Risa Pov:
Upon arriving home at the condo, I grabbed a bottle of alcohol from the fridge and drank until late at night, tears streaming down my face. The next morning, I found myself lying on the floor near the bed, surrounded by empty bottles of alcohol. I decided to skip going to the office and opted to rest at the condo.
I slept the entire day at the condo, feeling the emptiness of being alone without Leni by my side. When I woke up at 5:00 PM, hunger struck, prompting me to venture out to a nearby restaurant. The place was quiet, and after a meal, I paid and headed back to the condo. However, as I approached my car, I realized it had a flat tire, leaving me stranded with no means of transportation.
I tried to hail passing vehicles, but none stopped for me. Just when I felt helpless, a car pulled over in front of me, revealing Alice behind the wheel.
"Madam chair Gabi na po Why are you out here on the road?" she inquired.
Noticing the flat tire, she offered,
"madam chair sumakay ka nalang po samin"
"I can manage," I replied, a hint of annoyance in my tone.
She spoke again,"Madam Chair, come on, let me give you a lift. Don't let your pride get in the way."
Reluctantly, I opened the passenger door and saw Wesley sleeping in the back seat. Alice softly said,
"Hon, I miss you."
I glared at her, exasperated."Are you stupid? Do you really think we're still together, Alice? We're over "
She fell silent for a moment, then resumed driving, dropping me off at my condo. As she was about to open the door for me, I swiftly exited the car, heading towards my condo without a word.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Time skip✂️
As I settled into bed, a wave of regret washed over me. The harsh words I'd spoken to Alice echoed in my mind, a bitter taste lingering on my tongue. I let out a heavy sigh, a deep ache settling in my chest.
I couldn't bear the silence any longer. I got out of bed and walked to the cabinet where I had hidden our picture, a tangible reminder of a love that felt both distant and painfully close. Dusting off the frame, I traced the outline of our smiling faces, the image a portal to a time when our laughter was a symphony, our love a vibrant melody.
The echoes of our shared joy, the warmth of her touch, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief, it all came flooding back. Tears streamed down my face, blurring the edges of the picture. I wiped them away, my voice a choked whisper, "Alice, I still love you."
The words felt both fragile and powerful, a confession whispered into the quiet of the night. I knew I had hurt her, and I didn't know if I could ever make it right. But in this moment, with the picture in my hands and the ache in my heart, I knew one thing for sure: my love for her, though buried beneath layers of guilt and regret, was still alive.
Alice Pov:
I sank into the plush embrace of the couch, a sly smirk playing on my lips. "The games begin," i murmured, a touch of wicked delight in my voice. I know she still loves me."
Wesley, who had been dozing on the other side of the room, perked up and sauntered towards me, taking a seat beside me. "Ate, what?"
"Wala" I replied casually, trying to sound nonchalant, but the mischievous glint in my eye betrayed my true intentions.
"Hmm... Was that Senator Risa who got in the car with you earlier?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of disbelief.
"Hindi" I said, knowing full well he was right.
"No? I saw her!" he insisted, his eyebrows shooting up in mock outrage.
"Alright, alright," I conceded, a playful smile spreading across my face."It was her."
"You should have left her there, not helped her," he chided, his voice dripping with mock seriousness.
"She's a bad person, Ate. She got you in trouble!"
I stood up and playfully pinched his ear, a mischievous glint in my eye. "You're turning into a little villain, na ha masama Yan"
"Ouch, Ate... that hurts!" he protested, rubbing his ear.
I giggled, "Sorry, Ikaw Kase, Now, go take a shower and get some sleep."
He obeyed, grumbling a little but ultimately doing as he was told.
"okay po madam" he muttered, shuffling off towards the bathroom.
I watched him go, a sense of amusement washing over me. I knew I was playing a dangerous game, but I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. The stakes were high, but I was ready to play. The game had just begun, and I was determined to win.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Time Skip✂️
The second day dawned with a knock on my door, a harbinger of the storm that was brewing. The OSAA stood there, their faces etched with a mixture of formality and concern, handing me an invitation. The Senate hearing had been moved, and it was scheduled for tomorrow. A chill ran down my spine, a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach.
I sank to the edge of the bed, the weight of the impending hearing pressing down on me. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the edges of the room. Suddenly, I heard Wesley's voice, a soft whisper that cut through the silence. He had opened the door and was looking at me with concern. "Ate, why are you crying?"
I wiped away my tears, trying to compose myself, but the tremor in my voice betrayed my inner turmoil. Wesley, ever the perceptive one, sat beside me on the bed and wrapped his arms around me in a comforting embrace.
"Ate, I know the hearing is tomorrow," he said, his voice a soothing balm.
"But you'll be okay. You've got me, and I'll always be by your side."
I smiled at him, a bittersweet expression that mirrored the conflicting emotions swirling within me.
No, Bunso, you can't be involved in this. This is my fight, and I won't drag you into it."
He tightened his grip on me, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Ate, I'm your brother Po.. We're family. We face everything together, no matter what."
I stood up, my heart aching with a mixture of love and frustration.
"i don't want you to get hurt. I won't allow you to be caught in the crossfire. Leave my room. Let me face this alone."
He reluctantly obeyed, but I knew I had hurt him with my words. I didn't want to involve him, but the thought of facing this alone was a terrifying prospect. I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, my heart torn between protecting my brother and facing the storm that was about to break.
