Heroine Act, Part I: The Author and His Heroine

Keil stared at his laptop in shock. The book he uploaded just a couple of nights ago became too much of a hit that he even landed an opportunity for collaboration. Based from a certain company, they are willing to provide a model for the story's main heroine, Iris. Umusok ang ilong ni Keil sa excitement at agad na sumagot sa kumpanya: "Yes, of course! I'm looking forward to working with you!".

Meanwhile...

Rie stared at her manager in shock. She can't believe that she will land a job soon, and it made her really happy. But immediately after knowing who she will model, mixed feelings went inside her head. The joy, spoiled by nervousness that she might get caught by Keil.

"Pero bakit nga ba natatakot akong malaman ni Keil kung sino ako? This isn't like me."

Just as she was comforting herself, a message arrived from the said author.

"Yes, of course! I'm looking forward to working with you!", malakas na binasa ng manager niya ang message. Rie... Or rather Clarisse, was surprised. Her face blushed, and she panicked even more.

"Wahhhh, what now!? I-I guess I don't have any choice now, do I? KEILLLL!!!!!"

In Keil's room...

Tumindig ang balahibo ng binata sa di malamang dahilan. Nilamig ito at natulog na.

The next day...

Keil arrived at school late, as usual. Minutes only after sitting down, pumasok naman sa klase si Rie na magulo pa ang buhok. Yumuko ito habang dali-daling lumakad patungo sa kanyang upuan. When she settled down, bigla na lamang sinuntok sa braso si Keil. He was surprised by her, so he asked what her problem is.

"Kanina pa ako sumisigaw ng HINTAYYY sa labasan pero dumiretso ka lang. Bingi ka ba!?", pabulong na sigaw ni Rie kay Keil.

Keil giggled and apologized.

"Hehe, pasensya na. Di talaga kita maririnig, I was on my earphones earlier and I just removed them before coming inside the classroom", he said. He opened up his bag to bring out a textbook, then looked at Rie's desk.

"Ah. English Literacy, page 56", he told her.

Rie gave him a cold stare, then proceeded to bring out her book. Which, unluckily wasn't in her bag. Hinanap ni Rie sa bawat bulsa at sulok ng bag niya ang libro, ngunit sumuko din ito at bumuntong-hininga. She then turned slowly to Keil, who was at the moment watching her search desperately. He giggled silently, with a laugh made to mock Rie for being such a clumsy person.

Rie was furious, but obviously helpless. She reluctantly moved her chair closer to Keil's in order to share the textbook. She looked once again at Keil, who had a sudden change of expression.

"Better", he said, smiling at Rie. Nataranta si Rie dito at agad na tumingin sa libro upang i-distract ang sarili. Despite that, her face still looked red as roses.

Then she remembered.

"Oo nga pala, we're going to have a collaboration soon. And she doesn't even know it, huh? Hindi ko na alam kung tama pa bang itago yung identity ko. Pero sinimulan ko na eh. I must see this through, until the day he realizes na ako yung taong hinahanap niya. Who cares kung magalit siya sa akin? I deserve it. But if that time comes, kahit pa anong masasakit na salita ang sabihin ni Keil... I'll definitely confess my feelings for her".

The days passed by like hours, and the day of K and the company's meetup has arrived. Keil went up early para mag-asikaso. Hinanap niya ang paborito niyang polo shirt, at maaga itong iniayos. Two hours of preparation, and Keil is done. Tumingin siya sa salamin upang suriin ang kanyang sarili bago umalis.

"Yup, all set. Good luck, Keil. And goodluck, K!".

Meanwhile...

Rie stared at herself on the mirror. Stressed, she looks for a way para hindi siya agad makilala ni Keil. Itinali niya ang maikli niyang buhok upang hindi ito mahalata. She removed her glasses, one of the most noticeable features of her disguise. She swept all her bangs sideways, clipping them with hair clips. She then hid every naturalistic feature in her face using makeups, making her about 60% different from the "Rie" that Keil is used to seeing. After a couple of hours of preparation, she looked one last time at the mirror to check herself out.

"Deep breaths, Rie. Deep breaths. Ikaw muna si Clarisse sa araw na to. He won't know. He won't...", she encouraged herself.

She stepped out of her house, where she was escorted by her manager to the vehicle.

About an hour later, and Keil arrived at the agency. Nervous, he took one deep breath and entered the building. He was entertained by a staff, who guided him to the guest lobby. On their way, he noticed a girl; maybe another young artist, looking at him. The girl gazed at him, almost as if she was zoning out. Keil ignored this and simply followed the man onto the lobby.

Arriving at the lobby, Keil was met by Rie's... No, Clarisse's manager.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. K! My name is Yvonne, the manager of the model of Iris from your novel", said the manager as she shaked hands with Keil.

Keil was confused about how the manager immediately knew that he was the person behind the mystery writer, but he had no time to question her. Yvonne immediately informed him about the collaboration.

"As you already know, we are having a collaboration with your novel, Mr K. And today, we of this agency proudly introduce you the model for your novel's heroine".

Keil was intrigued. Or maybe interested. He can't quite comprehend the feeling, pero alam niya sa sarili niya na gusto niyang makilala kung anong klase ng tao ang magbibigay ng buhay sa karakter na likha niya. He eagerly looked at the door that slowly opened.

From it, a fairly small girl arrived.

"This is Clarisse, our agency's artist. Clarisse, this is K, or you may call him by his real name, Keil."