"Who's Jiro?"

I jolted up as Ms. Ava suddenly speak from behind. I look at her with wide eyes as she look at me while she prepares our food.

When she successfully put down the foods on the table she confusedly look at me.

"Sino si Jiro?" She ask again. I move the swivel chair and face her direction.

I pursed my lips, "Uhm.. b-boyfriend ko po." I hesitantly replied.

Sweats started forming on my forehead as I feel the atmosphere tense up. I felt my hand getting a little colder as worry strikes me.

What if I shouldn't really have a boyfriend? What if hindi lang nakalagay sa kontrata but the truth is I'm not suppose to have one?

What if pagalitan nila ako? Or worse.. what if they terminate my contract?

I heard Ms. Ava hum before slowly walking towards my direction. I fixed my posture as I watch her pull the other chair closer to me and sitting down there.

"Boyfriend mo?" She ask and I slowly nod.

I saw her purse her lips and slowly nod, "May picture ka? Patingin nga ako." She said, I bite my lower lip before nodding and facing the dresser where my bag is at.

I grab my phone inside my bag before facing Ms. Ava back, I scan through my gallery trying to find a picture of Jiro.

Do I even have one?

Mahiyain kasi siya, he don't really like taking one.

I was able to sigh in relief as I saw a picture of us, me and my friends with him, it was in HideOut, the first time they saw Jiro.

"Here po," I shyly said as I hand Ms. Ava the zoomed in picture of Jiro.

I watch and examine her expression as she stare at Jiro's picture.

What's the point of looking at his face anyways? I mean, why does she needs to ask for his picture? To see his face? His looks? But why?

Para masabi niya kung bagay ba kami sa isa't isa?

I hear her hum which made my head snap up, I look at her with a little shocked expression as she handed my phone back.

She nods, "Gwapo," she said and I confusedly nod while looking at her with furrowed eyebrows.

"Kaso simple manamit. When was that picture? Kasi nasa public kayo e. Hindi dapat nalalaman ng public na may boyfriend ka. Or kahit makita ka nila na may kasamang lalaki." She said and my brows furrowed. I put down my phone on the dresser and confusedly look at her.

"Bakit po?" I ask, I know some reason why. But for does it matter? What if people find out I have a boyfriend? So what? May magagawa ba sila? What's their problems with that?

Ms. Ava sigh before pulling her chair closer to me, "Laura ganito kasi, have you realized how big are you already?" She ask, I look at her with squinty eyes.

How big am I? How famous am I? 530,000 plus followers in Instagram. 380,000 in Twitter. My Facebook page have 600,000 likes. That's what I know, then the people chasing me whenever I'm in public that's why kuya Bert sometimes is having a hard time with them people chasing me.

People asking for pictures. People that would poking cameras directly to my face which is super annoying. And hundred thousand of people sending me DM's. That's what I know.

I slowly shake my head, "No po, I don't know to be honest, Ms." I confusedly replied.

Ms. Ava sigh before looking at me, "Are you feeling the pressure already, Laura? I mean, for being a model? Have you realized how we've been so strict to you? No more much public appearance, then the food, are you feeling the pressure already? From fans?" She ask and I slowly nod.

"Yes po, a lot of people have been following me, almost everywhere." I replied,

"That's what I'm talking about, you're already big Laura. You're not just a model anymore. You're close on being a super model. Laura, malalaki at sikat na brands na ang kumukuha sayo. Figlia, HnM, Sunsilk, Avon. See Laura, have you realized that the whole Philippines will see you on the TV screen soon." She said and my eyes slowly widen.

I gasp, "You mean, the one in Sunsilk, that one shoot I had last last week, will be aired in the television." I ask, shocked and surprised to what I just heard.

Seryoso ba? I thought it was just for a poster or something. Tho I am well aware that we are shooting for a video, but I thought just some.. random advertisement. I thought iba and sa TV and sa mga advertisement sa internet.

