A/N: Our Queen finally meets the members of the King's Council! How will their meeting go?

FABIENNE

MY COLLEGE life began to change magmula no'ng araw na pumayag akong maging First Lady ng University Student Council president. Sanay na akong makuha ang atensyon ng mga nakasasalubong kong estudyante at pagtinginan kapag dumaraan ako sa kanilang harapan. Pero ngayon, hindi lang doble, hindi lang triple—higit sa sampung beses na ang atensyong ibinabato sa 'kin.

At first, hindi ako comfortable. Having almost every student look at me gave a strange feeling. It made me feel like I was a suspect being judged by the society for a crime that I didn't commit. Pero binigyan na ako ng heads up ni Castiel na ganito dapat ang i-expect ko. Kaya kinalaunan, nasanay na ako. Being looked at was almost the same as breathing. It's the new normal for me.

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglabas ni Priam in public sa sumunod na weeks. Either magkasama kaming kumakain ng lunch o nag-e-enjoy ng merienda tuwing hapon. Nakasunod pa rin ang ilang pares ng mga mata sa 'min. Kada araw, may stolen shots na ipino-post sa CampuSite kung saan magkaharap kami, magkatabi o magkasama sa pila.

Kung iisipin, wala namang kakaiba sa pictures na ipinapakalat online. We're like two friends or classmates eating together. Kaso masyadong maintriga ang ilang tao rito. They began to throw around speculations kung may something ba sa 'min ni Priam. Well, the fact that I was seeing the most powerful student on campus might have played a factor in it. Mukhang interesado sila sa kanyang love life.

Until now, Priam or I had neither confirmed nor denied the suspicions of almost everyone. Sabi ni Castiel, kailangan naming i-drag out ang dramang 'to at pasabikin ang mga tsismoso't tsismosa sa developments. Thankfully, we managed to do it. Nagawa kong lusutan o iwasan ang mga tanong tungkol sa potential relationship namin.

Maliban sa USC officers, tanging sine Belle, Colin at tatlong classmates kong nakakita sa 'min ni Priam sa food hub ang nakaaalam ng real score: the president was interested in me. Wait, should it be fake score dahil pretend relationship lang 'to? Ah, basta!

"That's it for today. Let's continue tomorrow. Memorize your lines, ha? Wala na akong makikitang may hawak na script bukas!" sigaw ng matandang direktor bago siya tuluyang lumabas ng rehearsal room. Inalalayan siya ng kanyang assistants.

Halos sabay ang preparations ko para sa theater at ang paglabas namin ni Priam. Since then, isang week ang ginugol namin sa pagbabasa ng script. 'Tapos, dalawang linggo ang itinuon namin sa blocking. Dito inaayos ng direktor kung saan kami papasok, saan kami tatayo at paano kami e-exit sa eksena.

Kung dati'y sa classroom kami nagbabatuhan ng linya, ngayo'y sa rehearsal room na. It had the size of a regular classroom, pero malalaking salamin ang nakapalibot sa 'min at walang upuan sa gitna. Kahit saan akong tumingin, imposibleng hindi ko makita ang sarili kong reflection. When I started out sa Mulan, hindi ako masyadong comfortable. But as always, I got used to it.

Sa susunod na linggo, blocking pa rin ang gagawin namin, pero wala nang script na babasahin. Maybe two or three weeks later, we would transfer to the auditorium and rehearse on the stage.

"Hulaan ko," sabi ni Belle habang isinusuksok ang script sa bag niya. "Hindi ka na naman makasasama sa amin kasi may date kayo ni Mr. President, 'no?"

"Uy, hindi naman date 'yon, 'no!" depensa ko sabay sukbit ng shoulder bag sa balikat.

"Hindi date? Eh ano'ng tawag mo ro'n?"

Napakagat ako ng labi at napatingin sa taas. I didn't know kung ano'ng tamang tawag do'n. Meetings? Masyadong formal, parang may business transaction. Pero parang gano'n ang arrangement namin. "Lunch and merienda sessions?"

"Sus!" Siniko niya ako sa braso. "Kailan mo ba siya balak sagutin para matigil na ang speculations tungkol sa inyo?"

"Eh?" Ilang beses akong kumurap. "S-Sagot agad? Hindi ba pwedeng getting to know each other muna?"

