The next day, I hurriedly made my way to the studio. Almost everyone was busy, and I could see other artists as well. There were even some boy groups managed by Mr. Mitchell, although they had different managers handling them.
As I entered their office, I spotted Jackson, Mr. Mark, Ate Sab, and other staff members. "Oh, nandiyan ka na pala?"
I smiled and closed the door behind me. "Good morning, po."
I walked towards a seat a bit farther away from Jackson's. "Bakit ang layo mo? Jackson asked, his tone serious.
"Oo nga, Zaniyah, dito ka sa tabi namin," Ate Sab added.
"Ah, sige po."
As I moved closer to their seats, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement. It was clear that something important was happening, and I hoped I was prepared for whatever it was. The atmosphere in the room was a mix of anticipation and energy, with everyone focused on the task at hand.
Sir Mark began discussing the plan for the day's shoot, going over the details and making sure everyone was on the same page. As he spoke, I watched Jackson intently. He seemed more focused and determined than ever, ready to give his best for the music video.
Ate Sab was busy checking her notes and coordinating with the crew members. She looked up and caught my eye, giving me an encouraging smile. It was reassuring to know that she had faith in my capabilities as Jackson's assistant.
"Alright, everyone, let's get ready to start," Sir Mark announced, wrapping up the meeting. We all began to move, preparing for the first scenes of the music video. Jackson stood up, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as I watched him interact with the team. He truly had a magnetic presence that captivated everyone around him.
As the shoot began, I made sure to stay attentive to the schedule and any last-minute adjustments. It was a whirlwind of activity, with different scenes being set up, lighting adjusted, and camera angles perfected. Jackson seamlessly transitioned from one scene to another, pouring his emotions into his performance.
During breaks, Jackson would occasionally approach me to ask about the schedule or discuss any changes. Each time, I was struck by his professionalism and genuine concern for everyone's well-being on set.
As the day progressed, the energy on set remained high, and I found myself getting caught up in the excitement of the creative process. It was amazing to witness the collaborative effort of the entire team coming together to bring Jackson's vision to life.
By the time the last scene was wrapped up, everyone was exhausted but elated. The sense of accomplishment was palpable in the air, and as I looked at Jackson, I could see the satisfaction in his eyes. The shoot had been a success, and it was evident that he was proud of what they had achieved.
As we all gathered to celebrate the completion of the shoot, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for being part of this journey. It was moments like these that reminded me why I had chosen this path: to support and contribute to the world of music and creativity.
"Zaniyah, great job today," Ate Sab said, patting me on the back.
"Thank you, Ate Sab," I replied, genuinely grateful for her encouragement.
Jackson joined the conversation, flashing me a warm smile. "Zaniyah, thank you for keeping everything organized today."
I smiled back, feeling a sense of camaraderie with everyone in the room. This was more than just a job; it was a shared passion and dedication to creating something meaningful.
As the day came to an end, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had led me here. From being Jackson's devoted fan to becoming his personal assistant, every step had been a valuable lesson and a chance to grow. I looked forward to what the future held, knowing that there were more challenges and adventures waiting to unfold.
"By the way, nakalimutan ko, next week on August 25, may charity gala pala tayo," sabi ni Sir Mark, breaking the momentary silence.
"Maraming sikat na influencers at mga artist ang pupunta do'n, kaya kailangan din natin maghanda," dagdag niya, na may kasamang sigla sa boses.
"Good exposure na rin 'to, para sa pag-nominate mo sa musical kingdom," sabi naman ni Ate Sab, na may kakaibang excitement sa boses.
"Sir, sino po ang mga naka-line up sa event?" tanong ko, curious sa mga bisita na darating.
"Oh, wait, anim pa lang 'yong na-announce eh. Pero ang unang naka line-up ay ang mga artist ng Z1 company—yong boy group na NexCore, si Jackson, si Mr. Tristan, 'yong sikat na aktor, tapos si Ms. Astraea, si Felix Camero, at..." tumigil si Sir Mark, tila ba may hindi inilahad na pangalan
Napahinto si Sir Mark at napatingin kay Jackson na parang may pag-aalinlangan sa kanyang ekspresyon.
Nagpatuloy siya, "Basta, magiging malaking event 'to, so we need to make sure everything is well-prepared."
"Wait, sinong 'yong next na line up?" tanong ni Ate Sab na parang may bahid ng pagtataka sa kanyang tinig.
"Basta, tara na nga, uwi na tayo," sabi ni Jackson, biglang nagbago ang tema ng usapan, at tila sinesenyasan niya si Ate Sab. Maglalakad na sana kami ng biglang nagsalita si Jackson
"Sino 'yong next?" tanong ni Jackson na tila malamig ang tono, habang nakalagay ang dalawang braso niya sa dibdib niya at tila walang ekspresyon na tumitingin sa amin.
Nagtataka naman ako kung ano ang meron, at bakit ganyan ang reaksiyon nila. Parang may lihim silang itinatago na hindi ko alam.
"Uh, 'yong next na line-up, kasi, si Laarni Ortega 'yong last," tugon ni Sir Mark, na tila may kahalong kaba sa boses. "Pero, baka hindi pa ito official line up,"
Nagulat ako sa narinig ko. Si Laarni Ortega, ang dating girlfriend ni Jackson, makakasama niya sa charity gala event next week? Tumingin ako kay Jackson, at sa kanyang mukha ay mababasa mo ang halo ng kalungkutan at pag-aalinlangan. Walang ekspresyon niyang tinanggap ang balita at mabilis na naglakad patungo sa van.
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nais niyang sabihin o kung paano siya matutulungan sa sitwasyon na ito. Iniisip ko kung kailangan ko ba siyang samahan o hayaan na lang siyang mag-isip sa sarili niyang mundo.
Habang nasa loob ng van, naramdaman ko ang bigat ng katahimikan. Nakatingin si Jackson sa labas ng bintana, tila ba abala sa kanyang sariling mundo. Nais ko sanang mawala ang awkward na atmospera, kaya't naglakas-loob akong magsalita para mabasag ang katahimikan.
"Sir Mark, why don't we do some karaoke? It's a stress-reliever, tapos isama natin si sir Jackson," I suggested, trying to initiate a more relaxed atmosphere. I glanced at them, hoping they'd catch on to my idea and join in.
"Ah, yes, karaoke sounds like a good idea. And it'll be a chance for you all to hear my singing voice," Sir Mark chimed in, going along with my proposal. He tried to smile and look at Jackson, but Jackson remained unresponsive.
"What about it, Sir Jackson? Will you join us?" I asked, directing my question towards him.
He remained silent, his gaze still fixed outside the car. "You go ahead; I'm tired," he replied flatly.
I attempted to maintain a smile and make him feel at ease. "But it's just a one-time thing, to—" I didn't get to finish my sentence as he suddenly shot me a serious look that silenced me. "I said I'm tired. If you guys want to, go ahead," he insisted, his eyes fixed on the view beyond the window.
His response caught me off guard, and I felt a mix of confusion and concern. It was evident that something was bothering him, something that went beyond mere fatigue. I exchanged a quick glance with Sir Mark, who seemed equally puzzled.
We continued the journey in an uncomfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts. I wished there was something I could do or say to make him feel better, but his guarded demeanor made it difficult to reach out. As the van finally came to a stop, I took a deep breath.