Chapter Text
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Open when everything's heavy and you want to put everything down...or drop it on the ground.
Maevis was late.
And pwede nyang sisihin ang buong gobyerno ng Pilipinas kung bakit sya late for a very important meeting today. Pero if she allows herself to give in sa desire to have an internal monologue, baka mawalan sya ng trabaho at sa dinami-rami ng mga bayarin nya for the month, she cannot afford to lose a paycheck, let alone a good paying job.
Pero the problem wasn’t only her being late to the meeting. She didn’t have anything to pitch for the team. In her defense, she was only given a week’s notice. Isang buong linggo lang para makapag-isip ng movie na ibibigay para kay Leanne Montenegro.
The Leanne Montenegro. Yung darling ng buong Pinas. A comeback movie for her. Yung tipong pelikula that would cement her to the industry outside of the loveteam that she had been a part of for years.
And aside sa fact that there was already pressure on who was going to star in this movie, this was also Maevis’ first time to make a pitch. She has been in the industry for three years. She was always only in the background, parte lang ng team. Her ideas were never recognized, they were never given the spotlight. But last week, she was asked. Ilang beses nyang dinalangin yan. This was an answered prayer at putang-ina she didn’t have anything up her sleeve.
“Kuya, pwede bang pakibilisan?” Maevis asked, even when she knew na hindi sya maririnig nga Angkas driver dahil sa lakas ng hangin at naka-helmet silang dalawa. Pwede naman syang sumigaw pero hindi naman niya ugali yan. Instead, all she could do was pray four ‘hail Mary’s’ and five ‘glory to be’, na para bang kakatapos lang nyang magkumpisal. Pwede naman siguro nyang ma-secure na agad yan kasi parang papunta naman sya sa delubyo.
She felt her watch vibrate on her left hand and she glanced at it. A notification:
Maev, nasaan ka na? Andito na kaming lahat sa conference room! We’ve been here for fifteen minutes.
Napapikit sya. Shit. Shit. Shit. Kung hindi lang nya pinahiram sa kuya nya yung sasakyan nya for the week. Kung hindi lang talaga na-aberya yung Grab na sinakyan nya. Kung hindi lang traffic sa EDSA papuntang Ignacia mula Mandaluyong…
God, she could blame it on so many things, sa totoo lang. Pero she knew that the real reason she was running late was because she stayed up last night trying really hard to create a storyline that would be a perfect pitch for Leanne. Masyadong maraming Red Bull ang linaklak nya kaya by 3AM, biglang knockout sya after the caffeine wore off and she barely heard her 6AM alarm that would’ve given her enough time to travel from Mandaluyong to Ignacia.
Finally, narating na din nya yung building. Muntik na syang tumalon paalis ng Angkas. She ran right after she got off. “Mam! Mam!”
Anak ng. Napatigil sya at napalingon. “Ano? Kuya, late na ako! Nakabayad naman ako diba?”
“Mam, yung helmet po!” Ah, shit. Pwede bang lamunin na lang sya ng lupa? May mga sinkholes din ba sa Pinas?
Embarrassed, she removed the helmet – and the haircap – at ibinalik sa driver, and then she was full on sprint mode papunta sa elevator to take her to the fifth floor kung nasaan yung meeting. She quickly dialled Sabrina’s number.
“Sabie!” She whisper-yelled after clocking in the company and rushing to the elevator. “Sina Mam Santos, andyan na ba? Si Miss Leanne? Andyan na ba lahat? Jusko, sana nagsabi na lang ako na-LBM ako.”
Sabie’s voice came through the other line. “Wala pa si Mam Santos, so maswerte ka, as for Miss Leanne, she won’t be attending this meeting. Meron syang photoshoot na naka-schedule.”
Biglang nanghina yung tuhod ni Maevis. She wasn’t sure why though. Was it because of relief or because bigla nyang naisip na Leanne Montenegro wasn’t taking this project seriously because she was making the pitch? As far as she knew, mabait si Leanne kumpara sa ibang artista but still. Sino ba si Maevis sa mundo ni Leanne, diba?
“Oh, bago ka mag-isip ng kung ano-ano dyan, pwede bang pumunta ka na dito? Andito naman yung mag-aapprove ng pitch eh.”
Maevis glanced at the numbers displayed on the elevator. Nasa third floor pa lang sya. “Someone else is approving for her?”
Hindi nya alam kung paano tumanggap ng proyekto si Leanne but the other artists she had worked with were always meticulous with the projects they accepted. Gusto nilang andyan sila mismo sa pitch or hindi kaya’t bibigyan sila ng draft ng screenplay before nila tanggapin.
“Yes. And this person has been here longer than I have kaya kung kaya mong magteleport, please do. Ako na kasi yung natutunaw sa hiya para sayo. Leanne might be a saint but it seems like her manager is Satan’s cousin.”
