HER EYES squinted as she saw the familiar figure of the man who currently ruled their municipality from her car. He was smiling while helping the municipal staff para ipamigay ang mga relief goods.

Singko snickered as her driver commended the young mayor of their town. Saying, he was doing a good job.

“Dapat lang naman po. Sayang naman ang tiwala at boto ng mga tao, kung hindi, ‘di ba?” Aniya sa mababang boses.

Mahina lang ito na natawa sa kanya. “Singko, hindi lahat ay kagaya ng mga kamag anakan ninyo.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “Huwag niyo na po sa akin ipaalala. It makes me nauseous.” Maarte na sagot niya.

Those people… Hindi alam ni Singko kung saan napulot ng mga ‘yon ang kakapalan ng mukha nila. They've helped them to be in that position, tinaya ng mga magulang niya ang pangalan nila, at ang tulong na binigay nila? Nag backfired sa kanila. Hindi naman sila nakinabang ni isang piso sa mga ginawa ng mga ‘yon. Her family already cut ties with them.

“Ang balita ko ay lumalapit na naman ang mga ‘yon…”

Singko sighed and clicked her tongue, annoyed. “Manong, hindi na makakalapit sa amin ang mga ‘yon.”

Marahan lang ito na tumango. Naiintindihan ng mga kasama nila sa bahay nila ang ano man sentimento ng pamilya nila.

Her father was supposed to run as the mayor of their town, naudlot dahil tatlo sila na hindi pumayag. Ang mommy nila, ang kapatid niya, at siya na mismo. After that traumatising campaign, that led to success, unfortunately. Nangako sila na hindi na nila kailanpaman i-involve ang pamilya nila sa politics.

Singko threw a quick glance at their mayor. He was now assisting an old lady, giving her water and fanning her using a white folder.

Umiling siya at inabala ang sarili sa mga papel na hawak niya. She's only handling a small business, yet it was enough to stress her out. Lalo na kung delay ang supplies na kailangan ng shop at café niya.

Singko loves to explore, and her family lets her be. Lalaki ang panganay niyang kapatid, and so, the responsibility of their businesses falls unto his hands. It was a good thing that their family hates drama. Hindi ito tumanggi. Her brother wholeheartedly accepted his fate.

It took them a while to reach their destination. She brushed her hair up as her secretary opened the car door for her.

“How's it going?” Kaagad na tanong niya rito. Her eyes were still on the paper she was reading. Naka alalay naman ito sa kanya kaya kampante si Singko na hindi siya madadapa.

“Ang sabi nila ide-deliver na ang supplies within this week. I asked them to double time para naman umabot tayo sa school fair.”

Singko nodded her head. Lately, they're having a problem with their supplier. Hindi naman ganito noon.

“Remind me again to look for another supplier. The backup isn't working either. It's giving me a headache.”

“Sure. Siya nga pala, I already settled everything.”

“Thanks,” she uttered.

It was her secretary who's doing all the jobs when it comes to tax, permits, and everything the business needs for it to run smoothly. Doble nga lang ang pagod nito sa kanya dahil may oras na kailangan nito mag pabalik-balik if kailangan ang pirma niya.

“They're looking for you, though.”

Singko looked up. “Bakit?”

Her secretary, Javiel, shrugged both of her shoulders. “Kasi ikang ang may-ari ng mga negosyo na inaasikaso ko at kapatid ka ni Sir Fourth?”

She looked at her as flat as she could. “Nandoon na naman ang kapatid ko?”

“May bago ba, miss?” Natatawa na tanong nito sa kanya.

Umiling lang siya at pumasok sa loob ng café. Halos lahat ng customer nila ay estudyante. There's a lot of café in their town, they offered a much cheaper coffee, pero sa kanila pa rin ang balik ng mga ‘to. Singko was beyond grateful for that.

“What's that?” Tanong niya nang mapansin na nagkukumpulan ang ilang customer nila sa sulok.

Ilang araw rin siya na hindi nakakapunta dito dahil inaasikaso naman niya ang isa pa niyang negosyo. She was curious as to why some students giggled, hinahampas pa ng iba ang mga katabi na mukhang kaibigan din ng mga ‘to.

What made them do that?

Javiel smiled proudly at her. “One of our staff's pakulo. Hindi naman namin alam na da-dayuhin ‘yan dito.”

“Alin?” She asked again. What she needed was a clear and concise answer.

“It was a DIY standee of your brother, ma'am. Gawa sa carton at printed picture nito noong huli itong nagawi sa café.”

Singko couldn't help herself but to grimaced. What's with her brother's face?

“So, it was like… An attraction?” nakangiwi na tanong niya rito. Still couldn't accept the fact that there were some people who were willing to fall in line just so they could have a picture with a DIY standee of her brother.

Tumango ito sa kanya. “You could say that.”

Singko pushed her tongue against her cheek as she strode towards the commotion. She forced a smile when her dear customers greeted her and asked nicely if she could take a look.

Pinadaan naman siya ng mga ito. Singko raised her brows when she finally saw it. It was indeed her brother, Fourth. A standee posing as if he was an idol. Never could Singko imagine he'll allow her employees to do such things.

“Pumayag siya sa ganyan?” Gulat na tanong niya habang nakaturo sa standee.

Her smile faded as the line piled up. May mga hawak pa na kape ang iba. Her secretary gently grabbed her in her elbow so their customer could continue taking pictures.

