Song: Lionheart- Demi Lovato

Necklace 

Another day, another boring meeting with Samuel and his company.

Habang dumadaldal ang isa sa mga presentor ng kompanya niya, tamad ko namang pinagmamasdan ang mga daliri ko. Should I change the color of my nails? Nude is too boring for me now. Anong kulay naman kaya ang babagay?

Hmm... should I try... red? Nah! Too seducing.

Pink? Ew! Too girly.

Yellow? Ugh! Too bright!

I groaned in annoyance because I couldn't think of a color for my new nail polish. Naramdaman ko namang napabaling ang lahat ng nandito sa meeting sa akin. I raised my gaze and looked at everyone with curiosity.

Was that too loud? Oh, well! Wala akong pakealam. Totoo naman kasi na ang boring dito at hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan ko pang sumali dito!

"You may continue, Mr. Valderrama." Ani Samuel.

Nawala rin naman agad ang tingin ng lahat sa akin dahil nagpatuloy na iyong nag-pipresenta sa harap. Itinuon ko namang muli ang pansin sa aking mga daliri. I'll have to decide on that once I go to the nail salon.

"Destilería Donovan Inc., one of our biggest competitor," agad akong natigilan nang marinig ko iyong nabanggit. Nawala ang tingin ko sa aking mga daliri at napunta na sa harap ngayon.

The company's picture is plastered on the presentation together with Dominic's picture on the side. Napansin kong may sarili nang building ang kompanya niya ngayon at umayos na rin ang itsura ng plantation niya. The last time I've been there, marami pa ang inaayos.

Then my eyes lingered over Dominic's picture on the side. He's on his corporate attire and he looked clean and sharp. His small smile gave me an impression that he can also be ruthless when it comes to his business.

"They're the biggest distilling company in the country as of today. They have exported thousands of wines all over Italy, Germany, Sweden, Taiwan, and other Asian countries. Also, according to my research, their Vitis Vinefera and Serenity Wine ang pinakamabenta sakanila. I also found out that the Serenity Wine is being served in Mirazur—one of the top restaurants in the world. This only goes to show that their Serenity Wine is the reason why their business became really successful."

Bumuka ang bibig ko. Well... I didn't know that! I've already tasted the wine and to be honest, I still can't get over by how good it tasted! Kung matitikman siguro ni Samuel iyon ay baka umatras nalang siya at isara nalang itong distillery niya dahil hindi niya matatalo iyon!

"Na-research mo rin ba kung saan gawa iyon?" tanong ni Samuel na galing pa ang tingin sa akin.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but they don't disclose information about their wines to the public. Except for the low class ones." Sagot ng presentor.

I wasn't informed that the Serenity Wine is THAT big! I remember him telling that Serenity Wine is one of the wines that he exerted so much effort for. And I guess, all his efforts must've finally paid off now knowing that his wine is known worldwide.

And I don't even know what to feel or think especially when I know who he named that wine after! But then again... it's been five years! Baka iba na ang naging inspiration niya para doon.

Dahan-dahan namang tumango si Samuel sabay baling muli ng tingin sa akin. He's massaging his chin now while looking at me with menacing eyes.

"Hmm... maybe we can beat them through our ad campaign. Knowing that we have Serena de Chavez here, we already have an advantage against them."

Kumunot naman ang noo ko. What does he mean by that? Is he using me to go against Dominic?

"Don't get the wrong idea, Ms. de Chavez. Your face tells me like you wanted to accuse me of something," he chuckled. "You're one of the biggest and most famous models in our generation today and I'm sure you know that. You've also been featured to a lot of famous ad campaigns kaya natural lang na ituring ka bilang advantage sa kompanya natin. With you on our team, we can also make our wines known! Makita lang nila na may Serena de Chavez tayo sa ad natin, sigurado akong magiging kuryoso din sila."

Everyone nodded their head in agreement. Nanatili namang nakakunot ang noo ko sakanya, iniisip kung may tinatago bang plano 'to o talaga lang parte ito ng strategy nila.

I immediately stood up after the meeting was adjourned. Sasabay na sana ako sa ibang stockholders na lumabas ng conference room nang tawagin naman ako ni Samuel. Bumuntong hininga ako at tamad siyang nilingon.

"What?"

Hinintay niya munang maubos ang tao sa loob ng conference room bago siya nang-salita. His secretary was the last one to leave. Yumuko muna ito sa amin bago niya tuluyang sinara ang pinto.

