Scene of Eve

[ chapter 12 ]

“It’s still an initial contract, though.” Mike added, letting me digest the information. I already talked to Ian about this last night. Heck, I was even unable to sleep because of it. 

“He means,” My dad cleared his throat, placing a plateful of food in front of me.  “that the contract is revisable. Mike here has the initial copy.” He patted Mike on the back and placed another plateful of food in front of him before turning his attention to my mom.

“So, what does that have to do with you?” I asked my attention back on my mom.

“Mike called us and picked us up. Said that the process would be faster if we were here with you. It was actually Ian’s idea to have us with you.” My mom said, her thumb caressing my hands.

“It’s an initial contract too in the sense that you can remove or add any of your terms.” Mike further stated.

“Let’s eat first though. I’m starving.” My dad said as he sat down with his own plateful of food.

_

I was sitting between my mom and Mike on the sofa, the TV on some show playing in the background. My dad was on the coffee table sipping coffee, his eyes looking around my house. Probably looking for anything needing some kind of fixing.

“I would like to apologize, Ms. Apple. I was supposed to arrive earlier, around lunchtime but-” Mike started apologizing again for the unexpected appearance when my dad interrupted him.

“He offered to pick us up after telling him how your mom and I would be fine commuting.” My dad finished his coffee and went to the kitchen. He came back with some biscuits and settled it down on the table, just a few inches away from the contract.

My mom has been combing her fingers on my hair for who knows how long since I started reading the contract Mike laid on the table. My dad and Mike were making small talk, my dad still on the coffee table and Mike still beside me, nibbling on the cookies. 

My eyes kept returning to my mom, a gentle smile always on her face. It hasn’t sunk in yet. The contract in my hand feels like a sham. It’s like everything that’s happened ever since the first day of shooting under the tunnel was just a dream. Or like, all this is still part of a scene I’m acting out with my parents as extra.

Now I regret not taking my phone with me when I came out of the room. My parents may have been here to initially help stabilize my emotions. But their presence is making it even harder. I can feel their expectations caging me in again. Their eyes, though not entirely on me, are drilling a hole into my consciousness. I wanted to ask if I can take a breather in my room, but my mom’s hand felt like steel weighing down my moves. 

Though I know my parents would never pressure me into anything. But what’s pressuring is that I also know how they have been waiting for this chance at actual stability in my career.  Pretty ironic as I also have been waiting for this chance as well, but when I came face to face with it, I suddenly felt like backing out. It’s like this piece of paper will tie me down to one thing alone. Well, technically it will. Because it doesn’t say anything about my personal works. Nothing about my write-ups at all. The terms and conditions are all for the modeling aspect of my career. Although I am enjoying what I have for a career, it’s not something I see myself being part of for long. I chose it to experience. I wanted to see how the whole production thing works before being the one behind the camera. I was torn between wanting to agree with the contract but also not agreeing to it. I don’t even know what the tears in my eyes are. Fear? Happiness? 

Finally, my dad stood up to place his empty cup in the kitchen, my mom excused herself as well as she followed my dad. 

“I may not know what you’re really thinking. But I hope you really consider this.” Mike turned to face me after both my parents were out of earshot. “And I don’t really know what you have in mind for yourself. But Ian believes that this would kickstart whatever you have in mind.” He added.

I smiled and nodded at him, my sight even more blurry now as the tears start to fall. But he’s right. Ian’s right. I am in no position to really not accept. Anything that’s presented as a chance - or even a risk - is a step towards something. It may not be the step I was initially planning to take. But that’s life. Unplanned things tend to take you closer rather than the planned step you have. I don’t know if this is true for all, or even for me. But right now? A step, no matter where is better than nothing. I’ve been too selfish already doing things my way without even thinking of what my parents would feel. I think it’s high time that I think of others. This contract is already a sign in itself. I’d be able to put my parents at ease, knowing I can finally give back what I received. 

Life may not be how anyone expects it to be. But I’ve been through worse. But yet, here I am. I made it out of every darkness I’ve dealt with for the past 22 years - actually 23 - years.

“But whatever plan you got, whether you sign with Genesis or not, know that whatever you plan will be worth the risk, birthday girl.” Mike winked at me before standing up and facing the kitchen, where my parents were currently having a silent debate.

“Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez,” Mike started, “Thank you for having me. But I would need to take my leave already. I still need to coordinate with Apple’s team for her next shoot with Ian these coming few days.” 