Ms. Ava nods, "Yes Laura, that's why Sunsilk paid us more than 200,000 thousand, sa kumpanya lang 'yon. They will pay you, the model different. Iba pa ang bayad nila sayo. You may not have receive the money yet, pero Laura. You're going to be rich, mayaman kana the moment you step on your 20's. You're just 17 right now but you're already earning hundred thousand. When was the last time you checked your bank account?" She ask, my lips form a small gap between each other before thinking the last time I paid using my card.

I slowly shake my head, "I-I.. don't know." I said.

Ms. Ava slightly chuckle, "Don't he shock if you find out that you have to create a new bank account or card. I'm sure malapit nang mag 500,000 thousand ang laman ng card mo." She said and my eyes widened, I aggressively shake my head, not wanting to believe what I'm hearing right now.

"Imposible naman po siguro 'yon. I'm just working for about.. more than 5 months, that's impossible Ms. Ava." I said with full doubt. Napaka impossible, no one will believe that. 500,000 thousand pesos? Within just 5 months? You've gotta be kidding me.

Ms. Ava chuckled, "5 buwan, pero ilang beses kana pumupunta ng Manila? At every time na pupunta ka, ilang shoots ang ginagawa mo?" She asked, I squinted my eyes as I look at her, trying to count how many times I've been here in Manila to attend photoshoots and filming, and how many shoots I attended.

Cause sometimes, I would stay here in Manila for 4-5 days, and in that days, different places I have been. Or different studios to shoot different clothing brand or products, etc.

"See, hindi mo na mabilang. You just keep on agreeing on a deal or signing a contract without realizing every contract you sign benefits you, a lot." She said and that's when I realized what she's saying. That she's right, my bank account is probably.. heavy by now.

Ms. Ava sigh and smiled at me, "Thats how big you are now Laura. Hindi ka na normal na tao. Ang dami nang humaganga sayo at sa gandang taglay mo. I'm sure, kapag lumabas na sa TV ang shampoo commercial mo, your whole town will be so round of you." She said smiling making me smile as well.

I somehow like it when people greet me, kapag randam na ramadam ko ang pagiging model. It's not that na lumalaki na ng ulo ko. It's just, our town isn't that famous at hindi katulad ng ibang lugar na may mga nagiging artista from our town. So me being a model and proudly saying I'm from Tagkawayan, is such a big flex.

"Kasabay ng fans, siyempre paparazzi." She said making me snap out of my thoughts.

"Many boys, or men likes you. So them.. uh.. hindi lahat ha? But fans sometimes think that they can easily be your boyfriend? Me, your manager sometimes receive some letters at ibigay ko daw sa iyo, but of course, as your manager I need to secure your safety, so when I would read those letters, it's.. sobrang nakaka.. diri? They're.. they're crossing the lines. You're a still a minor and the company can sue them with just that letter. That's why we are planning to give you more security, okay?" She said and I slowly nod.

I get what she means specially the crossing lines. People can be really delusional sometimes. And I'm not comfortable with that. That's like a dark side of being a model or celebrity, people sexualizing you that can really send shivers down your spine.

I haven't said this to anyone but I do read some mean and sexual comments sometimes during my lives or posts, but I immediately delete or ignore those. It's just... ugh!

"Imagine, if they find out that you have a boyfriend. Kahit sabihin natin na hundred thousand na silang tagahanga mo, bawas pa rin yon sa fans, diba? They can also influence some close minded people. Sabihin, may boyfriend kana, di kana mapapakanila. See? So you have to be careful? Okay?" She softly said before removing a strand of hair away from my face.

I slowly nod and smile, "Yes, Ms." I replied,

"Good, kaya by tomorrow may isang body guard na ibibigay sayo. Baka kasi bigla ka nalang mahaklit ng mga tao and we don't want that. Kung pwede nga dito ka nalang din sa Manila mag-aral-

"No po, please. Kaya ko naman po e. Tagkawayan don't have that much people. So please, kahit hanggang Senior High lang po, 2 school years nalang. I'm also planning to take college here in Manila. So kung pwede sa Tagkawayan pa rin po ako mag-aral." I cut her off and reason out at the same time.

I don't want leaving Tagkawayan for now, I'm willing to go back and forth to Manila every other week if needed or kahit anong oras, as long as I'm still studying and living in Tagkawayan.

