Hopeless [Heartthrob Billionaire Series #3]

Chapter One

FAMILIAR

ARIA

“That's great, Aria! Tilt your head a bit and look seductively at the camera! Yeah, just like that. Good. Last frame and…” Nagpatuloy ako sa pagbibigay ng iba’t ibang mapang-akit na pose sa harapan ng camera. I gave a seductive look while my mouth was slightly hanging open. Nakahawak ako sa ibabang parte ng one piece lingerie na suot ko at bahagyang nakahigit pataas. Tuluy- tuloy ang pagfa- flash ng camera habang umaanggulo ako. A little while later, the photographer finally announced that we were done. “It's a wrap! Well done, Aria!”

Agad akong nagpakawala ng isang malalim na buntong hininga. I craned my neck to the right, stretching it dahil parang na-stiff na. Mabilis ang pagdating ni Cedric sa aking tabi dala ang silk robe ko. Isinuot ko iyon over the skimpy one piece lace lingerie na huling costume ko na for the photoshoot. Hinigit na ako ni Cedric patungo sa photographer bago ko pa maitali ang robe. Mas gusto ko sanang bumalik na lamang sa dressing room upang makapagpalit at makauwi na but Cedric is always like this. Laging kailangan lalapit sa photographer to say thank you and kung anu- ano pa.

I really don’t understand the need for such formalities. Pare- pareho lang naman kaming kinuha at binayaran for this photoshoot. Pero knowing Cedric, alam kong hindi niya ako hahayaan sa attitude kong iyon at ipipilit pa rin ito. Better to just go along with his whim kesa masabunutan ako ng wala sa oras.

But seriously though, I don’t even know this photographer. Ibig sabihin lang non hindi siya ganoong kakilala sa field. I don’t need him. The Aria Ross doesn’t need an amateur photographer. If he was Mario Testino baka ako pa mismo ang nagmadaling lumapit sa kanya.

"Steven." Cedric called the photographer’s attention. Kausap nito ang isa sa mga staff pero nang makita kaming palapit ni Cedric ay agad na bumaling sa amin. I’m not familiar with him dahil hindi ko pa siya nakatrabaho noon. Honestly, if you will ask me, mas prefer ko pang makipag- chummy chummy with the photographers I worked with sa ilang shoots ko for Glam or Esquire.

Ngumiti si ‘Steven’ nang lumapit kami, pero ang mga mata niya ay agad na nakadirekta sa akin. This is what I also don’t like with small time photographers. Hindi maitago ang paghanga or interes sa mga mata kapag kaharap ko na. Very unprofessional if you ask me.

“Cedric, hey.” Pagbati nito sa aking manager/assistant. Saglit silang nagbatian habang ako ay inip lang na nakatayo sa likuran ni Cedric. I would have rolled my eyes kung hindi lang nakapako sa akin ang tingin ng photographer. “”It sure was for me to work with the ice queen of the modeling world. You were astonishing Aria.”

I flashed my usual fake smile at saka umiling. Ibang- iba sa tunay kong nararamadaman. “The honor is mine, Steven. Thank you, Steven.”

“I look forward into working with you again.” He said while looking at me suggestively. Ew. I definitely hope not. Pinanatili ko lang ang ngiti sa aking mukha pero hindi sumagot. Kung matalino siya he’ll know what it actually means. “Do you have an appointment after this? I’d love to invite you for lunch sana. Hopefully get to know you more…”

“Wa--”

Bago pa makapagsalita si Cedric ay inunahan ko na siya. Alam ko kung anong isasagot niya at wala akong balak na bigyan ng pagkakataon ang isang ito na makasama ako sa lunch. No way. At itong baklang to, parang hindi pa alam kung anong pakiramdam ko sa mga ganitong klase ng imbitasyon. Sarap sabunutan minsan.

“Oh, I’m sorry… I have plans na for later eh.” Tugon ko naman sa imbitasyon ni Steven. Binalingan ko si Cedric nang nakangiti pero agad na tinaliman ng tingin. Makisama ka!

