"Is everything going according to plan?" Sandra asked Trish.
The latter is inside a tea shop talking to Sandra through her phone.
Mahirap ng makita silang magkasama.Kailangan nilang mag-ingat kasi alam ni Kim na magkakilala sila ng nobya ng bayaw nito.Mas magandang wala siyang ebidensiya na nagkikita silang dalawa.
The shop is right across the venue of a fashion show.Trish is not going to be in the show.But of course she is invited to the event.She knows that Jake's slut is one of the models.
What a perfect timing to have her revenge.Luck is on her side.
" Hmmm..I think so.You should have seen the rage in Jake's eyes when I told him my fabricated story.Dapat yata nag-artista na din lang ako dahil sa galing kong umarte." She forced a laugh.
" I just hope that you'll keep your end of the bargain.I am risking my relationship with Will to get a part in that movie." Sabi ni Sandra.
"Oo naman.Nakausap ko na yung isa sa producers.Basta ako ang bahala sa'yo.Oh dear! " Trish exclaimed her annoyance.
"Why?" Sandra asked curiously.
" I have to hang up.The bitch's stepsister is coming.Talk to you later."
"Hi Lorie." Trish's faked a smile and stood up para mag-beso sila.
" Hello Trish!" Lorie enthusiastically kissed the model’s cheek.
Kung hindi lang kailangan hindi naman niya kikitain ulit ang Lorie na ito.She is obviously a social climber.But she needs her to get more info about Shelly's ex-boyfriend.
They both sat down.
" What do you want to drink?" Trish asked.
"Nothing, thanks.Excited na ako sa pwedeng mangyari mamaya." Lorie grinned.
"Is everything set?"
" Yes.Fortunately kilala ng kuya ni Marco yung isa sa organizers ng show.So may imbitasyon din siya but he can't come so si Marco na lang."
"Nice!" ang lapad ng ngiti ni Trish.
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There's chaos in the backstage.Yung ibang modelo stressed na including Shelly.
Paano ba naman, there has been a last minute change sa show.Sa malas, nagka-minor accident ang isa sa mga runway models so she can't make it .
So ngayon, some of the models will be re-shuffled.And kasama si Shelly dun.Half-an hour before the show,she was informed na imbes kasama siya sa magsusuot ng sports wear , she has to wear bathing suits.
Oh no! Paano yan?Jake had probably talked to one of the organizers na hindi siya pwede sa mga ganun!
Kahit nagkakagulo na lahat , (some are busy putting on sports and swimwear and yung iba nirere-touch ang make up) Shelly tried to talk to Bing who is one of the assistants designers ng sports apparel.
" Miss Bing, pwede ba na yung sports wear that were assigned to me na lang ang isuot ko?" tanong niya.
"No Shelly.Your body type is more suitable for the swimsuit na susuot dapat ni Chloe.We can't waste time so huwag ka ng mag-reklamo.You are a model, so kahit anong pasuot sa'yo dapat isuot mo." The woman made gestures with her hand na wala ng dapat pag-usapan before she hollered to one of the people in charge of the wardrobe.
"Steph!! Kay Shelly ipasuot ang mga yan! Double time people!!" Sabi nito sa iba with a clap of her hands.
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Puno na ang venue.The stage is T-shape.Yung isang part ng catwalk kung saan lalakad ang mga models isa-isa palapit sa audience ay puno ng strobe lights sa gilid.The backside ng stage naman ay may dalawang spotlight na nakahilera.
Kanta ni Sia and background music.It wasn't that loud para magkarinigan pa naman ang audience.Yung mga upuan sa first two rows na nakapaligid sa harap and dalawang sides ng catwalk ay for the VIPs.
Trish saw Kim, William and Sandra sa unang hilera sa harapan ng stage.May dalawang bakanteng upuan sa tabi ni William.
Wala pa si Jake.So naisip ni Trish na kung hindi siya pinakilala sa pamilya nito nung sila pa,it's time for her to introduce herself sa mga Herrera.Sayang nga lang wala ang mga magulang ng mga ito.Pero hindi dapat mahalata ng mga ito na she constantly communicates with Sandra.Kunwari di sila close.Artista naman ito at siya naman magaling ding umarte.So wala namang problema.
"Hi!" she smiled.
Napatingin sa kanya ang tatlo.Pero si Kim ang unang nagsalita.
"Hello." Bati ni Kim.Namukhaan niya na ito yung ex ni Jake.
" I am Trish.Ahh..ummm," she sounded unsure for a bit then said,"I know Jake.We used to go out a lot." Sabay ngiti ng matamis.
Nakatingin si William sa babae.Maganda ito pero masyadong sexy ang suot nito na hakab sa katawan.Halos lumuwa ang cleavage.Napangiti siya.So ito yung babae before si Shelly.
