Lies and Deception ✔ (Haciendero #4)

Ikalawang Kabanata

Kabanata 2

Leaked

After a month, the issues died down. My contract with my current network was expiring soon. Of course, I had another offer. Mayroon ding offer ang kabilang network.

I was still thinking of my options at hand. Hindi ako nagmamadali sa pagpili.

"Aren't you done, Michelle?" Kinatok ko ang pinto ng comfort room.

"No, girl! I'm having the time of my life! Shoo!"

I rolled my eyes and went out of the dressing room. The shoot was already done after taking almost half a day. Kanina pa rin pabalik - balik ng comfort room si Michelle. She couldn't even assist me the whole time.

Pumasok ako comfort room na unang nahanap ko. Some of the cubicles were already occupied. I washed my hands with soap.

"Did she gain weight? Na-stress yata sa bashing noong nakaraan. She deserved it. Ang dami kong narinig sa mga dati niyang naging katrabaho, masama raw talaga ang ugali." Tumaas ang kilay ko sa narinig.

Tea finds me every time.

The girl laughed on the other cubicle. "Iyon din ang narinig ko... maganda naman si Lilah, famous, mayaman kaya feeling niya may karapatan siyang mag-inarte. No doubt with her beauty, pero alam no 'yon, habang tumatagal, nakakasawa siyang tingnan. Gumanda lang siya dahil maputi siya."

Nagpanting ang tainga ko nang marinig ang pangalan ko na hot topic ng mga babae. Wherever I go, I hear my name in the tables I don't sit. Magaling lang naman ang tao pagdating sa tsismis, nababahag naman ang buntot kapag harapan.

I waited for them to finish their bathroom needs. Bumukas ang cubicle ng unang babaeng nagsalita. From her smirking lips, her face turned pale in an instant. Nagtaka ang babaeng nasa loob pa ng cubicle sa katahimikan ng kasama.

"Leese, ano na?! Para kang nakakita ng multo..." puna ng babae.

Hindi nagtagal lumabas din ng cubicle ang babae. I looked at both of them from head to toe. Her expression changed. Nawala ang kulay sa kanyang mukha.

"So... these are the women who talked shit about me," I eyed them up and down. "I'm expecting beautiful women... bakit mukhang hito? You know what, if you're going to express your bashful comments against me, make sure your forehead doesn't qualify to be the next landing airport... or your face covered with pimples."

Mas lalong yumuko ang mga babae. I could see tears of embarrassment brimming in the side of their eyes. Wala naman ako masyadong ginawa.

I targeted those imperfections and insecurities visible on their face. Ang kapal ng mukha nilang makapagkomento, pa-victim naman ng ibigay ko ang same energy. Hindi uso sa akin ang pagiging mabait.

"Oh, why mad? Kayo lang ang may karapatang manlait at magbigay ng komento? Don't start what you can't finish." Inirapan ko ang mga ito. "You're not even attractive to begin with."

Iniwan ko sila sa comfort room. Nawala sa isip ko ang pinunta ko roon ng marinig ang mga babae. Bumalik ako sa dressing room, nadatnan ko si Michelle na nakaupo sa couch. Tumayo ito ng makita ako.

"Where have you been?" she asked me.

I glared at her. Kinuha ko ang bag sa table.

"Let's go!" Wala siyang nagawa kung hindi sumunod sa akin.

Sinalubong kami ng driver ng kotse at isang bodyguard. Pinagbuksan nila kami ng pinto ni Michelle. I instructed the driver to take us to the near private shopping boutiques. Iyong hindi kami pagkakaguluhan ng tao masyado.