A/N: Thank you so much for all the love sa story at sa characters! I'm sure they'd appreciate it! 

TRIGGER WARNING:
This chapter contains some words that readers may find triggering. Reader discretion is advised.

FABIENNE

I WASN'T familiar with the USC officers kaya hindi ko na-recognize ang mukha ng nagpakilalang chief-of-staff. What's his name again? Hindi ko kasi malinaw na narinig kanina. Caspien? Castell? Ah, Castiel!

Nakipag-shake hands ako sa kanya at saka niya ako sinenyasan na umupo. Magkaharap kaming dalawa, isang mesa ang nasa pagitan namin. He looked at me from head to heels. Parang hinuhubaran niya ako sa kanyang tingin. The longer his gaze lingered on me, the more awkward and uncomfortable I felt.

Teka, hindi naman siguro 'to isang trap, 'no? Lumingon ako sa pinto at ch-in-eck kung may biglang nag-lock n'on. Wala naman, kaya kung may gagawin siyang masama sa 'kin, I could run straight to the door and slam it in his face if he pursued me.

"You look . . . confused," he said. Kumalas na ang tingin niya sa 'kin, nabaling na sa hawak niyang folder. "Is something wrong?"

"Siguro I was expecting na nandito ang iba pang USC officers," sagot ko. "Kaya akala ko nagkamali ako ng room na pinasukan kasi mag-isa ka lang dito kanina." Dapat ba akong mag-po at opo sa kanya? I wasn't sure if he's my senior or if he's older than me. Sana'y hindi siya ma-offend kung kausapin ko siya na parang kasing-edad ko.

"I'm in charge of staff recruitment." He flipped through the pages. Napansin kong hawak niya ang application form na i-s-in-ubmit ko sa OSA no'ng isang araw. "The president and vice president are busy with council work so they can't make it here. The other officers have something else to do this lunchtime. So all that's left is me."

I see. Based on his title, he must be a high-ranking officer in the council. Hindi ko matandaan ang itsura o pangalan niya last election.

"Shall we start?" Iniangat niya ang kanyang tingin sa 'kin at saka muling ngumiti.

Napalunok ako ng laway. Nanlamig ang mga kamay ko at nanginig ang aking mga tuhod. Ready na ba ako? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa? Huminga muna ako nang malalim at inipon ang lahat ng lakas ng loob na meron ako.

Kalma ka lang, Fab. Hindi ka dapat kabahan. Isipin mo na nasa audition ka at ang lalaking 'to ang magdya-judge sa 'yo. Dapat best performance ang ipakita mo.

Inisip kong nagpe-play ako ng character ng isang babaeng sasalang sa job interview. I felt my confidence rising as my smile went as wide as it could. Natigil ang lahat ng panginginig at nawala ang panlalamig ko. I'm going to nail this interview!

"Yes," I answered.

Nanatili pa rin ang ngiti niya sa 'kin. "As I've mentioned in the text message, you're being considered for one of the remaining slots in the USC scholarship program. Just for the record, we got your application from OSA. Naghahanap kami ng candidates at naisipan naming bigyan ng chance ang mga hindi pinalad sa kanilang scholarship applications."

I thought naawa sa akin ang secretary ng OSA kaya f-in-orward niya sa USC ang application ko.

"I'm not sure how aware you are with the USC scholarship," patuloy niya. "Unlike sa academic scholarships at iba pang ino-offer ng OSA, kami ang nagse-set kung anong standards ang dapat ma-meet ng USC scholar. It usually depends on our assessment of the candidate. That's why I have to talk to you, so I'll get to know you better."

"I'm thankful for the opportunity—"

"Huwag ka munang maging thankful," mabilis na tugon niya. "Saka na, kapag sure nang tanggap ka na."

Natawa ako nang mahina para mawala ang kaunting awkwardness. I was just trying to be grateful here for giving me a chance.

"Based on your records, you have good grades," komento niya habang bino-browse ang aking application form. "Kung mag-i-impose kami ng minimum maintaining grade, mukhang mami-meet mo naman."

