Chapter 39

I was standing in front of my board and staring at it. I stayed up all night to finish this one—I'd been up for a few days, if I were being honest. I knew that Archibald wanted to call me obsessive, but I didn't care. I had wanted this for as long as I can remember. I couldn't even remember a time when I didn't want the presidency.

It's like this... forbidden candy.

The more that people tell me I couldn't have it, the more that I wanted it.

Before, it was just the people around me.

Now, it's even Abby—a sadistic parasite who forced her way into my family.

It's not just a dream anymore—now, it's personal.

"What?" I replied when I heard the opening of the door.

"Breakfast," he said. Napatingin siya sa board. "Di ka pa natutulog?"

I shook my head. "I'll take a nap after breakfast," I told him.

"Okay... pero aalis din tayo mamayang 10AM."

"I know."

"You can skip."

"No," I told him. "No skipping of meetings; no lagging behind," I continued.

"I know but—"

"No buts," I reminded him. He was the one who promised me that he would do anything I wanted. I'd been good on my end. I'd been nice to Atticus—much to my detriment because that kid loves me for some reason.

"Okay," he said, conceding. He stared at the board. "You really planned all of this."

"Yes. All you have to do is follow."

Archibald looked at me. "I will," he replied. "Can I say something?"

"Sure."

"Do you have a solid plan? Because Maven is still Maven."

"And I am Nadia," I said.

"Abby is crazy."

"She is," I replied.

"She managed to get Maven in the congress despite all the issues in the past."

"And I managed to get you in the Senate despite your father and your last name being associated to kidnapping, raping, and murdering a girl," I said, which obviously hit a nerve with him.

"It's not the same," he replied.

"Yes, it's not the same," I told him. "Abby's the cousin of a drug lord. Some lives were ruined because drugs are 'bad.' Big deal. But you on the other hand? Your father kidnapped, raped, and murdered a girl and all the gory details were paraded in the news and in the paper. Trust me—your reputation was way worse."

I struck some more nerve and it wasn't even 7AM. Because why would he ask me something like that and risk ruining his day? Archibald's his own worst enemy.

"The Filipinos don't want a smartass like Maven," I told him. "The only ones who will vote for him are the progressive ones and they are outnumbered. Heavily," I continued.

I already laid the ground work. While he was busy playing with his kid, I was busy securing the cooperation of the mayors of various cities. I mean, sure Abby might have the money and her little threats to throw but I'd been in this game longer. I had a whole fucking mansion worth of blackmail material enough to make those mayor shake in their boots.

I walked towards him and patted the imaginary dust on his shoulders. "So just do as I say and we'll have a President Gallego," I told him before I went outside to have some much needed breakfast.

* * *

"Peace be with you," I said to Abby.

It was the last Sunday before the official start of the campaign. We're all in the Church and hearing the Sunday mass. Part of the optics. I knew people were confused as to why we're both running for the Presidency and why can't the other one just give way. I just smile and say that my husband only wants what's the best for the country and may the best candidate win. Of course, I couldn't say that I would first slit my throat before rolling over and let Abby win.

Humility has always been a good look on me.

Plus, people love a good drama—and what better drama than one family fighting over the highest position in the country?

"Peace be with you, too," she replied.

I saw Addie shaking her head while rolling her eyes.

"I'm surprised you haven't bought the election yet," I whispered.

"I am, too," she replied.

"Sucks to have a husband with morals," I said.

"A little," she replied with that closed lipped smile of hers. "Can't say the same for you."

I knew Archibald heard that. I saw how he became visibly uncomfortable, but he said nothing. I also saw how Maven tuned us out. I grew up with him. I knew the look on his face when he's purposely ignoring everyone.

The mass ended but I didn't feel at peace. I couldn't wait for this election to end so that I could go back to pretending that Abby didn't exist in my world. I mean, it was relatively easy. I only saw her during brunch. And Abuela's gone. I still wasn't sure if that tradition would continue. But if it would, certainly not in the next few months as it's going to be hectic.

"Nadia."

I stopped on my heels when I heard Maven calling my name. Everyone was busy pretending to care about other people's business. I mean, perhaps they really do care. But it's only to know that they're doing better than you. If I were asked where I could find the best actors, at least in the Philippines, I'd say in the church—most religious people I know are hypocrites. Their motto is 'do as I say, not as I do.'

"Yes?" I replied.

Years passed and Maven still has that boyish looks that made all the teenagers back then lose their minds. He still has that look, but the decisions he made the last few years didn't work in his favor. His extremely progressive views turned away all the conservatives in this country.

