Careless Whisper

10 - Bridegroom & Bride

Samantha's POV

Have you ever felt like you were just one step away from your goal?

I've never seen myself falling from the stairs of success and climbing up again, but with each climb, the steps seem a bit higher, a bit more challenging.

And at the top, there are three doors, each leading to a different outcome. One to darkness, one to blinding light, and one to another path.

Believe it or not, I chose the third one: the door that would lead me to another path, unsure of where I would go, when I would reach the end, or what would happen to me.

"You have the face of a model; you're perfect for the job. Please consider my words," I begged, pouting and acting as I pleaded with Jezreel to be the model for my hotel's advertisement.

She was sitting on the couch with her legs spread wide, elbows resting on it while she massaged her temples.

I could sense her irritation, but I kept pleading. I had no one else to ask. I tried So-yeon, but she rejected me. "Unnie, my pretty face isn't for advertisements. I deserve something else." I needed her to say yes; I was running out of people to ask.

"Pumayag ka na, Jez. Hindi ka ba naaawa kay madame, kanina pa siyang nakaluhod." My knees were starting to hurt, but I kept on pleading. I'd never done this before, not to anyone, just to Jezreel.

"I didn't ask her to kneel. I'm going to say yes even if she didn't beg." She straightened her back and offered me a hand, which I took with delight. Her answer made me jump with excitement. I hugged her tight and kept saying thank you, as if she had just given me a fortune.

"You are a life-saver. Oh! Can you please accept me on f*******:-"

"You're asking too much, Madame... and don't hug me like that." She cut me off, gently pushing me aside with a slight blush visible on her face while she turned her head away. Her thumb and index finger played with the pendant of her necklace.

"I'm sorry, I forgot you have a girlfriend." With a mocking tone, I teased her. She looked at me with piercing eyes.

"I don't have a girlfriend" shw retorted coldly.

"Okay, I believe you." Raising my hand, I acted like I surrendered. Who wouldn't? Those eyes stared at me intensely while her face showed embarrassment with those reddened cheeks.

Cute.

After we wrapped up our meeting while eating dinner, I went straight to my room to rest. However, it didn't go as planned when Manang Ticia asked for a movie marathon. As much as

I wanted to say no, I couldn't. So, I let them stay in my room and spend almost all night watching various movies.

Most were Filipino films that I couldn't understand, some were American films, which are really not my type.

Before I knew it, it was already midnight, and we were still watching. As of now, they're watching "Fifty Shades of Grey," and I tried my hardest not to fall asleep.

My eyes and mind kept failing me as darkness attempted to take over. My dizziness made it a lot harder to hold on.

"I'm going to grab some banana milk. Please excuse me." Walking out of the room, I went to the kitchen and grabbed the beverage.

I was pouring it into a glass when my eyes closed on their own without my notice, and I stumbled, awakening me for a few seconds. Seeing the milk spilled all over the floor and sink, I grabbed a napkin and tried wiping it.

"Kung inaantok kana, sabihin mo lang sa kanila. Hindi yung nagpapanggap ka pang kaya mo pa." A deep voice of a woman bounced in each wall and perks my ears up. Noticing a pair of yellow slippers in front of me, I looked up and Jezreel came to my view, wearing a white tank top and yellow jogger.

I watched as she squatted and grabbed the napkin from my hand, finishing the job of wiping up the spilled milk.

We were so close that I noticed her eyes were red, along with her nose and cheeks. She was breathing a little hard and kept blinking.

"If you can't say no, then tell me, and I'll ask them myself," she said, her shaking hand noticeable as she tossed the napkin into the trashcan.

She grabbed another bottle of banana milk, poured it into my glass, and handed it to me. Then she walked away, disappearing into the dark hallway that led to the living room, leaving me stunned and confused.

Walking back to my room, I caught sight of the couple making out. It wasn't surprising, given the intimate scene playing on the movie screen. Feeling awkward and uneasy, I walked away and headed straight to Jezreel's room. I knocked twice and waited for her to open the door.

