M A X E N E

I ARRIVED at my shoot still pissed off from the encounter I had with Travis's friends.

Hindi ko naman akalain na si Gerard lang ang pinakamatinong tao sa kanila, no wonder kung bakit pressured si Baby G kasama ng tropa niya. That's obviously peer pressure dahil kailangan niyang makipagsabayan sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya.

Si Joshua, feeling gwapo na sobrang hambog, pero pakiramdam ko sabaw naman ang utak.

Si Pierre naman pakiramdam ko nasa loob ang kulo, matapobre at napaka-angas na akala mo sa isang kalabit niya lang ay madali ka niyang makukuha.

At si Travis... bwisit siya! Maalala ko lang yung itsura niya kanina parang kulang na lang ihain niya ako sa kupal niyang kaibigan na si Pierre! Bahala nga siya! Ayoko na muna siyang makita dahil baka masuntok ko siya sa inis ko.

"Max, be ready by ten." paalala ni Bridgette, siya ang personal assistant ko; siya ang taga arrange ng schedule ko, ang kumukuha ng make up artist ko, ang taga ayos ng mga damit na susuotin ko at ang naging malapit ko na ring kaibigan dito. Nginitian ko siya at tinanguhan bilang tugon. Umalis na rin siya agad sa dressing room ko. Tiningnan ko ang kabuuang ayos ko mula sa salamin na kaharap ko. Ayos na naman ang buhok ko at ang make up ko. Looking at my clothes they're pretty revealing; pero anong magagawa ko yung damit naman ang importante sa picture, di hamak na isa lamang akong manikin nito. Muli akong napabuntong hininga at narinig ang cellphone ko na nag-ring.

Unknown number.

Ilang minuto pa bago ko ma-consider ang idea na baka si Kenzo yung natawag. Kaya kaagad ko namang sinagot yung phone ko, "Hello, who is this?" I hope you're someone I'm expecting to call me. Please be Kenzo.

"Unbelievable," bwisit na boses iyon! "You didn't save my number?" would you look at that, it's the great Travis Joseph Hayes.

I couldn't help but give a huge disappointing sigh, yung maririnig niya. "Ugh! What do you want and how did you get my number?"

"I'm your fiance you dumb woman. At least you should have saved my number." mahinahon niyang sigaw. Sige mainis ka! Ganti-ganti tayo!

"Again, what do you want Hayes?" huwag niya akong dinadaan sa paninindak niya, baka nakakalimutan niyang may kasalanan siya sa akin.

"Where are you?" he asked monotonously.

"I'm busy." nilalaro ko ang buhok ko ngayon at ayoko lang talaga sagutin ng maayos yung tanong niya.

"Nasa shoot ka ba?"

"Eh alam mo naman pala eh, tapos tatanungin mo pa ako?" I rolled my eyes, "Pwede ba, leave me alone Hayes!" I dropped the call before I could hear him speak again and put my phone in silent mode. Bahala siya. Ayoko muna talaga siya makita ngayon, panira ng mood.

"Max, ready?" Bridgette knocked on my door again and I went out of the dressing room. I checked my face in the mirror and practiced my smile, tulad ng nakasanayan. I remember my mom reminding me to leave the room with a smile so when others see me they'll adore me. Ngunit kaagad ding nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ko nang maalala ko iyon. Little did my mom know, this face that she describes as 'beautiful' is also dangerous for me to wear, especially when I'm alone. It wasn't easy for me to get by but I'm still here.

I shake my head. Maxene, focus. I opened the door and I smiled.

T R A V I S

I couldn't blame her if she's a little disappointed in me. Wala naman siyang alam sa sitwasyon ko. Nakasandal ako sa kotse ko habang tinitingnan ang schedule ng photoshoot niya na nilagay ko sa phone. Hindi ko alam kung bakit tinawagan ko pa siya, napahiya pa tuloy ako. I know where I should go yet I see my three friends approaching in my direction, "Wanna hang-out?" nakangiting yaya ni Joshua sa akin.

"Oo nga Travis, let's hang-out, tagal na rin mula nung sabay-sabay natapos ang classes natin. College suck." dagdag ni Ge.

"Don't tell me pupuntahan mo yung prinsesa?" Pierre looks at me with that same amusement on his face.

"You can say that." I cross my arms, answering them casually, "She's now my responsibility."