I was an average student pagdating sa academics. Mas prefer ko talaga kasi ang actual na performance kaysa sa theories at history.

"I've also read here that you're performing on theater." His finger underlined something on the paper. Umangat ang tingin niya sa 'kin. "Saang theater plays ka nag-perform?"

"I played the role of Mulan last semester," I proudly answered. "Just recently, I got the lead role for the modern take of Romeo and Juliet this year. Nagpe-prep na nga kami for script reading."

"Two lead roles in a row?" may patango-tango niyang sabi. "You must be great at acting. Perfect."

Ramdam kong nag-blush ang mga pisngi ko, pero sinubukan kong huwag magpahalata. Baka isipin niyang mayabang ako.

"Do you mind me asking kung bakit ka nag-apply sa student aide program ng OSA?"

Here it goes.

"My family's struggling financially," my voice began to crack. Pinilit kong paglawain ang mga mata ko. I needed to show him that this was too emotional for me to talk about. Baka mas ma-convince ko siyang ako ang piliin for the scholarship. "Kung magpapakatotoo ako, I can't afford to go to college. Pinilit ko ang mama ko na dito ako pag-aralin. I used to do a part-time job at a cafe kaya may pera ako for my allowance and other expenses. Kaso nga lang, na-fire ako no'ng isang araw."

"Na-fire? Bakit naman?"

Pinunasan ko muna ang luhang muntik nang tumulo mula sa aking mga mata. "Pinagsasabay ko kasi ang theater at ang part-time job ko. Alam kong may masasakripisyo sa dalawa, pero pinilit ko pa rin kasi gusto ko talagang i-pursue ang passion ko sa acting. It makes me happy. It makes me feel alive."

I took a pause muna at huminga nang malalim. Totoo naman ang mga sinabi ko, pero dinagdagan ko ng drama para mas ma-touch siya sa kuwento ko.

"Dahil na-fire ako sa trabaho, kailangan kong maghanap ng way para maipagpatuloy ko ang studies ko rito sa university. Doon ko naisipang mag-apply sa student aide program. Kaso na-reject ang application ko dahil puno na raw ang slots. Hindi naman ako sumuko. Sinubukan kong mag-apply sa establishments sa paligid, kaso halos lahat sila'y hindi naghahanap ng part-timer."

I sniffed as I wiped again the tears welling up in my eyes. Nakatitig pa rin siya sa 'kin.

"Nawawalan na nga ako ng pag-asa no'ng una. Naisipan ko nang mag-drop para magtrabaho muna at mag-ipon. Kaso bigla kong na-receive ang message n'yo kaninang umaga na under consideration ako for USC scholarship. Parang may himala. Parang dininig ng langit ang hiling ko. Kaya thankful ako sa opportunity na 'to."

"This is perfect . . ." he muttered. Tama ba ang dinig ko? Ano'ng perfect sa ikinuwento ko? Mas gets ko pa kung sad o depressing o tragic ang ginamit niyang term. Pero perfect?

Maybe I misheard him? Focus, Fab! 'Di dapat ako mawala sa concentration. Nagsisimula pa lang ang interview. I would go with the flow until this was over.

He set my application form aside at ipinagdikit niya ang kanyang mga kamay. "Can you please stand?"

Kahit na hindi ko alam kung bakit niya ako pinatayo, sumunod ako sa gusto niya. As long as hindi niya ako mamanyakin, walang issue sa 'kin. Subukan niya, makatitikim siya ng sampal.

"Can you turn around?"

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makaikot sa harap niya. Why was he asking me to do this? Part ba sa eligibility requirements for scholars ang posture at stance? This was getting weirder by the minute.

"You may now take your seat again."

"Thank you."

"Now I'm gonna ask you some background questions." He leaned forward, nakapatong ang chin sa magkadikit niyang kamay. His eyeglasses gleamed. "Please answer as honestly as possible. This is crucial."

Wala siyang dapat ipag-alala dahil hindi ako magsisinungaling sa kanya.