It was a busy time in her café. No one could answer her question except for her secretary.

“Pinilit ni Mayor.”

Singko mentally rolled her eyes upon hearing that. Hindi na siya sumagot. She busied herself inside her office and helped her employees after finishing her own priorities.

And after staying for almost an hour in her café, she couldn't deny the fact that her brother's DIY standee does help her café a lot. In terms of sales.

Singko fished out her phone and took a quick photo of the line for his standee and sent it to him.

Wecares: Thank you, ig? Lol.

IVecares: Thanks to mayor kamo

Wecares: Say it to him, then.

IVecares: Bakit hindi ikaw? I'm busy.

Wecares: You two are friends. We're not. Ik you're not busy. Stop making up stories.

IVecares: Ba’t mo alam?

Wecares: Nasa munisipyo ka ngayon. May I remind you? Hindi diyan ang workplace mo.

Singko scoffed when her brother sent him a picture of the mayor's table. Hindi tinatanggi na nasa munisipyo nga ito ngayon.

For a busy man, ginawa nitong tambayan ang hindi naman dapat gawing tambayan. Too much also for promising they won't involve themselves in… Singko sighed heavily.

She doesn't even know how the two became friends. Or maybe because she isolated herself after that incident.

Wala siya sa sarili na tumingin sa mga kamay niya. She held her left hand and caressed her scar. Huminga lang siya ng malalim at mapait na ngumiti sa sarili niya.

HINAYAAN na niya ang mga empleyado niya na isara ang cafe habang siya naman ay nagpauna sa pag uwi. Their family driver picked her up, as per her father's request.

“They're waiting for you inside, ma'am,” sabi ng isa sa mga empleyado ng papa niya. Even ushered her towards their dining area, as if hindi niya alam kung saan ‘yon.

Singko readied a smile when she entered the dining area. Nauna siyang humalik sa pisngi ng mommy niya bago ang papa niya. Her smile faded when she saw someone who wasn't part of their family.

“Mayor,” she uttered. Labas sa ilong.

He looked at her. “A pleasant evening, Ms. Vecares.”

Bahagya lang na tumaas ang isang kilay niya. “I wish I could say the same thing to you,” she uttered under her breath. Ingat na ingat na walang makarinig sa kanya.

She smiled fakely at him. “A pleasant evening to you too. Ano'ng meron at napadalaw kayo?”

“Singko…” Her brother called her.

She pressed her lips tightly as she sat on her chair. Thanking the guy who pulled the chair for her.

Singko noticed the way her father carefully looked at her throughout the dinner. She's fine as long as they're not talking about anything related to politics, not until her father asked how it was going in their municipal hall.

She gracefully wiped her lips using her napkin. Waiting for the mayor to answer.

“It's okay, sir. Although there are some things na wala sa kontrol ko, you know what I mean…” The mayor answered cryptic.

Singko inhaled a large amount of air before she continued eating her meal.

“We couldn't help that, Mayor,” sagot naman ng papa niya.

After they finished their meal. Her father didn't waste any time.

“Anyway, I called you here so I could ask a small favor…”

Nakita ni Singko na sumulyap ang lalaki sa kapatid niya. Maski siya ay napatingin na rin sa kapatid, pagkatapos ay sa papa nila.

“Anything, sir. As long as kaya ko,” he answered.

Her father smiled at her. “As you know, my brother is planning to run as the town's mayor after your term —”

Kumunot ang noo ng lalaki. “I'm sorry but… Are you asking me to give way?”

“Seriously?” Singko snickered.

His sharp eyes went to her. Matapang niya ‘yon na sinalubong saka ito tinaasan ng isang kilay. In the back of her mind, so what if he's the lovely mayor of their town? Susungitan niya ang gusto niyang sungitan.

“No, of course not. Nasa tamang pag-iisip pa ako. What I am asking sana is to block them by any means to enter this town… I don't want them near my daughter.” Her father said.

That made her shut her mouth. Her gaze dropped on her scarred hand.

“I could do that if only they didn't have any connections with…” Umiling ito sa papa niya.

Her breathing ragged. Alam nilang lahat kung ano at sino ‘yon.

“I suggest, dagdagan na lang po ninyo ang security niyo. I'm sorry but I don't think my position could help you and your family, sir, Fourth.”

Maliit lang na ngumiti ang papa at kapatid niya sa lalaki.

“And I don't think he could take my position after my term. Hindi sila taga rito.” He confidently said and added, “Hindi po sila kilala sa bayan natin.”

That made sense.

But Singko couldn't take his confidence. It was too much for her.

“I'll be fine. Hindi rin naman sila basta-basta makakalapit sa akin.” She smiled even when she didn't want to.

“Are you sure?” Bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha ng kapatid niya.

He could take care of himself. On the other hand, she was a weakling, ang tanging meron lang siya ay ang kaartehan niya at pagtataray niya. Aside from those unwanted traits, wala na.

“Para matahimik kayo, once na nandito na sila, you could hire more security, and they could stay around me.” Pagsuko niya kahit na ayaw niya ideya na ‘yon.

Tahimik na tumango ang papa at kapatid niya, habang ang mommy naman niya ay tahimik lang sa tabi niya. The mayor was only looking at her, but when she bravely matched his gaze, he smirked.

“Brave,” he mouthed.

☕️

Loving Thy Rules is like a refresher to me. Hope y'all will like it :)