A/N: We're just one chapter away from the First meeting! As always, thank you so much for your support in this story!

CASTIEL

FABIENNE LUCERO. A pretty woman. A passionate actress. And a hardworking student. She was by far the perfect candidate for the Presidential Image Rehabilitation Operation a.k.a. Oplan First Lady. Everyone in the shortlist paled in comparison to her. She ticked off most of the boxes on my list. Ang natitirang item ay kung masisikmura niya ba ang ugali ni Priam.

Don't get me wrong. I was not saying that Priam's a bad person. Kung sinuman ang magiging partner niya, kailangan ng mahabang pasensya at marunong umintindi. If his girlfriend's fuse was short, she would give up on him immediately. So whoever his First Lady was going to be—Fabienne, please say yes!—she had to put up with him.

Beep! Beep!

I was on my way to the USC office after my afternoon classes when something in my pocket let out a vibration. My feet and my walking cane came to a halt before I fished my device out. A message alert flashed across the screen. One end of my lips curved as I read it.

Hi! I accept the offer. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

Hindi ko naitago ang aking ngiti kahit tapos ko nang basahin ang message niya. Every piece was falling into their rightful places. Parang nasa easy mode ang quest namin sa paghahanap ng First Lady. Within just twenty-four hours, nahanap na namin ang sagot sa aming problema.

Now there was only one thing that needed to be taken care of. The most important piece of the puzzle: Priam Torres.

"Congratulations," my right hand typed on the screen, "you have been accepted to the USC scholarship program! Please wait for further instructions tomorrow. Thank you!" As soon as I hit send, I pocketed my phone and went on my way to the office. May mabuting balita akong dala sa kanila.

The USC office was in the administration building. Kinailangan ko pang lakarin mula Arts and Sciences building hanggang dito. For a physically challenged person like me, this might seem like a hassle. Going from one building to another. Climbing from a lower floor to an upper floor. But I did not mind at all.

I tapped my ID card on the sensor, and the glass door slid open. I entered our office that was the biggest compared to other clubrooms. No surprise there. After all, we're the highest governing body on campus. Deserve namin ang ganitong amenity.

Our office was the size of a regular classroom, with partitions for different areas. Meron kaming lobby na may couches, center table at TV kung saan pwede kaming mag-relax at mag-entertain ng guests. Meron kaming conference room na may long table at white board para mag-discuss ng aming agenda. Meron kaming tig-iisang cubicle na may desk, desktop computer at lateral cabinet. Meron din kaming sariling pantry na kumpleto sa gamit at sariling comfort room na may kasamang shower.

Rowan even joked that we could stay overnight here while watching Netflix and chilling. Pwede rin daw kaming tumira dito just in case in-evict kami sa dorm o sa mga bahay namin. I expected that we might encounter situations where we would need to stay here late at night or even overnight. His suggestion might be worth considering.

Pagpasok ko pa lamang, sinalubong na ako ng tingin ng mga kapwa ko officer. They stood and craned their necks, making their heads visible above the cubicle's panels. They all had the same question on their faces.

I raised my right hand and gave them a thumbs up. They let out a sigh of relief.

We did it. We were on track to initiating Oplan First Lady.

Nilagpasan ko ang bawat cubicle—the arrangement was PRO, treasurer, secretary, my space and the vice president—hanggang sa marating ko ang pinakamalaki sa lahat: ang cubicle para sa USC president. He was the only one who was not curious about the development. He did not even stand and greet me with a stare. Nakatutok siya sa kanyang laptop at busy ang mga daliri sa pagta-type. We would always find him in that pose.

I knocked on the panel to get his attention. His eyes flicked up at me as his fingers went on typing. "Do you have a moment?"

"Make it quick," he answered before returning his gaze to his laptop.

I entered his cubicle limping and took a seat on the chair across him. Ipinatong ko sa gilid ang aking cane at ini-stretch ang binti ko. I let out a soft groan.

"Good news." I pushed my eyeglasses up the bridge of my nose. "We've found your First Lady."

"Oh," he replied lazily. I felt so much enthusiasm in his voice! "Really?"

Ano pa bang reaction ang dapat kong asahan mula sa kanya? He was against the plan in the first place. I was not hoping that he would jump in joy after hearing the news, but at the very least, he could pretend to be happy about it. Hey, I had finally found the solution to our problem!

"Her name's Fabienne Lucero," I told him. "She's a Theater Arts student who landed on the lead role of Mulan last semester. Given her acting chops, she's the perfect candidate for this job. She can pretend to be in a relationship with you better than other potential choices."

Muling umangat ang tingin niya sa akin. "I assume that you've already interviewed her?"

I gave him a firm nod. "Nakausap ko siya kaninang lunchtime. She passed with flying colors."

Bumalik na naman sa laptop ang kanyang tingin. "Did she come across as annoying to you?"

