REYNARD

I WAS not the biggest fan of Castiel Seville. He's smart—I'd give him that—but he's dangerous when left unchecked. He hadn't done anything illegal yet, but duping the student body into believing a fake love story? That's almost equally as bad as spreading fake news. He's feeding everyone lies to reach a certan end.

He's the perfect target for me. He ticked all the boxes. Someone in a position of power? Check! Someone who preyed on the student body? Check! Someone who was working for his self-interest? Check!

He and his house of cards almost collapsed. Just one more heavy blow, and everything he had worked so hard to build would come crashing down! Fabienne Lucero, our lovely but sadly manipulated First Lady, was the bowling ball meant to take down all his pins. But alas! He managed to outmaneuver me at the last second. Sayang!

If he thought he'd already neutralized me, he's absolutely mistaken. Hindi ako ang tipo na isusuko ang laro dahil natalo ako sa isang match. Hey, my mom didn't raise a quitter! Sisiguraduhin kong magkaka-rematch pa kami.

But our conversation on the rooftop somewhat adjusted my perspective. Akala ko'y magyayabang siya't ipamumukha niya sa 'kin kung paano niya ako nilampaso. To my surprise, he explained his side of the story. Hindi niya ikinuwento ang lahat—sakto lang para maintindihan ko ang intensyon niya. His words would never be enough to win me over, but there was some merit in them. Niyaya niya akong makipag-collab sa kaniya, pero tumanggi ako. Working alone was my preference.

For now, I'd lay off him. Pero hindi 'yon nangangahulugang pababayaan ko siyang gawin ang gusto niya. If he thought that he and the University Student Council were already off the hook, he'd be wrong. If he thought that he'd recruited me as an ally, he'd be wrong too. Hindi ko kailanman kakampihan ang gaya niya. So he should sleep with one eye open because I would come after him again.

In the meantime, I'd chase a bigger fish—or whale, in Castiel's own words—a bigger story. And that happened to be the person that I was waiting for outside the Business and Accountancy building. It's almost four in the afternoon, so his classes must have been already dismissed.

"Alaric?" I called out the guy with blonde hair who trotted down the front steps. CBA students like him wore a black blazer and yellow tie to make them look like businessmen. "Alaric!"

He was surrounded by four students, but there wasn't much noise from his crowd. I was a hundred percent sure that he heard me. Is he playing deaf?

"Mr. Chairperson?" I called him again, this time by his title.

He stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to face me. A hint of recognition crossed his face. This wasn't the first time we'd seen each other. "You're that Herald reporter, right? Reynard?"

"Yup, that's me! I'm flattered that the majority leader recognizes me."

"I was one of those who watched that... intriguing explosive exposé interview with the First Lady. I honestly thought you were onto something. But it turned out to be just nothing. What a shame, right?"

"I also thought that I was onto something. Pero talagang ganyan ang buhay. Minsan sinusuwerte, minsan minamalas."

Meet Alaric Esteban, chairman of the College of Business and Accountancy's student council, leader of the majority bloc and chair pro tempore of the LEXECOM, and chair of the AEGIS political party. There's too many "chair" in his titles! If it weren't for Castiel's heart-to-heart talk with me, I wouldn't have known that he's also the grandson of Elysian University's chancellor. For some reason, they decided to keep it a secret. Alaric wasn't handing out cards or wearing a placard saying he's related to the old man. Maybe he didn't want attention or special treatment?

"So what does a Herald reporter want with me?" Alaric glanced down at my media ID. "Oh, you've been recently assigned to the LEXECOM, right?"

I scratched my cheek. "I was demoted."

"You asked to be reassigned specifically to the LEXECOM." His lips twisted into a smirk. "Your managing editor told me."

Oh, yeah. Our managing editor, Margaux Guevarra, belonged to the same college. She served as the editor-in-chief of Bizbuzz, CBA's student publication, before applying for one of the Big Three positions in The Herald.

