Miggy's POV
True to his words, he called me a few minutes before the start of the audition to be held in the conference room. When I entered, there were already many people inside and everything was ready.
"How many will take the audition?" I asked Meynard.
"More than five hundred will take part in the first screening. Some are in the lobby downstairs with their numbers far away and the others are in the hallway because not everyone can fit in here," he answered with a very serious tone and without looking at me.
"The audition should have been held in a hotel. We should have just rented a function hall so that it wouldn't look like this, like they were people participating in a rally. If I only knew it would be like this, I wouldn't approve it here in the conference room," I regrettably said.
"Alright, I'll talk to the team in-charge of the audition so that they can fix this."
"Also try to call the nearest hotel if they have a vacant event hall that we can use after lunch. because the President and VP of the company won't like seeing this in case they'll suddenly come here. Why save the budget when there will be such a riot of people scattered everywhere? Call the head of the team and send him to my office and tell him to talk to me right now!" I was mad because I didn't like what I saw. It just so happened that so many people were scattered everywhere. I'm sure our bosses won't like it when they see it or tell them what's happening now.
I rushed out of the conference room and walked back to my office. It was embarrassing for our client representative.
"Sir, Andrew, the head of the team is here with me," I heard Meynard say as I turned my back on them because I was drinking water just in case it could calm me down.
"Can you explain to me everything?" I opened up when I could finally meet them. I didn't even let him greet me because that's not what I needed right now. I need to organize people for the audition.
"Sir, we're very sorry that you witnessed such a disorganized environment because we didn't think there would be so many auditionees to attend. So, we are confident that the conference room will be enough for the audition venue," he explained.
"And now you're still not thinking of a way to fix that problem?" I bawled.
"Meynard! Is there any update with what I have asked you to do?" my tone of voice was still quite high as I asked him.
"There is an availability that we can use immediately at the hotel two blocks away from here. I have already told the other members of the team to send the auditioners there so that they will start to leave the pathway and the lobby. While Neri will handle the contract for a few hours we will use the function hall of the hotel. Neri will go there right away after the preparation of the contract. But thank goodness to the hotel staff because since it's a close deal, they allowed it to be opened for us so that all the auditioners can wait there until the audition proper will start. We already informed all the panel members as well as the representative of our client that they have also been updated," he explained at length. While Andrew, the head of the team, could not look at me. I know I scared him because I rarely get angry at them. I just can't really stop now, because of the many things I'm thinking about, and the fact that I saw so many people scattered in the hallway it really didn't help my sanity.
"Okay. Keep me posted. Go do your thing! Arrange everything including the people out there to avoid the bad impression from our big bosses! Don't wait for me to come out in the hallway and to the lobby to fix it for you! It's up to you to explain to those people why the start of the audition will be delayed a bit. Don't leave the panel members alone. Take care of their food. I don't want to hear negative comments from the panel and to our other visitors. If ever I heard some complaint regarding this mess, you don't have an idea on what I'm going to do with you! Don't test my patience! And if possible, the auditions can be divided until tomorrow, because of the number of people, we are unlikely to finish early. It's up to you to figure out how to divide them," they acted immediately. They didn't wait for me to say anything more. I saw that they were already ahead of me leaving my office.
I just gasped when I was left alone.
"Aren't I really going to be plagued by problems? It's exhausting, as if my brain wants to give up on the amount of pressure coming in just to confuse my mind. I don't know how my life suddenly became so difficult? How long will I have to go through all this?"
I was in that state when I heard Meynard call me.
"Sir?" I immediately looked at him.
"Sir, we have fixed everything. We have also prepared an early lunch for the panels. Would you like to join them for a meal or will I bring your lunch here? It was agreed that the audition would start at twelve-thirty, so we told everyone to eat first and then prepare for later," he explained.
"Please just bring me food here, I'm not in the mood and I am comfortable to talk right now. I need to calm myself down first."
"Alright. I'll just get some food."
He just glanced at me one more time before he left.
Gabie's POV
"Besh! It's good to see you here! I feel like my intuition is right that this project is really meant for you because God heard my prayer!" my best friend, slash manager, Jhay, greeted me happily. We've been friends for a long time. We met at the university I'm attending. It just so happened that he was a part time agent for a modeling agency, but he stopped studying because he had to work harder for his family. His father had an accident at the construction company where he used to work. But since that incident, his father could no longer go to work, so Jhay was the one who makes a living for their family as the eldest, including the education of his siblings. Then I happened to be looking for a source of income because I had a lot of expenses and I didn't want to rely on mama at all. Because I need a lot of money for my thesis, so that I can graduate on time.
"How come you didn't know I have an exam today? Thank goodness I was able to finish right away so I got out early."
"Oh my gosh! I know you did it well, I trust you; I know you ace the exam!"
"Stop being so inconvenient to those who can hear you; they might think what you are saying is true," I scolded him. "Why are you here in this hotel? Huh? Isn't this what you told me last time?" I'm wondering because this is not where we are supposed to meet.