"Mabuti naman kung gano'n!" nakangiting sabi niya. "Akala ko basta-basta ka bibigay, eh! Dapat kilatisin mo muna siya bago mo ibigay ang matamis mong oo, okay? Huwag kang ma-carried away sa pagiging USC president niya. Also, hindi ko pa siya nai-interrogate kaya hangga't wala ang approval ko, huwag na huwag mo siyang sasagutin."

I smiled awkwardly at her. Kung alam lang niya na it's a done deal already, baka sabunutan niya ako.

"I'm just curious . . ."

Lumingon ako sa aking kaliwa. Nakatayo ro'n si Colin na nakasukbit ang isang strap ng backpack sa kanang balikat at nakatitig ang mga mata sa 'kin. Nakikinig pala siya sa usapan namin.

"Why did you think of entertaining him?" tanong niya. "We know kung ano'ng reputation niya rito sa campus, pero despite that, you still chose to see him."

Gets ko kung ano'ng ibig niyang sabihin. Kung ibang babae siguro ang inimbitahan ni Priam na mag-coffee, malamang tumanggi na 'yon dahil na-turn off sa image niya. I might have done the same kung hindi part ng USC scholarship ko ang pagiging First Lady niya. No offense to him.

"Don't get me wrong, Fab. Hindi sa nanghihimasok ako sa relasyon n'yo o kinukuwestiyon ko ang desisyon mo, pero napaisip ako kung bakit—"

"I guess I'm curious about him?" I answered with a smile. "Maybe I wanna know kung totoo ba ang sinasabi tungkol sa kanya. Maybe I wanna know if there's more to him than meets the eye. There's an aura of mystery around him."

Colin stared at me as if he's surprised by my answer. I wouldn't lie. A part of me wanted to know more about Priam. Parang he's not how other people described him. Na-witness ko kung paano siya nag-care sa 'kin. Na-witness ko rin kung paano niya ako pinrotektahan mula sa mga tsismoso't tsismosa. I seriously thought he's more than what the rumors had said.

"I do hope na kapag naging kayo na, hindi ka niya sasaktan," nakangiting tugon ni Colin. "You're too precious to hurt, Fab."

My face blushed.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, Colin!" singit ni Belle. "Kapag sinaktan niya si Fab, makatitikim siya sa 'kin! Wala akong pake kung USC president siya. If he breaks my friend's heart, I'm gonna break his face! Itaga mo 'yan sa bato, Fab! At ang batong 'yon ang ipupukpok natin sa lalaking 'yon! We're always here for you!"

"T-Thank you?" I appreciated her concern, pero hindi niya kailangang maging brutal. This was also a pretend relationship and I was only going to play the First Lady's role for about seven months. Hindi aabot sa puntong masasaktan ang puso ko.

"Bale saan kayo niyan magkikita this afternoon?" tanong ni Belle. "Sa Moonbucks Cafe na naman?"

Umiling ako. "He invited me to the USC office."

"What?!" Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at halos malaglag ang panga. "S-Sa mismong office nila kayo magkikita?"

Mariin akong tumango. "Balak niya akong ipakilala sa fellow USC officers niya."

"Wow! Parang meet the family, ah? Talaga yatang seryoso si Mr. President sa 'yo?"

"P-Parang." It's actually part of the script so no choice ako.

TODAY'S THE day that I was going to meet his council. Idea talaga 'to ni Castiel para unti-unti akong i-absorb sa kanilang family. It had been three weeks since Priam and I started seeing each other kaya naisip niyang oras na para ipakilala ako sa colleagues niya. Gaya ng nabanggit ni Belle, it's like meeting the family.

Pagkaalis ng rehearsal room, deretso na akong bumaba sa Arts and Sciences building at nagtungo sa administration building. Some students on the walkway recognized me at napabulong sa kani-kanilang mga kasama. I would normally look ahead and keep on walking. But this time's different. Kailangan daw na mas maging approachable ako sa lahat ng estudyante. I smiled at them when our eyes met. Sana'y they weren't speaking ill of me.

I had never been to the USC office. They said that it's the grandest clubroom on campus. Papapasukin ka lang daw sa loob kung may kailangan ka o may invitation ka mula sa kanila. If visiting their office was in my college bucket list, I would have crossed it off by now.

Huminto ako sa tapat ng sliding doors ng kanilang office. I didn't know exactly why, pero bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba. Wala naman akong ginawang violation kaya hindi ako sesermonan sa loob. Still, iba pa rin ang feeling nang tingnan ko ang acronym ng USC sa signage sa labas. It gave off an aura of authority and formality.