"How many boyfriends have you had?"

Kumunot ang noo ko, kumurap ang mga mata at bahagyang bumukas ang aking bibig. Gutom na ba ako kaya kung ano-ano na ang naririnig ko? "Excuse me?"

"How many boyfriends have you had?" he asked again. "Don't worry, I won't judge you."

Tama nga ang dinig ko. But why on earth was he asking that question?

"Two," I answered. Mukhang wala akong choice kundi sumagot. "One in high school, one in college."

"Have you had any sexual experience with them?"

My eyes squinted at him as my lips parted again. "Sorry, but I'm not comfortable answering that question." Talaga bang interview 'to para sa scholarship o may ibang balak ang lalaking 'to sa 'kin? Asking me to stand and turn around was already suspicious.

"Do you think you might have any sex video with them that may cause a scandal in the future?"

Halos magdikit na ang mga kilay ko, napailing pa nga ako. "I don't have any sex scandal. Teka, may I know why you're asking me these questions? I hope na hindi ka ma-offend, but you're making me feel uncomfortable."

"Oh, I'm sorry for making you feel that way. It's not my intention." He reclined on his seat. "The USC wants to ensure that our scholars are, shall we say, clean. As much as possible, ayaw naming involved sa kahit anong scandal o controversy ang mga pipiliin namin. We have to screen the applicants thoroughly, and that demands us to ask those questions. I hope you understand."

I did understand. Gets ko kung bakit kailangang dumaan sa butas ng karayom ang mga nag-a-apply as scholars. Sana nga lang ay may warning muna. Hindi 'yong basta-basta niya ako pinagbabato ng gano'ng klaseng tanong.

"May I proceed with my questions?"

"Sure. Thanks for the clarification."

"Did you bully anyone in this university?"

"No." Ako pa nga ang binu-bully minsan.

"Did you do anything that might have driven someone to commit suicide?"

"No."

"Do you have a secret affair with a faculty member, school personnel or university official?"

"No." But there were a few who tried to hit on me, lalo na no'ng kasagsagan ng Mulan.

"Were you involved in any form of prostitution?"

"No."

"Did you become a subject of the blind item in The Herald or other gossip accounts?"

"No."

Bawat posibleng krimen yata na pwede kong gawin sa campus, naitanong niya sa 'kin. So this was what he meant by being thorough. Baka gusto niyang kumuha muna ako ng NBI at police clearance para may patunay na wala akong criminal record?

"That's it for the background questions," nakangiti niyang sabi. Wow. Background pa lang 'yon, ha? Parang thirty-item quiz na ang ipinasagot niya. "Let's proceed with the offer's details."

"Offer?" pag-uulit ko.

He nodded at me. "Pasado ka na sa scholarship. Now you have to accept our terms and conditions para ma-finalize na natin. Pwede ka namang umayaw kung hindi ka comfortable sa offer namin. We can give it to the next candidate."

Hello? I was desperately looking for a scholarship! Sa tingin niya ba'y palalampasin ko ang pagkakataon na 'to? No way! I wouldn't let this chance slip!

"I accept your offer," agad kong sagot sa kanya.

"But you haven't heard the terms and conditions yet."

"Yeah, pero feel ko namang hindi n'yo ako pagagawan ng ilegal na bagay kaya i-a-accept ko na."

"It's better if you will hear me out first. Baka biglang magbago ang isip mo kapag nalaman mo ang terms namin."

Okay, I got a little too excited there. Dapat kalmado lang ako.

"Sure, let me hear them."

He reached for his walking cane and forced himself to stand. Ramdam ko ang hirap ng pagtayo niya sa pagngiwi ng kanyang mukha. He then walked around the desk para magkaharap na kami at wala nang nakaharang sa amin.

"For the terms of your scholarship, we won't require you to maintain a specific grade or general weighted average," he explained. "We'll ask you to do something for us this semester and in the next one."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. That sounded so strange to me. Ano pa ang pwedeng hingin nila sa 'kin? Baka gusto nilang linisin ko ang USC office araw-araw o ipagtimpla ko sila ng coffee? Kung 'yon ang kailangang gawin, willing naman ako. Aarte pa ba ako eh ako na nga itong nangangailangan?

