the Secret of Our Hearts: A Forbidden Love In The Halls of Power

Chapter 6 : In the middle of the Night

Ff.......

0ne week after

Imee's Pov

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the sprawling city.  I stood by the window of her room, my  gaze fixed on the distant lights, a familiar ache in her heart.

I had been avoiding Rodrigo, knowing the danger of our  secret, but the longing for him was a constant ache, a silent torment.

Suddenly, a soft rapping on my window started. I turned, my  breath catching in her throat as I saw Rodrigo standing there, his silhouette framed by the moonlight.

"Rodrigo," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"Nag-aalala ka ba na baka mahuli tayo?" He smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes and He said

"Hindi naman.  Pero dapat mag-ingat tayo." I shook her head, a nervous laugh escaping on my lips.

" Alam ko.  Pero hindi ko na kaya pang maghintay." He nodded, his gaze intense.

He climbed through the window, his presence filling the room with a warmth that I  had been craving.  He closed the distance between us, his hand gently cupping my face.

"Imee," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

"Ang ganda mo." He added

I blushed, my  gaze dropping to the floor. 

"Hindi naman," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper.

He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent shivers down her spine.

"Hindi ka nagsasabi ng totoo," he said, his thumb tracing the outline of my jaw.

"You are beautiful, Imee.  More beautiful than any woman I have ever seen." He added

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. 

"Imee," he whispered, his voice a low rumble.

"Gusto kong maramdaman ka." Sabi nya

I closed her eyes, a wave of longing washing over I. 

"Rodrigo," I  breathed, my voice trembling. 

"Hindi dapat tayo..." Sabi ko

He cupped my face, his gaze intense.

"Alam ko," he said, his voice firm.

"Pero hindi ko na kaya pang pigilan ang sarili ko.  I need you, Imee.  I need you in my life." He added

He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine .  The kiss was a whirlwind of emotions, a desperate yearning for something forbidden, yet so deeply desired.  It was a stolen moment, a secret shared in the shadows, a testament to the power of our love.

"Mahal kita, Imee," he whispered against my lips.

I closed my eyes, the words echoing in my heart.

"Mahal rin kita, Rodrigo." I sweetly said

We stood there for a long moment, lost in the intimacy of our embrace.  The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of us, our love a beacon in the darkness.

"Kailangan ko nang umalis," he said finally, his voice heavy with regret. 

"Pero babalik ako, I promise." He said

He kissed me one last time, a lingering touch that left me breathless.  Then he was gone, leaving me  standing alone by the window, the scent of his cologne lingering in the air, a reminder of their stolen moment.

Third Person POV:

The silence after Rodrigo's departure was deafening. Imee stood by the window, her hand tracing the cool glass, her mind replaying the warmth of his touch, the intensity of his gaze.  She felt a thrill, a dangerous excitement that pulsed through her veins, a feeling she hadn't experienced in years.

She turned away from the window, her gaze falling on the small, ornate table in the corner.  On it lay a half-finished embroidery project, a delicate floral design that she had started weeks ago, a way to distract herself from the turmoil within.  But now, with Rodrigo's memory fresh in her mind, she couldn't focus.

She picked up the needle and thread, her fingers clumsy, her thoughts a jumble of emotions.  She wanted to be strong, to resist the pull of her feelings, but the desire for him was a relentless tide, pulling her deeper into the dangerous currents of their forbidden love.

A soft knock on the door startled her.  She quickly put down the embroidery, her heart pounding in her chest. 

"Pasok," she whispered, her voice trembling.

The door creaked open and her maid, Aling Marta, entered, her face etched with concern. 
" Ma'am. " she said, her voice low. 

" May bisita po kayo."

Imee's stomach lurched.  She knew who it was.

"Sino?" she asked, her voice betraying her nervousness.

Imee felt a wave of panic wash over her.  Rodrigo had been gone for less than an hour, and now the President himself was here?  What was he doing here?  What did he want?

She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

"Sabihin mo sa kanya na maghintay lang ako," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Aling Marta nodded and left the room, leaving Imee alone with her racing thoughts.  She knew she couldn't avoid him forever.  But what would she say?  How could she explain the impossible situation they were in?

She closed her eyes, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She was caught in a web of her own making, a web woven with threads of passion and danger, a web that threatened to unravel her entire world.  But even as fear gnawed at her, a flicker of hope remained.  She loved Rodrigo, and she knew he loved her.  And that, she realized, was the only thing that truly mattered.

A few moments later, Aling Marta returned, her face a mixture of worry and curiosity.

"Ma'am Imee , nasa sala na po si Presidente Duterte," she said softly.

"Nais po niyang makausap kayo." She added

Imee took another deep breath, forcing herself to stand tall.

"Pakisabi kay Presidente Duterte na susunod na ako."   She turned to Aling Marta, her voice firm. 

As she walked towards the sala, her heart pounded in her chest.  She knew this was a turning point, a moment that could change everything.  She took one last look at the unfinished embroidery, a symbol of her shattered peace, and then stepped into the unknown, her fate hanging in the balance.