Paano ba ako dapat makipag-interact sila? Formal ba? Remember, these people approved my scholarship—all of them! Kung may dapat akong pasalamatan sa opportunity, lahat sila 'yon. Dapat ba may dinala akong regalo? Should I thank them one by one?

Ah, bahala na!

Humakbang ako paabante sa pintuan. The glass doors slid open and I was greeted by a familiar face and figure. Nakatayo sa harapan ko si Castiel, nagliwanag ang lens ng salamin at nakahawak ang kaliwang kamay sa cane.

Since the interview in the study room three weeks ago, bihira kaming nagkita ni Castiel. We mostly communicated through text messages. Doon niya ipinaparaan ang reminders at requests. Nagkakasalubong kami minsan sa hallway o food hub, but we never greeted each other. Ni "hi" o "hello," wala. Sandaling nagkakasalubong ang tingin namin 'tapos kakalas agad. He told me na dapat magpanggap kaming hindi magkakilala. Masyado raw suspicious kung familiar ako sa chief-of-staff ng USC na walang prior interaction sa 'kin.

"Good afternoon, Fabienne," nakangiting bati niya. "Welcome to the USC office, the very heart of the Elysian student government! Please come in."

Pumasok na ako sa loob. Sinalubong ang tingin ko ng couches sa kanilang lounge. Iginala ko ang aking mga mata. Ang laki pala ng office nila! Parang work office talaga. Sa kanan, may pantry na mukhang kumpleto sa gamit. Sa kaliwa, may row ng cubicles. Sa gitna, merong conference room na kita ang loob mula sa labas. Five students gathered around the long table. They must be waiting for my arrival. Mabuti't on time ako kasi nakahihiya kung late ako.

"First time?" tanong ni Castiel, napasulyap sa 'kin.

I nodded as my eyes roamed around their office. "Parang ang ganda sigurong tumambay rito kapag vacant period, 'no? Pwede kang mag-chill hanggang dumating ang time para sa next subject mo."

"That's what we mostly do here. Perks of being a USC officer, I guess?" Tumalikod siya sa 'kin at iminuwestra ang kamay sa conference room. "Shall we? The council is waiting to meet you."

"Sure!" Napalunok ako ng laway at sumunod sa kanya. Patuloy pa rin ang paggala ng mga mata ko sa paligid.

"Unfortunately, there's no cubicle for the First Lady," he said. Baka naisip niyang hinahanap ko ang cubicle na para sa 'kin. He got the wrong idea if that's the case. "But soon, you can choose kahit saan mo gustong pumuwesto. You'll be part of this family anyway. Get used to it as early as now."

Tumango ako at nagpatuloy sa pagtingin. Hinila niya ang glass door at pinauna akong pumasok. The second I entered the room, five pairs of eyes turned to me. Parang biglang bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. May kakaibang pressure akong naramdaman. Was it because of being with the six powerful students on campus?

Una kong nakita si Priam na nasa pinakadulo. May pinag-uusapan yata sila 'tapos natigil dahil sa pagdating ko. I smiled at him at tinanguhan niya ako bilang reply. He's not yet comfortable of smiling back.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the First Lady," pakilala sa 'kin ni Castiel. Magkasabay ang paghakbang niya at ang pagtama ng cane sa sahig. He went to the vacant seat on Priam's left. "Let's welcome her, shall we?"

Lumapit sa 'kin ang babaeng naka-full bangs at naka-ponytail ang hairdo. Pansin kong mas matangkad ako nang kaunti sa kanya. Iniabot niya ang kanyang kanang kamay at saka ngumiti. "Hi! I'm Valeria Encarnacion, the vice president of the USC. I heard a lot about you. On behalf of the council, thank you so much for your efforts! We appreciate what you've been doing."

"I guess . . . you know who I am." I smiled nervously. She's the second high-ranking student council officer here! Baka kung may mali akong masabi, patawan niya ako ng penalty. "You can call me Fab! My friends and classmates do."

"You can call me Val! Please make yourself comfortable here. If there's anything you need, just tell me, okay?"

Nawala ang kabang naramdaman ko matapos niya akong ngitian. Ang bait naman pala niya!

Sunod na lumapit sa 'kin ang babaeng nakasalamin at may mahabang buhok na abot hanggang baywang. Mahinhin ang kanyang kilos, halos nakayuko ang ulo at umiiwas ng tingin sa 'kin nang makaharap ako.

