Chapter 13: Models
Mabigat ang kanyang paghinga noong pumasok at mahiga. Ayaw niyang matulog na ganito ang kanyang pakiramdam kaya bumangon siya para kuhanin ang kanyang Ipad. She listened solemn music, lit up her fragrance candle, and yoga for thirty minutes.
It kind of unleashed her emotional distress and physical pain, until she totally forgot about what happened. That nothing is to worry. That Blaire is in the right age. That Blaire is still her sister, she'll prioritize their family than anything.
Drowsy and tired, she stood up and prepare to bed. Nakatulugan niya ang kakaisip sa ibang bagay na magpapasaya sa kanya.
Yet, still, the heavy thing on her chest remained when she waked up. She didn't know why? She took her morning routine, skin care, and organic breakfast on her mini-garden. She loved daisies and bonsai trees. While sipping her lemon juice she looked at them one by one and even talked.
"You all are lucky. You don't have to feel lonely and sad, though you'd feel thirsty."
She glanced at her phone when it beeped. She swiped the screen and checked the message.
Lawrence: I'll be there in an hour. Let's work out together and then the spa.
She smiled and tapped her respond. Another more five minutes of chilling, she stood up and prepared her dress for the event later. Majesty sent her a skimpy, cleavage-baring black matte peplum. She giggled at the attached message.
Awesomeness, let's make the crowd awed you again.
"Silly, Thaysky." Kinuha niya ang damit at nilapat sa kanyang katawan. Her boob's cheek will surely attract all the people there. "I am really her walking mannequin." Kinuha niya ang kanyang cellphone at nag-message rito.
Jessica: Queen of awesomeness, I love it. More skimpy, please.
She even checked her accessories and footwear. Unsatisfied, she notified Miya for the best on her attire. She sent the photo of her outift. It's O'dil, so she needed to wear her best.
Another more minutes she used it on checking her Instagram. She saw Blaire's post. She was in a dark place with only a lump was on. Unang pumasok sa isip niya ay kuwarto, ngunit hindi kita kung sino ang kasama nito. Mula sa kakapirasong liwanag ay halatang hubad ang babae at may brasong nakasampay sa balikat nito. Kumabog ang dibdib niya sa pag-aakalang si Paulite ang may ari ng braso at kuha iyon kagabi. Mga oras kung saan hindi na matawagan ang kanyang kapatid.
Muntik niyang mabitawan ang cellphone niya nang mapatalon sa tunog ng buzzer. She threw her phone on the couch and ran to open the door.
"Nakakaloka si Mr. O'dil. Ang lakas ng influence. Akalain mong naka-flash sa crossing ang Fashion Show mamaya. Isang Linggo na pala 'yon hindi ko napansin. Bukod pa roon nag-guest si Chloe at ilang piling model sa Squire para i-promote ang event," bungad ni Lawrence.
"Hey! Hey! Relax. Inhale. Exhale." Pumunta siya sa kusina para magsalin ng tubig. Bumalik siya sa sala para ibigay dito iyon.
"Thanks. Kasi naman, Chloe na 'yon. Gosh! Ang suwerte nating napasama sa event ni O'dil, alam mo bang nag-tweet si Bridgette na better luck next time. Sayang nga at hindi nakasama si Jyra, alam mo namang working mother na iyon kaya busy."
"Hindi lang iyan. Chari O'dil's name in Paris is broad. He is the path to our dreams."
"Oh my god!"
Lawrence nonstop mouth made her forget about her sister. Nilamon na ng mga hinaing nito ang kanyang atensyon hanggang sa magsimula na sila sa kanilang workout. Doon sila sa pribadong gym ng Swizz para mas maraming equipment.
By noon, they took lunch in Beaufort, then after the spa. Three in the afternoon they separate ways for the preparation. The Swizz Make-up Artist Team arrived by the next twenty minutes. They brought more spare sponsored different options of heels and accessories. While putting on makeup she received a call from her coordinator that she'll be collected by a Limousine by five in the afternoon and dropped in the red carpet.
"Miya, puwede ko bang kasama si Lawrence?"
"Suggestion ko talaga iyan sa coordinator ng event, kaso gusto nilang i-highlight lahat ng models kaya individually ang sundo."
Huminga siya nang malalim. "I see. Thanks, Miya. See you later." Ibinigay niya ang cellphone sa Make-up Artist Assistant at pumikit para sa maskara.
