When Blue Descends

CHAPTER 4

Ethereal

He then looks at me with a playful smile and a dark look on his face.

"Are you now turned on?" He asked.

The room then began to be filled with laughter including mine as I then click the bright red shutter button of my camera.

"Deadly," I answered smirking as I look at Kimberly and told her that I'll be going to the meeting I have to attend. She then nods and took care of the images of Christoff that I captured.

Christoff is a well-known blogger in the country and was loved by his audience despite his intimidating look. He reached out to me and I gladly accepted his offer to be his photographer for his collaboration with the popular men's clothing brand, Ralph Mario. Some of the staff from Ralph Mario is already here who helps Christoff with his style and makeup.

Christoff then continued laughing as he reaches out for his shirt and wears it. He then walks in my direction.

I then waved at the guy with a lean physique who's busy cleaning one of the lenses of his camera. His slicked-back gray-colored hair matches with his gray beard. Tattoos were marked all over his arm complimenting his tan complexion.

"Demetrio!" I yelled calling his attention.

He then looks at me and takes one of his lenses and walks closer to me.

"What do you want, lady on top?" He asked.

I then snicker weakly and glared at him. I gave him my camera and told him to take more pictures of Christoff as Kimberly said that I have a meeting.

"Where are you going?" Christoff asked.

"I'm just going to attend a meeting then I'll come back to you," I answered and winked at him.

"Wow, you really are turned on," he said smirking.

"In your dreams," I said.

He then smiles and nods going back to his position earlier for Demetrio to take more pictures of him.

"Are you nervous?" Kimberly asked as she keeps up with my walk beside me.

Umiling naman ako nang marahan saka lumabas na ng studio at naglakad patungo sa office ko.

Why would I be nervous about a meeting with someone who rejected me years ago? Someone who didn't even give me chance to meet with him and elucidate my proposal. Now that I am way above them, hahabul-habulin nila ako?

Rejecting me before thinking that I am incapable of helping their company does not make them my inspiration to work harder. I have to work harder because of my dreams with a little bit of hope to freaking prove myself to them. Even though I hate people like them, I still have to be professional and face their offers and analyze whether they can offer something different.

I know na nagsisisi sila dahil sa pagtanggi sa proposal ko noon because that proposal that I offered is the one that made me way more successful that brings me to where I am today. All thanks to the owner of the STYLISH who also encourage me and gave me advice.

"Let's go," I said as I got out of my office and saw Kimberly waiting in front of her office.

Isinuot ko na iyong blazer ko habang naglalakad saka dumiretso na sa parking lot ng Ethereal. Agad na akong sumakay sa sasakyan ko saka nagmaneho papunta sa restaurant na ni-book ni Kimberly.

I then bit my tongue as our trip went pretty swiftly and I was already in front of the restaurant.

"Table for Ms. Maia?" Kimberly asked the receptionist the moment we got in.

The receptionist then excitedly greeted us widely smiling at me with her eyes almost dazzling with sparkles.

"W-why?" I asked as my eyebrows knitted together.

"M-ma'am Khatalina, kayo po iyong owner ng Ethereal? F-fan po ninyo ako! Ni-follow ko po kayo sa social media at bilib na bilib po ako sa mga images po na nire-release ninyo!" Tila nagtitimping kilig na sabi ng receptionist.

Npanguti naman ako sa kaniya saka napatingin kay Kimberly. Napatawa naman nang marahan si Kimberly saka tumango.

"Ganoon ba? Nako, salamat! Mabuti naman at nagugustuhan ninyo iyong mga larawang pinakikita ko," hindi mapigilan kong mapangiting sabi.

"Opo! Iyong batang kapatid ko nga po gusto niya maging model po ninyo kapag lumaki siya! Siya nga po pala, p-pwede po bang magpa-picture?" Masayang turan niya.

Ibinigay naman noong receptionist iyong phone niya kay Kimberly saka kami nag-picture. Agad naman siyang nagpasalamat saka sinabi na kung saan iyong table namin.

Hindi nanan mapalis ang nguti ko dahil sa mumunting pangyayaring iyon. It just feels so nice that I inspire a lot of people with my photos and dreaming to be my model...

"Ngiting aso ka na riyan," puna ni Kimberly nang makaupo kami sa table at napatawa pa.

"Kinikilig ako eh," saad ko saka sineryoso ang mukha ko agad.

Napasimangot naman si Kimberly sa mukha ko saka naupo sa tabi ko. 