"I-I'm Sabrina Ynares, the USC secretary," pakilala niya sabay abot ng kamay. I shook hands with her. Na-feel ko kung gaano kalambot ang kamay niya. "P-Pleased to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you too!" sagot ko. Sunod akong tumingin sa katabi ni Val.

"Tabitha Rustan, the mistress of coin here." Hindi umalis sa puwesto ang babaeng may shag haircut na lagpas balikat at may dangling earrings. Tamad siyang kumaway sa direksyon ko habang nakatutok pa rin sa phone ang tingin. Our eyes only met for a second. "Nice to makilala you, Fabel."

"It's Fabienne," I corrected her. "And nice to meet you too!"

"Yeah, whatever."

Wow, ah? Parang ma-attitude itong si ate? I didn't mind kung ayaw niyang makipag-shake hands. Baka hindi siya sanay o hindi niya trip. But to dismiss my correction? She looked like one of those privileged college students who flaunted their status. Halata naman sa expensive earrings at sa high-end phone niya. Mukhang sa kanya ako magkakaroon ng issue rito.

Huling lumapit sa 'kin ang lalaking tila may waves at curls ang hairstyle. Naningkit ang mga mata ko. Parang familiar kasi ang mukha niya. Feeling ko, nakita ko na siya before. He's also good looking, if I might add.

"I know that look," sabi niya nang hawakan ang kamay ko. "You must be thinking, 'Saan ko ba nakita ang lalaking 'to?' Wonder no more. I'm Rowan Oronce, the public relations officer. You must have seen me in my weekly press briefings."

"Ah, ikaw nga!" I clapped once. Kaya pala familiar ang mukha niya! "The pretty boy who always speaks on Campus TV!"

Napahawak siya sa dibdib at bahagyang yumuko. "I feel humbled that the First Lady has recognized me. It's the greatest honor of my life."

We shook hands. His last line's obviously an exaggeration.

"I think there's no need to introduce myself, the chief-of-staff," Castiel spoke kaya sunod akong lumingon sa kanya. "And the USC president himself, Priam Torres. Shall we start the meeting?"

"Sure."

Uupo na sana ako sa tabi ni Rowan dahil 'yon ang isa sa mga vacant seat sa kabilang side ng table.

"Wait!" Castiel held up his right hand. Napa-freeze tuloy ako sa pag-upo. Tumayo siya't tinapik ang backrest ng upuan niya. "You should sit next to the president. Para masanay ka na."

"O-Okay."

Nagpalit kami ng puwesto—ako na ang nasa kaliwa ni Priam habang siya nama'y nasa kabilang dulo ng mesa. I smiled at my seatmate who gave me a nod. We were not in public so hindi namin kailangang umarte na close at comfortable sa isa't isa.

"Maliban sa pag-invite sa 'yo rito para makilala ang USC," sabi ni Castiel nang nakaupo na siya, "gusto naming i-extend sa 'yo ang invitation sa College Student Council team building this weekend."

"T-Team building?" pagulat kong tanong. "Isasama n'yo ako?"

"Remember when I mentioned that you might need to attend events organized by the USC?" paalala niya sa 'kin. He did say something along those line. "The team building is one of those events. Perfect ang opportunity na 'to para mas ipakita ang closeness n'yo. You will also establish yourself as the de facto First Lady."

"We usually rent an entire villa in a San Fernando resort for our team building activities," added Val who sat across me. "We will stay there for two days and one night. Ang mga kasama ay tayong seven, forty-five CSC officers at dalawang Herald staffer."

"You don't have to worry about the gastos," dagdag ni Tabitha na ikine-curl ang ilang strands ng buhok niya. "We're so mayaman here so kami na ang magso-shoulder ng accommodation mo. Fully paid na rin ang food and drinks, pero you need to pirma something muna. Sab?"

May iniabot na papel at pen sa 'kin ang secretary. My eyes squinted as I read what's written. It's a registration form for USC volunteers.

"Kindly fill that out," Val instructed. "Since hindi officially recognized ang position ng First Lady, kailangang may reason kung bakit ka isasama at bakit iso-shoulder ng USC ang expenses mo sa ganitong event. By being a volunteer, no one can question kung bakit ka namin isasali."

"I understand." Sinimulan ko nang sagutan ang form. Wala naman akong gagawin sa weekend kaya free akong um-attend. As long as wala akong babayaran, game din ako. Kailangan kong tipirin ang allowance ko na bigay ni Kuya.

