Chapter 23

I knew that I'd never marry for love. I'd rather marry someone I respect and can tolerate. That way, walang sakit ng ulo. He could do whatever he wanted as long as he would not give me any problem. That's my ideal marriage.

But as they say, the universe has a twisted sense of humor.

"Do you think there's something going on?" I asked Cheryl.

"Going on where, Ma'am?" she asked.

She followed my eyes. Nakatingin ako kay Archie na tahimik na nagbabasa ng speech niya para mamaya. We finally filed for candidacy. I consulted with some of my mentors and all of them agreed that it's a risk worth taking. I like risk, but I only like calculated risks. I am not a big fan of losing—that's why it grates my nerves to even think about Archie and Rosie getting together.

"Nothing," I said as I thought that I was just probably being ridiculous. Rosie was literally just sitting beside him.

I did not know if something's going on between them. I refuse to hire a private investigator. I promised myself that I would never stoop that low. I still have my limits.

I wanted to ask Archie again because it had been months since we last talked... kung may nagbago ba sa pagitan nilang dalawa. But I knew that he would never tell me the truth. I knew that if I asked, kahit walang nangyayari sa kanila, he'd tell me that there's something going on just to piss me off.

Life at home is just one big pissing contest between us. I didn't know if I like that or the silence better.

I kept my distance and acted like everything's normal. The gossip died down—kind of. It was all PR. Abuela reminded me that optics is king. I know that. I was just distracted. She also asked me about me if I was okay. I was pretty sure she's asking about my short stay at the hospital. I knew she did not care much about the supposedly great grand kid. Ang dami kong pinsan na kayang magbigay sa kanya.

She's probably asking if I were okay with my husband having an affair with someone else. I just told him that everything's handled. As long as people didn't think that there's trouble in paradise, everything's gonna be fine. Besides, who in their right mind would believe that Archie would choose that girl over me? And who would think that if there is something going on between them, that I'd be here and just watch it all?

At the very least, in their mind, it did not make sense. I'd count that as a win for me.

Nang malapit nang magsimula iyong program, lumapit na ako kay Archie.

"Everything good?" I asked him.

He gave me a small nod. "Do you want to check my speech?" he asked.

"No need. I already read that," I told him.

"Of course you did."

I shrugged. "I just want everything to be perfect," I told him.

"I know," he replied.

Walang nagsalita sa pagitan namin. I did not say anything and just let him rehearse his speech. Nakita ko si Rosie na nasa isang gilid. Good for her. At least alam niya na 'wag lumapit kapag nandito ako. The only thing that's stopping me from completely having her removed was the fact that we're using her sob story for the campaign once again. Can't deny that that one cemented Archie's good reputation. Also, it would be suspicious kung bigla siyang mawawala. The timing would be too good. The gossip mongers would have a field day.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Always," I replied. "What?" I asked when he offered me his hand. He wanted to hold my hand dahil maglalakad na kami papunta sa stage kung saan niya sasabihin ang speech niya. "Won't your little girlfriend be jealous?" I asked.

He just looked at me. Clearly, he was not in the mood kaya naman kinuha ko na lang iyong kamay niya. Napatingin ako sa gawi ni Rosie. The pain on her face was very evident. It must be killing her that in public, she'll never be able to hold his hand like this. She could blame no one but herself. Sino ba ang nagsabi sa kanya na ma-inlove sa taong may asawa?

"Please help us get my husband, Atty. Archibald Gallego, a senatorial seat this coming election," I said as I stood beside him. I was wearing my fake smile.

We were a good hour talking to people, hearing about their plights, and making false promises—the usual when you're doing a campaign. Of course you'd tell them what they want to hear. Bakit ka nila iboboto kung hindi?

"Are you going home?" I asked Archie habang nasa sasakyan kami.

"Yes, where else will I go?" he asked back.

I shrugged. "In your little love nest, probably."

Nakita ko iyong pagpikit ng mga mata niya at paghilot niya sa sentido niya. He then opened his eyes and looked at me. His face painted a mixture of exhaustion and annoyance.

"Nadia, please, not now."

"What? I can't even make a joke?"

"No," he replied. "Because you're not the kind of person who makes jokes."

"I'm just trying to make a conversation."

"I know. And I already told you that we're not discussing my personal life."

I bit my tongue to hold off what I really wanted to say. I am his wife. I am a part of his personal life. But I guess his mistress is now his personal life.

It was just my pride.

That how could he choose that girl over me? Is it the sex? She must be better in bed. She probably rides him like her life depends on it. Probably. He gave her a roof over her head when she lost everything.

Pathetic.

"As long as I'm being discreet in whatever it is that I'm doing, I'd appreciate if you don't comment on my life," he said. "Let's just focus on the election."

Hindi ako nagsalita.

Pagdating namin sa bahay, akala ko ay dito siya pero nakita ko na nagpalit lang siya ng damit.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Somewhere," he replied. Tumingin siya sa akin. "You do what you want and I'll do what I want. I thought that that's the deal now?"

