Psyche and Psycho

Chapter 21

Florence and I walked towards the venue sinasabi nya sa akin na I don’t have to do so much I just have to listen to the photographer he told me that I didn’t have to get in line sabi nya I already have a number daw and so I don’t really have to worry na.

“Ahm Psyche? Is it okay for you if I call you on your first name dear?” nagaalangan na sab isa akin ni Florence.

Naltawa naman ako sa kanya.

“Ofcourse you can!” natatawang sagot ko naman kay Florence.

He laughed so loud.

“Bruhang Maureen na yon sab isa akin ay maging cautious at magalaing daw ako dahil napaka particular mo raw sa ganoon na bagay!” natatawang sabi nya.

Pati naman ako ay napatawa din sa sinabi nya si Maureen talaga!

“Why would she say that?! Hahaha and besides hindi ba ikaw ang manager why would you do those things don’t listen to Maureen she’s just being playful.” Natatawang sabi ko sa kanya.

May kalokohan talaga si Maureen!

“Your b***h friend told me na kapag daw hindi mo na nagustohan ang treatment ko ay aalis ka daw sa akin because youo don’t settle for anything less! Of course I wouldn’t want to lose an asset like you! Dai nung makita ko pa lang ang picture mo! Ay nako sabi ko nga magtatampo talaga ako kay Maureen kung hindi ka nya sa akin irerefer. Pero kita mo naman ang bruha mong friend pinagbantaan pa ang beauty ko!” nalolokang sabi nya sa akin.

Hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko kung hindi ma pa hagalpak ng tawa sa sinabi nya.

Florence was about to say something nung biglang may lumapit sa kanyang isang male staff.

“Miss Florence pinapatawag na po sa loob yung talent nyo po,” sabi  nito at saka tumingin sa akin.

Tumango naman si Florence at saka bumaling sa akin.

“Let’s go Psyche, it’s your turn na pala! Tara!” excited na sabi nya at saka naunang naglakad.

Florence stopped beside the door I looked at him and he just gave me a thumbs up.

“You wont go inside?” I asked him

He sadly shook his head.

“Nako dear, as much as I want to go inside with you strictly models lang ang pinapapasok pag sa screening pero don’t worry you are safe there saka very professional naman ang mga staffs nila dito saka napaka guwapo pa ng CEO!” masayang masayang kwento nya sa akin.

Natawa nalang ako sa sinabi nya at saka n

agpaalam.

“Okay then I’ll see you later!” sabi ko naman sa kanya at saka naglakad na papasok sa screening room.

Pag pasok na pag pasok ko pa lang ang sumalubong na sa akin ay yung  nakakasilaw na flash ng mga camera ng mga photographer na kumukuha ng trial shots.

I was immediately attended by a guy waering a pink bandana and shades.

“Hello po, Miss Psyche Trinidad?” tanong nya sa akin.

Kaagad naman akong tumango sa kanya.

“Ah yes po, hello.” Naka ngiti kong bat isa kanya.

Ngumiti naman din sya sa akin at saka itinuro yung spot kung saan nagtetake ng headshots.

“This way po Ma’am magtetake po ng headshot first and then after po ng headshot dun po tayo sa room with the judges.” Naka ngiti nyang sab isa akin.

Na pa isip naman ako bigla, may judges din pala ito akala ko naman ay yung CEO lang ang magdedecide sa kung sino ang kukuhanin na model dahil sa narinig ko kanina sa dalawang modelo nan aka sabay ko sa rest room.

“Good morning,” I greeted the photographer.

He is quite young, I think hindi nalalayo sa age ko yung age nya. He also looks cute and very approachable.

“Good morning ahm Miss Trinidad,” naka ngiti pero nagaalangan nyang bati sa akin.

Ngumiti naman ako sa kanya to ease some tension I have been far from the camera for so long parang 17 years old ata ako yung huling shoot na ginawa ko cause I had to focus more on academic matters and I have a lot to prove kaya mas pinili ko din muna na iestablish yung sarili ko.

“Ahm no need to be formal you can call me Psyche, uhm can we proceed now?” tanong ko para makapunta na sana ako sa next step naalala ko kasi na I have to finish this screening really quick because I have to meet with Maureen later hindi pwedeng hindi kami makakpag kitang dalawa.

“Sige Miss Psyche,” naka ngiti na sab isa akin ng Photograher.

He took several shots and then send printed it out then handed the picture to me.

“Here’s your headshot Miss Psyche, I am quite sure you’ll bag this contract.” Naka ngiti na sabi nya sa akin.

Na pa ngiti nalang ako sa kanya at saka nagpasalamat.

“Miss Psyche let’s move on na po? Hinihintay na po kayo ng executives.” Naka ngiti na sab isa akin ng isa pang staff kaya mabilis akong tumayo sa kinauupuan ko at nagpasalamat sa photographer.