"You have a history with Dominic Donovan, right?"

Agad na kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa tanong niyang iyon. Why suddenly bring that up? As if that has something to do with my contract with him?

"At ano naman ang kinalaman niyan dito?" I raised a brow at him.

"Hmm... well, I'm just wondering. Since you have a history with him, I'm sure you knew something about him?" ngumuso siya at nagkibit ng balikat.

Umiling ako at tumawa. This doesn't sound right. After mentioning Dominic's distillery during their meeting, nandito naman siya para itanong sa akin kung may alam ba ako tungkol kay Dominic?

What is up with him? Does he have a hidden agenda?

"If you're just using me to against your competitor-"

"Of course not! What makes you think that? Ganyan na ba kasama ang tingin mo sa akin?" he cut me off.

"Knowing you, Samuel? I know there's something in you that wants to play dirty. Kaya kung gagamitin mo lang ako para diyan sa plano mo, pwes, gusto ko nang tapusin ang kontrata."

Agad na namilog ang mga mata niya sa pagkabigla. Mukhang hindi inaasahan ang sinabi ko. Natawa rin naman siya kalaunan.

"Serena..." he rests both of his hands on my shoulders as he searched for my eyes. I glanced at it before I glared at him. Ginalaw ko ang balikat ko upang paalisin ang mga kamay niya doon.

"This is how business world works. You have to know your competitors so you can compete well with them. Natural lang na mababanggit ang ibang distillery dahil nasa iisang larangan lang ang business namin. Stop overthinking, Serena," he smiled. "Hindi ako ganoong kasamang tao gaya ng iniisip mo."

Inirapan ko siya. Well, maybe he's right. I was just overthinking. Hindi ko lang maiwasan na isipin iyon lalo na't ilang beses rin nabanggit ang distillery ni Dominic.

And why the hell am I even thinking about his welfare anyway? Hindi ko na dapat siya iniisip dahil nasa ibang kompanya dapat ang loyalty ko!

"Just make sure you don't have any stupid plans against them. Dahil kung ganoon, walang pagaalinlangan kong tatapusin ang kontrata natin."

Mapangasar siyang ngumisi sa akin. "You still care about that man don't you?"

"I just don't get your strategy kaya natural lang na manghinala ako sa'yo."

"I don't intend to do anything bad because I also know something about him."

My mouth parted a bit. Hindi pa nakakatulong iyong ngisi ni Samuel kaya hindi ko maiwasang maging kuryoso tungkol sa sinabi niya. I stopped myself from asking him a question because I know that it's not my business to ask.

I know I have nothing to do with what's going on between them because I'm just a mere person whom Samuel hired to promote his wines!

Naging sobrang abala na ako sa mga sumunod na buwan. Hindi ko namalayan na nakaka-tatlong buwan na pala ako dito sa Pilipinas. Sa sobrang dami siguro ng ginagawa, hindi ko na namamalayan ang panahon.

I still have nine months left to spare here and I just wish that time will move faster so I can leave this country already and finally go back to New York.

I was busy with a lot of events, interviews, shoots, and travels around the Philippines that I already didn't have much time to talk to Tito Chad. Sa tuwing nakakauwi ako sa penthouse, ginagamit ko nalang iyon upang makapagpahinga.

We'll be flying to Palawan for a shoot tomorrow. Kinuha kasi ako ng isang sikat na magazine at gusto nila akong gawing cover girl for their next month's issue. I have a two day rest day before we fly to Palawan kaya naman ay sinulit ko iyon.

We were bombarded by fans and media when we arrived at the airport. Sinisikap naman ng mga bodyguards ko na walang makalapit sa akin kahit na pinagkakaguluhan na ako dito. Some are asking for a photo while the media keeps on trying to ask some questions.

"Miss Serena, totoo po bang nang i-snob kayo ng fan noong unang dating niyo dito?"

"Miss Serena, ano pong masasabi niyo doon sa viral post na nagsasabi na masama raw ho ang ugali niyo? Do you have anything to say to clean your name?"

Mabuti nalang at nakashades ako at hindi nila nakita ang pag-irap ko. Well, I've been going viral these past few days because of a Facebook post by a so called "fan". Sila iyong nagpapapicture sa akin noong kakabalik ko lang dito sa Pilipinas. I guess they're holding a grudge against me dahil lang tinanggihan ko iyong gusto nila.