Wala pa sa kalingkingan ng huli ang babaeng nasa harapan nila ngayon.At ano kaya ang mararamdaman ng kapatid niya mamaya? His old flame and current in one venue.
He stood up and offered his hand." Hello.I am William,Jake's brother.And this is my fiancee",sabay pakilala kay Sandra na poker face lang.
Tumayo si Sandra," I already met her Will.Maybe once or twice we bumped into each other sa mga events." She just raised her hand to wave hello to Trish.
Medyo nakunot ang noo ni Kim.From what she heard, these two are more than acquaintances.Well, she could be wrong.Mukha namang civil lang ang dalawang babae sa isa't-isa.
"I'm Kim.Wife of Thomas Herrera." She shook hands with Trish.
"Can I sit here muna with you guys? Wala pa din kasi ang kasama ko.Mukha akong tanga mag-isa lang sa upuan ko." She asked in a saccharine voice.
Kahit feeling ni William na medyo awkward to sit with Jake's ex na hindi naman nila talaga kilala, he said," Sure,walang problema." He motioned her to sit beside Sandra.
"Thank you." Maarteng sagot nito.
They continued their small talk when they heard a male voice on the speaker," Good evening ladies and gentlemen.Thank you for coming.The show will start in about ten minutes."
" Will, nasaan na sila Jake?" Kim asked impatiently.
" Kanina tinawagan ko si Thomas sabi niya hinihintay na lang daw niya si Jake." Paliwanag nito sa hipag.
Sasabay si Thomas kay Jake dahil yung sasakyan ni Kim which she used ang gagamitin nila pauwi.
Kim came sa venue alone from a meeting.Sila naman ni Sandra nag food tasting sa isang kilalang hotel where they'll have their wedding reception.
Then two good-looking men arrived.
Nauunang naglalakad si Thomas.They are both in their business suits.Jake,without his jacket on, looks more ravishing.Both men created quite a buzz.Sino naman ang hindi magbubulungan sa mga hunks na ito lalo na si Jake.He has a brooding expression na mas nagpalakas sa dating nito.Malamang mas gwapo pa ito sa mga male models na kasama sa show.
Kumunot ang noo nito ng makita si Trish.
The woman stood up and sumalubong ito sa kanya.
"Hi Jake!" she gave him a peck on his left cheek.
Iiwas sana si Jake but madaming tao.Ayaw din naman niyang mapahiya ito.
Nakamasid lang si Thomas.
" Darling! Why are you two late? You almost missed the beginning of the show!" Kim complained.
"Sorry darling,traffic as usual." Thomas gave his wife a light kiss on the lips.
"Aren't you going to introduce me, Jake?" Trish asked in a sugary voice.
No reaction from Jake.He looks crossed.
Si Thomas na ang nagsalita, " Hello.I am Thomas Herrera."
He politely extended his hand.
"Oh, I think the show is about to start!" Kim exclaimed.
She needed to stop this awkward situation.Mukhang ayaw naman ni Jake na andito si Trish.But her borther-in-law needs to watch out for this woman.Obviously she is still besotted with him.
"Oh well, I need to go back to my seat.Nice to meet you all!" matamis na ngumiti ito sa kanila.She touched Jake's arm before walking away.
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Jake is oblivious of the two hosts on the stage or the people around him.He is sitting between his brothers.Si Kim at Sandra nakaupo sa magkabilang dulo.
He is fuming inside.He wants to release his anger right now but he has to wait for the fucking show to end.Right after the show, he will take Shelly home.They need to have a serious talk.He will set some new rules.
The music became louder and his attention was caught by the models coming onto the stage.Male and female models in different sports wear.He knows Shelly will come out soon.
Rumampa ang mga modelo then they formed a straight line sa horizontal stage sa likod.Sa left side ang mga lalake.Sa right side ang mga babae.May space sa gitna kung saan dumaan ang designer and one male model and one female model .Hudyat na tapos na ang collection na dinesign nito.
Jake frowned.He clenched his fists.Where the fuck is Shelly?
His brothers and Kim looked at him as if asking bakit wala si Shelly.Sandra is just looking straight ahead.
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Sa backstage...
Shelly is jittery.Nanlalamig ang kamay niya.Ano kaya ang gagawin ni Jake pag nagkataon?Anak ng tofu lagot na talaga!Kailangan na niyang tumawag sa lahat ng santo.Siguradong patay siya paglabas niya ng stage!
"Are you nervous?" bulong ng partner niya.
He is tall so kinailangan pa nitong yumuko para marinig niya.
"No, I'm okay." sagot niya.
They are going out in pairs.The men in board shorts and women in bathing suits.
Walo silang pares.Huli sila ng Brazilian na partner niya.
