Chapter Text
It's a Saturday morning and it's Malory's first day to take a rest after 3 months of doing shows across cities in the country. She hasn't planned anything in the next 3 days as she did not notice how days passed.
She got her coffee from the coffee shop nearby and now on her way to her condo when she noticed two girls following her. It's not new to her anymore. Her job is financially rewarding and the fact that she got to do what she loves and being appreciated by many. However, the situation that she's in now is one of the things she has to pay in getting this kind of lifestyle.
Malory passed the lobby and waited for the elevator, she could still hear those two girls giggling behind her.
How did they even get inside the building?, she asked herself.
She looked up to check how many more floors until the elevator reaches ground floor. A woman stands beside her and by looking at her outfit, it looks like she just went for a run.
She smells good, she told herself but shooed away any other thoughts that might follow, tumigil ka bading.
The elevator reaches ground floor and the woman gestured her to go inside first. Those two girls who have been following her rode the same elevator.
She has been contemplating if she'd go directly to her unit and how she could get away with this, until the woman spoke, "Parang gusto ko ng mango shake. Let's have take out first." She pressed the rooftop floor where the restaurant of the building is located. She smiled at her but still confused.
They went inside the restaurant and the two girls are still following them. The woman she's now with but does not have any idea who she is, guided her to one of the tables. She pulled a chair and gestured Malory to sit. She sat beside her. Their backs are now facing the two girls.
The woman looked at Malory after she gave her orders to the waiter, "Colline." Malory just looked at her. Colline chuckled when she saw how confused she is. "My name is Colline. I have noticed those two girls have been following you simula nung lumabas ka sa coffee shop dun sa kanto."
"If you noticed that, so sinusundan mo rin ako?" she said back as she realized that she is also with a stranger. Same with two girls who are now behind them and she's more than sure that they are now taking a video.
"I live here. My unit is just across yours. I just thought that you could use some help."
This is the first time that she saw Colline, it's not like she knows everyone in here but as she stares at her eyes, nose and down to her lips, she finds it difficult to overlook as beautiful as Colline.
"For someone who live just across my unit, it's strange this is the first time we're meeting each other."
"I prefer low-key" That smile again, Malory thought.
Colline continued, "Look, I don't have time to get you to trust me. I also don't want to brag but between me and the losers behind us, I'd say you should take your chances with me."
"They are for sure recording us. You know the consequence of helping me out?"
Colline smiled again, Lord, bakit ba ganyan yung ngiti nya. Ngiting ang dami nang sinaktan.
Colline reached from her pocket and showed a face mask and put her shades on the table, "I think I am prepared." and another smile that made Malory's heart melt. I'm doomed.
After few minutes, her take-outs came, Colline looked up, "Ash, can you do me a favor?" and she pulled off that smile again. See such a heart breaker. Malory thought.
She whispered something to Ash, "Yun lang ba Col? Ok sure. I'll take care of it." Then she winked at her.
"You two know each other?"
"I told you, I live here. Let's go." She reached for Malory's hand after she wore her face mask and shades. Malory saw the two girls who are now looking at them with their phones pointing at them.
They went out the restaurant and she looked behind, she saw Ashley blocked the two girls and now talking to them.
They reached the elevator just in time. The elevator is about to close when she saw those two girls stepped out from the restaurant. Colline pressed 15th and 18th floor.
She creased her forehead, "I thought you're staying just across my unit?"
"Yep, just in case they'll try to check where this stops, at least they'd think we went to 18th."
They reached their floor and walked to their units.
"This is me." Colline stop at the door in front of Malory's unit.
"Thank you, Col." She said genuinely. She saw that Colline's a little bit surprised. Is it because she said thank you or is it because of a sudden nickname; she couldn't tell.
"You're welcome. See you around, superstar." Then Colline went inside and left her shocked and blushing.
----
3:24 PM. She looked at the time before she reaches for her phone.
"Stella, this should be important. I'm trying to rest and you just woke me up." She answered her call and felt a little bit of regret why she has set Stella's contact with emergency ring tone.
She heard Stella, her childhood friend and now her personal make-up artist, sighed on the other line. "Look, I don't know if it's important for you but it is for me. Somebody posted a video that you're with someone and magkaholding hands kayo. People are freaking out. Now, that's job-related problem. Let's talk about bff issue here. You are dating and you have guts not to tell me!?"
"How serious it is?"
"Which one?"
