Chapter 36

"What?" I asked, my forehead creased when I Cheryl asked me the question. It was still early in the morning. I hadn't even finished my first cup of coffee yet.

"There are rumors," she said.

"About me running for presidency?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes," she replied. "They're asking for comments."

I simply rolled my eyes. Jack. I was pretty sure that he's the source of this so-called rumor. He really won't let this rest.

"Just say that I fully intend to support my husband's political career," I told Cheryl. The Philippines love this 'supportive wife' act. I play it very well. When we're in the public eye, my eyes were almost always on Archibald. I always clap in admiration and fawn in adoration.

I was the perfect wife for him.

Pero bigla akong napahinto.

"What... what's the reception?" I asked, letting the curiosity get the better of me.

"Mostly negative," Cheryl replied. "But that's because Senator's performing very well. The opinion of the majority is that you two are a good team," she continued. I knew she was just paraphrasing to protect my 'feelings.'

It was nothing new. I wasn't surprised that men didn't want a female leader—that would give them aneurysm. And the women in this country have gotten used to being beneath men that the idea of a woman leading is just... unheard of.

"He's performing better than expected," Cheryl added. "He's currently the favorite among the younger people. If this trend continues, he'll be a shoo in for the presidential election."

Nothing surprising.

I understood the younger generation. I knew exactly what agendas to push to get their sympathy. And even when I knew that Archibald had to vote no to some bills, I had him do interviews to quickly control the backlash.

It's all about preparation and soothing the people's ego.

"Maven?" I asked.

"Congressman de Marco's getting a lot of negative press from the church and other religious sect," she said.

"About the SOGIE?" I asked and she nodded.

Right... I forgot how righteous that cousin of mine is. He's voting yes to all progressive bills—if not being the principal author of them. The last I heard was that he's already working with a committee to push the agenda on legalizing abortion. It'd be interesting when it gets to voting—I knew Archibald would want to vote yes... but he's one of those people who only gives a shit when it personally affects them. He doesn't care about abortion—but he surely do care when it's his baby you're about to abort.

"There are also comparison between Senator and Congressman," she said.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "About what exactly?"

"The votes," Cheryl said. "Majority of the comments are about your family, Ma'am," she continued. "That you have a good family—that's why the senator knows how to protect the sanctity of family and marriage."

I pursed my lips.

"Interesting..." I said. "And what about Maven?"

"Some people still bring up the plane incident," she replied. "Sinasabi nila na nahawa na raw si Congressman sa asawa niya—kaya ganon ang boto niya sa mga bills ngayon sa kongreso."

These people could be farther from the truth—Maven has always been the progressive type. Abby or not, that man will vote yes to legalizing abortion, divorce, and SOGIE equality.

It's really interesting to see the effects of optics.

"Alright, thank you," I said. "Just give me a monthly data on the surveys."

"Senator Gallego?"

"And also Congressman de Marco."

* * *

"Any question?" I asked him.

Archibald and I, we have our own mini session once a week. We discuss the issues that needed to be addressed. Although majority of the decision came from my end, I still give him the illusion of control. I mean, not totally an illusion. Minsan, may magandang ideya din naman siya. And if the idea's good, I was not that big of a snob not to utilize it.

"Baptismal," he said.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What?"

"Binyag ni Atticus."

I pursed my lips. "Right," I replied. "What about it?"

There was hurt in Archibald's face. I knew he was hurt on behalf of his son. I was not even doing anything—I literally avoid that child like a plague. I just use the guise of 'privacy' kapag hinahanap siya sa publiko. But I still release picture every now and then. I mean, the public loves that baby—he is a cute baby. Mabuti na lang at hindi nagmana sa nanay.

"Hindi ba siya bibinyagan?"

I shrugged. "Maybe," I said. "Do you want to raise that baby as an atheist?"

I really don't make any decision for that baby. That's the unspoken deal between Archibald and me. Wala akong gagawin sa baby na 'yan basta susundin niya lahat ng gusto kong mangyari politics-wise. And it's been working perfectly. I didn't why he's suddenly bringin up that baby's baptismal like it's my business.

"Catholic," he replied.

"Fine by me," I said.

"Aattend ka naman ng binyag, 'di ba?" he asked, looking straight into my eyes that I knew that he was expecting a serious answer from my end.

"Of course," I told him. "People will ask question if I'm not there."

I ignored the disappointment on his face.

"Sino'ng magiging ninong at ninang?" he asked.

I shrugged. "You decide."

He paused.

"Aattend ba ang pamilya mo?" he asked.

I looked at him. "Yes," I said. "But that's only because if there's one thing my family knows—it's how to keep appearance. However, don't, for one second, think that that baby will feel welcomed. Ever."

This needed to be said.

I didn't want him to think that maybe they will warm up to that baby because I'm telling him now that that will never happen. My family doesn't welcome strangers... unless of course you come with a lot of family. Then, we're talking business.