It took a minute before the door slowly opened. She peeked her head out and looked at me with furrowed eyebrows. My face flushed immediately when a moan echoed through almost every corner of my villa.

"Come in," she said, opening the door wide to let me in. I was greeted by a vanilla scent and the coolness of her room. The walls were plain white but adorned with posters of sunsets, sunrises, and rainbows.

There was a desk in the right corner with various types of Rubik's cubes, her laptop, a small lampshade, her phone, and a few papers. On the other side, there was a bookshelf stuffed with books. The ceiling was covered with strip lights that looked like glowing lines of cracks.

"You can either sleep on the floor or beside me. It's my room, so obviously, I'll get the bed," she said, as I had anticipated.

Not wanting to sleep on the floor, I lay down beside her. Holding my breath, I faced the other side, feeling my heart race.

"Don't turn your back on me. I hate it."

I hate it too, but I'm not complaining!!

I carefully turned to face her, feeling my heart nearly explode in my chest. Our faces were mere inches apart, with her eyes closed and mine wide open.

"Breathe, I'm not going to eat you," she said, somehow sensing my nervousness.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Ignoring the fact that we were so close, I closed my eyes and tried to relax, only to be startled when she wrapped an arm around me and pulled me closer.

She buried my face in her neck, her arms wrapped tightly around me as if she never wanted to let me go. I was so close to her that I could smell the sweet scent of vanilla emanating from her.

"What are you doing-" I started to ask, but she cut me off.

"Stay... Stay with me," her voice cracked with emotion. I wanted to look at her, but she held me even closer, her silent sniffles filling the air. I decided not to press for answers and instead focused on comforting her.

"Jezreel," I said softly.

"Hhmm?" Her soft hum made my heart race.

"You're safe with me," I reassured her. I embraced her back, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. She was trembling slightly, and I could sense her distress. Uncertain of what was happening, I decided to simply go with the moment.

"Ate Sam is here with you. You're safe," I whispered softly, feeling a pang of sadness at seeing her in this vulnerable state. I preferred her moody demeanor to seeing her break down like this. I could feel the rapid beating of her heart, the shaky breaths she took, and the trembling of her body.

It was a strange sensation, feeling her arms around me and her comforting words in my ear. It was almost like my body was reacting on its own, a response to some deep-seated trauma or anxiety that I had buried long ago. I remembered learning about these subconscious reactions back when I was still studying, but I never thought I would experience it firsthand.

As she held me tight, murmuring reassurances, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. It wasn't about pleasing her or seeking her approval. It was about finding solace in her embrace, allowing myself to let go of the walls I had built up around me.

In that moment, I realized that maybe I had been holding onto too much for too long. Maybe it was time to dig deep, to confront those buried emotions and fears that had been weighing me down. And maybe, just maybe, this unexpected closeness with her was the push I needed to start that journey towards healing and self-discovery.

•••

"Tignan mo ang cute nila!" Natutuwang sambit ni Morticia habang pinagmamasdan ang natutulog na Jezreel katabi ang kanilang Madame. Parehong nakayakap sa isa't isa habang natutulog na para bang ayaw na nilang maghiwalay.

"Saglit, kukunan ko ng picture. 'wag kang maingay, ssshh!" Tugon naman ni Manong Chad na nagmamadaling kumuha ng litrato ng dalawa.

"Ang cute nila, tignan mo naman ang pagyakap ni Jezreel, parang ayaw na niyang bitawan pa si Madame... Ibang iba sa inaasal niya kapag gising siya."

•••

"I assume that you are her boss... It's an honor to finally get to know you, Ms Baek."

"Likewise, Ms. Arifies." Surprisingly, the woman I've been toying with Jezreel is Mr. Arifies' daughter. We're currently at a picture studio, where Jezreel is doing a photoshoot.

Her beauty spotlighted the overcrowded room filled with models. She was wearing a white blazer with a yellow vest and white sleeve underneath, her trouser was white and so were her shoes. Her hair was down and curled a bit that emphasizes her dazzling face.

The camera kept flashing but her eyes remained open, heck, she's not blinking.

