Chapter 34

"You can't even let her soul rest in peace," Addie commented.

My team was searching Rosie's house. I mean, the bitch's dead, but I knew that even in the afterlife, I knew that I could never trust her. So, I had to have her place checked for any surprises. Mas madali sana kung ipasunog ko na lang 'tong bahay niya, but I thought that that would be unfair for her neighbors. Hindi naman nila kasalanan siya ang naging kapitbahay nila.

"You know that girl hated me," I simply replied.

"I mean, can you blame her?"

"Are you being serious?"

Natawa si Addie. "No, no, I mean, I understand you, but I also understand why she's not your biggest fan."

I rolled my eyes. "Never thought you empathizing with a whore would be in my bingo card for this year."

"I'm not empathizing with her," she said. "It's just that... she's dead."

"So? She's with her family now."

She looked at me like she was disappointed. What? I never pretended that I was nice—it's just that I wasn't a cold blooded murderer. But still, I wasn't nice—not even in the slightest.

"But she just... died."

"I don't see the relevance of this discussion, Addie," I told her. "I was in the room when she died. I saw the doctors try to revive her. She's dead. I sure as hell did not touch her."

She nodded, but I could see that she still had questions in her mind. Whatever they were, she decided not to ask me anymore.

"How's the move?" she asked instead.

I merely shrugged.

We moved a couple of days ago. It was a huge house—just like how I wanted it. I wanted to occupy the master's, but I also wanted to be as far as I could be from the nursery. Nandon ako sa kabilang dulo ng bahay. Kung mayroon nga lang na guest house ay baka nandon na ako nakatira.

"May pangalan na ba 'yung baby?"

"Yes."

"Ano?"

"Why are you suddenly curious?" I asked because the last time I checked, none of my relatives were really excited for this baby. I mean, with my other cousins, it wasn't this bad since they're still relatives by blood. But this baby's just a complete stranger. They all knew that this baby's the product of my husband's philandering ways. This baby will never be welcomed in the family. He'll feel it when he's old enough to understand. And he's got no one to blame but his philandering father.

"Okay," she said. "The last time I asked, you said na kung pwedeng baby boy na lang ang ipangalan."

I shrugged again. I just really could not care less for this baby. I would not go out of my way to be a horrible mother to him, but also, I would not be... his mother. At best, we'll be housemates.

Besides, he's got his father and an army of nannies. He'll be just fine.

After a while, I was told that the place was clear. Good. Now, I can go home in peace knowing that my problem's been solved.

Addie and I had dinner first at her house since I couldn't be seen in public so soon after giving birth. Also, I didn't want to go home now at the risk of hearing the baby cry. I mean, I try to pretend he's not home, but I wasn't deaf. Of course I'd hear him cry.

Then it was time for me to go home. This place was a bit farther than our previous place. It's nice, but I really preferred living in the city. I just wanted to live in a penthouse for as long as I could possibly be. I never was the suburban mom living in a white picket fence house type—that would be my own personal nightmare. It'd be like I was just waiting for my inevitable death.

"Good evening po, Ma'am."

"Good evening," I greeted.

"Kasama po ni Sir si Atti."

Look at that baby already having a nickname.

"Okay," I simply replied.

The house staff didn't know about the whole Rosie situation. As far as they're concerned, I just easily bounced back from giving birth and that I am just a really absent mother.

Also, NDA.

How would I ever live without that?

I headed straight to my room. I took a long shower. I wanted to just go out in my bathrobe and to open a wine, but I can't now that I had other people living with me. I had two nannies for the baby. I mean, we're already living with strangers, so might as well add someone who'll cook food for us.

God, I hated this already.

Instead of just going out in my robe, I was dressed in my pajamas. I couldn't even wear my nighties. It was like I was back to living with my parents.

I was already on my second glass of wine nang mapatingin ako sa pinanggagalingan ng tunog. I saw Archibald emerging from the hallway. He looked like he hasn't slept in days.

"You look like shit," I commented.

"Newborn," he replied. "But don't worry—I'm still on top of all the senate work," he quickly added like he thought I was making a comment on his productivity.

"Right," I said, giving him a small nod. "Can I just say one thing?"

Tumingin siya sa akin. "Yeah?"

"I didn't ask you to attend the conference on purpose," I told him. "Had I known—"

"It's fine," he said, cutting me off. "No one could've seen it coming."

"Right."

"This is better for everyone else."

Napakunot ang noo ko. "What is better?"

"Her... gone," he said.

My lips parted in surprise.

Did I just hear him right?

Did he just say that it was better this way? With the mother of his kid gone? What the hell was happening?

"Good night, Nadia," he said before walking away, leaving me with my confused thoughts.

* * *

I wanted to ask Archibald what he meant with that statement, but I didn't. I thought about all the possible answers he could give me and none of those sounded good to me.

Instead, I decided to focus on other things that did matter.

Today was my 'first' day at work. Of course I had to pretend that I was in some maternity leave, so I had to stay away from the public. But I did my assignment. I researched about the things that I wanted to do now that we're in office.

I was wearing white straight neck side pleated dress that just fell right above my knees. I was tired of wearing the same colored shirts for the past months because of the election. Also, white's the perfect choice to subtly tell people that election's over. Fight's over. But of course the fight's never over.

On my way downstairs ay nadaanan ko iyong nursery. The door was not completely closed, so I was able to take a peek inside.

"Daddy's just going to work," I heard Archibald talk to the baby. "I will see you again later, okay? Be a good boy, Atticus," he added.

I rolled my eyes.

