Chapter 08

Everything was going according to plan—which a few problems along the way that I already predicted. I mean, is it really life if everything goes your way?

"Why are you happy?" tanong ko kay Archie. He's been sporting that grin on his face since I saw him this afternoon. We're headed to pick up the suit that he'll wear for the engagement party.

"Because—" he said and then he paused dahil pinagpalit niya kami ng pwesto. He was the one walking outside the pavement now. He did it so casually like it was nothing and it was normal for him. I shouldn't even notice this, but I did. I once dated a guy who was the worst in everything. He'd usually just throw money at things and thought that that made everything okay. I didn't even know what I was thinking when I dated him. I call that my dark age.

So, now? I appreciate the nice gestures that Archie does. Because I now know that not everyone is capable of that.

"Because what?" I asked nang hindi niya ituloy iyong sasabihin niya.

"We had a meeting earlier, right?"

"Right," I said because for some reason, he always updates me with whatever he does in office. I told him that there's absolutely no need for that. I didn't need to know where he was every second of the day. I just needed him to tell me the important things and to answer when I need him.

"Usually, hindi naman ako pinapansin sa meeting," he replied.

"But you still go," I said. He needed to be there para matutunan niya iyong gagawin niya kapag siya na iyong mayor. Sure, we're planning on winning, but we also needed a good track record for him. Kapag tumakbo na siya sa national election, whatever he did for his town would be his show pony. Dadalhin niya 'to kahit saan siya makarating. It's important that we don't mess this up.

"Of course," he replied. "But this morning, napansin ako sa meeting."

"Did they really ignore you before?" tanong ko. Sometimes, Archie could be melodramatic. Sinasabi niya dati na bored siya sa meeting kasi hindi siya pinapansin. He said na literally attendance lang daw ang ginagawa niya. I mean, surely they could not be that juvenile para hindi siya pansinin? And for what? He's basically a nobody before kaya bakit naman siya hindi papansinin? He's not a threat to be iced out.

"Not really ignore, but you do feel that they didn't really care about my attendance," sabi niya. "But this morning, kinausap ako ni Mayor. He actually did ask about my opinion about this one resolution that we're trying to pass bago magsimula iyong campaign period."

I nodded my head and chose to just listen to his story.

"Do you think it has something to do with the election?"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, he's usually pretty confident na mananalo siya. If it's still the same, dapat confident pa rin siya, 'di ba? Unless he thinks of me as a competition?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Of course you're a competition," I replied. "You're about to marry me. He should be afraid."

His face fell down for a second but he quickly picked it up and smiled at me.

"Of course," he said. "Who would dare mess with the de Marcos, right?"

Ngumiti lang ako.

This guy's ego is fragile. I should not be saying things like that. I should make him feel that he's winning because he's born to be a winner. Although he still needed constant reminder that he has what he has because I gave it to him.

Always both feet on land.

He was awfully quiet hanggang sa makarating kami sa boutique. Normally, I would prefer him being quiet, but not this kind of quiet. I didn't want him to slowly resent me. That would make everything hard for the both of us.

"I'm sorry," I said.

Sometimes, it's fine to swallow your pride and apologize. But I rarely do this—only when I felt like the situation calls for. I didn't want my apologies to feel like candies that I give away whenever. I rarely does this so that when I do this, it means something.

"What?" he asked habang nakaupo at hinihintay iyong damit niya.

"It's not just because you're associated with my family," I said.

"It's fine," he replied. "It's true. You're literally from the first family. You're... important. We even have guards following us everywhere."

I arched my brow. "You noticed them?"

"Yeah," he replied. "How could I not? Nakasunod sila kahit saan," he continued. "Sinusundan ka ba talaga nila kahit saan?"

I nodded. "Just protocol. I hardly even notice them anymore."

"Paano kapag gusto mong mapagisa?"

"I go to my condo."

"Paano kapag gusto mo ng fresh air?"

"There's a balcony in my condo."

Umirap siya. "You know what I mean."

Umirap din ako. "No, they always follow me," I said. "And my cousins can manage to escape them, but I don't want to do that. They're there for a reason."

"Do you think there's a real threat?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes. My family receives threat on a daily basis. I'm not insane to risk my life just to get some fresh air."

He looked very interested. At least he's finally forgotten about the thoughtless remark that I made. "May muntik na bang makidnap sa inyo?" he asked.

"Aspen when he was younger," I said. "He used to make a game of it—iyong pagtakas niya sa security."