She's gorgeous.

"Okay... time to change clothes!" screamed the manager, as the models went, leaving the staff more engaged. I looked at the photos they took while they let me. I was so taken with my caretaker's attractiveness that I didn't know I was being summoned by the staff. They asked if I could have another model match up with Jezreel.

However, I did not have one, so they pushed that I take the part, which I consented to. When I entered the changing room, I was told I had to wear a bridal gown, specifically a tube wedding gown.

I was lost, but I wore it anyhow. When I stepped out of the room, my breath was taken away by Jezreel, who was dressed in a white tuxedo with a black bowtie.

"Where's the bride-" the room went silent, and I heard gasps from the staff, bringing me back to reality.

Despite the fact that I was too hesitant to approach her, I let my feet pull me closer. We come to a halt immediately in front, never breaking eye contact, which weakens my knees.

"You look magnificent..." I said as lights flashed across my peripheral vision. She was both lovely and handsome, and I was unsure if I looked okay with her.

She had been so impeccable that I questioned whether I was still considered one of God's creations.

"You look... Champagne." Her remarks stuck with me, but the staff's words snapped us back into reality, and we began posing. We were urged to approach near, which we did, and her hands on my waist make my blood run cold.

For a particular reason, my heart pounded harder, my gaze stayed on her, and I anxiously held my breath when she bent down.

I felt the tip of her chin reach my exposed shoulder. Her breath tickled my ears and neck so much that I didn't notice the photographer wheezing in satisfaction.

In that moment, she softly whispered, "Breathe in, breathe out," and I tried my best to follow her guidance.

Her comforting voice brought a sense of calmness to my heart and a lightness to my trembling body.

"Absolutely perfect! These are the ideal groom and bride! I adore it, keep it up! The chemistry between them is palpable!" I'm really enjoying this unusual behavior from her. It's a rare moment that shouldn't be wasted. She's displaying a gentle and approachable demeanor right now.

It was a truly unique experience.

"Perfect! Now, let's move to the couch!" Everything changed for me when a couch was brought in and the photographer explained the next steps.

"So, the bride will lie down with the bridegroom on top, creating an intimate scene. They can kiss and gaze into each other's eyes as if longing for each other's warmth. Is that alright?" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jezreel showing no emotion, which was even more unsettling than if she had been complaining.

I wanted to object, but I couldn't. I didn't want to be in the lower position, but I doubted they would change it.

"You look quite musculine for a woman, so let's make you appear more like a man in this scenario," the photographer remarked.

"No. Why don't we switch it up and have the bridegroom lie on the bottom with the bride on top? We can take a photo from a high angle to capture both of us. To convey intimacy, the bride can pretend to remove the necktie, while the groom can gently hold the bride's nape." Jezreel's unexpected suggestion left us all speechless; her tone was colder than ice, sending shivers through the room.

"Displaying intimacy doesn't always require a kiss. Just because she's wearing a wedding dress doesn't mean she has to be in a submissive position. Masculinity should not define the dynamics of this relationship, don't you agree? Women can assert dominance even over the most masculine men." She paused, her eyes sending invisible daggers to the photographer

"Also, masculinity must be earned, embodying strength and achievement through action. In contrast, femininity requires protection, nurturing its delicate essence from external harm."

None of us dared to speak up. The silence was deafening, almost unbearable for everyone present.

"Yes, of course... We'll follow your direction." And we proceeded as she instructed. As I lay on top of her, I averted my gaze with a flushed face, noticing her exposed collarbone.

"What are you doing? Grab the necktie, hold onto it." I positioned myself on my stomach, using her as support.

I grasped her necktie, feeling her cool fingers wrap around my nape. Resting my head on her shoulder, I nestled my face against the curve of her neck, almost touching her skin with my lips.

I experienced a mix of discomfort in my stomach, a stirring sensation between my legs, and trembling breaths. My body felt hot, and I couldn't shake this intense thirst."