Sabrina ended the call just as the elevator finally reached the fifth floor. Maevis ran – if she knew na kailangan nyang tumakbo ng mabilis sa ganitong trabaho, she would have done better in PE – and the moment she flung open the door of the conference room, the first thing she heard was:
“Nasaan na ba ang creative producer for this project? The lateness already borders unprofessional ha. Look, I’m sorry for sounding like an asshole but all this waiting is taking up too much of my time and I need to be back at Leanne’s side before her shoot wraps up.”
“I’m here. I’m sorry. It was a series of unfortunate events on my end –,” But her words abruptly stopped when she met the gaze of the other speaker.
Her eyes were narrowed, straight brown hair flowing past her shoulders, arms crossed over her chest. Her lips were set in a thin line of disapproval. At Maevis’ lateness. At her petty excuses.
Maybe at her own existence.
“I’m Maevis Leong. I’ll be the one taking over the meeting. I’m sorry for making you wait too long.”
But even when she announced herself, the other woman remained standing. “What’s the genre of the pitch? Romcom ba? Because if it is, ngayon pa lang, Leanne won’t be doing it.”
It took a moment before Maevis understood what she just said and before she could stop herself, the words were out of her mouth, “Excuse me? Sino ka ba to decline a project you didn’t even hear first?”
“Maevis,” There was warning in Mam Santos’ tone but Maevis’ energy had already shifted
“Ica Cayetano. One of Leanne’s manager. I’m the one who accepts her projects: teleseryes, sitcoms, commercials, movies, even the music videos she stars in. Alam ko kung anong babagay sa alaga ko and what tropes and genre will make her shine – facecard wise and talent wise.”
Ica stepped forward and placed both her hands on the table, leaning closer. “Leanne has been working with romcom movies all throughout her career because she was chained in a loveteam since the beginning. Kung gusto nyong mabenta yung pelikula, give her a project that is outside of that genre.”
Maevis understood that out of everyone in the room, it was Ica who knew Leanne Montenegro best. Still, it didn’t sit too well with her how demanding Ica was being.
“Leanne is regarded as one of the best actresses in her generation. Kung alam mo yung talent ng alaga mo, Miss Cayetano, don’t you think na kahit paulit-ulit yung genre na ibibigay sa kanya, she will still shine kasi magaling sya?”
Maevis wasn’t sure why she was countering. Hindi naman romcom yung project. Wala nga syang project that she could pitch. But romcom was easy to create. It wasn’t layered and too detailed. She could pitch one right then and there kasi alam nya yung palate ng Filipino audience: gwapo at mayamang leading man, nakakatawang female lead – a character that Leanne had nailed perfectly already –, and the kilig-proven chemistry. Yun lang naman. Patok na yun. Pwede na sa MMFF.
“Give her range! Touch on her versatility! Hayaan nyong ipakita nya kung ano ang kaya nya!” Ica argued back. “Let her cry on cue. Let her sob out of anger. Let her tears flood cinemas. Give the audience something new.”
Ica paused, as if for effect. “Kung gusto nyo pa rin ng romance, if you still want chemistry, give Leanne Montenegro a WLW project.”
Natahimik ang conference room. You could almost hear a pin drop at Ica’s last statement, at her offer. She was looking directly at Maevis, as if she was challenging her.
“Ano? Ayaw nyo? Hindi sya papatok sa audience? Good god, it’s 2026. Why not take the risk?”
Maevis almost choked because Ica’s words felt like a slap. Why not take the risk.
Why not nga ba?
It was Mam Santos who broke the silence. “Miss Cayetano, I get what you’re trying to say here. Pero kasi, you haven’t even heard of the project that Maevis here had created…”
All eyes were on Maevis again, waiting. Ah shit, wala nga pala syang proyektong pwedeng e pitch. Ica’s gaze was challenging, eyebrows slightly raised.
“Anong genre, Miss Leong?”
Gulp. “Romcom?”
Ica let out a scoff, closing her eyes and shaking her head. Mam Santos looked at Maevis, who felt just as helpless.
“Can I make a suggestion?” It was Sabrina. God, Sabrina, Maevis’ life saver. “Baka may gustong gawin si Leanne? If Miss Cayetano is requesting a WLW project, then baka meron kayong pitch? Maybe we can work around it?”
“What are you trying to say, Sabrina?” Mam Santos asked, obviously wanting her to elaborate.
Sabrina motioned at Ica and Maevis. “Kayong dalawa. Why not work together and make the pitch for the project? Para sa ganun, we only need the approval of the big bosses.”
Ica and Maevis looked at each other. Their answer was crystal clear. “No way.”
But Mam Santos was locked in on Sabie’s suggestion. “Actually, this could work. Wala pa namang timeline to make this project eh. It’s still in the beginning of construction. Besides, it would be better if Leanne is hands-on. We could market it that way.”
So maybe Sabrina wasn’t Maevis’ life saver. She was the one who had the shovel in her hand and dug Maevis’ grave.
“I can’t believe you,” Maevis hissed at Sabrina the moment they stepped out of the conference room. “Sa dinami-rami ng pwede mong ma-suggest, you thought setting me up to work with the devil was a good idea?”