But other than that, have fun looking in from the outside.

Marahan siyang tumango. "Okay..."

I sighed. "Don't think I'm being mean—I just don't want to lie to you."

He remained silent.

"I'll have Cheryl assist you, if you need someone to help you plan," I said. "I'll also need new family photos—plus a photo of that baby with Abuela and also Maven and Abby."

Too bad Abuelo's already gone. I could've milked that photo for as long as possibly could. Abuela's also not getting any younger. I needed to get as many photos with her as possible. I knew she'd agree. It's not like I was just forcing that child on her out of pure love.

"Okay. That's all."

Iniwan ko na si Archibald doon. I knew his schedule already—he'd go to the nursery and play with the baby. I would go to my office and do some more work. I didn't want any idle time. I tried to do some day trading but that was making me lose my mind. I heard from Jack that merger and acquisition is a good business, so I was studying it. I mean, you'll never really know.

The next few months were the usual grind. We just go to the senate—I head straight to the office while Archibald headed to the senate hall.

I also worked so that he'd be a part of the committee that tackles with the most controversial issues. He's more well-known that ever. He's well-liked in both the young and conservative demographics. The only remaining target are the masses—but I had a timeline for that. I'd work on that two years before the presidential election. Those people have short term memory. Ang maaalala lang nila ay iyong recently na tumulong sa kanila. So, I would not waste funds right now. Wala ring kwenta.

Plus, those people do not have long-term vision—they appreciate short-term reprieve and best believe I'd be abusing that to my advantage.

"What's the name of the kid again?" Aspen asked.

"Atticus," I told him.

"Do I have to hold him?"

"Yes," I replied. "You'll all be taking pictures with him," I said. Tumingin ako kay Maven. "Especially you."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Why especially me?"

I shrugged. "Because I said so."

He just looked at me funnily but didn't say a word. He probably thought that arguing with me was just a waste of energy and he's right.

I wasn't too worried about Archibald because I knew that the GDL side of my family would still be talking to him. The de Marco? Not a chance. And even if they do talk to him, I was sure that he'd feel the indifference. I mean, they barely tolerated him before. But now that they all knew about what he did? No chance that he'd ever feel welcomed in the family.

And whose fault was that?

We all went to the church. We were all wearing white. I sent the invites. It was specified that they should wear white. They all knew that I would send them away if they do not follow the dress code.

"I baptize you, Atticus Gerald Gallego, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," the priest said as the baby was slowly immersed in water. Si Archibald ang may hawak. Akala ba niya lulunurin ko iyong bata?

There was a photo-taking session shortly after. My family performed as expected. I also took photos with the godparents—mga pinsan ni Archibald na wala naman akong pakielam. If this was my kid, Addie would most definitely be the godmother. The godfather would be Saint—I'd want that Suarez money for my kid if I ever die.

"Good thing the baby looks like Gallego," Aspen said. "But what if the baby grows up and he looks like the mom?"

I shrugged. "By that time, I would've sent him to a boarding school abroad already."

"Harsh."

"Boarding schools are nice," I replied. You'd literally make connection with powerful people from all over the world. How's that harsh? Kung sa nanay niya siya lalaki, he'd probably end up in juvie.

We all went to a restaurant for the reception. Normally, we'd go to Abuela's house but I didn't even bother. This baby was a stranger.

There were no more camera dahil tapos na kami sa pagkuha ng litrato. The place was closed down for us. The divide was very obvious. My family stayed on one-side and Archibald's family on the other. His family knew about what he did and they're embarrassed. His father personally apologized to me for what his son did. The GDL was in the middle, as expected.

I just wanted to eat and then end this nightmare of a situation. The food was taking longer to be served kaya naman lumabas muna ako. I was just standing on one side, my back resting against the wall.

"They're still inside," I said when I saw Abby approaching. She's late. What's new?

"I know," she replied. "Why are you oustide?"

I shrugged. "Too crowded."

Bahagya siyang tumango. She was about to walk inside nang tawagin ko iyong pangalan niya. She stopped on her tracks and looked at me. Looking at her, you'd never know the things she's capable of.

"Have you never thought about just... running yourself?"

"No."

"Never?" I asked. "Take away all the negative publicity surrounding you."

"Still no," she replied.

"Why?"

"Because I have my own life."

My lips parted.

"I have my own business to run," she said. "Maven has his... thing," she continued like being the congressman was just a hobby. "I support him so that he's busy. He pretends that I just run some non-illegal company. We have a system."

She looked at me.

"Do not compare us, Nadia. We're different."

"Excuse me?"

"Aren't we?" she asked.

I remained silent.

I knew that this was about that baby again.

"Maven loves me—he will do anything I ask of him because he loves me. If Archibald wins... don't you think he will just leave you? After everything you did to him?" she asked. "If he's already the president, what will you be there for?"

I looked at her.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because we're family," she told me with a small smile. "And because I never saw you as a competition."

**

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