“Ah! Oo nga pala.” Alanganin ang ngiti ni Cedric nang balingan rin ang photographer. Napakamot pa sa ulo ang boba. “Sorry, Steven. May importanteng lakad pa kasi si Aria after this.”

“Is that so?” Anito bago bumaling sa akin. Nakataas ang isang kilay nito pero may suggestive smile pa rin sa labi. How badly I wanted to wipe it off. “Well, it can’t be helped. Maybe next time then?”

Hell no. “Sure. If my schedule permits, why not?” I pretended to look at the time and then kunyari ay nabigla na dahil sa oras. Pero wala naman talaga akong lakad. I just wanted to get out of the place right now. “Oh, I gotta go now. Sorry. It was nice working with you. Goodbye, Steven.”

Hindi ko na hinintay pang magsalita siya, agad na akong tumalikod at umalis roon. Wearing my robe and killer heels, I strutted out of the studio like the goddess that I am.

Nang makalabas ako sa studio ay diretso ang lakad ko patungo sa silid na ginawang pansamantalang dressing room ko. Agad akong pumasok roon at naupo sa sofa. Sumandal ako at pumikit saglit. I am so tired. Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto kaya alam ko na agad kung sino ang pumasok roon.

“Gaga ka talaga, Aria. Jusko! Basta mo ba namang talikuran yong si Steven!” Agad na litanya ni Cedric.

I didn’t bother opening my eyes. “I don’t like him. Di ba obvious?”

“Wag mo kong dalihan ng ganyan, babae ka. Kelan ka ba may nagustuhang tao bukod sa sarili mo?”

Napangiti ako. True. “Alam mo naman pala. Tapos lagi mo pa kong hinihigit para makipag batian sa mga tulad ng Steven na yon.”

“Gaga ka talaga. Kaya ka nabansagang Ice Queen eh. Malditang to. Kaya rin ang dami mong bashers.”

“I like it anyway. And it works for my publicity. You should be happy pa nga.” Natatawang saad ko. I don’t get why he’s so keen on changing my image. I like it. I remain untouchable dahil roon. I also don’t need to pretend that I am a saint para magustuhan ng mga tao at brands na nire- represent ko. “And who cares about bashers? They're just a bunch of keyboard warriors. Social media bashing doesn’t affect me. They are those losers who wish to be me. Pero hindi, kaya they attack me instead. It’s fun to see them try to bring me down and only fail. Hayaan mo nga sila.”

“Sa lahat ng celebrities, ikaw lang ang natutuwa sa bashers. Bato ka ba?”

I opened my eyes and looked at him. “You will never survive in this world if you’re weak.”

He winced at me. “Wag mo nga kong tingnan ng ganyan. Kakatakot ka eh.”

Ngumisi lamang ako sa kanya at saka tumayo na para makapagbihis. I am very hungry now dahil kahapon pa ng hapon ang last meal ko. Kapag may mga sexy shoots ako tulad ngayon, hindi ako kumakain ng dalawang meal before the shoot. Mahirap nang mag-mukhang bloated sa shoot.

“Where do you want to go for lunch, Aria?” Tanong ni Cedric mula sa labas nang partition kung saan ako nagbibihis.

Since I cannot eat a heavy meal dahil baka mabigla ang tiyan ko, I decided na yung usual light keto meal na lang na palagi naming ino- order ang kainin. That way, makakauwi na rin ako sa condo ko. Maaga kaming gumising kanina kaya doble ang pagod ko today. I want to rest early.

“Just order my favorite keto meal, Ced. Sa condo na ipa-deliver. I wanna go home na agad.”

Natapos ako sa pagbibihis. I was wearing a white bandeau top and high waist jeans with my high heeled ankle boots. Ang mahabang buhok ko ay nakatali into a messy bun. Bitbit na ni Cedric ang mga gamit namin paglabas ko. Iniabot niya sa akin ang Chanel chain clutch ko habang hawak naman niya ang LV travel bag.

