Page 73 of Chasing Mr. Prefect

“They asked for three things. One, you attend Ephemere.”

“Do I have to help?”

“Just turn up. Join the marketing team in the booth for welcoming the sponsors. Or you can join the finance team in the ticketing booth as we’re expecting a lot of people.”

“But Miss Mikayla will see me,” I protested.

“Don’t be ridiculous, she won’t be able to pull out the sponsorship on the day itself,” Miss Co scolded me and that was enough to shut me up. “Two, you make another video.”

“What? That takes a week or so to?—”

“Okay, sorry, let me correct that, you willedita video,” she went on, cutting me off. “You will use the footage we already have for the co-presentor products since everyone saw what happened in the launch and wanted their own video placements, too. It will be shown throughout Ephemere.”

Again, I gulped. Even editing took me two or three days but I knew this would help my case. I was not going to let this go.

“Three?” I prompted.

“You go to that interview for Miss Mikayla’s boss and you have to pass.”

“Ang hirap naman nung last?” I said, unable to stop myself from complaining.

“It’s all of that or the disciplinary faculty advisor will force my hand to fail you,” my professor said, still looking pissed withme. “And all of that work you did will be for nothing. Are you up for it or not?”

Well, four months ago, I walked into the disciplinary office with no escape from suspension and managed to walk out of it with a challenge that then seemed impossible to achieve. Now that I was right here, I might as well suck it up.

“I am,” I said. “When do you need the videos?”

CHAPTER 32

Iwas working away on the kitchen counter past midnight when Liana walked in.

“I smelled the pancit canton and got hungry,” she said, smiling at the empty bowl beside me. I tried to smile back and pushed my laptop away for a bit, welcoming the distraction.

“I inhaled mine, sorry. There’s more in the pantry. I can make you some.”

She told me not to worry, got three packs of noodles, and got a pot on the stove.

“More club work?” she asked.

I told her about the tasks Miss Co had for me. She looked horrified and stressed on my behalf.

“You look like you need more pancit canton,” she said and I laughed at her as she made a motion towards the pantry again. “How are you coping?”

“Not well. I never thought I’d ever see Miss Co angry, much less at me… But I need to suck it up because I brought all this upon myself.”

I pulled my laptop closer to me again and Liana went back to the pot, which was now steaming.

“Cholo hasn’t been in class in two days,” I said now, staring at the counter. “I didn’t text or call him because I understand he needs space but it’s driving me up the wall not talking to him.”

“Mukha niya kamo, space,” Liana joked and I doubled up in laughter. “Miss mo na, noh?”

“Yuck.But yes. Dammit.”

Liana had a good, hearty laugh at my expense and I put my face in my hands.

“Never thought I’d see the day,” she mused. “Look at you brats being dramatic and cute. Sometimes, I feel like I’m watching a series.”

“You should talk. Didn’t you chase Gian before he left for the US last Christmas?”