Another more one hour she was ready to wear her dress.
"Wow! Ito 'yung pinag-uusapan nila Gatus na gawa sa balat ng rum. Ang mahal daw nito. Akala namin regalo ni Sir Zedrick kay Miss Majesty. Para sa inyo pala, Miss Jessica."
Mula sa salamin ay tiningnan niya ang babae. Bigay kay Majesty? Akala ko gawa niya? Tulala siya sa salamin, hindi na nakikinig sa pinag-uusapan ng mga kasama niya. Hindi niya maintindihan. Imposibleng bumili si Majesty ng regalo para sa kanya, lalo pa at damit o gamit pangbabae. Nakasanayan niyang gawa nito mismo.
Gawa pa sa hayop ang ginamit. She snapped back when someone poked her.
"Miss Jessica, nariyan na ang sundo niyo."
Hinatid siya ng buong team hanggang sa makasakay. Bahagya siyang nagulat dahil ang haba ng sasakyan, para bang napakamahal niyang dyamante para pasakayin doon. She experienced that when she was with her Auntie or with Majesty, but right now, alone inside made her heart beat race.
Kabado niyang piniga ang hawak na Chanel Pouch. I am nervous, shocks!
She received again a call from Miya. Another guidelines and camera etiquette she was done. Ilang minuto pang biyahe ay huminto na ang sasakyan. Dumuble ang pintig ng puso niya pagbukas ng pinto. Isang paa palang ang naihahakbang niya ay wala nang patid ang flash ng camera.
She was advised to stop on each star on the red carpet, then a bodyguard will assist her going on the backstage.
"Jessica!"
She flashed her daring smile when she got out of the car. She elegantly flaunted her dress on the star she spotted at the center. Nakita pa niya si Chloe na pumasok na kanina pagbaba niya. Kaway sa harap, likod, kaliwa at kanan ay umabante na siya sa sumunod na star sa pang-sampung steps ng hagdan.
"Jessica, is it true that you are the reason why Von Trevor is here in the Philippines? He followed you in Instagram and courting you?"
"There is a leakage of photos that you are hanging out with a mystery guy in Purungaya. Is it true that the guy is Von Trevor?"
"He is not actually here for promotion. Von is actually here because of you? How can you defend yourself about that, Jessica?"
She remained on her posture and seductive smile. Those issue are meant to distract her, but she used on issue. Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad ng wala nang makitang star. May sumundo sa kanyang lalaking naka-three piece suit at inasiste patungo sa back stage. Nakita niya si Lawrence. Lumapit siya rito para makipagpalitan ng beso. Ganoon din ang ginawa niya sa ilang kilala.
"Had you heard, Von is in the audience. Gosh! Ang guwapo kaya noon."
Nagkatinginan sila ni Chloe at nanatiling tahimik. Ang tatlo pa niyang nakasama noong shoot ay kapwa tikom at may sariling mundo. Lawrence is quite busy too as she was called by her personal coordinator. Nang makawala ay selfie roon at selfie dito hanggang sa tawagin na siya ng kanyang team para sa change outfit.
Si Chloe ang opening ng event sumunod siya. She's wearing the exotic dress made of fluffy fabric. She's like a dress made of clouds or something but she loved it. It's weird but it's cool at the same time. Their make-up and hair were dramatically changed. She felt a living creature outside the earth. She doesn't have eyebrow and her cheeks were transformed. Her shoes were tall.
"Lawrence," tawag niya.
Kasalukyan itong inaayusan ng buhok noong tumingin sa kanya mula sa salamin. Tinawanan siya nito. May gustong sabihin pero hindi isinatinig.
"I feel like Ostrich," sabi niya.
Biglang sumulpot si Chloe sa gilid niya. "I felt like I am walking in the moon. I am floating, geez!"
Nagtawanan ang ilang designer at Make-up Artist.
"Thirty seconds more. Where's Chloe and Jessica?" the Floor Director notified.
Maagap siyang lumapit sa Assistant Floor Director at nag-abang na sa pagbubukas ng event. The introductory music is weird that send shivered all over her veins. From the screen where they can view what's happening on the runway, she felt another goose bump when the camera moved. Nahagip noon si Paulite na nakaupo sa VVIP seat. Katabi nito si Oswold, Malik at Jyra.
