Senator Risa Hontiveros, esteemed for her principles, finds unexpected love in Mayor Alice Guo, a covert operative posing as a mayor from a neighboring city. Their romance blooms amidst political tensions, but as Alice's true identity is uncovered...
I woke up to an empty bed, the space where Alice had been now cold. A sense of worry gnawed at me. I called out her name. "Alice?" but got no response.
Quickly, I got up and freshened myself. I tried calling Alice, but there was no answer. Texts also went unanswered. Good thing I had the location tracker on. According to it, Alice was still in the hotel, but on the 1st floor. What on earth was she doing there?
After splashing some water on my face to wake myself up, I hurried to the 1st floor. There, I found Alice seated at a cozy table, enjoying breakfast. The sight of her, serene and beautiful, left me momentarily stunned.
As I walked towards her, she noticed me and looked up from her plate. "Ms. Risa?" She called out, her voice curious.
I swallowed hard, trying to regain my composure. "May kailangan po kayo?" Alice asked, looking up at me.
"W-wala. What are you doing here?" I stammered, unable to tear my eyes away from her.
"Kumakain po." She replied nonchalantly.
"I know, pero bakit dito?" I pressed, still trying to understand her sudden change in behavior.
"Kasi po gusto kong mag-breakfast dito?" Alice replied, rolling her eyes slightly.
"Did you just roll your eyes on me?" I asked.
"Po? Hindi po ha?" She denied, though her expression said otherwise.
I sighed. "Alam mo, halika na, bumalik na tayo sa taas."
"Kumakain pa po ako eh. And aalis rin naman po kayo 'di ba? Edi dito po muna ako." Alice said, resisting my attempts.
"Alice please. Baka may makakita sa'yo dito at makilala ka."
"Puro foreigner naman po ang mga nandito, hindi naman po ako kil—" Alice started to protest.
"I just want you to be safe, okay?" I cut her off.
"To be safe po? Eh para naman po akong preso eh, nakakulong lang sa condo niyo." She said, her defiance making me clench my fists.
"Gusto mo pala maging malaya, edi linisin mo ang pangalan mo."
I saw her glaring at me slightly. "Ms. Risa, maaga pa po please. Ayoko po munang makipagtalo. Gusto ko lang pong mag breakfast."
I sighed. "Ayoko rin makipagtalo but you need to understand that it's not safe. Please, bumalik na tayo sa taas." I pleaded, trying to keep my temper in check.
"Bakit hindi na lang po kayo mag focus kay Ms. Leni?" Alice shot back, her voice laced with bitterness.
"Bakit ba palaging si Leni ang usapan dito? Ikaw ata ang may gusto sa kanya eh."
"Ugh. Balik na nga po tayo sa taas."
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
We walked back to the condo in silence. The tension between us was palpable, and I could feel Alice withdrawing even further. Once inside, she didn't even look at me. She just went straight to the room and closed the door.
I stood there, staring at the closed door, my heart heavy with worry. After a few minutes, I knocked gently. "Alice, can we talk?"
No response. I tried again, "Alice, please, we need to talk about last night."
Still nothing. I sighed and turned to leave, but then the door creaked open. Alice stood there, her eyes red from crying.
"Ms. Risa, gusto ko lang pong mapag-isa muna." She said quietly.
"I just want to understand what you're feeling." I replied softly.
Alice shook her head. "No po, hindi niyo po naiintindihan."
"That's why we need to talk. I can't help you if you keep pushing me away." I pleaded, taking a step closer.
Alice backed away, her face hardening. "Alam niyo po? Mas okay po na kay Ms. Leni na lang kayo mag focus. Kanina pa po siya tumatawag at nag te-text sa inyo."
"What are you talking about? Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa'yo na kaibigan ko lang si Leni."
"A friend? Really, Ms. Risa?" Alice laughed bitterly. "Kaibigan pero naghahalikan?"
"Hindi ko nga siya hinalikan." I said, shaking my head.
"I'm sorry to invade your privacy po pero nabasa ko po yung text niya kanina sa inyo, ang sabi niya po hindi niya raw po makalimutan yung halikan niyong dalawa."
"What? Alice, I swear on everything, I never wanted to kiss her, and I didn't kiss her."
"Eh bakit nag text po siya ng ganon sa inyo? Bakit sinabi niya po na good kisser kayo?"
"I don't know? Maybe wrong sent? And kailan niya sinabing good kisser ako?"
"Noong tumawag po kayo, noong gabing lasing po kayo."
"Hindi pa kita tinatawagan nang kasama ko si Leni kasi delikado, and yes, she said that I was a good kisser because we were talking about my wedding, the time I kissed my husband. Gusto mo ipakita ko pa sa’yo yung wedding video namin?"
She stepped back, her eyes filled with resolve. "P-po? A-ang gulo po, huwag niyo po muna akong kausapin."
I stood there, helpless and heartbroken, as Alice turned and closed the door once again. The sound of the lock clicking into place felt like a final barrier between us.
Kailangan kong bumawi sa kanya at mag explain. I thought.
I needed to do something to show her I cared, to make her feel seen and understood. Cooking was one way I knew I could reach her.
In the kitchen, I started preparing her favorite dish—sinigang na hipon. The aroma of the simmering sinigang filled the condo, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. As I chopped vegetables, I heard Alice’s door creak open. She peered into the kitchen, her expression guarded.
"Cooking lunch for us." I said, trying to keep my tone light. "Hmmm. Sinigang na hipon without ginger." I added.
I continued cooking, sneaking glances at Alice as she sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone.
Just as I was plating the food, someone knocked on the door. I wiped my hands on a towel and walked over to the door. Before opening it, I turned to Alice. "Are you expecting anyone?" I asked.
She shook her head. "No po."
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