The Epitome Of Love

Challenge Accepted

"Hello, Cici? Yes, This is Adrianna Zamora. About the ambassadorship program."

"Oh yes, Ms. Zamora, Are you coming today?"

"Yes, I'm coming."

I chose the best clothes so that I would be accepted in the first screening. Kailangan kasi looks pa lang ay maganda na ang credentials mo.

Nag suot ako ng kulay puting jumpsuit para mapakita ko ang legs ko. Naka pumps din ako para mas lalong tumangkad at mas gumanda ang postura ko.

Natural makeup lang ang ginawa ko para kita pa rin ang natural kong mukha. Naka nude lipstick para simpleng ganda lang diba?

I sneaked at the back door in the kitchen para hindi nila ako makitang umalis dahil sigurado akong hindi papayag ang mga yun.

"M-Ma'am?" Dinig ko kay Yaya.

"Yaya! Shh! Please don't tell Dad. Ako ang bahala sayo kapag nagtanong siya. Just say that you didn't see me please."

Tumango siya at lumabas na ako ng gate. Nag grab lang ako dahil mas lalo silang magtataka kapag nawawala ang sasakyan ko.

Sa BGC ang pupuntahan kong studio kaya mahaba haba din ang biyahe papunta rito.

Pagkababa ko sa lobby ay nakita ko na naghihintay na pala si Cici. Naka suot siya ng kulay itim na tshirt at black shorts. Isa siyang gay pero kahit ganoon ay hindi naman niya ito nilalantad at hindi rin niya itinatago. Mabait si Cici at matagal na kaming magkatrabaho.

"Wow! You look great, Adrianna! You ready? I'm sure they will love you."

"Thank You, Cici! Shall we?"

Umakyat kami sa 10th floor ng building na iyon. Pagkapasok ko sa loob ng studio ay lumantad agad ang mga naka balandrang studio lights. Kinakabahan ako!

"Here's Ms. Adrianna Zamora!"

I don't get it why they always introduce me in my full name. Even sometimes with the word 'heiress' I hate being called like that. Mas nappressure ako doon.

We talked about the products they want me to endorse. Isa pala silang clothing line. Excited na ako for another photoshoot.

"And with the salary." Sabi ng isang babae na mukhang boss.

"Yes, About that?" I asked.

"In this photoshoot, You will earn 50,000 pesos. Plus you will be gifted products from us each time the products you endorse sells in the market. You endorse our product then you'll be more famous for it. So it's a win-win situation for the both of us."

"I guess we have a deal!" I said in excitement.

"Very well, Ms. Zamora. Our photoshoot will happen today, If you're available."

"Yes, Ma'am! I am ready so shall we start?"

Nagsimula kami sa pag-aayos ng mga bandang 1pm. First look ko ay ang swimsuits. Hindi siya two piece dahil isa itong one piece na rashguard. Naka beach waves ang buhok ko at naka natural makeup lang din ako dito.

Second look ay ang mga summer collection. May mga sumdress, jumpsuits, at iba pang accesories. Bubbly naman ako sa look na ito kaya all smile ako ngayon.

Third and last look ay ang formal dresses. May mga open-back dito, bodycon dresses, and suits for females. I am more fierce in this look kaya medyo putok din ang red lipstick ko.

"It's a wrap! Job well done, Ms. Adrianna!"

Naghintay ako ng ilang minuto sa lobby at nakita kong may tumigil na kulay itim na BMW sa labas.

"Addie." Nagulat akong pagkabukas ng bintana ay si Daddy ang nagsundo sa akin na kasama si Mommy.

Pumasok ako sa likuran at nilagay ang mga paper bag na dala ko sa compartment.

"Is this really your thing, Adrianna? Leaving without permission?" Sabi ni Daddy.

"I escaped because I know that you won't let me do this."

"For God's sake, Addie! Bakit ba ang tigas ng ulo mo?"

"Look at me, Dad. Do you know that I earned 50,000 pesos just in this photoshoot. I want to be independent that."

"I can give you everything that you want, Addie. Why won't you just focus on your studies?"

"Dad, I excel in my studies, I had high grades last sem, Dad."

"So I guess, You didn't even look at the email I sent to you. Okay."

Nakita kong hinawakan ni Mommy ang kamay ni Daddy.

"Dad, I want to go home."

"May dinner kami ng Mommy mo. You should come."

"I want to go home, Dad. I'm tired."

"Do you wanna do that internship abroad, Adrianna?"