"I didn't tell you earlier in my text message because I know you are in the middle of your exam. Because of the number of models interested and aim to get this project, many want to join the said audition. Maybe the staff didn't expect the influx of auditionees, so there was a commotion earlier in the hallway and in the lobby with the crowd at the original venue of the audition. Then I heard that the manager got angry when he saw the scattered people in the hallway, so according to my source, the audition will be delayed for a little bit because they have to transfer the venue in this hotel. So, you are very lucky because this project seems to be really reserved for you," he joyfully told me. At the same time, she parted her long hair up to her shoulders. That's my best friend, slash manager, Jhay I mean Jaya, because the name given to him by his father doesn't suit him, he said. But I don't call him Jaya I just called him Jhay.
"Oh hey, come with me to get dressed first or we might get caught," I change the topic because I need to change, I am still wearing my school uniform.
"Oh no worries, we won't be late because it will start later at twelve-thirty. Let's eat first so that my pets inside won't go hungry. It's hard to die of starvation you know that!" he started to vent his usual rant about being hungry while pointing to his tummy.
"Huh? I can't eat because I might get fat and look ugly," I complained.
"My goodness, precious! Besh, let me just remind you! Facial wash is the product to endorse, not clothes or shoes you are used to!"
"Yeah, it's okay! Let's eat, I'm very hungry actually because I haven't eaten breakfast before I left for school because I woke up late so I have to hurry and make sure I will not be late for my exam," I said.
"But I can't treat you for now, okay? We both hit the ground, you know?" I was kidding, but it was half serious.
"Yes! I know! We are going to the nearest fast-food chain that I saw earlier," he pulled me at the same time.
We happily chatted while walking. Because gays like him never stop banging on what to think about.
An hour later, I was in the comfort room of the hotel to get changed into a plain three-fourth white blouse paired with tattered jeans and white sneakers. Outside the comfort room, Jhay was waiting for me.
"Besh, don't put on make-up as per instruction by the staff, so they can see the true texture of your face. You don't need make-up because you're going to wash and shoot for the commercial."
"I didn't really put on make-up. I just brushed my teeth and then washed to make me look fresh because even though I took a bath this morning , I just drove here in a jeep to make sure my face is oily if I don't wash," I explained.
"You're really very good, that's why I love you! You're really smart, so don't waste your intelligence on that useless love! Choose what is deserving of your beauty and talent!"
"Huh? Why did the conversation get to that matter? Besh, reality check, I don't even have a boyfriend because I don't want to get involved yet in a relationship when I am not yet ready because I have to focus on my studies and for my part time job you know that!" I reiterated.
"Oh yes, of course I know that my dear best friend! But it's a good idea to always be reminded to make sure nothing will be wasted. You know that I love you so much. I have no other desire for you than to see you successful and happy in life with your loved one!"
"Oh no! Are you sure you're, okay? Or maybe you're not telling me something, are you going through something right now?"
"I'm not going through something. I am totally fine! Of course, I have to remind you over and over again because you are still innocent of some things here in this world. What are you thinking? Come on! Stop being paranoid, okay?" he said while rolling his eyes at me.
Miggy's POV
"Sir? Are you ready to leave?" Meynard asked me hesitant because he saw me closing my eyes while leaning against the sofa.
"Yes," I said as I stood up to pick up my cell phone from my office table.
"I have already sent them the auditionees folders," he said softly.
"Okay," then I walked to the door and he followed me.
Because the hotel where the audition will take place is close by, we chose to just walk because we will only get stuck in the traffic if we use the car. It is only two blocks away, from the office building, to the hotel.
"Good afternoon, sir," the hotel staff greeted us as we entered the hotel lobby.
"Good afternoon," then I asked the hotel staff who greeted us for our reservation but Meynard told him about the audition.
We went to the function hall where the panel was supposed to be completed. Neri and I heard about it when she saw us in the lobby.
"Good afternoon, sir," greeted the team standing near the function hall door.
"Everything is ready, sir; we are all just waiting for you so we can start the audition. The camera to be used has already been set up, the auditionees are all at their standby area," Andrew updated me after he greeted me with fear on his face because of what happened earlier.
I nodded but I wasn't looking at him because I rolled my eyes across the event hall. I was immediately guided by another member of the team to where I would sit.
"It would have been good if everything had been fixed so that the misfortune that happened earlier would not have followed. Because I don't know what I can do with all of you in-charge of this audition," I would have liked to say but I chose to just think about it.
Two minutes later, when I sat down, the auditionee immediately began to stare in front of the camera. Many agreed that I didn't notice how many were finished because after a while, they introduced themselves while the camera was up close on their faces to see their faces without make-up or even face powder.
Gabie's POV
"Good luck besh, you are about to be called. Be confident. I know you can do it because your face is naturally beautiful and you can hardly see your skin pores. Most of all, you are the one who is really blessed because you don't have pimple scars. You are really blessed!" he started his usual lines every time I would undergo an audition.
"Hey! Stop talking! Don't you notice you're the only one here who's noisy?" I scolded her.
"Yes, this is just a proud best friend!" he protested once he stared at me then left me in line.
"Hey! Don't leave me here! You're the only one here because I'm nervous but don't make any noise," I pulled him at the same time as he turned to walk away from me.