I drew a deep breath.

Right.

Hindi na ako sumagot pa at binuksan ko na lang iyong TV. I tried to distract myself by watching, but nothing was good enough to distract my mind from wondering about where Archie's going. I knew I could ask his security to tell me about what's happening with his 'personal life' but a voice in my head was telling me that that's not a good idea. Besides, he's doing his part of the deal. He's being the perfect political candidate. He's doing everything that was asked of him kahit na minsan ay kita ko sa mukha niya na ayaw niya.

I should... I should probably find something... or someone to distract myself with, too.

I did not want to just stay here while my husband's gallivanting somewhere. I wanted to go see Addie, but she's busy with Maven stuff. I didn't want get myself involved in that right now. I did not have the headspace. It would have been nice if I had friends that I can just casually go to if I wanted to. Unfortunately, I was raised paranoid, so although I have friends, I consider none of them close enough for me to be able to talk to them about the things that were bothering me. I'd have more luck talking Cheryl. That girl knows everything in my life basically.

In the end, I decided to just go bother Aspen.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Bored," I replied.

"With everything that's going on in your life? You're still bored?"

"Yeah."

"Or is it because of the rumor that I'm hearing?"

I rolled my eyes. "Even you? I'm disappointed."

He gave me short laugh. "What? I get bored, too," he replied. "Is it true that he got himself a mistress?"

"Yes."

What's the point of him being family if I have to lie to him, too? I was already lying to the whole world about my marriage.

"You didn't even reach two years? Damn."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks," I said. "Not everyone in this family's lucky enough to get married for love."

Muli siyang humalakhak. "I'd feel bad for you, but as far as I can remember, no one really forced you to marry him, cous. You were the one who dragged him into this family, remember? We were all bewildered when you brought him home. I remember thinking 'has she lost her goddamned mind?'"

I rolled my eyes again. "You talk as if I brought home a stray dog."

He shrugged. "Might as well," he said. "He was practically no one and now he's about to become a senator. You made him."

Hindi ako nagsalita. It was more of a collaboration. Archie's the face of the politics, but I was the one who made it all happen. Archie couldn't meet the donors with a straight face. There's something about his face that's very... transparent. He's very judgy—and that's rich coming from him.

"At the very least, he should be kissing the ground that you walk on," he said.

"You said it yourself—it was never a marriage of love."

Aspen shrugged. "If you do say so," he said. "But why are you here? It's 11PM already."

Hindi ako nagsalita.

"Is he with the other woman?"

"I didn't come here to get lectured."

Muli siyang humalakhak. "Why did you come here then?"

"I don't know. I should have come to Addie."

He poured himself a drink. "You know, if there's anything I learned in life, it's that if you want to be happy, take advice from people who are happy."

I arched my brow. "First of all, who told you that I am not happy? And second, are you implying that Addie's miserable?"

He nodded. "Isn't she?" he asked with an arched brow, too.

I rolled my eyes. "She is, but that's beside the point."

"Nadia, I say this with love, but go take your husband back."

My eyes widened for a bit. "What?"

"We all know that you love him."

My lips parted. "Excuse me? We?"

He chuckled. "I see. No objection on the you love him part."

"Shut the fuck up."

"Oh. The f bomb. You rarely say that word."

"Who's we?"

"Family," he replied. "That's all I could hear during brunch. Everything I heard about that girl, I heard against my will," he said.

"Wow... So that's what you do? You talk shit about me?"

He shrugged. "You know the rule—the one who's not present shall be the topic."

"Wow..."

"So, you know, just a piece of unsolicited advice, from someone who's actually happy in his life, go take him back."

Hindi ako nagsalita.

I knew that whatever I'd say, I'd just sound defensive. He's already convinced that I'm in love or whatever.

"You're a de Marco," he said. "Don't let some random girl take what's yours. That's humiliating, cous," he continued and I made face at him because that was very cocky of him.

"Shut up," was all I said.

"Never," he replied with a grin.

"I don't chase."

"Then don't."

"You're very contradicting."

"If you chase a guy, it means that he's running away," he told me. "You never chase a guy."

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Come on, Nadia. You did this shit a lot in college. Whip out the old playbook and get your man back," he said. "Should be very easy for you—the man's still in love, from what I could hear."

He's probably drunk already. It's a big wonder why this man's contented and happy with his life. Probably it's true that ignorance is bliss.

"Whatever," I said as I downed the drink.

"You know what to do to get him back running."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Get yourself a sidepiece, too," sabi niya habang humahalahak. "Tell him that two can play this game."

**

This story is already at Chapter 26 on beeyotch.ph and patreon.com/beeyotch. Subscription starts at 100php per month for all stories. You can email [email protected] for assistance if you want to pay via GCASH. As of the moment, credit and debit cards can be used directly when paying in the site :) Thank you!