Their post basically tells everyone that I have an attitude problem and that I don't know how to be grateful for my fans. That's not the first time that it happened though. Back when I was still in New York, I've always had issues circulating over the internet about ignoring fans.

At sa totoo lang, wala akong pake. I don't have to force myself just to please them.

Some fans just totally crosses the line that they sometimes forget the word: privacy. May mga oras din naman na pinapaunlakan ko ang mga fans ah? Mas madalas pa nga iyong mangyari kaysa sa pang-iisnob ko! Bakit hindi nila ibalita 'yon? Bakit puro masasama ang ibinabalita sa akin? Para saan? Para manira?

Naging mapayapa lang ang buhay ko nang tuluyan na kaming nakapasok ng airport. Carol sigh disappointingly at me.

"You have another issue about snubbing your fans, Serena."

"So? It will all go down soon. People will just probably forget it after a while."

At mas mabuti na rin na hindi ko na binibigyang apoy ang issue na iyon dahil mas lalo lang lalala. Let those people do whatever they want. Mga bored lang siguro ang mga 'yon.

"You have to be nicer to your fans next time." Paalala ni Carol.

I look at her ridiculously. "You know I'm not a nice person so why the need to pretend?"

Sa tinagal-tagal na naming nagkasama ni Carol, alam na rin niya ang iba kong ugali. She knows that I'm a bit sensitive that also gets irritated easily. She knows a part of me and I also know a part of her. We're pretty much close and I treat her as a friend.

Habang naghihintay sa flight ay may iilang fans na lumapit sa akin upang magpapicture. Tinitingnan ko muna si Carol at sasamaan ng tingin bago ako pumayag. She will only laugh and will continue reading her magazine.

"Mabait naman po pala kayo sa personal, Ma'am. Hindi ko alam bakit ang daming naninira sa'yo." Ani isang fan.

Plastic akong tumawa at ngumiti. I pretended to be hurt and disappointed about the issues that are being thrown at me.

"Hindi ko nga rin alam kung bakit sila galit na galit sa akin. Wala naman akong ginagawang masama." Pagpapaawa ko.

Mukhang effective naman ang pagdadrama ko dahil bakas sa itsura nung fan na naawa siya sa akin. I almost smirked.

"Hayaan mo, Ma'am! Ipagtatanggol ka namin doon sa mga gustong manira sainyo. Hindi kasi sila sikat kagaya mo kaya gusto ka nilang hilahin pababa."

Pabiro ko siyang pinalo sa kanyang braso. "Hala! Di na kailangan! Baka may makaaway pa kayo dahil sa akin."

"Naku! Okay lang! Basta maipagtanggol ka namin!"

Plastic akong muling tumawa. After the fan left, I gave Carol a teasing smirk. Napailing nalang siya sa akin.

"Was that good, Carol? Should I enter Hollywood now?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "Stop playing with your fans."

"But I'm not playing! I'm just harnessing my 'acting skills'." I said while making an air quote. I smiled at her.

"You are so weird."

Nagpatuloy ang pag-acting ko hanggang sa tinawag na ang flight namin. It was so stressful dahil hanggang sa eroplano ay may lumalapit parin sa akin para makapagpapicture. But we're already in business class! Hanggang dito mayroon parin?

Mukhang mga wala ring kwenta itong mga bodyguards na prinovide ni Samuel dahil kahit nandiyan sila sa gilid, may mga nakakalapit parin sa akin. May silbi lang ata ang mga ito pag pinagkagulohan na ako.

Maayos naman ang naging pagdating namin sa Palawan dahil kakaunti lang ang sumalubong sa amin kaya pinaunlakan ko na rin ng picture. I put my sunglasses on top of my head so I can take a better picture with some of my fans.

Ewan ko kung fans ko nga ba ang iba dito o baka naman nakikipicture lang kahit hindi naman ako kilala.

When we arrived at the hotel, I was immediately welcomed by the magazine's crew. I tried to smile at everyone before I roam my eyes around the hotel's lobby. Magarbo ang tanggapan nito dahil sa unang tingin palang, mararamdaman mo nang pang high class ang hotel na ito.

The crew guided us towards our hotel room. I was even more surprised that they gave me a presidential suite where I saw a lot of gifts from them!