"And?" he asked, sounding very invested.

"He almost got kidnapped."

"Oh... wow."

"No, not really," I said. "I was just getting tired of hearing that same conversation over brunch, so I convinced my other cousins to stage a kidnapping attempt para matigil na si Aspen sa ginagawa niya."

Archie's lips parted. "You did what?"

I shrugged. "It used to be a constant topic in brunch. The elders hated what he was doing and he's doing it just to prove a point. I was getting tired of it, so I decided to put a stop to it."

Nakatingin siya sa akin na para bang tinubuan ako ng dalawang ulo.

"What?" I asked nang ilang segundo ang lumipas at ganoon pa rin ang tingin niya sa akin.

"Remind me never to mess with you."

Umirap ako. "Will do."

"Nalaman ba ni Aspen?"

Umiling ako. "My cousins and I promised to take it to our grave."

"Pero sinabi mo sa akin?"

I shrugged. "We're going to be husband and wife. What's mine is yours—secrets included," I said and then stood up because his suit was finally here.

* * *

"This feels more like one of Abuela's political parties than an engagement," Aspen commented.

I shrugged as I sipped my champagne. "Two birds with one stone."

I initially planned on just a dinner between two families, but ultimately decided against it. Sure, we're trying to act like we're marrying for love, but we can never convince our family of it. They all knew that that's just a farce.

This was a political marriage.

We can convince the world, but not our family.

"If you'll excuse me," I said nang makita kong muli si Senator Velasquez. I already got the word from some people na susuportahan nila si Archie when the time comes. Wala pa akong naririnig from Senator Velasquez. His word is the most important. Sure, my Abuelo's technically the president, but anyone close to us knew who really holds the power. It's the same with Senator Velasquez. He has such a huge influence in the legislative. It would be really nice to get him on our side.

"Senator," I said when I finally managed to corner him.

"Congratulations," he replied, giving me that polite smile.

I smiled back. "Thank you."

Silence shortly enveloped us.

"Haven't heard from you," I said.

"You are bold," he commented.

"Excuse me?"

"Your Abuela is watching us," sabi niya.

"You can say hi," I replied. Nakita ko na natawa siya. "What?"

Umiling siya. "What is with this Gallego kid?" he asked.

"Senator, he's friends with your son," I commented. "Same fraternity and all that. Doesn't that mean anything anymore?" I asked because as far as I was concerned, people from frat have a weird sense of loyalty. They will literally cover murder for you. Could never be me. I was also a part of a sorority, but I'd sell any of those bitches if it meant saving myself.

"Your cousin is also a part of the fraternity," he said.

"Sure, but really, do you think he's in the right mindset for anything?" I asked.

Natigilan siya.

"Be smart about this, Senator," I said. "Sure, Archie's basically... unknown, but isn't that better? He's like a clean canvas. We can make anything out of him."

Nanatili siyang tahimik.

Napatingin kaming dalawa kay Archie na kumaway sa akin. I smiled at him. My poor, sometimes naive boy.

"He's easier to control unlike Maven," I added.

"Your Abuela is still counting on him," he replied.

"He's her favorite. She'll always have a blind spot for him."

"For a reason," sagot ni Senator. "Even with the mess he's made, people still like him."

My lips were pressed into a thin line.

I was starting to hate this conversation.

I hated being reminded that I needed to be excellent at everything and still, sometimes, I still fall short... but literally, Maven could burn the whole world and people will still find reasons to applaud him.

God, I hated him sometimes.

"Well, if you know him, you know he's bound to make more mess along the road," I said.

"And he will be forgiven once again," Senator Velasquez replied.

"Sure, but—"

Inilagay niya sa tray nung dumaan na waiter iyong champagne flute niya. "Win the election first, Nadia, and then maybe we can discuss the presidency," he said and then gave me the kind of smile that you give someone you pity. "Congratulations on the engagement once again."

God, I hate Maven!

"Hey, are you okay?" tanong ni Archie sa akin nang makalapit siya.

I forced myself to smile. I shouldn't alarm him. I shouldn't show him any weakness or uncertainty. As far as he's concerned, everything's fine.

"Yes, everything's good," I replied. "Is your family enjoying the party?"

Tumango siya. "Yes... surprisingly."

"That's great," sabi ko. "If you'll excuse me," dugtong ko bago umalis.

"Saan ka pupunta?"

"Need to find someone," I replied... and hopefully, she's not already rotting in hell because she's the only one who could ruin Maven's life.