Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 28

Amanda's POV

"G-good evening, Auntie- I mean Ma'am." She might think I'm being too feeling close. I call her Auntie in my head but saying it out loud is a different story.

She tilted her head in amusement. "You can call me Auntie. There's no crime in that."

"Sorry.... Auntie."

I looked down, feeling embarrassed to look at her. A fashion icon s***h CEO of a famous model management is in front of me. And I'm wearing what? A shirt and jeans. I can't even remember if I combed my hair before leaving.

"So, you're not finishing the pageant?" Auntie asked, going back to our previous conversation. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I just came out of the comfort room."

"Uhm... I'm a bit tired so I won't be able to finish the event," I explained as I massaged the back of my neck.

"Oh, anyways you did a great job with candidate number 4," Auntie commented. "She's the one representing your section, if I'm not mistaken?"

I nodded. "Yes, that's her."

"You have talented hands. At the age of seventeen, you're already this skilled," she beamed at me. "Just a few trainings, and you can easily match our makeup artists at LMM. You're a natural!"

I smiled awkwardly. "I'm just self-taught, auntie."

"I'm sure you were born with those talents," She said then she pointed to her left, where the venue for Mr. and Ms. Intrams is. "I'll be going. I told the other judges that I'll just be out for a minute since I'm not the one who will ask questions yet. Be safe on your way home." Then we bid goodbye to each other.

I hurried to get into our Honda Odyssey upon arriving at the parking area.

"Good evening, ma'am," greeted the driver.

"Good evening as well," I replied. He then closed the car door.

And I was true to my excuses. I really was tired. We hadn't even left the school when drowsiness hit me.

My phone rang in my pocket, so I put aside my sleepiness and took out my phone.

Mama calling...

"Ma," I greeted.

"Where are you, dear?" mama asked from the other line.

"I'm on my way home, mama," I yawned and looked outside the window. I couldn't see any greens here in Cavite. Buildings and subdivisions were all that stood here.

Mama cleared her throat. "So, uh... your Auntie Celestine was at your school?"

How did mama find out? They're friends after all, maybe Auntie Celestine mentioned it to her or Aria texted her.

"Yes."

"Did you talk?" mama inquired further.

"As I was about to leave, she was just praising my makeup skills. Then she went back to the venue."

Mama sighed. "Alright, take care, dear."

I had been wishing for years to receive such treatment from mama. And now that it's here, instead of being happy, I only grew more doubtful. I'm afraid I might get used to it and end up disappointed in the end if it's not genuine. I was more at peace with my distant mother before. At least I know that was real.

"Let's get back to reality, class! Intrams are over so stop slacking off. It's time for your research."

My classmates groaned. Our subject today is Practical Research 1. We're forming groups today to start thinking of a research topic before Christmas break.

"I'll be the one to group you because if you choose, someone might feel left out."

My classmates have been requesting since earlier that we should be the ones to choose our groupmates. Even Elara and the others want the same, saying it would be easier to work with friends.

It sounds good. But I'm sure Elara will include Asher in our group. And I don't want any reason for us to talk or be together for a long time.

"Okay, let's start counting. From group 1 to group 4. We'll start from the end. Axel, you go first," our teacher pointed down the row.

"Yes!" Elara cheered. "Asher and I are both in group 2. Looks like I’m lucky this time!"

Axel and I high fived each other because we were both in group 1.

My expression slowly fell as the counting continued. I didn't have a decent groupmate other than Axel. It seemed like Axel and I were on the same page.

"Damn, I wish we were just paired up for the research. That's how it should be. I know only the two of us will do the work," Axel grumbled.

"Good luck, Callie," Brooklyn cackled as she observed my troubled expression.

"I can help you when you need me," Asher volunteered beside me.

"Tss! That's not fair. Stay in your group. It's fine if you help all of us. But only Callie always gets special treatment," Jasper complained.

"Stop being a p*ssy, Jasper," Elara retorted.

"I'm not a p*ssy, I'm a d-"

We covered Jasper's mouth to prevent him from saying something inappropriate again.

