"Laura, bilisan mo! You only have 30 minutes left! Gosh!" Ms. Ava exclaimed, almost throwing everything in my on-the-go bag. 

"Yes yes, I'm trying." I said and took a last glance on the mirror, fixing some strands of my hair and looking at my outfit.

"Gosh, I prepared and waited for this event. Sayang kung hindi ko madadala ng maayos yung damit ko." I said and pick up my phone and purse that I'll be wearing on the front row runway of Saint Lauren.

Yes, I got invited for a front row seat in Saint Lauren. Years of dreaming to be in that row. And of course, I had to pick out the best designer dress from Saint Lauren itself.

We rush out of the make up room and rush out of the building. When suddenly, we got crowded by media and paparazzi.

The security immediately escort us to van until I am comfortably seating on my chair. As the security closed the door i was able to sigh in relief.

"Ka haggard, may narinig kang mga sinasabi kanina ng nga media? Tanong or what?" Ms. Ava asked, I wipe the side of my forehead and slowly shake my head.

"Not much, I didn't really paid attention to them. I just want to enter the van since we are getting late for the event." I replied and Ms. Ava nod, the van drive off to the red carpet.

"Okay, just relax okay? Wala kang dapat ikaproblema dito. You're just gonna watch. Probably some interviews and media but I know you can do it. You didn't take Mass Communication for nothing, okay?" Ms. Ava said and I nod.

When my van stopped on the driveway, right in for the of the red carpet, Ms. Ava opened the door and that's when flashing lights started coming.

I put on my best smile and carefully went out the van.

"Laura here!"

"Look here sweetie!"

"You look stunning m'love!"

"Laura your dress suits you so good!"

"Laura, did you see the post of Harold Lee? Is it true?"

I kept my smile on full blast but my brows slightly furrowed after hearing the last question.

I walk through the red carpet, earning more compliments and being called by other news reporters and cameras. Paparazzi and fans.

"Good to see you here Ms. Laura, you look stunning." One famous YouTube influencer said who is the MC for tonight.

"Thank you so much! I like your dress too!" I complimented back and she snorts which I find funny. That's really her personality, I have also watched some of her videos and I must say, it is naturally funny and doesn't look scripted or forced.

"Oh girl, you are lying." She said and my eyes widened.

"What? I'm not, you do look nice in that! And your Instagram pictures too." I said and her eyes widened.

"You.. you're stalking me! Stop it!" She jokingly said and I laughed at her cute gestures.

"Oh I'm not, I'm actually following you. Hmm.. looks like someone isn't checking her followers, famous I see." I joked and her eyes widened.

"What?! Oh girl, you better enter the event now or imma snatch you out of this event and drag you to my apartment, lets just have a movie night with foods." She said and I can't stop laughing, but of course I keep my poise and everything. We have to be professional.

"Oh, no no, I'm on a diet." I said and smiled through the cam.

"Aww, that's sad, gladly I declined the companies that recruited me." He said and my eyes widened.

"What? Really? How many are those companies?" I ask,

"Oh you know, numbers of DNA in our blood vessels." She said and I squinted my eyes.

"But there are no-

"I know sweetie now shush, go ahead inside." She cut me off and I almost burst into laughter. I give her a hug and bid her a goodbye before entering the hall.

As I walk through the carpets and 2 of my bodyguards escort me. I cant help but to think of what that media ask.

Harold?

Yeah I know him, a half Chinese and Filipino model as well.

I sit down on my seat right beside of other famous people. 2 models from our company are one of teh runway models and that's also one reason why I attended this event. To show support to them since they are younger than me.

I remember how my seniors supported me when I had my first runway so I know the pressure and stress.

I had some pictures with other people. But of course.. not too much on guys. After what I heard? I don't even know what the reporter is talking about. I need to find out about it right after this event.

Who knows I will just wake up and that news is already all over the place. That will be so messed up.

The runway started and the 9th dress caught my eyes. Heck that looks so good!

And the 12th dress is wore by our model, which I'm impressed, she's just 21 and she look so stunning already. But I can still tell she's tensed up and nervous.

They presented around 30+ designed and the 9th is the only one that caught my eye. I'll check it on their website later.

When all the models take the final walk, we of course clapped our hands for their great job.

People started leaving the venue. But I went backstage to hug the models from our company.

"You did so well! I'm so happy for you! It's Saint Lauren! I'm pretty sure you will be in news sa Pilipinas." I said with a wide smile on my face. The two shyly smiled and thanked me.

"Dont worry about criticisms, I didn't hear any kanina. Kasi nga you two did so great! Good job!" I said and give the  two another hug and kisses before bidding a goodbye to them and soon leave.

I don't even know anyone here.

Even I'm a model, I still can't be extroverted person and be friends with everyone, be social butterfly and things. I'm fine having few people I know, but calling them friends? Hindi talaga.

