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"That's a good pose, Yeliz! Alright, steady... Steady..."

The camera flashed.

"Good job! Two more shots..."

The camera flashed twice this time. I closed my eyes for a bit so my vision wouldn't get distorted by the blinding lights from the camera. I saw the photographer smiling widely at me when I opened my eyes.

"Good work, Yeliz. We're done with this set. You can change now for the last set and then we're good to go."

I smiled at him and went down the platform. Lumapit ako sa kanya. I wanted to look at the shots, but I really wanted to rest my eyes more, even for a bit. It has been more than two hours since we started this photo shoot for a purse from a local brand. It was a good thing that this was a studio photo shoot. I didn't think I would last long if we were outside.

"This will be the last set, right?" I asked. "Since I will be wearing a school uniform, is changing my makeup into a natural-looking one, okay? I must look like a student."

The photographer chuckled.

"You are a student, sweetheart... And you have an innocent face. We needed to put full makeup on you on the first two sets to make you look mature to match the theme. Well, I guess it's right to change your makeup this time." He glanced at the owner of the brand. "What do you think?"

She was looking at the screen monitor, probably already checking the shots we took. Saglit lang s'yang nag-angat ng tingin at ngumiti.

"If that's what you think is the best. I trust you, Miss Aslanova. You're the expert here."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Mabilis akong umiling. I even waved my hands frantically to dismiss what she said.

"Oh, my gosh. No, I'm not. I'm just a model. I just have to do what's best and look good in the camera."

"What do you mean you're just a model? You're the main star today!" The photographer looked offended for my sake. Mukhang hindi talaga sumasang-ayon sa sinabi ko kung maka-deny.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"The main star here is the purse."

"Do you know that you're my favorite model?" Parang hindi man lang narinig ng photographer ang sinabi ko. "You're one of the youngest models, but you act like a professional."

"Well..." I tucked my hair behind my ears. "I've been in this industry for four years already. Of course, I learned all the dos and don'ts by heart."

I started as a teen model. I was at a business party with Dad at the time when a talent scout approached me, handed me his business card, and invited me to be their model. I declined, but he insisted that I take his business card in case I changed my mind later. So, I decided to accept his business card out of politeness.

I wasn't planning to become a model. I knew that Dad wouldn't let me anyway because of his overprotectiveness. It was already a miracle that he took me with him to that business party. Though his men were all around the area, watching the venue, keeping an eye on me in case there was any danger.

But that talent scout was so persistent. He found the school where I was going and even waited for my class to end every freaking day just to talk to me. He actually creeped me out at first. Ang kulit-kulit n'ya kasi. I almost asked my bodyguards to do something about him. But there was something that he said that piqued my curiosity.

"Just watch one of our shoots! You'll be able to see how models work." That was his eighth day waiting outside my school. "Just watch. You have nothing to lose. Who knows, you might actually gain something when you watch."

And so, I did. It was a studio photoshoot, and there were five models at that time. The first thing that came to my mind when I saw the models was that... they were thin. I even wondered if they were even eating. It was also chaotic at the studio at that time. There were stylists, hair stylists, and makeup artists there, fixing the look of the models from time to time. Nakailang palit din ang mga model ng damit so the shoot took a long time.

I got more convinced not to do it. Why would I want something so chaotic as that? Why would I starve myself? I was sure that the models had an intense diet to maintain their bodies like that, so why would I let myself not eat food that I wanted?

But... the longer I watched them, the more I saw how they enjoyed their jobs. I knew they did a lot of preparation for this shoot, and that might be the hardest of all, but it seemed like it was all worth it. They looked... free. I could see in their faces how much they loved being models. And when I saw the photos, even if they weren't edited yet, I could already see that they would turn out well.

It was the photos that had an impact on me. The models looked perfect, like something that was so out of reach. One would even think that they had a perfect life. A life with no problems. Who would ever think that they would have any worries with a perfect face and body like that? It seemed like they lived a life with no imperfections.

And I wanted something like that.

In those photos, I saw the difference in my life. I saw how close and small my world was. Hindi ko nakita iyon noon. I was fine with my dad being so overprotective of me. I was fine with all the bodyguards following me around wherever I went, even to school. I was fine with their eyes always watching me, waiting for any danger.

