To Win a Loser's Heart

Step 8: Obey

"No."

Bongbong was sighed after hearing the answer of the former vice president. It was the third day of him convincing her to stay as the DepEd Secretary. It was also the third day of him following her around like a dog.

Today, she gave the same answer at parking of the mall of Asia where an art fair that she visited took place. Her staff was getting ready to leave when the president arrived asking for a conversation with the attorney.

"Leni..." He complained, looking at her who was seated beside inside his van.

They asked the driver to leave them to talk. Thankfully, the media was already gone when Bongbong arrived. Though there were few people who took pictures of them, they were not able to follow until his van.

He was getting used to calling her by her nickname. He did not know where he got it but he knew that he wanted to feel closer to her and that was one of his ways.

"I told you, Marcos. Gusto ko mang magDepEd secretary, my expertise doesn't belong there." As a habit, she placed her hand on his arm.

That simple touch sent bolts of electricity crawled up his skin. After carefully assessing his feelings and conversation with himself in the mirror, he concluded that he was not good enough for her — considering her past relationship which was an almost perfect love story. He could not compete with that.

Leni might have realized that his consciousness had flown out of his body since she retreated her hand. "I-I mean..." She struggled to continue. "Angat Buhay." She finally managed to say. "Kailangan ko to be somewhere I can continue sa pagtulong sa kapwa. I need to continue Angat Buhay."

The president was not able to answer. He had been thinking of a solution but did not want to get her hopes up.

Thinking that Bongbong would not answer, she moved to open the door of the van. "If wala ka nang sasabihin, aalis na ko."

---

"Bakit nga ulit tayo pupunta kay Imee?" Martin asked while following the president on his way to his sister's office at the Sandigang Bayan.

"I need to talk to her personally." He answered — trailing behind them were the PSGs who refused to leave the president.

His cousin kept asking. "Ha? Bakit?"

Bongbong halted. "Leni wanted to be the DSWD secretary instead."

"Wow." Martin reacted instantly in shock. "What the boss wants, the boss gets." He laughed and tapped the president's shoulder. "Wala pang kayo, under ka na."

He fought the urge to smack his face but knew it was true. He did not need to give her a position on his cabinet but he did not want to waste her potential. Plus — he did not want her to go back to Naga for good.

"Nililigawan mo na ba?" Martin continued asking when they resumed their walk.

He was already gritting his teeth. He did not want to hear those kinds of questions. It reminded him of the fact that he could not have her. "Hindi."

"Why not?"

He glared at his cousin. Martin gestured to shut his mouth. The next few minutes were silent before they reached the door of the office.

"Bongets," Imee, his elder sister, welcomed both of them with a kiss on their cheeks. "What brings you here?" She asked — guiding them in.

Bongbong motioned for the PSGs to stay behind as they closed the door behind them. "Manang, change of plans." He announced.

"What?" Imee replied while fixing cups of tea on her coffee table. "Which plan?"

"I know I promised you na you'll be the DSWD secretary pero I need to give it to someone else." He explained as they sat on the couch across each other.

Martin did not speak.

Imee frowned. "Who?"

He did not know what to say. Truth be told, he just badly wanted to be with the former vice president. He could find other people to replace her but he could not find anyone who could make him feel things.

"Leni Robredo." Martin finally blurted out — the seal on his mouth finally gave in.

"Leni?" Imee scoffed. "Yung babaeng copycat ni Cory?"

"Manang naman." He said with a tone that he could only use on his sister. "Please?"

"Give me a reason muna." She demanded.

"I-" He started but stopped — knowing well that he had no reasons other than...

"He likes her." Martin dropped the bomb.

Imee brushed her palm over her face — disappointed. "Ano ba naman 'yan, Bongets. Bakit naman ang kaaway mo pa?"

"Hindi lang naman 'yon, Manang." He defended.

"So, you like her nga?" Her eyes were in a state of shock.

There was no reason to lie. "Yes." He finally admitted. "But, hanggang do'n lang 'yon. From her point of view, I am her rival."

Imee did not speak. Instead she thought for a moment. "Why her?"

"I don't know." He replied — frustrated. "I hate her so much. Why would I feel something like this?" His hand went to his sister's arm just like he would always do when he was asking her for anything.

The senator looked at her brother and realized something. "You're fucking in love, idiot." She declared while looking at his eyes and how he was clutching her arm just to get what he wanted. In that very moment, an image of his little brother when they were young flashed through her eyes.

"What do I do?" He asked desperately.

"Give her the position she wants." Imee finally answered. "— in your cabinet, not in bed. Not yet."

He laughed because of his sister's remark.

"Then, I think I have an idea." She said with a grin across her face. She fished her phone in the pocket of her jeans and dialed a number.

The pair stared at her — waiting.

"Hi, can you help me out on something?" They heard Imee said to the person who answered the phone. "Okay. I'll text you the details."

She looked so excited. Her eyes were sparkling when she looked back at them before saying...

"Thank you, Louise."