Malory rolled her eyes. "The job-related problem."
"Oh you have no idea. Your manager has been messaging me non-stop. Tinatanong nya kung anong alam ko. And it is painful, kasi wala akong ka-alam alam Malory!"
"Alright. I'll talk to you later."
"Malory, don't you dare!"
"It's nothing serious, Stels"
"Oh so ano landi landi lang yan?"
She sat up and accepted that she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now. "Ok Stels, kumalma ka. Ang OA mo na. Wala akong dini-date or nilalandi. It's a long story. I'll tell you later, okay? Kailangan ko lang tawagan si Miss Jam. For sure hindi na 'yon mapakali."
"Okay, is that a promise?"
"Yes, promise."
After convincing her best friend, she checked her messages and as what she expected, Miss Jam left multiple messages asking about the video and her whereabouts, not to mention, 14 missed calls.
Madam Jam:
Malory, what is this? (video)
Malory, where are you? You have a lot of explaining things to do.
Malory, istg, masasabunutan kita! Magreply ka!
She couldn't help but chuckle when she saw how her manager's calm approach transitioned to wrath.
She started typing her reply.
Malory: Magandang araw rin sa'yo Miss Jam! Kakagigising ko lang po.
Miss Jam: Thank God at nagreply ka na! Have you seen the video?
Malory: No po but I think I have an idea.
Miss Jam: Who were you with?
That is Miss Jam, very straightforward.
Malory: Kapitbahay ko po.
Miss Jam: Kapitbahay na kaholding hands mo?
Malory: Long story, madam. Pero she just helped me.
Miss Jam: I will call.
In just few seconds, her phone is already ringing.
She told the story to her manager excluding the part of how her heart is racing every time she is seeing Colline's smile. Ang lala ko talaga magka-crush.
In just within an hour, she already saw the post of her management stating that they respect their artist's personal life and asking everyone to do the same.
Malory: Miss Jam, why are we not dismissing the idea of me dating someone?
Miss Jam: It's the best we could do. We cannot just simply say that somebody helped you from two fans who have been stalking you. People won't buy it.
Malory: And this will?
Miss Jam: Not sure but we'll get something from it.
Malory: Which is?
Miss Jam. Curiosity, Malory. We make people curious of you.
She sighed and told herself. A price you gotta pay, Mal.
---
She spent her remaining 2 rest days in her unit doing nothing. Maybe just a little bit of cleaning, reading books and non-stop meal orders. Her best friend tried to convince her to go out but she did not have energy and just focused on recharging her emotional bank as today she's back at work.
Her schedule for today is just a photo shoot and a quick run to her dentist. She opened the door of her unit and watched Colline locking her door. As soon as Colline saw her, she smiled at Malory, "Hi, welcome back to the real world."
"How did you know?"
"I didn't. Just a guess, but now you confirmed it."
"Sobrang tinatamad ako lumabas. If I have a choice, I would love to extend few more days, not going anywhere"
Colline is wearing a fitted pants with white top and a gray blazer.
From seeing her the other day wearing a sporty outfit and now to a semi-formal one. She can do both. Malory thinks.
She reached the elevator, "Where do you work?" Malory asked all of a sudden.
"Coffee shop."
"You mean, yung nasa kanto lang?"
"Ah nope. Yung nasa kabilang street. If I'm gonna be immature, magtatampo nga sana ako that you went sa kabila for your coffee and not mine."
"Eh kasi mas malapit!"
"Yeah, I know, if I'm gonna be immature nga diba?" Colline laughed.
Out of curiosity, Malory continued asking, "So you own it?" Colline nodded.
An idea came to her mind and without thinking twice, she offered, "Tara, hatid na kita."
"News flash, you are now trusting me." Colline smiled at her again, "As tempting as it is, may susundo kasi sa'kin. He's waiting outside na."
The elevator reached ground floor and Colline stepped out, "Ingat ka. See you around, superstar" She was not able to respond until the elevator closes. Alone, she's just smiling when she reaches the basement where her car is parked and just noticed it until she held her car door. Oh god, ano ba yan.
She whispered a quick prayer before she drove out of the building. Before she hits the road, she stopped as she noticed Colline stepping out from the building and now wearing a bonnet. Did she forget something?
She's just watching Colline and followed the direction Colline is looking at. She saw a guy wearing a blue long sleeves who's standing beside a BMW SUV. She saw them hugged each other and the guy opened the car door for Colline. She even watched the guy covering Colline's head so she wouldn't hit her head.
