CHAPTER TWO: The Beginning

Lola Valderrama

I cut the ribbons with a smile on my lips. It was actually the day of the opening of my new exhibit. I heard the applause from those people around me whereas I am surrounded by the press, guests, and some of my negotiators and buyers who excitedly wanted to deal with my artworks where it is now on display inside the exhibit.

"Congratulations, Lola!"

"You really deserved this!"

I am happy for myself because I feel that many people believe and support what I achieved especially for this successful exhibit of mine right now. I thank god and my parents, who gave me this opportunity to continue and support me for having this kind of beautiful gift for me.

I looked at mom who was now standing next to me. "Thank you mom for this opportunity..for everything.." I said and returned a sweet smile.

"It's okay, sweetie. You deserved it. And I was really proud of you, Lola. Even your dad.." I approached and hugged her.

I saw dad behind mom and just followed the two of us.

"Dad! Come here!" I called him. I first let go of mom's hug to approach her and hug her as well.

"I thought you forgot your loving dad.." he said jokingly. I just giggled.

"Of course not. Should I forget to thank a loving and supportive dad of mine?" I said in a frolic way. He chuckled at his response.

"Okay, okay. Enough hugging. Or else, you don't want to see the art gallery inside?" I immediately let go of dad's hug when mom came in. Dad and I looked at him at the same time.

"Then, let's go!" I break the silence. The other guests and press around us were almost just looking at us while the three of us had a moment. So we thought of going inside the museum as well.

When we went inside, mom and dad were immediately greeted by well-known guests and the press to interview them.

I told mom that I would just go around for a while to look at my artwork and she nodded at what I said even dad.

The first art gallery I saw on display was my artwork Gigantic Tree because I like to paint in accordance with creatures of nature, so that's just the way it is with the other ones on display here inside the exhibit.

"Ms. Valderrama right?" I stopped touring as some press came over me.

"Yes. I'm Lola Valderrama." I responded when I was asked by one of the press who was maybe in his thirties.

"By the way, I congratulate you ms. Valderrama for your being a great artist. How do you achieve this?" he asked me while the mics were in front of me and on their phones to record my statement. 

"Actually, anyone can be a famous artist like me. You just have to trust in God, and to yourself that you can make it and you can achieve what I've also achieved. And it will be an astonishing part of your life if you see it to yourself that you made it. What I achieved is your light bringing you inspiration for you to persevere and look forward to what's the beauty of it.."

Yes, I'm so proud of myself and I want to share it and prove to others that they can be successful also as I.

"Excuse me, Can I have an interview with you, ms. Lola Valderrama?" I glanced at the person who spoke and I was surprised when I saw him.

"What!? Looks like you saw a ghost? Is there anything wrong, especially with my beautiful face?" she said while raising her eyebrows, showing how brat she was.

"Laurene!? My goodness! You're here!" I abruptly hugged her. But before she even hugged me, she rolled her eyes and laughed softly.

Really crazy!

Anyway, I miss my best friend too. Yes, she's Laurene Torres. Popular for being a model and a brat friend of mine. Laughing.

Going back to the topic, she has been in the States for almost three months because she is busy modeling there. So as a surprise, she’s here and I didn’t expect her to come because she told me she might not keep going.

She's really crazy.

"Why don't you even call me or inform me that you'll be going here?" I paused. 

"For Pete's sake! You really still don't change. I miss you girl!" I almost burst out laughing as we ended up hugging.

Suddenly, I noticed that many people were taking pictures of Laurene and me as well as the media seemed to want to interview Laurene.

I looked at Laurene and she was just looking at me sharply and she was telling me something can-we-get-out-here-look. I nodded when I got what she said.

"Excuse me." Laurene dragged me at the same time and she took me back to the place that is not too crowded and there we talked.

I fold my arms on my chest as if challenging myself to face her courageously as I still have questions that she needs to answer.

She sighed. "Okay fine, I'm sorry. Are you happy now?" I said a little calmly.

"Then?" still teasing her while waiting for her to say the truth.

"Fine. Of course, I just wanna surprise you and hello! You know me. I don't wanna miss this kind of big event.."

Yes, I got her point. 

Crazy girl. She wants to be stunned and feel that all the eyes around us will just be on her.

"And, my other reason is.."

"And what?"  I feel something fishy in what she is wanting to say.

"Okay, I have a Hollywood boyfriend, and he's Kevin Thomas.." she said without hesitation.

Shocks! 

My eyes were almost round as well and at the same time, I covered my mouth. 

Does it really need to be emphasized?

But wait...

It suddenly makes my ears tingle now I realize what she mentioned that name.

Oh my god! A big actor and model is her boyfriend! Really!

"Uh-oh. I know you like him, Lola. So I'm sorry, he's mine now." as she said that, she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at me. Very Brat!

"O-okay, okay. I know that.” I show like I’m defending myself. Then I continued. “But, how does it happen? You didn't even inform me right away just to congratulate you." I pouted.

He told me about Kevin and them after she told me how they started and until they came up to that situation.

Kevin has been flirting with him for almost a long time and he just doesn't tell me that because he might 'say' that I will snatch Kevin from him.

My goodness! She chose not to speak and really thought about it rather than admitting it to me!

Fyi, I'm not a snatcher. My goodness, Laurene!

Well, the truth is we’re just joking with each other. I do not have an interest in Kevin. That’s it.

And then, the last time she went to the States, Kevin met her and they said they had dated several times already. And then, until rumors spread that 'they' were through paparazzi because they were always watching. Then when it was time for Laurene to return to the Philippines, Kevin proposed to her and she agreed, she answered.

Unfortunately, it was just bad timing, because when they become official, they're busy with themselves and not being together. But, Kevin promised her that he would go here to the Philippines for Laurene and maybe in the next few weeks. He seems to be too busy with his projects in the States.

Okay fine, So what? I just mumbled to myself.