Upon setting foot in her house in Dubai, Sheena knows that someone has visited in her absence. She finds a plate of crepes waiting on the kitchen table. Kino had left a note on top of the plastic wrap.

Your mother asked me to check up on you.. You should probably tell them we’re no longer seeing each other. The subscript says, I think you should just do whatever makes you happy from now on.

Sheena stares guiltily at the note. She had hurt Kino and the guy was still so good to her. Sheena sighs at the thought. Kino deserves a woman who would reciprocate the love he was capable of giving and they both knew she wasn’t that woman.

 

 

Manila is hot and rainy in September. She’s back again in the country for Seiji’s movie premiere. Apparently, she had learned from Christine over the phone that his contract still allowed him to make movies in the country but when it comes to international projects, his agency in the States are the ones handling it.

She opted for a backless black dress and she was surprised at the horde of photographers at the venue. The red carpet is expectantly chaotic but still she waits dutifully for the photographers to finish, her face carefully crafted into an expression of professionalism. She made a mental note to check the social media sites tomorrow. She wonders what would be the headlines for this event.

She spotted her friends who were retired like her, too and was surprised that Seiji really was persistent in getting as many of his friends to attend his premiere night.

Thankfully, Seiji is whisked off during the showing to sit with the cast. Sheena is pleasantly surprised when a track from Jesah’s newest single plays halfway through the movie. Jesah just shoots her a grin when Sheena turns to her, mouthing at Sheena to be quiet.

 

Sheena gets dragged to the after party before she can escape. There are a lot of appetizer trays and way too many bottles of champagne, but Sheena plays the role of a responsible public citizen by accepting drinks and making small talk.

She straightens up when the female lead approaches her at the open bar. They chat about the movie, pausing when an event photographer snatches a photo of them in conversation. “Also,” she adds, “I am so happy to see you here tonight. I’m your fan up to now even when you’re retired.”

Sheena is taken aback at first, but thanks her. The conversation is cut short when Seiji appears from nowhere, whispering into his co-star’s ear before she bids them goodbye.

After she leaves, Seiji looks at Sheena. It’s the first time they’ve been alone all night. “I didn’t think you would come,” Seiji says.

Sheena gives him a small toast and downs her glass. “Gotta keep you on your toes and bring some excitement to your life.”

“By that, you mean stress and agony,” Seiji corrects, looking meaningfully at her. The clip on his tie matches his watch. His hair is gel-free, and Sheena almost misses seeing Seiji in his element. Even with his dress shirt tucked and sleeves ed, Seiji is the image of class.

“Only because you sleep ten hours a night.” Sheena grins, unable to stop herself. There is a momentary pause before Seiji gives her a genuine smile, gums bearing. It’s endearing and unexpected.

“I’m staying nearby. Come to my hotel room in two hours?”

“Haven’t we done this before?” Sheena raises an eyebrow. “How do you know this party will end by then?”

Seiji wheels Sheena around, nodding towards a group of actors. “The line director will get into a public brawl with the stunt coordinator over my co-star. That will be the time for you to slip out. If you choose to remain, then I advise you to stay away from the chocolate fountain.”

“No,” Sheena whispers, staring unbelievably at Seiji.

Seiji’s smile is indulgent. “Yes. Welcome to the movie business, Sheena Rose.”

 

 

After too many close encounters with pushy directors and tipsy celebrities, Sheena leaves the party after bidding goodbye to the few people she recognizes. Seiji’s hotel is down the street once again, the lobby relatively deserted at this time of the night.

Seiji seems to have left his stuff in a hurry, Sheena notes as she scans the room. She spots a pile of paper on the dresser—brochures and pointless business cards Seiji seems to have pulled out of his wallet in an attempt to slim it down. Sheena stops upon spotting something familiar under those piles of papers.

Seiji appears in the doorway a few minutes later, just in time for Sheena to confirm her suspicions. “What are you-“ Seiji starts to say, but stops at the expression on Sheena’s face.

“Why can’t you just tell the truth?” Sheena asks. “You put on this great act of not wanting to be near me but then go quoting my songs, donating to my fan clubs, and you even act like a stalker for having these comprehensive reports of everything I do in Dubai! Why can’t you just-“

“Why are you going through my stuff?” Seiji asks instead of answering, alarm flashing across his face. “You shouldn’t-“

“You’re the one who invited me up here,” Sheena cuts in, effectively shut Seiji up. Sheena begins shuffling through the cards, reading the names and contact info aloud. It feels almost surreal that, in this life, Seiji could be her fan and do something so equally silly yet earnest. “Why?”

Seiji deflates a little when Sheena stares him down. “You weren’t supposed to see that.”

Sheena puts up a hand to stop Seiji from talking. Seiji seems to have all these theories about how things are supposed to go but Sheena knows that he has no right to decide things for her. Not anymore.

Seiji seems dejected instead of affronted, dropping his hands to his sides. “Because- because we weren’t- I didn’t think I was ready for it.”

“That’s unfair.” Sheena all but whispers. Her anger makes more sense now that she’s vocalized it. “You made me feel like a farce. Like, despite knowing how I felt about you, everything meant nothing to you.”

To his credit, Seiji simply looks confused. Concerned, maybe. “That’s not-“

“You just left. You made me feel like the people closest to me, the people who knew me best, would never love me. Not the way I wanted you to.” Sheena closes her eyes and looks away. When Seiji begins to move towards her, Sheena asks without turning.

“You told me we couldn’t be together. What changed?”

“I changed.” Seiji closes the distance after a second or a year. His hands find the edge of Sheena’s jaw, his touch soft.

Sheena feels like she should resist, but fighting is tiring when all she wants to do is to surrender to him. They’ve danced around each other for so long when the only thing pushing them apart had been their selves. Her last birthday wish had been to be more honest with herself. Sheena thinks they could have saved hours and years if Seiji had just been more honest too. Now acutely aware of the closing distance between them, Sheena leans in.

Seiji’s breath hovers over Sheena’s lips for a second before he kisses her, hungry, determined and purposeful.

“Is this okay?” Seiji asks after a second, looking at Sheena. “Are you okay?”

Sheena has a head full of doubt but a heart full of promise. Being here with Seiji seems more than okay, more than enough.

“Yes,” she says, pressing herself closer to Seiji. “Yes, yes, yes.”

 

 

to be continued..