"Liability kamo!" pagbibiro ni Josh na napapailing. I just let out a light chuckle, "Come on Travis, hindi naman siya si Moe. Kung si Monique pa ang pupuntahan mo mas reasonable pa, eh arranged lang naman kayong dalawa ni miss masungit." that's a fact, "Sumama ka na lang sa amin." pangungulit ni Joshua sa akin. I just shrugged because I know I can't say much around them. May sarili kaming kasunduan ni Maxene.

"By the way, I did a little homework about her, in case you're interested," Pierre started, "Found out an article that Maxene Campbell went out to a series of different guys. Some were co-models, some were co-artists. Ang daming nali-link sa kanya. Our little princess here is a little bitch din pala."

I don't like his tone on how he describes her like that. Para kay Pierre, kung ano ang nabasa niya, iyon na ang ijujustify niya. "I read that." I know I did. Laging paalala iyon sa akin ni papa. The more you know the person, the more you know how you'll play your cards right. People like Miranda Stewart-Campbell for example; is a person who is hard to please. She's meticulous and will judge you from how you wear yourself. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan kung paano niya tingnan si Leonard noon to think na siya ang humahawak ng hotel kung saan kami nagkita. Lahat ng sinuot ko noon, kahit ayoko sinuot ko pa rin para ma-impress siya sa akin at hindi man niya aminin, alam kong napahanga ko siya.

Iba rin naman si Maxene Campbell. Hindi ko man inaasahan na tatanggapin niya ako noon pero nang dahil sa nagpakatotoo siya sa akin at pinakita niya ang tunay niyang intensyon sa arrangement namin, nakuha niya na agad ang respeto at suporta ko para makalaya siya.

I respect her a lot.

Sa totoo lang, ibang-iba si Maxene sa personal kaysa sa nabasa ko sa files na nakuha ko mula sa isang source. At first I thought I needed to wear my best mask in front of her just to please her like any other girl who has the same status as her, but for some reason she's not like what I expected. In fact napaka down to earth niya sa mga taong hindi niya katulad. Tinulungan niya ang mga batang kakikilala niya pa lang sa kalsada, binihisan at dinala sa ampunan para may matirhan sila.

Iba man siya sa harapan ko at gaano pa man siya magmaldita kapag nakakasama niya ako; nauunawaan ko na defense mechanism niya lang iyon mula sa akin dahil na rin sa mukhang ipinakita ko noong unang beses siyang nagising sa penthouse ko. Nagkasundo rin naman kaming dalawa kinalaunan at nirespeto ang boundary ng isa't-isa.

I can't say we're friends, yet for some reason how she sees me is different from how my friends see me.

"And you don't care?" Pierre tilts his head observing me.

"For what's worth she picked me to be her fiance." I shrugged non-committedly, "What the internet says isn't important for now." I put up a smile.

"But the deal here is," nilapitan ako ni Pierre at binulungan, "You're just another person. There's more in line." I'm trying my best to be in character around him for he doesn't need to tell me what I already know, "Huwag kang kampante Travis." he says with a warning, "Kapag binitawan ka ni Maxene, may kapalit ka kaagad agad." she won't do that. I know. May usapan kami.

Ano ba ang gustong ipahiwatig ni Pierre sa harapan ko? Then I remembered, "I know you're interested in her, Pierre. I respect that," I started casually, smiling at him, "But please respect that she's mine. So back off." he grins as I meet his eyes.

"Dude, dude, bros before hoes. Let it go P." ani Josh sa kanya na pumagitna sa aming dalawa.

"What's mine. Is mine. I hope you respect that." mariin pero maingat kong paalala sa kanya.

He nods with that grin on his face, "That's why enjoy it, while it lasts." umalis na rin siya agad kasama sila Gerard at Joshua. Hindi na rin nila ako kinulit at agad na rin akong sumakay ng kotse para pumunta kung nasaan si Maxene ngayon.

