His Surname

9: The Victor

She would lose.

After all the hate comments Leni was still receiving, she knew she would lose. It was inevitable and yet she did not want to concede. She did not want to give the Marcoses that kind of satisfaction.

Maybe I want you too.

She remembered thinking that the last time they. "Oh, for fuck's sake." She said kicking the ground like a kid.

"Okay ka lang, Congresswoman?" Risa Hontiveros, her friend, asked beside her. The senator was trying to hide her laugh.

They were now at the Aquinos mansion to watch the live counting of the votes. Earlier that day, Leni had cast her vote in Naga. Bongbong was leading since the start of the count and Leni anticipated a major loss already but the number of votes was not too far.

She stayed at her seat with her hands clutching the armrest of the beautiful mahogany armchair. "I'm just nervous." She replied, trying to forget about the thought she just had.

Fuck that devil.

She was continuously cussing in her head. Bongbong's antics had been making her mad. How could that devil even make her feel confused?

"Calm down, Lens." Kit, who just arrived at their seat, told her. His right palm travelled on her back to comfort her.

Risa saw it. It was not a simple touch of friendship. "Ito pala ang problema ng magaganda." She murmured that made Leni look at her. Her eyes went to Kit - telling Leni what she meant.

Leni smiled sweetly. "Bwisit."

Risa then gave her attention to Kit. "Ikaw ba, congressman, pinopormahan mo 'tong si kumare?" She straightforwardly asked.

Kit was taken aback. "A-ano." His eyes tried to ask for Leni's help but he saw that the congresswoman was also waiting for an answer. "Hindi." He responded. "We're friends since God knows when." Leni remembered that it was the same thing she said but she felt disappointed.

She knew that they were friends but Kit's treatment made her feel like there was something more. As much as she did not want to admit it, she liked how it felt to be cared for.

Their conversation was cut off when there was a sudden eruption of cheers among the people who went there for viewing - mostly Liberal Party members.

Leni could not believe it. Looking at the screen, she saw how she finally took the lead after hours of counting. "Oh my God." She mouthed and looked at Risa who was gaping in surprise as well.

It was the time she realized that she could win.

Hours passed and her lead on votes stayed. She could hear her heart wanting to escape from her ribs because of excitement - anxiety. She did notP know. It was both a privilege and responsibility.

***

Leni won.

Bongbong did not know what to feel. He wanted to be happy for her but he could not. Imelda was standing in front of him as he was trying to eat his breakfast - her hands on her waist.

"They cheated." She snapped. "How can that woman win with all the hate comments? I refuse to believe it."

He hated to admit it but his mother was right. Even though he did not intentionally ruin her reputation, he still felt disappointed to think that the congresswoman cheated.

Did she cheat?

"We will file an electoral protest." Imee said from behind him.

He put his mug of coffee down. "Please. I'm just trying to have breakfast here."

After eating, he went back to his room and prepared himself to go somewhere. He dialed a phone number while fixing his polo.

"Where is she now?" He asked and was answered by the person on the other line instantly. "I see. Thank you." He dropped the call and picked up his key.

Imee saw him walking out. "Sa'n ka?"

"Please take care of the protest for me, Manang." He said and kissed her cheek. "I will try to comfort myself."

"By going to her?" Imee retorted.

Bongbong sighed. "Manang..."

His sister smiled and tapped his back. "Go. Get what you really want."

He nodded happily. Imee watched him run out of the mansion. She had not seen that smile in a while. She, of all people, understood how Bongbong felt. As the junior of the former dictator, he was expected to  be as tough and as smart as their father.

"Where is he going?" Imelda asked as she emerged from the living room.

"Give him a break, ma." She said. "He's been through a lot."

***

Bongbong had been standing outside the door for almost five minutes. He had been gathering up the courage to knock but he had so many things in his mind.

Just when he was about to pound the door with his shaking fist, the door opened. From there, emerged the most beautiful woman he knew. Everything about the election was forgotten and all he could think of was how to make the frown on her face a smile.

"Senator," The vice president-elect said as soon as their eyes met.

He could not read her emotions.

Is she happy to see me?

Is she mad?

He gulped before speaking. "Congress-" Before he could speak further, Leni grabbed his arm and yanked her inside the condo.

She immediately shut the door close. "Anong ginagawa mo dito nanaman?" This time, the annoyance was evident in her voice.

"I want to talk to you." Bongbong said. "Can you give me a chance?"

Her forehead creased. "Chance? Na ano? Na siraan ulit ako?"

He held her arms which made her look at his eyes. "Can we separate our personal lives sa trabaho natin?" He pleaded softly.

In his eyes, Leni could see sincerity. "Senator, we're politicians. Ano tayo corporate employees? How can we even separate ang personal lives natin?"

Bongbong shook his head. "I-I don't know." He said honestly. "Ang alam ko lang na may nararamdaman ako for you."

Leni stepped away from his touch. "No." She remembered how Kit's feelings had been confusing her for months. "Maybe you like the thrill of making me like you. Naguguluhan ka lang."

He chortled. "Matanda na tayo, congresswoman. Tingin mo ba hindi ko pa din kayang i-assess yung nararamdaman ko?" Then, he grabbed her hands. "I'm not asking you to like me back now." He started. "Pero kung gusto mo now, why not." He suddenly added that made Leni suppress an amused laugh. "But please give me a chance."

Leni nodded slowly.

His face brightened. "Really?" He almost jumped in happiness. "Thank you!" His hand pulled her to a peck on the lips.

Leni's eyes widened. "Sabi mo 'give me a chance' muna. Chansing naman yung ginagawa mo." She said jokingly.