Ever After Contract

Chapter 9

Isang malaking sorpresa ang bumungad sa umaga ni Cornelia nang sumunod na araw. Alas sais pa lang ay dumating na ang kanyang team sa mansion which is their site for the pictorial at AVP sa kasal. Alam niya na mag se-set-up sila nang maaga pero hindi niya inaasahang na pang VIP yung composition ng mga taong magso-shoot ng AVP, nandun yung top stylists, make-up artist and even one of their best directors in print ads.

Agad siya nilang pinaghanda para maayusan for the shoot. While she was about to go up to her room to be ready with the make-up artist and stylist, papasok naman sa kanilang sala si Carlos.

Since it's the first time for her team to meet him ay pinakilala niya ito sa kanila. Halos di mapakali ang mga beki niyang kasamahan sa kagwapuhan at kisig ni Carlos. Agad nila itong pinagkaguluhan at kinausap para sa shoot kaya iniwan na siya ni Cornelia sa kanila. Nakita niyang magiliw rin naman ito sa kanila.

Upon Natalia's insistence at ng wedding planner nila, they had agreed to do this. Even though it is an arranged marriage, gusto ng kanyang mother-in-law to be to have all the works for a wedding kasi nga this is the first and maybe the only wedding in their family.

"I am so excited to work my magic on you madam." Sabi ng make-up artist nila habang ito'y nagseset-up ng mga beauty tools niya. "Matagal ko na talagang gustong palutangin yung beauty mo."

"Yun nga yung sasabihin ko sayo Tina, na sana mahanap mo yung beauty na yan na sinasabi mo."

"Just sit back and be prepared to be surprised madam." Ang buong kagalakan na sabi nito.

After thirty minutes, di makapaniwala si Cornelia sa ginawang ayos sa kanya ng make-up artist. She looks different and a bit dainty. Para siyang porcelain princess sa isang fairy tale sabi ng make-up artist. Which talagang bumagay sa pinasuot sa kanya ng stylist na baby pink and lilac na retro type on-the- knee dress.

Pinili kasi ng mama ni Carlos na 60's yung theme ng wedding nila. May some sort of regression daw kasi siya nung nagdadalaga siya nung period na yun at hindi niya masyado na enjoy dahil she was sent on a boarding school by her parents.

Sa kabilang dako naman, si Carlos na inayusan na rin ng team niya ay nasa library nila at nag-aantay sa kay Cornelia. He is getting quite uncomfortable sa retro polo and slacks nito kaya he is trying also his very best to relax while waiting para hindi masira yung mood niya. His mama is to blame for all of this.

Pagbukas ng pintuan ng library, some of the team ushered in.

And when Cornelia entered he was astounded with the transformation. She looks like a 60's Barbie doll.

Parang nahihiya itong pumasok pero when she looked straight sa kay Carlos, both felt as if time stopped and they were just the only individual in the room. Cornelia blinked twice and then someone cleared their throat.

"Cornelia, can we start now? Photos muna then some videos." Sabi ng director.

"Ah sure po direk, it's your call." Sagot ni Cornelia sa kanya.

Pinaliwanag sa kanila ng director ang mga dapat nilang gawin at mga gusto nitong set-up habang ang dalawa ay magkatabi sa loveseat.

Na coconcious si Cornelia sa tuwing sumagi ang braso ni Carlos sa kanya. Sa sobrang lapit ni Carlos sa kanya halos parang drug na yung pabango nito na kanyang sinasamyo. Pa sekreto siyang sumulyap dito and found him seriously listening sa instructions.

Carlos, on the other hand is trying his best to concentrate on the instructions. Pinipigilan niya yung kamay niya na iangat at iakbay ito kay Cornelia. She looks delicate and perfect sa retro get-up nito.  Lumutang ang pagiging mestiza niya at pagka aristokrata ng konti which is usually dampened sa mga simpleng ayos niya and most especially when she goes geeky and don her glasses.

He is trying not to be alarmed by the appreciation na tumutubo sa kanyang isipan sa appeal ng mapapangasawa.  Mayroon kung ano si Cornelia na hindi niya maipaliwanag na unti-unting umaakit sa kanya na mapalapit dito physically.

So, nang inumpisahan na ang kanilang photo shoot, when the director told him to put an arm around Cornelia's shoulder, he almost eagerly and tightly put his arms dito.

Cornelia's self-consciousness on the other hand keeps on increasing by the minute. Gusto sana niyang magprotesta pero nahihiya siya and she knows very well the professionalism that her team demands when doing a shoot. So tumahimik na lang siya at parang wala rin naman kay Carlos to do poses na para sa totoong mag fiancee.

While doing the poses, Cornelia is trying to deny and accept at the same time that there is really a growing attraction for Carlos within her.

There was this pose which the director insists na for artistry sake they should do. The pose where their lips are almost touching.

Hindi makatingin si Cornelia sa kay Carlos, but when he softly tilted her jawline while softly brushing his thumb just below her lower lip, she involuntarily parted her lips and looked straight into his eyes.

The moment was quickly captured by the lens just when their breaths almost mingled.

"Perfect!" sigaw ng director.

Agad namang binawi ni Cornelia ang paningin niya dito na parang nagulat and Carlos dropped his hand to his side also.

They did more shots in the different parts of the house and along those hours, the only words spoken between them were Carlos' "are you okay?" to her, tuwing napapansin siya nitong parang naiilang and his aking permission before doing a pose or touching her.

Gentleman's treatment again, which melts her inside. If only the circumstances were different, this side of Carlos is a no fail will make you fall for him talaga. Maswerte yung babae na seseryosohin nito balang araw, she suddenly thought with a heavy heart. On the other part of her mind, she is also thinking na sana makakakita siya ng ganitong lalake, yung sa actions pa lang at paghawak niya sayo you can feel his sweetness and protection at the same time. Then her mind remembered the bittersweet reality that he will be her husband for a year after this week is over.