Today was the big day.
Our movie was finally showing in cinemas.
I should have felt excited. Overjoyed, even.
But as i sat in front of the mirror while my makeup artist fixed my hair, I just felt... tired.
Another red carpet. Another round of interviews. Another night of pretending Dustin Wang and I were the hottest love team in the country.
Even though we couldn't stand each other.
I adjusted my necklace as my stylist fussed with the neckline of my gown.
"Breathe," she whispered.
I gave her a tight smile.
Easy for her to say.
Samuel texted me while i was getting ready.
"Good luck tonight. Don't embarrass the family."
I snorted and typed back: "Wag ka makulit. I'm already stressed."
Truth was, I was glad he wasn't coming.
He hated these things, and i'd rather he stayed home.
Besides, he was busy enough.
Especially now that our parents had left for Spain for a month, leaving us to handle everything on our own.
Not that Samuel was any help. He was my little brother, not exactly the responsible type.
My phone buzzed.
Vanessa.
"Where the hell are you? Press con starts in an hour."
"On the way," I lied.
She sent me a voice note immediately:
"Claudia. Don't you dare be late. Dustin's team is already here. They're doing pre-interviews and making him look like a saint."
I rolled my eyes so hard i nearly sprained something.
Finally, I was ushered into the hotel ballroom where the press event was being held.
The lights. The photographers. The endless line of reporters.
I plastered on my signature actress smile.
The studio handler immediately led me to Dustin's side.
He was already giving his best boy-next-door grin to the cameras.
"Finally," he muttered under his breath. "We thought you died."
"Missed me that much?" I fired back sweetly.
He didn't answer, just grabbed my waist and pulled me in for the photo op.
Flashes erupted.
"LOOK AT THE CHEMISTRY!" one of the reporters squealed.
Yeah. Great.
I tilted my head slightly toward him, letting my hair brush against his jaw, eyes soft and adoring.
Our publicist gave us a thumbs-up from the corner.
Oscar-worthy.
Then came the questions.
"Claudia! Dustin! How does it feel to finally show Chasing Shadow: A night with you in theaters?"
I smiled like a pageant queen.
"We're thrilled," I said. "It's a beautiful story about two people who have to pretend to be in love... and end up realizing it's real. I think a lot of people will relate."
I felt Dustin shift beside me, trying not to laugh.
He picked up smoothly.
"Claudia really carried me through the emotional scenes. She's amazing."
I wanted to elbow him in the ribs.
Instead, I giggled and squeezed his arm for the cameras.
Another reporter asked breathlessly:
"Are you two dating for real?"
I gave my practiced smile, the one that made people lean forward, hoping for scandal.
"We're... close," I said.
Dustin winked at me. "Very close."
I turned my head just slightly, so the cameras wouldn't catch my expression.
Kill me now.
We sat side by side during the screening, arms linked for the press.
When the love scene came on, the audience went wild.
I felt him smirk next to me.
"Stop looking so smug," I whispered.
"You're welcome for the box office numbers," he murmured back.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from snapping at him.
After the credits rolled, the lights went up.
We were ushered to the stage for the final promo.
Dustin held up the mic, that charming smile on full blast.
"Thank you for coming tonight! Please support Chasing Shadow: A night with you—now showing in cinemas nationwide!"
I grabbed my own mic and added, voice honey-sweet:
"Thank you so much for being here. We hope you'll fall in love with the story as much as we did making it."
I resisted the urge to gag.
The applause thundered.
The studio executives were beaming.
They ate this up.
They always did.
After all, we were the perfect love team.
Even if we hated each other's guts.
As soon as the cameras were off us, I dropped my smile and pulled my arm away.
"Don't talk to me until the next event," I muttered.
Dustin just shrugged. "See you tomorrow, sweetheart."
I walked offstage before i could say anything i'd regret.
I found a quiet corner backstage and checked my phone.
No new messages from Raphael.
Of course.
Probably working late at the hospital.
Or ignoring me on purpose.