'Yon talaga ang iniisip niya? "No. She's good at conversations and she thinks twice before crossing any line when speaking. That's the impression I got from her. Sa tingin ko, mae-enjoy mo ang company niya."

Knock! Knock!

Lumingon ako sa likod at napansin si Valeria na may dala-dalang folder. When she was acknowledged by Priam, she came inside and brought that folder to his desk.

"Heto na ang application form ni Fabienne Lucero para sa USC scholarship," sabi niya. Umurong siya matapos maipatong sa tabi ng laptop ni Priam ang folder. "Pumirma na ang lahat maliban sa 'yo. Once you sign her form, she will be officially one of our scholars."

"By the way, I also promised her that should you be reelected, she will still have her slot in next year's USC scholarship program," I added. "Sinabi ko 'yon para masigurong ibibigay niya ang kanyang one hundred percent sa role. She might underperform if she doesn't see any more incentive aside from this year's scholarship."

Sa wakas, huminto na rin sa pagta-type si Priam at isinara na ang kanyang laptop. He grabbed the folder from the table and browsed its contents. I looked intently at his face, observing his reaction. Tiningnan ko kung may spark ba kahit na sa picture muna niya makikita ang kanyang First Lady. His eyes narrowed and his lips parted.

"She's pretty," he commented.

The word pretty was an understatement. Even I could not find the right word to describe her. If she were my type, I would have already fallen for her at first sight. Any guy in the university would be jealous at her boyfriend. And the lucky bastard would be the person seated across me. Their relationship would be just a make-believe one, but it would look legitimate in the eyes of almost every student.

"Shame that she has to be dragged into our mess." Priam pulled out a black fountain pen from his chest pocket and removed its cap. Dumampi ang metal nib nito sa papel.

We won't be in this mess if you strictly followed my advice.

"Sure ka bang isa-sign mo na 'yan?" tanong ni Val na nanatiling nakatayo sa tabi ko. Nahinto si Priam at sabay kaming napatingin sa kanya. "Don't you want to see her first and check for yourself if she fits the role? Baka hindi mo pala siya bet 'tapos s-in-ign mo na ang papers niya. You can't take it back."

Priam's right hand began to slowly move as trace of ink was left on the paper. "If Cas thinks that she's perfectly fit for the role, I see no reason why I should doubt her. I trust my chief-of-staff. What's the point of having him around here if I don't?"

Napangiti ako. I was unaware that he regarded my opinion highly for this matter. But he had always trusted me and I had always proven that he was right to put his trust in me. I rarely disappointed him.

He put back the cap of his pen and handed the folder to Val. "Her USC scholarship application is hereby approved. Kindly furnish a copy to OSA and to the Accounting Office."

"Noted," Val replied as she received the folder. "I will ask Sabrina and Tabitha to process it as soon as possible."

Umalis na si Val at nagmadaling bumalik sa cubicle niya. I heard her call our secretary and treasurer who went to her place. She gave them instructions.

Priam looked at me. "Is there anything else that we need to discuss?"

"Yesterday, you gave me the authority to take charge of this operation," I reminded him first. "Now I wanna ensure that you will willingly cooperate with me and respectfully play along with your First Lady in every scene of our campus drama."

"You have my word. I will try to cooperate—"

"Not try," I corrected him. "You will cooperate."

"Fine," he said in a resigned tone. "If that's what you want."

"That's what this operation needs." I looked at him straight in the eye to let him know how serious I was about the plan. "Depende ang success nito hindi lamang sa performance ni Fabienne, kundi maging sa performance mo. Kung magpapakita ka ng hints na hindi ka nag-e-enjoy sa pretend relationship n'yo o mukhang napipilitan ka lamang na makasama siya, pwede tayong mabuking. We can't afford to be exposed."

"Looks like you're more worried about my performance than that girl's?"

"As I've mentioned, Fabienne is a Theater Arts student and a promising theater actress. Mas madali para sa kanya ang mag-adjust at gampanan ang role bilang First Lady. She also had two boyfriends in the past so treating you as her boyfie won't be much of a problem. Just don't make it hard for her, okay?"

"You should have faith in me as much as I have faith in you." Priam reclined in his swivel chair. "Alam ko kung gaano kahalaga ito hindi lang para sa aking reelection, kundi para na rin sa plano natin sa susunod na academic year. I will try not to sabotage your plan."

"Always remember: We must do everything to keep you in power," I told him in a serious tone. Kumirot ang kaliwa kong binti. My left hand clawed on it as I tried to endure the pain. This was nothing. "I'll be here to make that happen. Basta magtiwala ka sa akin at sa mga plano ko. I'll try to make this ship sail smoothly without a hitch. If there would be rough waves along the way, I'll make sure that we will survive them."

"Don't worry, I totally understand what's at stake here."

I hope you do, Priam. I'm putting my faith and trust in you. We're in the same ship. If you sink, I sink. And I can't allow that scenario to happen. That's why I'm going the extra mile here.

