Chapter 1/2
1362 Words
Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao. How this fuckers know me? Shit.. No, I shouldn't let him play my mind. This idiot wants something from me.
Hindi ko pa rin ito nilingon at kalmado pa ring nakatayo ilang kilometro sa kaniya. I feel like everyone is back to their life. Umingaw muli ang Casino ngunit para sa akin ay tahimik ang parte kung saan kami nakatayo ngayon.
"What do you want from me?"
Biglang katahimikan ang namayani bago ko marinig ang kaniyang sinabi.
"Be part of my team."
I raised an eyebrow. "Team?"
"Yes, I am a producer. Well, not as famous as you are, but I've handled many films, and most of them turn out to be hits every year."
"Oh, you want me to be an assistant or something?"
He laughed. "No, You're more special than that. How about a coordinator?"
I furrowed my brow.
"Exactly! That's true. I mean, you're basically a coordinator—a highly devoted one, am I right?"
Tumahimik ako saglit, iniisip ang mga sinabi niya. So, he did know me. I'm currently a coordinator and I work with my hired team. We travel around the world kung sino ang mag ha-hire sa amin.
"You seem hesitant. Let me make it more interesting," he added, a sly smile playing on his lips. "I can offer you a deal. A deal that will benefit both of us."
I turned my face and I only saw a tall guy in his middle forties, wearing some checkered sleeveless and a sun glasses. His two hands slid in his pocket.
"Let's say, you work for me, and in return, I can provide you with exclusive access to the best casinos, insider information, and deals you've never imagined. Imagine the possibilities."
Napakunot-noo ako. Exclusive access to the best casinos? That's tempting. Pero paano kung may kapalit na hindi ko kayang ibigay?
"What's the catch?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
He chuckled. "Simple. Be my secret weapon. Help me succeed in the film industry, and I'll make sure you're living the high life in the world of casinos. You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours."
Nag-isip ako ng mabuti. Siguradong may kahinaan itong si Mr. Film Producer na hindi niya kayang ayusin kaya niya kailangan ang tulong ko.
"And why should I trust you?" I challenged, crossing my arms.
"Trust is earned, Poker Ace. I'm willing to give you a taste of what I can offer. Consider it a trial period. You help me with one project, and if you're not satisfied, you're free to go back to your old life."
Tumango ako ng bahagya. It seemed like a win-win situation, but I still felt a nagging doubt. Hindi ko pa alam kung ito ay mabuti o masama.
"Give me time to think about it. I'll contact you if I decide to accept your offer," I finally said, breaking the intense gaze between us.
He smiled, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Fair enough. I look forward to your decision, Poker face."
Without waiting for my reply, he turned and walked away. Hinayaan ko na lang siyang umalis, nag-iisip pa rin kung ito ba ang tamang hakbang para sa’kin.
As I stood there, pondering the offer, I realized that this might be the twist in my story that I never expected. Isang tukso na mahirap tanggihan, ngunit isang tukso rin na maaaring magdala ng mga pagbabago sa buhay ko.
*****
I walked down the way towards the Company production I was working in the past few months. When I started this Job, isang hamak lamang akong body doubles but now I'm one of the best stunt coordinator/ choreographer when it comes to the fighting scene.
Coordinators like me are responsible for planning and overseeing all stunt and action-related elements in a production. This role typically involves a combination of choreographing fight scenes, ensuring safety protocols, collaborating with the director, training actors, and coordinating with various departments to seamlessly integrate action sequences into the overall project.
But I'm not stuck in this country, I'm also traveling to other countries to get my job done and New York is the last country I will working before I go to Philippines. And that producer guy is asking me to become a stunt coordinator for the upcoming series they will create. Sabi niya pa ay hindi naman raw ako mabobored sa pagtuturo dahil hindi lang Pinoy ang makakatrabo ko, kumuha siya ng mga iba't ibang artista internationally including the famous actress Karenza Brunette.
I thought he was just lying but I ask Karenza personally and she said that she really has a project like that next month.
And yeah, I will be working for them for one year! And after that, he will let me do whatever I will do. It's not like I'm afraid to show my real identity to anyone but I can't create an uproar just because I'm a gambler. I want to play in silent and his offer is not bad. Malaya na akong makakapasok sa iba't ibang casino and I will make sure that I will enter to the exclusive casino in Macau. Hindi kasi ako makapasok roon.
I do have a team here but they can't be with me in the Philippines because hindi ko pa alam kung kailan ako babalik. It's a choice that I didn't know when I will be back.
"Good morning, Laci!" I just nodded at one of the staff here.
"Hey, don't kill me with your dead look Laci, it's morning!" Isa pang lalaking staff na naging close na rin rito. I just stared at him. Tumawa lang siya dahil sa wala akong reaksiyon. "Great! You have your usual b***h face." Biro niya pang dagdag.
Having a b***h face is my signature expression. Akala nila ay lagi akong galit at pinapatay sila sa utak ko pero wala naman akong iniisip other than my work. Lalo na sa mga mata ko, like I'm always glaring at someone when I don't even care about them.
"Hey, director.." I wave my hand and that's when my team rushing towards me. The director was just nodding. My team consists of 6 members. Four girls and two boys and we traveled together for two years now.
"Are you really going back to Philippines? What about us?" Mukha silang mga asong nagpapacute sa harap ko.
"Stay here and finish your job." I said calmly and put my bagpack on the seat.
Sabay silang napabagsak ng balikat at ngumuso. "It's hard without you, Lac.." sabi ni Hayden. He is holding some papers.
"Lenox is with you, people.. He maybe a gullible person but he is great handling with the team," Hindi pa rin nag iiba ang expresyon nila. I sighed." Don't worry, before I go let's celebrate for my departure. I will come back here after a year. We can still see each other."
Hayden looked at me with a pout. "A year is too long, Lac. We'll miss you."
Lenox, who was listening attentively, chimed in. "Yeah, Laci. Who will keep us in line without your 'b***h face' around?"
I smirked at Lenox's comment. "You'll survive. And you better behave, or I'll come back and give you a real reason to miss me."
The girls in the team, Sunshine and Angel exchanged glances. "Laci, we're going to throw you a farewell party. You can't escape that," Angel declared.
I raised an eyebrow. "A party? You know I'm not a fan of those."
She grinned, "Well, tough luck. It's happening, whether you like it or not."
"Laci, the team has been doing great under your coordination. We'll miss having you around." Sabat ni Director. Sa lahat ng nakatrabaho ko, siya ang naging close ko.
I nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Director. I've enjoyed working with everyone here. Keep up the good work, and I'll be back before you know it."
Hayden handed me the papers he was holding earlier. "Here are the details for the next few scenes. We'll make sure everything runs smoothly even in your absence."
"Thanks, Hayden. I trust you all to handle it well. And don't forget to keep Lenox in check," I teased, earning a playful glare from Lenox.
- Writer