"He's really sometimes a pain in the ass! Urgh!"
"I'll come back to you in a moment, I'll just look at my two auditionees right there! Chatting over there on the other side, I'll just say hello and check on them both for a moment. Maybe they say I neglected them," he pointed out to the two ladies under his management who are also like me. And like me, they are also print ad models, actually we already knew each other but we are not just close to each other.
Miggy's POV
The auditionees continued to stand in front of the camera, introduce their names and do what the staff told them to do. There are many beautiful ones but they don't seem to be what they are looking for because there are others who can see large skin pores on their faces, others have small scarred pimples while others do not register their faces well on the camera. There are many things to consider when choosing an endorser for this product. Not only beautiful, but also with a very nice complexion, a good register on the camera, of course, confidence when facing the camera. Each of them shouldn't be visibly worried since an unflattering expression in front of the camera is equivalent to being constipated without realizing it. I didn't bother to look at the folders in front of me because each of them introduced themselves when they were in front of the camera. I keep an eye on the monitor because we have to make sure every little thing she does while she's in front of the camera.
"Wow, she's strangely beautiful. Her smile is very natural; there was no trace of nervousness on her face. Her face is beautiful, and so is her complexion, she has fair skin but not pale to look at; she has pink cheeks. She also has a good record on camera. I hear almost the same comments from my fellow panelists."
"Sir, excuse me, Carla just called and said it's very important it's about ma'am Barbs," Meynard said, almost whispering in my ear, which stopped me from staring at the lovely lady in front of the cam.
"Tsk! Wrong timing. I was just enjoying staring at her beautiful face when there was this interruption from Meynard."
"Please tell her we're still in the middle of the audition, just inform her to leave a message for me whatever she needs for mommy," I whispered annoyed at what happened.
"Sir, I've already told Carla about what you're telling me, but she said you have to go to see your mom at the hospital because they rushed her earlier."
That caught me off guard which completely destroyed me, then I never saw what happened next to those next auditionees. I could do nothing but say goodbye to my fellow panelists and apologized to them. I just explained to them I have an emergency. I'll just continue the filter and then I'll watch the video that I didn't get to see because I had to leave. It didn't take me long to leave with Meynard, because he wouldn't let me drive because he just wants to have a safety precaution. He was carried away by what happened when I hit that woman because I was driving while my mind was in haywire, the day when me and my father argued.
The problem is that it was very difficult for us to get through the heavy traffic, even though we left the hotel immediately. Until now, it was already an hour ago that we were stuck in the middle of traffic because it was rush hour when we were driving along the road. The hospital shouldn't be that far from the hotel where we came from but because of the traffic it seems to be so far away. So, when I couldn't stand the situation, I chose to just get off and walk to the hospital leaving Meynard, because as time went on, I became more nervous and restless while waiting for the flow of the traffic to continue to move. I didn't care who the people I bumped into were as I was doing the half run around. I endured the tiredness and sweat just to get right to the hospital where mommy was taken. I'm afraid to think about things,
I don't care what I look like anymore. I don't care if I'm soaked in sweat and my hair is messy because of the half run just to get to the hospital right on time. I have no other desire but to see my mom and to make sure she is well. I didn't even pay attention to the buzzing of my cell phone because I didn't want to be interrupted or delay the half run I was doing.
I saw a little bit of hope when I saw the entrance to the hospital, so I accelerated even more. Even though I was out of breath, I didn't waste any more time calling Carla to ask her for my mommy's room number. Thank goodness because she answered the ring right away, so I went straight to the room that Carla mentioned.
Somehow, I was a little upset with how I felt because I saw my mommy lying in a hospital bed. Because I see a lot attached to her, I still don't lose my deep concern for my mom.
"Sir, what happened to you?" "Son?" Carla and Uncle Manuel asked me at the same time, but I just ignored their questions. I no longer wonder if they were surprised at how I looked because of what I did.
"What happened to mom?" I'd rather want to know what happened to my mother and why she is here in the hospital right now than to answer them why I look like a shit.
"She's dehydrated because she's taken a lot of alcohol, then didn't eat regularly, and then she's lacking sleep as well," Aunt Beth replied. She obviously also wanted to ask what happened to me, but she chose to answer my question. I know and I can feel that they're kept staring at me and still couldn't believe how I look.
I kissed Mommy then when I approached her. Only now did I notice the difference in her appearance the last time I visited her at home just a few days ago. The extent of her weight loss, and the dark circle around her eyes are very visible. I remember before when she was still busy doing some shooting for her films, she's always lacking sleep and rest and so, I noticed her haggard face and tired eyes but compared to her current appearance it is much different from those days in the past.
I don't know what else to say, my brain went blank, I'm just gently caressing mommy's head up to her hair. When I felt tired of standing, I pulled the plastic chair nearby and sat down without letting go of mommy's hand. The whole room was quiet, they just let me do what I was doing, and they just watched me staring at mommy. I don't know why I lost all the questions in my brain earlier that were bothering my mind while I was just on my way here? I don't remember a single one. I had nothing else to do but stare at mommy's face while sound asleep at this moment.