CHAPTER 1

“We’re gonna start at 10!”

Nanatiling nakatingin si Samantha sa vanity mirror habang nagkakagulo ang ibang tao sa likod niya. The assistant designers are fixing the backdrop of the photoshoot, cameramen are making sure that their cameras are in perfect condition while others are just rushing and helping each other out. Daily routine niya na ang ganitong araw—gigising, pupunta sa shoots, a-attend ng mga events, tapos uuwi.

“Miss Samantha, can we change your makeup a bit? Gusto kasi ng head na subtle lang po ‘yong makeup,” pahayag ng stylist sa kaniya.

“Okay. Gandahan mo, ha? Make sure na bagay sa theme ng shoot,” hirit niya rito habang nakangiti.

Photographers and brands love working with her because of how professional she is. Kahit matagal na siya sa industriya at sikat na, she remained humble and sweet to those people who supported her well and treated her good.

Lumapit sa kaniya ang manager niya na si Deby at inabutan siya ng favorite niyang drinks na strawberry milk. “May iba ka pa bang suggestions para masabi ko sa staff and coordinator sa labas?”

Napa-isip saglit sa Samantha. “Maybe the lighting? Masyadong glowy siyang tignan sa camera, eh. Pasabi naman na i-tone it down a bit,” saad niya.

“Okay, sige,” saad ni Deby. Lalabas na sana ito pero tinawag siya ulit ni Samantha.

“Debs, yung phone ko? May message ba si Ronan?” tanong niya.

Lumapit ulit si Deby para i-abot ang phone niya. “Here. Try mo tawagan.”

She grabbed her phone and dialed her boyfriend on facetime para malaman kung nasaan at kung ano ang ginagawa nito.

She’s been in a relationship for four years. Syempre, wala namang relasyon na perpekto. They also have their own ups and downs pero kahit ano pa iyon ay sure na siyang ang boyfriend niya ang makakasama niya hanggang pagtanda. She was the happiest whenever she was with Ronan.

'Bakit hindi ‘to sumasagot?’ Tinawagan niya ulit ang nobyo nang hindi ito sumagot sa kaniya. She tried again and again pero hindi pa rin talaga ito sumasagot.

“Debs, can you call Ronan on his number?” tanong niya sa manager niya bago niya ilapag ang cellphone sa vanity.

“Pwede bang mamaya mo na isipin ang boyfriend mo?” sabat ni Deby dito but she dialed his phone number anyway. “Hindi rin sumasagot sa akin, eh.”

After their preparations, agad na nagtungo si Samantha sa tapat ng camera at nagsimula nang mag pose. Every pose she makes is perfect—as if she were seducing the camera.

“Show me those red lips! Yes, like that!” Komento nang photographer habang patuloy na kinukuhaan ng litrato si Samantha habang hawak ang product na ini-endorse niya.

The first shoot went well. Bumalik sila sa dressing room para magpalit ng damit at makeup for the second shoot. Gusto niya na ring makauwi agad para makita ang boyfriend niya at magpahinga kasama ito.

While she was getting her makeup done, a woman suddenly entered the dressing room.

It’s Jessica. One of the top models in the country along with Samantha. People compare them to each other a lot. Like who’s who. Mataas rin ang tensyon sa pagitan nilang dalawa.

“Gosh!” bungad ni Jessica. “Kung alam ko lang na ganito ka-cheap ang Vincci. They decided to hire some people from bikini bottoms.”

Samantha looked at her through the mirror. “Pertaining to yourself, Patrick Star?”

Jessica hissed because of frustration before going to her vanity. Sinimulan na rin siyang ayusan ng ibang stylist na naroroon. The biggest nightmare of the people working in the modeling industry? Samantha and Jessica being in one room. Walang makakaawat sa dalawa kapag nag-away ito.

“This is so irritating. Bakit kasama ko ‘yan dito?” tanong ni Samantha sa manager niyang nakatayo sa gilid niya. “Nakakahiya sa mga staff. Palagi na lang gulo ang hanap niya.”

“Ano pa ba ang magagawa natin? Pareho kayong gusto ng brand, eh.”

While everyone was busy, Jessica suddenly let out a sharp laugh. Napatingin dito sa Samantha at napataas ang kilay. Isa-isa ring napatingin sa kani-kanilang cellphone ang mga tao sa loob ng dressing room.

“You know what?” Jessica spoke. “Hindi na muna kita awayin. Baka wala ka nang energy mamaya sa harap ng media, eh.”

Curious, Samantha checked her phone personally to know what was going on. Saglit siyang natahimik habang nag si-sink in sa utak niya ang binabasa niya. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa headline na bumungad sa kaniya.

“Deby, call Ronan’s phone now.” Nanginginig ang boses na utos niya kay Deby.

RONAN ALBERT – SAMANTHA FUENTE’S LONG TIME BOYFRIEND CHEATED WITH A VINCENTES’ HEIRESS.