This Could End

Chapter Twenty-Two

The unknown number didn't just send one photo but two. Kuha iyon sa club nung birthday ni Hadeon.

That night, I thought we'd be safe because the dance floor was crowded. I assumed that everyone was too inebriated and they wouldn't pay attention to what was happening around them and if they were, I figured that they'd forget about it the next morning. Obviously, I was wrong.

The photos were enhanced kaya sa unang photo ay kitang-kita ang mukha ko. We were staring at each other. I had a smirk on my face while Hades looked surprised. The second photo was when I leaned closer to his ear so he could hear me properly. Those who don't know what really happened will think we were kissing because of how it was taken.

Who took these photos? And why did the person send it to me? Was it the same person who tipped it off to that cheap digital tabloid? If the person had this incriminating photos in their arsenal, then why didn't they release it with the article?

Unknown Number:
I know what you did tonight too :)

Tuluyan nang naglaho ang antok ko. How? The unknown number was stalking me? For how long? What else do they know?

Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na tinawagan ang number. Isang beses lang 'yon nag-ring at matapos ay napatay rin. I tried again but my call was rejected.

I quickly typed in a message.

Seph:
Who are you?

It took the person three minutes to reply. Maybe to add a suspense effect and make me more anxious. Mind games and all that.

Unknown Number:
Wrong question.

Of course the person won't tell me who they were. It would be stupid to reveal their identity.

Seph:
What do you need from me?

Is it a paparazzi and they want to extort me with money? Ibibigay ko ba kapag hiningi? Fuck.

Unknown Number:
Turn down the Dream Girl role.

My forehead creased. That was an odd request. Why would a paparazzi ask me to turn down a movie role? What would they benefit from that?

Unless it wasn't a paparazzi... Sino naman ang makikinabang kapag hindi ko tinanggap ang job offer? I was sure a lot of people covets that role. Was I being blackmailed out of the role because they want the role for themselves? Or are they just trying to sabotage my career?

If the photos get out, it would be the end of all things. My career, my reputation, my father, Hadeon...

I couldn't care less about a damn movie role. I could get another one. But how could I be sure that whoever this was won't hang these photos over my head? Paano kung gamitin nila ito para mapasunod ako sa kahit anong mga bagay? They had something against me that would be enough to make me do their bidding.

It reminded me of my father. They should meet up and exchange notes. They were both good at manipulative schemes.

Unknown Number:
I'll give you a week to decide. Goodluck.

My head spun. Did my room get smaller? Are the walls closing in or is it just in my head? I need a drink.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto para pumunta ng kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of wine and poured it to a wine glass. Inubos ko ang isang baso at matapos ay nagsalin pa ng isa.

What was I going to do? Susundin ko ba ang gusto niyang mangyari? It's not like I can report this to the police. That would be stupid. The press could easily smell the smoke and it wouldn't be long until they see the fire.