Normal

After dinner, si Anastasia busy na sa paglalaro kaya kami ni daddy nag uusap na sa may 5th living room nya sa may bandang sulok ng silid dito sa baba ng mansyon n'ya.

"Well daddy it looks like this would be a long chat then, where do you want me to start?"

"Tell me if he speaks up with you?" He happily asked as debbie served us some snacks and some tea on the table.

"Yes..." Tipid kong sagot and a smile formed at daddy's lips.

Daddy always convince me not to look at chase badly, but ever since, I really just don't like to see him as a good guy if he don't prove to me that he really is a good guy.

But then daddy just gave up convincing me after he saw me suffer much because of chase. So he also tried to make himself believe that unacceptable fact of his son.

Chase was really uncontrollable after he knew that his family died and blaming that it was me even if I really did not, so daddy can't do anything but to hide.

Yes, on Chase's point of view, he knew that they died but little did he know that only one of them died in that incident and that's only his mother...Who... Have to go that soon.

Kinuwento ko lang kay daddy yung mga nakwento lang din sakin ni chase simula doon sa mga oras na nag bbond na kami, pero meron pading pag tataka sakin yung nakwento ni chase sakin na di maalis sa isipan ko.

"Daddy... Can I ask you about chase before he gets back maybe like 6 years ago? Before I meet him?" Nawala naman bigla ang ngiting nakaguhit sa kaniyang labi.

"What bothers you?"

"Why did you send chase in prison? And did you knew every details or pains that he have suffered back then?" I sarcastically asked and I know it sounds like I care for chase but fvck I can't let the fact that maybe its all daddy's fault why chase is like that.

After knowing some stories between them, I now don't know who should I trust here.

"He... Tell you that?"

"Sorry daddy, its just that... it's hard to remove my trust with-

"Daughter. He's fooling you. again." He quickly cuts me off at napataas ako ng kilay.

Now daddy sounds different. Something feels off now. I am now confused in everything... Like right now as I look at daddy... I am having the thought of not trusting him now...

Chase's father knew all about me mostly at my alejandro days... If you'll be asking why am I teaming up with him even if my family have a war between them ever since... well, it's because they were really a good people... siguro nga nag ooverreact lang sila sa nangyari dati sa lola ko with the Vicasentes.

Pero kasi simula nang makalaya na si chase... There's a lot trouble... And big changes happened...

Who should I trust now?

"You've mentioned he put tattoo on your ankle, have y-

"Yes, I asked someone to remove the tracker." madali kong sagot with my serious tone.

He breaths deeply "he also talks about the tattoo that has been perished from his body... With a mark of scars-

"H-He did?"

"Did what?"

Saglit kong nakita ang kanyang ngiti at ngayon naguguluhan na talaga ako. He's being weird. I think I should go... It really feels like there's something off here.

I sigh first and tap my arm rest together with my feet tapping the ground, after that I stand up so is daddy. "It's getting late daddy. I should head home..."

"Why don't you stay her-

"No... daddy you know that I am a busy person... It's okay and sorry... I should be going now." I step forward at him and gave him a hug.

"Daughter... I think Chase won't let you go now..." I quickly pull away "what do you mean?"

He smiled. "I want you to find it on your own... Thanks for the visit. Stay safe." He leaves a kiss on my forehead and pats my head before he walk out of the room.

What on earth?

Teka baka mamaya nandito si chase tas malalaman ko sa huli na tinatraydor lang ako ng mga to!!! Shit!! Shiiiiitttt!!!! I need to run!!!

And yep, I ran so fast leaving that mansion and as I got in my car, nag madali na kong umalis doon sa mansyon na iyon.

Kalma lang Xey! Teka. Katapusan ko na ba ngayon? Shet di pa ko ready. Masyado tong nakakabiglaaa!

Sobrang bilis ng andar ko sa sobrang kaba kaya nung nasa may tabi na ko ng bridge, doon ako kaagad pumreno ng bigla at huminga ng malalim.

Malayo na ko sa mansyon at na iistress padin ako and at the same time panicking.

Humugot na ko ng baril at tinuck-in nalang muna sa may pantalon ko, saka tumuloy nalang ng pag ddrive pauwi.

Maya-maya ay buhay pa naman ako pagkadating sa penthouse. Sa loob ng penthouse naman doon na ko nag panic.

Pucha ano na ba nangyayare dito sa buhay koooo!!!! Tinatraydor na nila akong lahaat!!!

Akala ko makakabuhay pa ko ng normal pero bakit ganito.

Kalma Xey... Itulog nalang muna natin to... Baka mapuyat ako kakaisip don.

So kinabukasan, nakapag bihis na ko and made up my mind for my plans in life... I can't really just let myself live like this... Like letting me live on lies... So I want to try and make a normal life here.

Yah, I already mentioned how should I start a normal life back in L.A. but damn, chase is there and while he's not yet here I'll try hard to make it possible.

Now I was planning to meet Aldrin once again and try to test on him to hire me as one of his models in his business.

Before I leave my penthouse, my phone started ringing so I picked it up and answer the call.

"Daughter, I know the look you gave me last night." I suddenly stopped walking out of my house and look around.

I sigh "what do you mean daddy?"

He chuckles so I lean on the door. "You left the mansion so fast that I could notice that you're nervous... And I also have realized that you've misunderstood our conversation last night."

"Wha- no, I do no-

"You do daughter." he cuts me off again and sighs. "Daughter, I am sorry for acting weird lately... Its was just really odd... Hearing you telling me about my son chase... Its just...  I don't want to let you in that situation again back then... So I'm being honest with you last night... But I think you misunderstood about it... Daughter... I know my family is too much on making a mess to yours.... So I'm sorry... And the only thing I could do is to warn you from my son. I also promise that I'll let chase stay away from you as far as I could..."

