暗影的面纱 (Veil of Shadows)

Chapter XII (Choose)

A number popped up on the Mayor's phone, interrupting her from what she was doing. She paused, glancing at the screen with a smile on her face, making her eyes look smaller.

It was Marco.

"Pack lightly po Mayor, and we will pick you up later😁"

It was Thursday, just as the Mayor and the male prosecutor had discussed a few days ago. Tomorrow, Friday, would be Stacey's birthday.

While on the messaging app, she sent a selfie to someone and noticed that her previous message had been seen but not replied to, leaving her a bit disappointed.

Seen?

The Mayor was working on some paperwork when someone knocked at the door.

"Come in"

Carla handed over additional paperwork, noting that it would be completed upon their return. They were heading to La Union, with Javier Delgado joining them, courtesy of Marco's invitation. Although it wasn't Marco's birthday, he seemed to have orchestrated the trip. Javier, who serves as Alice's bodyguard.

"Nagprepare na ba kayo" The mayor asked.

"Opo"

"Ikaw Javier?" She asked the man

"Tapos na po ma'am"

"Good"

She was just wrapping up her paperwork, feeling a sense of relief as she completed the last of it. She had already informed her Vice Mayor about her upcoming absence, explaining that she needed a few days off to attend to some personal matters.

As she tidied her desk, the chinita woman noticed a book that stirred emotions and nostalgia within her. It was a cherished relic from her childhood, a piece of her past she had always held onto.

It has been a while since she last opened it. She sat down in her chair and began to read the childhood book she used to cherish. Time had taken its toll; some of the text was now smudged and difficult to read, a testament to the book's age and the many memories it held.

She smiled the whole time as she read, her mind filling with vivid imaginations and dreams from her past. Each page brought back memories and a sense of wonder that she hadn't felt in years.

But the deeper she delved into the book, the sadder and lonelier she felt. Memories of a simpler time flooded back, highlighting the contrast with her present life and leaving her with a sense of longing.

While reading the book, she gradually closed her eyes and drifted into sleep, her head resting gently against the pages.

As she dived deeper into her dreams, she found herself running alongside her mother, the sensation of the grass beneath their feet as they chased one another bringing a profound sense of joy.

When they both finally rested, her mother began to sing a soothing song. She tried to hum along, but the lyrics remained unclear, growing more indistinct with each note. The melody felt comforting, yet elusive, fading into a blur as her dream drifted away.

Her phone rang, pulling her out of the dream, and she saw that it was Marco calling. She hummed in acknowledgment as he spoke on the other end of the line, then suddenly realized that they would be going out of town.

Mayor Tan's soul seemed to leave her body as she realized they had already arrived in front of the municipal hall.

She quickly grabbed her bag and rushed to the exit, bidding a hurried goodbye to her staff.

Alice was already outside the building when she was stunned by the sight before her; she hadn't been prepared for this. Thankfully, she was wearing her trousers, which provided her with some comfort and practicality in the unexpected situation.