Chapter twenty-nine

"A competent and self-confident person is incapable of jealousy in anything. Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity."

---Robert A. Heinlein

*ANDREW WILTON'S POV*

*Kring! Kring! Kring!*

"Good morning babe!" Okay, that's right. Alexia calls me at early as 4 o'clock in the morning.

"Good morning. You woke up early Alexia, you should back to sleep. It's too early." I heard her laughs.

"No, I felt hungry, so I woke up to eat. I don't want our baby to be hungry and sick." Even if that baby is out of the plan, I still care for it. Dugo ko pa rin ang nananalaytay sa batang yon.

"Good to hear that, Alexia. I will call you before lunch, since you wake me up so early and I can't sleep back." I tie the curtain amd open the window to see the whole view of the island and it's so beautiful.

"I love you, Andrew. Bye!" I just hang up and back to my business. But, Alexia is different now... I mean she's acting weird.     

I cleared my thoughts and focus to the photoshoot later. I need to settle everything cause I heard that our model is elegant, sophisticated and gorgeous but unluckily I didn't meet her yet.

*Kring! Kring!*

"Hello, Sir?" Karessa is one of the staff, she's in charge with the place.

"Yes Karessa?" I just waited her response watching the sea and feeling relax with the fresh air.

"Ah Sir, naayos ko na po yung pinapagawa niyo at magsisimula raw ang photoshoot at exactly 7'o clock." Alas kwatro y medya palang naman at may oras pa ako para maghanda.

"Thank you Karessa. Yong modelo, naka stand by na ba?" I ask, mabuti na kasi ang sigurado para walang mangyaring aberya mamaya.

"Yes Sir Wilton, nagpre-prepare na po siya at ang modelo nating lalaki... wala pa po Sir." Maaga pa naman, may oras pa para makapaghanda.

"Okay. Make it sure that before seven, dapat nandiyan na lahat para matapos kaagad natin 'tong photoshoot." I reminded her.

"Opo Sir." I ended up the conversation and do my daily routine.

Bababa na sana ako ng mag ring uli ang telepono ko.

"Hello Sir Wilton?" I look at my wrist watch and I felt so shock. Ang bilis bilis ng oras, di ko man lang namalayan.

"Yes Karessa, I'm on my way na!" Mabilis akong bumaba ng groundfloor at mabilis na tinahak ang unang lugar kung saan gaganapin ang photoshoot.

"Direk Magher is waiting for you and our model is already here, Sir Wilton." Good news, that's what I want with Karessa. Talagang mapagkakatiwalaan at masipag ang batang 'to.

"Good to hear that Karessa. Malapit na ako, I'll be there in a minute." Ilang kilometro lang naman ang layo ng shooting place sa ground floor kaya walang dapat na ipag-alala pa.

"Okay Sir Wilton." I ended up the call and put my phone inside of my pocket.

While walking, everyone takes picture and keep on greeting me-

"Good morning Andrew!"  A curl and blonded hair girl greeted me with a big smile in her face.

I  smiled at her without uttering any words, nagmamadali ako kaya't wala akong time para mag greet pa sa kanya ng good morning.

Mabuti naman at wala na akong nakakasalubong na mga kababaihan, baka matrap pa ako ng wala sa oras talagang mapo-post pone yong photoshoot pag nagkataon.

Malayo pa lang, tanaw na tanaw ko na ang mga camera man at iba pang staff. Si Karessa busy sa pag-aayos ng mga damit na susuotin ng mga modelo namin. Nang makita ako nito, patakbo itong lumapit sakin at kinuha ang dala dala kong maliit na bag.

"Karessa, where is our female model?" I ask Karessa because I can only see Zerale.

"Ah Sir, nagbibihis na po. Sabi kasi ni Direk, we're about to start so I told her to change." Good! Mag se-seven na rin naman, ilang minuto na lang ang natitira.

"Good!" I uttered.

"Direk Magher! I'm glad to see you again." I knew him, his one of the famous and a good Director in the showbiz world. I heard a lot of news about him and he received awards internationally.

"I'm glad to see you too, Andrew!" Direk Magher said.

"Thank you for accepting my proposal, you know that you're the only one Director that I want to work with." Almost of his films and movies wins locally and even in abroad at magaan siyang makatrabaho kaya't siya ang napili namin ni Mr. Perez na humawak ng project na'to.

"You know that I can't say no to you, Hijo!" Direk Magher and my Dad was childhood friend that's why I didn't see him not just a Director but a father. His like a father to me.

