Song: Ikaw Pa Rin- Moira Dela Torre & Erik Santos

Smile

Hindi ko parin inaalis ang tingin ko kay Dominic kahit na nagsalita na si Dennis. What the heck is this man doing here? Why is he suddenly here in our agency?

At sino 'yang kasama niya?

Galit kong tiningnan ang babaeng kasama niya. The side of my lips rose as I look at her. She's a foreigner. I wonder how she met this man beside her. At lalong lalo na, anong relasyon nila?!

"I'm sorry for calling you late, Serena. But this meeting was also a big surprise to us that's why we had to inform you last minute." Paumanhin ni Dennis.

Hindi ko siya binalingan ng tingin at sa halip ay mas lalo ko lang sinamaan ng tingin si Dominic. Pagkatapos ng ilang buwan niyang 'di pagpaparamdam, nandito siya?

Nakakahiya naman sa'yo, Dominic Donovan!

"Why am I here?" tamad kong tinanong sabay irap kay Dominic. Sumandal ako sa aking swivel chair.

I cocked my head to the side as I wait for Dennis to continue. But instead of speaking, his eyes diverted to the woman beside Dominic. Nang magkatinginan kami ay napaayos siya ng upo. I raised a brow.

"Hi! I'm Betty, I'm a fashion editor from Vogue Paris," pakilala niya sabay lahad ng kamay sa akin.

Sinulyapan ko muna ng tingin si Dominic. Hmm... hindi niya naman siguro 'to bago 'no?

I saw the side of Dominic's lips rose. He nods his head slightly to encourage me to accept Betty's hand. I glared at him.

Tipid akong ngumiti at tinanggap na nga ang kamay ng babae. If she's from Vogue Paris, then what the hell is Dominic really doing here? Ano? Editor-in-chief naman trabaho niya ngayon?

"Hi. Nice to meet you." Sabi ko.

Betty shifted from her seat and opened the folder in front of her.

"To be honest, we've been receiving a lot of request to feature you on our magazine," aniya. "So, my company and I decided to make you as our October's issue cover girl as well."

Dominic cleared his throat like he wanted to get Betty's attention. Nagtagumpay naman siya sa gusto niyang mangyari dahil napalingon ito sakanya. Nang dahil sa ginawa ni Dominic ay mukhang naalala niyang may nakalimutan siyang banggitin.

"Oh! And it's not just you, but together with Mr. Dominic Donovan."

What?! Are you kidding me?!

Anong alam nito sa fashion?! Why the hell would they want him to be featured on their magazine with me? Does he even know how to pose in front of a camera?

Before I could even process everything, Dominic already spoke.

"I'm excited to be working with you, Ms. de Chavez."

I made a face. Ugh! Ang feeling! Akala mo naman talaga...

"Why?" tanong ko kay Betty.

"What why?" nagugulohang singhap naman ni Dennis.

"I mean... why him?" tinuro ko si Dominic. "I'm sure there are other male models who will be willing to be on the same cover with me. So why him? He's not even a model."

Dominic snorted. Mayabang naman siyang ngumisi sa akin. "Ohh... try me."

I turn to him and glared. Ang feeling niya talaga! Tumawa siya at hinaayaan nang sagutin ni Betty ang tanong ko.

"It's because you've been issued with him for the past few months so might as well give the media what they want. And also, he's your rumored boyfriend so we thought that it will be a great idea to put you both on our cover."

"It's not a rumor anymore. I confirmed it to you over the phone." Si Dominic.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Right. He's your boyfriend." Betty smiled.

"No! He's not my boyfriend!" depensa ko.

Ang isang 'to talaga, magkakalat pa ng fake news! Boyfriend daw! Nakalimutan niya na ata na nakipagbreak siya sa akin noon?

"Fine. Fiancé then." Dominic said ridiculously.

My eyes widened. How could he! Wow! Just wow! I couldn't believe that just came out of his mouth!

Hindi lang ata ako ang nagulat sa sinabi niya. I hit Carol using my elbow to defend me against Dominic but she wouldn't even budge! Halatang nabigla rin sa sinabi ni Dominic.

I groaned. "He's not! Stop feeding them with false information, Mr. Donovan. We're not in a relationship anymore. We broke up."

Napangisi siya. Looks like he already expected that I'm going to bring that up.

"We didn't break up." ganti niya.

"Yes, we did!" I rebutted.

"No, we didn't."

