Freedom and the Beast

Seven

Chapter 7

WHEN THE WEEKEND came, maaga akong sinundo ni Nemmie dahil sa kabilang condominium building daw nakatira ang ka-trabaho niya. The shoot will be held in her co-workers unit and since hindi ko alam kung saan 'yon, sinabi ko na lang na i-sabay niya ako papunta roon.

I was only wearing my white shirt tucked in my trousers and running shoes. Nakalugay lang din ang mahaba at kulot kong buhok. Sinabi naman sa akin ni Nemmie na ang katrabaho na niya ang mag-aayos sa akin dahil naroon daw sa condo nito ang mga damit. She told me that the theme of the shoot would be something classy and silky. Meaning, I will not be wearing any clothes, but I will be wrapped in some silk. I thought the theme was gorgeous. I hope I would pull it perfectly.

Pagdating namin sa building, kinausap lang namin ang receptionist para tawagan ang unit ni Daniela, Nemmie's co-worker, para sabihing nasa lobby na kami. Nang mabigyan kami ng go signal para umakyat ay tumuloy na kami.

"I'm so excited," Nemmie whispered to me while we're currently inside the elevator. "Ang tagal na rin noong nanood ako ng pictorials mo."

I smiled at her. "Ang tagal na rin kasi simula noong tumigil ako."

"I remember the time na sobrang busy mo noong college natin dahil sa rami ng bookings mo. Grabe naman kasi si Tita Rafa noon. Kung punuin niya ang schedule mo, parang hindi ka nag-aaral," she said, pertaining to my mother.

It was my mom who introduced me to model photography. She told me that I was a natural in front of the camera, and since I was a princess, I should be doing photoshoots to train my poise and smile. Sa lahat ng mga ipinilit niyang activities sa akin noong bata ako, iyon lang talaga ang nagustuhan ko.

Hawak ni Nemmie ang braso ko habang naglalakad kami papunta sa unit ni Daniela. She knocked on the door at wala pang tatlong segundo ay bumukas na iyon.

"Nemmie!" Daniela shrieked and hugged Nemmie. "Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for coming." She turned to me with a huge smile. "Hi! You must be my muse for today! What's your name?"

Muse. I smiled at her and nodded my head. "I'm Freeda."

She beamed and went to me to hug me. "I'm Daniela. Thank you so much for agreeing. You know what? When Nemmie told me that she can help me with my portfolio, hindi ko ini-expect na siya ang magbibigay sa akin ng magiging muse ko for the shoot. I did not have any idea that she has a very gorgeous friend like you!" Humiwalay siya sa akin para pagmasdan ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "You are so beautiful!"

Even though I was used to compliments, I still blushed at her words.

"Thank you so much," nahihiyang sagot ko.

Daniela grinned and held my arm. "Come in! Let's get you two some refreshments first before we start. Dom and I are still working with the camera, anyway."

Marahas akong napalingon sa kanya nang banggitin niya ang pangalang iyon. Domino was here? Why was he here?

I spotted Nemmie side eyeing me so I glared at her. She only smiled sheepishly before winking at me. I gave her a death glare. She knew that her brother was her. Did she set us up!?

Pumasok kami sa loob ng unit ni Daniela. We walked continuously toward the living room. There I immediately saw Domino standing in the middle of the room. He was holding a DSLR camera while checking the lenses. His forehead was a bit creased and his lips were forming a thin line. He looked like a model himself waiting for someone to snap a photo of him.

"Dom! We have our muse!" Daniela announced excitedly, making Domino lift his head to see me.

Gaya ko ay mukhang wala rin siyang ideya na magkikita kami sa shoot ni Daniela. His pursed lips parted in surprise as he stared at me intently. Napa-ayos siya ng tayo at marahang inilipat ang tingin mula sa akin at sa kapatid niyang kung umakto ay parang walang alam sa nangyayari.