Mommy Chato and Eugenie were already in the office when I came in.

Despite not knowing if Eugenie still wanted to make the movie after what happened the last time we saw each other, I spent most of my time with the writers.

We were pitching ideas to each other to make sure that they understand the direction I wanted to go.

So far. So good.

Having the two female writers in the room definitely made it more interesting.

The guys just can't have their way because they wanted it.

I am secretly enjoying the battle of the sexes.

When I got a call from Mommy Chato telling me to come to her office at one in the afternoon, I have an idea of what it was about.

After Eugenie walked out the last time, tinawagan ko si Sonny.

I asked him to check on her.

"Sinasabi ko na nga ba eh." He said, irritated.

"Why do you have to be so blunt, Kyle?"

"She wanted the truth so I gave it to her."

"Hindi porke't sinabi niya, gagawin mo."

"If she can't handle it, then she shouldn't ask for it."

There was silence on the other line.

When he spoke, his tone was softer.

"Naloloka ako. Alam mo naman na napakafragile ng ego ng mga tulad niyang modelo. Ni hindi niya sinasagot ang mga tawag at text ko. Baka kung ano na ang ginagawa ng baklitang iyon."

"That's why I want you to call her."

"Ilang beses na akong tumawag. Nahahighblood ako."

I pity him.

But he's been in the business long enough.

He knows what to do.

I said goodbye and wished him good luck.

Since I'm having this meeting, I assume Eugenie didn't jump off a cliff, drive her car over a bridge or had alcohol poisoning.

If she didn't walk out on me, I could have explained myself better.

I could have told her my plans.

But she was infuriated at nilayasan ako.

"Hi." I smiled at Mommy Chato as soon as I got in.

Eugenie glared at me.

Why bother with pleasantries?

Mommy cleared her throat as soon as I was seated.

"I'm glad you're here, Kyle. We can finally proceed with the meeting."

"Is everything all set for the movie?" I asked her.

"Yes. Eugenie agreed that she would stay and finish the movie." She gave me a knowing smile.

Please don't tell me she increased her talent fee?

"On one condition." Eugenie appeared calm but the sharp look in her eyes told me otherwise.

"What condition?"

"You owe me an apology."

"What?" I straightened in my seat then look at Mommy Chato then back to Eugenie.

"Seriously? You want me to apologize?"

"Oui." A smile curled at the corners of her mouth.

I'm sure she was milking the situation for all its worth.

Whatever hidden agenda she had in mind, it's about to fail.

"Kyle," Mommy Chato's voice was soft but commanding.

I turned my attention to her.

"Mommy, I am not going to apologize just because she needed it to soothe her wounded ego." After saying this, it was my turn to stand up and walked out of the room.

Pero hindi pa ako masyadong nakakalayo.

I heard Eugenie's frantic voice calling me.

Wala akong balak na pansinin siya but when she said it's an emergency, agad akong lumingon.

"It's Madame."

I rushed to go back to the office.

Mommy Chato was white as paper.

She was clutching her chest and gasping for breath.

An hour later, Eugenie and I were at the hospital waiting room.

Hindi na ako nakahintay na dumating ang ambulansiya.

Ako na mismo ang naghatid kay Mommy sa Santos Gen.

"Will it really kill you to apologize?" Pinagtitinginan kami ng mga tao sa waiting room.

A few minutes after namin umupo, may lumapit agad sa aming dalawa to ask for autographs.

I politely declined telling them it's a bad time.

Disappointed na lumayo ang babae.

"You know you don't need it. You're just doing it as a power trip."

"Do you really think less of me?"

"I don't until this happened." Hindi ko na mapigil ang galit na nararamdaman ko.

On the way here, I was so afraid na baka may mangyari kay Mommy.

Kung sakali, I can never forgive Eugenie.

Ako mismo ang sasakal sa maganda niyang leeg.

"You know what your problem is?" Mahina lang ang boses ko.

"I don't have a problem."

