Not So Saint Nick by Tatienne Richard

Celestine's Point of View

THIS IS the first time that I've had been late to the venue of the photoshoot. I am a top model and my manager calls me for the last photoshoot of February.

I saw Roalyn Manduque, my manager, walking back and forth as I arrived at the location of the photoshoot for the EL Magazine. "I thought you'll not come today? Why all of a sudden you're late?"

Even if Roalyn is not talking or mentioning that she's mad at me. I knew it by the tone of her voice -annoyed and disgusted. Roalyn doesn't want people who are lazy and always having (as issues) whether professionals/top or a rookie/amateur model including me. Time is always precious for Roa.

It is my stepfather's fault, for Pete's sake! Every time I'd been thinking about it all I can do is to make a sigh. I wanted to forget but those memories kept bargaining on the precious memories I'd been scared of.

All I had to do is almost make the car flew, from Ayala until Quezon City. That's why I am late now plus the fact that I woke up late is another reason out of hell. I didn't know the alarm already passed by my alarm clock. Yes, I'm still using the old times. Alarm clock rather than my phone.

“Sorry, Roa, for my tardiness today. It will not happen again,” I said in embarrassment while keeping my head down. Roa is ahead of ten years to me, as she aged thirty-four, her face almost looks like being double old as her natural age.

I started my career with Roa when I am eighteen and it became my manager.

She presses her temple as she turns her gaze at me. “It's alright. Get dressed and can you please make it fast so we can start today,” strictly uttering it to command me.

She's a rigorous one especially when it comes to her handles like me. Even she’s drastic sometimes, she's kind, helpful, and generous to people who need her help when it comes to money.

When there is no one I could reach ask for money Roa is there to save my a*s. Even the most intrigue or gossip scandals that can ruin my dignity, Roa is the person I could count on. She's my ideal and exact Knight and shining armor. Nevertheless, she never leaves me in any embarrassing moments.

I am Celestine Rain Marcelo Alcazar twenty-four-year-old woman. From age of eighteen, I came to be a magazine and commercial model. Now my manager starting to build my career. It's all of my billionaire father— stepfather, I mean. He'll never my biological father anyway. When I turned twenty-four that is the second day of February and today is almost the last day of the month. My Dad named Brent bought me a property to put up an agency as my first business to manage.

I couldn't do everything thanks to my manager. Roalyn will be the managing director while I'll be the CEO of the company when the construction is done. But in the meantime, it is still under construction.

“If the construction of that agency will be early done by this year, it would be easier for you to make the photo shooting.” She's right. Because it was near to Ayala, the lot my stepdad gave me as a gift. Walking distance and he could guard me there twenty-four by seven.

I already brought the dress and went straight to the dressing room to change.

Maybe I need to talk to the engineer that handles the construction site so it can easily be done as my first to handle an agency.

I don't like to rush things, might the base will wreck when it's not sturdy and strong. And one thing, I'm getting older. I could have my own house and lot, a simple and small business to operate by now but not yet my priority. There is one thing I prioritize the most and all my savings went there.

Once my first plan is done, then I'll be thinking about what's next. This is how I am making plans for the future. Before making a second plan, I always had the assurance that the first plan is a victory.