My parents and Mike had a little more small talk for a few more minutes, my dad wrapping up some food for Mike to take home. And then, Mike was on his way and it was just us three - my parents and I. 

_

I was holding a different piece of paper now. One that my mom has quietly put on the plate of my untouched cookies.

“Maybe this could help?” Her voice was soft, as if afraid to disturb the night. 

My dad, on the other hand, just stood with a small smile of his own, “We’re proud of you, Apple. Always have been. No matter what.” He approached me and my mom, leaving a peck on top of my head before pulling my mom with him to the guest room.

And then it was just me. But moments passed by and the silence was deafening. So I decided it was time I also head for bed. 

Sighing, I plopped on my bed face first. The contract on my right hand, and my mom’s letter on the other. Pretty stupid of me because here I am finding it hard to breathe as my face is flat on the sheets. I lift my chin up and gasp for air before laying my head on the side, facing my window. I raised my left hand, the one with my mom’s letter, and started reading:

“My Our dearest Apple,” the letter read, my mom, crossing out ‘my’ and replacing it with ‘Our’. I laughed. Of course, my dad would never go out of his way to do such things. He’s not the type to really do much for any kind of celebration. Rather, he just cooks something special. That simple. No need for any tear-jerker handwritten letter. 

“Happy birthday to our only baby. 

You think we would have forgotten? Never. How could I ever forget the birthday of my one and only child? 

We don’t really know what else to give you because you don’t really tell us anymore. That little girl who used to pull her dad around in the mall, looking for a new toy to buy has already grown into a woman. It’s no longer toys she’s after, but her dreams. Her passion. Her future. Her life.

We’re sorry if your dad and I are not much help now, unlike before. You grew up following your dreams and we failed at running after them with you. So now, we’re just here on the sidelines, hoping that our cheer would at least be enough of a gift for every day that you wake and continue running. You’re dad and me, we’re already at that point of your race track that’s already too far back from where you are. 

This is no longer our race, but yours. From runners who race with you, we’re now your audience. 

And we are so proud of how far you’ve gone. You exceeded what we thought you would be. The finish line we expected for you? It was not a finish line. Instead, it was just a pit stop. A pit stop where we would stay and watch you continue, baton held tightly in your hands. 

Continue running, no matter how far. It’s ok if you rarely look back. Because the back is nowhere you want, and we know that. So keep running, dear. You’re dead and I will always be cheering on the sides. Don’t look back even if you don’t hear nor see us anymore. We would probably be already at your finish line, water bottle, and towel held in our hands to congratulate you for a job well done.

So keep running, okay? You’re dad and I, we love you.

Happy birthday again, my dearest.

And your dad wants to tell you,

I was already sobbing. Of course, my dad knows I probably would sob at what my mom wrote. So of course, he always comes to the rescue and lightens everything else.

You’re one rotten Apple. But you’re still the only Apple of my eye. Daddy loves you just as much.

We love you, dear.

Mom & Dad.

_

I woke up with a stiff neck, puffy eyes, and a migraine. Obviously, I won’t wake up in the best state. Not after crying my heart out in an awkward position.

I stood up massaging my neck and arching my back. I then looked at the slightly crumpled contract at the edge of the bed.

Mom’s gonna kill me. She hates it when official papers get crumpled even just a little. Personal copy or not, it should always be as it was given.

I placed the letter on my bedside table and grabbed my phone. I opened it to see a bunch of missed calls and messages. Most were from Tiana, Nessa, and Hazel. Even a couple from Mike and Joey. But there was none from Ian. I don’t know how to feel about that, knowing that he was drunk the night before and I wanted him to get rest. So of course, I should not really be expecting anything. 

I sighed and opened some messages to thank them for remembering my birthday. Funny though, because I forgot it. I didn’t even know it was already the 5th of September yesterday. 

Two months with Ian passed so quickly. Just two months yet it felt longer. Because even on our first shoot, he was already able to make me feel comfortable around him. 

Two months and yet, I feel-

I stopped that thought, not wanting to really think about it. I decided to start today with a lighter feeling. That is the most I could do to make up for the fact that I was not fully present on my supposed birthday.

I grabbed the contract and signed it. There was nothing much for me to change. Everything stated was just how I would have written it myself. It was like Mike knew what I wanted. Before leaving my room, the last person I texted was Mike.

Hey Mike, thanks for the birthday greeting :) And btw, contract is signed. Are you a mind reader of some sort? Seemed like you knew what I wanted in the contract. Have a good day today!