"Thank you Tito Magher." Were laughing and discussing something when I saw Zerale walking towards me.

"Andrew! Can we talk?" I nodded and I excuses myself at Tito Magher.

"Zerale I know what's you're gonna ask me, but can we talk later after the photoshoot! Can we?" I can sense it that his gonna ask me about what happened last night but the shoot will start sooner.

"What? You're weird Bro. Of course not! I know everything that happened last night, my assistant have told me already." I sigh in relief. I don't want to remember the things that happened last night.

I don't want to reminisce those pain that I felt. Pagod na akong magma kaawa at humingi ng pasensya kaya mag fofocus muna ako ngayon sa trabaho.

"Then what?" I ask irritatedly.

"Bro, I saw earlier the gorgeous model. You didn't tell me about her." Zerale smiled. A smile that can reach his ears.

"I didn't meet her yet Zerale. I heard that Mr. Perez knew this woman but really Bro I didn't see her, not once nor twice." He likes this woman. I can sense it coz I'm a man too, I know if a man is in love and Zerale is in love.

"Bro, I was love her at first sight. Alam kong ang bilis pero nasa kanya lahat ng gusto ko sa isang babae. Alam mo yon Bro!" The way he describe that woman I knew it. Zerale is really in love.

I'm about to give him advice when Karessa calls me.

"Sir Andrew, stand by na po tayo dun dahil magsisimula na ang photoshoot." I nodded and I tap Zerale shoulders, mamaya ko na lang sasabihin sa kanya ang advice ko.

"Sir Zerale, kayo rin po." Just like me, Zerale nodded and follow Karessa.

Papalapit ng papalapit nakita kong naka ready na si Tito Magher at ang ibang staff, pero yong modelo ay nakatalikod sa kinaroonan ko kaya't di ko makita ang mukha nito. I see her make up artists fixing her make up and hair.

"Okay, let's start guys!" Stand by please." Tito Magher commanded. In this part, only the female model will be the focus.

I seated beside Tito Magher, I want to see clearly her photographs. I want this photoshoot to be successful.

I waited her to face us but my phone suddenly swim on the sand, so I get it first. I can't get it so I search it and I heard the staff saying "1, 2, 3, pose!"

Finally, I get my phone already.

"Change clothes, please!" Tito Magher commanded. In this part, the female model will be wearing a four different style of clothes.

Actually, I was mesmerized with this model. Why? Dahil lahat ng pose niya ay nagustuhan ni Tito Magher. I knew him, his not only a Director but his also good in taking photographs.

Unluckily, I didn't saw her pictures.

This time, we've waited 5 minutes for her to change.

"Let's start!" Her make up artist announces.

The moment she turns her head and I saw her face I'm so d*mn shock! What she's doing in here?

Mlaire Villachin. Right, she's the model of this new product of Mr. Perez. But, how? Hindi naman ito ang gusto niyang gawin pero bakit siya?

"Bro, I've told you. She's so beautiful!" Zerale commented. D*mn! I know she's beautiful but right this moment she looks like a d*mn goddess.

Mlaire is wearing a yellow long dress just like a goddess wears with a flower crown in her head. Her make up suits her and her hair was braided with a beautiful pins putted in it. She smiles with the perfumè in her hands.

"Shut up, Zerale!" Zerale just grin at me.

I can't help to get over this. Hindi pa rin nag si-sink in sa utak ko na nasa harapan ko ang babaeng niloko't sinaktan ko noon. Hindi niya ako makita dahil nakatingin siya sa kabilang banda dahil iyon ang request ni Tito Magher.

"Change pose, please!" This time, she looks directly in front and I meet her eyes. Nagkatitigan kami sa isa't isa at nakita ko ang pagkabigla nito sa kanyang mga mata.

I don't know but I cannot leave her eyes, parang may gusto itong sabihin ng mag tama ang mga tingin namin. Hindi ko alam, at hindi ako sigurado.

"Perfect! One more time." Mabilis na binawi ni Mlaire ang kanyang mga tingin. But me, I can't control myself staring at her.

"Good job, Miss Mlaire. Change clothes again." Her assistant uttered. She went inside in the tent.

I want to talk to her but I remember what had happened last night. I should know my place now, and we have different lives. Mlaire has a boyfriend and me... sooner, I will be a dad. I should forget her and move on.

The first part of the photoshoot finished quickly at 11. Even Tito Magher cannot believe what just happened earlier, talagang ang galing ni Mlaire. Lahat ng isinuot niya kanina lahat ng 'yon ay bumagay sa kanya.

