Chapter 1
1898 Words
• JANINA NICOLE FORTALEZA •
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
"Yes, honey! It's true! You passed the Eastville College of Business entrance exam! ECB is the best training ground for the next business owners of the country! I am very proud of you!" My dad exclaimed.
"But.. Dad.."
"Hep hep! No BUTs baby girl. Everything is set for you. You'll be the Chief Executive Officer of Fortaleza Foods Inc. soon. Isn't it great?"
"Dad... What I was saying was..."
"Janina darling, don't worry, I already have Faye work on all your enrollment requirements. You also have your new condominium unit near the campus. It's the best one in the area! Your high school friends Debbie, Karen and Farrah are also enrolled there. You'll have fun! All you have to do is to pack your things up and be ready!"
"Dad!!!" I already shouted.
"No shouting, baby girl. I know you're excited! Me too! I am very excited for you! But I have to go and check on our business now. Bye, take care, and I love you!"
And just like that, umalis na si dad.
Hindi man lang niya pinakinggan ang side ko. Tsk. I really don't like to go to that Eastville school. Yuck kaya.
I hate business! Bakit ba na dapat ako ang mag-manage ng business niya? He can do it naman on his own! I really wanted to be an international model. And now that I’m already one step closer to getting that dream, haharang pa si dad? No way!
I won't let that happen!
I left our house and hurriedly asked Dave, my boyfriend, to pick me up and bring me to the Murray Modelling Agency for my initial interview. Mamaya ko nalang pro-problemahin si dad.
I got a call from Murray Modelling Agency in New York last week. They said that my portfolio was shortlisted. They also said that I have an interview today and a contract signing.
I was so happy! And I still am!
Magiging model na rin ako, finally!
No one can stop me!
Not even my dad!
Hmp!
***
"Hmm, 2067 MMA Building, Makati Avenue? Where are we going again, babe?" asked Dave while smoothly driving his luxury car.
"Babe! We're going to Murray Modelling! I was shortlisted, remember?" I rolled my eyes.
"Ah yes. Oo nga pala. Congratulations, babe!"
When we arrived at the MMA building, he kissed me full on the lips. Of course, I kissed him back. It was a torrid one.
Ganito kami lagi ni Dave. Kung wala lang akong appointment ngayon, I know that this little kiss will turn out to be wild lovemaking in the car. We always do that. Maybe it is our habit as a couple. We're only 18 but we're kind of liberated. We do all things couples do. It's normal nalang naman nowadays.
And we're rich.
They can't pull us down.
No one would believe them.
And we don't deny it anyway.
Sinamahan ako ni Dave hanggang sa office ng Murray Modelling but unfortunately, hindi na siya pinapasok. Hindi naman daw siya kasama sa list of models for interview. Sayang naman yung porma niya! He's wearing a plain white tee, ripped jeans, and a black leather jacket with his hair all up. I think he also likes to be a model and get discovered.
But unfortunately, he can't.
I felt sad for Dave so I kissed him and whispered, "It's going to be a wild night later," before I confidently went to the Murray Modelling office wearing my Jimmy Sacson flowy orange cleavage showing gown with a sky-high slit, black pumps, heavy party make-up, and a stylish messy bun by my personal hair and make-up artist, Shibama Castro. In addition, I also have pure gold jewelry as my accessories.
***
[Murray Modelling Agency]
"Miss Fortaleza! I am glad you're here! Please take a seat first."
I was accommodated by a beautiful western-looking lady wearing corporate attire. She looked so kind. She looked like she was in her late 20s.
"You're so pretty in person, Miss Fortaleza! So, are you willing to sign a contract with us?"
I tried to hide my excitement by biting my tongue. "Thank you and sure, miss... ?"
"Cassandra. Cassandra Murray. I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I'll be your manager once you already signed your contract with MMA. I will also be the one to come with you to New York for your upcoming pictorials."
"Oh, I see," I said with a big smile.
After the interview, I answered some forms for profiling, did a photo shoot for a look test and she explained the contract to me.
Sheez, I feel like flying! Dreams really do come true! She said that she can give me only 3 days to decide on their offer. Well actually, kahit hindi na 3 days, I already have my answer.
I really can't hide my happiness!
It's a BIG YES!
I went inside the car with a big smile on my face.
"You look happy? Good news? Come on babe! Spill it!" said Dave happily.
"Guess whaaaat?!"
"You got in? You're now a model?"
I tilted my head. "Uhmm. Yeah. But there's more!"
"Wow. What is it?"
"I already signed a contract!!!" I screamed in glee.
"Wow. I told you you can do it. I'm proud of you babe!"
And before I know it, he already unhooked my bra and started caressing my breasts.
I was feeling infinite with the good news and with Dave's expertise.
He was about to kiss me but then I said...
"There's more!!!!"
"Really?! What?" He looked surprised. He was smiling. Kahit alam kong nabitin ko siya.
"I'm flying to New York next week to start my modeling career!!!" I was so excited.
Silence.
His smile was kind of fading. He stopped whatever he was doing and looked me straight in the eye.
"Babe? Anything wrong?" I asked.
"Wait. What? You're flying? Next week?" He looked confused.
"Umm. Yeah?"
"How about your studies? Next week na ang pasukan natin sa ECB ha?"
