"GOOD MORNING!" I greeted Dad warmly the next morning.
"Morning!" Andrew greeted back.
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you wearing lipstick?"
He glanced at Dad before Aunt Melva. "There's an Intramural at School," he softly said, after pinching the short hair to his ear.
I first glanced at Aunt Melva's reaction, when I realized she was shaking while smiling, and then I just turned my attention back to him.
"Just fix it, Andrew, I don't want to know that you're having a boyfriend!"
"That's not in my plan yet! I still have many dreams in life. One of them is to be a famous fashion designer!" he exclaimed.
"That's right, Andrew. Study first before boyfriend!" Aunt Melva arch and brows at him.
"Fine, Mother!" He rolled up his eyes dramatically.
The room filled with laughter. Finally, Andrew was able to reveal his true identity. And Aunt Melva and Dad were very receptive. And if there's anything happier than anyone, maybe it's me. I knew it was just one of the dreams he wanted to come true. We accept who he is and what he is.
"Dad, get yourself ready by afternoon we're going somewhere," I said here.
"Where?"
I smiled at him before I walked out of our door. "I want you to be ready when I come home from work. Include Andrew and Tita Melva."
He nodded at me so I kissed him on the cheek.
"All right, Dad, I'm leaving. See you later!"
"Be careful at work." He ordered me.
I nodded and waved at him before leaving for work. I also immediately turned for a taxi to go to Nicholas' building.
"Good morning, I'm Cherry!" some staff greeted me.
"Hi! Good morning!" I politely said.
I went straight to the Conference room where we were meeting for the photoshoot to be held in Singapore.
I greeted one by one some staff and some new photographers and editors who will be joining the project.
"It's nice to meet you, Cherry! I'm Sofronio, I'll be one of the photographers for this project." He gave me a warm handshake and a lively smile on his face.
"Yeah, It's nice meeting you too, Sofronio," I shyly said.
At that point, Nicholas entered with a man in a leather jacket. He was also wearing sunglasses while holding a long envelope in his right hand.
"Good morning, Mr. President!" We greeted him almost simultaneously.
"Good morning! Please take a seat ladies and gentlemen," he said in his very powerful voice.
We sat constantly as they remained standing.
"I would like to introduce you guys, my friend, and my best buddy. Direct Zal Eusebio."
"Hi, good morning everyone!" he said in a low tone, just like Nicholas he's also looked elegant wearing a black T-shirt underneath his black leather jacket and brown formal shoes.
"He will be our director for the upcoming photoshoot in Singapore," he added.
He glanced at me before continuing with what he had to say.
"Next week is our flight to Singapore. I want everyone to focus on this project because it will be our entry in the Year-end fashion festival in France, two months from now." Nicholas stated.
"Yes, sir!" we answer simultaneously.
Nicholas glanced at me again and this time our eyes locked for a moment. I smiled at him despite his serious look at me.
So I chose to look down and open the folder in front of me. The meeting went smooth and calmative. Because I knew I had nothing to contribute to the meeting. I just bored my eyes with the photos where we will do the photoshoot.
"What can you say about Direk, Zal?" Nicholas asked me after the closed-door meeting. I was in his office because he called me.
"Hmm, I think he's good," I simply said.
"And, what?" he asked and gave me a malicious glance.
I turned my eyes at him, "What exactly do you mean?" I arc a brow at him, crossing my two arms at my chest.
I know it means something to ask about Direk, Zal.
"Nothing, I'm just asking, you know," he said, then he shrugs a bit.
"I know you, Nicholas," I said shaking. So did he just call me just for this?
He walked closer to his table where I was sitting slightly. He lean closer, two hands settled on both my side. Napa singhap ago, he is too close.
"How was your date with your rumored boyfriend?" The tone of his speech changed. It is worse to apply the lips after.
My eyes widened, how did that news get here?
"It's unexpected, believe me!" Oh, fuck! Why do I sound so defensive?
"Oh, right." The smirk grew over his face and lean more closer.
From my clasped arms, I couldn't help but apply both hands to his working table.
He lick his red lips and bit his inner lip. Damn, Cherry! Wrong move!
He narrowed his eyes. "Should I know something you're not telling me?"
I laugh at the sexual undertone in his question. "You're kinda weird today." I just said.
But he leans more closer, closer than I haven't expected. So I lower my head down. He could almost smell the fragrant breath on me because of his extreme closeness.
"Are getting back together?" he asked in a hushed voice.
I'm shaking my head. Why is it hard to tell him the truth, because I don't want to see him hurt? Or because I'm just guilty of covering up about Rexon and me.
I move away after watching him shake. Two hands now at his pocket.
"I just want to remind you, it's not easy to in love with a superstar like him," he said something meaningful.
I frowned at him. What does he mean? This is not what I expected him to say. Because I know he doesn’t like Rexon for me.
"Just never mind, I'll go ahead, I have to meet my client this afternoon."
He stepped closer to me again and without saying a word he gave me a warm kiss on the cheek.
"Always take care," he mumbled under his breath.
"Uh, you too..."
He was gone but I still couldn't get away from leaning on his desk.
"He's kinda weird today," I repeated while holding my hand on my head.