"Uh, bilang pasasalamat nalang din po namin sa pagtanggap niyo sa imbitasyon namin." Ani Sarah, isa sa mga crew.

Ngumiti ako at pinasadahan na ng tingin ang mga regalong nakalatag sa kama. Most of them were from designer brands. Naupo ako sa kama at unang kinuha ang box ng Gucci. A limited edition Dionysus bag is inside and I stared at it in awe.

"Thank you for this!" sabi ko sa sobrang galak.

Nagkaroon muna kami ng fitting at make-up test bago sila tuluyang lumabas ng hotel room namin.

Masaya ko namang ibinaling muli ang atensyon sa mga regalo. This is what I love the most about working with a lot of brands and magazines. You get a lot of gifts and they get to spoil you while you're working with them. Minsan may random nalang na magbibigay ng PR box.

Perks of being a model.

Sunod ko namang binuksan ang paper bag na may nakasulat na Balmain. Inside were two different outfits. The first one is a blue metallic tweed jumpsuit while the second is a beige embellished tweed shorts. I'll definitely wear the jumpsuit once I go shopping during my rest day!

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagbubukas ng mga regalo. Karamihan doon ay mga damit at sapatos. Iilan lang ang bags. Sa dami ko nang nakatrabahong brands ay madami na rin akong natatanggap na regalo. Minsan kapag nadadamihan ako, hinahayaan kong mamili si Carol ng gusto niya.

I mean, I should share my success with her since she's one of the reasons why I reached the peak of my career. Through her hard work and dedication towards me, I was able to achieve so many things.

Pagkatapos buksan ang lahat ng regalo ay bumaba na kami para kumain ng lunch. It was peaceful during lunch dahil wala gaanong nanggugulo. Some of the staff asks for a picture at hinahayaan ko naman. Nang sumapit naman ang hapon ay inenjoy ko ang beach.

It's been a while since I last went to a beach. Halos indoor shoots kasi ang mga shoots ko ngayon at ngayon nalang ulit nagkaroon sa labas. That's why I'm really happy that they chose this setting because I get to enjoy myself first before I focus on my work.

Maaga ang call time kinabukasan. Si Carol na ang gumising sa akin at sabay rin kaming bumaba para kumain ng breakfast. Over breakfast, I was introduced to the photographer and the editor-in-chief of the magazine.

I looked outside and saw them setting up our shooting area. May tent na rin silang inaayos doon para doon ako ayusan at makapagpalit ng damit.

"Noong narinig ko na ikaw ang model, walang pag-aalinlangan ko talagang tinanggap ang trabaho," ani Austin, 'yong photographer. Binalik ko naman ang tingin sakanila at tipid siyang nginitian. "I mean, it's Serena de Chavez! It's a dream to be working with you."

Napagalaman kong isa pala siyang sikat na photographer. He's already worked with a lot of A-list celebrities here in the Philippines. May iilang Hollywood actors and actress na rin siyang nakatrabaho. He even showed me a bit of his shots and I'm impressed!

Pagkatapos ng breakfast ay agad kaming dumiretso sa set upang makapagumpisa nang mag-ayos. Since we're shooting in front of the ocean, most of my wardrobe are swimsuits.

My first outfit is a bronze one shoulder with an edgy cut out one piece swimsuit. Pinasuot nila sa akin  ang isang statement earring. Hindi na naman nila sinubukang pahubarin ang kwintas ko dahil kahit na i-utos nila 'yon, hindi ko 'yon gagawin. I feel incomplete whenever I remove my necklace. Feeling ko hindi ako nakakapagfunction ng maayos kapag wala iyon.

Pinasuot rin nila ako ng isang malaking beach hat. Dumiretso naman ako agad sa set nang matapos nila akong ayusan.

It was really hot outside that's why I'm really grateful that I have this big hat on me. My make-up artist did a bit of retouching before we start the shoot.

I sat down on the sand and crossed my legs over the other while my hand gripped on the big hat to cover half of my face as instructed by Austin. I smized at the camera and continued on giving faces.

"Beautiful!" puri ni Austin. Lumapit naman siya para sa mga close-up shot.

Minsan mas lumalapit pa siya para ayusin ang angulo ng mukha ko kahit na pupwede niya namang sabihin nalang.

There is also a videographer who takes shots for the behind the scene video. I did a lot of emote and gave them an 'attitude'—as Austin would like to call it—in front of the camera.

