Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 8

Amanda's POV

“Cruz?" Ma' called out again.

Jasper scratched his head, "Ma'am, I'm sorry, I don't know the answer."

"That's what I've been saying. Don't just talk if you're not going to contribute to the class," Ms. Solidad shook her head in disappointment.

Jasper's jaw dropped, "But I just answered earlier! What do you mean I didn't contribute," he mumbled.

"Mr. Ledesma, what is Probability?"

"These are chances or likelihood of an event to occur."

"Very good." Asher sat down and looked at Jasper.

"Giving up on being the first honor, huh?" his voice mocked as he gave a lopsided grin. "Before you show off, make sure you know the probability, man."

Jasper's cheeks turned as red as a tomato. "It's just basic stuff that you answered, dude! My answer was even longer."

"Basic, but you still didn't know the answer," Asher fired back. "Don't underestimate the basics, it's what most people tend to forget."

Axel high-fived Asher.

"Haha, i***t!" Axel teased Jasper, receiving a playful smack from Jasper.

"You two, always ganging up on me with Asher. I'll cry!" Jasper playfully threatened.

"Then cry, no need to say it," Axel burst into laughter.

This was the usual scene with Jasper and Axel every day. Apparently, things could get more complicated once Asher is added to the mix.

"Where are you? The guests are about to arrive."

I'm on the phone with Astrid and Elara right now. Today is Aria's 17th birthday. And we will be celebrating it in one of the hotels that Jasper's family owns. At Elevate Luxury Hotel. Fortunately, mama and Jasper's mom are good friends, so it was easy to find a venue for her birthday. We could've had it at home, since we have enough space there. But mama didn't want it that way. She wanted everything to be perfect for Aria. I made my way to Aria's hotel room to do her makeup, as I promised her last week. I carried my makeup kit with my left hand while holding the phone with my right.

"Almost there. The traffic is insane! Why does Auntie want it in Manila? It would've been better if it were around Cavite since we live there," Elara complained.

"Most of her business friends are here. And do you think mama will settle for less when there are always better options? You know her, Elara."

"Why didn't we have a celebration like this when it was your 17th birthday? Auntie even forgot your birthday back then!" Astrid interjected.

I kinda got used to mama forgetting that it's my birthday. At first, of course, it made me sad. A child's birthday is a highlight of the year. But as I grew older, birthdays became just another normal day for me. Though, I appreciate that my friends always remember my birthday.

"Well, that was my choice, Astrid. Sometimes Papa and Mama ask me what I want to do for my birthday. And I said I just wanted a normal day." When I reached Aria's room, I knocked. Each of us had separate rooms. Mama and Papa stayed together, and Aria and I had our own rooms.

"Aria, I'm here!" The door opened, but instead of Aria, a gay man stood in front of me. Uhm, who are they? Why is there someone else in Aria's room? Is he someone she knows from the modeling industry?

“Oh, we're Ma'am Aria's makeup artists.”

I furrowed my brow.

Mama peeked out of the door. “Oh, it's you, Amanda Callie. Come see how beautiful your sister looks,” Mama's tone filled with excitement, so I entered even though I was still confused about what was happening.

I smiled when I saw Aria. She looked like a princess. She looked very elegant. She was wearing an off-shoulder long mermaid emerald green dress. She was sparkling.

"Do I look beautiful, ate?" her eyes sparkled with joy.

I smiled softly. "Always, Aria. Happy Birthday."

I tucked my makeup kit behind my back. The makeup artists definitely did a much better job than I would have.

Mama raised her eyebrow at what I did. "What's that?"

"It's a makeup kit. Aria said I would be doing her makeup for her birthday today."

Mama laughed. "Do you honestly think I wouldn't hire makeup artists for your sister? The event should be perfect. So everything, especially the makeup, should be the best of the best."

Aria gave me an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, ate, I forgot to inform you. I got so busy with the event that it must have slipped my mind."

"It's okay," I chuckled. "You deserve the best on your day. The makeup artists did a great job. I'm sure the guests will be even more impressed with you."

Mama looked proud with my compliments. "Of course. Especially Asher, surely he will love you even more." I nodded, agreeing with her, while Aria seemed nervous about mentioning Asher's name.

"Well, I hope so," she said in a small voice.

"What else does he need to look for? You're sexy, fair-skinned, and tall. No doubt," Mama crossed her arms.

I glanced at what I was wearing. I chose to wear a simple white dress. It's challenging to match my skin tone. Maybe if I wore darker colors, the guests wouldn't see me anymore. The concealer surely did the job for me. My pimples weren't too noticeable, and my skin tone looked brighter. My face looked more alive. I decided to keep my side bangs as they were. I didn't tie my hair because I was a bit shy about my appearance. I get embarrassed when people notice my bare face, but I also feel shy when receiving compliments from others if there's been a change in me. I don't know which one I prefer. I also put on heels to look more mature. Later on, they might include me at the kids' table because of my height.