Straight na nga, may jowa pa. Sad naman. Happy crush lang naman. She tried to convince herself.
---
It's been two weeks since Malory saw Colline. Enough days for her to believe that it was really just a happy crush.
But it only took 3 words until she felt it again.
"This happened before." she heard her voice and Colline is now standing beside her wearing her bonnet, shades and a face mask. Malory, looked behind them and notice a guy pointing his phone at her. She sighed and followed Colline who stepped in the elevator. The guy was about to follow them inside, however, Colline raised his hand to stop him. "I'm sorry, we need some privacy here." The guy was surprised and a little bit embarrassed.
When the door closes, Colline removed her face mask, "Seriously? He hasn't realized how embarrassing yung ginagawa nya until I called him out? Grabe."
Malory did not respond and watched Colline typed on her phone. She saw few words, Can you-- she looked away when she realized she was overstepping.
When they reached their doors, she heard Colline, "I think it's reasonable to report this na sa building, Malory. What if wala ako dun? Parang ang luwag nila sa security, lately."
"Yeah, I'll do it once I find time."
Colline nodded but before she opened her door, Malory called her again, "Hold on, Col." that nickname again. She gave her phone to Colline, "Would you mind giving me your number? Just in case? You're the only one I trust here."
Without hesitation, Colline got her phone and type her number and hit on call. She reached for her own phone and save Malory's number.
"I don't answer unknown numbers. I have to save yours too." She smiled and returned the phone to Malory.
She stepped inside her unit "Good night, Mal. See you around, superstar."
Happy Crush Season 2 na ba 'to. Malory laughed at the idea.
---
They experienced another two incidents of fans following Malory in her condo before the building admin took action. Malory has been busy attending meetings while they are planning her shows outside the country. She also stopped accepting events as she has been preparing for her upcoming movie, although she has to attend acting workshop 3 days a week. Good thing that Colline was also on the way home when it happened again so Malory just waited for her in the lobby. Before the second incident happened, this has been their routine. Whoever gets home first would be waiting in the lobby so they could go upstairs together. It's still fresh from Malory's memory how they started this set up.
Flashback:
Malory messaged Col while she was inside the rest room on ground floor of their condo.
Malory: Col, I think someone is following me.
In just few seconds, Colline replied.
Colline: Wru?
Malory: I'm here sa restroom sa lobby.
Colline: Oks, can you wait for me? May ibilin lang ako sa ibang staff. I'll be out in 5 mins. Nandyan na ko in 10-15?
Malory: Naku, baka may mga need ka pa asikasuhin dyan. Lapit na lang siguro ako sa security.
Colline: It's fine, teka lang.
It didn't take 15 minutes until Colline arrived. They went upstairs together.
As soon as Malory settled on her bed after her night routine, she sent a message to Colline.
Malory: Col, just want to thank you again. Pasensya na kung naaabala kita madalas.
Colline: Hindi ka abala. Sa ganda mong 'yan?
Malory was surprised and even asked herself if Colline was in a normal state or was drinking.
Malory: Wow?
Colline: Wow kasi?
Malory: Nothing. This is the first time you complimented me.
Colline: I did not notice. Were you waiting for me to compliment you?
Malory: Nope, just curious and not used to people not overreacting of how I look? Kasi seryoso, parang ang OA na ng iba.
Colline: I see. So you do not prefer me complimenting you?
Malory: It feels okay.
Colline: Hahahaha. Really, Mal? That's the best you can say, it feels okay? Hahaha.
Malory: I mean, it feels great! I was just wondering before if hindi ka ba talaga nasstarstruck sakin kasi you never made me feel that you are panicking whenever we are together.
Colline: Who told you I wasn't panicking?
Malory: You were?
Colline: :)
Malory: Colline!
Colline: Mal, you are beautiful. I just know that you are used to people admiring your presence that's why I don't want to express kung gaano ako nasstarstruck sa'yo and try to be calm as much as I can. I don't want to scare you.
Malory: So, you're admiring my presence?
Colline: Ang kulit mo, Malory. Hahahaha.
Malory: Will I see you tomorrow?
Colline: Depends. Ikaw tong hectic ang schedule.
Malory: These next few weeks hindi! I have a fixed schedule in 3 weeks.
Colline: Is that so? Hmmm. How about we meet each other every night in the lobby so I can accompany you every time you go home?