Habang inaayos ni Austin ang kanyang camera at habang nireretouch at inaayusan ako ng HMUA, napukaw ng atensyon ko iyong taong nasa likod ng shoot namin.

Wearing a white linen shirt and a taupe board shorts, I saw Dominic together with the editor-in-chief standing behind our set. Nakahalukipkip siya habang nakatanaw sa akin.

I squinted my eyes to make sure that it was really him. Kahit na may suot siyang sunglasses, ramdam kong nakatingin siya sa akin.

May kung anong dinadaldal iyong editor-in-chief sakanya pero ang atensyon niya ay nasa akin. Napansin niya sigurong nabigla ako kaya sinubukan niyang ngumiti. My forehead creased.

"What is he doing here?" I whispered to myself.

"Huh? Sino?" nagulat ako nang biglang itanong iyon ng make-up artist. Narinig niya pala ako.

Umiling ako at inalis ang tingin sa harap. "Wala."

When I was instructed to change my outfit, I quickly went towards the tent to ask Carol a question. Napansin ko namang sinundan ako ng tingin ni Dominic habang patungo doon.

"Carol," I immediately called her attention. Agad siyang napabaling ng tingin sa akin at umayos ng upo. "This shoot is for a magazine and not for any brands... right?"

Baka mamaya may iba pa palang negosyo itong si Dominic at baka siya pa ang kumuha sa akin para sa shoot na 'to!

"Yes. Why?"

I smiled and shake my head. "Nothing." 

Then what is he doing here? Is he involved with the magazine? Is he one of the editors? Oh, gosh! I can't imagine him writing something about fashion!

Hindi ko nalang inisip pa iyon at nagpalit nalang ng panibagong swimsuit. This one is more daring now. It's a leopard print string bikini. Pagkatapos ayusin ng HMUA ang hair and make-up ko, iginiya nila ako pabalik ng set.

Pagkalabas ko ay nakita kong natigilan si Dominic sa pakikipag-usap sa editor-in-chief. I saw him gulp when he saw what I'm wearing. Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at dire-diretso nalang na nagtungo sa set. Austin gave me a cheeky smile as he checks me out.

"Perfect." He said.

I made a face and rolled my eyes as I walk pass him. I'm pretty sure he's checking my buns now!

Tss. Walang hiyang photographer! Kanina pa 'yang mga makahulugang tingin niya ah?

He pointed at a spot near a rock formation. Ngumisi siya sa akin bago tumingin sa viewfinder ng kanyang camera. Nanatiling busangot ang mukha ko. He instructed me to lie down on the sand. I put my arms up and rest my head on it.

Wala pa atang ilang minuto nang magsumila ang shoot ay tumayo siya sa kanyang pwesto upang lumapit sa akin.

"This is not working. Here do this," he said and gripped on my waist to fix my posture. Inayos niya ang pagkakatihaya ko.

His hand then moved to my legs. Nang haplosin niya iyon ay agad akong nakaramdam ng pagkainis. Umahon ako mula sa pagkakatihaya at tinampal ang kanyang kamay. He looks at me innocently, akala mo'y walang pambabastos na ginagawa.

"Stop it! I know what I'm doing okay?" I snapped. "Kung may ipapabago ka sa posisyon ko, sabihin mo nalang. I can adjust. No need to come closer and do the job for me because I know what I'm doing."

"I'm just trying to help-"

"Yeah? By caressing my waist and legs with malice? 'Yon ba ang tulong sa'yo?"

"I-"

"Isa pang haplos mo sa akin, ipapatigil ko 'tong shoot at magpapahanap ako ng bagong photographer. 'Yong marunong gumalang sana." Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata pagkatapos ko siyang paratangan.

He gulped as his face turns red. Napaiwas siya ng tingin at dahan-dahang tumango bago bumalik sa kanyang posisyon.

Nakita ko ang takot sa mukha ng ibang crew at napapaiwas nalang ng tingin sa akin. Meanwhile, my eyes lingered over Dominic who's still beside the editor-in-chief. Ganoon parin ang pwesto niya. 'Yun nga lang, nakakunot na ang noo at mukhang iritado.

Inalis ko ang tingin sakanya at bumalik sa dating posisyon. I lie down on the sand and arched my hips a bit. Nagpatuloy ako sa pag-popose sa camera. I did what I please and I guess the pictures turned out good ever since Austin stopped instructing me.

