The Scent of Savage (Completed/ Unedited)

One of the obstruction : Boyfriend

She felt at ease when Zedrick straight through on the elevator.

She had a hectic schedule today 'til next week because of the upcoming consecutive gala and peak season. The highlighted artist of the year under their agency was assigned to her. And they asked them to visit for the fitting session.

She didn't expect them ranged on her age. Few boys are very friendly while the girls are silent or shy. She doesn't care actually, she is more worried about Mrs. Swizz's hopes. She wanted her design don't overshadow the beauty of each artist. She is afraid now of which factor she will focus. Her designs are notable as exotic yet elegant, it will pull down the person who can't bear the confidence while wearing it.

She is challenging me again!

"Here is the Miss Majesty," Nicky notified her.

From the glass panel, she watched the eight beauties and gentlemen paraded her new theme. She c****d her head when she noticed something on the visual. All the designs are extravagant but why she felt dry and unsatisfied.

Taliwas sa mga artista na puno ng mangha at pananabik. Bukod sa isang lalaking afro ang buhok at natatakpan ng shades ang mga mata. Ilang beses nitong pinapagpag ang suot, halatang nagpapabatid ng pagkadisguto sa suot nito.

"What are these? You're going to let us wear trash?"

Ito ang kauna-unahang may dumura sa kanyang mukha. Nanikip ang dibdib niya pero nanatili siyang tikom ang bibig. Sa gilid na si Gatus, Buwachan at Paula ay halatang gustong upakan ang lalaki. Hindi niya masisisi ang tatlo. Sila ang team A na nakatoka para roon.

The guy arrogantly stepped forward before he removed his aviator. When he noticed her recognition his cold eyes feasted on her anguish team. "What kind of service is this? We are not just normal actors and actresses, we are popular and we deserve a high as majesty means to this department." Padarag nitong tinanggal ang suot na coat.

Si Gatus ay hindi na nakapagpigil pa. Aambang susugurin ito pero humarang siya.

"I'll take that as a challenge, Mr. Ken Delos Santos."

Binalya sa balikat niya ng lalaki ang coat bago mag-walk out. Kumabog ang dibdib niya roon. Ang natitirang mga artista ay nabigla, pero ang isa sa babae ay sumunod dito.

"Pasensiya na Miss Majesty sa inasal ni Ken. Noong nakaraan kasi nalaman kong kay Diva dapat kami. Pero mas gusto namin ang sa'yo. Pangarap namin ang makasuot ng mga gawa mo, lalo noong mag-debut ka. Grabe, explicit!" One of the newest female actress complimented her.

Sa likod nito ang natitira pang lalaki at babae.

"Walang manners. Excuse me, pero tangina niya. Okay lang na kami ang awayin, huwag lang si Miss Majesty. Sino ba ang Ken na 'yon?" sabad ni Buwachan.

"Pasensiya na po, ma'am. Sa aming lahat kasi siya ang pinakasikat. Silang dalawa ni Kelly," paliwanag noong isang lalaki.

"Pasensiya na talaga, Miss Majesty."

She had an idea why Ken disliked her. Gusto niyang isipin na marahil ay si Diva talaga ang inaasahan nito at hindi siya.

Nginitian niya ang mga ito. "Honestly, may punto siya. Hindi rin ako naging masaya sa resulta. Give us some time to finalize again. Once we are up, we will call all your attention. Hindi ko kayo bibiguin sa huling pagkakataon na ito."

When they were all settled, she comes up with a meeting on her team. Gatus, Buwachan, and Paula agreed with her opinion but they suggested something different.

"You don't have any more time. Tutulong na kami." The Team B and Team C leader offered.

It was a very pressured and stressful for six hours. All of them are hungry and exhausted. If it wasn't with coffee maybe right now they are all crying. She asked them to go first. And even thank the rest of the team for helping the Team A. She discovered that even if she became cruel and strict with them, still they respect her.

"Go home safe, okay!" She waved at them. Nagtagal pa siya ng kalahating oras para kumparahin ang naunang disenyo sa sumunod.

All the designs are really remarkable. They were all elegant on the dummy but when the artist wears it, the substance lose. Naglaro sa kanyang pandinig ang sinabi ni Mrs. Swizz. Overshadow. What could be the reason? Ken's smug face suddenly flashed on her mind too. Could it be their character while wearing this clothes?

Nilapitan niya ang damit na para kay Ken. Matangkad ang lalaki at may bad boy appeal. Kung pasusuotin ito ng light color ay masyadong contradict. Ang suot nito kanina ay makislap na dark colors. Kung papalitan ng long sleeve silk dark violet ang dapat na coat ay aangat ang character nito.

I get it now. I remember that my designs are normally one-sided. Wear it with confidence even if it doesn't match you. This time, my designs will help the person who will wear it to be noticeable. That was the factor that Mrs. Swizz wanted me to see.

Sinilip niya ang mga profile ng bawat artist at kinumpara ang mga gawa nila. Ilan sa mga luma ay nanatili ngunit nilagyan niya ng kakaibang decoration or twist. Pasado alas onse ng makaramdam ng pagkahilo at antok.

