by Yuriko Hime
"She said no offense and immediately follows it with what she thinks is a negative," Uno murmured. "By the way, being studious is a compliment, so I'm not offended." She looked up at the tree. "I told you didn't I? You don't know anything about me."
"That's not true. I know a lot of things about you." I stepped in front of her. "You don't have to talk to a person to completely understand them. I've always had this game of what could I tell about someone, and just from observing you I've learned things." She cocked an eyebrow.
"I could tell that you're not a bad person," I went on. "I know that your jaw slacks when you're into something you're reading. I know you're uncomfortable with touching. You try to lighten your steps if you think I'm napping on the sofa. You put a shirt on me while I was sleeping."
I watched her reaction. Her ears turned a darker shade. "I remember falling asleep tired last night," I said. "I remember bathing and forgetting to wear my shirt when I collapsed on the bed. When you woke me this morning, I was wearing a top. I don't need to ask you to know that you're not a maniac on the loose."
She stepped closer. "You really shouldn't talk about the things you know nothing about," she said. Uno leveled her face with mine. I had trouble breathing. "You don't know for sure if I'm a maniac. Maybe I kissed you last night when you were sleeping." Her eyes gleamed.
"I wouldn't mind if you do it again," I whispered. "Despite treating me the way you do, I still want you." She gasped and stared at me like she was seeing me for the first time. I waited for her answer, my stomach tying into knots.
Uno whirled around. "No, absolutely not." Her shoulders stiffened, and my world crumbled with the rejection. "Not until you're eighteen," she added. Uno left me standing there. She didn't have to say it out loud. I knew what I knew and that was more than enough.
Chapter 22. Proposition
If Blaze was a breathing work of art, for me Uno was erudite. She was perception and thoughtfulness rolled into one fine specimen. With her I was driven to learn and explore new things. Doing wasn't enough. Knowing the reason behind it was important according to her. She taught me how to handle finances which could be helpful if I were to start my business someday. She also explained concepts and theories. Above it all, what I wanted to study most was her. She was the toughest subject I would never master.
It was a few days after her secret admission when I begged her to come with me to the living room, so we could work on her people skills. It started with an "absolutely no," that turned into an "I will humor you," to "this is ridiculous" from her. We have been seated on the couch for the last thirty minutes, glaring at each other.
"Please," I said. "You need to smile once in a while. Here, I'll show you." I smiled widely for her, teeth showing and all. "See?" I said through my teeth. "This is how you do it. Simple right?"
"You look like a clown with diarrhea," she remarked. "That is not a people skill. Children will cry, and adults will run in fear when they see it." She touched her chin. "Unless you want me to sorely disappoint babies, then I don't want to do that."
I opened and closed my mouth. I didn't know that smiling repeatedly could make my jaw sore like this. "As far as I know, babies don't get disappointed. They don't even remember things."
"Wrong," Uno said, leaning back on her chair. "Though babies can't remember specific information at 8 months below, they still have the ability to familiarize themselves with their mother's voices and faces they often see. The information can be easily forgotten of course. Then, by the age of 9 months, a baby will cry when one parent is absent, especially the mother. This is an indication that the baby somehow remembers the mother being there, and is baffled by the sudden absence."
"I didn't think of that," I said. "Where did you get that information, Freud?"
She smirked. "Freud was a fool. If he was alive now, we wouldn't agree on so many things."
"Okay, enough about him then. What about you? What's your first memory?" I leaned eagerly to her. Over the days, I've always wanted to ask her this question, though I didn't know how to start. The situation presented itself to me today. Who was I to say no to this opportunity?
"Do you want the sarcastic answer or the lie?" I rolled my eyes at her. She gave me a deadpan expression before saying, "My first memory was of your mother. She was holding my hand and we were walking to my house back to the mansion. Don't ask me why it's not about my parents, playing, or with other kids. You asked, and that is the answer."