“Let’s go.” Aniya saka iminuwestra sa akin ang pinto. Isinuot ko ang aking shades dahil nakapagtanggal na ng contact lenses. Binuksan niya ang pinto at pinauna akong lumabas roon. Diretso at taas noo akong naglakad patungo sa direksyon ng elevator.

Naghintay kami sa pagdating ng elevator. Pero nabigla na lang ako nang higitin ako papunta sa tabi ni Cedric. I was about to remove my shades para panlakihan ng mata si Ced dahil sa iritasyon pero natigilan nang mula sa aking peripheral view ay nakita ko ang pagdating ng ilang tatlong kalalakihan. Iritable kong hinigit ang braso ko kay Cedric.

“What the hell, Ced?” Mahinang asik ko sa kanya.

“Wag kang maldita, gaga. Yan ang mga boss mo.” Anito dahilan para mabaling sa tatlong lalaki ang aking tingin. What boss is he talking about?

I took in the appearance of the three men in front of me. Nang mamukhaan ko ang mga ito ay saka ko naintindihan ang sinabi ni Cedric. We were in Ryuzaki Towers dahil sa calendar shoot ko for Valencia. Nakilala ko ang isa sa kanila dahil ito ang nakasama namin sa contract signing ko for the endorsement deal sa Valencia. Si Shin Ryuzaki.

“Hi, Ms. Ross. It’s nice to see you.” Nakangiting pagbati ni Shin Ryuzaki sa akin.

Agad naman akong ngumiti pabalik dahil bukod sa siya ang ‘boss’, he’s handsome and nice. He’s actually one of the very few people na masasabi kong hindi ko kinaiiritahan. “Hello, Mr. Ryuzaki. It’s nice to see you too.”

“Is she the spokesperson for Valencia, Shin?” Tanong ng lalaking nasa kaliwa ni Shin.

Tumango naman si Shin saka muling bumaling sa akin. “Ms. Ross, these are my friends and also the co-owners of Valencia. River Villafuerte and Sky Contierra.”

Fuck. What did he say?

Agad na dumapo ang tingin ko sa huling ipinakilala ni Shin Ryuzaki.

Shit. It’s him.

Saglit akong natigilan dahil sa bahagyang pagkabigla pero agad rin namang nakabawi. It’s impossible for him to recognize me anyway. Matagal na ang gabing iyon. I doubt he’ll remember me too dahil siguradong sa dami ng kanyang babae ay hirap na siyang tandaan ang bawat nakakasama niya. Aside from that, how could he recognize me kung iba ang itsura ko sa gabing nakilala niya ako.

Right. No need to worry, Aria.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Villafuerte… Mr. Contierra…” Sabi ko nang makabawi. Tango lamang ang itinugon sa akin ni River Villafuerte. I was trying not to look at Sky Contierra pero ramdam ko ang paninitig niya sa akin kaya hindi ko naiwasang tumingin sa kanya.

Damn. Hassle to kung makikilala ako.

“Have we met before?” Nakakunot ang noong tanong nito sa akin.

Pinigilan kong magpahalatang nabigla. Ngumiti ako ng matamis upang pagtakpan ang nararamdaman. “I believe this is the first time we met, Mr. Contierra.”

He tilted his head as if he wasn’t convinced. Akala ko ipipilit pa niya iyon pero buti na lang at hindi. “Sabagay… I think I would have remembered you kung nakilala na nga kita noon, Ms. Ross.”

Oh really? Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong matawa. But honestly though, this one is just as stupid as the others.

“That’s true. With a face as beautiful as Ms. Ross’ I doubt you’ll forget meeting her, man.” Pagsingit naman ni Shin.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. What I like about this guy is that he’s nice without having motives. He’s just really nice.

“Nah. I think that’s one of Sky’s attempts to flirt with Ms. Ross.” Ani River Villafuerte.

I smirked. Gusto kong magtaas ng kilay kay Sky Contierra but doing that will only lead to more unnecessary interaction with him. I can’t let that happen.

“Gago.” Pagre- react ni Sky sa kaibigan.

Ngumiti lang ako. “I think Mr. Contierra just mistook me for someone else.” Sabi ko na lang para hindi na nila pag- isipan pa ang nasabi nito.