I may be in Manila every month, but I still would rather live in Tagkawayan. More peaceful and less people. Manila is too big for me, kaya as much as I can, I'll would just go back and forth than live here for now.

Ms. Ava slowly nod before pushing her chair a little bit far from me. "Okay, acceptable naman. But just tell us if you're having a hard time in your place or kapag bumabyahe ka." She said before giving me a smile. I replied with another smile before she stand up and hand me my salad for dinner.

I just eat there silently while I check my social medias. I also look over my contacts and realized none of my friends is sending any message to our group chat. They're probably enjoying their week vacation. Or Semestrial break they call it also known as Sem Break. Means the moment classes started, it means we are already on our 2nd semester of this school year.

I finished my dinner but still stayed at the company for 2 more hours. I had a talk with our CEO and he congratulated me so much that I already feel so shy. He's bragging me to the stuffs saying that I'm one of the best model in the company, imagine how shy am I those times.

So in the end, I went out from the company 8 in the evening, as I was about to enter the van I hear screamed, meter away from the van.

"WE LOVE YOU LAURA!!"

"LAURA! LAURA! LAURA!"

My eyes widened and look over that direction. It is a group of people holding a banner or picture of me. I waved my hands to them and they started screaming louder.

I look over Ms. Ava, "I can't go to them right?" I ask, she look at me before nodding.

"Yes, delikado, and you should go home too. Just reply with an 'I Love You Too'." She said and I slowly nod.

I blow a kiss for them, "I love you too! Thank you!" I said before completely entering the van. I hear few more screams before Ms. Ava close the door of my van and kuya Bert waiting for me.

"Sikat na natin maam, ah." He said, I slightly chuckled.

"Salamat kuya, bahay na po tayo." I said before leaning on my chair. It's just me again, Ms. Ava just send me to my van every time cause she have her our car.

I didn't realized I fall asleep until kuya Bert wake me up. I grab my stuffs before carefully going out the van. I feel so tired and I just want to sleep.

As I enter the house a maid get my stuffs from me which is now a routine since they know that whenever I would arrive at home from work, they know I'm pretty tired.

"I saw your report card, your teacher sent it to me." My brows furrowed and look over my Dad's direction who is sitting on the couch.

"And..?" I ask,

"You're taking STEM but your grades in Science isn't that good." He said, I fix my hair before secretly rolling my eyes.

"I'm taking business management in college anyways." I replied,

"But I want you to be a doctor-

"Dad, have you realized I'm doing modeling, but you want me to be a doctor?! Dad, hindi ko kayang pagsabayin 'yon. I already have my career, I'll just be taking business management cause in the future, I know you just want me to have that diploma. So I'll be taking Business Management then, on my 30's once I finished my modeling I'll just have my own business. That will also benefit your business dad! Didn't you realized that?!"

I snap out of nowhere, I took a deep breath as I massage my temples.

Heck, that's too much words I spit out.

What a great welcome from work this is. I'm tired from all those photo shoots then this, wow.

"Laura, when did you learn to raise your voice at me?!" My dad sternly said, I grip on the handle of the stairs to support my weight.

"Dad, I'm just making you realize things, hindi ko po kaya na mag-aral ng pag do-doctor and be a model at the same time. Can you just please switch me to ABM, please dad." I said before facing my back at him, I was about to take a step when I stop.

"I'm going upstairs na, goodnight dad." I said before taking the steps and going to room, finally.

-

"Laura!" My eyes widened and my head snap up from my phone. I look over the dressing room's door and there I saw Ms. Ava with a wide smile on her lips.

"Si Ava, tuwang-tuwa, anong balita?" That one make up artists said.

I look at Ms. Ava with confusion, but I know, I know that it's another promotion, but I just finished my new promotion for HnM, heck it already lunch and I just need to eat something and they told me I can go home in few hours.

Ms. Ava walk towards me before engulfing me to a hug. My brows furrowed and even got more confuse, what the heck is happening?

Ms. Ava pull away from the hug and grip on both of my shoulder.

"Laura.." she paused and take a deep breath.

