The Epitome Of Love

Chapter 22: Video

"Anong oras daw darating si Tita?"

"Sabi niya sa text 7:30 daw nandito na siya eh."

"Sa bagay 7:15 pa lang naman. Oo nga pala, About your graduation. Kailan?"

"Hmm, In two weeks na. Excited na nga ako eh."

"Bili tayo ng damit mo. I miss shopping with you."

"Sure! I like that." I winked.

"Your mom's here." He showed me the person behind me.

"Mommy!" I stood up and wrapped her with my arms that's been longing for her warmth.

"I miss you, anak! How are you, Anak?"

"Still okay even after what happened. Let's take a seat?"

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Zach at si Mommy naman ay nasa tapat namin. Nag-order muna kami ng makakain.

"How about you, Zach? Kailan ka nakarating ng Pinas?" Mom asked Zach.

"Early morning po, Tita. I picked Addie up after her exams."

"Hmm, Okay. Where are you staying right now?"

"I'm staying at our family's house... With Addie."

"It's great to hear that Addie is with someone who will keep her safe. Thank You, Zach."

"Anything for her po."

"Anyway, Kailan nga ba ang graduation mo?" Mom turned her attention to me.

"It'll happen in two weeks. Are you and Dad coming?"

"I'm coming, Anak."

I felt sadness in the way she looked at me. I loved Dad so much even if I knew he isn't the real one. I treated him like my own. Maybe he was just that hurt because of that.

"Please, Mom, Come to my graduation."

"I promise to come, Anak." She sealed her promise with a kiss on my forehead.

"Anyway, It's getting late. I have to go because we have an early meeting for tomorrow." Paalam ni Mommy sa amin ni Zach.

"Okay, Ma. Thank You for this."

"You take care, okay? I love you, my daughter. Zach, Please take good care of her."

"I promise, Tita."

"Aasahan kita sa graduation ko, Ma."

Then she walked away from me. I get sad whenever I see her leaving. I kept on hoping that she will leave Dad for me, but that will only stay as a hope because she can't and will never leave Dad for me.

"You ready to call it a night?" Zach asked.

"Yeah, Let's go home."

I entered his car and locked the door. I was quiet all the time but a call from my phone woke me up.

"Hello?"

"Addie! Kamusta ka na? I heard you're back from Rome."

"Oh, Cici? Yes, I came back last month."

"I have a job for you. There's this clothing line that wants to get you as their model for the Fashion Week. Are you free?"

"Yes! Yes, Of course. Text me or email me the details."

"Alright, I'll see you!"

I am so happy that I can finally go back to modeling. I've been studying for the last few months so I wanted to work and earn money for me and also Zach.

"Sino yung tumawag?" Nag-tanong si Zach sa akin.

"Ah, Si Cici, Yung friend ko na lagi nag-iinvite sa akin sa mga show for modeling. He has a job for me."

"Hmm, Kailan yan? Can I come?"

"I don't know yet but of course you can come with me." I smiled.

When me and Zach got home, I immediately received the email about the details of the show. It'll showcase bridal dresses and I'll be working as the finale.

I also saw the photos of the gowns i'll wear. I will only wear two gowns, one is in white and the other is beige.

Ito na ata yung araw na hinihintay ko. Gusto ko na sabihin na gusto kong mag settle-down sa Rome after graduation. Parang doon ko na lang gusto ipagpatuloy ang career ko kasi wala na naman akong babalikan dito. Ayaw ko naman na manatili dito na alam ko na ayaw na sa akin.

Maybe this would be a great opportunity para sa akin. I will tell Zach na hindi lang ako magtatrabaho doon but also stay for good.

After a week, Nakapag-handa na ako para sa show na ito. Matapos lang talaga ito, graduation na in 2 days.

"Addie, Susunod nalang ako doon ah. Siguro mga hapon na ako makakarating. Kailangan ko pa kasi kausapin yung isang client namin dito." Paalam ni Zach.

"It's okay, 7pm pa naman ang start ng show. Ingat ka papunta, okay? See you later."

Si Cici ay dinaanan ako sa bahay ni Zach. Sabi kasi niya ay sabay na lang daw kami dahil on the way naman daw ito.

"Addie, Wawarningan na kita ah."

"Bakit?" Pagtataka ko.

"That Venice who talked to you before. Kasama siya."

"Hmm, Okay. Don't worry I'm professional. I won't let her do anything na makakasama sa akin."

After almost two hours ay nakarating na rin kami. Dinala na ako ni Cici sa kwarto ko. After one hour ay may assembly kami para sa gagawin namin mamaya.

"Hello?" Sagot ko nang tumunog ang phone ko.

"Babe? I'm on my way now. Ngayon lang natapos ang meeting. I'd be there as soon as I can."