I checked my phone.

"Mama, I'll just go meet Astrid. They're here." Mama gestured her approval, so I quickly left the room and hurried downstairs to meet Astrid.

"Will someone contact Asher? It's almost time for Aria's entrance, and he's still not here!" lines were forming on Mama's face. She looked stressed and helpless.

The celebrant was about to be introduced, and Asher was still not here to escort her. Even I was starting to feel stressed by Mama's anxiety.

From the crowd, I pulled Jasper, who was chatting with Axel.

"Easy there, Amanda Callie! What do you need?" Jasper covered his mouth, "Is this the part where we sneak out of the party and go somewhere private? Hey, you troublemaker, you're r18!"

I nudged Jasper. "Stupid! We need someone to escort Aria. Asher was supposed to do it and look where he is. Nowhere to be found!"

"Yes!" Jasper whispered.

"What yes?! Mama is already making a scene, and you're still saying yes over there!"

"I-I mean yes... because I will be escorting Aria," he smiled awkwardly.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, you"

It seemed like Mama was more troubled when I brought Jasper in front of them.

"What’s he doing here, Amanda Callie?! Are you introducing him as your boyfriend? Please do that later," Mama raised her voice while continuously ringing her cellphone.

Jasper and I looked at each other in disgust. Yuck! Even if I were the ugliest person in the world, I wouldn't entertain him just because there's no other choice.

"No, ma, he will be the one escorting Aria if Asher doesn't arrive on time," I explained.

"No, no, no, no. It MUST be Asher. There are no better men in the selections. Asher is the only one I want to escort my daughter," Mama replied.

Jasper cleared his throat and whispered to me, "Asteria deserves a good scolding. She should be grateful that mom agreed for Aria's event to be held here."

I chuckled but sounded like a pig because I was trying to contain it.

“Amanda Callie!” Mama shouted, making me jump slightly. “Stop laughing and contact Asher if you have his number!”

I quickly grabbed my phone from my purse. I didn't have Asher's number.

"Jaspern, do you have Asher's number?"

"Yep," he also took his phone from his pants pocket. "I'll just find it in my contacts, I don't have it memorized."

“Why do I have to do this? If he doesn't even answer mama, what more me?” I muttered as I typed Asher's number on my phone.

Jasper huffed. "You'll never know, Amanda Callie. He's full of surprises."

After 2 rings, luckily, he answered.

"Asher Rowan Ledesma," he said in a formal tone.

"Mr. Asher Rowan Ledesma, where are you?"

He laughed from the other end. "Take your eyes off the ground, then you'll find me."

I looked up, and he was on the other side of the room. He was at the entrance, holding his phone to his ear as he eyed me with unwavering attention like a predator.

I walked straight to where he stood and held his arm.

"You're late," I stated in a low but firm tone. "Mama's going nuts, and you just got here."

"Flat tire. We needed a replacement. Didn't your mom find a substitute?"

I gave him a ridiculed look. “My mom is practically obsessed with you that she'd postpone the event just to accommodate your schedule.”

I took the camera dangling from him and removed it. "I'll keep this for the meantime. Mama doesn't like things hanging around. Maybe you can just take a photo of Aria later."

We approached Mama and Aria, who looked ready to make their entrance on their own. Mama's face lit up as she saw Asher and me approaching, well, mainly Asher.

"Son! You made it, what took you so long?" Mama looked calm and composed as if she hadn't had a panic episode earlier.

"We had a flat tire," he reasoned with Mama, "I'm sorry for being late, auntie."

Mama waved her hand at him. "No, it's fine. What's important is you're here now. Here's Aria."

Aria smiled shyly at Asher. "Hi," she said.

"Happy birthday," Asher's tone was formal. He offered his arm, which Aria immediately held.

They looked good together. I don't know how many times I've said that in previous days.

All set, I looked at mama. "Shall we, mama? Let's leave these love birds to their private moment before they get introduced."

Mama waved to herself. "Yes. And thank you for doing this for your sister, Amanda Callie."

My heart swelled at what I heard. Mama doesn't know what a simple thank you, a yes, a good job, and acknowledgment mean to me.

I rarely receive such praises from her. So, every time she says it, I will cherish it wholeheartedly.

"Enjoy your birthday, Aria," I squeezed my sister's hand before mama and I walked inside the venue so that the program could start. I felt Asher's heated gaze while my back was turned to him, but I didn't try to look back.