was a fairytale. At that moment, it was. Looking back, it was a time that my heart beat for nothing and no one else but Rylie. Back then, he was my Rylie and I was his Belle.

"He pulled me in and hugged me. He whispered words to my ear, makikita mo talaga na he was doing his best to calm me down. I was an emotional teenager and he was the 20-year-old, prince charming that everyone loved and adored... Napagod na siguro si Ry sa pag-papatahan sa'kin.." I giggled, "He held my swollen face and kissed me..."

He kissed me, gave me gentle pecks on my lips while whispering sweet nothings to stop me from crying.

"I'm here. It's okay. You're okay..", was what he said.

Krissy gasped, I laughed again.

"It was so innocent... It was a perfect first kiss.."

My blood ran cold when I realized that I wasn't acting anymore. My heart raced for him. And when I looked at his face, I saw the same guy who first kissed me years ago.

Krissy gushed about the kiss for minutes, and then, she continued with the rest of her questions. Pero ang isip ko ay nanatili sa lalaking nakatitig sa akin sa gilid ko. Today was the first time I have felt like this towards him, and I wasn't liking it one bit. It was making me feel guilty.

"Last question, Elyse. If the world was ending in thirty minutes, would you marry Rylie Allegre?"

I fought back a snicker. Para namang pwede akong humindi. I was pulled back. My heart stopped racing, and the feeling of not having a choice returned. I closed off again.

With the sweetest but fakest smile I could plaster on my face, I answered, "Of course. I'll marry Rylie."

Tumayo ako mula sa single-seater na sofa at saka naglakad papunta kay Diana. Wala akong suot na relo pero palubog na ang araw, malapit nang mag-ala sais, pero hindi pa ako nakaka-lapit ay sinalubong na ako ng mainit na braso ni Rylie.

"I missed you, beautiful.."

I buried my face into his chest and smelled the scent I used to love. It was a gesture that Ry was used to.

"I was just across the room, Ry.."

"Yes, but you weren't in my arms, Belle. There's a difference.."

"Really?"

He raised an eyebrow at me, people around me have a knack of doing that apparently.

"Really. Having you here makes all my fears disappear. I always need you here..."

This was soft Rylie. This was a version of him that my heart will always be soft for. But my blood ran cold when I heard a familiar ring tone. I turned my head so fast I saw stars. Diana pulled it out and quickly answered. I was glad that she stepped out for a while.

"That was your phone, right? Sino 'yung tumatawag sa'yo?"

"Ry, you trapped me here... How could I possibly know who was calling?" I laughed it off, "Itanong na lang natin kay Diana mamaya.."

My best friend came back, her face void of emotions. Inabot niya sakin ang cellphone.

"It was Attorney. She was asking kung pwede ka raw bang makausap in private. Something about an unbiased decision? I told her you were busy at the moment at ikaw na lang ang tatawag sa kanya mamaya. I saved the number under Attorney.."

I got all her subtle signals, grateful that Rylie didn't.

"Ah, yes. She told me about it while you were in the bathroom this morning. She needs your statement. We've agreed to push through with the case, right, babe?"

At this point, I knew that there was no use in disagreeing with him.

"Yes, Ry.. Excuse me for a while, okay? Let's not keep the attorney waiting..."

Rylie released me after a forehead kiss, and I calmly walked towards a private room.

I locked the door behind me and sat in the corner that was farthest from the door. I unlocked my phone, and took notice that my hand was slightly trembling. 

Since when did phone calls make me nervous?

It's because you know who'll be answering on the other end of the line.

I sucked it up and tapped on his contact ID. The phone rang three times before he picked up.

I spoke, making sure he knew that it was me.

"Hello?"

I heard him sigh, like he was relieved that I finally called, "Hey, superstar.."

"So... bakit ka tumawag?"

"Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, ikaw ang tumawag sakin, Ysabelle.."

There was something about the way he said my name that sent butterflies wild in my stomach. And was that meant to be a joke?

"I was just going to ask you out on a date. This Wednesday... Are you free?"

"What day is it today?"

"Was my kiss that hypnotizing for you to forget what day it is?"

"Just answer my question, Attorney," he loved answering questions with questions.

"It's Sunday."

"You do realize that I'm a celebrity, right? Hindi ako basta pwedeng makipag-date when I'm supposedly in a relationship with someone else.."

"Relationship, my ass... You're forgetting who you're talking to, babygirl.."

Lucifer Daniel confused me so much like a stubborn math problem.

"I know who you are, Attorney.. I also know what you are, you beast.."

He chuckled at my pun.

"Exactly. Do you know what we're good at?"

"What?"

"We always have a plan. Keep that in mind, superstar..."

"And what's your plan supposed to be?"

"We'll have that date where no one would think Ms. Elyse Tuazon would be on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon....

I'll take you to court.."