Endless Pen [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER TWELVE

ATHANASIA'S POV

The people inside the function room welcomed us with open arms—welcomed me with open arms. Flashes of cameras were the first things I saw as I entered the room. Tons of voices everywhere, trying to get my attention and answer some of their questions.

"Miss Infinite Ink, kindly take a seat here," pagyayaya sa akin ni Mr. Salgado.

Tinanguan ko na lamang siya saka umupo sa upuang nasa gitna nila. Bale there are four chairs in front of everyone. One's for me, the other's for the CEO, another one's for my Book Editor, and the last one is for my Book Cover Designer.

"Is everyone ready? We'll start the live in three, two, one." I blinked a couple of times as I heard the guy with the microphone. "Questions may now start," ani nito.

Someone from the crowd raised her hand which quickly got the attention of the guy with the mic and asked her to stand up. "Miss Lopez, how does it feel to design the cover of the first-ever book of Miss Infinite Ink?"

Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag dahil hindi ako ang unang tinanong. Kung pwede nga lang na hindi na ako i-interview, mas pabor at mas masaya pa ako eh.

Napangiti naman ang babaeng katabi ko. "I feel honored, actually. I was so happy last night when she chose my design." Miss Lopez looked at me with a smile on her lips. "I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, Miss Infinite Ink."

I let out a small smile and bowed a little to say she was welcome. Is it really a big deal for them? I removed the thought from my head.

"Miss Infinite Ink?" I almost froze at the mention of my pen name. May iba na pa lang tinawag para mag-interview. Pero bakit naman ako?

Napabuga na lamang ako ng hangin bago pinilit ang sariling ngumiti. "Yes?"

The interviewer guy smiled brightly at me. "I'm a huge fan, Miss Infinite Ink, but unfortunately, I'm in front of you as an interviewer so I cannot ask for an autograph or fanboy." Naka-ani ang lalake ng tawa mula sa ibang tao. "Anyways, here's the question. How do you feel right now?"

I took a deep breath as I tried to remember the lines I practiced earlier with Bangun's help. I smiled a little, keeping my identity a mysterious one before answering his question. Everyone in the room was silent, waiting for my response. "First of all, I feel honored sitting here in front of you. I feel like an important person because of the non-stop offer of this company and the other ones. Hmm... I feel ecstatic because of the continuous support I receive from my fans that I have never in my life predicted would be so many." Gusto ko sanang umirap nang may naalala ako. "And finally, I feel thankful for Bangun, who's always there for me whenever I need someone."

Bigla namang umingay sa loob ng room at napuno ito ng bulungan. Most of them are even grinning while looking at me. I swear, Bangun. 'Wag na 'wag kang magpapakita at masasapak kita dahil dito. Someone raised their hand and the host acknowledged her. "Miss Infinite Ink, this is a very unexpected question, for I believe everyone."

Even if I do know where this is going I still gave her an innocent smile. "Go on."

"Who is Bangun in your life? Is he your boyfriend?" Umani na naman ng bulungan sa kwarto ang tanong ng interviewer.

I couldn't help but show a tight smile. "He's... someone important." Not just to me, but to everyone. I mean he is a god, for heaven's sake! I suddenly felt someone staring at me. When I looked for it, there I saw a tall, Moreno, golden yellow-eyed man at the corner of the room grinning at me. Napailing na lang ako.

I then heard some people giggling and some were groaning like they were disapproving of my statement. Ang kanina namang nagtanong ay nakangiti na para bang kinikilig. "Follow-up question, Miss. Is there a possibility that the someone important label might be more than that, Miss Infinite Ink?"

I badly wanna roll my eyes, and my eyebrows were about to raise when I stopped them. I took a deep breath and faked my smile. "We might never know." There were squeals here and there. Nang hanapin muli ng mga mata ko si Bangun ay mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti nito.

"If someone asks something about me since you'll be mentioning my name, just create an issue that'll make them think that you're already taken," Bangun suddenly said, while his eyes were still on the road.

I raised an eyebrow. "And why do I have to do that?"

"So no other guys would flirt with you, won't you prefer that?" nakangiting sabi nito.

"But it might," I blurted out while staring at Bangun. For a moment there, the confusing moments with him, the times we shared a laugh, a meal, it all came back. Why is this suddenly happening?

"OMG!" I suddenly heard a woman's voice squeal. My attention went back to the pile of interviewers but their attention was no longer with me but with Bangun. "I think it's him!" the woman once again said.

I sighed and gave Bangun a glare. Here's the attention you wanted.

I saw the host of the event walk towards Bangun and asked him a question that we both were expecting. "Are you Miss Infinite Ink's Bangun?"

His eyes were finally back to brown as he smiled at the host. "I actually am." Napailing na lamang akong muli nang marinig ang reaksyon ng karamihan ng kababaihan sa room. "But please, don't give me your full attention. It's my girl's day today. She deserves the spotlight," he answered as he stare deep into my eyes while charmingly smiling.

And once again, I felt difficulty breathing. His gaze was sucking the air out of my system. Pinilit ko ang sarili kong umiwas ng tingin.

"Thank you for answering our question but you are right about your request. It is indeed Infinite Ink's contract signing event and not one of the celebrity talk shows which will involve her love life. So folks? Let's head back baka pa tayong kiligin lahat sa titigan nila," nakangiti ring pahayag ng host saka silang lahat ay bumalik sa kani-kanilang pwesto kanina.

Si Bangun naman ay nanatiling nakatayo sa isang sulok ng kwarto habang nakangisi sa akin. Palibhasa eh nasunod ang gusto. Napailing na lang ako saka tumuloy ang lahat sa pag-iinterview sa akin at sa iba pang nasa stage.

After a few more questions, we proceeded with the contract signing and a few picture takings and handshakes before finally ending the event. I thanked everyone as they thanked me back.

Nang pasakay na ulit ng elevator para makauwi na ay naramdaman ko sa tabi ko si Bangun. He's the only one who has that comforting effect in me. "I'm happy," he blurted out.

"Good for you." I made sure my tone shows uninterest or else he'll tease me.

There was a short silence that surrounded us both as we waited for the elevator door to open. "But what if?"

I raised an eyebrow. "What if what?"

"What if there's really something more? I mean hindi natin napag-practice-an yung there might mo kaya—"

Napaharap naman ako sa kanya bigla. "Don't even say it. Sinabi ko lang 'yun dahil gusto mong mapunta sayo ang atensyon ng madla kapag hindi na ako komportable sa nangyayari," I quickly pointed out.

It took seconds for him to stare at me with a serious face before he sighed and looked at the elevator which finally opened. Pareho na kaming tahimik na sumakay at umuwi. I think this is more uncomfortable than the earlier interview. I sighed.