“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, want to ride on my jetski?”
I instantly turned to Manager Smith, “Why is he here?”
I just saw him last night!
“He will be your partner.”
I blinked, “What? No way!”
“Oh yes, way. I sponsored that shoot after all.”
Manager Smith nodded, “It’s the Sillas company.”
I gritted my teeth, “You didn’t tell me anything earlier.”
He smiled sheepishly, “I knew you would bail out... and I forgot.”
We went to the next location, the Sillas company. It turns out they have a new building here, and Ajax toured us around.
A man came to him and bowed, “Sir, your schedule for today-“
“Cancel it.” Ajax instantly said. His tone was cold and rather harsh, much different from the one he uses when he talks to me.
The man, who looked like his assistant, shrugged, “But the investors-“
“I’ll handle them later. They are not important.”
Ajax then turned to me, “This way, my love.”
We went inside a room where all the equipment for the shoot was.
They gave me a sports suit and tied my hair in a ponytail while Ajax was matched with my sports suit.
He then went beside me and we started the shoot.
He then leaned toward me. The first half was okay, but the next was weird.
“Okay, lean on him, Ellaine! You have to look at his eyes!” said the photographer.
I did as he told me and spotted the small smile on Ajax’s face. “You are purposely doing it, aren’t you?” I whispered.
“Doing what?” he asked, feigning innocence.
“All this. Sponsoring us and having me as your partner.”
He smirked at me, “This is all business, my love.”
“Stop talking you two! Lean your heads closer like you are kissing!” The photographer said in frustration and I glanced at Manager Smith who just shrugged.
I gnawed on my teeth and didn’t have a choice but to lean closer to him.
“Be professional, Ellaine. This is all work. No need to get awkward on me.” He said, his hands on my shoulder now.
“How about you shut up? Who said I am awkward?” I instantly pushed his head closer to me and we were only inches away. I could feel his breath fanning my face now.
He gulped. His eyes stared at my lips.
“Good shot! Stay there!”
I smirked at him, “Who is awkward now?”
We stayed like that, pushing each other’s limits until we were finished.
Ajax turned to me, “Do you have free time?”
“No.” I instantly said without thinking, and Manager Smith raised an eyebrow at me.
“Uhm..you don’t have an a-“
I pushed my manager’s face.
Ajax chuckled, “Can you... tour me around here? I’m new to this country.”
I stared at him deadpan. “I’m a model, not a tour guide, Ajax. Go find yourself your own tour guide.”
He paused, mesmerized, “Can you say that again?”
I cocked an eyebrow, “Say what?”
“My name.”
“Ajax?”
His cheeks flushed, and he had this stupid smile on face now.
“Why?” I asked.
“Nothing. My name sounds nice when you say it.”
“Then I won’t call you by your name.”
Instead of getting disappointed, his eyes were sparkling with interest, “Oh, with what now? Like an endearment? Oh c’mon, aren’t we rushing things?”
Is this man crazy?
He’s meaning a different thing.
“What?”
He thought for a while and smirked, “How about my love?”
“No-“
“Then babe?” he continued.
“Can you stop-“
“Oh, how about it, darling?”
I sighed. That’s it. My last straw in dealing with this man was, “Ajax, fine. I’ll call you with your name.”
He nodded, “Alright, that’s negotiable. Endearments can be made later.”
“There is no later. This will be the last time I see you.”
“Last time? But what about touring me? I don’t have a tour guide.”
I scoffed, he’s too clingy! and a bit obsessive! Not my type! “Tsk, if I know, that’s just your move to be with me.”
He then pinned me to the wall, “Yes. It is. It’s just because I can’t get enough of your beautiful face.”
I turned away from him, seeing other staff looking at him.
“Drop your hand.”
“Agree to be my tour guide first,” he said stubbornly.
“Go ask your other women.”
He shrugged, “I don’t have any.”
I scoffed at him, “Liar.”
He leaned in and mumbled, “Then I’ll prove it. I would like to court you.”
I creased my eyebrows at him. He’s rushing a bit... isn’t he? “Court me?”
He nodded, his eyes filled with determination, “Yes. I heard it's part of your culture.”
Did he research a bit about the Philippines? That’s a bit good.
His flirty tone turned serious now, “My stay here is only for three months. I want to spend my time with you while I’m here.” He said,
“After that, I’ll disappear from you.”
I contemplated for a moment, wondering if this man was scamming me.
I’m maybe making a decision I’ll regret.
Or make a deal with the devil.
My mouth instantly answered without thinking deeply, “Fine.”
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
As we walked, I looked around. I’m not lying but I’ve been here last year since my schedule was packed. It’s nice to see that the town has improved a lot. Well, other than the few unsafe spots…of course crimes are still happening but it's not that prevalent compared to the past. I spotted a street food stall selling chicken intestines, chicken feet, takoyaki, fried banana, egg waffles, and balut which is a duck egg. There was also some refreshing juice like coconut, pandan, mango, and avocado. I gulped, suddenly craving all of the food. “You want to eat there? Let’s go.” Ajax grabbed my hand as he guided me there. It was a bit packed as there was a lot of buying and I managed to squeeze in. It’s thanks to my height that I was able to insert myself into the crowd. “Miss? Can I buy some chicken feet and…” my voice seemed to drown
I didn’t have any choice but to do as he wanted. I went into the fitting room to change and when I returned, Ajax was already paying a the counter, along with the other souvenir keychains, pins, and all random stuff. And he bought about a hundred. “you bought a lot.” “I’ll be giving this to my family, my workers.” I didn’t know he would be so thoughtful. “We have somewhere to go to right? I; 'll h=just have them deliver m orders.” “You know you could save more money if you bought t another store. this shop isrippingg your money.” “Don’t worry, I have a lot. And think of it as my way of helping this store.” We then walked hand in hand. I pushed his hand away but he was persistent. “Hold me, I might get lost.” I didn’t have any choice