"Mag-iingat ka ha. Wag masyado mabilis mag-drive. I'll wait for you. I love you!"

"I love you too, Okay, Paalis na ko."

Nagpalit na ako ng damit at nagsuot ng black sleeveless dress dahil ito ang color code during rehearsals. Dinala ko yung high heels na susuotin ko. It's 3 in the afternoon. 4 hours till showtime.

Paglabas na paglabas ko pa lang ng elevator ay bumungad na agad ang isang babaeng kulay regla ang buhok, Venice Alcantara.

"What a surprise, Ms. Adrianna Zamora. It's nice to see you again." Sarkastikong pagbati niya.

"Do I look like I am happy to see you?" Pagsusungit ko sa kanya.

"Woah, I was just greeting you. Anyway, Good luck later. I'll see you, Bi*ch." Bulong niya.

Deadma nalang ako sa sinabi niya at nag focus sa rehearsals namin. Halos lahat ng organizers ay pinupuri ako habang si Venice ay mukhang kinakarma.

Ika-5 na ng hapon at wala pa si Zach. Nasa dressing room na ako dahil nagsisimula na kami mag-ayos ng mga models.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagme-makeup nang may yumakap sa akin mula sa likod ko.

"You made it!" I said when I saw his handsome face.

"I thought that i'd be late but no. So I'm wishing you good luck. I'm proud of you because after this, You are finally graduating college."

"Thank You, Zach. I love you!"

I was about to kiss him pero hinarangan ako ng makeup artist ko na gay din.

"No no no, Gurl! Bawal ang jowa dito. Pasintabi naman kayo sa mga single tulad ko, Sis!" Biro niya sa akin na ikinatawa ng lahat.

"I think she's right. You can wait for me outside. Upo ka na sa may audience, may food and drinks doon."

"Alright, Good luck, Babe!" Bati niya.

Palabas na siya nang harangin siya ni Venice. Nagpupuyo na agad ako sa inis.

"Oh, Zach! You're here to support me? Oh my gosh that's so sweet!"

Dinig ko mula sa bibig niya.

"No, I'm here for Adrianna not for you, Venice."

"How do you know her?" Tanong ko pag-lapit ko sa kanila.

"I'm Zach's former fiancé. Are you surprised?" Sagot ni Venice.

"That was 2 years ago, Addie. We were already done when I met you."

"I trust you but I don't trust this pig. You stay the hell away from me or I'll personally put you in your place. Now, Get the hell out of my sight, Venice." Inis kong sinabi sa kanya.

"Better watch your mouth, Ms. Zamora. Be careful of what you say or You might see something you don't want to see." Ngisi niya.

Bumalik na siya sa dressing room niya at ako ay bumalik na sa makeup chair ko.

"I'm sorry, Addie. I didn't know she was here and that you know her."

"Di ko rin naman alam that she's your ex-girlfriend. It's not your fault."

Bumalik na si Zach sa labas para makakuha na ng magandang pwesto.

"Nako, Girl, War freak talaga yang Venice Alcantara na yan. Sobrang epal niyan lalo na pag mainit dugo niyan sa iyo." Kwento sa akin ng makeup artist ko.

"Wag ka na magpa-stress diyan. I heard and saw what happened. Tapusin mo lang ito then you're free, okay? You're better than she is." Pagpapakalma ni Cici sa'kin.

It's 7pm in the evening and the show finally started. I am so ready for this. Nung nag final walk ay suot ko na ang pinaka-magarang kasuotan. Kasama kong naglakad ang designer ng mga ito.

Pagkarating namin sa dulo ng entablado ay umakyat si Zach at nag-abot ng dalawang bouquet. Isa sa aming designer at sa akin. Lahat ng tao ay tumayo at pumalakpak.

Hindi nagtagal ay nanahimik ang lahat nang nag-eskandalo si Venice. Umakyat siya sa stage.

"Venice, Please bumaba ka na dito." Pag-aawat nina Cici sa kanya.

"No! You all shut up. I want to speak now give me the microphone." Pagsisigaw niya.

Kinuha ni Zach ang aking kamay at nagbadyang umalis na. Pero hinatak siya ni Venice para halikan.

"Stay the hell away from me, Venice!" Sigaw ni Zach.

Hinatak ko si Venice at itinulak na naging dahilan para mahulog siya. Nagsisisigaw siya hanggang sa may inilabas siya na parang remote.

"Kung akala mo na magiging masaya ka, Adrianna, You are so wrong. And you, Zach. You don't know your girl so well."

Biglang may nag-flash sa malaking screen. Isang video na parang patagong kinuhanan. May dalawang taong nasa video. I don't like what I'm seeing.

"I-It's you, Addie. And Charles." Nanginginig na sambit ni Zach.

Oh, God, Please No.