"Should I be worried?" Alaric cocked his head to one side. "Back in the team building, you mentioned that you expose people in the beat you're assigned to. Now that you're in our orbit, is there any cause for concern? Is one of us about to get exposed?"

"And I will say it again: If you have nothing to fear, you have nothing hide." My lips stretched into a smile. "But if you have any skeletons in your closet, you better keep it locked! Make sure I won't be able to pry it open."

"Your advice has been noted." He was a little bit taller than yours truly so he lowered his gaze at me. "So how can I help you? Duda akong naparito ka para kumustahin ako."

"Do you mind if I ask some questions real quick?"

"I've got time to entertain two or three from you."

"By the way, this brief interview is being recorded." I pulled out my phone and held it close to his chin before tapping the record button. "I've heard rumors that you're planning to impeach the sitting USC president and VP. Care to comment on that rumor?"

His eyes narrowed into slits. "Where did you get this alarming piece of information?"

"From a trusted source. They told me that you're planning to file a motion to impeach very soon. Is that true?"

"How credible is your source? Does he have any authority to speak about this matter?"

He? I used they to play safe, but he must already have an idea on who could have told me.

"Sorry, but I can't reveal my source. And I won't quote them if they have no credibility."

After letting out a chuckle, Alaric averted his gaze from me. "I don't want to comment on a matter that isn't official yet. As you've said, it's only a rumor. Does The Herald report about rumors now?"

"Then let's turn that rumor into verified information! A member of your bloc told me that you have—and I quote—damning stuff against the president and VP. Does that mean impeachment is imminent?"

"Let's put it this way." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and moved closer to me, his muscular build casting a shadow over me. "Whatever move we make in the committee, you'll be notified as soon as a motion is proposed. And if it's true that the president and VP have committed an impeachable offense, the student body needs to know. Don't you agree?"

"I can't speak for the student body." I smiled at him. "I'm just a messenger."

"Then, that's all I can say about the rumored impeachment." He smiled back. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got classes to attend."

He spun on his heel and strode off. That went better than expected. I pocketed my phone and was about to walk in the opposite direction. But something made me pause.

"Reynard," Alaric called me again, so we faced each other meters apart. "It would have been better if you were still in the USC beat. You could have exposed the impeachable offense—if there's any—and rebuilt your credibility in the process."

"Yeah, that would have been a missed opportunity," I said with some nods. "Pero okay na sa 'kin ang mag-settle sa LEXECOM. I won't trade gold for silver. Look, something exciting is about to happen! Saktong-sakto ang pagka-assign ko rito. I also don't wanna be used as a tool again."

He maintained the upward curve across his lips. "I do hope you would gain a good return on investment in your new beat. Otherwise, it would have been all for nothing."

"We'll see in the coming weeks, won't we?"

We parted ways. I didn't notice it the first time we met, but Alaric had this enigmatic aura. There's surely more to him that meets the eye.

Since my job as a reporter was done, I went back to The Herald's office in the administration building. May kaunting layo ang aking nilakad kaya five minutes ang itinagal bago ako nakarating doon. Most staffers still had their classes this afternoon, so most desks and seats remained vacant. Even the cubicles of the Big Three were unoccupied.

I sat on my swivel chair, and stretched my arms and legs. Mabuti't wala ang editor-in-chief namin kaya hindi gaanong malamig sa office. Baka mapasuot pa ako ng hoodie. I was only wearing the prescribed polo and pants for Journalism students. Sa nipis ng tela, siguradong tatagos ang lamig sa damit, balat, at buto.

"Psst!" Ambrielle peered at me over the workstation divider. Halos pareho ang class schedule namin kaya nandito rin siya sa office.

I craned my neck to look up at her. "Yo? What's up?"

"I heard something shocking," she replied in a whispering voice. "Is it true na planong ipa-impeach ng majority bloc ang USC president at vice?"

"Saan mo napulot ang balitang 'yan?"

"Sa editor natin mismo. Gusto niyang mag-prepare ako ng questions para sa USC media briefing bukas lalo na kapag na-confirm mo today. So... confirmed ba?"