"There." I pointed at nowhere in particular.

"You're so self-centered that everything has to be about you. If things don't go your way, you whine like a petulant child. You always wanted the last say. You want to emerge as the winner kahit wala namang competition. Don't you see? I am doing the best I can to save your ass from embarrassment. The script was fucking garbage. It was short of being a porn movie and just want to capitalize on your..." Hindi ko maituloy ang sasabihin.

Instead, I glanced at her chest.

Does she really have to wear a top with a neckline so low it almost shows her navel?

"On my what?" She raised one perfectly arched eyebrow.

"Nothing." I shook my head.

"Don't you think I know those things?"

"Alam mo naman pala eh. Why didn't you say anything?"

"Kyle, I wanted to make it here. I'm new but I'm not naïve. Since I'm only starting, I'm okay with playing the game."

"Kahit i-exploit ka?"

"I thought about it. Since I agreed, I made a choice. If it's the wrong one, then I have to deal with it."

"You have a voice, Eugenie."

"That's easy for you to say. I've read about you and your family. You're a legacy, Kyle. You're sought after. You don't have to struggle like the rest of us."

I laughed.

Does she know what she's talking about?

"Yes. I am a model in Paris. But I'm not kind of model. I've lived on my own since I was fourteen because I ran away from home. My stepfather almost raped me but I was able to pushed him off of me. I left and never looked back. My mother was nice but useless. She was always abused and had fallen victim to that cycle. She lost her power." Eugenie's voice broke. She took few deep breaths before she spoke again.

"I worked my ass off so I can eat. You only know about my modeling job but not the job where I waited tables and cleaned people's houses. I was desperate for money that I don't mind getting my hands dirty just to earn a decent wage. The clothes I'm wearing are knock-offs. You're the only one who knows, by the way. Don't tell anyone or I will kill you." She took a deep breath then continued.

"When I was offered the movie and was told there was nudity, I don't mind. I have the body and I'm proud of it. I know I don't know how to act. But hearing you say it frightened me."

"Why?"

"Because I realized I could lose my chance to start over and to get my sister."

"You have a sister?"

"Yes."

"Adrienne. She's two years younger than me. She said my mother is very sick. She may not make it. She's afraid that once my mother dies, my stepfather will do something bad to her."

My heart sank.

"Now you see why I was so mad that day?"

"Yes."

"Do you understand now why you should be sorry for what you did?"

"I'm still not sorry I told you that you don't know how to act." I smiled this time.

"That's why I'm learning."

"Don't try too hard. You're naturally funny that's why I ask for a rewrite. I want you to be comfortable in your own skin."

"I am."

"That's good. At least that's one less thing to think about."

A balding man in a white coat came out and called my name.

Eugenie and I stood up and approached him.

He told us that Mommy Chato's blood pressure was through the roof but she's okay now.

She can go home.

Before he left, the doctor asked for a picture with Eugenie and I.

We obliged.

Mommy Chato wanted to go back to RGF.

I said no.

Eugenie and I drove her back to her place where I instructed Yaya Caring, Mommy's long time helper, to give her the medication.

"I'm perfectly fine, Kyle. Why do you worry so much?" Mommy told me as I was saying goodbye.

"You have to rest, Mommy." I kissed her on the cheek.

Eugenie told her to get better and kissed her on both cheeks.

"Now be good and listen to the doctor's orders."

The doctor didn't mention anything about resting.

I assumed that was part of the deal.

Eugenie and I walked back to the graveled walkway.

I stopped short of opening the car door to look at her.

"I'm sorry."

She smiled. Big and bright.

"Gotcha!" She pointed an imaginary gun at me.

"What?" I asked, puzzled.

"And you said I didn't know how to act, mon cherie."

I am so fucking confused.

"Eugenie," I glared at her, the smile on her face getting wider by the minute.

"Did you just make everything up?"

With a big grin on her face, she shrugged, opened the passenger door and climbed inside the car.