"What time ba ni-set mo? Bakit wala pa siya?" Tanong ko kay Kimberly.

"1 o'clock sabi ko eh," sagot naman ni Kimberly saka inabot iyong menu board.

I then look at my wristwatch and played with my tongue as I read the time as 12:30.

"What if he's late or something, would you give him another chance?" Kimberly asked as she puts down the menu board and raises her hand to call the waiter.

I then look straight into her eyes and smiled.

Cypress University

"That will be your project"

It was then followed by numerous kvetch from my class as soon as Mrs. Johnson announces that.

"Is your class president here?" walang pakialam na tanong ni Mrs. Johnson sa mga reklamo ng mga kaklase ko.

Napatingin naman kami lahat sa president naming si Fritzylle na namumutla pa at absent noong nakaraan dahil nagkasakit daw siya. Tumayo naman agad siya habang nakatingin kay Mrs. Johnson.

"Go, assign who do you think would be a good actors and actresses," Mrs. Johnson said and walks out of the room immediately.

As soon as Mrs. Johnson leaves the room, my classmate started yelling names that they wanted to act for the incoming play next month.

"Parang ang aga naman ata ng Play na naman?" I said looking at Pauline.

"Hay nako, hindi ka pa ba nasanay na palagi namang iba-iba iyong month kapag pinagagawa nila iyan? Tradition naman na ng Cypress na biglain tayo sa ganito eh," saad ni Pauline na ikinabuntong hininga ko nalang.

"Pauline, bakit may paganito agad na project?" singit naman ni Jaxen na katabi ni Pauline sa kanan niya.

Sumandal nalang ako sa upuan ko at napatingin sa katabi kong bintana saka tinanaw ang napakalawak na lupain ng Cypress University. Our university has a lot and different types of cypress trees such as Italian Cypress, Leyland Cypress, and Moroccan Cypress.

I can't help but adore every tree's beauty. Those trees were slimmer than any other tree. There are also shrubs on every side of the building completely paired with the aesthetics of the buildings here.

"Khatalina?"

My attention then turns to a voice calling me from behind. My eyes then met ferocious brown eyes staring directly at me causing me to pull my head back as my face is an inch close to his.

"Nakakagulat ka naman. Bakit? Nasaan si Pauline?" saad ko.

Umayos naman siya ng upo sa upuan ni Pauline. Ngayon ay siya na ang katabi ko at hindi ko na makita si Pauline sa buong room.

"Pinapunta ni Fritzylle sa faculty," sagot niya saka nangalumbaba sa lamesa habang nakatingin lang kina Fritzylle at Tristan na vice president naman namin.

I then look at Jaxen's side profile. Unlike on his first day, his hair wasn't slicked back. His nose is pointed as if it was sculpted and his lips were a little plump but thin.

He then looks at me looking like he was surprised.

This guy can be a good model—

"KHATALINA!!!" Sabay na tawag sa akin ni Fritzylle at Tristan dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanila.

Napatawa naman silang dalawa dahilan para maramdaman kong mag-init ang pisngi ko.

"Daydreaming, huh? Dahil wala ka sa wisyo, ikaw na gaganap bilang Shannel," saad ni Tristan.

Bigla naman akong kinabahan at pinanlakihan ng mata si Tristan. Napatawa naman siya at itinuro iyong board kung saan nakasulat ang pangalan ko kasama ng iba kong kaklase at may bilang ng mga boto sa tabi ng pangalan ko.

"You have the most votes, Khatalina... Is it okay for you? It will eat sone of your time practicing for the play. Kaya ba ng schedule mo?" nag-aalalang tanong sa akin ni Fritzylle.

"So what? Lahat naman tayo may kani-kaniyang pinagkakaabalahan?" nakataas ang kilay na saad ni Jaxen habang nakatingin kay Fritzylle.

Hinigit ko naman ang hininga ko bilang pagtitimpi saka nginitian nang pagkatamis-tamis si Jaxen.

“But still, out of everyone here, she definitely has the most occupied schedule—”

“I get what he meant but you don’t have to treat me as a burden when it comes to schedule. Don’t worry, I can keep up. Thank you, everyone, for your understanding my situation,” I said smiling cutting her off. They all smiled at me as I felt a warm touch in my chest as I saw their reaction.