Inayos niya ang napili niyang final dress na may naka-caption na pangalan bago lumabas. She's like a walking zombie on the lobby going through the double door. A luxury car stopped in front of her. From the open passenger glass window, she saw Zedrick inviting her in. She's very tired and tempted so she opened the door and slid in. Her movements were very slow when she put the seatbelt on. She's very sleepy and his familiar scent drove off her thoughts to calm down and closed her eyes.

She literally fell asleep while snoring. Zedrick even respected her and didn't bother when they reach her place. Nagising nalang nang buhatin siya nito.

"Thank you so much. I'm so tired and sleepy, I forgot whom am I with." Dinilat niya ang mga mata habang tinititigang maigi ang sinasandalan niyang dibdib. Nanigas siya nang masalubong ang nag-aalalang mata nito. "Oh, hi!"

Walang itong sinabi. Tahimik lamang siyang dinala sa kanyang kuwarto at marahang hiniga sa kama.

She is expecting him to distance himself from her but why the hell he is still staring back at her. It makes her nervous and stopped breathing.

Katok sa pinto ang nagpahiwalay sa kanila. He attended the maid and took the glass of milk.

She is wondering how he did that. Are they close? How? Since when? Could it be mental telepathy?

"I called her to get ready your milk. It's late and your stomach is empty. Do you always do that?"

"Yeah, it's very late. Uubusin ko lang 'to tapos uuwi ka na." She is too tired to think more of anything. She snatched the milk and drink it straight. It is quite hard every swallowed because she could felt how serious he is as he watched her. Thanks to her soft and warm bed she can dodge his dark and domineering power right now.

Mayabang niyang binalik sa side table ang baso bago huminga nang mas komportable. Kahit pa para siyang masusuka sa ginawa. She smiled weakly but a sincere one. "Thank you. Good night, Zedrick."

Tumalikod siya rito upang hindi makita pa ang malungkot nitong mga mata. Baka kasi pigilan niya ito sa pag-uwi at patabihin nalang sa kanya. She closed her eyes with a belief that Zedrick is her obstruction. When he entered her life again, she lost one element. She is afraid to lose one more.

I need to forget about him. I shouldn't be blinded again. Not again.

Chirping active birds made her opened her eyes. Even if at the back of her mind was saying don't go to work today and sleep again. She wanted to grab it, too lazy to even open again her eyes. But Ken's smug face made her freaking heavy eyelids wide awake and sat up. She needed to attend the fitting session later. She can't be lazy today 'til the weekend.

Habang naliligo ay iniisip niya ang lalaki. Alam niyang may appeal si Ken, pero hindi sumagi sa isip niyang papasukin nito ang karera ng pag-aartista. He is sporty and had a good body. Why not pursue his varsity image instead of a toxic environment? Does he found happiness in the world of showbiz?

She ate two toasted bread and orange juice on her way. She needed to be in hurry. Lately, she is getting lousy, it is a bad habit said, Charlie. She drank vitamins too because her time sometimes was busy to even eat her snacks. She satisfied herself with a simple make-up. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and casual outfit. From the busy entrance of Swizz Building, few of employee greeted her. Ngiwi ang naisagot niya sa mga ito dahil hinabol niya ang papasarang pinto ng elevator.

"That was close," Gatus teased her.

Tumawa siya. Mula sa salamin ay napansin ang kuryosong nakasabay na hindi kilalang kalalakihan at kababaihan. Sinilip niya ang numero kung saan palapag ito pupunta, ganoon nalang ang gulat niya na parehas sa destinasyon niya.

The door moved open. Gumilid siya para paunahin ang mga ito.

"Kilala mo?" bulong niya kay Gatus.

"Sabi ng guard, bisita mula sa Yco Company."

Kumabog ang dibdib niya. Ibig sabihin ay tauhan ni Zedrick ang mga iyon. Nakakahiya! Sumunod siya, halos magtago sa bulto ni Gatus.

"Sir. Miss Majesty arrived."

Just by Nicky's announcement her back straightened, Gatus turned the spot on her as all the guest eyes turned as well with her. Sinalubong siya ni Zedrick. Lalo siyang nainis dahil lahat sila ay formal samantalang siya ay casual. Nagkita pa sila kagabi, hindi manlang siya sinabihan.

"Good morning," he greeted casually, so innocent with his fault of her embarrassment.

"Good morning, Mr. Hetch," bati rin niya rito. Hinila siya upang ipakilala sa tatlong lalaki at nag-iisang babae. Mula sa kanyang balikat ay bumaba sa kanyang balakang ang kamay nito.

"Ladies and gentlemen I'd like you meet my partner, Miss Majesty," Zedrick proudly introduced her.

Inayos niya ang suot na apple green coat na nakapatong sa likuran niya bago ngumiti sa bawat isa.

The one with a devilish grinned on his face extended his arms towards her. "Please to meet you, Miss Majesty. I'm Mr. Andrei Holmes and this gorgeous woman on my side is my partner in animation design, Cleo Leonor."

"Oh, Hi Mr. Holmes." She took his hand for a shook, the same thing with Cleo.

"I'm Mark Pochollo," the youngest from their group took her hand to kiss her knuckles.