"That's weird." I shrugged. "But I can't blame you because that's what you remember. How long have you known mom? I thought you met her when you started acting at twelve. Or was it thirteen?"
"Eleven," she said. "I've told you a thousand times, my memory is faulty because of her." Her as in Blaze, I thought with a pang on my chest. There wasn't a moment that I wouldn't miss her. I've just learned to appreciate who was with me during the moment. If it was Blaze in front of me now, I would sorely miss Uno too. "How about your earliest memory?" she said, asking me in turn.
I pushed Blaze's thought away to answer her. "It was about mom too. She bought me a cute dress, then told me that I was adopted after."
"Interesting. Do you recall your life in the adoption center?" I gave her a silent no by shaking my head. "It can be because of age," she said. "Or maybe you subconsciously kept the memory away because it was bad. Sometimes that happens." Uno stared into the distance. "I think that's what happened to me and Blaze too. I think, no, I know for a fact that we were traumatized. If I just get that memory back, it would lead to my treatment." She sighed.
But your parents weren't cooperative, I thought as I looked at her sadly. I promise you Uno, someday we'd know what things you went through. She snapped out of her thoughts and turned back to me. "Speaking of Blaze, why do I have to develop people skills when she's the one who needs it?"
I groaned. This again. "Because you act for her when she's gone, right? Acting and promotion is your source of income. It gives you the chance to live in a house like this, away from everyone, and also the freedom to study your books. If you don't do it well, you will be stuck to a job you hate with no time to study." Not that she needed the money anymore.
"Wrong again," she said. "I can be a professor. I can write books about Psychology, or I can branch out and do something else that can make me richer."
I've accepted a long time ago that arguing with Uno could turn into a long debate. "Just do it for me will you," I said. "If you don't want to smile for other people, then look for me in the crowd and smile." I nudged her. "Give me a genuine one."
She cocked an eyebrow at me. When she realized that I was dead serious about it, she sighed and nodded. After a while, Uno tried curling her lips upward. I tried hard not to laugh when it turned out as a grimace. "You're mocking me," she complained.
"I swear I'm not. Try it again." I bit my bottom lip.
She paused to stare at my mouth. "How can I, when you're looking sexy like that?"
My heart skipped a beat. "Stop lying, I might believe you," I said. Her eyes flashed, and she moved nearer. My brain cells couldn't function as the familiar scent of rain enveloped me. I focused on her lips, pink and puckered. If I could just get a taste. If I could just. . .
She gasped and jumped away to the other end of the sofa. "What are you doing?" she said. Uno sounded strained, as if she ran a whole marathon. I could see her chest moving up and down quickly. I had a similar reaction, though my hands were shaking badly. "You're a minor," she said. "You're seventeen. You. Are. Seventeen."
"I heard you the first time," I said, exhaling.
Uno got to her feet. She scrambled to get her laptop from the coffee table, looking like she couldn't be in the same room with me for one second more. "I-I need to go," she said. She turned on her heels and stormed out of the room.
"Don't forget that we have an audition," I yelled. "The talent agent called me—"
"I don't want to hear about that," she called back. "I need to study."
I pur
sed my lips as her footsteps receded. "But you already agreed to audition for Blaze," I said loudly, hoping she'd still hear me. Her silence meant no. "And I'm turning eighteen soon," I yelled to no in particular. She has retreated to somewhere only she knew while I had to nurse my poor heart.
Seeing that Uno wouldn't come out of her hiding place anytime soon, I left her a note on the fridge saying that I needed to go to Carter's to pick up new clothes for her. Celebrities, from what I've gathered with one of my talks with the talent agent, rarely wore old outfits whenever they were seen out and about. Because they were photographed often, it was required to be in the latest garbs.
Though Uno and Blaze seldom left the house, we'd be attending a couple of auditions soon. I wanted her to look her best. Waiting for auditions could sometimes last the whole day. Either Uno or Blaze would get a special treatment since they were recognized artists already, but I heard from the talent agent that a lot of Hollywood's finest wanted to grab a chance at this new movie. The waiting time could be longer.