"Oh! Yes, we did! You broke up with me at the airport remember?"

Dominic bit his lower lip to stop himself from stifling a smile. He ran his finger through his chin as he continues to look at me with so much amusement in his eyes.

"What? Ran out of words to say? It's true, right? You broke up with me!"

"I didn't."

"Yes, you did! I can clearly remember what you said!"

"You asked me to!"

"But I didn't know you were going to take it seriously!"

"Because I couldn't get you to leave!"

"Then why would you even want me to leave when I could've been there with you while you fix all those issues about you!?"

I can't believe we're suddenly fighting over this petty thing in front of these people. Sabay na kaming nagsasalita at hindi na halos magkarinigan kaya naman ay bigla nalang nagdabog itong si Dennis para kunin ang atensyon namin. Dominic and I both stopped to look at him.

Tumikhim siya at dismayado kaming tiningnan. Ngumuso ako at parang batang sumandal sa swivel chair sabay humalukipkip. Si Dominic naman ay mukhang namamangha parin ngunit hindi parin nawawala ang maliit na ngiti sa labi.

How come he finds this thing amusing? E, siya naman may gawa kung bakit kami nagtatalo ngayon! Fiancé daw ba, e! Nananaginip ata ng gising! May jetlag ata ang mokong na 'to!

Nahihiya namang ibinaling ni Dennis ang tingin niya kay Betty na mukhang hindi rin makapaniwala na nawitness niya ang pagtatalo naming dalawa ni Dominic.

"I'm sorry about that, Betty. But rest assured that they're doing it."

My eyes widened in surprise. Napaahon ako sa upuan ko.

"What?! No!"

"When is the shoot?" binalewala ni Dennis ang pagrereklamo ko.

"Dennis, no!"

"Just sit down, Arielle. Don't you want to work with me?" Dominic teased.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Ugh! Shut up!"

At dahil nga hindi ako pinapansin nitong si Dennis, kahit anong reklamo pa ang gawin ko, mas pinili ko nalang na maupo muli sa swivel chair. I moved closer to Carol to whisper something in her ear.

"I can't believe you didn't defend me. You witnessed how he broke up with me!"

Carol disappointingly sighed. Napailing nalang siya at mas piniling makinig sa sasabihin ni Betty.

"The shoot will happen two weeks from now. Right now, we're just finalizing our theme and our wardrobe. But I'll make sure to inform you once we've finalized everything."

Two weeks from now?! But I can't! Puno ang schedule ko dahil Fashion Week na!

"I can't! I'm flying to London and Milan next week for my fittings and shows. And the week after that, I'm going to Paris to attend some shows. So, basically, I'm fully booked. Therefore, I can't do it." I reasoned out.

"That's why our shoot will be held in our studio in Paris so it will be more convenient for you, Ms. de Chavez."

I sigh heavily. They must've really thought about this huh?

At ang lalaking 'to sa harap ko, mukhang gustong-gusto dahil pumapabor ang panahon sakanya! Wala akong takas! Sigurado akong pinilit niya ang mga 'to! He must be a part of this! Akalain mong papayag siyang maging cover ng isang fashion magazine?

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagined him doing that!

Pagkatapos ng meeting na iyon ay dumiretso ako sa opisina ni Carol. Dali-dali ko siyang hinila papasok sa loob at nilock ang pinto niya. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.

"What the hell was that?" I hissed and pointed outside the door.

"I don't know!" she exaggeratedly exclaimed. "Dennis called me for a meeting and when I entered the conference room, I was shocked to see Dominic inside! I was just as surprised as you! I didn't have anything to do with this!"

Napasabunot ako sa aking sarili. So, what now? Hahayaan ko lang ba na isipin ng buong mundo na kami parin? No way! That jerk broke up with me!

"So, what are we going to do now?" I asked.

Carol shrugged her shoulders and sat in front of her desk. Tamad siyang pumangalumbaba at tiningala ako.

"I don't know. Just... get back together!" She said like it was the simplest solution to this problem.

"Why would I do that?!"

"You obviously still love each other. There's no use if you're going to keep acting like this when it's obvious that you still want to be with him."

I laughed at her ridiculous joke. "So, are you a fortune teller now?"

"No! I mean... the time is ticking, Serena. Don't waste another minute by refusing to acknowledge that you still have feelings for him."

