Chapter 2 The Scandal

Lucy set down a bowl of chips on the bed and opened the editorial magazine I had picked up earlier. I focused on doing my research on the internet, we are both lying on my bed now. He is staying here because my brother and I have a fight. That's kind of an automatic thing. But if they get along well, they will hardly be separated.

"Hmmm. Girl, I like your hair is here."

From time to time she would leave a comment on every page that she would pass, I just laughed at her while bothering myself with finding articles for my research. My phone beeped, I shouldn't pay attention to it because my social media accounts are always exploding but when I got a message there I turned around and sat down straight.

"Oh woop! The fuck is wrong with you?"

I winced as I spilled the bowl of chips Lucy was eating. "

Sorry."

I feel like he just stared at me and continued to turn the pages of the magazine.

Matilda: Cyreese Suarez! Check this.

My forehead frowned. What is wrong this time? I click the link he gave me and it barely loads on my cellphone screen due to the successive explosion of my notifications on social media.

What the hell is happening? I was overwhelmed and amazed at what Lucy was doing. There's this unknown nervousness and crazy beat inside my chest as I wait for the page to load. Is this something bad?

Lucy sniffed when she saw I was an idiot. He sat with me and leaned on my shoulder, his exact look at the screen of my cellphone was the appearance of an article from Aunt Matilda's message

"What. The. Fuck !?"

Lucy shrieked out of horror for me. He seemed to utter the content of my mind, while I seemed to have my tongue cut out because of what I had read. Coldness dripped on my face, my soul seemed to escape me. The door of my room popped and then my sister spat as if in a hurry because of the screaming Lucy made.

"What happened?"

"Scandal ?! Sex video? Really, Ava Cyreese Suarez?"

My mouth hanged open while gently shaking Lucy. Hindi can believe what i read, i didn't stop as if when i shake that i can also tell the whole world that not everything is true.

"No! She's not coming back!"

Lucy grabbed my sister's arm when it showed strong opposition to Aunt Matilda's decision.

"Hijo, if you want to go in your way..."

She gripped his cellphone and threw it on the table. I swallowed the lump in my throat. What is this mess again?

"You answered the eternal call there on my phone!"

Lourd's lips parted and he stood up and turned his back on us. He rubbed his nape, suppressing anger. I found Lucy's confused eyes. I bit my lip.

"Lourd, maybe we should follow Aunt Matilda."

"And what? You got bitten by that issue? Coming back to the Philippines will just fuel the fire! You will just look defensive because you went back there to cover your name!"

My eyes begged him to calm down. He seemed to have a hard time seeing my eyes.

"She will not cover her name Lourd, she will come back to the Philippines because that is the company's order."

Even Matilda. I nodded in agreement. He keeps on jumping into conclusions so here is the warmth of his head again.

"Babe you knew she needed to follow the company. Her contract hasn't ended yet."

His condolences here.

"Then fucking end that contract!"

His voice thundered and I closed my eyes firmly there. My heart skipped a bit. Aunt Matilda's phone that kept ringing made the situation worse.

"Do you hear yourself Lourd? Ava is one of the highest paid models today, she can't just make stupid decisions!"

Aunt Matilda grabbed his penis and picked up her phone to answer it. He got up and went to the kitchen.

"Lourd, I t-think I really need to go back."

He hopelessly shook his head. He put both his hands on the back of the sofa.

"What the fuck is that scandal Ava?"

"N-no! It's not me!"

Don't tell me he believed that?

"But I saw it! The posture and the hair as well as the shape of the body are just like you!"

My mouth hanged opened, so he really did think that was true?

"There's also this picture of you Ava with that guy, and it's really your face in the picture. It's dark but I can still see your face and you're wearing that gown you wore in -"

I picked up my cellphone and clicked on the link sent by aunt Matilda. There I saw some unbelievable article with a video that I could no longer afford to watch as well as a few photos.

It's ... It's really me. That's me! My face was clearly visible as I leaned against the wall and a man surrounded me. In the next photo, I can't see my face anymore because the man's head is already covered, which makes it look like we're kissing. I was breathing fast along with the trembling of my hand. This is Jomar. This is the night in Mar De Vena high and we have this Graduation ball. I remember it!

"This is ... me."

It came from me but even I couldn't believe it. Lucy sighed but Lourd's expression was helpful and seemed incredulous.

"I m-mean ... I'm the one in the picture. But I haven't had any scandal! For goddess sake, Lourd!"

I rubbed my forehead and sank into my arms. I cried at what was happening. I was afraid that this issue was already making noise in the Philippines, but that fear was not for me. I was afraid for my brother, everything would be wasted of his suffering for nothing. He's okay now, we're okay now and now just because of one picture will mess everything up again. The next days were crucial. I had to finish my last projects with all the noise. Everywhere I go, medias are everywhere and over time I am choking. I answer Aunt Matilda's call.

"I booked your ticket. I will also take care of your university. For now let's focus on our deadline. When we arrive in the Philippines, we will take care of everything."

I fell silent and stare at myself at the mirror. Am I really coming back?

"Yes tita, thank you."

I wore denim in the last batch of the catalog. This is my last shoot in New York. And after, reality will hit me hard as soon as I stepped into the Philippines. I accept their decision, if they remove the contract it's okay, I'm in my last year of college and I think I have enough savings for that. If my unit is my problem, I don't shop and I can also buy my own accommodation.

Justine cleared his throat when we met in front of the camera. He's my partner for this batch of clothing collection. He seems grim and awkward, I also can't stop being naughty because I'm sure we think the same. Gladly the shoot ended the way it should be.

"Are you coming back to the Philippines?"

I turned to Justine as I tied up my curly hair. I nodded at him and he still looked straight at me. I sighed.

"It's not me."

I was the one who answered the question that he could not hear. I saw him stop at what I said but he nodded as well later.

"I know, I know you're not that type."

I just kept quiet and didn't speak to him. That's enough, I don't have to explain everything to him.

"When is your flight?"

"Next week."

"Mine will be the a month or two I think."

I stopped arranging my belongings and turned to look at him.

"You're going back too?"

"Yes, to renew my contract."

I nodded at his answer. Good for him. He was just quiet while I was busy taking care of myself. I'm in a hurry because I have a lot to take care of.

"Let's meet when I came back."

He broke the silence, I smiled at him.

"Sure."

"And by that time I hope I'll get your approval."

My forehead furrowed and I turned to look at him.

"You knew my feelings for you Cyreese. I hope you let me have my chance. Let me court you."

I stare at his eyes hoping to feel something but guiltiness. Why do I feel guilty because I also can't feel how he feels about me? I could not answer him. I also didn't know the words to tell him the truth.

"I'm not rushing you, please, just ... when I came back tell me your decision."

I followed his eyes unable to look at me. I was looking in every corner of it the feeling I wanted to feel like before but nothing really. My heart is not with me. I left it in Mar De Vena