"Let's meet here at 4 pm. The next scenario is the twilight, okay?" Karessa reminded everyone about the second part. Everyone noted and scattered everywhere. They're gonna take their lunch in here.

"Karessa, okay na ba yong mga pagkaing pinaorder ko?" I ask her for sure.

"Yes Sir, nakahanda na po." Karessa assured me.

Everyone had already their seats when me and Karessa get in the private cottage. I saw Mlaire in the middle, Zerale in her right and no one seating in her left. Two seats are vacant, the first is beside of Tito Magher and the other one is beside Mlaire.

I was about to seat beside her when Tito Magher called me and let me seat beside him. I don't have a choice but to choose the right one, and the right place.

"Before we start, let's pray first." Karessa lead the prayer while me- praying silently.

"Okay, let's eat!" Lahat ay masaya dahil sa mabilis na lunch break. I watch Mlaire getting the cucumber salad but she can't reach it so I give it to her. She didn't say anything about it.

I chose to be quiet. Mlaire doesn't want to talk to me anymore, I should learn now on how to accept that. But, as I look at her I remember her face earlier- she was shocked... me too, it was beyond of my expectations.

"Bro, you're not eating. Is there something wrong?" Zerale catches my attention. He's smiling while asking me that question. I look at Mlaire reaction but she didn't give a d*mn!

"I'm not hungry, Bro." I answered. Zerale starting to catch the attention of Mlaire. He poured and give a glass of water to her.

"Hi. Here, water for you." Zerale offered. "Ah, can I ask your name? No... no, I mean." His acting like a d*mn teenager with confessing to his crush.

"Andrea. Call me Andrea, and you?" Mlaire smiled. Why Andrea? She completely changes her name and life just because of what I've done... two years ago.

"Zerale. Nice to meet you, Andrea!" I saw how Mlaire became shock, her eyes says everything.

"You mean, you are Zerale Leighes?" She paused.

"Yeah. You know me, Andrea?" Zerale ask out of the curiousity.

"Yes. I know you, but this is the first time that I saw you in person." The two of them talk like there is nobody around them, it seems that they get to know each other that easily! F*ck!

"I'm glad we meet here." Zerale paused for a minute. "Andrea, you know we've just meet but I'll tell you that I like you." Zerale confesses his feelings towards Mlaire. I don't know but I feel sick when I heard those words.

I look at her, waited for her answer. She glimpse at me and she look at me directly into my eyes. I saw nothing, I look roughly at her and I want her to know that I don't like what's happening right now, that I am mad.

Mlaire kept quiet for a couple of minutes, Zerale was nervous cause I can sense it. His shoulders are shaking and he mutter something that I can't hear. Zerale touches her hands, and this time I feel so angry. I cannot control my feelings and my anger anymore.

*Bogsssshhhhhh*

Padabog akong tumayo. I can't bear to see Mlaire smiling with another guy... even if it's my friend.

Everyone stop with their businesses and look at me surprisedly and confused. Sh*t! What I am doing? This is not me. I look at Mlaire but she's surprised and shock just like the others, she's avoiding my stare.

Out of my anger, I walk away from that cottage. I can't... I can't help it anymore. I wanted to grab her from her seats and let her seats beside me but f*ck! I don't have the right to do it. The only thing I can do is to watch her- feeling happy with someone else.

I walk until my feet driven me here in the seashore. I can feel the cold winds and their little whispers in my ears. I watch the blue sky and different patterns of the clouds. I feel calm and relax with this scene.

I stay there until my anger fades and I hear my stomach shouting aloud for food. I feel so hungry. I don't want to go back yet, so I've decided to eat in the hotel. I already texted Tito Magher that there's an emergency so I'll be late on the second part of the photoshoot but that's only my alibi.

He asks me about earlier but I've told him that it was not that serious. I can deal with it, alone.

I watches tv and waited Karessa's message. I keep looking at the wall clock and exactly 5 in the afternoon my phone vibrated. It must be Karessa, keeping me aware of everything. I check if it is really Karessa and yes! It's time for the second part.

I walk until I reach the venue. I kept quiet and calm, I don't want to act like an immature anymore. Tito Magher seats beside me and whispers something  to me.

"Just focus, Andrew." He said. Only three words, that short but there's a lot of message inside. He's right, I need to focus on this.

"Yes, Uncle." My short reply. We are waiting for our models to stand by. Karessa told everyone that they're ready. This time, we need to shoot a video clip showing our two models as a lover.

