He had a bit of an accent while speaking English. I furrowed my eyebrows, “Later?”
“I am in the Philippines also now for a shoot.” He answered, and I gulped.
Whatever it is, this must not be true, “No, thank you. I’m assuming this is a fraud. So nope, I’m not going to be up for your shenanigans.”
The voice chuckled, “Uhm... this is filmed internationally. You’re humiliating me.”
I just had a bad day and this is pushing me off. internationally? So who cares? This must still be a scam!
“Do you not watch a television show? Turn your television on and go to channel 12.”
I did as he said, and soon enough, I saw that there really was a reality show!
Oh goodness. My career…
There was a woman and a man host there, and seated in front of them was a handsome man.
The camera zoomed in and the man winked.
I gulped. He looked cute, and I turned him down. He looked tall, dark, and handsome.
He has a sharp jaw and chocolate hair and clean-cut hair jelled in a neat style.
I shook my head no. This is not the time to think about that. Noah is handsome too, yet he cheated. For all we know, that man is a player two.
I mean, who calls someone randomly for a “dare”? And it is broadcast live! That is suspicious enough!
Now panicking, I instantly turned off my phone.
Soon enough, I could hear Manager Smith’s phone call.
“Ellaina! You’re a model! You should have acted nicely!” That was the first thing I heard from him, “I let you rest, but you’re destroying your career! Don’t you even know who that guy was?”
“Who?”
“It’s Ajax, the Spanish actor and the CEO of Sillas Corp!” He said.
I sighed. To hell with that CEO. I am not familiar with his name.
I don’t even care. “I just got through the divorce. I don't want another man to ruin my life again, Manager Smith.”
He sighed, “I know you are in pain now and angry, I understand that dear, but you should know you are in the modeling industry.” He lifted my chin and clasped my cheek, “Get it together, sis! That man is a big time! You know he got here in the Philippines just to be on that show. We’re definitely gonna be busy with the press with how you acted!” He said, “And don’t let me save you again once rumors start!”
“Fine. We’ll sort it out.” I said, and hung up on him.
I muttered a curse.
Just then, the doorbell rang, and I looked out the eyehole to see my mother outside.
I bit my lip. Here we go again.
As soon as I opened the door, she stormed inside my room, “You are viral again. You should not have divorced Noah.”
I closed the door, “It’s my choice.”
“Alright. Fine. work hard to provide for us. But there will be a time that your pride won’t save you just because he cheated. You should have endured it as I did to your father.”
I raised my eyebrows. She would always invalidate my feelings like this.
How toxic.
“I’m not a saint like you, mom.”
I let her leave first and took a nap. My phone was blowing up with notifications, but I ignored them.
I need to maintain my mental state.
**
Wearing my two-piece bikini, I went to the poolside to unwind from
Today’s events.
I asked for my usual tequila drink and sat on the stool first.
He then gave me wine and I paused, “I didn’t order again.”
He pointed at the man far from me, “It's from him.”
I looked at the man who had shades and waved at me.
Tsk. Another man.
“Then I refuse to drink that,” I said and watched as the man approached me.
“Hey miss, I see you alone there. Do you mind me sitting with you?”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Why? You refused to drink the wine I gave you.”
“I’m alone for a reason. So stop bothering me.”
He removed his shades and raised his eyebrows, “Oh, aren’t you the model who just got divorced? Your career is going down, let me help you.”
I raised my eyebrows at his snide comment but remembered Manager Smith’s reminder.
Goodness. I have to stay nice. For my reputation.
For my career.
I was about to drop it off when another man went to us, “She said no. Back off.”
The man snorted, “And you are?”
“I’m her boyfriend.”
He has shades too so I can’t recognize him but his build is familiar.
The man grunted in response before leaving us alone.
I faced the man who protected me, “Do I know you?”
“Oh, you do.” He said confidently and removed his shades. “The one you rejected at the reality show.”
I gasped. I don’t really remember his name but I’m not mistaken… it Ajax? The Spanish actor?
“Oh…” I trailed off. “You?”