Kinuha ng huli ang kamay niya.Super presko naman talaga ito.Sinubukan ni Shelly na bawiin ang kamay niya pero lalo lang humigpit ang hawak nito.Mamaya pag labas dapat holding hands sila.Pero nasa backstage pa naman sila eh.Kung makahawak naman ng kamay ito grabe! At kung makangiti ito sa kanya wagas! Pero natural wa epek sa kanya lahat yun.
Her partner is one of the male Brazilian models na gumagawa na din ng pangalan..Women would definitely melt sa charm nito pero hindi siya.Mas yummy pa din si Jake.
She has her eyes only for her hot boyfriend.Pero mamaya mas maganda yatang huwag niyang tignan ito pag labas niya ng stage.WAHHHHHHHHHHH!
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Jake's eyes narrowed when he saw the next batch of models.
Magka-hawak kamay na lumabas ang isang pares.
The woman is wearing a dark green one piece bathing suit ang lalake naka board shorts na dark green din.This is couple's swim wear collection.
"You wouldn't dare Lou! You wouldn't fucking dare! I would definitely make things difficult for you!" bulong ni Jake sa sarili.Nagusap sila ng isa sa producers ng show a few days bago ang araw na ito.
Lou Vargas came late kasi meron pa siyang inayos na problema na hindi maiaalis sa ganitong event.
Nagulat siya ng makita niya ang girfriend ni Jake Herrera na naka-swimwear at may partner na lalake.Sinabihan niya ang assistant niya na sportswear ang susuot ng babae and mag-isa itong rarampa.Saktong nagmamadaling dadaan ang isa sa wardrobe assistants.
"Steph! Bakit nasa group B si Shelly? Di ba binilin ko kay Thea sa group A siya ilagay?" galit na tanong nito sa staff.
" Sir, si Mam Bing po nagsabi sa kanya na siya ang papalit kay Miss Chloe." The female staff replied.
Nahilamos ni Lou ang kamay sa mukha.Kahit gusto niyang pigilan ito hindi na pwede.Sila Shelly and her partner na ang susunod.
Then it happened....
The crowd cheered when the last pair came out.
Kim’s let out a gasp of horror ng makita ang magka-pareha.
She looked at Jake's murderous face.Even Thomas,William and Sandra threw Jake a glance.
Anak ng tupa!- Nabulong ni William...
PATAY!!
Bagay na bagay ang dalawa.The man is half Brazilian at napaka-gwapo !His torso is bare,showing his toned body.He is wearing a pair of red board shorts.
The woman is so stunning! She is in a red two piece swimsuit.Unlike the other models,her body is more curvaceous.Nakalugay ang dark brown na buhok nito na wavy at lampas balikat.
The male model is holding the female model's right hand tightly.
Hindi alam ni Kim if siya lang ang nakapansin.Pero mukhang pasimple si Shelly na binabawi ang kamay pero ayaw bitawan ng lalake.She has a smile pasted on her face.And Kim thinks Shelly is intentionally avoiding looking at their direction.
If ang mga babae nagpapantasya na sa male model,ang mga lalake naman titig na titig sa female model.
One particular very yummy but also very angry man sitting in front of the stage is glaring at the female model.
"PUTANGNA!" anas ni Jake with his hands clenched.
All his rage surfaced and he is ready to stand and get up the stage to punch the male model to death.Pero maagap ang mga kapatid niya.Pinigilan nila ang pagtayo nito.Magkabila nilang hawak ang braso at balikat ni Jake.
Sa gigil na gigil na boses, "Let me up! want to beat that son of a bitch until he bleeds! PUTANGNA!!" He then tried to stand up.
"Jake! You can't do that here!" saway ni Thomas while firmly pushing Jake's left shoulder down with one hand.His other hand is gripping his younger brother’s arm.
William is doing the same.Buti na lang ginitna nila si Jake.
Fortunately abala ang audience sa pag-palakpak at paghanga sa mga modelo kaya hindi nila napapansin ang nangyayari.
Kailangan mag-isip ng sasabihin si William.Para medyo kumalma si Jake.Kahit dalawa na sila ni Thomas na pumipigil sa kapatid,sa galit nito,kayang-kaya nitong kumawala. Namputsa pag nakawala ang kapatid niya talagang malaking gulo ang mangyayari.Ang dami pa namang reporters.
"Bro! Kalma muna! Ako na ang gugulpi diyan mamaya! Di ka pwedeng gumawa ng eksena dito!" bulong nito sa kapatid.
Takot na takot si Kim and Sandra sa galit na galit na mukha ni Jake.
"Tama na Jake! Tapos na!" Thomas said to Jake firmly ng makita niyang nag exit na si Shelly with her partner.