CALLEA kept on gazing on her antique Victorian watch. She had an appointment at one in the afternoon with Pipay, her gay costume designer. She was the one who creates her cosplay dresses whenever she writes. Pipay was a dear friend since high school when she used to defend him from those who bully him for being gay.
He was Philip then and Pipay now. It was Pipay who helps her hone her story and characters more. Sometimes Pipay just creates dresses and that's where she based her stories. There's so much idea they could come up with simply designing dresses.
The dresses Pipay creates were based on her story and vice versa. Either she creates a vision for her story and that's where he based his designs or Pipay would present her sketches from his different travel and research and Callea could create stories from them.
The dresses he created were created for her characters alone. And because her graphic novels were popular, her fans had fun wearing them and cosplaying. Because she recognized Pipay as her costume designer, her fans go to her for costumes and she got a cut or royalty from her sales. They helped each other's businesses. They clicked that way.
"It is already two and she isn't here yet. She said she's already in Calamba. What if there's something wrong?" Callea asked, her heart was pounding.
She took the extension phone beside the bed and called Pipay's cellphone. Her cellphone rang two times before she answered it in a sing-song voice. "Hello, Callea, dearest. It is nice to hear from you."
"Pipay, where are you? I want to see your new concepts." She wanted to see her new sketches for her story. She needs new concepts because she's about to finish her current story. Callea wanted to get busy.
"What? I am on my way back to Manila."
Callea's eyebrow creased. "From where?"
"At Villa Celesta."
"How did that happen? I gave specific instructions to Marina to inform me once you arrive. I am just here in my room. Is there a problem that's why you are leaving right away?" I asked in a worried voice.
"Your boyfriend told me that he prefers new designs."
"M-MY boyfriend?"
"Yes. Your hottie boyfriend, Deive. I had a chat with him a while ago. He is so handsome."
"And he told you that I want new designs?"
"Hmmm... he said that light and happy colors would look better on you. Pastel colors maybe. Not too loud but pleasing to the eyes just the same. The dark colors are starting to get old. Well, he has a point. I thought maybe you want a new genre for your new stories or new colors with this new development in your life."
"I never thought of changing my genre or changing my fashion preference to lighter colors. And why would Deive say that? And you took his suggestions seriously when we were the one doing business here?" I growled at my friend. I never raised a voice on her the whole time they have known each other but it was frustrating. "You didn't bother to ask me first?"
"Well, I thought you want to change genre because you are in love. You know life is more colorful now that you have a gorgeous man to marry."
Her blood boiled. What does Deive care about what she wants to wear? Her body, her rules. It was clear to him what her job was and the inspiration she could get from her costumes. She thrived on it.
And besides, she was not in love with him. "You know, he has no business when it comes to my costume and job. Come back here. I want to see the sketches."
"Oh no, dearie. I don't want Deive to get mad at me. I promised him that I will create new designs for you. That I will create something fab for you. See you next time."
Great. He already enamored her house helps. Now, even her designer follows his every command as if he hypnotized her. Charmed is the better term because Deive could even charm a stone, how much more a gay? Well, when it comes to friendship versus a gorgeous man, Pipay would leave their friends and open his arms for the handsome man. In her next story, she would make sure that Pipay will be his character and have ten sexy women terrorize him.
"Do you want me to bash your head with Deive's? I am your friend. We are partners. This is our job. Why did you allow Deive to dictate the flow of our work? This is just between you and me, Pipay!"
"But he is sooo handsome. I lost my mind, Callea. I became a slave to his desires." Pipay purred then giggled like a sily high schooler. "All I can say was "Yes, Master". Don't tell me he doesn't have that same effect on you? You would do everything he wants with a simple command."
Callea let out a curse. Her friend really lost her mind. Well, could she really blame her friend? She also lost her mind with him last night and let him kiss her. But her job was another thing she won't allow Deive to touch.
"So, you will choose Deive than me? Do you want to end our friendship?" Callea asked in a deadly tone. "Do you want me to choose another designer?"
"No! How could you say that? Look, maybe Deive wants to have you for himself. I think he is suspicious of me since I am still handsome..."
"Excuses, excuses, Pipay. Chicks before dicks."
"But I like dicks, Callea. Have you tried this dick," he argued.
"Shut up!"
"Okay, virgin bride. I understand the frustration. You haven't tried him yet. Look, I will go back some other time. Who knows, you might like the new dresses that I will bring. Let me surprise you."