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ACE'S POV

A week passed from the hellish work at school and some contract signing for my modeling; of course I am still grateful since that was for me.

Alam ko naman na may kaya ang pamilya namin, millionaire even, but the fact that it wasn't from me, it gives me the feel of wala akong silbi. And I hate it. Kung kaya mo, eh, bakit hindi na ikaw mismo ang mag-work? A person like me who enjoys spending money needs to realize that self-spending is much better.

I'm currently at the mall with Miles and Yaya, helping them with the groceries. Well, it is Yaya's work but I volunteered since it's free time.

"Ace, baka mpagalitan tayo sa ginagawa natin? Bumaba ka na lang kaya d'yan." Miles said as I tried to get the fresh milk at the top shelf. The keyword in there is tried. Ugh! Why am I so short ba kasi?

I want her to shut-up.

"No, its fine, ganito naman ang ginagawa namin ni Yaya." I smiled victoriously to myself as I finally reached the milk, that should I say also cost a few products to fall from its shelf.

"Where is Yaya by the way? Akala ko ba meat lang bibilhin niya? Nadaganan na ba 'yun ng karneng pig?"

"Karneng baboy kasi 'yun." Miles corrected.

"And so, mas sosyal pakinggan ang 'pig' keysa sa baboy. And diba parang nakaka-sad na baboy ang term kasi kinatay na nga ang poor pa rin ng name nila?"

Tumawa lang si Miles at umiling-iling na naunang maglakad sa akin. Pumulot lang ako ng kung ano-ano tas tinatapon ko sa cart namin. People are watching and taking pictures of me and I don't care. Free time ko ngayon so I don't need to make pakikipaghalubilo and plastikan.

After a moment of strolling in the grocery area, we finally found Yaya in the receipt section.

"Yaya, what took you so long, Larva mode na naman? You know what Yaya, I should buy you Lola Remedios, I heard a lot about it and it's good daw." Tumingin naman si Yaya sa amin.

She explained, saying that the receipt machine isn't in good shape, "And pwede ba, Ace. 'Yang pagka-conyo mo anak ay bawas-bawasan mo at itong isipan ko ay nalilito na sa mga lenggwahe mo."

"'Yan po ang kanina ko sinasabi sa kanya, 'nay. Wala eh, conyo ang amo natin."

Hinayaan ko na lang silang i-backstab ako kasi maganda naman ako. I focused on grabbing things and tinatapon sa shopping cart namin. After a while ay binabalik na naman ni Miles o ni yaya ang mga pinili ko. Ang bastos!

"Hala, siszt! Diba siya 'yung model na sinasabi mong idol mo? Tingnan mo!"

"Ay oo nga, bhie! Si Ace nga. Kunan mo ng litrato dali para may souvenir tayo!"

I heard some girls murmuring kaya tinanggal ko ang atensiyon sa mga bilihin at hinarap sila. Kita ko ang gulat at mangha ng kanilang faces. Yes, babes ako it's me, Ace Heartily. I wonder kung ano kaya ang nakita nila sa akin para magustuhan ako?

"Hi, girls!" Bati ko sa kanila at binigyan ng ngiti. Makapag-plastikan nga para naman mawala ang boredom ko, at tsaka this type of people ay for sure may chismis 'to na nalalaman.

"Gusto niyo ako nalang ang mag take ng picture sa inyo?" I offered. Mukhang natigilan sila pero kalaunan ay nagsisigaw at yumakap sa akin.

No offense, para silang mga worms na may salt sa katawan.

"Ang bait niyo po! Pwede pong magpa-picture?" Tanong ng isang girl at sinabunotan ang isa sabay bigay ng phone niya. Wala namang angal ang isa at pumwesto sa harapan namin para kunan kami ng photo.

"April, ako naman kunan mo daliiiiiiiiii!" I stood still and after a few shots ay casual lang akong nakikipag-usap sa kanila.

"Naku po, kuya fan na fan po kami ng nanay ko sa'yo. Nakita ka kasi namin noon sa isang billboard sa Makati tas ang ganda mo po. Ano po ang skincare niyo?"

"'Di mo afford." I said smiling at tumango-tango naman siya na parang na-realize niya. Pretty stupid but she's funny. 

