Chapter 11

I'd dated some people in my life, but almost all of the reason why those relationship ended was apparently because I wasn't 'caring' enough. Or that I was cold. Or that they felt like I never really did give a shit about them. Granted that I didn't love any of those men, it was still annoying to be dumped. Of course I would never tell a single soul about that.

There wasn't really any reason to try to pretend that I care... Most of them I just dated for appearance' sake. Iyong iba, nagustuhan ko naman kahit papaano... Just not enough for me to really develop feelings for them.

But now with Archie? I knew I should've practiced with those guys before. Ngayon tuloy ay para akong teenager na nag-aaral kung paano maging 'sweet' dahil alam ko na ganoon ang hinahanap ni Archie kahit hindi niya pa sabihin sa akin.

"What?" I asked Nicole, my secretary, nang mapansin ko na nabasa niya iyong nasa screen ng laptop ko.

Quickly, she shook her head. "Nothing."

Sumandal ako sa swivel chair ko. "This is such a headache," I told myself as I closed my eyes. I was nowhere near done with my tasks for the day, yet mas inuuna ko pa 'to. And I was a bit ashamed that I still had to 'research' about this. And now, nakita pa ng assistant ko. She must think na nababaliw na ako.

"Nicole," I called her.

"Yes, Ma'am?" she replied immediately.

When she first started to work for me, she was a bit scared of me. She didn't have to tell me dahil napansin ko naman. But I wasn't mean—I just didn't like mistakes. I wanted things done a certain way. And once she got the hang of it, mas naging relaxed na siya sa akin. Still, she knew that work is work. But on the other hand, I knew that I could talk to her. She always signed an NDA. She knew that whatever I tell her is for her ears only.

"You're married, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. Kayo pa nga nagbayad nung honeymoon ko," she replied.

"Right..." I said. "How did you make your husband fall for you?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Ano po, Ma'am?"

I didn't want to explain my situation with Archie to her, but I guessed that this was for the better. Ayoko naman na pati sa assistant ko ay magpapanggap ako. Besides, this is what NDA is for.

When you have to pretend in front of the world, the last thing you'd want is to pretend with the people close to you.

"Like the dating thing."

"Ah..." she said, still looking confused. "Sa inyo po ni Sir Archibald?"

I shrugged. "Yeah."

Based on the reaction on her face, she wanted to ask me questions, but also knowing me, she knew that some things are better left unasked.

"Uh... ano po, sweet saka lalambingin niyo minsan."

"Like how? Can you give concrete example?"

It had felt like a lifetime since I last dated. I felt like I was learning how to ride a bike and I needed the training wheels.

Instead of doing work, nandon kami ni Nicole at sinabi niya sa akin iyong mga ginawa niya para mainlove sa kanya iyong asawa niya. I mean, I was already half-way there. Archie's already in love with me... I just needed to play the part well. Because based on how Archie's acting so far, he'd resent me if I don't have the same feelings that he has.

And I didn't know if I wanted to fall for him.

So far, based on the people around me, they really didn't make falling in love look like fun.

I feared that I'd lose my brain if I fall in love.

So what's the next best thing? Pretend to be in love.

Surely, it couldn't be that hard.

"Hey..." he said when I answered his call.

"Hi," I replied.

I was trying my best to make the transition faster dahil mas gusto ko na magfocus na sa politics. I needed to make sure that his term would be best. We already had some plans for some program, but those still needed final approval.

Still, I needed to make sure na maayos iyong business ko. I always needed a fallback plan—not that I wouldn't get the presidency. But a contingency is always nice. As Abuela always say, never let yourself be in a situation na gagawin mo ang isang bagay dahil wala kang choice. Always do yourself a favor and create options and choose what's best for you.

After all, life is what you make it.

"What's with the flowers?" he asked pero kahit na wala siya sa harapan ko ay nakikita ko na nakangiti siya. Nicole was right—guys do love receiving flowers. She said na usually ay babae ang nakaka-receive ng bulaklak. She also said that most guys only receive flowers on their burial. That was a little fun fact.

"Just wishing you a good week ahead," I told him.

"Aww... That's so nice of you, love."

I wanted to ask him about work, but I knew that he didn't like it when I ask him about that. I was just waiting for the time na hindi na siya maiinis sa akin kapag nagtatanong ako tungkol don. I felt like once he's convinced that I'd fallen for him, he'd loosen up. Pakiramdam ko kasi ngayon ay pakiramdam niya iyon lang ang habol ko. All my problems will be solved once convinced him that we're in this together 'for real' gaya nga ng sabi niya.

