I was taking a half bath when my phone suddenly rang.
*Shawn♥️ calling...
I cringe at the emoji. I better change it. Why is he calling me. He never did that as far as I can remember.
Nakakunot ang noo kong sinagot ang tawag.
"Chantal." Mariin nyang sabi.
"Yes, love? Did you miss me. Shall I go back?" Of course, I don't wanna go back. I want to stay away from as far as possible.
"What are you doing? What's with those photos! Are you trying to ruin the image of my company." I rolled my eyes. What is he saying right now did he call me at 3am for this?
"What photos are you talking about? Hmm"
"The one that the staff post in her story. You are closely sitting with a man! " He angrily said. Why is he so angry, it's not a big deal. Hindi naman scandalous yung photo as if me and Radon are making out.
"It's nothing. He's a friend I met there and it's his birthday. Besides disente naman yung photo."
"Kahit na!" Wow, he surely nags well.
"It is a harmless photo. Don't tell me your jealous love?" I almost laugh at my word. By now his obsession to Alessa is undoubtedly happening. I just wanna piss him of.
"No, fuck off! Stop calling me endearment and stop with your delusions. Just don't ruin your image, it will affect my company and if that happens I'll terminate the contract." with that he end the call.
Annoying. Naghahanap lang sya ng dahilan para mapaalis na ako. Ang daming sinasabi e ganoon naman talaga reputation ni Chantal, she is a party goer but she doesn't make out with anyone. In Chantal's memory, Shawn is the only man in her life. Gusto nya na ito college pa lang. That like turns into obsession and she did everything to get his attention. She heard na ayaw ni Shawn sa virgin and he will not do one. So, she pop her own cherry using sex toys and watch tons of porno and act like she has many experience. She's just so crazy about him but in the end he disregards her. I won't do that if I were her.
I'm getting anxious again. What if I am doing everything wrong. What if it's not the right thing to do. What if hindi na ako makabalik. I really miss my life. I hate it here before I knew it I fell asleep drowning with thoughts.
Kinabukasan ay bandang 12pm na ng tanghali kami nagising ni Shane nauna lamang sya ng ilang minuto. Inopen ko ang group chat namin ng mga kasamahan ko at napag alamang nasa local restau na ang iba sa kanila kaya sumunod na din kami. Nagsuot lamang ako ng fairy dress na abot hanggang aking tuhod.
"Kumusta ang mga harot ang popogi ng katable nyo kagabi a." pabirong bungad ni Tristan or Trisha, isa syang gay and coordinator ng company.
"Baliw haha." nagtawanan lang kami, naging magkakasundo kami sa lagi naming pagsasama sa mga photoshoot.
"Well alam naman natin na kahit sinong iharap natin d'yan kay Sir Shawn pa din yan iindak." pabirong sabi ni Shane, nagtawanan ulit kami. I know naman na they don't mean it as an insult.
"Well can you blame me, but malay natin baka sa susunod hindi na sya." Nagtinginan naman sila at tumawa ulit, I pouted.
"Why are you laughing." Nagkunwari akong naiinis.
"Akala namin nagjojoke ka e, tatlong taon ka na sa kompanya at simula pa lang gusto mo na si Sir, kahit yung janitor ata ng company ay alam yan e." I blushed from embarrassment. Gosh, Chantal is really vocal. I can't keep up with all the rumor about her.
" Kaya nga what if 'di ba, judgemental nyo naman. "
" Well malay nga natin, no offense pero parang walang plano si sir pumasok sa relationship. On the other hand, Marami din gusto manligaw sayo as far as I know." Tumango naman sila sa sinabi ni Tristan.
Matapos naming kumain ay naggayak na kami dahil maya maya pa ay pupunta na kami sa venue ng contest. Pagdating namin sa place ay madami ng tao na nakaupo para manood. Isang town beauty contest pala ang dadahulan ko dahil fiesta nila ngayon. Isa itong sikat na bayan sa Tagaytay and nakapagjudge na din ako dito before. Humiwalay na sa akin ang iba kong kasamahan dahil sa ibang table sila uupo habang ako ay pumwesto na katabi ng iba pang judges. Binati namin ang isa't isa, apat kaming judges at mga professional din sila. Maya-maya pa ay may lumapit sa aming photographer para kuhanan kami ng litrato. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay nagsimula na ang pageant at isa isa na kaming pinakilala. Tumayo ako at ngumiti ng tawagin ang pangalan ko. Nagpalakpakan naman ang ibang tao.
Nagsimula ng rumampa ang mga kalahok at masasabi ko na madami sa kanila ang may potential. Siguro, ang mananalo dito ay marerecruit sa aming kompanya. Nag-uusap kami ng mga kasamahan kong judges paminsan-minsan. Matapos ang swimsuit competition ay nagkaroon ng ilang minutong pahinga dahil magsusuot na sila ng evening gown. Nagulat ako ng may lumapit sa katabi kong hurado at hinalikan ito sa pisngi.
"Hi Mom, how are you?"
Pagharap ko ay agad ko syang nakilala.
"Radon?" he smiled at me.
"Hi Chantal. You look so gorgeous kung 'di lang magtatampo si mommy ikaw una kong babatiin." tumawa naman kami ng ina nya.
"Ikaw talaga anak, pasimple ka gusto mo lang sya kausapin idadahilan mo pa ako." Hindi ko akalain na si Mrs. Irene Santos ang ina ni Radon. Si Mrs. Irene ay sikat na beauty queen before and we met multiple times. We have a formal relationship and she even ask me to try international pageant before. Chantal refused because she doesn't want to leave the company dahil kay Shawn.
"Mommy let me be. Birthday ko pa din ngayon so I still have a pass." Nagtawanan kaming tatlo. Inangat nya ang hawak nya at inabot eto sa amin.
"It's a chocolate cake puro healthy pa din meryenda nyo e. Y'all need sugar para mabuhayan kayo." I smiled and thank him. Ngayon lang ulit ako makakain ng matamis mula ng dumating ako dito. Laging kontrolado ang diet ko and this cake made me smile. It's like a conciliation from all I've been through. I like sweets ever since and this made me almost tear up.
"Thank you and happy birthday again." We both smiled at each other.
"Thank you and your always welcome." Umalis na din sya ng magsimula na ulit ang pageant. I ate the cake wholeheartedly and talk with my co-judges hanggang matapos ang kompetisyon.