Sino ba ang nagsabing dinedeny ko ang nararamdaman ko kay Dominic? I mean, it's only been months since he broke up with me on that stupid airport and yet I still hopelessly waited for him to call me back for months! Ibig sabihin lang no'n, may nararamdaman parin ako sa kanya!

I sighed heavily.

"Just do it, Serena. God knows that Dominic won't take 'no' as an answer for you."

I scowled at her before leaving her office. Binati ako ng ilang tauhan ng agency habang palabas ng building. While I'm on my way out, I decided to send Tito Chad a text to inform him that I'm going.

Malapit lang rin ang restaurant na tinutukoy nila dito sa agency. Maybe they figured that I'll be in this building before meeting them so they reserved a table at a near restaurant.

Maraming tao ang naglalakad sa tapat ng building pero hindi naman nakatakas sa paningin ko ang lalaking nakasandal sa isang lamp post. Napaayos siya ng tayo nang makita ako.

"Hey." Ani Dominic.

I rolled my eyes. Nakakailang hakbang palang ako palayo sakanya nang biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. I cursed under my breath because I didn't bring an umbrella with me! Damn it!

I started walking faster and used my hand to cover the top of my head. Mamaya maya pa ay napansin ko na kahit anong lakad ko, hindi ako nababasa. Pagkalingon ko sa gilid ko, nakita ko si Dominic na pinapayungan ako habang siya itong nababasa sa ulan.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at tumikhim.

If I didn't have a heart, I would just let him get soaked in the rain. But since he looked very pitiful, I pulled him closer to me using his sleeves. Halos madikit na niya ang basang katawan sa akin nang hinigit ko siya. Now, we're both under the same umbrella to protect us from the heavy rain.

Kahit papano ay humihina na ng paunti-unti ang ulan. Sa distansya na mayroon sa amin ngayon, may bahagi parin ng katawan namin ang nababasa. Wala ni isa sa amin ang nagsasalita habang naglalakad kami.

I felt Dominic's arm moved. I watch him from the corner of my eye as he tries to wrap his arm around my shoulders to make sure that we're both protected from the rain. Ngunit bago niya pa magawa ang pasimple niyang galaw na 'yon, nilingon ko na siya at sinamaan ng tingin.

Mabilis niyang binaba ang braso niya at nagkunwaring walang binabalak na gawin.

"You're wet." Sabi ko.

"Yeah, I'm sorry." He chuckled awkwardly habang sinusubukang pahirin ang nabasang bahagi ng kanyang braso.

Tumigil kami sa tapat ng restaurant. Natanaw ko agad sila Tito Chad at Luca sa likod ng glass windows. They're both looking around, obviously amazed by the Victorian inspired interior of the restaurant. I turned to Dominic.

"I'll be fine here."

"Okay."

Hindi na ako nagpaalam pa at basta nalang siyang tinalikuran upang pumasok na sa loob ng restaurant. Some people's gazes immediately went into my direction when I entered the restaurant. Ang iba nagbubulungan pa habang padaan ako sa gilid ng lamesa nila.

I ignored them and snobbishly raised a brow as I make my way towards my uncle's table.

Tumayo silang dalawa nang makita ako. I smiled. Halos ilang buwan rin kaming hindi nagkita. I didn't even get to spend Christmas with them like I usually do.

"Hi! I missed you!" masayang bati ni Tito Chad sa akin bago ako yakapin ng mahigpit. I chuckled a bit.

"I missed you, too, Tito!" sambit ko. Pagkatapos kong kumalas mula sa pagkakayakap niya ay si Luca naman ang sunod kong binati. He smiled widely at me. "Hi, Luca!"

"You look dazzling as ever, mi amore."

Napangiti ako sa papuri niya. Paupo na sana kami nang mapansin ko na may kung anong tinitingnan si Tito Chad sa kung saan.

"Wait... is that..." nanliit ang mga mata niya na para bang makakatulong iyon para mas maaninag niya lalo ang tinatanaw niya.

Sa sobrang kuryosidad ay napalingon na rin ako. My eyes widened when I saw a waitress guiding Dominic towards his table.

What?! Akala ko naman umalis na siya ng tuluyan pagkatapos niya akong ihatid dito! Hindi ko naman akalain na sumunod rin siya papasok at kumuha pa nga ng table!

"We should ask him to join us!" Tito Chad suggested.

Mabilis ko siyang nilingon muli at pinandilatan ng mata upang pigilan siya sa gusto niyang mangyari. Ngunit bago niya pa makuha ang pinaparating ko ay inangat na niya ang kanyang kamay upang kunin ang atensyon ni Dominic.