"You and Priam might need to temporarily suspend the rule about no PDAs during the team building."

Nasa kalagitnaan pa lang ako ng aking pangalan nang napahinto ako. Iniangat ko ang tingin ko kay Castiel na nakatitig sa 'kin. Even the president stared at him.

"Excuse me?"

"Kailangan nating i-level up ang interaction n'yo ni Priam. Being together won't cut it anymore. Dapat may makitang . . . relationship development sa inyo ang mga tao. You see their posts and comments on the CampuSite? They're dying to know some updates."

"Pero iilan lang ang kasama sa team building, 'di ba?" kunot-noo kong tanong. "Why do we need to do more than what we usually do?"

"You're right. There's just about fifty attendees. But some of them are critics of this council. Malakas ang kutob kong may duda ang ilan sa kanila kung totoo ba ang relationship n'yo ni Priam. We need to try and convince them. We also need to convince this person."

Maingat na iniharap ni Sabrina ang laptop niya sa 'kin. I leaned forward to get a closer look. The smirking face of a boy in a navy blue hoodie was displayed on the screen. Medyo magulo ang kanyang buhok at fair ang complexion niya.

"Who's this guy?"

"He's Reynard Falcon, a reporter for The Herald," Castiel introduced the mysterious man. "He's known for his exposés in the university. Remember the CCF director who resigned and the Social Sciences prof who was fired? That's his doing. As of yesterday, he's been reassigned to the USC beat. Siya rin ang ipadadala ng Herald para i-cover ang team building. So expect him to be snooping around."

Okay, there's this writer. So what?

"Yesterday, tinanong niya kay President kung stunt ba ang pagkikita n'yo ni Priam," kuwento ni Rowan. I turned to him. "Base sa tono ng question niya, mukhang hindi siya convinced sa ipinapakita n'yo at medyo doubtful siya sa circumstances. We believe that he's onto something."

"The timing of his reassignment to the USC beat is suspicious," Castiel added. "I hope I'm wrong, but there's a chance that he's decided to investigate your pretend relationship with Priam. Kung talagang magaling siya gaya ng sabi ng iba, posible niyang ma-expose ang katotohanan. From now on, we have to be careful around him."

"I u-understand." Akala ko, magiging madali na ang lahat. Akala ko, we just had to keep this up for a couple of months. 'Tapos biglang may kontrabidang eeksena? Bakit ba kasi may umeepal?

I continued filling out the volunteer form while they oriented me kung ano'ng i-e-expect sa weekend. It turned out na hindi ako basta-basta sasama o tatabi kay Priam. Magiging isa rin ako sa facilitators ng team building activities. Mukhang sinusulit nila ang kanilang bayad para sa accommodation ko. Wala naman akong reklamo ro'n.

"May question ka pa ba, Fab?" tanong ni Castiel.

I shook my head as I beamed at him. "Everything's clear! Willing akong tumulong sa team building. Don't worry, mas magiging maingat na ako mula ngayon, lalo na ro'n sa lalaking ipinakita n'yo kanina."

"Good. Let me escort you out." Patayo na sana si Castiel sa tulong ng cane niya, pero may nauna sa kanya.

"Ako nang maghahatid sa kanya sa labas," singit ni Val. Sandali siyang nakipagtitigan kay Castiel bago siya lumingon sa 'kin. "I hope you don't mind, Fab?"

Umiling ako. Hindi naman nila ako kailangang i-escort palabas ng USC office. Hindi naman ito sobrang laki, at imposibleng maligaw pa ako palabas. Still, I accepted Val's offer. Siya na nga itong nag-alok sa 'kin ng kind gesture. Tatanggi pa ba ako?

I bade everyone goodbye and thanked them. Itinulak ni Val ang glass door at pinauna akong lumabas ng conference room. Sabay naming nilakad ang lounge ng kanilang office.

"Thank you for coming today," sabi niya na may kasamang ngiti. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Officially."

"Ako nga dapat ang mag-thank you," tugon ko. Sinagot ko rin ng smile ang ngiti niya sa 'kin. "Napaka-accommodating n'yo pala. I thought na masyadong seryoso ang USC officers gaya ni Priam."

"Speaking of Priam, do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"What do you think of him?"

Napahinto ako't kumunot ang noo sa kanya. I wasn't expecting that question. Wala tuloy akong agad na naisagot.