Sabrina arched an eyebrow. “May pagka-diva lang yun si maem, devil agad? Malay mo naman passionate lang talaga sya sa pagiging manager ni Leanne.”
They reached their office and respective tables. Carlie was busy working on her computer, on the desk opposite Maevis’ while June sat across Sabrina’s.
“Bakit busangot ang bunso?” Carlie asked, looking up from her screen. “Di ba tinanggap ang pitch mo?”
“Nakagawa ka ng pitch? Diba’t kagabi, binubwisit mo pa ako para tulungan ka?” June asked, pausing her Block Blast game.
Maevis sank into her chair and wrapped her red fleece blanket around herself. “Kahit na may ginawa akong pitch, I doubt tatanggapin nya.”
“Ni Leanne?” Carlie looked at her curiously. “Halos hindi nga humihindi yan sa projects eh. Halos walang pahinga.”
“Yan yung may love team era pa sya,” June pointed out. “Pero diba, solo na sya ngayon. Parang may gusto ngang patunayan eh. After all, yung si Ashton, naging action star agad eh.”
“Ano ba yung pitch mo?” Sabrina asked Maevis.
Maevis stared at her hands. “Wala akong pitch…”
They groaned. “Seryoso ka ba? Sa apat sa atin, ikaw yung palaging may idea para sa bagong proyekto tapos ngayon na nasa sayo ang spotlight, wala kang maisip?”
Maevis glared at June. “Sorry ha, di naman kasi factory ng ideas ang utak ko.”
“So you came into that meeting with nothing pala?”
Everyone stilled at the new voice. Maevis slowly turned her chair around. Ica stood in front of her, wearing the same high and mighty aura she had back in the conference room.
“Akala ko kailangan ka na ni Leanne sa shoot nya?” Maevis asked.
Ica crossed her arms over her chest. Her expression seemed to have frozen into a scowl. Default nya ba yun? “I didn’t like her idea pero I came here because I was willing to collaborate pero kung ikaw lang naman…”
She let her words trail off and Maevis could easily fill it in. Maevis glared at Ica. “Nagkataon lang naman yan ah. Hindi ba pwedeng burnt out ako? Pressured? After all, yung alaga mo, mahal ng sambayanang Pilipino. Ayoko naman bigyan sya ng walang kwentang proyekto.”
Ica’s jaw tensed, but she seemed to consider Maevis’ words. “Ikaw lang ba ang pwedeng magbigay ng project? Isn’t there anyone else? Can’t I work with someone else?”
Maevis sucked in a breath. She didn’t like Ica’s tone, or where the conversation was going. She felt a hand wrap on her wrist – Sabrina’s – and when she glanced at her friend, there was a simple shake of her head. Wag mong patulan.
“You haven’t even given me a chance. Papalit ka na agad?”
Something in Ica’s eyes flared, as if Maevis’ words triggered something. “Do you even deserve a chance, Miss Leong?”
Maevis faltered for a brief moment, Ica’s words hitting her as well. Slowly, she raised herself from her chair. Ica still towered over her a little, but she refused to shrink under her patronizing gaze.
“Lahat ng tao deserve ng isa pang pagkakataon,” Her voice was softer when she said these words. “So why not let me have it, Miss Cayetano? Let me prove to you why I was given this project in the first place.”
There was a small part of Maevis that hoped Ica would soften up but the latter’s gaze remained hard as steel. Ica looked up at the ceiling for a brief moment, taking a deep breath, as if she needed a second to compose herself.
“Fine. Pero hindi dahil nakumbinse mo ako. It’s because if Leanne was here, she would give you a chance.”
At the end of the day, si Leanne pa rin pala ang may say. All Maevis could do was nod and fish out a calling card from her purse. Black card with gold font, her name in bold letters. She gave it to Ica.
“Just tell me where we’ll meet up or if there’s an idea you want to work around on. I’m all ears.”
“As you should be. Wala ka kasi ni isa,” Ica muttered, loud enough for only Maevis to hear, before grabbing the card from her hand and storming off.
In her wake, she left the four other women stunned. Carlie whistled lowly. “Grabe, ngayon lang ako naka engkwentro ng mas ma-attitude pa na manager keysa sa artista.”
“Pero aminin mo, Par, iba yung tensyon sa inyong dalawa,” June quipped. “May chemistry! Pwede na kayo maging panibagong love team ng Ignacia!”
Sabrina’s lips curled into a sly grin. “What if you make a project out of it, Maev? Office romance, enemies to lovers, wlw version.”
Maevis shuddered before sitting back down on her seat and wrapping herself with a blanket, feeling heat creep up her face. “Yea right. Kung may genre man na magiging swak sa kanya, horror thriller yun.”
“Sus, gusto mo lang ganun para mayakap mo,” Carlie teased.
Maevis rolled her eyes and shook her head, turning her body to face her monitor, but fighting back the smile that was creeping up her lips.
After all, she still smelled the same – sweet as honey and warm as amber, the scent sticking to her skin. Parang ang tagal na since Maevis had caught whiff of that scent.
It was enough to make her feel a little better.