Its actually sad na hindi ako ganon ka friendly. I sometimes feel guilty when I would decline invitations kahit ang sabi pa ng mga staff sa kumpanya ay maganda daw ito para sa aking image. But I don't really know how to do it.

I'm not good at socializing, but I can still rock on runways. I can stand in front of many people. Of many flashing cameras. But talking to them? No thank you.

On our way to our van, we are once again getting crowded by medias. But the security guards easily pushed them away.

Gosh I feel bad for them. But not knowing the word privacy and personal space, they somehow deserve it.

"So.. how was it? I like the 11th dress." Ms. Ava said and I scoffed.

"Not really, I like the 9th one. That dark shade of pink looks nice." I said while wiping the sweats on my forehead.

"You want?" Ms. Ava ask,

I look at her, "I like it, but I don't think it will look good on me." I said and she slowly nod.

"It will look nice, I'll buy it for you okay?" Ms. Ava said and I just nod.

I pick up my phone and scroll through my social medias. I even got tagged to many posts from other celebrities and lots and lots of pictures of them at the red carpet are all over the internet.

Then suddenly, I remember the question that one reporter asked.

"Ahm.. have seen the post of Harold Lee?" I hesitantly ask Ms. Ava,

She look at me and her brows furrowed.

"Hindi pa, why?" She ask,

"May isang media kasi na nagtanong if nakita ko yung post niya and if totoo yon. I don't know about it, please do check it, natatakot ako." I said and she nod, she open her iPad and probably look for that post.

I just sat there and take a deep breath.

It has been my fear since ths start to be involved into any scandals. It's probably everyone's fear, but it is my greatest at the moment. One wrong move and everything fall down. One more thing is that I don't know how I will be able to handle it.

"Oh.. its this post." Ms. Ava said, handing me her iPad. My brows furrowed and examine the picture.

"Thats me, thats me in class, what the.. when did he took this?!" I asked, its me, my back to be exact, from our classroom.

Its sure is me because of the side profile. Its not that I look horrible in that picture, or anything bad. But I didn't know he took this picture.

"Read the  caption." Ms. Ava said,

I look down on the post and my jaw dropped.

"That media is out of her head. Why would she ask if it's true? They should be asking Harold about this, I don't care if he had a crush on me on college." I said and handed Ms. Ava her iPad.

"Hindi naman pala ganon kalaki. That reporter is making it all big. She really asked that at the red carpet. She's trying to make it a big deal." I said and lean on my chair.

"Oo nga, classmate mo pala siya sa college?" Ms. Ava asked and I slightly chuckled.

"In one subject only, it was.. desktop publishing if I was not mistaken." I said and she nod.

Its almost 9pm now, the red carpet lasted for almost 3 hours. When we arrived at the building where my condo is at. There's of course no medias anymore. The only part of the day where I get to  feel my own space.

"Goodnight Laura, sa baba lang ako ha? Just call when something happen?" Ms. Ava said and I nod. My condo unit is at the 21st floor while hers is at 13th, I know its far, but the higher the floor, the higher the unit price is.

I enter my condo and close the door. I open the lights and the air-condition as well.

Finally, home.

Well not really home. My home is in the Philippines, in that small town named Tagkawayan. Heck, kamusta na kaya yun? Marami na sigurong nagbago.

Sa dami ng bansa na napuntahan ko all these years to work, model, photoshoots and guesting, Pilipinas lang ang hindi ko napuntahan.

Yes, I wasn't able to go home even once.

But despite of that, I get to buy my own condo unit. My own van, save up money, and I have a lot in the Philippines and a unit as well.

How funny that I haven't visited the place and the room. I just ask my parents to buy me. But to be honestly, I don't know what I will do to those. But I decided to use it for investment in the future. Though I already have savings, and even I don't renew my contact, working for 7 years is enough already.

I took my night shower and did everything I have to do that took me almost half an hour to finish with my hair, putting coconut oil so that it won't die on me. Then my skin care of course.

I was able to lay down on my bed by 10:30pm, I pick up my phone and look at my Instagram.

Heck, I feel so lonely now.

But isn't that what I want? Peace and nothing else.

I tap on Ali's Instagram. She's stopped posting last 2 years. Which actually worried me.

But she is liking my posts. But she deleted her posts, her profile picture is just her back, and she haven't updated to any of us.

Our last conversation is when I greeted her a happy birthday. She even just replied a small thank you. She must be busy in her residency. I heard she's taking hers at this moment.

I look at Lory's and the picture she posts.. look so much better than before. We all got worried to her when she's undergoing in that state of her life. But since we have a doctor in the group, Ali was able to help her. But starting Ali became inactive, looks like the group did split up.

Or is it just because I'm here in New York?

