Poseidon_18 is taking longer than I expected. His profile says he’s online, though. I opened Facebook on another tab. I was about to start scrolling when the Mate app dinged and a ‘hello’ popped up. I immediately focused on my laptop to compose a reply.

"How are you? Are you a Filipino?" I said as I typed the words. He replied quickly this time and his response made me smile.

Poseidon_18: Yes, I am. A half specifically. Where are you from? I live in Parañaque. How old are you by the way?

I smiled at his way of typing. It looks so clean, it’s as if he has life put together. I wonder what it’s like to be his girlfriend.

"I live near, just within Metro Manila. I am also a Filipino, only 27 hehe. Are you single?" I typed. I have this weird habit of saying what I’m typing out loud. I don’t know, it feels like I’m actually talking to the other person this way.

Poseidon_18: Typing…

I waited for his reply. He seems interested now. I’m glad we’re interested in each other.

"Yeah, I am single for a couple of years now. I am already 30 but that’s a good age gap for us hahaha. Do you mind if I ask your name?" I read his reply.
I thought about his question for a solid minute. He seems like a good man, just my type. But I can’t risk my real identity. Not when I’m at the peak of my career in the industry. I chose to give him my nickname instead.

Binay: You can call me Binay. I'm sorry, I can't give you my name hehe.

I waited for his reply, but it’s taking long once again. He’s probably doing something at the moment. Or maybe he’s not interested anymore because I didn’t give him my name. I pouted in front of my screen.

The drowsiness was starting to kick in. I had a long day at work and it surely drained the life out of me. As much as I wanted to continue talking to him, I need to have my beauty rest now so I turned my laptop off. I guess I’ll just talk to him tomorrow, I hope.

I put on my sleeping mask. It helps keep my skin flawless like that Korean glass skin trend. I also drank a glass of water because staying hydrated is the best way to have a glowing, healthy skin. No to sodas and juices because they might affect my metabolism.

I lie in my bed and turn down the air conditioning. The room gets too cold during dawn, which leaves me shaking, and I don’t like that. I yawned as I put cucumber slices on my eyes.

------

"Time to rest~" I whispered to myself before finally letting sleep take me.

"You look really stunning, Madam Brazeal," Shane praised me with a smile.

"Really? How I wish others saw me that way, too. I'm not that confident when it comes to my beauty. I'm sick, Shane. You know that."

"Madam, you’re still beautiful regardless! Look at me, I don’t have any illness but you still look more beautiful than me! Your illness is not a hindrance, madam," Shane’s remark made me laugh. I stood from my seat and looked into the mirror. I smiled at my reflection, I look beautiful indeed. I just need to have more faith in myself.

I’m wearing an above-the-knee floral truffles dress paired with strap heels from today’s sponsor brand. Its sleeves reach my elbow, which I find cute. We’re set for an interview today. Other models wore short and sexy dresses just as I expected, that’s why I personally chose this cute one to separate myself.

"Let’s go, ma’am. They told me the CEO of this company wants to talk to you after the interview," Shane leaned closer to my ear then looked left and right. "From what I heard, he’s single! And he’s just thirty! Right up your alley!" she whispered excitedly. I chuckled then shook my head. "Even if I did like him, I’m sure he won’t like me back, Shane."

She rolled her eyes at me, "Oh well, we’ll see about that," she smirked before opening the door to exit the studio. I just shook my head once again. Her confidence in me baffles me at times. Me catching a CEO’s attention? As if.

We met other supermodels who were just outside the studio. A few of them greeted me and smiled. I’m aware that some of them don’t like me, a model friend told me. I just moved closer to Shane and continued walking. I didn’t want to do small talks with them. A woman’s voice suddenly called my name from the crowd.

"Brazeal! Nice to see you again!" I turned around to see Clouie Felipe. She’s the model friend I was talking about and my only best friend in the modeling industry. If it weren’t for her, I’d be clueless of the bashing that’s been happening behind my back.

I hugged Clouie and gave her a big smile. It was a relief to see her today. "Nice to see you too, Clouie. I missed you!"

"Look at Hannah, she’s so two-faced! She keeps on smiling our way but stabs us when we’re not looking. Don’t she dare talk bad about you or else I’ll kill her," Clouie said annoyed and I just laughed.

I looked at the back to see Hannah. She rolled her eyes at me because Clouie’s not looking. Her sister, Andrea, gave me a smug look as if she was mocking my presence. It’s unbelievabl that they’re supermodels with their childish behaviors.

"Brazeal Inayica Viglianco, Clouie Felipe, Hannah Leigh, Andrea Leigh, and Amber Soledad! We’ll start the interview now!" Director John shouted. We sat in our designated seats, good thing Clouie’s next to me.

The theme song of “Tonight with Georgina Rodriguez” started playing and she introduced herself. The camera panned to each of us. We sported a kind smile and waved like the supermodels that we are. When it was my turn to get asked by Ms. Georgina Rodriguez I saw Andrea give me an annoyed look. I just ignored her and focused on the question.

"So Brazeal, you’re the top model of the Philippines now! How does it feel to have back-to-back projects and, on top of that, a huge net worth? I’m thrilled to know!" Ms. Georgina asked with genuine excitement.