"Wait! No!" I tried to stop him but it was too late. He was really persistent on getting Dominic's attention.

At ang isang 'yon naman... halatang inaasahan na nga niyang mangyayari 'to dahil isang tawag lang sakanya, lumingon agad siya sa banda namin at ngumiti. He waved back at my uncle.

"Oh my god!" napaupo nalang ako at sinapo ang ulo.

"Why? I haven't seen him for years! I missed the guy!"

Napailing nalang ako.

"Tito Chad!" masayang salubong ni Dominic nang makalapit na siya sa pwesto namin.

"Dominic! It's been a while!"

Sa gilid ng aking mga mata ay nakita ko silang niyakap ang isa't isa. Pagkatapos naman noon ay ipinakilala nito si Luca sakanya.

"By the way, this is Luca. My boyfriend."

"Nice to finally meet you! I heard so much about you. I'm Dominic." He said as he stretched his arm to Luca.

I scowled. Siguro at marami nang nai-chika itong si Tito Chad sakanya kaya may ideya na rin siya kung sino si Luca! Hay naku! Bakit ba kasi naging close ang dalawang 'to?!

"And I guess... you're Serena's?"

"Boyfriend." Sagot ni Tito Chad.

"Ex-boyfriend." I clarified and glared at him. He knows that Dominic broke up with me! What's up with him?

Dominic chuckled. "I'd prefer future husband more."

Sakanya ko naman iginawad ang masama kong tingin. Tito Chad squealed like a girl. Si Luca ay natatawa nalang din at namamangha dahil sa sinabi niya.

As if! Nagfefeeling na naman ang isang 'to!

Unluckily, there's a vacant chair beside me and that's where Dominic took his seat. Mapangasar pa siyang ngumiti sa akin nang maupo siya.

"Good thing I ordered a lot! I had this feeling that we're going to have another guest so I thought about ordering lots of food." Si Tito Chad.

I lazily rests my chin on my palm as I listen to him. Si Luca ay tumatango lang. Si Dominic mukhang excited na makipag-catch up sakanya.

The three of them started having a great conversation. Even if the foods already arrived, that didn't stop them from talking. I scoff sarcastically. This is ridiculous! Parang nakalimutan ata nitong si Tito Chad na ako ang sadya nila dito at hindi si Dominic?

"Yes! I heard about your business! A restaurant in Germany offered us your wine! It was so delicious! Even Luca liked it!" Luca nods his head in agreement. "Kaya... baka naman, Dominic... baka naman pwede pasupply?"

Tumawa sila sa biro ni Tito Chad na iyon habang ako naman ay napanguso nalang at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"And oh! About that? Anong nangyari na pala sa issue ng kompanya mo? Were you able to clear your name?"

"Yes. My company presented proofs to prove that everything was just a lie. We were set up. In the end, 'yung kumalaban pa sa akin ang napahiya. And look whose got a criminal record now?" mayabang niyang sinabi.

Hindi ko maiwasang mabigla sa sinabi niyang iyon. Does that mean... Samuel is in jail? Or maybe he managed to bail out but his name and company got stained by his criminal record? Ano na kayang balita sa kompanya niya? Buhay pa kaya 'yon?

Oh my gosh! That must be epic! I wish I could've been there to witness it! Sayang lang kasi pinagtulakan ako nitong lechugas na 'to!

Nagpatuloy pa ang usapan nila doon at doon ko rin napagalaman na binaligtad pala siya ni Samuel! It was Samuel who did all those unethical business practices and in order to get away with it, he decided to pin it on Dominic!

Such a desperate piece of shit!

Halos hindi ko na alam kung anong oras pa kami natapos mag-dinner dahil sa dami ng napag-usapan nila. I keep on kicking Dominic's leg underneath the table every time he mentions something about marriage!

At ito namang si Tito Chad, pilit na sinasakyan ang trip niya! Okay lang daw na mas mauna kami ikasal ni Dominic kaysa sakanila ni Luca!

What the hell?

"Sorry, hija. I promise to make it up to you soon. Namiss ko lang itong si Dominic kaya masyado rin kaming maraming napag-usapan." Tito Chad apologized as soon as we made our way out of the restaurant.

Tipid akong ngumiti at tumango. "It's fine. I just wanted you to have fun during your stay here in New York. I'll see you soon!"

"Okay! I'll immediately send you a text once we arrive in Minnesota!"