My eyes widened when  I saw Lory online.

"Thank God someone is awake." I said and immediately type her a message.

Gosh they changed their names to their formal ones. I like the old ones better. It really says their personality.

To Lory_Amari:
Hey, why are you still up?

I waited few seconds until she finally read the message.

From Lory_Amari:
Don't pretend you don't know why I'm still up. And  I don't know why you're still up too, I heard about the news. Congrats! Front eh.

From Lory_Amari:
Libre mo naman kami ng flight ticket! Book mo kami flight ticket pabalik ng Pilipinas. Tapos umuwi kana rin!

She replied and I slightly chuckled. How i wish I can bring them one by one to the Philippines. I am willing to use my money for us just to be able to see each other again.

To bring back the gold old times that we are still together.

Heck, imagine if they didn't made fun of me that night and literally throw me clothes of Ali and took pictures of me. Where am I now? Probably in my residency as well. My mind probably won't be able to take it.

To Lory_Amari:
How I wish I can do that.

I sigh right after I hit send.

How do I do this? I want to see them so bad. 7 years  of not seeing them?! I know Lory changed, a lot, mentally and physically. After what she went through, I'm impressed on how she improved with her thoughts and every.

I saw Gwen's picture once as well. But it was 3 years ago, Tobi, no news. He probably became focused on his work. He's the first one to achieve a profession among us. He's probably rich by now.

No one between me and Lory are messaging when suddenly an idea came up to my mind.

To Lory_Amari:
What about I send you here in New York and you will live with me until my contracts ends and let's go back to the Philippines together? Yeah?

I have to he honest, I became so excited in that idea of mine. I will have a reason to go back in this condo unit after a long day of work.

From Lory_Amari:
Gaga, binibiro lang kita. Tsaka, nag-iipin na rin ako para sa pagbalik. Sayang lahat ng pinag-aralan ko kung mag s-stay kami dito sa Canada.

From Lory_Amari:
I have to go back in the Philippines. Masyado na akong naging pabigat sa lolo at lola ko dito.

After I read her message, I immediately frown.

To Lory_Amari:
Shut up, you aren't.

From Lory_Amari:
Shut up, we all know I am. Now I  need to go, duties, bye!

To Lory_Amari:
Bye! Take care!

The next day I prepared myself for a bikini photoshoot. I have been also preparing for this one. Noticed how I skipped dinner last night. I'm under fasting right now.

Under sun, beside the pool and the breeze hitting my face and making my hair dance with the wind. We held the photoshoot to a resort.

It is close for now because of the photoshoot on going.

I put on at least 8 bikinis and each one take almost 30 minutes. When the day ends, and I just attended some guesting and more photoshoots, I was able to sigh in relief inside my van.

"Ms. Ava, what's my next work?" I ask while leaning on my chair.

"Well, wala naman masyado." She said and I slightly chuckled.

"Thats only for now, I'm sure the next day meron ulit." I said and Ms. Ava chuckled,

"Tama ka dyan, you have 4 sets of photoshoots, kaya naman diba?" She ask and I chuckled.

"Kikita naman diba? Of course I can do it. Its my work." I said and I heard Ms. Ava chuckle.

The night went by so fast. I woke up around 8 in the morning and only take a tea for breakfast before changing into my gym clothes and heading down the building to the gym.

My trainer is already waiting for me there and with just the sight of him, I already felt tired. Don't think of anything bad to him, he's nice and friendly. I actually feel comfortable around him. He's like an older brother but make it we are not taht clothes for being siblings.

I work on my abs and legs which made my body gave up. But since i have been doing these things for years now, I developed muscles and developed my stamina. So before I can even ask for a short break, I lasted for around 40 minutes.

"Balita ko patapos na kontrata mo. Paano ba yan, kaming mga taga silbi mo mukhang balik Pinas na." He said and i chuckled

"Isn't it great? Makakabalik na tayo sa Pilipinas." I said while slightly panting.

"Oo nga 'no, makikita ko na ulit asawa ko." He said and I slightly smiled.

"See, its good for you. Kaso one more year." I said,

"Okay na rin, pero nasa sayo pa rin ang desisyon. Ikaw pa rin ang bahala." He said and I slowly hum.

"Don't worry, I'm also getting tired of it." I said, and slightly smiled.

I hear my trainer chuckle, "Mayaman kana, I'm sure hindi na problema ang future. Swerte ng magiging asawa mo." He said and my brows furrowed.

"Lets continue working out, please. I don't want to talk with things like that." I said standing up,

I hear him laugh, "Bakit naman?" He ask and I sigh.

"Just... I just don't want to think about it. Sakit lang sa puso yan." I said and making soem stretches.

"Sabi mo lang yan, kapag dumating ang tao na yon, hindi kana makakatanggi pa."

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