I took my phone out and checked my calendar. May note na "USC meeting" sa Friday. "We have a meeting tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, for the CSC team building event."

"Let Val preside over it."

"What?" His eyes squinted at me. "Why should she? I'm the president. Ako dapat ang magpe-preside sa meeting lalo na sa ganitong kaimportanteng event. Val can only take over if I won't be available tomorrow. As it happens, I will be present."

"You won't attend the meeting. Because at five o'clock tomorrow afternoon, you'll be at Moonbucks Cafe."

"And why will I be in that place?"

"You'll have your first date with Fabienne," I answered. "You haven't seen her or met her in person yet. Kailangan nang magsimula ang getting-to-know-each-other session n'yo."

His eyebrows almost formed a straight line. "You want me to prioritize a date with my pretend girlfriend over my duty as the USC president? That's asking too much. Alam mo namang mahalaga sa akin ang council duties ko."

"Val and I can manage the meeting tomorrow," I assured him. "Tungkol sa yearly team building lamang 'yon. Walang bago sa mga pag-uusapan natin. You just have to approve whatever the majority of the council agrees on."

"So am I going to be a rubberstamp president from now on?"

"I thought you've agreed to cooperate with me?" I reminded him. Napaka-short term naman ng kanyang memory kung nakalimutan na niya agad. "I'm asking you to go on a date with Fabienne tomorrow at five in the afternoon at Moonbucks Cafe. And that's what you'll do, Mr. President."

Napasandal siya sa kanyang swivel chair at napa-tap ang mga daliri sa armrest nito. He knew that I was dead serious when I called him by his title. I always called him Priam inside and outside this office. The change in my tone and my way of address should be enough to tell him that I was not open to negotiation on this one.

"You want me to meet her in person," he repeated. "Can't you just ask her to come over here so I can talk to her in our lounge?"

"Hindi ko ire-recommend na pumunta siya rito hangga't hindi nae-establish sa mata ng mga estudyante na may namumuong something sa inyo," sagot ko na may mabagal na pag-iling. "Isa pa, kung may makakita sa kanyang pumasok sa USC office nang walang official business sa atin, baka may makatunog na stunt itong relationship n'yo. That's the reason why I asked to meet her in the library, not here, when I interviewed her."

"You've really thought this through, huh?"

"Of course," I said with a smirk. "I've actually created an outline on how your fake love story will start and develop. The first step is for you to meet in person and get to know a bit about each other. When the time is right, we'll invite her to the USC office."

"Then we will let everyone know about this . . . important update on my love life that everyone is surely interested in?"

I sensed the sarcasm in his voice. I shook my head. "We won't issue any press release na meron ka nang girlfriend. We'll let the campus media make speculations and name her as your First Lady. Doon naman sila magaling—sa pag-speculate at paggawa ng conclusions."

"Makes sense to me," he replied. "Bakit pala sa Moonbucks Cafe ang napili mong meeting place namin?"

"You need to be seen together in a place where there are many students," I explained. "As early as tomorrow, we'll plant the seeds that you're meeting someone. It's likely na ma-recognize ka nila dahil sa itsura mo at sa suot mong USC brooch. At kapag na-recognize ka nila, posibleng magtaka sila kung sino ang kasama mo. If they remember your date as the theater actress who played the role of Mulan, much better. Doon na magsisimula ang mga tsismis."

His eyes narrowed. "Did you spend the whole night thinking where to place the dominos and how to make them fall?"

"Not whole night. More or less three hours." Masyado akong na-excite sa idea kaya talagang pinagtuonan ko ng atensyon kagabi. I refused to sleep until I came up with a good story. "So what do you think?"

Sandali kaming nagkatitigan bago siya kumalas ng tingin at bumuntonghininga.

"I won't be here tomorrow afternoon so Val will preside over the meeting," he answered. "I will be at Moonbucks Cafe meeting with a certain Fabienne Lucero."

"Good." Inabot na ng kaliwang kamay ko ang aking walking cane at maingat na tumayo. My face twitched when I felt a short stabbing pain in my leg. Ngunit hindi ko na ipinahalata sa kanya. "Sasabihan ko rin siyang makipag-meet sa 'yo bukas. She's nice, so be nice to her, okay? I-turn off mo muna ang pagiging masyadong serious mo."

"There's no need to remind me."

"I don't know if this can help, but think of your meeting tomorrow as your first date with your crush." I turned my back to him and started to walk out of his cubicle. "Bukas natin malalaman kung paano ka ba kumilos kapag nasa date ka. You need to get used to it as soon as possible."

"I wasn't born yesterday. I know what I have to do."

I hope you do.

"Oh, and by the way. . . "I grasped firmly on my cane's handle as I came to a temporary halt. I glancedat him over my right shoulder. "No matter what happens tomorrow and in thecoming months, don't fall in love with her."

★ ★ ★

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Special thanks to raze_dali and imthecentralorgan for the illustrations!