"Get your hands off! Your hands are too salty. Did you even wash them? Ugh!" Jasper remarked.

"Why are you tasting them? You're gross too," Axel countered.

"Go to your groupmates so you can talk about your research topic. As I said, you will propose and defend three research titles to me in January."

We all stood up to go to our respective groups. But before I could leave our row, Asher stopped me.

"Do we have a problem, Amanda Callie?"

I shook my head. "No?" I chuckled. "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"You left the pageant. I called you later that night, and you didn't answer. I texted you but you didn't reply," he listed.

"Oh," I was surprised. "I-I'm sorry. I just got too tired."

"Should we talk about it?" he asked.

"No!" I quickly interjected. "There's nothing to talk about. There's no problem either."

He just stared at me skeptically, not saying a word.

I moved away from him and pointed to my groupmates. "I-I'll go to... my group."

I hit my chest as I made my way to where my groupmates were. Stop acting weird, heart! You can't go from zero to a hundred every time we get close to Asher. I have to learn to control my reactions. You're friends, nothing more!

Where's the girl he likes when I need her? Maybe if he introduces me to that girl, I won’t feel this anymore and finally stop liking Asher.

I was on my way to the kitchen to get water when I heard voices in mama's home office.

"It seems like you're behaving nicely now, Asteria? So unlikely of you," a woman's voice chuckled. "Or maybe you're afraid of what I told you, that once she finds out the truth, she won't choose you?"

"Shut up, Avon!" Mama's voice boomed in the office. "Why show up now? To meddle with my life?"

"You ruined my best friend's life, Asteria! Don't act like the victim here!" Avon's voice matched mama's. "If you don't tell her and she's not in Nueva Ecija by the end of the school year, I might just tell Casimir what you did. Casimir would use his connections, and they'll be a happy family once more."

Mama screamed while Avon let out an evil laugh.

The door to mama's office opened. Avon froze in front of me. She's the one who spread my audio scandal!

"Hello there, child. I was just catching up with your mama," she smirked. "I'll get going."

She walked out like she had won a battle. Mama followed out of her office. She looked defeated and angry.

"We need to talk, Amanda Callie," she pulled me into her office.

"What?!" I couldn't believe what mama was saying. "I-I'll study in the province?"

Mama nodded at me. "Your auntie, my sister is alone there and needs someone to accompany her."

I shook my head in confusion.

“Auntie? But I thought you were an only child?”

Since childhood, Mama never introduced any relatives from her side. It was all about Papa. She said her parents died and she had no siblings.

"She walked out of my life, Amanda Callie. So, I don't consider her a member of the family anymore," Mama sipped on her wine. "But for old time's sake, I still have some pity left for her. And she needs someone."

"Where does she live now?"

"She's currently residing in Nueva Ecija. Just finish this school year and you'll move there for grade 12 and college."

She wants me out of the house once more.

"Why me, Mama? Can't you just hire someone to take care of her? I don't feel any attachment to her!"

"Why not you? Your sister has a future here in the city, Amanda Callie. She's not used to household chores. Also, you're her relative. That's why you're the most trustworthy for me."

"But-"

"Do you have something you don't want to leave behind here? A boyfriend, perhaps?" Mama raised her eyebrows at me.

I blinked and shook my head. "N-no, Mama."

"It's normal, dear. You don't have to keep it a secret from me," Mama said. "You like Asher Rowan Ledesma, your sister's fiancé," Mama emphasized.

I gulped. I didn't nod, nor did I deny it.

"I would forgive you. But by the end of the year, get over that infatuation! Find someone else. Don't compete with your sister."

Is Mama noticing my actions too much? Or is she just believing Aria because of her stories?

It's not just Asher that I'll be leaving behind. My life and friends are here. I don't need Asher in my life. I'm prepared to let him go. Why can't Mama see that? Is she sending me to Nueva Ecija so that I'll no longer be a threat to my sister?

But then I remembered their conversation with Avon earlier.

Wasn't she referring to me earlier? Not only is she sending me to Nueva Ecija, but she also even ordered Mama to tell me something. Tell me what?"