He looked ridiculous.

It was as if he felt my negative aura that was why he looked at my direction. Mabilis siyang tumayo at lumapit sa akin. He was wearing slacks and light blue long sleeves. His hair was also freshly cut. Nagpagupit pala siya. I really didn't know what was happening to him. We live separate lives now. We were just together all the time before because of the election... and because before, we were still trying to play house.

Now, the charade's over.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning," I replied.

"Nabasa mo 'yung sinend ko sa 'yo kagabi?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes. I also made notes."

"Okay," he replied while we were walking. "I'll introduce you to the team. There's a session later if you want to attend."

"Of course I want to attend."

Bahagyang napaawang iyong labi niya. "Okay..." he said. Then he paused on his tracks. Napatigil din ako. Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Nadia," he called my name.

"What?"

"I'm... I'm actually contented with my life now," he said.

"Congratulations?" I told him, a bit confused because what did he want to hear from me?

"Thank you," he replied like he was a bit weirded out, too. "I'll do what you want," he said. "I'll go to work; I'll attend all the sessions, the meetings; I'll vote yes to all the agenda you want to push."

"And what do you want?" I asked.

"What?"

"What do you want in return?" I replied. "Because there's always a but in that kind of sentence, Archibald."

He's been in position for a long time now—he already knows the game.

"Nothing," he said. "I won't even ask you to pretend to be a mother—"

"Good, because that's ridiculous."

Natigilan siya.

He forced a smile.

"I just want you to be civil to Atticus."

"When was I mean to that child?"

"And call him by his name."

"Does he even know that his name's Atticus?"

Hindi nagsalita si Archibald.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine," I replied.

"Thank you," he said. "And your family—"

I quickly shook my head and stopped him because he's just wasting his breath. "My family will never love that kid, Archibald," I told him. "I'm afraid that that ship has never even sailed," I continued before I continued to walk to the car.

The ride to the senate was quiet. Archibald was just reading one of the bills that would be the topic of today's session. He looked... different.

Was it because we're older now?

Or because he's just given up?

Either way, he's right—this was better for everyone involved.

"You have a session, right?" I said.

"Yes, pero ipapakilala muna kita—" he said.

"No, I can manage," I replied. "Being late is not a good look."

"Karamihan naman sa kanila late."

"So? I don't care about them—I care about how you're perceived," I replied. "I'll see you later."

Tumango na lang siya. No more fights. I was starting to like this dynamic. Dapat pala ay matagal na kaming naghiwalay ng kwarto. I can tolerate him more in daytime when I don't fall asleep planning his murder in my mind.

I headed straight to his office. I already knew everyone. I had them all investigated. I just did not want another Rosie. I did not want that kind of stress during the campaign for the presidency. I was pretty sure that Abby would be my main source of stress that time, so any additional stressor was definitely not welcomed.

I knocked on the door.

"Good morning, Mrs. Gallego!"

I gave them a smile. "Call me Nadia, please," I told them.

I'd be working with these people for the next foreseeable future, so I just wanted to have a good working environment. This was not like when Archibald was still a mayor because that's an executive position. This was the legislative. We needed collaboration. Besides, the people in this room was handpicked by me. They're from the best schools in the Philippines.

"Okay po, Nadia," the girl, Tanya, replied. "Also, congrats po sa baby," she continued to which I just gave her a small smile.

I was told that the other members of the team were with Archibald. He does his homework, but sometimes, may mga pinaguusapan during session na hindi niya pa alam masyado. I do not expect him to know everything under the sun. Kaya nga may research team para d'yan.

Everyone's seated and they were all looking at me.

"Good morning," I began. "I'm Nadia de Marco," I continued, correcting the woman who called me Mrs. Nadia Gallego. I never took on his name. Why would I? Hindi pa naman ako nababaliw. "I'll be closely working with you for the bills that Senator Gallego will be proposing."

The whole morning was spent with me telling them the scope of work that I would be expecting. I was strict, but that's only because I knew what I wanted. And from here on after, there's no room for mistake.

Then come lunch time, dumating si Archibald. He was greeted by the staff. It seemed that he was well-liked... I hoped not too much, though.

"Thank you, Sir!"

Archibald just smiled. He ordered food for the whole staff.

"Di ka ba kakain?" he asked me.

"How was the session?" I asked while I was mixing the salad that he ordered me. He knew I didn't like eating heavy while on work. I just needed enough for me not to faint.

"Okay naman," he replied. "Deliberating on the divorce bill."

"Oh. How was it?"

"Mukhang maraming magaabstain."

"Of course," I said. "You'll vote yes."

Tumango siya. "Yes," he replied. "Also, for the record, I will really vote yes."

"Good," I said. "I'll send you the talking points. I'll setup an interview."

"Okay," he replied. "But will that be beneficial? I mean, divorce is still a very divisive topic."

"Yes, but you're a neophyte senator," I told him. "You need to show them that you're not gonna be a token senator."

Tumango siya. "Okay," he said. "Nasa calendar na 'yung bill about transgenders. What, then?"

"I'll ask for the updated survey about that," I told him.

Of course if it's up to me, I'd just approve that bill. Just let people do what they want as long as your personal life's not affected. But that's my personal stance. This was politics. I will never let my personal opinion affect my politics.

"Anything else?" I asked him.

Umiling siya. "Nothing," he said. "Just have Cheryl update my calendar." It seemed like he really did mean it when he said that he's 'contented' with his life.

"Okay," sabi ko sa kanya.

Maybe this was how Abby feels like—with Maven just doing anything she wants. 

**

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