"Ready na ba ang acting skills mo?" She ask, I look at her confusedly before looking at the other make up artist. But I hear them gasp and and some even leave the room.

"Po?" I confusedly ask..

Ms. Ava take a deep breath, "One entertainment wants you to act for one of their short films!"

-

"Maam, Tagkawayan na po."

I slowly open my eyes and fix my position before looking around. I saw that we are already inside our garage. I pick my body bag, phone and power bank before going out.

It's already dark here, kuya Bert get my luggage for me as I enter the house.

"Andito na ang apo ko!" I hear low excitedly exclaim before welcoming me with a hug.

"Kamusta ang biyahe apo? Ang shooting mo? Maganda ba?" She ask, with a half close eyes, I sloly nod.

"Opo lola, tutulog na po ako, goodnight po." I sleepily replied before pulling away from the hug. My luggage is already in front of my room when I arrived upstairs.

I didn't unpack yet and just take a short shower, do my skincare and other stuff before sending a goodnight to mom and turning off the lights.

The next morning I wasn't able to wake up early to do exercises, as much as I convince myself to wake up and so minimal exercises, in the end I just decided to give this day for myself to rest and just live normally.

I mean I won't go to diet today. But not also eat a lot. Cause it's isn't my thing. I will eat rice since I do that before, and just eat normally.

I take a bath first and fix myself before going down for a late breakfast and early lunch, brunch.

I'm having fried rice, tapa and egg, with tea of course since tea has been my thing.

I'm eating alone here at the dining while the maids are cleaning when my phone suddenly lit up. I pick it up and when I immediately saw the text message, my eyes widened as I tap on the message.

From Jiro:
Can I at least.. see you? To be honest, I really miss you.

I look around to see if any maid is behind me. And when the coast is clear I immediately type a reply.

To Jiro:
Sure, I'll just text you the time and place, okay?

From Jiro:
Okay..

I was able to sigh in relief. I continue eating before going back to my room and spend the whole afternoon resting and laying down on my bed. Watching Netflix, eating some fruits, scrolling through my social media.

I sat down on my bed as I realized I still haven't texted Jiro where and what time we will meet.

I massage my temples, "I forgot about that." I mumbled as I pick up my phone. Where the heck should we meet?

We can't just meet in the public, just like what Ms. Ava said, my movement starting now should be careful or else some shits will come.

I sigh as I nothing came up on my mind.

"So this is celebrity life feels like?" I said before picking up my phone. I scroll through my messenger hoping an idea will pop up. When I pass by Ali's account. Even tho I have nothing to say or deal with her I tap on her account and call her.

I'm just few rings she pick up, [Yasss?] she immediately answered. I sigh and lay down on my bed.

"I need help," I said as I rub my eyes with my hand.

[Oh, ano? I'm free, ano ba 'yon?] She ask, I remove my hands away from my eyes and directly look at my phone screen.

"I need to meet up with Jiro, but I don't know where and how. Cause I should be more careful now, celeb. But I really need to talk to him." I almost whispered. I saw her brows furrowed before she look at her side.

[Bawal naman dito sa bahay.] she said and I nod,

"Of course, that would be weird." I said, but I got startled as she suddenly flick her finger.

[What time ba? Ako bahala, ay weyt, ganito, papuntahin mo si Jiro mo malapit sa bahay, then, ako na bahala.] She said an I squinted my eyes.

"What? You sure?" I confusedly ask, I look at her and saw her look at her side once again, biting her lower lip.

She look back straight to the camera, she nod once. [Oo, ako bahala, just tell your man to wear mask, then to you, wear something simple a yung hindi ka makikilala, but don't be too suspicious. Wear something simple, shirt and pants, okay?] she explained, I slowly nod and she nod as well, mocking what I'm doing before raising a thumbs up.

[Okay na ba? Gets na? What time ba?] She ask,

I bit my lower lip, "4pm," I replied and I saw her brows furrow.

[Shuta ka, 3:45pm na,] she said and my eyes widened.

"Then  4:30, okay?" I ask and she slowly nods.

[Gege, I'll be there by 4:25.] she said and my brows furrowed.