This is actually one of the reasons, I act different here in school. It is because of my classmates who appreciates and understands me no matter what kaya naman palagi ko rin sinusuklian ang kabaitan nila sa akin. Dito ko lang din naman kasi naiilalabas sa school iyong tunay na ugali ko dahil pagdating sa Ethereal, I have to be professional. Also, I have established a professional and serene personality in the industry I am in. Kahit iyong mga beteran na sa business is naguguluhan parin sa takbo ng utak ko dahil hindi ko pinakikita iyong emosyon ko palagi other than to smile and laugh at them while we talk business. Naaalala ko tuloy iyong unang encounter ko with Mrs. Grayman…

From: Analog Awards

Congratulations, Khatalina Zyliania Maia! Ethereal was elected to be in 21st place of the Analog Awards 20** in Photography. Keep up the good work as we’ll look forward to your masterpieces!

“Wow, saan galing iyan?!” manghang tanong ng roommate kong si Anna na lumapit pa sa akin at tinignan iyong trophy na nakalagay sa box ng katatanggap ko lang na package kasama ng letter.

“Sa Analog Awards sa Malaysia,” sagot ko.

Analog Awards conducts yearly ranking to top photography agencies in the world starting from the new agencies to well-known. Still, this is an achievement. Biruin ba namang makakapasok ako sa top 21 among the other companies sa buong mundo.

Tuwang-tuwa naman si Anna saka napatakbo sa kusina at sinabing lulutuan niya raw ako ng paborito kong carbonara.

Napangiti naman ako saka kinuhanan ng litrato iyong trophy ko saka ni-post sa social media accounts ko para pasalamatan ang Analog Awards, iyong mga supporter ng Ethereal, at mga employees ko.

Agad naman akong nakatanggap ng tawag mula kay Kimberly na nasa Ethereal ngayon. I am currently home kasi nag-take ako ng day off. Naki-congratulations naman iyong mga empleyado ko na nasa Ethereal ngayon sa akin kaya naman agad akong nag-order ng makakain nila roon.

Nilagay ko naman na sa cabinet ko na lalagyan ng mga trophy iyong tropeyo mula sa Analog Awards saka naupo sa sofa para monood nalang ng movies.

I was in the middle of the movie and eating my carbonara when my phone laying beside me in the couch vibrates. I then put my plate on the table in front of the couch and hurriedly answer the unknown number call coming in.

“Hello?” I asked as soon as I answered it.

“Khatalina?”

Napakunot naman ang noo ko sa hindi pamilyar na boses sa kabilang linya.

“Y-yes?” I answer.

“This is Kim Grayman. I called you because I want to congratulate you!”

Napaawang naman ang labi ko sa hindi inaasahang pagbati ng may-ari ng pinakasikat na mall rito sa Pilipinas. Halos sumabig sa bilis ng t***k ang puso ko na halos ikabingi naman ng tainga ko. Nagsimula ring mamawis iyong mga palad ko dulot ng kaba at excitement.

“S-salamat po!” nahihiyang pasasalamat ko sa kaniya.

“I also want to invite you to my dinner party on Sunday. Would you be free by that time?” she asked.

Napangiti naman ako at halos tumalon sa tuwa ang puso ko kasabay ng paglipad ng mga paru-paro sa tiyan ko.

“Yes, I am free that day. Salamat po sa inyong pag-imbita sa akin. I appreciate this, Mrs. Grayman!” kalmado kong saad kahit pa nagwawala na ang sarili ko sa loob-loob ko.

“Great! See you on Saturday then!” she said and hang up.

Hindi ko naman mapalis ang ngiti ko saka nilingon iyong nakangiting si Anna na katabi ko at nakatingin sa akin na halatang naghihintay ng balita sa akin.

“Kilala mo iyong may-ari ng KM Mall?” tanong ko naman sa kaniya.

Tumango-tangon naman siya sa akin saka napa-indian sit na humarap sa akin.

“Inimbitahan niya ako sa dinner party niya sa Linggo,” pahabol ko dahilan para mapatili siya at nagtatalon pa sa sofa dahilan para mapangiti ako.

“Tara, mamili na tayo ng susuotin mo!” aya niya sa akin saka agad na tumayo at nagligpit.

Excited, pumayag na ako at agad na nagbihis saka inihanda ang sasakyan papunta sa KM Mall. Agad naman na akong nag-drive papunta sa mall at dumiretso na kami sa isang malaking boutique.

My eyes then caught a peach-colored champagne dress hanged on a mannequin and walk close to it to get my hands into it.

It has a huge slit on the right side and a backless design in the back.

Aabutin ko na sana iyong dress kaso inabot ito ng isang matipunong kamay dahilan para mapakunot ang noo ko at tignan ko ang kumuha nito.

