no strings attached

Still You

Present time

"Be honest with me, Leon. Do you love Reese?"

That question made her realize everything. She couldn't answer him. Governor Christopher asked her in a caring tone. He wants her be honest with him. Not that it's unfair for him but it's because Christopher sees it.

"Come on Leon, you can be honest with me."

They're having lunch in the OVP. He visited her after attending his engagements here in Manila. After the dinner with Reese and Jacob, Christopher noticed how Leon changed her behavior towards him. She became more quiet– she wouldn't let him in.

He moved closer to her and gently grabbed her hand. "Hey... it's okay. You can tell me." Leon couldn't look at him. "How did you know?" She finally spoke. Christopher smiled at her.

"It's obvious. The way you look at her, halatang halata. You've never looked at me the same way you looked at her." Leon sighed after hearing it from Christopher.

"Sorry. Akala ko nakamove on na ako."

"I won't ask you further. Pero sa tingin ko, hindi mawawala yung nararamdaman mo para sa kanya."

"Anong dapat kong gawin? She's happy with him."

"Hindi naman sila."

"Ano?! Anong hindi naman sila?" Leon suddenly raised her voice.

"They are not officially together. Yet." Christopher confirmed.

"What? H-how? Are you sure?"

"Yes, Leon. Akala ko rin sila na. Not until I spoke to Mayor Jacob the other day. Hindi pa raw siya sinasagot."

"Huh. Kaya ganoon na lang kumilos sa akin si Reese nung dinner."

"Actually, ang halata mo that night. You want me to tell you how the hell I figured it out?" Christopher teasingly asked Leon. She just laughed at it.

"Of course, my eyes were only for you during that dinner. The moment we entered the restaurant and saw them, the expression in your face changed. Para bang nakita mo yung first love mong may kasamang iba. Ganon."

"Ang observant mo–"

"Mamaya kana magsalita. Nagkukwento pa ako oh." Leon just nodded and smiled at him.

"Tapos nung umoorder na tayo, siya sumagot ng lahat ng gusto mo diba? Nagkatinginan na lang kami ni Jacob."

"Nung sumasayaw tayo, you leaned on my chest right? Pero saan ka nakatingin? Sa kanya. You were looking at Reese." He added.

"Christopher, anong gusto mong sabihin?"

"All that I'm saying is, get your girl." Leon was shocked of what he said. "Habang may panahon ka pa."

Someone called Christopher's phone. He needs to go back to Iloilo right away.

"I have to go Leon. I'll see you again?"

"Of course, visit me anytime."

"Christopher! Wait!"

Leon stepped forward and hugged him. She whispered, "Thank you. You made me happy," His heart was touched by those words. She also made him happy.

"Follow your heart. Whatever it takes." Christopher also whispered. They bid their goodbyes.

Leon sat down and rested her back. While looking at the ceiling of her office, she thought of the situation she's in. She's inlove with Reese, and she's aware that Reese also loves her. Or maybe loved. Leon's mind was filled with what ifs and could have beens.

"What if sagutin na niya kung kailan desidido na ako?"

"We could have just stayed friends. That stupid dare."

"What if naka-move on na siya?"

"Dapat hindi ko na lang siya hinalikan."

"What if mahal niya pa ako?"

"What if umaasa ka lang, Leon?"

"Arghh! Reese binabaliw mo ako!"

The vice president went out of her office to unwind. She walked around the QCRH and just enjoyed her alone time. There's this one corner in the garden area that reminded her of Reese.

One afternoon when Reese visited her for lunch, they spent their afternoon in that area. A table of two, perfect for them. It was peaceful. Reese were telling Leon about her morning– she ranted how her coffee spilled on her dress. Leon was happily listening to her. She closed her laptop and paid her attention only to Reese. While looking at her, Leon saw something– a glimpse of her everyday life waking up next to this woman; mornings filled with serenity, soft kisses in between conversations. The senator glanced at her wondering why the vice president was staring at her. Leon just made an excuse, then Reese continued with her "storytelling".

Certainly at that point, Leon knew that she's definitely inlove with Reese. She's happy whenever Reese texts her and updates her about her day– the simpler times. And now, she misses it. She misses how everything was so natural for them. The spontaneous "dates" they had in each other's offices.

"Ma'am?" One of her staff called her attention. "Kanina pa po kayo nakatayo diyan," Leon walked towards her. "Oh, I was just roaming around. Hihinga lang," Her staff tagged along with her entering the OVP again.

"May naalala po kayo?"

"Yes. The simpler times."

"You mean po si Sen. Reese?"

Leon stopped from walking and curiously looked at her staff.

"What do you mean?"

"Napansin ko po, actually namin, na hindi na madalas bumisita dito si Sen. just like she used to."

"Oh. Yeah it's true. Very busy na."

"I hope you can fix whatever happened Ma'am."

Leon didn't expect to hear it from her staff. She proceeded inside her office and continued finishing her work.

It's almost 8pm when she arrived at the lobby of her condo. Her two daughters were away for three days because of work. "You have visitor upstairs Ma'am," The guard advised her. Leon wasn't expecting a visitor. She went up and rode the elevator.

"Reese?" Leon saw her outside the unit. Before she could go near her, Reese ran towards Leon and hugged her tight. Leon couldn't move. She was just missing her earlier and right she's right here with her.

Confused of what's happening, Leon broke the hug and placed her hands on Reese's arms to ask her.

Before Leon could speak, Reese grabbed Leon's face and pressed her lips against hers.

What happened next was the thing they used to do.