"What do you want for dinner?" I asked.

"You'll cook?"

"Obviously not," I replied.

He laughed like he was so delighted with my response. "Of course," he said. "What time will you be done with work?"

"Around 5," I said.

"Okay. I'll be there as soon as I'm done here and we can have dinner in your fave restaurant."

"I have a favorite restaurant?" I asked.

"Yeah, I think so?" he replied. "I mean, in all the time I'd known you, we ate there like eight times already."

"Eight times? That's a specific number," I said. "Were you counting?"

Humalakhak siyang muli. "Maybe," he replied in a playful manner.

Sumandal ako sa swivel chair. I crossed my legs and closed my eyes. "That's cute," I said. "So, what else are my favorite?" muling tanong ko.

Nicole said that once in a while, I have to flirt with him. This, I can do. Flirting is easy. It's just mind games, really. Guys love confusion. That's why a lot of times, kapag nakuha ka na nila at alam na nila na sa kanila ka, they'd lose interest.

That's why you have to confuse them sometimes—but not all the time because they have fragile ego. If you step on it quite often, they'd feel emasculated and they'll find someone else you'd make them feel like a man.

"You like wine."

"Obviously."

"Especially Sauvignon Blanc."

"Sometimes Pinot Grigio," I commented.

"Yes," he replied. "You prefer white wine, I noticed."

"Depends on my mood, really," I said. "What else?"

"You like candles. Lots of it in the condo."

"It's relaxing."

"It is," he replied. "You like the vanilla scented ones although it gives me the headache."

"It does?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's fine," he said, but I already made a mental note na tanggalin iyong mga scented candle na vanilla scent sa condo at palitan ng iba iyon. "Your night time routine includes opening a bottle of wine, lightening a candle, and reading books about politics. The reading of the news is a part of the morning routine," he continued.

Natawa ako. "This is starting to feel stalker-ish."

Natawa rin siya. "Nah. I'm just very fascinated with you," he said.

"Are you?"

"Yes," he said in a much deeper tone. "You are very fascinating. You of all people should know that..."

I pressed my lips together and stopped myself nang maramdaman ko na napapangiti ako sa sinasabi niya.

"I am, am I not?" I replied.

"You very much are," he said. "Dinner later?"

"Alright."

"Can't wait."

"Are you busy now—" I asked and then stopped when I realized that he should be focusing on work and nothing else. "Never mind."

"What?" tanong niya.

"Nothing. I will see you later."

"Come on... What is it?"

"Nothing," I repeated. "Focus on work."

"How can I focus on work now? I will be wondering kung ano iyong sasabihin mo dapat sa akin."

"I will tell you later."

"Tell me now."

"Wala ka bang ginagawa?"

"Of course I have," he said. "But wife before work."

I rolled my eyes.

Natawa siya.

"You rolled your eyes, did you?" natatawang sabi niya sa akin.

I remained silent.

This man knows me.

"But seriously, what were you about to tell me? I seriously won't be able to work dahil iisipin ko lang kung ano iyong sasabihin mo dapat sa akin."

I ran my fingers through my hair tapos ay napatingin ako sa daliri ko kung nasaan iyong singsing ko. I took a deep breath.

"I was about to ask you," I said and then deepened my voice a bit. "If you have time to spare."

"Why?" he asked, his tone mirroring mine. I couldn't see him, but it was as though I could picture how he looked like at this very exact moment.

I do know him well.

Perhaps we know each other well.

"I want to see you," I replied.

"Just see me?"

"Among other things..."

"Like what?"

"Do you want me to describe the things I want you to do to me?" I asked as I crossed my legs yet again. I heard him groaning. "I don't want to disrupt your work. It's still transition period, isn't it?"

"That's so unfair..." he said in a raspy tone.

"Life is unfair, Archie," I replied. "But I will see you later."

"I will leave as soon as work day is over," he said.

"Okay. Don't leave work earlier than you're supposed to."

"I know. Won't look good."

"Indeed," I replied. "Scratch dinner plans. I'll wait for you in bed."

"Naked?"

"And ready," I said.

He groaned. "You're killing me, woman."

Natawa ako. "Alright. I have to go to work."

"You're torturing me!"

"Have a productive day ahead, Mayor Gallego," I said as I ended the call. 

**

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