I started the van and frowned. The engine in this old girl was dying a horrible death. After a couple of failed attempts, I finally managed to make her run. Uno still insisted on its usage. The Hummer, according to her, was Blaze's property. She didn't like touching Blaze's things. Uno had a separate laptop, notebook, perfume, and even bathroom essentials. Yesterday she asked me to run to the store to buy her a specific soap though we had other soap brands in the house.
Carter was in their clothes store when I arrived. He glanced up from his book and smiled when he saw that it was me who entered. "Look who decided to show up," he said.
"You shouldn't even be surprised," I muttered as I approached the counter. "I texted you about today. You don't have classes?"
"Nah." He tossed the book out of sight. "You don't have stuff going on, whatever it is?"
"This is actually part of that going on stuff." I smirked. "So you're reading a book instead of breaking a lock. That's new. What else happened when you were in college?" He turned his face away, but not before I saw the hint of pink on his cheeks. I touched his chin and forced him to look at me. "Something happened in college?"
"Ehhh, no."
"Liar. This is the first time you blushed like that," I accused. "Who is this person?" I said person because I was pretty sure Carter liked a guy. I didn't want to point it out though, not unless he tells me about his sexuality first. But knowing him, it was definitely a guy, like the tall muscled men he would usually look at when we were out in the streets."You met at college," I guessed. "Are you a thing now?"
"This person isn't from college," he rectified. Aha! He said person too. The teensy bit of doubt that I had vanished. Yep, he was seeing a guy. It was true with what they said. Gays of the same rainbow color combine together. "It's really funny how we met, but I can't tell you about it for now. I want to be sure," he said. "Then I'll introduce you."
"As long as you're happy." I snapped my fingers. "By the way, where are the clothes I ordered?"
He pointed to the pile of paper bags in the corner. "There they are. I wrapped it nicely for you and our very special client." He winked. I went to the paper bags and checked it one by one to see the contents. I smiled when I saw the shirt. The color blue matched Uno and Blaze's eyes. The design was simple, with a small embroidered logo on the chest area, but the cloth used was breathable and would allow them to move comfortably.
"Tell your mom she makes the best things," I said, putting the shirt back in the bag.
"Will do. You should try making your own too." He moved away from the counter. "I mean, you do sell your designs online, but how about talking to a manufacturer who will actually produce them for you?"
"I've been thinking about it," I said. "Maybe it's time to move away from the lab and bring it to its full potential. Now if only I have a capital, it would be easier to launch the project."
He took the shopping bags, all ten of them, and said, "I can't be much help with that right now." Carter turned to me with a gleam in his eyes. "But I might in the future. I've been talking to someone who can help with my family's business. If it works out, I may not only save the business but give you a loan for your capital too. You don't have to ask Uno to model for our brand anymore."
"Yeah, sorry about Uno. She's busy with her own projects." He nodded understandingly. That was another thing I liked about Carter. He didn't give me flak for the things I couldn't do anything about, namely getting Uno to agree. "But wow," I said. "You'll give me a loan?"
"If I have the money." He nudged his head to the door and raised the shopping bags. "Let's take these to your car." He was locking the shop when he asked, "What do you want for your birthday? You're turning legal. It needs to be special."
I took the other half of bags so he could lock the door properly. "I don't want anything this year," I said. If only Uno and Blaze could be treated, I'd never wish for anything in my future birthdays again.
My thoughts were filled with the prospect of business as I traveled on my way home. My view was split in half when it came to collaborating my designs with Carter's shop. On one hand, it could be a good opportunity for both sides. But there was still that small feeling of doubt inside my head. If my design wouldn't do well, the business could crash and it would all be my fault. That was why I launched the website without asking for anyone's help. At least no one would blame me but myself for the failure.