O diba? Mas umayos ang shoot nang hindi siya nangangaelam!

I changed into my third outfit which is a red chiffon dress. Nanatili ako malapit sa isang matayog na coconut tree habang hinihintay silang ayusin ang set. Hindi naman kami sa tapat ng dagat ngayon. I will be sitting on one of the tree's branches to make the shoot look more editorial. 

May iniabot namang mini fan sa akin ang isang crew upang hindi ako mainitan at hindi humulas ang make-up ko habang naghihintay. I was patiently waiting for them to finish when a man stood beside me. Pagkalingon ko, nakita ko si Dominic.

Bumuntong hininga ako at lalayo na sana ngunit bigla naman siyang nagsalita.

"Was that really necessary?"

My forehead creased before I turn to him. "What?"

"The touching. Does it usually happen? You looked uncomfortable."

"Yeah, especially when you're in this industry where people think they can objectify you just because you wear swimsuits or something daring in photos," I explained. I saw his jaw clenched. Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay. "Anyways, what are you doing here?"

Nilingon niya ako at nagulat sa tanong ko.

"I-I'm here for vacation."

"Really? Sa tapat talaga ng shoot namin?" Ngumuso ako, ayaw siyang paniwalaan. I cocked my head to the side.

"Vacation huh?" I mocked. Umirap ako at bahagyang tumawa.

"Nasaktohan lang."

Ah, talaga? Kaya pala di na siya umalis sa pwesto niya at kanina pa nanonood sa shoot namin. Tamo nga sa sobrang panonood niya, napansin niya pa iyong ginawa noong photographer kanina!

If he's really on vacation, sana nag-eenjoy na siya diyan sa beach at hindi nag-aaksaya ng oras dito para lang manood ng shoot!

Hindi parin ako naniwala sakanya kaya napabuntong hininga siya.

"Fine. I'm friends with the editor-in-chief and I heard that you're going to be featured in his magazine. Naisip ko lang na... tingnan."

Maniwala! He doesn't sound convincing!

"Talaga? Ano pa?"

"Anong ano pa? 'Yun lang talaga ang pinunta ko!"

"Bakit kailangan mo pang tingnan? As if naman may parte ka sa pag-gawa ng issue na 'to?"

Hindi siya nakasagot. I raised my brow at him when he glanced at me. Inalis niya ang mga kamay niya sa kanyang bulsa at tuluyan na akong nilingon.

"Fine. I'm also here to try and convince you to let go of your contract with Samuel."

"Why is that?"

"Work with me."

Kumunot ang noo ko sabay ngumisi. I rest my right hand over my waist.

"Too late. Naunahan ka na ng kalaban mo," pang-aasar ko. "And also... what does it have to do with you? Ano bang pakealam mo sa kontrata ko kay Samuel?"

"Nothing..." he trailed off sadly. He bowed his head a bit. "Arielle, I'm just really concerned."

I laughed mockingly at him. "Wow! You still call me by that name huh?"

Dismayado niyang binagsak ang kanyang balikat at tsaka sumimsim. Mas lalo tuloy kumunot ang noo ko nang dahil sa sinabi niya. Really? He's concerned huh?

"There's nothing to be concerned about because it's none of your business, Mr. Donovan. Stop meddling with it. Kung gusto mo, hanap ka rin ng model na pupwedeng mag-promote ng wine mo. Try Hannah. Diba close kayo?"

I suddenly felt bitterness ran over my body. Inirapan ko siya at humalukipkip. Tatalikod na sana ako nang mahablot niya ang siko ko upang palingunin muli ako sakanya. Tiningnan ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak doon bago ko inangat muli ang tingin sakanya.

"You're pretty much not comfortable working with him. He might hurt you again, Arielle. He's probably just using you for his own benefit. He's probably going to use you against me-"

Naputol ang sinasabi niya dahil sa pagtawa ko. I almost clapped my hands because of my amusement towards his statement.

"Wow!" I chuckled sarcastically. "Coming from the guy who hurt me as well."

His mouth parted. Hindi agad siya nakapagsalita dahil sa gulat. Marahas ko namang tinanggal ang kamay niya sa siko ko at masama siyang tiningnan.

"Hindi na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na ipaliwanag sa'yo dahil alam kong galit ka sa akin. Maaaring hindi ka rin makinig sa akin nang dahil sa galit. But... everything is real between us, Arielle. Believe me." paliwanag niya.