I was fine with those things. After all, Dad was trying to make it up to me by giving me all the riches and materialistic things that I wanted.

But... when I saw those models and their photos, I had the realization that I wasn't really free. That I couldn't do anything I wanted. I was like a bird in a gilded cage.

Right then, I wanted to be something. I wanted to be a model. I wanted to look perfect, with no imperfections. I wanted to look free, even if it was just in the photos. Even if the freedom I had was just an illusion.

I talked to my father about it. I told him that I wanted to be a model. Of course, hindi pumayag si Daddy noong una. But Rio helped me. Hindi ko alam but Dad always considered it when Rio was involved. He always trusts Rio's decision.

Pumayag si Daddy na maging model ako. On condition that I would have my bodyguard with me all the time. The bodyguard that Rio gave me.

It was Devlin.

Pasimple ko s'yang hinanap ng tingin sa loob ng studio. Nahirapan pa ako noong una dahil sa mga taong nandoon. But I always found him at a certain spot kaya iyon ang una kong tiningan.

There, just in the corner of the room where he could see me as well as the entirety of the room, I saw him standing there. He was wearing an all-black outfit, like the first day I saw him, looking like a grim reaper ready to rip my soul. With his arms crossed over his chest, leaning on the wall as if he was watching a quite entertaining show. He didn't even pay attention to the assistant, who offered him food and drinks while blushing so hard, and just kept on watching me.

God, I hate him.

"That's why I like you!" Napatingin ako sa photographer nang muli s'yang magsalita. "Others act rudely because they have been models for a long time, and some have only recently started and have already acted arrogantly."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napatingin sa may-ari ng brand. She just smiled at me, but I could see awkwardness in her eyes. This wasn't a topic that should be talked about recklessly after all. I was nervous for the photographer. Baka kung ano'ng makalabas dahil sa sinabi n'ya!

"What? I'm telling the truth!" the photographer said when he probably noticed my reaction. "Us photographers have our favorite models too. And I'm telling you, Yeliz, there are a lot who love working with you. The camera loves you as well."

"That's where I agree," the brand owner chimed in. "She looks good in those shots. I love her innocent face. She looks really kind."

"Not just 'looks,' but she really is kind. I can vouch for that."

I smiled shyly and awkwardly laughed. I was getting uncomfortable. I really didn't know what to do when someone complimented me right in my face.

"I think I should go and change," I said just to escape the conversation. "I might start to act arrogantly if I hear more compliments from you both."

They both laughed but finally let me go. Dumeretso naman ako sa dressing room. I closed the door and walked towards the makeup mirror. I leaned my hands on the vanity table to support myself as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Idinilat ko ang mga mata at tinitigan ang sarili sa salamin.

Fuck... this is tiring.

Contrary to what the photographer said, I'm not really kind. I was just "known" as kind because of my innocent and kind-looking face. With my light-brown, slightly wavy hair that reached my chest, fair complexion, and facial features that almost resembled those of the angels, I often hear people describe me as an angel that went down to earth to give salvation to the sinners.

But I think that wasn't true. If I was really an angel like what they've been calling me, I wouldn't have gone down to earth voluntarily. I was cast down from heaven because of my impure heart.

I have a heart-shaped face with high, prominent cheekbones. And I think that was why my eyes got emphasized more. Ang unang napapansin sa akin ng mga tao ay ang mga mata ko. My eyes, which were ocean blue in color, resembled what they call "doe eyes." I have thick bushy eyebrows, a small but pointed nose, and perfect cupid bow-shaped pinkish lips.

My body was thin, the usual body type of a model, with a small waist, and long legs that made me tall. My breasts weren't that big. They weren't small, either. Tama lang ang laki para sa modelong gaya ko.

It wasn't that hard for me to maintain my kind image. But it was so hard to pretend. I had to force myself to smile all the time, to everyone, even when I was feeling exhausted and I just wanted to rest. God, kailangan ko rin namang magpahinga sa pagpe-pretend na mabait.

Bumukas ang pinto at kahit hindi ko pa tingnan ang pumasok, kilala ko na agad kung sino 'yon. That is how he was anyway. Palaging nakasunod sa 'kin.

I had to close my eyes and take a deep breath. I counted from one to three to calm myself before I faced the intruder. I forced a smile on my lips.