"Before I tell you exactly what you need to do for us, you need to promise me that you won't tell anyone about it, whether or not you will accept our offer."

I gulped. Nakaramdam ako ng kaba. Parang iba na yata ang pinatutunguhan ng usapan namin, ah? It's starting to make me feel uncomfortable again. Ganito ba talaga ang usapan kapag scholarships? No. Parang may mali rito.

A lewd image popped up in my mind. Oh my gosh! Kaya ba niya ako pinagpa-promise dahil malaswa ang hihingin niyang kapalit sa 'kin? That would explain why pinatayo niya ako at pinaikot kanina! Kaya rin niya siguro nasabi ang perfect kasi iniisip niyang kakagat ako sa kanilang offer!

Ganito ba makipag-deal ang USC? I might be desperate, but I still got some respect for myself.

Tumayo ako at pasimpleng itinulak paurong ang upuan gamit ang paa ko. I needed an escape route just in case na sunggaban niya ako. "Sorry, nagbago na ang isip ko. Mukhang hindi ko kayang gawin ang ipagagawa n'yo sa 'kin. Kailangan ko ang scholarship, pero ayaw kong makuha 'to sa ganitong paraan."

"Eh?" He made a confused face. "Pero hindi ko pa naman sinasabi kung ano ang ipagagawa namin sa 'yo."

"Kung kalaswaan 'yan, automatic na out of the question 'yan sa 'kin," I told him frankly. Kung nagagawa niyang magpaligoy-ligoy pa, ako ayaw ko na. "Hindi ako gano'n klaseng babae."

"HA-HA-HA-HA!"

Tatalikod na sana ako at magwo-walk out pero bigla siyang tumawa. Nag-echo pa nga sa buong study room. Mabuti't hindi naririnig ng mga nasa labas dahil sound-proof dito.

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kanya habang hinihintay siyang matapos. Napaupo siya sa corner ng mesa at ini-stretch ang kaliwang binti niya.

"You got it all wrong, miss. Hindi ko alam kung saan mo napulot ang idea na 'yan, pero hindi ganyan ang ipagagawa namin sa 'yo. Just promise that you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you para malaman mo na."

Napapikit ang mga mata ko't napayuko ang aking ulo. Ano ba kasing pinagsasabi ko? Nakahihiya! Lumabas tuloy na parang marumi ang isip ko.

"I promise I won't tell anyone," I assured him. Promise you won't tell the USC tungkol sa maling akala ko.

Nagkatitigan kaming dalawa, parang binabasa niya kung mapagkakatiwalaan niya ba ako o hindi. Was it something serious na hindi niya pwedeng basta-basta i-share kahit kanino?

"You're a good actress, right?" he asked.

I nodded slowly para hindi ako magmukhang mayabang.

"Very well, we want you to act. We want you to play the role of the First Lady to USC President Priam Torres."

Unti-unting nanlaki ang mga mata ko. That's what they wanted me to do in exchange for the scholarship?

"I don't know if you're reading The Herald, but the president's approval rating is way below normal," he explained. "Majority of students see him as heartless, unapproachable, et cetera. Halos gano'n din ang na-observe mo sa kanya, 'di ba?"

Now things started to make sense! Kaya pala kasama 'yon sa survey form kanina!

"Priam intends to run for reelection," he went on. "Kung patuloy ang pagbaba ng kanyang approval rating, there's no way he'd win the presidency for a second time. That's why we came up with the plan to make him likeable in the eyes of the student body."

"And that's where the First Lady comes in?" I muttered.

He nodded. "We need to show that he's not a robot, that he's a human too who is just too absorbed with council duties. Sabi mo nga, he looks like someone who takes life seriously. He does. The presence of a First Lady beside him might be able to lure out his more human side."