Now I know what Dad means.

"Yes."

Diniretso na ni Daddy ang sasakyan papunta sa isang mall. Nag valet parking si Daddy kaya bumaba na kami sa mall.

Naka-reserve naman ang mga upuan namin sa restaurant na yun kaya nakaupo din kami agad.

Sina Daddy ay natigil nang may mga taong lumalapit sa table namin. Ngumingiti ako sa mga taong nagpapa-picture sa akin.

"I didn't know that our daughter is a celebrity now."

"Nako, Hon. Dahil yan sa magagandang litrato ng anak natin. She endorse for clothing lines." Sagot ni Mommy na ikinangiti ko.

"Sa dami ng lumalapit sa iyo ay sa tingin ko kailangan mo na ng personal security guard."

"What? Dad, No!"

"Calm down, Addie. I'm just thinking about your safety."

Umirap na lang ako ng patago dahil naalala ko na kailangan ko mapapayag sila Daddy sa internship plans ko.

"White wine, Please." Order ko sa waiter.

"Where are you planning to intern, Addie?" Dad asked in the middle of the silence around us.

"I'm thinking of Rome or Madrid. But, I think Rome is my first choice."

"Hmm, Italy. May firm diyaan ang kumapare ko back in College. Do you want to?"

"Really, Dad?" I shyly asked.

He handed me an envelope filled with papers and photos.

"Kung gusto mo lang naman."

"Yes! I want to, Dad! Thank You!" I hugged him.

"Let's talk about the other details, Tomorrow. We can go to his office here in Manila."

"Thanks, Mom and Dad!"

Yes! It's a success! All I'm thinking about now is my plane ticket, my apartment, and many more!

Umuwi ako ng bahay na abot tainga ang ngiti ko. Dahil ito sa excitement. Half-day lang ako klase ko bukas kaya makakasama ako kay Daddy sa meeting bukas.

"Can I come in?" Mom asked after knocking on my door.

"Yes, Mom?"

"I just wanted to know if you're okay. So are you okay?"

"Yes, Mommy. Sanayan lang yan pagdating kay Dad. Sanay na ako and of course, I'm happy that I'll be able to go to Rome."

"I just hope that you'll be happy with your decision because I'm happy if I know that you're happy, Anak." She hugged me.

"Thank You, Mommy."

"Sleep tight, Anak. Let's talk again tomorrow. I love you." Sabay patay sa ilaw ko sa kwarto.

Sa school ay nag-usap usap na kaming magkakaibigan tungkol sa internship namin. Si Kendie ay sa Singapore mag i-intern, Si William sa company ng tatay niya, at si Trina ay sa Australia kung saan nakatira ngayon ang Mama niya.

Natapos ang klase namin ng mga bandang 2 ng hapon kaya umuwi ako agad sa bahay para magbihis ng pormal na damit.

Naka puting sleeveless ako na pinatungan ng itim na blazer, black trousers, at white heels.

"Ito na ba ang bunso mo, Leo? Kamukhang kamukha niya si Georgina nung college pa tayo ah."

Puri ng kumpare ni Daddy.

"Have a seat, please. So I heard that You want to be an intern in Rome, Adrianna. What course are you currently studying?"

"I am currently studying Architecture and it's my last requirement before graduating. My professor said that I have to be an intern for 3 months."

"I saw your credentials and ratings and I must say that it's impressive."

"Thank You, Sir."

"Okay, Dahil sa kumpare ko naman ang Dad mo and you are smart, You can be an intern in our company in Rome."

"Wow. Thank You, Sir, for the opportunity. I'm sure that I wouldn't waste any of it."

"I'll send the other information and the inclusions to you today."

"Thank You, Sir."

Lumabas ako sa opisina nila na sobrang saya. Pagkauwi ko ng bahay ay agad kong binuksan ang email ko.

Ang inclusions ng internship ko ay may allowance, lahat ng materials ko ay gastusin ng kumpanya. Tanging matitirhan lang ang hindi nila sagutin.

Next week na ako magsisimula sa internship program ko. Kinausap ko muli si Daddy tungkol sa matitirhan ko.

"Dad, All I'm thinking of today is my plane ticket and apartment."

"Addie, Let's have a conversation about that. I will pay for your apartment but you'll be the one in charge for your plane ticket. When you said that you could earn from your modeling, I wanted to see if you're really independent."

Okay, Challenge accepted, Dad. All I need is another photoshoot and I'd be good with it.