Bago pa man ako makapasok sa studio kailangan ko pang isurrender ang ID ko, dahil company policy daw. Binilhan ko na rin si Maxene ng frappuccino in case madaan ko sa suhol yung ikinasama ng loob niya kanina. Ginawa ko ng venti para sulit. Nagtanong ako sa isang staff kung nasaan si Maxene at kaagad naman niyang tinuro ang dressing room niya. Kumatok ako roon pero walang sumagot kaya naman binuksan ko iyon, inaasahang may tao sa loob ngunit hindi rin ako sinuwerte dahil walang tao sa loob. "May I help you?" tanong sa akin ng isang maliit na babae. Mukha siyang nag-OOJT dito, may makapal siyang salamin at maikli ang buhok niya. Kamukha niya yung character doon sa Scooby-Doo na kinaka-adikan ni Gerard noon.

"I'm just looking for Maxene Campbell." I say keeping a friendly face.

"Ah, si Max, nasa shoot siya ngayon, are you a fan?" tanong niya pabalik sa akin.

"I'm a..." I don't know how to introduce myself, kanina lang noong sina Pierre ang kasama ko 'fiance' ang tawag ko sa kanya, "I'm a friend." that's my last option, at least.

"You can come with me," nakangiting yaya niya, "I can see that you bought her favorite, I'm Bridgette by the way, PA ni Max." I say nothing but nod at her. Nang makarating na kami sa venue kung saan gaganapin ang shoot, hindi pa man siya nalingon pero nakuha na niya ang atensyon ko. Sino ba namang model ang magstrestretching habang nakasuot ng ganoong damit? Funny odd woman.

"Ako na ang magbibigay sa kanya." ani Bridgette at inabot ko na agad ang frappuccino ni Maxene. Lumapit si Bridgette kay Maxene at agad naman niyang inabot ang inumin na binili ko para sa kanya. Tinuro ako ni Bridgette at nakita ko naman na nagulat siya na makita ako. I just give her a small wave and I see her drink her frappuccino with blaze in her eyes. She wouldn't let me slide. Hanggang dito ba naman nagmamaldita siya? I laughed at her in my mind.

Nilapitan niya ako na may inis pa rin sa mga mata niya, "Hindi mo ako madadaan sa suhol Travis!"

"Edi huwag, akin na lang." kinuha ko sa kanya yung frappuccino at ininom iyon sa harapan niya. Kita naman sa mukha niya na pinipigilan niyang mainis habang nababawasan ang frapuccino niya. She's impossible. Seeing her up close like this, I can't explain how much I wanted to tease her. She's so expressive. I couldn't help my eyes wander around her figure. It's true that I've seen her in her underwear dahil pinupunasan ko siya kapag nalalasing siya. I know I couldn't remove more than that. I just hate the smell of vomit and alcohol all together and it took me so much control not to do anything to her. She's like a devil with the face of an angel and I'm just a guy that told her once that I am attracted to her.

I. Am. Just. A. Guy.

But wearing that dress where her bosom greets me a seductive hello, her hourglass figure, her long legs, her lips that hides underneath a nude colored lipstick, her makeup that is just perfect for her fair complexion and her messy bouncy hair--she almost looks like Goddess Aphrodite to me.

She snaps her fingers at me, "Hoy, akala ko ba sa akin iyan?" and with that, the goddess image was gone now. What am I even thinking?

"Nag-iinarte ka, hindi ba?" I tried to empty the cup but her eyes almost got teary and I stopped, "Drink it, I'll buy you some later. Kahit ilan pa ang gusto mo." I smiled at her and see that little sparkle in her eyes, pero kaagad din niyang iniwas ang tingin niya sa akin dahil mas pinipili niyang magmaldita sa harapan ko, "What, it wasn't enough?"

She looks at me, round eyes focused on me, "Mamaya tayo mag-usap dahil badtrip pa ako sayo!" I shake my head, difficult woman.

I noticed how she flipped the straw, "That's just weird." I commented, "Why would you do that?"

"Nilawayan mo na kasi yung straw, kadiri." she said making a childish disgusted face.

She's unbelievable. I pulled her close enough for me to absorb her scent. She smelled like a honeydew in a warm summer, "Have you forgotten already?" I gently put my index finger at her lips and back at mine. I noticed how her blush became redder. I couldn't help but smile seeing that I had an effect on her.

She almost pursed her lips, her eyes were still annoyed. She closed her eyes and shook her head, "I still hate you." she sips as she finishes her drink. Agad niyang iniabot sa akin ang basong walang laman, "Tapon mo nga iyan!" utos niya at naglakad na palayo papunta sa set kung saan tinawag na siya ni Bridgette ulit. Sa harapan ng iba mabait siya, pero sa harapan ko– I disregard that funny thought. I found a trash bin near the door and threw the empty cup.