"Okay, are you ready?" Mlaire and Zerale nodded together.

"ACTION!" I keep my attention on them. I just feel uncomfortable for this scene, it's too sweet and I hate it. Knowing Zerale, his serious and he would not let go of Mlaire that easily.

"Stop! Mlaire, right?" Mlaire smiled and nodded. "Can you move closer to Zerale and Zerale can you please hold her waist and you guys look at each other while carrying the perfume?" Tito Magher demonstrated that scene and I am freaking angry. It is really needed to be that close? I hate it!

"ACTION!" They do what Tito Magher advices earlier. But I sees Tito Magher that he's not satisfied of what he's seeing right now.

"CLOSER! I want you guys to be close, just move closer, please." Tito Magher shouted.

Alam kong naiilang na ngayon si Mlaire dahil hindi naman siya sanay sa mga ganitong bagay. She's a respected person but watching her, she's acting like an ordinary person. She's doing what Tito Magher wants her to do.

I know Zerale is happy inside but he's acting like not. How stupid! I am hundred percent sure that Mlaire will reject him cause apparently she's have a boyfriend, Mlaire should tell Zerale the truth.

I love Mlaire but I am willing to accept and understand her decision basta para sa kaligayahan niya, tatanggapin ko lahat--- even if it's hurt.

Karessa gave them two minutes to practice and to retouch. Palubog na ang araw kaya't mas binilisan namin ang trabaho namin.

"Okay guys, ACTION!" This time, the two of them are very close. Tito Magher suggested to move away a little bit dahil masyadong malapit na sila sa isa't isa.

Mlaire moved away from Zerale but it's too away from him so he grab her waist and she caught her guard off and everyone was shock of what they saw--- we saw.

He kiss Mlaire in front of everyone. Mlaire was shock too, and because of that I look angrily at Zerale and I hardly punch him. Nandilim ang paningin ko at sinuntok ko pa siya sa mukha, he punch me back and I try to escape his punches.

Nahimasmasan ang lahat dahil biglang inawat kami ni Mlaire. Talagang kinakampihan pa niya ang bastos na lalaking to! I saw it clearly, that it was intentionally.

"Andrew, just stop this!" Mlaire tried me to push away but she only failed. I punch Zerale and I saw blood on his lower lips, he deserves it. He should respected Mlaire.

"We know each other for a day and I didn't expected that you're acting like a maniac. How embarrassing!" I said angrily. Nakakainis!

"Bro, you saw what happened. Wag ka namang manghusga dahil alam kong nakita mo ang nangyari. I didn't mean to kiss Mlaire, it was an accident!" Zerale explains to me but I can't accept his explanation. Parang nakaka-gago ang ekplinasyon niya!

"You really want to do that. It was your intention cause you like Mlaire! You jerk!" I punch him again.  I don't know but I'm feeling mad right now, gusto kong magwala at sumigaw dahil sa nanagyayari ngayon

"What's wrong with you, ha? You're acting like a weird one? It was just an accident and it's not big deal!" Mlaire shouted at me. "Andrew, stop this nonsense dahil hindi ka nakakatuwa." Mlaire walk away from me pero hindi pa man din siya nakakalayo I grab her wrist.

"So, you're telling me to do nothing? Where in fact Zerale kissed you and he doesn't have the right to do that! O gusto mo talagang mahalikan hindi mo man lang sasabihin kay Zerale na may boyfriend ka na! How unlucky Zerale is!" Everything inside my head was spoken loudly.  Hindi ko na nalabanan ang selos, kinain na ako ng tuluyan.

"What are you talking about? You don't know anything! Kaya wag kang magmarunong at wag na wag mo na itong gagawin ulit!" Nagpantig ang ulo ko dahil sa mga naririnig ko mula sa kanya. Ano, she's just accepting that thing?

"I know, one for sure." I paused for a minute and I sharply look at her. "You came from liberated country, so I don't must expect you to react the way I expected, right Mlaire?" I don't know how and why I acted that way. Hindi naman ako ganito dati. But the next thing happened was unexpected.

"PAK!" It's a crunchy and achy slap that I receive from Mlaire. "Don't judge me because in the first place you don't know me and because of this I will never forgive you, Andrew Wilton." She added. Her voice was calm as calm as the sea but I can feel the madness with every word she says.

Mlaire walked away and I watch Zerale to follow her. Everything sink into my mind. What I've done? I hurt her again and f*ck! Argggghh! I'm tired!

I kick the sands until I got tired and everyone is still watching me not moving and talking.....