Napatingin ito sa akin dahil sa sinabi ko. “You don’t think I’m trying to flirt with you?”

Is he seriously asking me that? At sa harap pa talaga ng mga kaibigan niya?

Hindi ako nakapagsalita agad dahil inabot na ng pagdating ng elevator. I made way for them, gesturing for them to enter first. Naunang pumasok si River Villafuerte at kasunod naman si Shin Ryuzaki. Huling pumasok si Sky Contierra dahil nakatingin pa rin sa akin at tila nag-aabang sa aking isasagot.

“Hindi ka sasabay, Ms. Ross?” Tanong ni Mr. Ryuzaki.

Nakangiting umiling lamang ako. There’s no way I’m riding the same elevator as that guy. “We’ll take the next one.” I said.

Nakita ko ang pagtaas ng kilay ni Sky sa akin. I smirked at him. “Sky Contierra doesn’t hit on girls… hindi ba?”

He was still about to say something pero hindi na nagawa dahil tuluyan nang sumara ang pinto ng elevator.

SKY

“What was that?” I could hear the amusement in Shin’s voice when he said that.

“I think she was low key flirting with you, man.” River piped in.

Nilingon ko ang dalawa. My forehead was still knotted. I’m still confused with what just happened. “You think so?” Tanong ko kay River. “I kinda think so too pero she’s quite confusing.”

“Was she? I actually thought she was flirting with me.” Shin interjected. Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Napansin niya iyon. “What? Don’t look at me like that. Don’t tell me you’re actually interested with Aria Ross?”

What? Of course not.

“I think he is.” Ani River.

“I’m not.” Agad ko namang sinabi. “I was just curious.”

“Curious?” Si River.

“I feel like I really met her before. I just don’t remember when…”

That was the truth. My gut feeling really tells me that I’ve met her somewhere…

There’s this weird sense of familiarity I have with her. And I don’t get why…

I mean, what Shin said earlier was true after all. With a face and body like hers, it’s highly unlikely that I won’t remember meeting her at all. Kaya I am somehow bothered by it…

That voice too… I could really say I’ve heard it somewhere before.

“She’s not that hard to meet, Sky. I mean she’s a supermodel. Baka nakita mo na sa isang event si Aria.” Shin said.

“No. I really think I met her somewhere… more private.”

River chuckled. “Private? You mean in a hotel?”

Posible ba yon? Is it possible for me to forget someone I spent a night with?

For other people maybe it’s possible… pero not for me. I remember every single one of them. I mean, I had to. I have this rule of sleeping with a girl only once. Hindi ko man matandaan ang pangalan nilang lahat, I always try to remember their faces. Mahirap na kung makakaulit, that would be a hassle.

“You think you’ve had s*x with her?” Tila nasorpresang tanong ni Shin.

Nagtaka ako sa paraan ng pagkakatanong niyang iyon. “Why? You think I can’t get her to bed, is that it?”

“Well, yeah!” He said while laughing. “Sky, that girl isn’t called an ice queen for no reason.”

The elevator stopped at the basement floor kaya umibis kami roon at naglakad na patungo sa kani- kanyang sasakyan.

“So? What’s that got to do with taking her to bed?” I even f****d willing virgins before. How hard is it to get the Aria Ross to bed?

Shin chuckled before patting my shoulder. “Sky, Aria is allergic.”

“Huh? The f**k are you saying?”

Biglang nakitawa si River. “Shin meant to say, the girl is allergic to men like us… lalo na sa tulad mo, pre.”

“Seriously though, Sky, Aria Ross isn’t the typical girl you meet in our world. Wag mo nang pangarapin, masakit mamagsak yon.” Si Shin.

I almost rolled my eyes at his words. “I don’t chase after girls, Shin.”

“Oh, right.” Shin chuckled again. “Sky Contierra doesn’t hit on girls.”

Nagtawanan pa ang dalawang gago.

Ako ang nang-aasar noon sa dalawang ito. Bakit parang bumaliktad?

Damn these fuckers.