III- WHO YOU

July 5, 2019

DAYA

 

Fortunately for me, no one ever tried to grab or screamed at my face as we went back to the shooting site. The erted guy was pretty silent as he walked ahead of me. Even if I was asking him a lot of things, he didn't answer any of it and asked me to stay quiet. He told me he will accompany me to where I’m going since he was needed as well on the shoot, and then he gave me his hoodie to hide my face. Was he a staff member? Is that why we kept on bumping into each other?

 

As it turned out, I was only a building away from it. Bommie was holding her phone in her ear, seamingly calling someone. That someone must be me since she furiously ran towards me when we locked eyes, whacking the back of my head. A lot of managers take good care of their actors but not me. Bommie will do anything to kill me whenever I act stupid.

 

Another round of yammering and reprimanding came with a side of her telling me that I owe her yet another dinner. I might as well be her supplier of food if this continues. Good thing I have some candies in my pocket to put in . It pacifies her. I told her what happened as I calm her down. She chewed while listening to me. 

 

"That guy you're with is the one I was telling you." she whispered to me.

 

I remembered what she said last week. So he wasn't a staff but rather, a model.

 

"You mean the guy I'll like? No way! He's the biggest ert of all mankind." I lied.

 

"But, that body and face is your type." She wiggled her eyebrows while playfully tickling my side. I rolled my eyes but squeaked in return, giggling at our silliness. I haven’t told her that the stalker and the model are the same person. If she knows, who knows what kind of evil plan will go through her head. She has the tendency to hook me up with anyone.

 

Bommie added that he came from an unknown company and photographer Cha got hooked on his piercing looks that's why he insisted for the new guy to join us today. She told me there was a rumor going around that he's the reason why the shoot was moved. I always got the feeling that Cha is biual, but I doubt if he's just really gay. Did he fall for his charms?

 

We were having an outdoor shoot as to what the photographer wanted. I was getting ready in one of the shaded areas they prepared, and putting my make up as they sample some shots to the guys. The theme was guys falling head over heels with a goddess. I don't know where they get those kinds of themes but they are very sinful to be perfectly honest. If I was the one accepting this offer, I wouldn't. But Bommie is the boss and I'm just her slave. She said it's part of my job to evolve. I say, that she just wants to torture me.

 

The weather is rather hot today and I felt like my armpits are on fire if I move even an inch. I can feel a chill running down my spine even though they have prepared a big industrial fan for me. They told me to wear this white dress, which cascades down my toe since I kind of ruined the other dress that they told me to wear when I was running from the mob of fans. The sleeves were up until my wrist, flowy and see through.

 

"Is he really a newbie?" Bommie interrupted my musings, as gaped.

 

I followed where her eyes were looking. Jiro was sitting on a bench as Photographer Cha circles around him, taking every shot possible. He posed like a pro, his hands moving fluidly with his body as if it has it's own mind. I was mesmerized as well by him, this guy is not a newbie in any way. Our eyes met, then he openly winked at me while Cha sunbaenim cheered. I panicked and tried to redirect my gaze elsewhere. I hold on to my cheeks, feeling them burn in embarassment. Oh gosh, he's so conceited but charismatic. Calm down, Daya. Don't be swayed by his spell!

 

The photographer called us out. I stood up and walk towards the first venue. My head is hanging low as the sun hits me. My eyes adjusted to the light and I faltered when I saw one,two,three... Wait a minute, am I seeing twelve handsome and well-endowed guys walking towards me? Twelve! How could this be! Let's count that again. Yeahh, no doubt that's twelve different guys, alright.

 

I stepped back and excused myself, telling them I need to go to the washroom. As I turn around, I caught sight of Bommie and ran out of there, holding on to her arm. I want to break it right now as I drag her.

 

“Bommie, what is this?” I whispered and hiss to her ear once we're out of anyone's ear shot. I could see her evil soul lurking on every shadow, while I imagine her, smiling wickedly.

 

“I did tell you about this, remember?” she rolled her eyes.

 

“You didn’t say this... this much!” I angrily stomped my feet, while she continuously ignored me. She seamed more interested on checking out her nails than listening to me.

 

“Sweetheart, be glad you’ll be surrounded by them. If I was in your case, I’ll be enjoying those hot biceps.” she teased.