We talked for a while, habang nag-we-wait kami ng receipt machine. They also asked some pretty personal question,

"Maybe," Controversial kkong sagot after Angelie, the girl na sinabunotan kanina, asked me about the controversy na boyfriend ko ang isa sa showbiz personality. Para silang mga bunganga na naglalakad, ang lalakas ng boses.

"Miss, where is your manager ba kasi? I'm tired doing nothing while you chew a fucking disgusting candy in your mouth." I grow impatient after a long moment.

This could take trouble to other customers who are in hurry and of course for those who avoid the heat from this hellish hour. Masisira pa ang image ng mall dahil lang sa receipt machine.

"Kung tatayo ka lang naman d'yan, it would be better to call your manager. The line is long na, look at it oh. Gosh, this is irritating."

"Hindi na kailangan, sir." The counter Girl in charge said with a raised brow at me, Oh fucking no!

"Excuse me? It took me half an hour here standing just for some meat; can't you just call your manager to fix this?" I look at my watch seeing eleven near noon, ang init pa naman! Wala bang aircon 'tong mall namin?!

"Daming reklamo puro naman kaartehan ang lumalabas sa bunganga." Counter Girl retorted again with her eyes going up and down as if examining me and gosh she has the audacity to roll her eyes at me! Tusokin ko 'yan, eh!

"Eh kung ihampas ko 'yang mouth mo sa counter para malunok mo ang amoy araw mong hininga? Would you want it?" I won't back down if this is where it is heading.

Miles interrupted me this time kasi I know any moment from now, I will fire this Bitch in my mall.

"I will call the attention of the manager." Miles declared.

"Ace..." I can see people filming me. Ugh! Publicity na naman?!

"Excuse me, anong nangyayari dito?" A guy taller than me who is in a uniform hurriedly took over the counter. I'm assuming he's the manager

"Yaya, call my bodyguards. Isama mo na rin si Miles kapag nakasalubong mo siya. I will take care of the receipt na lang."

"Pabayaan nalang natin, anak Ace. Umuwi nalang tayo at pababalikan ko na lang ni Manuel ang resibo." Natawa ako sa sinbai ni Yaya.

"I know, but people should also lay respect to others." 'Customer is always right.'

"Good morning, If I may ask, are you the Manager?" The person wearing green polo shirt with an engrave name of the mall turned his attention to me.

"Opo, pasensiya na po at ngayon ko lang napansin na nagkakagulo na pala dito sa pila. May importante po kasi akong inasikaso sa loob ng opisina. Bilang kapatawaran ay ako na lang po mismo ang aasikaso ng mga resibo. Humihingi po ako ng pasensiya para sa kasamahan ko."

"Ilang minute – hindi, oras. 'yan po kami katagal nakapila dito para lang sa mga resibo namin. Idagdag mo mpa na ang pangit ng ugali ng pangit na counter girl niyo." Angelie, the fan made her reklamo.

"We demanded for instant action and she just talked bluffs to me-us," iminuwestra pa niya ang kamay sa mga nakapila.

"She also humiliated me in front of other people saying that my kasamahan are bitches." I added.

"I'm so sorry for this ruckus; ako na lang po ang mag-e-entertain sa inyong mga resibo. Pasensiya na po talaga. Sisiguraduhin po ng management na hindi kinkonsinti ang ganoon ugali ng mga staff." The manager was calm but I can see how hard his stare at the counter girl.

Bagay nga sa knaiya. Sa susunod na balik ko dito, kapag nandidito pa rin ang babaeng 'yan ay ako an mismo ang kakausap sa management.

"I'm glad that you can aid a problem very well. I advise you to manage your team properly the next time, baka maapektuhan pa ang leadership skills mo." I smiled at the manager.

"Salamat po, sir. I appreciate the kind suggestion. Pwede bang malaman ang pangalang niyo po, pasensiya na at mukhang sikat pa naman kayo." Ang nahihiya niyang ngiti.

This time Yaya and Gwen are already at my side calling some of my body guards to help carry the groceries. "Oh, it's okay. Don't mind the cameras, baka napagkamalan lang ako." I said with a smile as I pay him with the card.

"Kinagagalak ko po na makilala kayo, kuya." I offered him my free hand for a handshake.

"It's Jhake, sir." We shake hands, a kind hearted person.

"It's nice meeting you kuya; I'm Ace Heartily-Villamayor by the way." I whispered bago ako umalis.