Echoing of Power and Passion

09 (LDR)

She runs down the hallway of the Aguerro Empire, while some people run away from her, asking why she's late.

"Diyos ko naman, Mayora, 45 minutes nang naghihintay sa'yo si Gov. Galit na galit na siya!" She also starts running alongside the Mayora. When she faces her Father's main office, she sighs and opens the door.

"Good Morning, Dad," she greets softly.

"What the hell are you doing, Theresia?! This is the first time you've been late, and this is a very important meeting!" I bow my head in front of my father's desk, and he scolds me for the first time.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I've been so busy lately—"

"Busy with what? I know you, Theresia. Alam kong may pinagkakaabalahan ka na." I give my father a fearful stare. "I accept that you are bisexual, pero hindi ko akalaing magiging sugar mommy ka sa isang dancer." Risa felt offended, so she spoke on behalf of Alicia.

"Dad, she's a student, kasali siya sa isang dance company sa Banawi University. Hindi siya mababaw na dancer kagaya ng iniisip niyo." Though she's slightly angry, she tries to stay calm in front of her father.

"Isang estudyante, Theresia! Isang kahihiyan kung malaman ng mga tao ang tungkol sa inyo!" Her father approached her. "Risa, this is not you. Alam mong mali itong ginagawa mo," he said, holding her shoulder.

"Dad, I love her, please... bigay mo na sa'kin ito." I cried in front of my Dad. Vicente hugged his daughter.

"Anak, naguguluhan ka lang. Don’t waste your good image on a nobody," he said, shaking his head.

"But Dad—"

"Enough!" He shouted. "You have to maintain your good image, lalo na ngayon na trending ka because you saved your girlfriend. Pero syempre hindi alam ng mga tao yun."

"What? Trending?"

"I knew it, hindi ka active sa social media accounts mo. Alam mo naman na we get the heart of the people through social media. Magpakita ka lang ng kabutihan ng loob, mas lalo kang pagkakatiwalaan nila." He tapped his daughter's shoulder. "Isa kang bayani sa buong Pilipinas; ‘yan ang tingin nila sa’yo, so don’t waste it, hija."

"And?"

"Let's sit down." Vicente sat Risa down in his chair. "You're not running for my position, Risa. We've decided you will run as a Senator in the next election. Plinano namin ng Ninong Estrada mo na ikaw ang hahalili sa kanya bilang isang senador." Risa's eyes widened. Being a senator is a big responsibility; she didn't know how to handle things in the Senate.

"Dad, ang laking responsibility ng isang senador. I have a lot of plans to make in Banawi. Ayokong biguin ang mga kababayan ko."

"Don’t worry, ako mismo ang magte-train kay Daniel, and he will run for your position. Lahat ng plano at iniwan mo ay ipagpapatuloy niya." Risa felt helpless, as her Dad seemed to have made up his mind. When her Dad said she was obligated to do so, she had no choice but to comply.

---

**Alicia's POV**

Finally, it’s her finals, and she passed all her research files, exams, and performance tasks. She went home to the White House with a smile on her face. It was her last day at school, and she was very happy because she had already prepared all the documents for OJT.

"Baby, I'm home!" I opened the door, and as soon as I did, I saw Risa sitting at the dining table, staring blankly.

"..... Baby, what's wrong?" Risa turned to her and smiled before hugging her. Risa’s hug felt different—tight and lingering. "Risa, I know something is bothering you."