 

I couldn’t help but pinch her side while she yelp in pain. I swear I will sack Bommie if she doesn't stop giving me weird photoshoots. How could she do this to me when I am an effing awkward person especially in front of guys! I can only handle 3 guys at a time or else, I wouldn't know where I'll be putting my hands. I'm not insinuating crazy things people! I just meant I am unprepared for this disaster. These kinds of situations are the times where I asked myself why I ever agreed for her to be my manager. My hands are already shaking from nervousness.

 

"Is there something wrong?" I saw photographer Cha walking towards us.

 

Bommie stepped out smiling widely and holding onto my arm, quite forcefully I must say.

 

"We're fine sir; she just had a bit of a problem regarding her dress but its okay now. Right, Daya?" She creepily smiled at me and squeezed my arm. I nodded in return, mimicking her face. Photographer Cha then looked at both of us, confused. He walked away, telling us the session will start and we should hurry up with our personal business. We both bowed to him as he went back on the site. I leaned into Bommie's ear and whispered.

 

"You owe me five dinner after this."

---------♥---------

 

Lady luck is not on my side today. Photographer Cha is already losing his mind ever since we started the shoot. We have been under the sun for almost an hour and he's still not satisfied with what I was doing. I've done every single request that he wanted. The only thing I haven't done is tumble down in the grass and shake my booty up in the air while making weird noises. He just can't be satisfied with whatever I do.

 

"Daya! Your face is contorting. Relax your muscles!" He shouted as I tried to smile naturally even though I've been trying to do that since forever.

 

"God, Daya! You're too stiff, hold on to Jay! Move closer!"

 

I've been hearing him but he kept on shouting at me as if I cannot comprehend what he's saying. It's not my fault that he doesn't want me in his photoshoot, even if I was already trying hard to do what he wants.

 

"Okay let's stop first! Fix yourself up, Daya. You're being a pain. You can't even pose. You call yourself a model? I'm giving you 20 minutes. Do something about it or I'll change the lead." His nostrils are flaring as he made his way out of the site. I heard him muttering about me being a good actress but a bad model.

 

I took a deep breath, standing up. I saw Bommie's worried gaze as she made her way to me, bringing a towel.

 

"Are you okay? That , he always gives you a hard time." she whispered to me as she tried to remove the sweat that's forming through my forehead. I can feel all the bodily fluids cascading down my back and armpits. It felt like my body's on fire.

 

I told her I'm alright; removing her hold as I make my way through a tree shed. At first the shoot was doing good. But since Photographer Cha saw a potential to Jiro, he wanted me to top his modeling poses or get us even. I admit that he was rather great with how he brought all of those shots to life. When they had a one on one shoot, I couldn't help but admire how he does it. I got rather envious that he was able to pull any pose that was asked from him; and he made it look so easy. It was as if he was speaking through the camera lens.

 

Photographer Cha is probably one of the pickiest photographers that I've known. He is rather particular, and there would always be news circulating that he only gets satisfied with guys. Maybe that's one of the reasons? I wouldn't want to pry if he swings that way. One thing I know, I wanted to show him I can do it. But how? I can't even seem to please him with anything.

 

My view was obstructed, as I looked up and saw his pink hair bob.

 

"You alright?" Jiro sat down beside me, as he stared at a distance where the other guys are currently taking their breaks. I nod in return. I checked him out, noticing how he still looks fresh even though I'm already sweating like a pig. How can this be possible? Does this guy have no pores?

 

"Like what you see?"

 

I seriously want to strangle him right now and just offer him to the unknown creatures. I stood up, ready to leave and find another place where he won't be disturbing me. But he held my arm and pushed me gently down to sit. I felt a wave of heat pulsating through my head, accidentally grabbing his hand. I've been put on the sun for too long as I felt the cold shivers running down my spine. I heard some shuffling, then my whole world was tilting towards the ground. Though I didn't hit the grass, I was welcomed by a soft cushion on my head. It must be his lap. I tried to open my eyes and stand up but he wouldn't let me as he held me in place.

 

I felt a cold towel touch my eyes, as he slowly dab it in my face. A cool breeze whipped to my body. I interrupted his arm which was holding a wooden fan, stopping it midway and looking right into him. My eyes couldn't even function right as the sunlight hits.

 

"Cut this out." I told him straight.

 

"You are seriously stubborn." His eyebrows curve, as I see some frustration in them. I breathed in.

 

"You're not wrong. I couldn't stand people taking care of me. Way before, I thought they did it out of kindness. I took notice that after some time, they are just using me to benefit from my fame." My eyes didn’t waver, as I tried to clear my hazy vision.