"What?"

"I have to check the room."

He said that, but he was staring at me. I hated it when he did that, which was all the time. I had to force myself to look back at those dark eyes.

"You already checked this room earlier." S'ya pa nga ang unang pumasok dito kaysa sa 'kin.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Who knows? Someone might've already planted something while you were having your shoot." He said that without any emotion on his face.

And I hated that more. I hated it when he was talking to me like that. As if it was a waste of emotion talking to me. Because he was just doing his job. And that was to ensure my safety.

I took a deep breath. I could feel my patience was about to snap. Palaging ganoon kapag si Devlin ang kaharap. He had something in him that always made me feel irritated.

"It's okay, Devlin... The people here are kind." Tayong dalawa lang yata ang hindi.

"Don't be sure of that, Yelizaveta."

Oh, my God... must he always be like this? Ilang beses ko na sinabi sa kanyang tawagin na lang ako sa nickname ko, Yeliz or Liza. Yet he always called me by my whole name!

My father's men called me as 'young miss.' Pero si Devlin lang talaga ang may lakas ng loob na tawagin ako sa pangalan ko!

Is it because he was hired by Rio? Where did he find Devlin anyway? Nakakairita 'tong lalaking 'to.

"Will you tell me the truth, Devlin? Did you have any resentment at me when I called you devil instead of your name the first time we met? Because I think that's the only reason why you're not still calling me by my nickname when I clearly told you to for like, let's see..." Nagkunwari pa akong nag-iisip. "A hundred times already."

I was still smiling, but it was so forced. I had to remind myself not to lash out at him. I didn't maintain my kind image for a long time just for him to ruin it.

But with Devlin, it was really hard to be kind. Nararamdaman ko nang papaangat na ang isang kilay ko. My smile was threatening to fade too, and my voice even raised a little. It was a good thing that I had an angelic face. People often thought that I was still joking when I was being a bit sarcastic already.

He just stared at me. There still wasn't any emotion on his face, not in those dark eyes. Pero kung makatitig s'ya sa 'kin, para bang may nakita s'ya kaya nagtagal ang titig n'ya. As if he knew that I was just on the verge of breaking my fake smile.

Oh... I think that was the first reason why I hated him. Because the way he looked at me felt as if he could see through my façade. As if he could read all my dark secrets.

The room felt small with him around. It was always like that when he was around. Even when I was busy because of the shoot earlier, I could still feel his gaze. But I pretended that I was okay. I was good at pretending anyway.

Pero kung kanina ay nakayanan ko pa dahil marami kaming kasama, kapag kaming dalawa ay hindi ko talaga matagalan. Maybe that was why it was easy for me to feel irritated at him when it was just the two of us.

I heard knocks on the door before it opened. Mukhang nagulat pa ang stylist at makeup artist nang makitang hindi lang ako nag-iisa sa loob.

"Oh..." Nakita ko ang pag-aalangan nilang pumasok. "You have to change, Miss Yeliz, for the next set."

I smiled widely at her and looked at Devlin.

"I have to change, Devlin." Umalis ka na.

Matagal bago s'ya sumagot. He was just staring at me. Nakita kong nagkatinginan pa ang stylist at ang makeup artist.

Then he nodded.

"Alright. The room's safe."

Yeah, you think?

I just smiled at him. Saka lang ako nakahinga nang maglakad na s'ya palabas. Nakita kong sinundan pa ng tingin nu'ng dalawa si Devlin bago isinara ang pinto.

"Here's the uniform you'll change into, Miss Yeliz," the stylist said, handing me the uniform.

"I'll fix your makeup too and put up your hair into a ponytail to make you look carefree."

I smiled at the makeup artist and nodded.

"Okay... I'll change my clothes first."

Tumango ang makeup artist at hinanda na ang mga gagamitin para sa 'kin. The stylist helped me undress and changed my clothes which I thanked her for. In my four years in the modeling industry, I got used to changing and undressing in the open and with people around to minimize the time, so this was nothing. Kapag ganitong indoor shoot lang naman madalas nagkakaroon ako ng dressing room.

When I got to change into the school uniform, I sat on the makeup chair. I closed my eyes as the makeup artist began working on my face,

Ah, finally... A little time to rest...