Destroy Me, Oh Elena

News Headlines “Isang bagong proyekto naman ang ating aabangan sa industriya ng pelikula. Ito ay pagbibidahan ng 2022 FAMAS Best Actress Winner na si Elena Cortez at Former F1 racer, turned actor na si Pietro Trinidad, ang dalawa sa pinaka-makikinang na bituin sa kasalukuyan. Malalaman natin ang iba pang mga detalye sa pagpapatrol ni Rara Yuzon." “Once Upon A Blue Moon, ito ang pamagat ng bagong proyekto mula sa Bright Cameras Incorportion kung saan ay tampok ang dalawang rising stars ng henerasyon na sina Elena Cortez at Pietro Trinidad. Ang pelikulang ito ay inilarawan bilang makulay ngunit puno ng misteryong pag-iibigan. Bagamat hindi pa nagsisimula ang shooting, damang-dama na ng mga fans ang excitement mula sa ating mga bida. Pakinggan natin ang ilang pahayag mula sa kanila.” “I’m so excited for this project, honestly. Hindi ako nag-dalawang isip pa na tanggihan ‘to kahit sobrang busy rin ng schedule ko. The story is quite interesting and I’m pretty much excited because of it. And sa mga co-stars ko rin, I really hope na we get along with each other.” That was my statement when the reporter asked how I feel about this new project of mine. I said what I’m tasked to say. I am tasked to act like a sweet goody-two-shoes girl in front of the people and the camera. Every move and every breath of mine is dictated by my PR team. They always make sure that my image will not be tarnished because of recklessness. I was the last card of the renowned Artist Agency, Vidas, the company that was supposed to go bankrupt last 2020 when the pandemic hit, but fortunate enough to rise again, of course, because of me. I became the face, the savior of the company rather. If it wasn’t for me, they’d be long gone and forgotten by the show business industry by now. Now, I was forced to accept this project that I didn't even like. This year was supposed to be my break from all of this showbiz drama. Patong patong na rin ang mga balita tungkol sa personal kong buhay. Nakakapagod na rin naman. Quota na ako sa lahat ng trabaho at gusto ko namang mag-pahinga sana. But they didn’t let me have it. Well, malaki rin naman ang ibabayad nila sa akin dito, hindi pa kasama ang bonus, kung sakaling papatok itong pelikula na ‘to, kaya pinilit ko na lang din tanggapin ang offer nila sa akin. “I’m really excited about this film. Elena is such a talented actress and it’s inspiring to work with her. I think people will really enjoy what we create together.” He goes on to give out a playful smirk on the camera which made the reporter to give a teasing response. I turned off the television out of infuriation because of that. That man, honestly. What the hell is wrong with him? Yesterday, in the meeting, he was always staring at me as if he wants to eat me alive right in front of everyone. When we were introduced to each other, it was just supposed to be a normal handshake, but then he goes on to kiss my hand in front of everyone! That was so unnecessary and I was just force to smile at him awkwardly. That made me think deeply. What if he’s secretly a maniac? Or maybe he was just being a gentleman, I guess? But what about him staring at me and constantly wetting his lips as if I’m a delectable food laying down the table? With his dark eyes, always piercing through the very depths of my being, how about that? Was that normal for a co-worker? Or does he have a hidden agenda? I have so many thoughts, but I have no choice. We already made a deal and I cannot break the contract now. I’ll just have to face it, professionally of course. “Ms. Elena, okay na po ang bath niyo. Pwede na po kayo maligo para makapag-ready na po kayo sa date niyo with Sir Jansen mamaya.” My personal assistant reminded me. She’s a newbie, because my former assistant resigned due to my ‘attitude’. That girl’s too weak, she couldn’t even take my orders and perform them right, mean girl energy pa kaya? I hope this one’s different. “Where’s the place again?” I asked her while taking off my clothes one by one. “Sa Coron, Palawan po. 4:30 PM po dadating ang helicopter ni Sir Jansen sa roof top.” Jansen’s such a gallant man. He always spoils me with everything. With clothes, jewelries, date spots, and many more. He even buys me groceries and pays for some of my bills. But everything is with condition. It’s either I hang out with few business men and other celebrities and introduce him, or ask them to invest in his company. I became his hands and feet to the showbiz industry, and that helped him a lot. In exchange for money and influence for me too. Palitan lang kami ng pabor. Ipapakilala ko siya sa mga kakilala ko, at ipapakilala niya ako sa mga kakilala niya. Simple as that. And we actually became a couple because of that. He was my savior from that dumpster, and I was his savior from bankruptcy. We love each other for that. I love him so much for that. Despite the world, not knowing that we're together. For more opportunities daw, sabi niya. It was already 3:00 PM when I finished my bath. I didn’t asked my assistant to pick my clothes this time because this isn’t a huge PR event that needed such efforts in style. I will pick the clothes myself this time. I picked a white and blue marbled print two piece bikini to wear as my undergarments, before picking a light denim shorts and body-hugging white tank top to pair it with. I will only bring a small duffel bag for my other clothes and stuffs because it’ll just be for one night. We’ll go home tomorrow morning immediately because I still have appointments, same goes with him I guess. “Are you all set, Ms. Elena? We’ll just have to wait for the chopper to arrive.” My assistant smiled at me before fixing some of my things. “Yes. Thank you for your help.” I gave her a small nod without smiling. “You’re competent enough, huh. If you continue your good work, we might actually become friends in the mere future.” I smirked at her. “Of course po, Ma’am. I’m looking forward to it po.” He gave me an even wider smile. The flight to Coron was two whole hours and I was asleep the whole time. Nagising na lang ako sa marahang pag-tapik ni Jansen sa pisngi ko. Matapos naming makarating sa hotel room na inihanda sa amin ay agad akong niyakap ni Jansen. "Did you miss me while you were away?" He asked while slowly kissing my ears, making me breath deeply. "Oo naman." I answered him while fixing my things, with him, still hugging me from the back. "How's the project? Are you enjoying it?" "Yes, of course." "How about your new leading man, are you enjoying him?" I stopped moving for a second. "Why would I enjoy him? You know you're the only one I would enjoy." I faced him before reaching for his face. "You'd better make sure of that. I'm sure the fans wouldn't like it if he dies early, yes?" With that, I lost the very air that I breathe for a moment. What else can I say? There's only one right answer for that. "Of course.." I turned my back at him. "Of course, my love."