 

Why am I even telling him this? I just met him a week ago, and we just got to know each other's name today. Do I feel like he's just one of them? Or am I feeling jealous that he can model while I just stood there trying to please Cha sunbaenim?

 

He was rather surprised from what I said as his eyes got a little bit bigger. Did I hit the mark?

 

"There's more to you than a pretty face after all." his mouth turned upward as he pushed me again to his lap, putting his hand with the towel on my eyes.

 

"You should be careful of me as well. I might take your heart." He added. I heard him chuckle as he kept on fanning my face.

 

"Has anyone ever told you you're very conceited?" I couldn't help the smile that was creeping onto my face.

 

"There it is. You should probably do that when we shoot."

 

I got confused. I removed his hold on my eyes, as I looked at him with my eyebrows rising.

 

"Do what?"

 

"The smile that you were hiding." He grinned at me. It took me a few seconds, then I laughed for the first time today. He really has a way with his words. I haven't met a guy this persistent and resilient, even if I tried pushing him aside.

 

A yawn escaped my lips. I just remembered that I wasn't able to sleep well yesterday since I got home a few minutes before midnight. After I had a drama taping and an interview for a talk show, I still allotted some time to practice my facial expressions for the shoot. I even went crazy in the car a while ago to wake myself up, but I guess that backfired.

 

"You should sleep. We still have 15 minutes before it starts. I'll wake you up." Jiro brushed my hair with his fingers.

 

His gesture reminds me of when I was a kid. My mom would always massage my head for me to be able to sleep while singing me a lullaby. She would continue brushing them until my body relaxes, just like what he is doing now. I hummed in response. This guy is stringing me on his phase, which makes me worry.

 

I heard him speaking but nothing was registered on my mind, as it was already drifting and asking me to sleep.

 

---------♥---------

My head was light. I haven't felt this good since I started getting offers to every single kind of drama.

 

"Okay that's a wrap! Good work everyone!" I heard someone shouting.

 

What's a wrap?

 

"Hey sleeping beauty, shouldn't you wake up now?" A hand brushed on my face, tickling me.

 

The soft pillow under my head was making me go back to la la land. I buried my face on it while hugging the upper cushion.

 

"Mmm… Five more minutes."

 

All I know is I should take his opportunity to take a break, which I haven't done in a long time. And this, is pure bliss. A comfy pillow, nice flowery smell, and a hand touching my head.

 

I heard muffled words calling me as my mind tried to drift in dream land.

 

"You won't wake up or I'll haunt you in your sleep? Pick Daya." I heard it again. I guess this means it's time's up.

 

"Okay. I'm up! Sheesh, what's wrong with you." I sat up, and buried my face in my hands. What time is it for someone to disturb me?

 

I looked over my shoulder and I see Bommie sitting beside me fuming in what I think is annoyance. I smiled at her like a fool.

 

"Why are you mad?" I asked her and rubbed my eyes.

 

"Are you really asking me? Here's the water and you might get an idea."

 

I obliged to her request and drank it. I felt very dehydrated and sticky today. I put the cup down and stared at where I was. I saw some crewman dismantling. I looked at my hands. I noticed my dress was splattered in what looks to be red ink used for blood. Then my eyes landed on photographer Cha.

 

Everything dawned on me.

 

The photo shoot!

 

I looked at Bommie in alarm as she shrug, shaking her head. I stood up faster than lightning to where Cha was standing. I made my way to him as the crewmen bowed to me while greeting. Did I screw up again?

 

"Excuse me sir. I am so sorry fo-" I bowed to him but he interrupted me by putting his right hand up.

 

"I'd appreciate it if you don't do that again. Jiro improvised for me. Are you really a professional?" He then walked away. My arm was holding onto my knees, while my head was still bowed down. Blood rushed through my head. Things have not gone well ever since I met him.

 

I round the corner, looking for that familiar pink hair. My clasped hand shaking in anger when I found him sitting and talking to the crewman. I slowly walk towards him, trying to breathe through my nose. His eyes found mine and he smirked as I took my time.

 

The crewman excused himself; we stood there eyeing each other.

 

"Are you satisfied now that you've used me?" I said in a whisper.

 

He looked rather confused, his smirk leaving his lips as he processed what I uttered.

 

"What-"

 

"Don't show yourself to me again." I hissed as I turned around, but he caught my arm. I felt a tear escaping my eyes. I shrugged him off and proceeded to go away.

 

Ahh... Why is the world so harsh?