Chapter 1

Click!

Flashes. Cameras. Lights. 

I am wearing an SS20 collection bucket hat, quilted top and crochet pants with Chuck 70. 

I posted here and there then changed into another outfit. 

A floral crochet dress and a Crocs classic bae clog that is customized. 

The next outfit was a shit with button up collar, sleeveless knit top, ruffled skirt and an academy loafer. 

The fourth outfit was a puff sleeve dress and an idol worship charm boots. 

One-shoulder longuette dress, sequined balcony bra and a rendez vous sandals for the fifth and the final one was a tweed cropped and skit with a pearl CC necklace. 

"Well done, Isla!"

Exhausted, I changed into my comfy clothes, an oversized shirt and black leggings. 

It was a shoot for a fashion magazine. I was to appear as the cover of the magazine and they did want to put up an article for me. 

"What's my next schedule, Reese?" I ask Reese, my personal assistant. 

"Lunch na po muna then yung taping po for a TV show tapos my deadline po tayo for the fitness YouTube video." I nodded at her. 

" What fitness video?" 

" Yung dance party workout po." 

After fixing my hair and removing my make-up, she led me to a long table filled with food. Delicious foods to be exact. 

I sat on my designated seat and we started eating. 

I put a lot of food on my plate and consuming them slowly. 

"Grabe ka talaga, Miss Isla. Ang dami mong kinakain pero ang sexy mo pa rin. Sana all!" Sabi ng isang staff. I gave her a smile. 

" It's all about exercise, guys." I told them. 

" Sana ganyan kaganda yung katawan ko!" The other exclaimed. I returned their compliments with a small smile. 

My tummy being so full, I excused myself. 

"Excuse me, I'll just be at the restroom." 

Arriving there, I forced myself to vomit. 

Nakakadiri. Pero yes, I do purging. 

I binge then purge. A daily routine of mine. I lied to those people that all I do is exercise but the truth is, I have been purging since my last year of highschool that cause an extreme weight lost for me. 

This is my biggest secret and no one knows it but me. Reese doesn't know so are my parents, even my brother and former lover. 

I lived in an island since I was a kid then transferred into the city when I started highschool. I was physically active but then my body size was big. I was weighing 68 kilograms on my first year of highschool then I was short like about 151 centimeters. 

I was also labeled as a smart kid but it wasn't enough for me not to be insecure of how I look like. 

*"You're so fat and ugly talaga. You don't belong here!"* 

That phrase kept echoing in my head. Again and again and again until I lose my sanity. 

I was bullied but I was very secretive about it. 

I started binging and purging on my last year of highschool. At first, I tried exercise and diet but it wasn't quite effective to me. I was too eager to see the results but too lazy to exercise until I saw an anonymous post saying that she lose weight by purging and it was effective. 

After doing *it*, my legs feel like noodles, the ends of my hair are poison needles and my eyes are bags of bleach. 

A manager of a modelling agency had approached me once after school. I was too excited about it that I immediately accepted. I had trainings after school and I was exposed to being a runway model. When I seen in the runway, a lot of offers came my way. I accepted everything. I was tired, yes but it didn't made me stop from what I am doing until I am here where I am now. 

"Miss Isla, needed na daw kayo for the taping."

I immediately went inside the van while Reese and the others are loading my things in the van. 

Once we arrived at the building, I was dolled up. I had a cowl neck backless glitter top and bodycon dress and a nine inches black pin heels. 

"Miss Isla, ready na po!"

A staff guided me as to where I should be. 

" Let's us all welcome, our runway queen, Miss Isla Rae De Catalina!" 

I entered the stage.

The host shakes my hand.

" Welcome to our show, Miss Isla!"

"Thank you for having me." I cheered. 

" So, being the woman who everyone is jealous of, how does it feel to be in the spotlight?" 

I cleared my throat. " Honestly, I don't know what. It still feels like a dream. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa lahat ng nangyayari. Everytime nga na matutulog ako, I would always pinch myself countless times tapos tatanungin ko kung too ba ito. This is actually a dream come true."

I followed it with a laugh. 

" You grew up on the island right and you're parents have foreign blood, how does it feels like to be their kid? Plus the fact that you have a very rare, strawberry blonde hair, is that dyed?" 

" Yes, I grew up on the island. My mom is Dutch and a fourth Filipino while my dad is Palestinian and half Mexican. It's not dyed. That's a fact. At first, I didn't know my hair is stawberry blonde kasi wala naman sa amin ang ganito ang buhok. My classmates before even joked that they would trade anything just to have my hair but I love it so, I didn't agree!" I giggled. 

It took hours before the interviewed finish. 

"Thank you, Miss Isla! Again, Isla Rae de Catalina, everyone!"

I strode towards the backstage but was then interrupted when I bumped into someone. 

"Sorry." A baritone voice snickered. His manly scent invaded my nose. I was about to take a glance on his face when he just walked away. 

Who are you?