I turned on my desktop computer and pressed some keys, creating noise to drown out her voice. "Sasabihin ko sa 'yo. Pero ilibre mo muna ako ng chocolate fudge sundae."

"What?" Kumunot ang noo niya. Naka-e-enjoy siyang asarin paminsan-minsan. "Kailangan pa kitang suhulan para i-share mo sa 'kin ang info? I thought we're a team here? We're supposed to exchange details."

"We're a team here, but you're asking for my scoop. Iilang bagay na lang ang libre ngayon sa mundo. And an exclusive piece of information is not one of them."

"So it' s true?" Nakapamaywang siyang lumapit sa desk ko, sumabay sa galaw niya ang kaniyang naka-ponytail na buhok. "Kasi kung hindi totoo, dineny mo na agad dapat."

I reclined in my seat. "What if I just wanna mess with you and make you think that the info is legit? Paano kung hindi pala talaga confirmed? Eh, di ikaw ang magmumukhang katawa-tawa sa briefing bukas. By the way, how's your experience in the USC beat so far?"

"Well, Rowan knows how to dodge like a butterfly—Teka! Bakit iniiba mo ang topic?"

I clicked my tongue. Muntik ko nang ma-segue sa ibang discussion ang usapan namin. "Just one chocolate fudge sundae, and I'll give you the answer that you seek."

"Fine." She rolled her eyes. "Just one sundae, okay? Nothing more."

"Good!" Ang dali pala niyang kausap! I pressed two keys, then clicked my mouse. I got to my feet and went to the printer at the corner table. May kinuha akong papel doon na ibinigay ko sa kaniya.

"Is this the confirmation—" Her eyebrows knitted slowly. "Wait, what's this thing?"

"An agreement between us." I held out a pen to her as I watched her confused face. Oh, I'd love to take a photo of it if my camera was ready. "Pirmahan mo 'yan para masiguro kong hindi mo ako tatakbuhan."

Lalo pang kumunot ang noo niya, ni hindi niya tinapos basahin ang nakasulat doon. "Are you serious? You wasted a sheet of paper and ink just to guarantee that I'll buy you a ₱30 dessert?"

"Sundae now costs ₱50, thanks to inflation."

"Fine!" Ambrielle let out a sigh. She signed the paper and shoved it in my face. Halos ibato niya sa 'kin ang pen. "Hayan, napirmahan ko na! So what's the truth behind the impeachment rumors?"

"It's real. It's imminent." I folded the piece of paper and stuffed it in my pocket. "According sa na-interview kong chairperson na member ng majority bloc, meron silang proof ng impeachable offense. Tinanong ko ang kanilang majority leader. Hindi niya dineny ang possible impeachment move."

"Oh, shoot." She crossed her arms and sat on the edge of my desk. "This is going to be a big news. Wala pang USC president ang na-impeach since, what, two decades ago?"

"And this is the first time na sabay ipapa-impeach ang president at VP," I added, raising my forefinger. Muli akong umupo. "That has never happened before. Sakaling matuloy ang plano ng majority bloc, this is not just gonna be huge. This is gonna be historic!"

"I can already imagine the headlines." She waved her hand in front of her face. "USC prexy and VP impeached, first time in ElyU history."

"What a time to be alive, right?" I clasped my hands behind my head and rested my legs on the table. "Perfect timing pa ang pagkaka-promote mo sa USC beat. You'll get to ask the most important questions."

"If the impeachment complaint prospers, the hearing will be done in the LEXECOM, which is your beat now." She looked down on me. "Mukhang ikaw ang magbe-benefit sa perfect timing na 'to. You'll get to write the most controversial news so far."

"But you have a direct line to the USC. Who knows? Baka mag-collab pa tayo sa mga susunod na banner story."

Again, I wasn't fond of collaborations. But if our editors would ask me to work with her, I would have no choice but to follow. I'm a good soldier, remember?