I sighed.
Well, at least he'd be happy.
Our marriage act was rock solid.
—
But when i got home, the condo was empty.
No shoes by the door.
No Raphael in sight.
I checked the clock. It was past dinner.
Was he still at the hospital?
Had he even eaten anything today?
I stared at the fridge, thought about heating something up, then sighed and grabbed my keys instead.
I wasn't going to wait around.
Before heading out, I stopped by a restaurant and ordered food for him, something healthy. Something warm.
Something that said, "I thought of you, even if you didn't think of me."
But just as i was about to drive straight to the hospital, a message from Vanessa popped up.
"Heads up—may auction tonight sa pedia ward. For the kids. Big crowd. Press might show up."
I turned the car around and went home to change.
Outfit: Soft cream blouse. Long, flowy skirt. Delicate pearl earrings.
Makeup: Barely there. Just enough to look fresh and innocent.
Hair: Down, brushed smooth, curled at the ends. Angelic.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Calm. Classy. Controlled.
—
At the venue, I slipped in quietly, wrapped in a pale scarf, oversized sunglasses on. I kept to the corner, watching from behind the safety of the shadows.
The room buzzed with society people.
Donors. Socialites. Doctors. Nurses.
Photographers.
And Kourtney.
Standing near the stage. Wearing white. Hair in a bun. Holding a child's hand for maximum effect.
Classic.
I rolled my eyes behind my glasses and stayed seated, arms folded.
They didn't need to know who i was.
But they'd feel me.
The auction began.
A few women near me giggled as Raphael walked in.
"Oh my god, look at Dr. Raphael. Ganyan talaga pag may puso."
"He's so good with kids. Alam mo yung tipong—dad material?"
I didn't react.
Let them swoon.
He's not even wearing his wedding ring.
Let them fall.
I already did.
"And this next painting," the host announced, "was made by Jacob. He says the man in the picture is the one who makes him feel brave."
On the projector screen: a messy, colorful crayon drawing.
A little boy in a hospital bed.
Beside him, a tall man in a white coat.
Raphael.
I swallowed hard.
No way was anyone else getting that painting.
"Starting bid: 1,000 pesos."
"10,000!" a woman called.
"30,000!" Kourtney's voice rang out.
Of course.
I raised my hand. "50,000."
Heads turned.
Kourtney smiled politely, like this was just a cute game.
"100,000."
"200,000," I said flatly.
"300," she fired back. Her tone was still sweet. Like we were just two friends bidding.
Like this wasn't a war.
I smiled under my scarf.
"500,000."
Gasps filled the room.
Kourtney blinked. Her smile faltered, just a bit.
Then: "600,000."
I tilted my head. Cute.
But not enough.
"1 million pesos," I said. Voice steady.
Silence.
Even the host had to catch his breath.
"Sold!" he finally said, laughing. "To our mysterious bidder!"
Applause followed. But i stayed seated.
I wasn't here for the claps.
I was here for the kid.
For Jacob.
For the look on Raphael's face, if he ever found out it was me.
But then—
"Claudia?"
I froze.
Oh, no.
I turned.
Raphael was there.
Looking like he just caught someone setting fire to a church.
"What are you doing?" he asked, voice low, tight.
I stood slowly. "Helping."
His jaw clenched.
"This isn't helping. This is grandstanding."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You turned a charity event into a guessing game. You think this is cute?"
"No. I think helping raise millions for cancer patients is cute."
He scoffed. "You couldn't just donate quietly?"
I stepped forward. "You mean like Kourtney? Who had a whole press team trailing behind her?"
His eyes flashed. "At least she didn't wear a disguise and outbid every donor just to play mysterious hero."
That one stung.
I looked away. My throat felt tight.
"Maybe i shouldn't have come," I muttered.
"No," he said. "You shouldn't have."
Ouch.
I nodded, biting the inside of my cheek.
"Got it."
I turned and started walking away.
Behind me, I heard him sigh.
But he didn't follow.
Not this time.