Ace of Clubs

In Victory and Panic

Since the day they landed back in Manila, Leni and Risa never spoke about what happened in Hong Kong. They kept their mouths shut, rings in their pockets, marriage certificates hidden in their numerous paperwork at home. It was the agreement, at least until the end of the campaign season.

They continued to attend rallies and campaign. At the end of it, they would glance at each other in silent reassurance. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere. We're facing this together.

It was election night and Risa couldn't sleep. Honestly, who could? Leni and her top competitor were head-to-head. All the chaos aside, they were there for each other just as they always were. An impulsive decision to get married would never change that.

Risa watched Leni's count go up until she was a point away from her competitor's number. When it did, she had to stop herself from jumping in joy.

The sun was just beginning to rise when Risa dialed Leni's number, hoping that she was awake. She wanted to be the first to congratulate her. The results weren't final yet but Leni's in a steady lead now.

"Congrats, Lens!" She greeted the other woman in a cheery tone. Leni laughed sleepily from the other end of the call."Good morning to you too, Ris."

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Ay no, I haven't slept yet. I'm just really sleepy."

"You should go to sleep."

"Maya na. I'm still talking to my wife," Leni teased and Risa giggled. She was the one who started this wife-calling. They joke about it from time to time but only when they're alone, of course.

"Alam mo ikaw..."

"Oh bakit? Totoo naman ha, you're my wife."

"Oo nga, wala naman akong sinabing hindi."

"Congrats, Ris. Or should I say Senator Risa?"

"Hindi pa ako proclaimed, mas excited ka pa sa'kin."

"Says you who called me at this hour para i-congratulate ako. Ayaw mo ba ng supportive na misis?"

"Gusto. Sino ba ako para humindi dyan?"

"Ayun naman pala eh, nagreklamo pa."

"Oh my god, Leni. Ngayon lang nag-sink in sa'kin." Risa stated, sleepiness leaving her body as she sat up straighter.

"Alin? That I'm VP elect and you're in the Magic 12, and we're still married? Kanina ko pa rin iniisip 'yan."

"What the hell were we thinking? Getting married while drunk."

"In Hong Kong pa, jusko. Saan ko ba napulot 'yung idea na 'yun."

"Hala, what if 'yung nagkasal sa atin do'n, ipaabot sa press na kinasal tayo? Lens, hindi natin kakayanin 'yun."

"They don't know who we are, Ris. Saka we signed a non-disclosure agreement remember? Isa 'yun sa mga pinirmahan natin. You have a copy of that too. If it bothers you too much, give them a call para sure na rin. May number sila doon sa isa sa mga papers that we brought with us."

"Okay...god, okay. Sorry, nagpapanic lang talaga ako."

"It's okay. I know how it feels. I'm here if you need anything."

"This may sound selfish and insensitive but I'm kind of glad that I'm in this mess with you."

"Okay lang, ako rin naman. Buti na lang ikaw niyaya ko magpakasal kaysa a complete stranger."

They laughed at the thought of being in this situation with different people. It would have been a bigger mess than it already was. Risa heard Leni yawn on the other end. Her eyes felt heavy now too and she wanted nothing more than to sleep.

"We should get some sleep. For sure, there will be a team meeting later."

"You're right. Congrats ulit, my senator. Sweet dreams."

"Congrats, my VP."

A few hours later, Risa woke up to a call from her staff saying that they were indeed having a team meeting. Leni waved at her when she arrived and signaled to the empty seat beside her.

After Mar's speech, it was Leni's turn and of course she thanked Risa. She even referred to her as her "work wife" which had everyone laughing. Kiko most especially since he still thought it was only in his dreams that they got married.

Before exiting the venue, Leni tapped Risa's shoulder and asked, "May gagawin ka ba ngayong gabi?"

"Why? Is my wife going to ask me out on a date?"

"Partially true. Dinner tayo, we need to talk about something."

"Talk lang?" She smirked, laughing internally as a blush appeared on Leni's cheeks.

"Dinner and talk lang. Nothing else. 'Wag ka na umasa. 'Wag ka ring chansing."

"No promises, Lens," Risa joked and Leni flicked her forehead. "Joke lang, oo na. What time?"

"I'll text you the details. See you later, ingat."

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Risa arrived at the restaurant Leni wanted to meet at. She looked around and saw Leni reading paperwork. She walked over and greeted, "Good evening, Madame Vice President."

"Magandang gabi, Senator Risa." Leni beamed at her. Risa was instantly reminded about her smile that night in Hong Kong when she agreed to dance. Dimples showing and all.

"Have you ordered?" She asked, sitting down across Leni.

"Hindi pa. Wait, order na tayo."

Leni called a waiter over to them and announced their order. After that, Risa looked curiously at the papers on their table. "What's all this?"

"Ah, ayun nga kaya kita niyaya mag-dinner so we could discuss the divorce."

"Oh okay, that's great. Talk me through it."

"I have a friend na lawyer sa Hong Kong. He said we can get divorced naman and it would be easier if we apply together. We don't have any properties to divide or children to worry about for custody and stuff kaya madadalian lang."

"Hmm, that's actually easier than I expected it to be."

"Kaya nga eh. We're lucky. Since there will be no complications or disputes naman, it'll take at the very least four to six months. My friend there can oversee everything else."

"Four to six months huh?"

"Oo. That's okay na rin kaysa umabot ng years."

"I agree. So we'll work on the paperwork for the divorce for four to six months until it gets settled."

"Gano'n na nga."

"Well then," Risa raised her glass to a toast, "Here's to our marriage that'll last for four to six months only."

Leni looked at her incredulously then raised her glass, laughing, "To our marriage."

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I've researched about the specifics of the divorce law in HK but it doesn't match my timeline so I changed a few things. For fictional purposes only.