Ang bilis ng oras. Saglit na backstage shoot at snapshot ay lumakad na si Chloe. Kumpara sa Swizz na limang segundo lang ang pagitan, dito ay dalawampo at mabagal na lakad.
Chloe is wearing a gold tube dress with a huge-like umbrella skirt. She looked like a gold luxury statue when she stopped at the center for a quick strut.
"Jessica go!"
Lumakad na siya. Una niyang nakita si Von na nasa kabilang panig naman nila Jyra. Unlike Swizz Fashion Show where she can say hi to everyone. In here, she is the snob and serious. She's more on giving details on what she is wearing.
Pagliko niya ay seryosong mukha agad ni Paulite ang bumungad sa kanya. Tila ba isa lang siyang hamak na basura sa paningin nito at wala siyang kuwenta.
Umiwas siya ng tingin at huminto sa gitna para ipakita ng illusion ng kanyang suot. Isa sa mga fashion influencer ang nakakuha ng kanyang atensyon. The grand-daughter of Zelus Hotel?
Pagkabalik niya ay naabutan niyang nagpapalakpakan na ang mga staff.
"What's happening?" tanong niya kay Miya.
"May bibili na raw ng first two outfit. Nagkaroon pa ng bidding sa suot mo."
"Really? Who? Oh my god!"
"Yes, whole façade ang gusto. From accessories to foot. She said she's willing to pay double for the price." Tinuro ni Miya kung sino ang isa.
Kalinya iyon ni Von ang babae. Kinilabutan siya dahil simple lang ang pananamit nito, pero kayang bumili ng limampong ulit sa presyo ng condo unit niya.
Sino kaya 'yung isa pang may gusto sa suot ko?
Apat na beses siyang nagpalit ng damit. Ang panghuli ay sky blue suit na yumayakap sa kanyang kahubdan. It was like fish net, but flexible. Sobra ang nipis at nagmukha siyang si Aqua Girl, pero alien form. Hindi siya pinagsuot ng lingerie. Hindi na siya nagtaka. Kilala niyang may pagka-Majesty ang panglasa ni O'dil. Siya ang mag-aasiste mamaya sa Fashion Icon bilang finale.
Wala nang paglagyan ang ngiti ni Mr. O'dil nang lahat ng damit ay mark na taken.
"Walked with me, Jessica," said Mr. O'dil.
Lahat ng modelo ay nasa runway na. Sa gitnang bahagi ay rumampa silang sabay ng Fashion Icon. Lahat ng dumalo ay tumayo at pumalakpak para sa pagtatapos ng programa. Ilan pang complete shots para sa lahat ng modelo ay pinabalik na ang lahat sa backstage. There's another shoot on the backstage then they are settle.
"Ladies, after this we are going to The Rock!" The Stage Director yelled.
Lumapit siya kay Lawrence at na-excite sa panibagong experience. Tinawagan nila si Jyra para padiretsuhin sa The Rock. Naulinigan niya sa kabilang linya si Frank, dahilan kung bakit parang nanigas na parang bato ang kaibigan niya.
"See you later guys!" Siya na ang nagpatay at hinila na ito patungo sa circle ng mga Haute Models.
"Jessica and Chloe?"
Tinawag sila ni Mr. O'dil at ipinakilala sa malalaking mga co-fashion iconic nito. Nakita niya roon si Majesty at Ms. Lacorn. Binigyan silang dalawa ng ticket para sa biggest lingerie sa Paris Event.
"That's huge. Congratulations," bulong ni Majesty nang maghiwalay sila.
She is with her husband. Narinig niyang naghihintay ang bunsong anak kaya hindi niya na inabalang ayain sa The Rock. Bumalik siya kay Lawrence. Naabutan niya itong kahuntahan ang iba pang malalaking modelo.
"Let's go guys?"
On The Rock, the other wing was occupied with models and some other big name. Nakita niya ang grupo noong multi-billionaire na kasama marahil ang kapwa mga socialite nito. Nakita niya rin ang grupo nila Nicky at Ken, kasama ang iba pang sikat na actor.
Gusto niyang lapitan, kaso hinila na siya ni Lawrence patungo sa mesa nila Jyra. Mid-way her world seemed froze when her eyes found, Paulite who is grimly looking at her with a glass of mojito on his hand.
Tense, she looked around to find her sister. But Blaire wasn't on the picture.
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