CHAPTER 22

Akademya, as the name suggests, offers school cafeteria goodness served in a hip and funky atmosphere. The restaurant, located along Katipunan Avenue, caters mostly to the students of Ateneo de Manila and Miriam College.

Bea Munoz is working at the kitchen of the restaurant, one of her pet projects. She poured a little more flour into the batter she’s making. She stirred the mixture, then dabbed her finger into the batter. She then put the batter in her mouth. It tasted sweet, with a hint of saltiness. Satisfied, she turned it over to her assistant.

“So how is the master chef doing?” a familiar voice asked. Bea turned around to see Van standing at the kitchen door, a bouquet of white tulips in hand. Bea ran to Van and planted a kiss on his lips.

“Are you ready? Van asked. Bea nodded. She took of her apron and hanged it on the rack. She then tousled her hair a little, then picked up her purse, which she left on the rack.

Van held open the kitchen door. Bea passed through, before he followed, closing the door behind him.

* * *

“Well, Mr. Nichols, we would like Casper Alindada to be part of our new soap.” Denver Olivarez replied. Hansen smiled in recognition.
Olivarez is the Vice President for programming of ABS-CBN, the network where Pinoy Dream Academy aired and Van’s home studio. Ever since he founded Talentado, Hansen has never failed the network as a manger. Some of his discoveries skyrocketed to superstardom. One of his latest talents, Casper Alindada was the subject of this meeting.

“Which soap is he going to be a part of?” Hansen asked.

“Van Pojas’ new soap.” Olivarez replied. Sen nodded. He was about to ask a follow-up question. He froze in his tracks.

Coming in the restaurant were Van Pojas and Bea Munoz. They went straight ahead, opposite the direction where he and Olivarez were seated. Thank God, he thought. Yet there was a tight feeling in his chest. He told me to trust him. He watched as the two took a seat and opened the menu.

Focus! Focus! He thought to himself, but it was no use.

“Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Olivarez.” Hansen said as he stood up and walked to a corner. Phone in hand, he dialed a few numbers on his phone and placed it on his ear. The phone began to ring. Inside the restaurant, a phone began to ring.

“Hello?” the voice on the other end answered.

“Where are you?” Sen asked.

“I have taping today. We’re about to have a take.” The voice on the other end said. Sen took a peek towards Van’s direction and saw Van was on the phone still.

“Really?” Sen asked, as if to taunt Van.

“Yes. I’ll call you.” The call abruptly ended.