Ang nangangawit niyang pisngi sa kakangiti ay nawala nang magawi sa huling lalaki sa apat. Kilala niya ito. Sa huling pagkakatanda niya ay sa Rios De Rima. Hindi niya maalala ang pangalan.

Tinapik nito ang balikat ni Zedrick. "Kaya pala napauwi ka ng Pilipinas, ha!" Tumatawa itong humarap sa kanya. "Uno Guivarra, Miss Suniga. It's nice to meet you again after seven years or six?"

Her face brightened up the mention of her true name. "Seven years," she corrected, extending her hands with him but Zedrick held her hands firmly.

Napansin iyon noong Cleo kaya ngumiti ito. "That confirmed us something. Poor Dorothy."

Hindi iyon pinansin ni Zedrick. His all attention was at her. "All of them are from the designing team. Structural design whether animated or not. They are all good in this field just like you. All their reports will be directed to me before I give it to you."

"Bakit sa'yo pa? Why not direct it with her?" Ms. Leonor spotted. Mr. Holmes on the side smiled wider. Suppressing the same opinion with his partner.

"She is not used to blueprint or engineering language and patterns. Her ideas are all up with the interior," Zedrick explained.

Cleo remained to criticize her, "I believe with your taste, Mr. Hetch. I will look forward to her ideas."

Hindi niya na narinig ang sinabi ni Zedrick sa mga kasama nito, dahil sa tanong ni Magnum.

"I'll explain later. Wait me inside," tugon niya rito bago hinanap si Zedrick. Pero nagulat siya at pasakay na sa elevator ang mga kasama nito. Bago magsara ang pinto ay kumindat sa kanya si Uno. "O, bakit umalis agad?"

"Don't stress too much. Bumisita lang sila rito."

"Kahit na. Nakakahiya. Feeling ko napaka-unprofessional ko sa nangyari kanina."

Mangha siyang tinitigan nito. "Embarrassed? Why?"

"Hindi manlang ako nakapaghanda. Nakakahiyang naka-casual wear ngayon."

"I like you simple, though."

Inismiran niya ito at iniwan. Hinarap niya ang kanyang tatlong team para ipaliwanag ang ilan sa kanilang schedules. Habang ginagawa iyon ay napansin niya ang pagsunod ng mga tauhan niya sa dumaang si Zedrick.

Hindi lang ako ang naaabala niya. The heck!

By late lunch, same time from yesterday all the artist came back. She didn't expect that Ken will come back too but Kelly is out of them.

"Where's Miss Kelly?" tanong niya.

Lahat ng atensyon nila ay tumutok sa walang pakialam na si Ken. Nakuha niya na. Hindi nalang siya kumibo at aalis na sana ngunit hinabol siya ng isa sa babae.

"Miss Majesty, naaksidente si Kelly. Ang totoo po niyan, partner siya ni Ken. Puwede po bang kayo muna ang pumalit pansamantala. Hindi kasi puwedeng kulang."

"I don't get you. Why me?" She shrugged her shoulder.

"Kasi Miss magkahawig kayo ng girlfriend ni Ken. Lalo kapag walang make-up. Parang kayo po talaga si Kelly."

Nagtataka niyang nilingon si Ken. Kasalukuyan na itong nakatingin sa kanya bago umiwas. Kung kailangan nito ng makakapareha, bakit ibang tao pa ang dapat kumausap sa kanya. Naalala nga niyang isang group couples sila. Swizz agency build their group as the newest love team, but the idea of real relationship wasn't detail on the column.

Why is Ken acting cold towards her? Isn't he moved yet?

Malungkot niyang nginitian ang kausap. Lumapit siya kay Ken at inaya ito sa loob ng opisina. This is not her obligation but guilt kept on rubbing her skin. That she is responsible to Kelly's accident.

"I can't replace Kelly. You will stand alone in the Gala tonight," she began. From the side of her eyes, she saw Zedrick on the workstation gawking on them.

"Why? Are you afraid of him?"

She followed Ken's line of vision. He is staring back at Zedrick. She let out a long sighed. "What do you mean by that?"

"Siya ang lalaking sinasabi mong boyfriend mo, hindi ba?"

Humarap ito sa kanya. Matapang na pinapabatid ang sakit ng ginawa niyang pagtataboy dito noon. Hindi niya magawang magalit dito. Awa at kunsensiya ang nararamdaman niya rito. Bakit hinayaan niyang lumalim ang pagtingin nito sa kanya. Bakit niya binigyan ng maling pag-asa ang taong ito?

She had a second idea why, but she doesn't want to tackle it. Ken is in a relationship with Kelly now. She is out with the two. He is just disappointed with her.

"Oo. Siya ang dahilan, ano naman sa'yo?"

Mapaklang ngiti ang lumandas sa labi ng binata. "Hindi ka niya seseryosohin. Titikman ka lang niya gaya ng iba. Dahil sa huli sa kapatid ko pa rin siya babalik."

"Kapatid mo?"

Muli itong tumingin sa ibaba bago sa kanya. "Be my partner later. Prove to my sister that you are not a slot-bitch."

Slot-b***h?