Russia Ocampo and her choice

Chapter 10

“See? I told you my design is perfect for you.”

Tonight is the Fashion night that Asia is talking about. She also did my makeup and hair.

“Fine, you really did a great job with this design. Tita Andrea must be so proud of you right now. And I admit your skill in makeup is on par with the professionals.”

“Well, it’s part of my job as a model to be good at this stuff. I just hope my design will win tonight so that the sleepless night that I spent for the past days won’t go to waste.”

“Don’t worry, Asia. I won’t let your efforts go in vain. I’ll make you proud with my walk out there. Remember, I can be as good as you.”

“I know, you just don’t like modeling.”

“I don’t dislike it, I just feel that it’s not my cup of tea. We’ll never know. Maybe I’ll change my mind and start modeling in the future. Will you be ready if ever?”

“To be your rival? It’s an honor to be called a rival of Russia Marie Ocampo.”

“Shut up, I sound like a legendary figure with how you said it.”

We just laughed after. A facilitator called all the models for tonight to go backstage because the program was about to start. I’m freaking nervous, but I’m still confident that I won’t mess it up. After all, it’s not my first time, and Tita Andrea’s show is much bigger than this.

The emcee starts to call the models one by one. I’m the last. Asia is sitting in the front row, where the designated chairs for designers are.

“And now, for our last participant, let’s welcome Russia Marie Ocampo, modeling the design of her cousin Asia Ocampo.”

The emcee continued on explaining the inspiration of the design. I walked on the stage like a professional model. I saw admiration on the audience's faces. I know I'm naturally beautiful, but it’s different when I wear makeup and dress well. My family told me I’m intimidatingly stunning when I doll up. I saw Tristan sitting beside Paxton, in awe of how I carried myself while walking. When I was about to walk past them, I smiled at him like I’m freaking Miranda Kerr during closing ballet 2011 and his Orlando Bloom. Then I looked at Paxton, and he gave me two thumbs down. I stopped and gave him a flying kiss and a wink. He had a horrendous expression after my little show. I just continued to walk until I reached where the other participants were.

“Now, let’s ask the models what they think about the designs they are wearing. Let’s start with the last participant. Miss Russia, how do you feel wearing this design?”

I accepted the mic.

“My cousin is always an amazing person, she always does a great job with her crafts. Be it modeling or designing. She always ends up giving a superb result. This design is not simply just clothes, what I’m wearing is her hard work, her talent and, lastly, the pride of our family for having such unbelievably great kin.”

“Wait, are you a model? Cause you walk down there like a professional.”

“No, but it’s kind of you to compare me to professionals. Thank you, I just did my best to match my performance with Asia’s design. I can’t degrade my cousin’s work, it would be a waste.”

“You really walk like a professional. Or maybe a beauty queen? With how beautiful you are and great at answering.”

“You're praising me too much. I just did how an Ocampo does things.”

“Okay, last question. I’m sure all the men here are dying to hear the answer to this question. Are you single?”

I heard cheers from the audience. I just smiled sweetly at them.

“Can I choose not to answer that?”

Now, groans can be heard. Asia gave me a big smile and a thumbs up. She pointed to her left side and I saw the triplets giving me a disappointed look. I just looked at them innocently and mouthed ‘what?’

“That’s fine, let’s leave it to everybody’s imagination. Thank you, dear.”

"My pleasure."

I just bowed slightly to the emcee. He then proceeds to the other models. After those light interviews, they announced the winner. Of course, Asia won. I also won best model and crowd favorite. Easy peasy!

“Russia!!!!”

Lily and Red shrieked, running towards me. I just got down from the stage. They hugged me at the same time.

“Damn girl, do you have a split personality? Where’s our sassy friend?”

“She’s on a day off, Lily.”

I winked at her.

“Are you sure you’re Russia? Maybe she’s still on the stage.”

Red twisted me left and right.

“Stop, I’m getting dizzy! I’m wearing heels, I don’t want to lose my balance.”

They just hugged me again. They still can’t believe that I acted that way earlier.

“Oh my gosh, you're really the best, Russia.”

This time, it was Asia who hugged me. Her hug is a little tight because she’s too happy to win.

“You still haven’t met my friends, right? Asia, they are Lily and Red. Lily and Red, this is Asia.”

I introduced them to each other, they just exchanged hi’s. The next people who came to me were the triplets. Lily and I teased Red. I also introduced my friends to them. Red’s face turned red when Kuya Heilmittel shook her hand.

Whipped as f**k.

“You're being bad, young lady. Why did you act that way?”

Kuya Jeevan complained as soon as he was beside me. He still hugged and kissed me on my forehead even though he’s annoyed at me.

“Ate Europe will have a hard time bailing us out if we throw punches at all the men who fell with your charm tonight. Naughty as always, huh?”

This time, it’s Kuya Heilmittel who complained. He hugged and kissed me on my forehead too.

“You don’t know how much I’m controlling myself not to be violent, I hate those men who look at you with lust. This will be the last time you'll ask Russia to model your design, Asia. If you don’t want your cousins to be criminals.”

Matteo hugged and kissed me on my forehead as well. They’re so exaggerated, they’re acting like I’m the most beautiful person in the whole school.

“What? Russia’s so great earlier, you're just over-acting when it comes to her. You're not like that to me. Do you have favoritism?”

Asia acted like she was sullen, but we all know that she was just joking. Our cousins are as protective of her as they are of me. They have just got used to Asia being less conservative than me because of her career.

“I don’t know if I’ll praise you for getting out of your shell tonight, or I’ll be annoyed and lambaste anyone who would say that you're beautiful.”

And, of course, Paxton would complain as well. He hugged and kissed me but shook his head disappointedly when he looked at me.

“Okay, everyone calm down. I’m sorry, I know I went overboard with my actions earlier. Can’t you let it slide for me and just congratulate me and Asia?”

And they said their congratulations.

“It happened already! As if we can still do something about it. Just don’t do it again, okay? Be thankful it’s just us, be thankful that Kuya Arzt is busy or else he’ll lock you at your house.”

And here we go again with Kuya Heilmittel’s strictness and seriousness. I nodded at him.

Kuya Arzt is super busy with his research paper. I have rarely seen him these past few days. He rented an apartment near the school because even driving from and to our house, he doesn't have the time to. We are just making sure that he’s eating on time and nutritiously.

“I want your word not your nod.”

“Okay, Kuya Heilmittel. I won’t act like that again. I’m sorry, forgive me please?”

I’m being affectionate to him. He gave in and finally smiled at me. He put his arms around me, which he didn’t remove until we bid goodbye to Lily and Red and got inside the van that fetched us tonight. They dropped me off first as our house is the nearest.

I took a quick bath and just lay down on my bed. Phew, I’m exhausted. But I felt a pang of disappointment, the person that I wanted to see after the show was MIA.

He went home without saying goodbye, huh?