Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

21

I blew out the strands of hair that were blocking my face before sipping from my lemonade. I placed it back on the table in front of me as I read Jericho's message.

From: my babe

I would be busy today, babe. I'll call you once I'm done. Huwag magpapagod, ah. I love you :)

Again. What's new, though? I was kind of used to it.

To: my babe

yeah, sure. take care.

It's already a few weeks since Ate Aya's wedding and since Echo left for Australia. I was cool with it... I was trying to be cool with it.

He still didn't explain to me why he had to go to Australia in such a rush. I was trying to be as patient as I could, waiting for him to be ready to tell me what's the problem.

Of course, we were still talking and trying to fix our relationship. But everytime we talk on the phone or video call it wasn't the same anymore... and I feel like it would never be.

"Ok! That's a wrap, everybody!" I heard the photographer yell which made me look their way.

It was the weekend and I wasn't busy so Raya invited me to come with her to her photoshoot. It was fun watching her. She looked so natural while doing some poses. I felt so proud of her because this was her dream.

"Buti naman natapos na!" Raya exclaimed and sat in front of her vanity table. Her face lit up when she saw what was placed on her table. She turned to me with a wide smile.

"What?" I asked innocently, trying to hide my chuckle.

"Binilhan mo ako nito!" she stated while holding the bottle of strawberry Nutri boost that I bought for her a while ago when I went down to buy myself a lemonade. "Thank you!"

I chuckled at her reaction. "You're welcome!"

"Di ka ba na bored dito?" She turned to me while sipping from her drink before smiling apologetically.

"Hindi naman," I answered. "You did good and you looked sobrang natural!" I praised her. She flipped her hair kaya naman inirapan ko siya agad. "Oh, 'wag lalaki ang ulo!" I reminded and hit her arm lightly.

"Aray ko naman!" pag-iinarte niya.

I laughed. "Picture tayo," sabi ko kaya tumayo siya.

May tinawag siyang babae kaya naman lumapit agad ito. She gave her phone to the girl and we immediately stood beside each other. We took a lot of pictures. Buti naman hindi nagreklamo iyong babae.

I laughed while scrolling through her gallery, looking at our pictures. "By the way, this is Chloe, my P.A," I heard Raya said which made me shifted my gaze from the phone to the both of them.

"Hi," I greeted and smiled at the girl. She looked shocked when she saw me smile at her, but she immediately recovered and smiled back at me.

"Chloe, ito naman si Esme, isa sa mga best friend ko," Raya added. I reached a hand out and Chloe glady accepted it.

"Nice to meet you!" Chloe greeted me happily and shook my hand.

"Likewise," I said, the smile was still on my lips.

"Ang ganda talaga ng mga friends mo, Ray!" Chloe praised. Natawa naman ako.

She was gorgeous too! She had short hair, she had a simple beauty, and she was wearing a fitted dress, so her curves were emphasized because of that. She looked a bit older than Raya and she was a bit taller than me.