"Buti na lang nandito siya." I heard a voice of a guy that entered the room. I think he's a model too. Halos terno sila ng damit ni Maxene. Iyon ata ang theme ng photoshoot ngayon.

"Bakit daw ba hindi ka na niya tinawagan after ng date ninyo noon?" tanong sa kanya ng, I don't know PA o kaibigan niya.

"I'm not sure. But now that she's here, I'm going to pursue her again. I'll make her mine." That last sentence made me a little uncomfortable. Confirmed na co-model din siya ni Maxene kaya posible na isa siya sa mga na-link sa kanya. Binati siya ng lalaki at nginitian niya lang ito. Hindi niya inaasahang hihilahin siya nito papunta sa kanya para mabigyan ng simpleng halik sa pisngi. Hindi ko maalis ang mga mata ko sa lalaking iyon na iba kung makatingin kay Maxene dahil halata sa mga mata niya na may iba pa siyang hangarin sa babae na ngayon ay malapit na sa kanya. I can tell that he's one opportunistic asshole.

I didn't expect that Maxene would look in my direction with a hint of confusion to how I look at her. Baka masyado lang akong mapanghusga pero iba talaga ang pakiramdam ko sa lalaking kasama niya ngayon. I keep my cool as I lean against the wall crossing my arms. Nang binalikan ko sila ng tingin sa camera na sila naka-focus.

"Closer!" ani ng photographer at ilang beses kuminang ang camera, "Ayan, more chemistry." this ain't science lab, anong chemistry? I'm literally pinching myself right now to contain my temper as I see how that guy holds her waist. This is her work, this is her work. I keep reminding myself. Pero bakit ba kasi ganoon siya tingnan ng lalaking iyon, napaka lagkit? Tapos yung sinabi niya pa kanina–

"Final post Brandon. Look at her like she's the world to you and Max, same goes to you too. I want that reaction." Brandon pala ang pangalan ng hinayupak na iyon. Tsk!

Maxene took her time to internalize the reaction that the photographer demands and after she opens her eyes she looks at her co-model as if he was the world to him.

She's imagining that she's with him.

She's so beautiful.

Umiwas ako ng tingin nang mapansin ko na ang tagal ko na siyang pinagmamasdan. I closed my eyes and left.

I am just a guy.

M A X E N E

After ng shoot biglang nawala si Travis kung saan siya nakatayo kanina. Baka binilhan niya na ako ulit ng panibagong frappuccino. Aba dapat lang, halos kalahati lang ang natikman ko doon. Badtrip siya!

I'm now inside my dressing room trying to remove this damn dress so I can breathe. Nakakasakal, mas gusto ko magsuot ng maluluwag na damit. Kung fit man basta yung nakakahinga ako. Breathe in Max, breathe in... "Max," it's Bridgette and I exhaled. I looked at her and she approached me, "Do you need help?"

"Please." pakiusap ko habang tinatanggal ko yung lecheng damit na ito. I felt that she unzipped it already but then another PA asked for her help. She looks at me as if she's asking for my permission, "It's okay, I'll take it from here."

"Sorry, I'll be back as soon as I can." aniya at agad din siyang umalis ng dressing room. She's that hardworking. Hindi man halata pero, mas matanda siya sa akin kahit pa mas maliit siya by height. Kakatapos niya lang ng college at dito niya naisipan magtrabaho dahil pangarap niya na makapag design ng damit sa ilalim ng brand namin. I'm so proud of her. I felt free nang maramdaman ko na nakahinga na ako ng maluwag mula sa lecheng damit na ito pero may ilang butones pa. I'm about to do the buttons next, but an unfamiliar hand grabs me. I immediately look at him. It's Brandon.

"I'll unbutton it for you." he says invitingly, I'm a little uncomfortable from the tone of his voice.

"You should have knocked." I told him as I moved away from him, "It's very rude that you just came in without knocking first." I gulped gathering every ounce of courage I have in me. Madadaan pa naman ito sa usapan, hindi ba?

"Well," he approached me, closer amused by what he was seeing, "You should have called me."