"Nah. I'll ditch it,” I said, bored.
His mouth formed an ‘o’. "What? Alam ba to ng dad mo?"
"Not yet."
"Hindi ka niya papayagan, babe."
"No one can stop me. It's my dream! Hello!"
"Not even me?"
I creased my forehead. "What are you talking about?"
"Well, I guess not. Kung yung dad mo nga ‘di ka mapipigilan, eh."
"Dave, come on! You should be happy for me. You’re killing the mood.”
He sighed. "Of course, I am happy for you. But I am not happy for us."
"We can still make this relationship work naman even though I'm far!" I reasoned out.
He scoffed. "Long-distance?"
"Yeah! That's it!"
"No babe. I don't like it."
"Ugh, come on!" I'm getting upset.
"Janina, you have to choose. Me, your dad, and your studies, or your f*ckin' dream?"
Silence.
Of course, I love Dave.
I love my dad.
But this is an opportunity I can't miss.
I have made my decision already.
I have made this decision even before I met Dave.
"My dream," I said in a blank tone as I wore my bra and gown back to their place and left him.
I left Dave alone in his car outside the MMA building. Nag-taxi nalang ako. I hate him! He should've supported me nalang! They're all so selfish! Ugh!
"Ma'am, mukha kang galit. Nag-away po ba kayo ni boyfriend?" tanong ng pakialamerong taxi driver.
"It's not your business. Will you please just drive?"
"Okay. Sayang naman. Baka pwede akong makatulong. Kilalang kilala ko pa naman si Lalaine.” He laughed after that.
"What? How did you know my mom?"
"Jowa ko siya noon." Tinignan niya ako gamit ang salamin sa harap.
"Ugh. Ew."
"Pero ‘di kami nagkaron ng anak. Sila ni Peter, oo."
"What?! Who's Peter?"
"Alam mo bang nang pinakasalan na niya ang tatay mo, nagka-anak pa siya ulit sa ibang lalaki? May bunso kang kapatid, Janina. Kamukhang kamukha mo nga, eh. Xerox copy."
This is ridiculous. "Stop playing around me, old man!"
"Pumunta siya sa Bohol noon ‘di ba? Nagkita sila ni Peter."
"I don't believe you. Just stop talking."
"Tanong mo nalang nanay mo. Nanay mong haliparot!"
"Shut up!"
Nag-kwento pa siya ng kung anu-ano. Pero I didn't mind him nalang. He's crazy.
"We're here! 245 pesos lang, ganda."
I gave him 1000 pesos and didn't ask for the change.
I was too upset.
And confused.
***
It was bugging me all night.
May kapatid ako?
So, that means nagtaksil si Mom kay Dad?
Ugh! I should be getting ready for my flight and making up with Dave right now. But here I am, thinking about things and possibilities said by a complete stranger.
Actually, wala naman talaga akong pakialam if Mom had an affair. I have had a lot of affairs too at my age. Mom is gorgeous and Dad, well, he's just rich. But there's this one thing that the taxi driver told me that could actually solve all of my problems right now.
"Kamukhang-kamukha mo nga eh."
He just gave me the brightest idea ever.
***
I went to Mom's room that night right after she came from work. Hindi na ako magpapaliguy-ligoy pa. I want everything rushed.
"Mom."
"Yes, honey? Have you packed all your things? You'll be going to your condo unit tomorrow!" she said happily. Eww.
"Ugh... Yeah." I lied.
"Your Dad and I are very excited for you. We'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Mom."
"It's just a year anyway. And you'll be here again in our mansion for the summer break."
"Uh-huh."
"You'll do great.” She smiled.
"Umm, Mom, I need to know something before I leave. Can I ask you something personal?"
"Sure, honey."
"I need answers. Promise me to tell the truth."
Nakita ko na parang naging nervous siya. But she still tried to look relaxed as she smiled softly.
"Okay. I promise."
"Good. You went to Bohol before right? Nung naghiwalay kayo ni Dad?"
Silence.
I can see her eyes widen.
"Umm... Yes."
"Pinagtaksilan mo ba si Dad? May anak ka ba sa labas?"
Kitang kita ko na nag-red yung face niya at na super shocked siya. She's funny.
"W-Who told you?"
"Yes or no."
"Anak, let me explain."
"Yes or no, Mom."
"D-Don't be mad at me... Let me explain first."
"No Mom. I'm not mad."
"Ha? B-Bakit? I haven't explained anything yet."
"You don't need to. I don't care if you have an affair or whatever. I just want you to do something for me in exchange for my silence."
"In exchange for your silence?"
"Yup."
"H-ha? Anak, I can't understand."
"Who's your daughter? I want to meet her."
"W-What? It's been years since I have seen her... Why do you want to meet her all of a sudden?"
"What? Is it wrong for me to meet my little sister? I just want to see her and that's all. I won't do anything bad. I'm just longing for a sissy." I smiled.
"Are you sure about that honey?"
"Yeah."
"She's in Bohol,” she said. She's still nervous.
"Her name?"
"Alynna Marie Paredes."
"Oh? So she's an 'Ina' too?”
"Yes. She's Ynna."
"Age?"
"17 years old."
"Kamukha ko ba siya?"
"She has the exact same face as you."
"Perfect." I grinned.
.
.
.
© mharizt
- Writer