"Pupuntahan mo ako?" I confusedly ask,

She flick her tongue, [Basta, ako bahala, just say that to your boy then prepare yourself, okie? Now bye, me go change.] she said before ending the call. I stare at my phone confusedly before jumping out of bed and scanning through my closet to find a pair of jeans and a loose white shirt.

After that I didn't put any make up, but I do fix my hat and stuffs.

When I look at the clock, I didn't realized I worked on my clothes and hair for almost 30 minutes, so I slip on my shoes before heading down stairs.

"Lola?" I immediately ask as I step on the floor.

"Yes apo?" I look over our kitchen and saw lola doing something.

"Susunduin lang po ako ni Ali, may gagawin lang po kami." I said, lola nods but I saw how her brows furrowed.

"May mga babae kanina, hinahanap ka." She said and my brows furrowed.

"Sino daw po sila?" I ask, but lola shrugged.

"Hindi ko nga alam eh. Hindi mo naman kaibigan." She said and my brows furrowed.

What are they? I mean.. who are they? Fans? Or the thing they call in Korea.. sasaengs?

I flick my tongue and shake my head, "Next time lola, don't entertain them okay? They're intruding my privacy." I said and lola nod. I crouch down to fix my shoes when I suddenly hear a horn.

Me and lola look at each other confusedly.

Lola look over the window, "Sino 'to? Green na van." She said and my brows furrowed. I look over our large window and that's when I saw Ali roll down the window.

She stick her hand out of the window, signaling me to come.

"That's Ali, I'm going now lola, bye!" I said before rushing out fo the house.

I first look around to see if anyone is near the house before getting out from the gate and rushing over the passenger seat beside Ali who is behind the wheels.

When I closed the door, I sigh and confusedly look at her, "You drive?" I confusedly ask. Tumango siya bago hatakin ang kambyo.

I watch as she work on the wheels as I stare at her.

"Ali.. you seriously drive?" I ask and she nods.

I sigh, "Safe ba 'to? Sure ka? Ali I have my career ha." I said and she slightly chuckle as she successfully move the car.

I look around and watch as we move and hit the road.

It was silent at the first seconds until I just can't help but to ask.

"When did you learn how to drive?" I ask,

She look on the both sides before sparing a good second of glance to me before looking back on the road.

"5 days ago," she said and I lean on the chair. I badly want to pray right now but I also don't want to doubt Ali. I trust, I trust her of course.

"What's your plan?" I ask as I look around and saw that we are getting closer and closer to their address.

She flick her tongue, "Basta, basta." She said before spinning the wheels. And I must admit I'm scared, but I must say, she's good.

It takes us almost 15 minutes to get to their house despite the fact that it can just be around 10 minutes if Ali isn't that too careful and too scared.

As we turn left to their house. My eyes widened as I saw Jiro stand up from sitting down under a tree. Ali step on break before turning off the engine.

"Punta ka sa likod, pangalawa mula sa likod." She said. As much as I am in full confusion right now, I obey what she said and struggle to go at the back. She went out from the driver seat before going by the back. I watch as she open the back of their van and that's when Jiro entered.

"30 minutes, usap kayo. Let's go." She said before closing the van.

That's when I realized her plan, so dito kami mag-uusap. That's her plan, okay, somewhat clever.

"Sa sahig tayo umupo." He said, I slowly nod before going down on the floor.

She awkwardly stare at each other for seconds before he lean closer for a hug.

"I miss you, so much. I almost see you.. everywhere in the internet. Usap-usapan kana rin sa school namin, and.. I'm jealous. Cause my friends call your their girlfriend. Like.. you're mine not theirs." He said behind my ears. I bit my lower lip as I felt my cheeks heat up.

But that's not the point, that's not the reason why I want to meet up now. I need to talk to him, we need to talk, about things.

I slightly tap his shoulder for him to pull away.

He smiled at me, the smile I miss.. so much.

His smile is different form I'll the smile I've seen before. It's that smile, the one I fell in love. And one of the reason why I fall for him.

"You said we need to talk, what is it?" He ask,

I bite my lower lip and lower my head. I sigh as I meet his eyes, "I think we need to break up."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•