Nanatili akong nakatitig sakanya. Kitang kita ko sa mga mata niya ang pag-asang paniniwalaan ko siya sa sinabi niya. Paano ko naman gagawin 'yun? Pinagpustahan nila ako! Alam niya ba kung gaano kasakit nang malaman ko 'yun ha?

Everything he did for me, he did it for show.

I scoffed and looked at him with no humor. Hindi niya inasahan ang reaksyon ko kaya bumuka muli ang bibig niya. His jaw clenched when I didn't stop on laughing insultingly at him.

"Try to be a lot more convincing next time. Baka sakaling paniwalaan na kita." Sabi ko.

Lalampasan ko na sana siya nang matigilan lang muli nang may sumalubong sa aking crew. Mataray ko siyang tiningnan dahil hindi agad siya nagsalita nang makaharap ako. Sa halip, napunta pa ang tingin niya sa likuran ko!

"What?" I snapped.

Bumalik rin naman siya sa katinuan at inangat na ang tingin sa akin.

"Uh... Ma'am, may pinapasabi po kasi si Sir Austin."

"Ano na naman 'yun?"

"Pinapatanggal niya po iyong kwintas sa leeg mo. Hindi daw po kasi magandang tingnan sa picture. Hindi daw po bagay sa mood ng shoot."

Bumuka ang bibig ko. Sinubukan kong itago iyon kay Dominic upang hindi na niya makita pang suot ko parin iyon hanggang ngayon, pero mukhang huli na ang lahat!

Nang lingunin ko si Dominic ay nakita kong nakatingin na siya sa kwintas na bigay niya sa akin noong 19th birthday ko. I frantically covered it with my hand. Iritable ko namang binalingan ng tingin iyong crew.

"Then just tell him to edit it out!"

"Uh... tulungan ko nalang po kayong alisin iyong kwintas niyo ngayon, Ma'am, para hindi na po masita ni Sir sa shoot mamaya."

Sinubukan niyang abutin ang lock ng kwintas ko pero pinigilan ko siya. Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko.

"'Wag."

Napakurap niya, mukhang hindi inaasahan na hindi ako susunod sa ano mang gustong mangyari noong bastos na photographer.

"B-Bakit po, Ma'am?"

I shake my head and looked at her sharply. "Basta 'wag. Most of my bare shoots, they just edit my necklace out. I'm sure you can also do that."

"Uh..." nangapa siya sa salita.

Nilingon kong muli si Dominic bago ako yumuko upang may ibulong doon sa crew. Inilapit niya ang tainga sa akin, mukhang gustong-gusto marinig ang dahilan. Hinawakan ko ang siko niya upang mas palapitin siya sa akin.

"Pakisabi kay Austin na siya kamo ang panira ng mood at hindi ang kwintas ko. 'Wag niya kamo akong pakealaman. Okay?"

The crew gasp. She blinked a lot of times before nodding her head.

"Si... Sige po, M-Ma'am. S-Sasabihin ko po!"

Nagmamadali siyang lumayo sa akin upang ihatid na ang balita kay Austin. Hahakbang na sana ako nang magsalita si Dominic. Natigilan na naman akong muli.

"You're still wearing it." He said with a glint of amusement in his voice.

"It's not a big deal." Halos pabulong ko nang sinabi. "It's just a necklace."

I hate that I feel like I've been caught in a crime! Wala akong maisip na palusot!

"Yeah. But it's the necklace I gave you five years ago." Makahulugan niyang sinabi.

"So? Like I said, it's not a big deal."

"It is to me."

"And how is that?"

He lips formed into smile but his eyes doesn't seem happy at all. It looked sad and somewhat... hurt.

"It only shows that its valuable and important to you. Like it was something special," bahagya siyang tumawa. "You still don't forget."

Ako naman ang tumawa ngayon. I gave him a mocking smirk.

"Oh, don't let it go to your head. You have no idea that this necklace was also a great reminder of the pain you've put me into."

"If you are being reminded of the pain, then why aren't you removing it? Why let yourself suffer and be reminded of that pain everyday?"

Akala niya ba gano'n kadali 'yon?

I sigh and looked at him seriously. Wala nang halong pangbibiro, pang-aasar o panunutya sa mata ko.

"I can't," I whispered. His forehead creased. "It was the only thing I have left of you."