"Brad," I could feel the wall next to my spine. My back was half naked now. I still tried to put up a smile, "I'm sorry, I thought my rejection was clear." I told him, but instead he pulls away, he presses himself closer to me. I couldn't help but swallow an invisible apple, biting my lip inwardly. This isn't the first time a situation like this has happened to me, but this scenario is still freaking me out.

"Have you picked one already to be your fiance?" he asks as he wanders his eyes at me.

"Sa totoo lang, oo. May napili na ako." I told him the truth but it seems like he didn't buy it.

"Well, who is he? Is he rich? Famous? Handsome like me?" tanong sa akin ni Brandon. Walang boses na lumalabas sa bibig ko ngayon dahil ang mga kamay niya, hindi ko gusto kung saan niya nilalagay ang mga kamay niya. Para akong nawalan ng boses sa harapan niya. Tinakasan ko nga 'tong hayop na ito dahil gago siya, pero bakit naka-schedule din siya ngayon?

"Let go, please." pakiusap ko sa kanya at napapikit sa takot. This is not the first time I got harassed, kung hindi co-models ko tulad ni Brandon, yung ibang photographers or ibang staff naman. Hindi ko naman nilalahat pero minsan kasi umaabuso na rin yung iba. Sinabi ko na naman kay mommy ito, pero para sa kanya nag-iinarte lang ako, na napaka-incompetent at napaka-unprofessional kong model. How can I ask for her help, if she wouldn't believe me?

"Do you like him?" muli niyang tanong sa akin, "For sure there's something in this guy that makes you pick him, hindi ba?"

Bigla kong nakita ang mukha ni Travis sa utak ko, gusto ko ba siya-- Hindi ko alam. Basta nakakainis siya. Pilyo siya, maarte pa siya sa babae, mayabang, tapos may pagka-suplado rin, wala naman kaming napagkakasunduan at magkaibang magkaibang tao kami. Pero noong niligtas niya ako mula sa katangahan ko noon, hindi ko alam. Hindi ko alam kung bakit gusto ko siyang tawagin ngayon.

"Travis." naiiyak kong bulong. Brandon pulls me closer towards him forcefully. Lahat na ng lakas ko sa katawan para tumanggi ay napalitan na ng takot. Halos wala ng lakas ang binti ko para tumayo. Ngunit bago pa man niya ako mahalikan sa labi may kung anong pwersa ang humila sa kanya palayo sa akin at kaagad siyang pumunta sa harapan ko, "Travis." naiiyak kong tawag sa kanya at tinakpan niya ako ng jacket niya bago ko pa makita ang mukha niya.

"Who the hell are you?" galit na tanong ni Brandon kay Travis.

Dahan dahan akong inalalayan ni Travis para itayo, tinago niya ako kay Brandon at hinarap siya, "The next time you touch my woman, I will kill you." his voice is filled with wrath. He openly faces Brandon with great anger. This Travis is scary. I have never seen him like this. It's not his character to be this open. His eyes were on fire. He's cursing Brandon in his mind. I put my head on his chest as I cried my fears away. He's my sanctuary.

The door opens and closes. Umalis na ata si Brandon. I feel his chest breathing a little calmer now. His hands were on my shoulders, comforting me. I'm still shaking, "Are you okay?" he asked me with sincerity and I just nodded because my voice failed to speak a word, "Nanginginig ka pa." he says calming me down, "I can give you some space if you need it." my tears just burst from my eyes. I have never seen a selfless person like him. I shake my head, I don't know why I just wanted him here. At least him.

"Stay. Please." naiiyak kong pakiusap at naramdaman kong inalalayan niya ang batok ko na parang iniiwasan niya na mabasag ako. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako napakalma ng tibok ng puso niya na parang inaalayan ako ng kanta. Nang kumalma na ako kahit papaano ay inilayo ko ang sarili ko sa mga braso niya at pinunasan ang luha ko. I tried to give him a smile but his eyes were sad, frustrated or maybe disappointed seeing how I forced myself to look alright, "Okay na ako." ani ko sa kanya at ngumiti ng malawak. His eyes never left mine and I nearly see how worried he is from his gaze even if he's trying his best to conceal it, "Galit pa ako sayo, hmp!" I puffed my face just to change the unusual mood between us and see how he shakes his head with a small smile and lets out a light laugh.

"Fine. I'll take you someplace you like," he says with a friendly tone,"But first, magbihis ka muna. Hihintayin kita sa labas."