Foolish Sparks

Chapter 16: Akin

Aeryn POV

8:00 palang ng umaga, nagkakape na ako binabasa ang mga emails ko. A particular one stood out so I immediately opened it. Galing ito sa investigative private agency na binarayan ko.

I smirked as I read Catherine Alfonso's schedule, which I don't know how they got. Mahigpit ang security ng network naming sa mga private information ng mga artista. But, eh, who knows? She's a lowly actress kaya naman siguro hindi ganoon kahigpit ang security sakanya.

She has an 11:00 am shooting for an afternoon drama where she plays as the lead star. Good for her, huh. After so many years of being a forgettable starlet, the network pitied her and gave her a job. I did my own research at nalaman kong ang direktor ng big break niya ay walang iba kung hindi si Perry Rivera, isa sa mga ninong ko and my Dad's best friend.

Let's play out the game, shall we? I'm visiting my dear Ninong Perry today.

"Oh my God! Si Aeryn Almonte!" dinig kong bulong ng iilang staff habang dumadaan ako sa set ng dini-direct ng Ninong Perry.

With aviators on my head as if it's a headband, cropped basic white shirt along with denim fitted skirt and high heels, I feel every eyes turn on me as I walked.

"Ang ganda talaga niya..." they whispered.

I am very used to all the compliments because I have gotten them all my life. For some reason though, it doesn't really get to me. Lalo na't kahit anong sabi ng iba na kesyo maganda ako, maganda ang katawan, magaling umarte... bakit hindi niya ako kayang mahalin ni Eros ng buong buo?

I felt a small smile rise within me because of their reactions, though. It toughened up my guts to do what I'd like to accomplish today.

Nakita ko si Ninong Perry na busy na nag-uutos sa mga stage crew. I wonder where's that bitch.

"Direk, may bisita po kayo." sabi ng assistant niya, ang tumulong sakin papasok dito sa mismong location area nila.

"Ha!? Sino 'ba yan!?" agresibong sabi ni Ninong Perry sa assistant niya. He sounds stressed. Sabagay, to work with a lowly starlet, sino ba naman ang mastre-stress, haha!

Nang mamataan ako ni Ninong Perry, ngumiti ako sakanya. Ang kulubot niyang mukha ay naging mas maaliwalas.

"My favorite inaanak!" salubong niya sa akin.

I welcomed his hug and went to bless and kiss him on the cheek.

"How are you, Ninong? I brought your favorites!" ngiti ko sakanya.

Inabot ko naman sakanya ang paboritong mamahaling kape niya at donuts. Noon pa man, favorite na ni Ninong ito. Madalas siya bumibisita sa bahay namin noon kasama ang mga anak at asawa niya. Sa mga pagkakataon na 'yun, nagdadala siya ng napakaraming donuts na ikinatutuwa naman naming magkakapatid.

"Nako, nako, nag-abala ka pa, 'nak. Sa sobrang busy mo ba't nagawa mo pang bisitahin ang Ninong mo?" ngisi niya sa akin.

I knew exactly what to say. I feel a bit guilty dahil nagsisinungaling ako kay Ninong but even though what I'm going to say isn't the actual reason on why I visited him, it is partly true because I do care for him. He's family for us.

"Sus, Ninong. It has been 3 years since you last directed a TV project, diba? Nag-focus ka kasi masyado sa movies mo. That's why I wanted to visit you lalo na ito ang first shooting day." I sweetly said.

He patted my head and chuckled a bit.

"Sweet naman talaga nitong inaanak ko. It's been a while since na-direct kita, teenager ka pa 'nun. Pag-bigyan mo ang ninong at mag-collaborate tayo soon, ah?" sabi niya.