Kabanata 3

“Beautiful, Kiara! Just like that! Give me that fierce gaze!”

Ang sunod-sunod na tunog ng shutter ng camera at ang nakasisilaw na flash ng mga ilaw ang pumuno sa buong studio rito sa Paris. I tilted my chin up, giving the French photographer a cold, sophisticated stare that had become my trademark across the fashion capitals of the world. 

I was wearing a stunning, emerald green silk gown from a top luxury designer that hugged my curves perfectly, paired with diamonds that caught the light with every small movement I made.

It's been five years. Five long years have passed since I left the Philippines with nothing but a broken heart and a secret inside my womb.

Ni hindi na nalaman ni Elesio na buntis ako. Pagkarinig ko sa boses ng babae niya, I immediately know I will left the country.

At sinong mag-aakala na magiging sikat at high paid akong model with my disposition when I left the Philippines?

I was very pregnant and heart broken. I could imagine living a simple and private life, hiding from Eliseo but I just did the opposite.

Ang mukhang ko ay makikita sa mga naglalakihang billboard sa New York, Milan, at Tokyo, at sa cover ng mga prestihiyosong fashion magazines sa buong mundo.

Nang iwan ako ni Eliseo, I was too betrayed and too shattered. But I refused to let him destroy me. Paano ko siya pagsisissihin sa ginawa niya sa akin kung makikita niyang lugmok ako sa lungkot at hindi maka move on sa kanya? 

That's why I left the country. I worked hard. I practiced my walks, built my brand from scratch, and endured sleepless nights in a foreign land until the name Kiara Cervantes became synonymous with global elegance and luxury.

“And... we’re done! Magnifique, Kiara! Perfect shot!” malakas na anunsyo ng photographer.

Agad na lumapit sa akin ang glam team ko para asikasuhin ako. My international manager, Peter, walked toward me holding a clipboard and a massive bouquet of red roses.

“Grabe ka talaga, girl! Worldwide ang ganda mo ngayon, umaapaw ang endorsement!” natutuwang sabi ni Peter sabay abot sa akin ng bouquet. “Anyway, galing ulit kay Billionaire Lorenzo galing Italy. Pang-limang bouquet na niya ito ngayong linggo. May kasama pang expensive necklace sa loob ng box.”

I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. “Ibalik mo iyan, Peter. I don’t accept jewelry from them.”

“Sabi ko nga. Eh paano naman itong galing sa French hotel mogul? Susi ng isang penthouse malapit sa Eiffel Tower, pinapabigay niya.”

Umismid ako. “I can buy my own property. Isoli mo rin.”

That is what my life looks like every day. Because of my global success, hindi na nabibilang ang mga mayayaman, sikat, at makapangyarihang dayuhan na nagtatangkang makuha ang atensyon ko. Desperado silang lahat na pasayahin ako, nag-uunahan sa pagpapadala ng mga mamahaling regalo…designer bags, limited edition na sapatos, hanggang sa mga luhang hindi ko naman kailangan.

But because of my experience with Elesio, my heart remained cold and untouchable. For five years, no man has ever gotten close to me. Ginamit ko na ang lahat ng luha ko noon kay Eliseo, at isinumpa ko sa sarili ko na hinding-hindi na muli ako magpapaloko sa kahit na sino. Especially that vile man Eliseo De Alba.

Nang matapos akong magpalit ng simpleng white button-down shirt at tailored trousers, nagmamadali akong lumabas ng studio. I didn't care about the after-party or the elite suitors waiting outside. I just wanted to go home to my son.

The drive back to my luxury apartment was quiet. Pagkapasok ko pa lang sa pinto ng unit ko, agad kong naramdaman ang kapayapaan na matagal kong hinangad malayo sa Pilipinas. I kicked off my heels and dropped my designer bag on the couch.

“Mommy!”

Isang masiglang tinig ang bumasag sa katahimikan ng gabi. Agad na sumilay ang totoong ngiti sa aking mga labi.

My four years old son ran to me. Agad ko siyang sinalubong at binuhat. I closed my eyes as I smelled his familiar scent. 

“Hey, my little prince. Did you miss Mommy?” malambing kong tanong at saka siya hinahalikan ang kanyang pisngi.

“Yes, Mommy! I watched your runway show on TV earlier. You look so pretty!” he giggled, wrapping his small arms around my neck.

Nang ibaba ko siya, nagtagal ang titig ko sa anak ko. I love my son with all my life. It's just that he looked so much like Eliseo.

The man I hated the most. My enemy!

It's just ironic how I love this little one and hate someone he looks like.

He was four years old now. And as he grew older, his features became even more sharper…mas lalo pa niyang nagiging kumukuha. 

He inherited his father's thick, dark brows and those piercing, almond-shaped eyes that could effortlessly command a room. Maging ang hugis ng kanyang ilong at ang paraan ng pagkurba ng kanyang labi kapag ngumingiti…lahat nakuha niya kay Eliseo. It was a cruel play of fate. 

Kung sana ako ang naging kamukha ng anak ko.

“Have you eaten your dinner, Kian?” I asked softly.

He nodded dynamically, his eyes shining with pure innocence. “Yes, Mommy. Nanny helped me.”

I smiled and caressed his hair. 

“Mommy will just take a bath, okay? I will go to your room after.” 

Tumango siya at saka tumakbo sa living area. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang ginagawa niya kanina.

Pagod din akong tumuloy sa kwarto ko. Nagugutom ako pero wala akong gana kaya tumuloy na ako sa bathroom para maligo. 

I took my time. The warm water calmed my stiff and tired body. Halos wala na akong pahinga ngayon araw sa sunod-sunod kong schedule.

Minsan, gusto ko nalang tumigil ang mundo at bigyan ako ng ilang araw para magpahinga.

But who am I kidding. 

Isa ako sa mga sikat na modelo. I won't get enough rest because I will always have endorsements and other offers. And if I want to remain on top, I shouldn't be lazy.

Magaan ang pakiramdam ko ng lumabas ako ng bathroom. Pero bumungad din sa akin ang nagri-ring kong cellphone.

Nanliit ang mata ko dahil akala ko, ang manager ko ang tumawag. Kakauwi ko lang!

Pero nang makita kong si mama lang pala, sinagot ko.

“Mama, napatawag ka?” 

“Kiara, you have to go back to the Philippines.”

There's no way in hell I would go back to the Philippines! 

…