“Yes me. I came to say hi.”
“Did you stalk me here?” I asked him.
He blinked, “Are you calling me a stalker, Ellaina?”
I looked at him suspiciously. How else would he be here? He’s an A-list, he should be at a five-star hotel…why here with me?
He said something like having a crush on me right? No way, he must have done it purposely.
“Earlier this morning, I was looking for you to pay for the damage I caused.” He said, “And I want to apologize. I’m sure you must have been hurt. I wanted to take you to the hospital to get you checked but you were rushing-“
I instantly cut his sentence off, “So you were the man who bumped into my motorbike?”
He nodded.
I gritted my teeth. Damn.
“You were not letting me pay so I guess I’ll have to pay another way.”
“What is it?”
He then grabbed an envelope from his suit and handed it to me, “I’ll invite you to my welcoming party.”
I grabbed his envelope. What? It’s too formal. Is he royalty or something?
Written in the envelope were the time and date, along with her name written in cursive.
7pm. At the Diners.
Ms. Ellaina Xzania Ramirez.
I turned back to him to see him as he winked at me, “I can’t miss out on my model crush. Be sure to come.”
Manager Smith had been looking at me, taping at his foot as he pointed his eyeglasses at me. “So?” I looked at him innocently, “What?” He breathed, “Ellaina! Go prepare for that party!” I averted my eyes to the ground, not listening to him, “I have a shoot.” It's a good thing I can get along well with Manager Smith because this is the nicest he can be and he can only be like that around me. “You don’t have a shoot scheduled. I rescheduled it.” He said, “And I covered up the rumors about yesterday. The least you can do is pay me back by attending that party.” He said, grabbing a fitted backless dress from my closet, “And Ellaina? Rock that party.” Give it to Manager Smith for being both her mom and her best friend. He’s too serious for his job but also protective as her best friend. Staring at him for a long time, I sighed, “Alright. I’ll show up but just for you.” His serious face instantly turned into a grin as he brightened up, “You can flirt with him.” I stuck my to
“Okay, nice! You are doing great, sweetie. You are on fire today!” said my photographer, Liam, as I posed for him. I added more emotion and perfected my poses all these years. Of course, I would do great. Plus I have to make it up for the past few hectic days. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my job, and I’m taking it seriously. We were shooting on one of the famous beaches in the province that we rented. I’m in my fifth bikini now, and I lay on the sand, showing my signature fierce look. “Okay, take a rest,” said Manager Smith as he offered a water bottle to me, “Ellaina dear, I want to tell you something. You see, this is a sponsored magazine cover. You will have a partner in the car shoot.” I nodded, “Who?” Manager Smith wasn’t able to finish as a loud roaring of an engine came from the sea, and I turned to see a man jetskiing. The man stopped and hopped into the sand. I froze when I saw his face. Ajax. Him again. He removed his sunglasses and asked me, “Hi Ellaina,
Ajax held out his hand for me, “Then, now that you agreed, let me have your number.”I paused, “Huh? You can ask for that from my manager.”Ajax glanced at Manager Smith and chuckled, “Yes, I know. But it would be rude of me to just ask him. I want to personally ask you so you’ll be informed.”Wow, rude? He’s only thought of being considerate now when he just got in her life like a tornado? I just shrugged, “Alright.”I then typed in his phone number, and he had a lopsided grin on his face.“Then I’ll call you later.” He winked, waving goodbye.I could feel someone looking at me and I looked at Manager Smith who was smirking at me now.I raised my eyebrows, and he came closer to me.“I can see that smile. Have you seen your photos together? You look cute.” I blinked. Give it to Manager Smith for being the most random manager. He’s now shipping me with anyone.“I gotta go now. I’ll go home now.” He nodded and I went to grab my belongings, and my model shoot bag before walking to the
Good morning. What a great day today is. I woke up with the sun rising, and I couldn't help but think of you. P.S. You remind me of the daisy flowers blooming in a sunrise. Your sun I blinked, seeing the message notification on my phone as early as the morning. I reread it, knowing damn well who it was without seeing the number. Who else would dare to text me something as cliche as this? No one. No one but Ajax. I do not know him well enough, but based on his approaches to me, he would say this. I do not know him well enough, but based on his approaches to me, he would say this. I didn't bother to reply. I prepared for my day, took a shower, and prepared my favorite avocado bread toast and my morning milkshake. Have to stay healthy to maintain my body after all. What does a girl have to do to keep her job and not become jobless? I grabbed my earphones and listened to my favorite playlist with my workout pairs, water bottle, and a bag filled with a change of clothes.
