Tangled Up With You

Chapter 3

A/N: I'm feeling generous because tonight's Abangan made me happy. So here's Chapter 3. :)

I said, "No one has to know what we do"

Present

"Of course I know her." Archie then began to elaborate, "Daughter of the late Senator Renato Cristobal... Didn't we go to the same school together, Roxanne?"

So this is how you want to play it?

She narrowed her eyes as if trying to remember his face then gave him a fake smile, "Kaya pala familiar ka. Yeah, that must be it."

Game on.

His grin grew as if reminding her that he knew her too well - that he could see right through her.

Ditto.

"We're glad to have you all onboard, Kenji and Roxy," the former VP graciously said. "I'm sure you're all wondering why my assistant here, Yosef, sounded the alarm bells early this morning. But please, let's all take a seat first."

It amazed Roxy how the former VP easily commanded the room without even trying. While everyone was taking their seats, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She discreetly slipped it out and read a text from Kenji.

KJ: Ang lagkit ng titigan! Kinikilig ako!

She pursed her lips and gave him a pointed look that said, "Get your shit together."

She unlocked her laptop screen and pulled up a blank document to take note of the minutes.

And this would probably be one of the juiciest MOM that their HQ will ever read.

The old man took off his glasses and wearily said, "I might have been too rash, but I did not want to spend another minute with the likes of him."

"Severing ties with Acosta as soon as you found out was the best course of action, Lolo," Archie assured his grandfather.

"He's a formidable foe, son," the old man warned, to which his grandson confidently replied, "So am I."

Roxy glanced up from her screen and stared at Archie, who was doing a terrific job of avoiding her gaze.

Tama na yung isang politician in the family.

Tanya recovered quickly from the surprise their new client dropped and clarified, "Archie? Are you telling me..."

"Yes, Tita. It's about time, isn't it?"

Tanya shifted her gaze to the older man, "Chief, are you sure about this?"

A long sigh was his sole reply.

"Tita," Archie began, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice.

Uh oh. She knew that tone.

"You probably still see me as a kid, but I'm 28 now. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't validate every word coming out of my mouth with my grandfather. My decision to run for the mayoral post is final."

Ever the professional, Tanya nodded and took the chastisement in stride. "Alright. So how do you want to move forward?"

He smiled charmingly and said, "Tita, I may be 28, but I'm not an expert." He leaned comfortably on his chair. "I want to know my options."

Tanya rolled her eyes at his antics and looked at her and Kenji. "What do you have for me?"

"People are clamoring for a new candidate to support now that news about Acosta's indiscretion have spreaded online like wildfire," Kenji commented.