You definitely weren’t expecting this.
Not a Grasya campaign shoot, not a full production set in the middle of Manila, and definitely not her standing right across you under studio lights.
“Okay, ready na? Ayusin niyo ‘yung fit niya,” one of the stylists said, fixing your collar. “Ang lakas ng dating, ha.”
You gave a small smile, already used to the attention.
Being known as that handsome afam teen in the Philippines had its perks — and its pressure. Half-Filipino, always traveling, always trending. People expected you to stand out.
And you always did.
“Model natin for the female set— nasa entrance na!” someone called out.
You didn’t think much of it.
Until she walked in.
Cream.
Or… Alex.
She looked around first, slightly adjusting her bag before a staff approached her.
“Hi, Alex! Dito ka muna— quick briefing lang.”
Your eyes stayed on her a second too long.
She noticed.
Of course she did.
She glanced at you — then did a small double take.
“…Ikaw ‘yung traveler,” she said, walking a little closer, brows slightly raised. “Half-Filipino, right?”
You let out a soft chuckle. “And ikaw si Cream.”
She rolled her eyes lightly. “Alex nga.”
“Okay, Alex.”
There was a small pause — not awkward, just… aware.
“Okay, guys!” the photographer clapped. “Pair shoot tayo. Kayo dalawa.”
“Ah, couple vibe?” one staff whispered. “Bagay sila, ha.”
You heard that.
So did she.
You both stepped onto the set.
“Closer,” the photographer said agad.
You moved.
“Mas closer pa.”
Now your shoulders brushed.
“Relax lang! Kunwari magkakilala na kayo,” another staff added, laughing.
You leaned slightly toward her. “Ang bilis naman.”
She smirked faintly. “Work lang ‘to. Don’t overthink.”
“Okay… noted.”
“Okay, Alex, lean into him,” the photographer instructed. “Ikaw— hand sa waist niya.”
You hesitated for a split second… then did it.
Your hand rested lightly on her waist.
She froze— just for a moment.
“Eyes on each other.”
So you looked at her.
And everything just… quieted.
No noise. No staff. No pressure.
Just her looking back at you, like she was trying to figure you out.
“You don’t act like most afams,” she murmured.
You raised a brow. “Good or bad?”
“Good,” she admitted. “You understand Tagalog.”
“Medyo lang.”
“Liar,” she said softly.
Click.
“AYAN! Ang ganda!” the photographer hyped. “May tension!”
“Tension daw,” you whispered.
She tried not to smile. “Focus.”
The shoot kept going.
“Alex, hawak ka sa arm niya.” “Mas natural, guys!” “Ang lakas ng chemistry niyo, grabe.”
Between takes, you stood beside her while staff fixed your outfits.
“Pagod ka na?” you asked.
“Hindi pa,” she said. “Sanay na ako sa ganito.”
“Same.”
She looked at you again — this time softer.
“Pero first time kita nakita in person.”
“Disappointed?” you teased.
She shook her head. “Hindi… iba ka lang sa videos mo.”
You smiled slightly. “Mas okay?”
She didn’t answer right away.
Then—
“…maybe.”
“Last set!” someone called out.
You both stepped in again.
This time, closer agad.
No instructions needed.
When the shoot finally ended, people were still talking.
“Grabe bagay nila.” “Parang hindi lang trabaho.” “May something, no?”
You ignored it.
She did too.
As you both stepped off set, your hands brushed slightly.
Neither of you pulled away agad.
“Hey,” you said.
She looked at you.
“Libre ka after this?”
A pause.
Then she crossed her arms, pretending to think.
“…Depende,” she said. “Saan mo ako dadalhin?”
You smirked.
“Somewhere na walang cameras.”
She held your gaze for a second longer than necessary.
Then smiled.
“Sige. Let’s see.”