Malory: Sounds like a plan.
Colline: Awesome. See you tomorrow, superstar.
Malory was biting her lower lip to stop herself from smiling crazily. Grabe, happy crush pa ba 'to? She told herself.
-------
In span of 3 weeks, Malory was happy being on the receiving end of Colline's kindness. She couldn't help but think if this is how she treats everyone. They were in Malory's unit as she invited Colline to have dinner with her since starting tomorrow she'll have busy schedule. She'll start shooting her upcoming movie. They were eating when she remembered seeing her with a guy before in front of the building.
"May boyfriend ka ba?"
Colline widened her eyes while chewing her food in slow motion as she was surprised with the sudden question, "Ang random mo naman."
"Curious lang! Nakita kasi kita one time. May kasama ka, sweet nyo nga."
She saw Colline smirked, "Are you jealous?"
"Anong jealous? Hindi no!"
One thing that she learned these past weeks about Colline was she is very straightforward. She's calm and you wouldn't get any hint if the woman is panicking. It's like Colline's wearing one expression of all emotions she could feel, this only changes when she's teasing Malory.
"Imagine mo nga ulit yung nakita mo? Nasa labas ako ng building then may nakita kang guy, tapos hinihintay ako di'ba, pinagbuksan ako ng pinto pero he covers my head para hindi ako mauntog."
She could see that scenario again in her head, unconsciously, her forehead creased.
Colline caught that expression, "See! Nagseselos ka!" She pointed at Malory's face then she started laughing.
"Para kang tanga!" She was so embarrassed on how Colline caught her.
"Grabe, yung superstar crush ako. I am so honored."
"Napakahirap naman magtanong dito! Hindi ba pwedeng chismosa lang ako?"
Colline was still smiling so she rolled her eyes on her and stood up, but Colline pulled her again. "I'm just messing with you. Mamimiss kasi kita."
She looked at the girl pouting because she knows she'd give up easily. Alam na alam pa'no ko kunin!
"On a serious note, he's not my boyfriend. Kilala ko yung tinutukoy mo kasi isang tao lang naman yung sumusundo sakin if we have free time. That's my Kuya. From time to time, nagbbreakfast kami together kaya sinusundo nya ko dito"
That explains the hug. Malory thought.
But that was also the night that Malory started to have a lot of questions about Colline's life. She realized how she only knows few things about the girl. Tapos crush ko na agad?
However, she does not have enough courage to ask. Itong tanong nga lang na kung single ba sya, muntik na ko mahuli na crush ko sya.
----
Malory was in the middle of shooting of her upcoming movie. She's scrolling her gallery, looking at few pictures she took with Colline. She's missing her. She's with some of the staff inside the tent, they are watching the news while waiting for her co-artist who's now doing her scene. She was about to send Colline a message to invite her for breakfast tomorrow as her call time would be in the afternoon when she received a notification. It was Colline.
Colline: Mal. I won't be here tomorrow.
Did she just read my mind? And wow, may pag-update? Jowa kita? She giggled with the idea.
Malory: Hi? Sayang, I was about to message you and invite you to have breakfast with me.
Colline: Malas ko naman. You'd ask me out then I wouldn't be available. Hays.
She's thinking that she's used to a flirty Colline already, but her wide smile is telling her otherwise.
Malory: Baliw, hindi yon date!
Colline: Hahaha. Nagjojoke lang.
She was still thinking of her reply when Colline sent another message.
Colline: Seryoso na. I think this is my last message na rin. I'm here in the airport and I don't know when will I go back. I know that we're not that close but I also feel that we are that close to tell this to you and say goodbye.
Right after she read Colline's message, she heard one of the staff, "Ayan yung anak ni President rin na sinasabi nilang poganda! First time magpakita nyan si TV!"
She looked up. Her heart was racing. She was looking at Colline beside her brother, same face she saw when he picked her up.
Cyrus and Colline Avera, children of the President of A-list company are spotted in the airport with their father. This is the first time that President Christopher Avera allowed his daughter and son to be seen in public and people are going crazy and questioning why they choose not to enter showbiz.
"Grabe trending agad!"
"Sobrang ganda at gwapo naman kasi talaga!"
"Di yan sinasama ni Pres sa mga event, gets na gets bakit nagegatekeep."
"Grabe yung Colline, side profile palang! Pakakasalan agad."
She felt her phone vibrated again:
Colline: I will miss you, Malory. See you around, superstar.