“Sorry, I like this as well,” seryosong saad niya.

Napatingin naman ako sa itsura niya. nakasuot lang siya ng plain black shirt at black skinny jeans. May katangkaran siya at kaputian. Hindi ko naman gaanong maaninag ang mukha niya dahil nakasumbrero siya.

“Nauna ako,” saad ko naman sa kaniya.

“So? Eh gusto ko ito eh,” saad niya.

Napairap naman ako sa isip ko at napabuntong hininga nalang. I manage not to show any emotion and look at his eyes. Napahakbang naman siya ng isang beses paatras nang makatitigan ko siya at napakamot sa pisngi.

“Sabi ko nga sa iyo na,” saad niya saka ibinigay sa akin iyong dress at tumakbo palayo.

“Pati ba naman papi tinatakot mo,” rinig kong kumento ni Anna sa likod ko. Napailing nalang ako at naglakad papunta sa fitting room…

Graman’s Mansion

“Good evening, Mrs. Grayman,” I announced as she welcomed me into her mansion.

“Nice meeting you, Khatalina!” she said as she gets the wine I gave her as a gift and guide me to her living room.

She was wearing a black bodycon dress that goes under her knees paired with dazzling pieces of jewelry. I then look around as I heard various voices discussing in the living room.

I saw businesspeople on their formal attires talking to some celebrities who I often see in KM Mall advertisements.

“Go, make some friends,” she whispered and pat my back lightly.

I then smiled at her and nodded slowly. Shy, I decided to just stand behind the huge glass door of her living room until a man approaches me holding a glass of beer even though the dinner party hasn’t started yet.

C’mon, I don’t want to deal with a drunk businessman trying to flirt with me. This happens all the time.

Lumingon naman ako sa labas para hindi ko siya makausap kaso kinalabit niya naman ako kaya no choice ako kundi lingunin siya at ngitian.

“Congratulations, Khatalina!” saad niya saka itinaas ang kamay niyang may hawak na alak.

“Oh, thank you,” I said with all respect and a reserved smile.

“You should go hang out with us there,” he said and pointed at the couch where most of the people sitting are all older than me.

I then looked at him. He’s wearing a suit and tie. His gray was already balding as he has a rounded face due to the sagging of his cheeks.

“Thank you, I’ll go there later,” I said still smiling at him.

“Then samahan nalang muna kita rito,” saad niya saka inilipat sa kaliwang kamay niya iyong beer niya saka mabilis na idinapo ang kanang kamay sa likod ko.

My smile quickly faded as I jerk his hand away from my skin with pure gentle so that I won’t seem rude.

He then smiled at me as if nothing happened and sips on his beer. I then let my eyes roam through the room. Everyone is busy hanging out with their alcohol in their hands.

Seems like everyone is already intoxicated.

I jolted when I felt his warm hands again at my back but this time it was in my waist making me look at him deadpanned once again jerking his hand away.

“I’m sorry, please don’t do that. I am uncomfortable,” I said with a serious face at him as I feel my whole nerves tremble out of anger.

“S-sorry,” he said and bowed his way away from me.

It was then followed by a titter at my back making me look at the person. It was Mrs. Grayman.

“You really are something…” she said smiling.

I then ask her with my eyebrows frowning.

“Your deadpanned and calmed behavior is somehow scary. Have you been brutally mad before?” she commented making us both smile at each other and laugh.

“Then go act for Shannel,” Jaxen barged in once again.

"Yeah. I didn't say no though," I said smiling at him as I then look at Fritzylle and Tristan.

"What a sight, Mr. Caztillano, you should be Sett then. You seem to enjoy teasing Khatalina"

Napalingon naman kami kay Mrs. Johnson na narito muli sa room kasama si Pauline. Pumasok naman na si Pauline saka naupo sa upuan ni Jaxen.

Tumango naman na si Jaxen as I heard his faint uttering tsk between his breath causing me to smile. Akala niya siguro ako lang mahihirapan. Mabuti nalang at idinamay rin siya ni Mrs. Johnson.

Naupo nalang din ako nang maayos saka nakinig sa kung sino-sino sa amin ang aarte para sa play.

Iyong iba naman ay sa props at iyong iba ay sa mga equipment.

I can't help but let my lips pout. Napasubo parin ako. Saktong kailangan ko na mag plano para sa magiging proposal ko next-next month sa the CLAW. I then look again at the man sitting right next to me who's busy talking with Pauline. Why do I feel like we are in a silent competition?