I nod my head again. I waved at them after they entered the cab. Sinundan ko naman ng tingin ang sasakyan nila hanggang sa makalayo na 'to.

"So..." Dominic started. He coolly inserted both of his hands inside his pockets.

"What?"

"Where do you live?"

I turned to him fully. Humalukipkip ako at mataray siyang tinaasan ng kilay.

"Bakit? Wala ka bang nabook na hotel para itanong mo pa sa akin kung saan ako nakatira?"

"As your boyfriend, I should know."

"Wow! Sinong nagsabi sa'yo na boyfriend kita? Your imaginary friend?"

"Osige na nga. Di na boyfriend," he sighed heavily as a sign that he already gave up with this argument. "Fiancé nalang. Mas bagay pa."

Bumuka ang bibig ko at hindi siya makapaniwalang tiningnan. This brute! Seriously!? Ang kulit kulit niya ha?

Dominic started laughing at my reaction so I hit him on his arm. Ngumuso siya at umakto na kunwari ay nasaktan sa paghampas ko sakanya.

I sneered at him.

"Bahala ka nga diyan! If I were you, I'll just stay inside my hotel room and order anything I want to eat."

"Paano kapag ikaw ang gusto kong kainin ko?"

My jaw dropped. Halos bumagsak na sa sahig ang bibig ko nang dahil sa pagkabigla sa sinabi niya! I probably look as red as a tomato now! How dare him!

I repeatedly hit him while he continues to shield himself from my attacks. He keeps on laughing while watching me rage.

"Ugh! I hate you! You're so dirty!"

"But that made you blush! Don't worry. I'm already full. Next time nalang."

I gritted my teeth and hit him again. It was harder this time. I only stopped when he caught my wrists. I glared at him when a teasing smirk curved on his lips.

"Fine. If you don't want to tell me where you live, then I'm just going to stalk you."

"Then I'm going to report you to the police!" banta ko. "Ano ba?! Bored ka ba ha? Bakit di ka sumama sa ate mo at pasiyahin si George nang may magawa ka namang makahulogan ngayong araw?"

"You know they're here?" hindi makapaniwala niyang tinanong.

"Yes, I bumped into them before seeing you in that damn meeting!"

Dominic nods his head and pouted.

"Now move, feeling model! I need to go home!" I tried to push him aside but he stayed in his position, refusing to let me leave.

"Okay, fine, Arielle!" he finally gave up! Thank God! "Kahit na pinagtatabuyan mo ako, alam ko namang namiss mo ako."

Napatingin naman ako sa paligid. Some people are looking at us now. They probably witnessed our argument. They're probably asking themselves now: "what the hell is wrong with these two?"

I started to walking away from him because I can't deal with his naughtiness anymore. Ngunit sumunod parin siya!

I groaned angrily. "Stop following me, you stalker! Sino ka ba?"

I wish I could just pretend that I don't know him so I can walk away from him freely. But I can't! Umarte man akong hindi ko siya kilala, magmumukha lang akong tanga.

"Ako 'to. Si Dominic... na mahal na mahal ka." Aniya sabay tumawa.

I shut my eyes. Oh god! The reference of that joke! Nakakahiya! Why am I even involved with this crazy man?

Can someone just give me a break? Kanina pa ang isang 'to oh!

Now I have no choice but to use my last resort. This is the only card I know that would make him shut up.

"If you won't stop on following me, I won't marry you!"

Namilog ang mga mata niya nang dahil sa sinabi ko. Napaatras siya nang dahil sa gulat. He sighs disappointingly.

"Hey! You-" hindi niya maituloy ang sinasabi niya. "Fine... hindi na. I just want to make sure you'll get home safe. Just don't..."

I almost smirked. Parang bigla siyang nawalan ng salita. Sabi ko na nga ba at effective, e.

"You don't mean that do you?"

Of course, I don't!

Instead of answering him, I only shrugged my shoulders.

"If you want, I'll message you if I get home safely. Kung 'yon ang ikapapanatag ng loob mo." I suggested.

Dominic pouted like a child. Sa huli ay wala rin siyang nagawa at hinayaan nalang akong makauwi ng payapa.

Tinupad ko naman ang pangako ko na sasabihan ko siya na nakauwi ako ng payapa. But in the end, I also ended up giving him my address! Ang rupok lang!

Aayaw ayaw pa ako kanina tas bibigay rin naman pala? Ano kaya 'yun?