Her eyes narrowed at me. "Did you anticipate this happening? Kaya ba nagpalipat ka ng beat kasi in-expect mong ipapa-impeach ang president at VP?"

"Whoa! Whoa!" I held my hands up and leaned forward. "There's no way I can see the future. I was just as surprised as you are when my source told me about it a few days ago. Nataon na no'ng inilipat ako sa LEXECOM beat, pumutok ang tsismis na 'to. I must be in the right place at the right time."

"Your source... Who is it exactly?"

"You know that I'll never give up my source. Not in a million years and not over my dead body."

"Is it someone from the USC? Kaka-assign mo pa lang sa LEXECOM no'ng isang araw kaya malabong may tiwala na agad sa 'yo ang mga nando'n."

"Keep guessing." I beamed at her before jumping from my seat. "If you get to ask Rowan for comment about the impeachment rumor, i-share mo sa 'kin, ha?"

"And why will I do that?"

"You said it yourself. We're a team. We're supposed to share info. Also, kasama 'yon sa pinirmahan mo."

"What?!"

"You should have read the entire agreement before signing it." I slung the strap of my bag across my chest. "I'll be expecting my chocolate sundae when I return later, ha? See yah!"

"Saan ka pupunta?"

I sucked in a breath. "It's time for me to be punished."

At four o'clock, I left the editorial office and went straight to the gymnasium. No, I wasn't here to practice basketball or play any ball games. Sports wasn't one of my strong suits. I came here for a far more important reason.

Dumeretso ako sa staff room kung saan naghihintay ang lalaking may suot na light green janitor uniform. May katandaan na siya, lagpas forty years old na siguro. May ilang strand siya ng buhok na kulay gray o white na. Nakatayo siya nang nakapamaywang habang tila may hinihintay.

"Ikaw ba 'yong bagong student?" tanong niya nang pumasok ako. "'Yong magko-community service din?"

"Yes, sir!" masiglang tugon ko bago umupo. My eyes roamed the room, but my supposed buddy wasn't here yet.

"Ano ba'ng ginawa mo at bakit ipinatapon ka rito ng OSA?"

"Aksidente ko po kasing na-trigger ang fire alarm at water sprinkler sa office namin." Napakamot ako ng ulo, kunwari'y hindi ko sinasadya. "Hindi ko alam na bawal pala 'yon."

"Alam mo nang may smoke sensor, 'tapos magsisindi ka ng apoy?"

Sasagot pa sana ako, pero biglang bumukas ang pinto sa likuran ko. A guy in maroon-and-gold jersey walked inside. Just in time!

"Sorry kung na-late ako nang kaunti, sir!" bati niya sabay upo sa tabi ko. "Katatapos lang ng practice namin."

"Good news! Meron ka nang kasamang maglilinis ng gym tuwing after-school hours," sabi ng janitor. "Ituro mo sa kaniya kung ano'ng itinuro ko sa 'yo noon. Ikaw nang bahala sa kaniya, ha?"

I turned to my seatmate and waved my hand. "Hi, I'm Reynard Falcon! Pleased to meet you!"

"Michelangelo Jordan," pakilala niya sa 'kin. "Mabuti nama't may makasasama na akong maglinis dito. Ang dami-daming kailangang ayusin."

"You look familiar... Ah! Ikaw 'yong ex ng First Lady natin, 'di ba? Napanood ko 'yong video—"

"Never mention that again, okay? At saka hindi tayo naparito para magkuwentuhan. Nandito tayo para maglinis hanggang sa matapos ang hours of community service natin."

My lips curled into a smirk. This Michelangelo had no idea that he's an important piece of the puzzle. Once I completed that picture, another truth might be revealed.

30

I apologize for the lack of updates! I have been busy editing a manuscript, and it's taking longer than expected (already a month by now!).

NEXT UPDATE: The USC braces itself for the possible impeachment battle.

If you've enjoyed this update and you have some thoughts to share, let me know by posting or tweeting with the hashtag #PlayTheKingWP!