"Let's have a clean election," he said.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "It's not like I can afford to buy the election," I told him. I asked. It's pretty expensive. To do that, I would have to sell a literal island. I don't have control over that... yet.

"You know I won't do that."

"I know," I replied. "Still confuses me."

If I had the money his wife has, I would most certainly buy this election. I would rig all the smart cards and just relax my way to Malacañang.

The end justifies the means—I'd always loved that quote.

"We all just want the best for the country," he said.

I looked at him. "I want what's best for me," I replied. "You want to alleviate your conscience because you married a mass murderer. Not quite the same, Maven."

There was no change in the expression on his face. Not surprising. He's probably used to hearing this. He's heard that quite a lot—mostly from his sister, really. I wouldn't be surprised if Addie's dying words would be something about Abby.

Maybe that's why we're so close. We share the mutual hate. I mean, nothing bonds two person more than hating the same person.

"I'm not conceding, Maven."

"I'm not asking you to," he replied.

"Good."

"We're family," he said. "No mudslinging."

"I won't if you won't."

"I won't."

"Tell your wife that."

"Abby won't," he said.

"Great."

"Kids are off limits."

"Just send me a list," I said, dripping in sarcasm.

"It's just an election, Nadia—at the end of the day, we'll still attend the same brunch."

I shrugged. "I never really liked the brunch."

"Me, too," he replied. "The bread was always dry."

This weirdo.

He points out the most random thing.

"May the best candidate win," he said.

"May the best politician win," I replied.

He remained looking at me.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Fine."

"Nothing about Abuela's life ever seemed appealing to me," he said. "I will never understand why you're so hell-bent on becoming like her."

What a hypocrite.

It wasn't as if the problems he created weren't cleaned by Abuela.

Instead, I said goodbye to everyone who mattered before going back to the car. Atticus was sleeping. Archibald was sitting with his head resting on the window.

Pagpasok ko sa sasakyan, napatingin siya sa akin.

"No campaign today?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No," I replied. "Today's Sunday. Family day."

His forehead creased. "Family day?"

"For you," I said. "You spend your time however you like," I continued. We went to the church. Photos were taken. He's done his part for today.

"Saan ka pupunta?" he asked.

"Meeting," I replied. It was painfully obvious that he wanted to ask more details, but he knew he didn't have the right to. I'm the brains of this operation. He's the face.

"Spend Sundays with your son," I told him as I looked at the sleeping kid.

He still remained silent.

After years of being married, he's finally mastering the art of silence. Knowing the right time to be silent could be very beneficial. You don't always have to talk to get your point across.

"It's gonna be a long campaign," I said. "I'll need your 100% from Mondays to Saturdays. But I know you need your son, so I will give you Sundays."

He stared at me still.

"Thank you," he said.

"For what?"

"Keeping your end of the deal," he said. "For leaving him out of it."

"I'm not a monster," I replied. "I draw the line at kids."

The ride home was quiet. I watched as he carried sleeping Atticus back into the house. I, on the other hand, went to meet with Senator Velasquez.

"The numbers look promising," he said.

"They do, don't they?" I replied.

I was nowhere near delusional. I knew that this wouldn't be easy, but it wouldn't be entirely impossible as well. The only reason why I knew I could win this election was because of how progressive Maven is. Even for Abby, the woman he's crazy about, he stood by his beliefs. Abby had to be the crazy one.

That's when I knew that I stood a chance.

Because Maven plays fair—I do not and never will.

"Majority of Mindanao is secured," I said. "Visayas is still up in the air."

"Cebu is yours," Senator said.

"You talked to Mayor?"

He nodded. "She'll take care of you," he said. "But it's hush-hush at the moment."

"That's fine," I said. It's politics, anyways. People will do what's best for them. There are no 'friends' in politics—only enemies and people who owe you. "I'll have Gallego focus on Iloilo."

"How about Luzon?" he asked.

"Not very worried," I replied. "The kids are noisy, but that's just that—noise. Gallego appeals to the key demographics as planned. And as long as he sticks to the answer on the debate, I believe we have this election in the basket."

Senator Velasquez stared at me. "A lot of things are at stake, Nadia."

"I do understand," I replied.

I knew that he loved the gravy train that Abby provides, but like everyone else who's on a tight leash, I knew that he wanted to get away from her. It's not fun to have someone breathing on your neck every time.

"We got this," I said.

"Abby is always one step ahead."

"Oh, I know," I replied. I spent the past years studying her. I knew she thinks she's better than me. That's fine for now. It's better if she thinks I'm not worthy of a competition.

"Just trust me," I told him once again. "By the end of this campaign period, we'll have a President Gallego in the palace."  

**

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