Chapter 30: Him
After we left that place, I thought I could finally have a moment of peace. Or at least until we made it back to New York City. But when we arrived at the airport terminal, our car was abruptly swarmed by reporters and their blinding cameras.
"What the hell?" Hestia gasped.
The scene that used to be usual for me suddenly felt strange and shocking.
I almost forgot how it felt to be caught out of nowhere by paparazi and the lens of their cameras.
How the hell did they know we were arriving here?
May mga iba pang paparazzi na kumakatok sa bintana. Hindi kami makalabas dahil nakaharang sila sa pintuan. Mabuti na lang ay may mga dumating na guard para hawiin sila.
I checked on Kristan. Kasalukuyan niyang sinusuot ang kanyang kwintas. Nasa kandungan niya ang cat carrier backpack kung saan mulat ang mga mata ni Lilly. She seemed aware of the chaos happening around.
"I think may nakakita sa atin na umuwi kaya hinintay nila tayong bumalik," buntonghininga ni Hestia mula sa front seat. "Hindi pa ako naligo!"
I wasn't worried since I dressed good as usual. Sa tagal ko na sa industriyang ito ay natutunan kong isabuhay ang mga bagay na dapat ay ginagawa ko lang sa harap ng mga camera. I wasn't faking how I dressed and act in front of the media. I was living with it.
"I will escort you two—"
"No need," I cut Kristan off. "You cannot do that. May mga guard naman na mag-e-escort sa amin ni Hestia hanggang sa makapasok. We are already used to it."
"I want to make sure you are safe," he insisted.
"We are safe. You cannot go out with us," I said and looked away. "Mauuna na kami ni Hestia sa loob. Hintayin mo munang humupa ang mga reporters bago ka sumunod."
I easily get linked with anyone. Maging nga ang isang lalaking nakuhanan lang ng picture sa background ko ay nababalitaan na boyfriend ko.
I hate how people perceive me as a serial dater or someone who will hook up with any man at any time. As much as I love attention, I hate it when even my personal life is being filmed. Or worse, being directed by someone else.
"Or he can pretend my boyfriend!" proud pa na sabi ni Hestia.
I glared at her and shook my head. Just because people don't care about her dating life anymore, as they are already tired of her boyfriends, doesn't mean I will let Kristan be linked to her. Also, I don't want him to be associated with her lost list of nasty boyfriends.
Bumaling ako kay Kristan na tahimik lang. Bumigat ang pakiramdam ko noong maabutan ko siyang hinuhubad ang kanyang kwintas. I hope he knows that I am just protecting his peace.
"I guess I don't have to wear this necklace anymore," he said as he kept it in his pocket. Saka siya tumingin sa akin at tumango. "Go ahead. Susunod din ako agad."
Hestia and I prepared to go out the car. Habang tumatagal kami rito ay pakapal nang pakapal ang mga tao. Hindi lang ang mga reporters ang ngayon ay nakatutok sa amin. Maging ang mga tao rito sa airport.
"We are causing inconvenience," Hestia giggled like that was a good thing. "Nakakatuwa rin minsan na nadadamay ako sa mga viral paparazzi pictures ni Nathalia."
"You are famous, too." I rolled my eyes.
"Let me help you." Lumapit sa akin si Kristan para tulungan akong isuot ang aking kwintas. "These people are scary. Please be safe."
"I know..." I mumbled.
Hinawi ko ang buhok ko sa likod bago huminga nang malalim at tumingin sa labas. Patuloy pa rin ang pag-ilaw ng mga camera nila. They will not stop until they can sell our pictures.