Aalis n asana ako pero bigla syang nagsalita.

“Miss Psyche? Ahm can I follow you on social media? Like **?” tanong na habol ng photographer.

I was hesistant to say something dahil ni hind nga kami formally nakapag introduce sa isat isa I don’t even know his name.

I was about to turn him down nung biglang nagsalita yung isang staff.

“Nako Carlo, iba nalang matitisod ka kay Ma’am ako na nagsasabi  sayo. Tara na po Ma’am?” sabi niya sa photographer and then bumaling sa akin.

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita dahil inaya na din ako kaagad ng staff.

I just gave the photographer an apologetic smile although deep inside I was actually thankful I don’t wanna sound rude din naman if I turn him down and I guess yung pag interrupt sa amin ng staff is just right at the moment.

Pag pasok namin sa room, sinabi sa akin ng staff na iabot ko kaagad sa executives yung picture ko.

So upon entering the room I really intended to do what he said nagulat nalang ako ng makita ko na isa sa executives ay si Mr.Pervert the one and only.

“Hello Miss Psyche,” masayang bat isa akin ng isang middle aged woman.

Tatlo silang parang panelist this middle aged woman, and another guy then Damon.

“Hello, how are you?” naka ngiti na sabi ko sa middle aged woman kahit pa pa naka naka ako ng tingin kay Damon actually wondering why he’s here.

He is looking intently at my picture. Seryosong seryoso sya na akala mo ba kinakabisado nya bawat sulok ng picture ko.

“I am doing great thanks for asking! By the way I am not actually sure kung natatandaan mo pa ako but I was one of the delegate on the last asean summit that you also attended I was actually amazed by your idea!” masayang sabi nya.

Na pa ngiti naman ako sa sinabi nya.

“Thank you so much, yeah I also recognize you thank you po for appreciating my ideas po.” Nahihiya but sincere na sabi ko sa babae.

“Sa totoo lang I was shocked when I saw your picture akala ko ng nagkamali lang ako but when I saw your name naconfirm ko ng ana its really you. I wonder why the Trinidad Empress is our of her Castle?” she asked enthusiastically.

Na pa ngiti naman ako pero deep inside I didn’t like her tone. I know where she’s coming. Ugh!

“I wanted to do something new with my life and besides the company is already in good shape I guess its time for me to explore more. And so yeah I decided to try modelling,” naka ngiti ko pa din na sagot sa kanya.

Tumango tango naman ang babae at saka ngumiti din sa akin.

“Yeah, minsan talaga nakakapagod din ang pagiging isang Prinsesa haha” pagak na tawang sabi nya.

“It’s okay Miss Psyche, I bet you will also do great projects. You are very beautiful no need to worry do you wannna enter show business? Or pageantry perhaps?” tanong naman ng isang lalaki sa akin.

“I am Herrison by the way, CEO and Owner or Dreameescapes Productions.” Pagpapakilala nito at tumayo pa para iabot sa akin ang kamay nya.

Alanganin naman akong na pa ngiti bago tinanggap ang kamay nya.

“Pleasure to meet you, ahm I am not actually interested with showbusiness nor pageantry but thank you for the comment.” Magalang na sabi ko sa kanya.

Natawa naman ang babae sa sagot ko.

“You will not get her with that, I told you she’s an empress of a huge Empire Herri. You gotta try more haha! What do you think Damon? What can you say about Miss Trinidad?” baling naman ng babae kay Damon na ngayon ko lang napansin na naka titig na pala sa akin.

“We’ll get her.” Maikling sagot ni Damon.

Na pa palakpak naman ang babae at natawa.

“I knew it! Kahinaan nyo talaga ang sobrang kagandahan hay nako!” she said and then got up.

Lumapit sya sa akin and then kissed my cheeks.

“Welcome to CarlsOn Distillery Miss Trinidad. I am very sure that the Face of CarlsOn on its launch will surely be on the news!” masayang sabi nya sa akin.

Lalapit pa sana si Herrison sa akin para bumeso din pero hindi na sya naka abot sa akin dahil sa malalaking hakbang ni Damon.

“Let’s go I am sure Maureen is waiting for you.” Sabi nya sa akin at saka hinawakan ang kamay ko at ibinalik ulit ang coat nya sa balikat ko.

“Ow! Very territorial! I told you Herrison! Better luck next time!!” natatawang sabi pa ng babae.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit tuwing hinihila ako ni Damon o tuwing hinahawakan nya yung kamay ko parang nakakalimutan ko yung gagawin ko at natatangay nya nalang din ako.

“Don’t let other guys touch you.” Sabi nya sa akin ulit habang matiim na naka tingin sa mata ko.

His stares is really digging through my soul. The hell?!