Live, Alena (Luctus Academy)

Chapter 29

Yes, I created social media accounts, but I never really used any of them for something personal. I only use it when I have to. And when I have to, it means it's for a paid partnership with the two brands I'm currently working for.

It's been what? Half a year, I guess? I'm still the ambassadress of MWM, Maddie's clothing brand, and JLN Cosmetics, Miss Yannie's beauty line. I've got a contract with their companies. Ever since I made a name in this modeling industry, bunches of projects were offered to me. Zen told me to choose wisely. Doon sa maganda ang offer, doon sa kaya ko. But I say no to that. I don't mean to brag, but ever since I became the ambassadress of Maddie's and Yannie's company, they both admitted that their sales increased big big time so yeah, they also increased my salary. Sinabi nilang ako raw iyong naging model nilang nagcause ng pinakamataas na benta. At first, I didn't believe it but when Ali jokingly bashed their brands while showing me the news, because according to him, I was making them richer and richer, while Kuya Steph and Prim congratulated me, I started to believe it. Medyo. Best rookie of the year daw ako sabi ni Ali.

So, as I was saying, I said no to what Zen taught me. Instead, I asked Prim's secretary to do a research for me about who was who, which was which. I gave her the list of all the brands that offered me a project. Siyempre para mas mapadali ang favor ko, ako na iyong naglista kaso everyday nadadagdagan so tuwing may letters sa loob ng mailbox ng bahay, or kahit sa loob at labas ng gate, pinapadala ko na kay Prim para idiretso sa secretary niya. Siya na rin ang bahala sa salary raw ng mabait niyang secretary and I said yes. Nagkasundo na kami sa mga ganoong usapan.

I gave his secretary her own time to complete her research, asked her to do it during her free time, and when I said free time, iyong talagang wala na siyang magawa sa buhay, kasi ayoko namang makadagdag sa bigat ng work niya. Being a secretary of a multi-national company's CEO was damn hard. Very hard. Pero after a week, natapos niya na. Next time na lang iyong mga pending mails.

Which brands did I choose? Those who had the lowest sales in the market. It took me half year before I finally decided to do this. To accept other projects. Gusto ko kasing patunayan muna mismo sa sarili kong tama iyong mga sinasabi nila sa akin. And so I did.

"Wow. Just wow. I just wish the huge brands weren't disappointed or something. Well, I think not. They're all dying to have you, girl. And really, thank you for making my career so much better. Not a sarcastic remark. I'm not a rude bitch!" Zen, sounding so defensive, yelled.

"You just said huge brands. They don't need me. And this isn't about money, okay? It's us, helping each other build a good career."

"Well, you have a very very good point in there, girl. But you just made me feel like a bad person! Hmp. Why are you so good, so generous, so perfect?!" she joked.

"There's nothing wrong being the highest-paid model, Zendaya Tuazon."

"Oh, please. You are the highest-paid model now, Alena. In just six damn months. To think na dalawang brand lang iyong ineendorse mo, tapos puro runway na the rest. Don't be too humble, I'm getting bitter already."

Kung may makakarinig lang sa amin, iisipin na ng iba na inaaway ako ni Zen but no, ganyan na talaga kami magbiruan. Many people started making an issue between us when I started modeling, saying I took the spotlight and left her in the dark but no, we knew better. We are like best friends now. Alam namin sa sarili naming hindi totoo iyon.

Saka hindi totoong nalaos si Zen dahil sa akin. Pareho nga kaming flooded palagi ng messages. Halos pare-pareho lang din ang nag-ooffer sa amin ng projects. Kaibahan lang, sa akin, through mailbox because it's like everyone knows how private of a person I am. I never check messages in my social media accounts. It's only my family, Zen, and the West sisters who know my personal phone number. I don't have a manager nor an assistant. Hindi naman kasi ako tumatanggap ng projects bukod doon sa naunang dalawa kaya hindi ko iyon kailangan. Ngayon lang ako tumanggap.