Val also came to a halt. "I mean, you've been seeing him for three weeks now. Sa tingin ko, may meaningful insight ka na about sa kanya. Curious akong malaman kung ano ang tingin ng First Lady sa kanyang pretend partner?"

Napaangat sa kisame ang tingin ko, tila hinanap do'n ang sagot. "I think . . . there's more to him than meets the eye? He's actually nice in person, ibang-iba sa mga narinig ko tungkol sa kanya. The rumors don't do him justice."

"Nice?" She frowned. Did I say something wrong? Bakit nag-iba ang timpla ng mukha niya? "How does he treat you kapag magkasama kayo?"

I recalled our moments together. "I can say that he's concerned about me mula nang nagkita kami sa Moonbucks Cafe. Protective din siya sa 'kin, lalo na kapag may tsismoso't tsismosang member ng campus media na umaabala sa 'min. He once told me that I'm under his protection."

Natahimik si Val, nabawasan ang liwanag at saya sa mukha niya. Parang may malalim siyang iniisip. Napatanong na naman ako sa sarili ko kung may nasabi ba akong mali o hindi maganda.

"Tell me honestly, Fab—and this is very important—is it possible na ma-fall ka kay Priam? Lagi kasi kayong magkasama 'tapos iba ang treatment niya sa 'yo."

"F-Fall?" pag-uulit ko. Bakit ganito ang mga tanong niya sa 'kin? Parang uminit tuloy ang pisngi ko. "I don't think so! Ngayong nagpapanggap akong First Lady niya, masyado nang hassle. Paano kaya kapag tinotoo? Baka hindi ko kayanin ang atensyon and everything that comes with it."

"That's right! For his sake and your sake, don't ever think of falling for him."

I stared at Val. There's something in her tone that kinda scared me. Parang may halong pagbabanta na ewan. Dagdag pa 'yong ngiti niya. I could tell this up close that's a fake smile.

"I'm only concerned sa inyong dalawa, lalo na sa 'yo," dagdag niya. "Paano kapag nahulog ka sa kanya at hindi ka niya sinalo? Ikaw rin ang masasaktan sa huli. Or it can be the other way around. Baka siya ang ma-fall sa 'yo, pero hindi mo ma-reciprocate ang feelings niya. It might affect his performance as the USC president. As his vice, I don't want that scenario to happen."

Why was she being . . .

"Sana hindi mo ma-misinterpret ang sinabi ko. I'm only looking after him, and you, of course. Sana hindi mo rin ma-misinterpret ang ipinapakita at sinasabi sa 'yo ni Priam," she went on, still smiling. "He's only doing it because he's also playing a role—just like you."

"A-Alam ko naman 'yon—"

"Should the day come that you start developing feelings for him, remind yourself that this is just a temporary thing, okay?" she cut my words short. "Spare yourself from the heartache, Fab. A sweet woman like you don't deserve it."

"O-Okay . . ." Our conversation took a strange turn. Ito ba ang reason kung bakit siya nag-volunteer na ihatid ako? Para makausap ako tungkol kay Priam?

Nagpatuloy na kami sa paglalakad. We crossed the lounge. The glass doors slid open and I stepped outside. Nanatili naman sa loob si Val, nakasunod pa rin ang tingin sa 'kin. I waved my hand and said goodbye to her.

"By the way, Fab."

Palayo na sana ako nang tawagin niya ang name ko. I made an about-face turn. "Yes?"

"I told you earlier to make yourself comfortable around the USC. But don't get too comfortable, okay? Medyo mahirap kasi kung magiging attached tayo sa isa't isa. The separation after seven months might be a challenge."

Pilit akong ngumiti sa kanya. "I'll keep that in mind!"

"Good day! Ingat sa pag-uwi!"

"See you around!"

My smile faded the moment I turned around and walked away from the USC office.

I think . . . Val likes Priam. 'Yon ang naramdaman ko sa strange interaction namin. She went on the offensive sa unang meeting namin. Or maybe she's just being overly protective of him? But she didn't miss the chance to remind me that my role as First Lady was just temporary. Alam ko naman 'yon. Hindi na niya ako dapat paalalahanan pa.

Kung tama nga ang hinalako, baka nakikita niya ako bilang isang threat. Sana'y hindi niya gawingcomplicated ang sitwasyon.

★ ★ ★

Next update: We'll be on our way to the team building venue!

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

Special thanks to raze_dali and imthecentralorgan for the illustrations!