I was five minutes away from Carter's when my phone rang. I debated whether to answer or not. The number was unknown. I wore my headset quickly and answered the call. "Hello?"
"Riri Chance?" I recognized the gentle voice of Bianca. My stomach churned unpleasantly. The reason I gave her my number on the benefit concert was so she could call me if anything was wrong. Maybe she got the idea that Blaze or Uno struck her head, and now she was telling me that she was going to sue. Oh man! "Are you there?" she said.
I swallowed. "Yes I am. Is there something wrong?" I asked warily.
"I need to talk to you about an urgent matter. I'd appreciate it if you meet me today if you're not busy."
I was so nervous that I had to pull over on one corner to collect myself. "Where?" I said, trying hard not to sound anxious.
"I'll text you the place."
"I'll be there."
The address she messaged me was a hole-in-the-wall cafe about thirty minutes from my previous location. There was no one in the shop except for Bianca who was wearing a polite smile when I entered. Like what Blaze did when we first met, Bianca must have paid the establishment to only cater to her for this set time. I went to her rigidly. I've been preparing my speech in the van.
"Is this about the day of the concert?" I asked, soon as I was seated.
She frowned. "No it's not." I exhaled the breath I was holding. My girls were safe. If that wasn't the topic then what was? I turned to her and paid attention. I only began to notice the dark circles under her eyes. She looked worse than the concert, though she was still undoubtedly pretty.
I touched her arm. "Are you super stressed about something? You don't know me at all, and I'm handling a different talent, but I'm worried about you."
"You're very kind," she said with an appreciative nod. "That's exactly why I want to talk to you today. I've seen how well you treat Uno. I want you to be my manager."
"Excuse me?" Did I hear her right? "You want to be under my management too?"
"I want to be your only talent," she clarified. "If you say yes, you need to drop Uno from your care. She's my biggest competition." I couldn't think straight while she took a sip from her drink. "I'm not stupid," she said. "I know you're much inexperienced than majority of the managers in the business. But I also want someone like you on my side. A person who can grow with me. This is a good opportunity Riri. I'm better than Uno in every way."
I withdrew my hand from hers. "No you're not," I murmured.
"Of course I am. I'm number one." She opened her bag and rummaged through its contents until she foun
d a black holder. I saw a check when she opened it. She took the check and pushed it in front of me on the table. "This is how much you'll earn if you stay with me."
My mouth opened when I saw the figures. I quickly glanced at her. "Why are you really doing this?"
"Uno doesn't deserve you," she said, as if the answer was simple. Bianca took the check and placed it inside the holder. "I've always found Uno weird as fuck. I'll be honest with you. I don't like her. If you have half a brain like my previous manager did, who I had to fire by the way because of Uno's fault, then you'll agree with me."
I realized that she fired the manager because Uno helped the girl whose phone was smashed on the ground. I looked at Bianca with a frown. She didn't appear as gentle or kind as I thought she was anymore. "I have to decline your offer," I said firmly. "I can't leave Uno for anything."
"Is that your final decision?" She pursed her lips as I nodded. Bianca sneered. "Then be prepared to suffer the consequence with her."
Chapter 23. Auditions
I've been playing the what could I tell you game forever. The more I got something right about a person, the more I thought I was a good judge of character. Turned out that it was all a fluke. Uno and Blaze for example. At first I thought that Uno was the bad one between the two of them. I was wrong. Uno was kinder the more I got to know her, and Blaze was capable of telling a lie to save face.
My girls weren't the only examples of how poorly I judged others. Bianca's attitude came as a surprise. Since the day that I've refused her offer, I realized just how right Uno and Blaze were about her. Little by little, Bianca showed her true colors to me. To the real world she was still the ever endearing sweet girl. To me, she has become a big nuisance for the girl's career.
Kay, the talent manager, called me for the third time this week. My heart leaped when I saw her name flash on my phone. I quickly dropped what I was doing to answer. "Riri here," I said. "Did we get it?"