//////////

Jezreel's POV

"That was perfect! Ang pogi mo at ang ganda mo pa! Iba na talaga ang Jezreel." Pagpuri ni Veronica sa akin nang makatapos kami sa photoshoot at maiwan nalang kami sa room kasama ng ibang mga staff habang ang photographer, editor, at si Madame Sam ay nag-uusap sa kabilang room.

"Kalma lang, ako lang 'to" pabiro kong tugon habang nagtatanggal ng necktie dahil kanina pa ako nitong sinasakal.

Nagpatuloy naman ang biruan naming dalawa ni Veronica at habang nag-uusap ay hindi ko maiwasang hindi sumulyap kay Madame.

She's no longer wearing a bridal gown, instead, she's in a V-neck buttoned-down pink cardigan, a black mini skirt, and a pair of black high heels. Her hair is styled in a high ponytail, exposing her neck.

"So, what do you say? Hey, what are you looking at there?"

"Huh?" When I realized I was just staring at Madame, I quickly shifted my gaze and attention to Veronica, who seemed to be looking around as if searching for something.

"Huh?" She looked at me, furrowing her brow. She appeared confused, and so was I.

"Did you say something?" I asked, feeling a bit embarrassed even though I unintentionally didn't listen to her while speaking. She playfully rolled her eyes at me with a giggle.

"I said, do you want to go eat street foods later after my class. It's my treat and with a plot twist para fun." My eyebrow raised once I heard her plan.

Hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa plot twist na iyon but if Veronica says it's fun then it really is. She's the golden retriever between us, after all.

"Ga-"

"Jezreel, let's go home, I'm tired." Bago pa man ako makasagot ay narinig ko na ang pag-tawag sa akin ni Madame Sam, kaagad akong lumingon sa kanyang pwesto at siya'y aking napagmasdan na nag aayos ng gamit sa kanyang shoulder bag.

"Kita nalang tayo mamaya, ihahatid ko lang si ma'am." Sambit ko kay Veronica bago sumunod palabas kasama ni Madame Sam. Pagpasok pa lamang ng kotse ay nagreklamo na siya kung gaano siya kapagod.

After enduring numerous discussions and photo sessions, she is completely depleted and worn out.

She confided in me about her anxiety during interactions, a side of her that I had seldom seen before.

This indicates her success, as I failed to detect her trembling with fear. It seems that's just the nature of those in the business realm - you must exude confidence and a commanding presence.

Nang makauwi na kami ay nagdiretso siya sa kanyang kwarto, ako naman ay nagdiretso sa aking kwarto at nagpalit ng damit.

Nagsuot lamang ako ng brown shirt at black trouser na itinerno ko sa black converse shoes ko.

Halos ipaligo ko rin ang aking perfume dahil sa dami ng spray ko.

Makatapos nga ang ilang oras kong pag iintay ay nakatanggap na ako ng message about sa location na pagkikitaan namin.

Hindi na ako nagpaalam pa sa kung sino at umalis na lamang ng basta. Nang makarating naman ako sa park na sinasabi ni Veronica ay nakita ko siyang napaupo lamang sa bench. Nakasuot ng black sleeveless turtleneck, jeans and high heels.

Nang ako'y kanyang makita ay kumurba ng malawak na ngiti ang kanyang labi.

Ngumiti siya sa akin at sinundan ako ng tingin habang palapit sa kanya. Hindi niya maiwan ang mga pagkaing sa tingin ko ay binili niya.

"Dami naman nito, kakainin natin to lahat?" Legit kasi yung dami, may fishball, Kikiam, kwek-kwek, balut, hotdogs, burger, fries, dynamite, turon, siomai, siopao, at suman.

"I told you... Are you ready for the plottwist?"

"Yeah? Ano ba yun?" Ngumiti siya ng nakakaloko.

"All we have to do is play rock-paper-scissors. Ang matatalo at tatakbo at lilibot sa buong park habang ang mananalo ay kumakain, matatapos lamang kumain ang winner kapag nakabalik na ang loser.

Paulit ulit lang ang game hanggang sa maubos ang pagkain... Game ka ba?"

Luh, pahirap ampota.

"Game."