Saglit akong napatingin sa ibang direksyon. I was too surprised with the terms that I couldn't say kung too much ba 'to sa 'kin o napakasimple ng kanilang hinihingi.

"If you'll accept the terms, you need to act as the First Lady by pretending to be in a relationship with him," he explained further. "We'll ask you to appear with him in public para makita kayo ng student body at makuha ang atensyon ng campus media at council critics."

A pretend relationship, huh? That sounded like a plot from a Wattpad story.

"You need to put on a show and make everyone believe that you're the perfect couple," he added. "You shall be the fire that will melt the iceman's cold heart. If you play this right, marami ang kikiligin sa inyo. Magbabago na rin ang tingin ng mga estudyante sa kanya. At dahil doon, tataas na ang kanyang approval ratings na kailangan namin para ma-reelect siya."

"How long?" I asked when he took a pause. "How long do I need to pretend?"

"Preferably until the next election. That means we'll guarantee your USC scholarship for the entire academic year. Once he's reelected, you'll still be one of our scholars kahit tapos na ang pretend relationship n'yo. You have our word."

Two years na wala akong babayaran sa tuition? That was very, very tempting. All I needed to do was to pretend as girlfriend of the USC president—the most powerful student in the university! It sounded simple, but . . .

"We'll ask you to do girlfriend duties—minus the sex, of course." He stood upright and took a step closer to me, his cane making a tapping sound. "Nagkaroon ka na ng dalawang boyfriend kaya we can assume na may experience ka na sa pagiging sweet. Dagdag pa na isa kang theater actress. Mas madali para sa 'yo na gampanan ang role na 'to. By the way, you must not entertain anyone during the period of your pretend relationship. We don't want any cheating rumors spreading."

My past two relationships were disasters kaya hindi ko masasabing maibibigay ko ang best girlfriend experience sa president.

"We'll also ask you to come with us kapag may activities kami. Kailangan mong maging visible na parang unofficial member ka ng USC. Kapag may team building o outreach program kami, kailangang nandoon ka."

"As long as wala akong babayaran."

"Don't worry. All expenses paid."

"At saka isa pa," hirit ko. "You'll allow me to perform this theater season. Kapag may conflict sa dalawa, uunahin ko ang theater. My First Lady duties come second."

"I don't have any problem with that," mabilis na sagot niya, hindi man pinag-isipan. "Mas makatutulong pa nga 'yon kung iisipin. The First Lady is also the star of Romeo and Juliet? You'll be a campus celebrity in no time."

I wasn't looking for fame, but I acknowledged that's a consequence of hard work and dedication in my field. Ang tanging gusto ko'y mag-perform at ipakita ang talent ko.

"So what do you think about it?" In-offer niya ang kanyang kanang kamay sa 'kin. "Can I call you Madam First Lady?"

Iniangat ko ang aking kanang kamay at ilang segundong tinitigan 'to. Tama ba ang gagawin ko? Inilapit ko 'to sa kamay niya pero agad ko ring binawi. The smile on his face vanished instantly.

"Teka! Can you give me until this afternoon to think about it? Ayaw kong madaliin ang desisyon dahil baka pagsisihan ko sa huli."

"Sure, no problem." Ibinaba na niya ang kanyang kamay. "Ayaw ko ring magdesisyon ka dahil nape-pressure ka. Mas mabuti kung one hundred percent talaga ang loob mo rito. This may be a pretend relationship, but it will last for seven to eight months. That's two semesters, which requires commitment."

"'Yon ang dapat kong pag-isipan." Sa theater nga, three to four months ang preparation namin bago mag-show. Doble pa ang hinihingi rito.

"You know the USC's number. Kapag may desisyon ka na, i-text mo ako roon. Then we'll process your papers and have them signed by every member of the USC, including the president himself."

Wala na siyang inihabol sausapan namin kaya pinayagan na niya akong umalis. I left the Study Room A withone question in my mind: This would just be an act, but could I really committo a fake relationship?

★ ★ ★

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Special thanks to raze_dali and imthecentralorgan for the illustrations!