I suddenly smiled "Thanks daddy... And... I was really planning to restart a normal life here in New York... I couldn't make that happen if chase keeps on showing up and maybe your plan would let me agree with it. Thank you daddy for everything... I should be going now."

"Bye daughter. Stay safe." I ended the call and leave the penthouse without any fear bringing on me.

If daddy made a promise he'll make everything possible as far as he could do and I am counting on him so there would be no problem with me starting a plan.

I head back in the city and go stop at Aldrin's everyday stop by, the café.

I sat near the cashier and just chill there. I know aldrin has a great eye on everything, so I guess it is not hard for me to be noticed.

Maya maya din ay nakita ko nang pumasok si aldrin. I smirk and stood up also at kunwaring bunggo ito sa may tapat ng counter.

He looks at me twice and I apologized. "Sorry, you can go first." I said with a sweet smile.

"Y-You're the girl..." he stammered at tinaasan ko s'ya ng kilay. "Oh it's you Mr. Portman." I smiled at him so is he.

"Hold on, Can I get some strawberry tart. Just one. Thank you." I ordered and face back at Aldrin who's now grinning at me.

"Hey?"

He now shook his head. "Glad to see you again!" He happily said and quickly grab my hand and kissed it.

"Okay? Me too?" I pull away and smiled at him again. Wooh, nangangalay na panga ko kakangiti.

"Here's your order ma'am." I quickly get my tart and glance at Aldrin. "Want to join me?" I asked so he nodded.

"Stella same order. Thank you." Madaling sabi n'ya sa babae at sumama na sakin.

We both sat down and he's really weird. He's just staring at me... Like seriously dude.

"Here's your order Mr. Portman." Agad nalang sumulpot si stella at ibinaba ang order ni Aldrin sa table.

"So! How are you?" He suddenly asked so I sigh. Di ko na kayang magpeke pekean. Diretsyuhin ko na nga.

"Okay, I want to be straightforward, Mr. Portman, I am really in need right now... I was hoping if you could give me a job in your company?" I smiled at him at nawala ang ngiti n'ya.

"But you've mentioned me that you're working at the DeanHaux?"

"I left the company ever since the man named Alejandro ruined that place."

"Hmm... Since you saved me... Maybe I could give you a job... But! You should ha-

"Sure I'll be in your audition later." I smiled at him again and I drink my coffee.

"Then may I ask your name?"

Hindi ko kaagad sinagot dahil nag kunwarian akong may katext so I told him to wait. I texted kian to call me after 5 minutes then I looked at Aldrin. "Name is Cinderella. But I hope if I won't tell my surname to you won't bother you?"

"Cinderella..... Hmmm, why's that?"

"I came from the DeanHaux Mr. Portman... and I don't want to let my co-workers know that I abandon them there after this new look of mines."

"What do you mean?"

I put out a edited photo of me which is super haggard, like me with a lot of pimples, hair volumed up, with dark and round circles, and that oval glasses. I mean not to be offensive, I've been here in like this situation and I already accepted having a lot of flaws. But Aldrin's company have standards so yeah, I'm making things up for now.

Never been that flawless before. But I made that pic looks like I did not came up from a surgery as possible and I hope Aldrin won't tell me that I look like plastic.

Also, that look never been in DeanHaux, and I know Aldrin never investigate, basta malaman n'ya lang na mula yon sa kumpanyang yon.

"How old are you?"

"21."

"and its been a month ever since the inc-

"having a great lifestyle from the past days that I am not working in DeanHaux is possible to fix myself, than having a surgery... Which might took me to fix myself for a year. If you're going to think that I-

"Never thought about you having a surgery at first we met each other Ms. Cinderella. Now you're acting cute arguing that to me."

Masama bang mag defend, eh judgmental naman kasi s'ya, like I know this man, kala mo si Mr. Perfect . Tska alam kong hindi natanggap si Aldrin ng mga nagpapa surgery eh. Gusto n'ya sariling sikap sapagpapaganda, ewan ko ba.

I smirk at him. "Then see you later in auditions." I stand up and he also stand.

"The auditions will start as I leave this café. Mind if I give you a ride?" He smirks so I just nodded and followed him out.

But before entering in I told him that I got a call so I accept the call far from Aldrin's car. Chismoso din tong si Aldrin kasi.

Ugh bat nga ba ko ulit nakipag deal kay Aldrin? Kahit una pa lang ayoko na sa kanya?

"Kian."

"Yes? Have a problem?"

"50/50. Good shit is that I have a normal job! Yey!! Bad shit baka malaman to nila mama at papa jan. Favor ko lang na sana wag umabot sa LA, At jaan sa London yung magazine. I'm also working with Aldrin Portman and you also know this man, pag may bago tong recruit papasikatin n'ya muna yon kaya baka kumalat-

"Kalma. That's an easy work. Its alright. I got you."

"Really? Thank you!"

"Have fun!! "

"Thank you." I repeated and ended the call.

Yep. I am considering myself in that job coz' this man is easy to convince. Aldrin's weakness is the beauty of every woman he meets so I'm just taking advantage of him for a while.

I entered in the car and we head at his building. While in the car, he suddenly speaks up. "By the way, I should give you your screen name, so the people from your last job won't know that it is really you."

See. Agad agad na s'ya.

"What name?"

"How about Nicole?"

Are you fvcking serious?

I smiled. Fakingly. "Why nicole?"

"Nicole is a lovely name don't you like it? Besides, your true name must stay hidden right?"

Good point. But why Nicole?

"S-Sure."

"Great! Now Nicole you don't have to audition! Let's straight up at the shooting place!"

See.

Easy fame if you'll fool this man.

And this life starts now.