Dominic didn't visit me anymore the day before I fly to Milan. Ewan ko dun at nagpupunta lang ata dito para makikain. Pagkatapos niya akong tulungan mag-ayos ng gamit ay umalis rin agad siya dahil may pupuntahan daw sila ng ate niya.

I bet they're going to tour George around New York. Kaunti palang ata ang napupuntahan nila kaya sinusulit na rin nila ang bakasyon nila lalo na't mawawalan na ulit ng oras si Margaux na mamasyal pagbalik nila.

Hindi naman ako pinagkagulohan nang dumating ako sa airport. Marami lang na nakabantay na paparazzi sa labas pero payapa akong nakapag check in.

I went to the lounge and ate some fruits while waiting for my flight when I received a message from Dominic.

Dominic:

Take care on your flight. Call me when you landed. I love you.

So, what does this mean? Are we back together now? Ano 'yon? Ganon-ganon nalang? Basta kalimutan nalang ang lahat at magbalikan nalang kami?

Amazing! Gawain lang ata 'yan ng mga marurupok na tao at isa na ata kami ni Dominic doon!

I started typing my reply.

Me:

I'm a bit hesitant if I should say it back but fine! I love you and thanks for the concern.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti nang matapos kong isend sakanya 'yon. He replied quickly and even sent me a picture of him in bed!

Dominic:

I wish you were here. But I know we'll lay together in bed again soon so...

Me:

Your imaginary friend let your hopes up again by telling you that.

Dominic:

I know you want it. 😉

The side of my lips rose. Hay nako! Bakit niya alam?

After I landed in Milan, I went straight to my fitting for the show I'm going to attend to tomorrow. May ilang outfits akong pinagpipilian pero sa huli napagdesisyonan naming piliin ang isang blue green velvet blazer at isang floral mini dress. It also comes with a cowboy belt.

I just have to incorporate some jewelries along with this outfit to make it look more fashionable. Si Carol na daw ang bahala doon kaya pinaubaya ko na rin sakanya iyon.

Maagang nagpunta ang team sa hotel room ko kinabukasan para ayusan ako. They did a subtle make up look on me and curled my hair and pinned each side behind my ear. They also put simple gold hairclip to add more details. Huli kong sinuot ang chain earrings na kinuha ni Carol.

Pagkatapos kong ayusan ay agad naman kaming nagtungo sa lobby upang salubungin ang sasakyan na naghihintay sa amin. I'll be attending three shows for today kaya kahit hanggang sasakyan ay kasama ko parin ang hair and make-up artists ko.

Pagkatapos kasi ng isang show, diretso naman kami sa isa pa kaya wala kaming ibang choice kung hindi ang mag-ayos muli sa loob ng sasakyan.

Agad akong dinumog ng mga photographers nang lumabas ako ng sasakyan. I held my bag and moved my feet to the side to highlight my long legs. Kung kani-kaninong camera na ang tinitingnan ko dahil sabay-sabay naman silang nagki-click.

I posed for the pictures until a security came in to guide me towards the entrance of the show. Once I got inside, an organizer guided me towards the photo stage for more pictures. Saglit akong ininterview bago ako iginiya patungo sa mismong runway.

I'll be sitting on the front show together with some famous artists and co-models. The guests are slowly piling up now so we decided to take our seats after we greeted each other.

There are some medias inside the show that keeps on asking us for more pictures. Puno na ang venue at hanggang ngayon wala pa ang katabi ko. I have no idea who will be sitting here. I guess it's just another model or a Hollywood actor or actress.

We were being bombarded with photographers inside. Patuloy sila sa pag-kuha ng litrato sa amin ng mga katabi ko. And because we are being flocked by photographers, I didn't notice that the one seated beside me has already arrived.

"So, this is what a fashion show looks like." Anito.

Agad akong napabaling ng tingin sakanya dahil sa pamilyar nitong boses. My eyes automatically widened when I realized that it was Dominic.

He's here, too?!

Nang mapansin na siya ang tumabi sa akin, agad na nagsipuntahan ang lahat ng photographers sa harap amin at binalewala na ang ibang guests. Dominic fixed his coat and moved closer to me to pose in front of the cameras.

Gulat parin ako sa nangyayari. How come he's here? Who invited him?

The photographers keep on calling my attention. Nilingon ako ni Dominic at tinaasan ng kilay. He nudges at the cameras in front of us.

"Smile, love."