And a tall foreigner-looking man, about 6’2 inch walked toward us. Ajax was taller, but the loud man approached us. He had brown hair and brown eyes and his tanned skin was glowing. He had a fit and muscular body, almost the same stature as Ajax. "Ajax! Man, Why are you here? It’s the first time I've seen you working out in here!” He chuckled. Ajax’s mood suddenly changed and his face formed into a scowl, "You know, Phoenix; you need to shut your mouth sometimes.” "That’s harsh. You were not answering our calls when we invited you to hang out. You didn’t even tell us you were going here in the Philippines, man.” “Right Eion?” The man called Phoenix asked and another man appeared with an expressionless face. He had raven hair and dark green eyes and was taller than the man named Phoenix. The man named Eion nodded. Another one appeared and greeted Ajax, “Ajax, you’re here? You didn’t tell us, man!” The three men suddenly swarmed in, blaming Ajax for ghosting them and I stood b
“You don’t have to do that,” I said. “And since I promised to be your tour guide, then just…wait for me by your car.” He scowled at that, “You don’t want to appear in public with me?” I just crossed my arms in front of me, “People assume things. I am sure that you know how it works in the entertainment industry.” “Alright. I’ll Keep that in mind.” He said, feeling sorry. “I didn’t mean to ruin your career. I know how much you're worked hard for it…But let me at least take you out for lunch.” He offered and as much as I wanted to refuse, he was giving me a sad look, his eyes were puppy eyes and his lips were pouting. I rolled my eyes, “Fine.” I ended up saying yes to him as his smile grew larger. “Just one lunch out okay? I can’t risk getting seen by the public with a male ever again.” He nodded, “Yes, I won’t ask again.” Ajax the offered to carry my gym bag and guided me to the parking lot where his gray sub, a latest edition was parked. A few men in suits were in the
Leah glanced at me and she nodded excitedly, happy that she get to have a conversation with him, “Uhm…yes..” Ajax’s jaw clenched at that, “I know you are not close with her so don’t push yourself. I’m warning you.” I blinked at that, my eyes instanlty snapping to Ajax who was dead serious. Leah on the other hand seemed too shocked to even react. It took her a few seconds to process it before clearing her throat, “Uhm..excuse me?” Ajax raised his eyebrows, “Yes?” She gulped, “You’re rude. I am just trying to-” “You’re wasting every second I get to have a date with Ellaina.” Ajax said firmly, his tone saying he does not really want to tolerate Leah any further. “Don’t bother finishing your sentence. Leave.” And watching Ajax defend me like that made my heart skip a beat. No, wait a minute…no….just no, Ellaina. You are just getting yourself in trouble. Leah, who was too stunned to reply now, glanced at me as if asking for my help. I shrugged, “You heard him. Leave us alone.”
I wasn’t even finished saying that as he was quick to maneuver the car. He was humming a tune happily. “No, no, I won’t let you change your mind! Let’s go now!” He exclaimed and I chuckled at his enthusiasm. Silence soon followed but I could feel his stares at me. “So? Where are you taking me?” He asked after a while of driving in silence. I just shrugged, “Just somewhere.” He nodded, “I see you like keeping it a secret. That makes me more excited.” I raised my eyebrows, suddenly having an idea in my head. Oh no, Ellaina, your mischievousness is kicking in… “Just turn right in that alley.” I pointed and he did as I ordered him to. I could see that we finally lost the media and we were going to the place I was familiar with... This was where we used to live when we were still not having enough. This is where