THE CONGRESSMAN'S MUSE (Sandro Marcos)

Chapter 13: Flirting with Danger

The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the Ilocos countryside. Sandro's thoughts were elsewhere as he sat in his car, parked discreetly near an old lighthouse by the coast—a new spot for him and Lexi to meet. It wasn't just about finding a hidden place anymore; it was about finding time and space where they could pretend, even for a little while, that they weren't bound by the constraints of their lives.

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, glancing at his watch. Lexi would be arriving any minute now. The anticipation mixed with a creeping sense of unease that he couldn't quite shake. Their meetings had grown more frequent, more daring, and with each one, the risk of being discovered loomed larger.

Tonight, the risk felt especially palpable. Sandro knew that he was pushing the limits, flirting with the kind of danger that could unravel everything. Yet, the thought of seeing Lexi again was enough to push those fears to the back of his mind.

A knock on his window startled him from his thoughts. Lexi's smiling face greeted him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She opened the door and slid into the passenger seat, her presence instantly easing the tension Sandro hadn't realized he was holding.

"Hey," she said softly, leaning over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Sorry I'm late. Had to make sure I wasn't followed."

Sandro chuckled, shaking his head. "You're getting too good at this."

Lexi shrugged, her smile turning sly. "Adapt or get caught, right?"

They shared a laugh, but underneath it all was the unspoken understanding that their situation was becoming increasingly precarious. Sandro pulled out of the hidden spot, driving towards the beach where they often took walks. The sun was now halfway dipped into the sea, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange—a stunning backdrop that felt almost too serene for the tension they carried.

As they walked along the shore, the waves lapping gently at their feet, Lexi's hand found its way into Sandro's. He squeezed it lightly, savoring the simple joy of her touch. But even as they strolled in silence, Sandro couldn't ignore the nagging worry in the back of his mind.

"You're quiet," Lexi noted, glancing up at him. "What's on your mind?"

Sandro hesitated, unsure how to voice the concerns that had been weighing on him. He looked out at the horizon, where the sun was now a sliver of light against the darkening sky.

"I've been thinking," he finally said, his voice steady. "About us. About what we're doing."

Lexi's grip tightened on his hand. "And?"

"And... I can't help but wonder how much longer we can keep this up," Sandro admitted, his gaze still fixed on the sea. "We're playing with fire, Lexi. Sooner or later, someone's going to get burned."

Lexi was silent for a moment, processing his words. She knew he was right. The secrecy, the constant hiding, the lies—they were all necessary evils in the delicate balancing act they were performing. But that didn't make it any less exhausting.

"I know," she said softly, her voice tinged with resignation. "I think about it too. But what choice do we have? If we stop now..."

Sandro turned to face her, his expression filled with a mixture of frustration and longing. "I don't want to stop," he said firmly. "But I also don't want to put you in a position where you have to choose between me and your family."

Lexi's eyes softened, and she stepped closer, resting her forehead against his. "Sandro, I'm already choosing you. Every day, I'm choosing you. I just... I wish it didn't have to be so hard."

Sandro wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. They stood like that for a while, letting the sound of the waves fill the silence between them. Sandro's mind raced with possibilities, each one more implausible than the last. But as much as he wanted to find a way out of the maze they were trapped in, the reality of their situation kept pulling him back.

As they continued their walk, Sandro's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his heart sinking at the sight of his father's name flashing across it. He ignored the call, shoving the phone back into his pocket with a sigh.

"Another meeting?" Lexi asked, her tone laced with sympathy.

Sandro nodded. "Yeah. He's been on my case more than usual lately. I think he's starting to get suspicious."

Lexi frowned, her brows knitting together in concern. "Do you think he knows?"

Sandro shook his head. "Not yet. But he's close. And if he finds out... Lexi, I don't know what he'll do."

Lexi reached out, cupping Sandro's face in her hands. "We'll figure it out," she said, her voice firm. "Whatever happens, we'll handle it together."

Sandro nodded, grateful for her unwavering support. But even as he leaned into her touch, the weight of his father's expectations loomed over him. He knew that their time was running out, that the delicate balance they'd been maintaining was on the verge of collapsing.

They made their way back to the car, the mood between them more somber than when they'd arrived. As Sandro started the engine, Lexi placed a reassuring hand on his arm.

"Whatever happens, Sandro, I'm with you," she said, her voice steady. "We'll face it together."

Sandro nodded, his resolve hardening. He knew that their journey was only going to get more complicated, but as long as they had each other, he was willing to take the risk. He just hoped that when the time came, they would be ready to face the consequences of the choices they'd made.

Back in the comfort of her room, Lexi stared at her phone, her mind racing with the events of the evening. She knew that Sandro's concerns were valid, that the danger of being discovered was growing with each passing day. But she also knew that she couldn't walk away from him—not now, not when they'd come so far.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Sandro.

*"Made it home. Miss you already. Stay safe."*

Lexi smiled, her heart warming at the simple message. She quickly typed out a response.

*"Miss you too. Always."*

As she set her phone down, Lexi's gaze drifted to the framed photo on her desk—a picture of her and her father, taken at one of his campaign events. The Governor of Ilocos Sur had always been a formidable presence in her life, and she knew that if he found out about her relationship with Sandro, the fallout would be catastrophic.

But as much as she feared her father's reaction, the thought of losing Sandro was far worse. She couldn't imagine a life without him, without the secret smiles and hidden rendezvous that had become the highlights of her days. It was a dangerous game they were playing, but it was one she was willing to risk everything for.

Lexi sighed, her mind a swirl of conflicting emotions. She knew that they were running out of time, that the walls were closing in. But for now, she would hold on to the moments they shared, no matter how fleeting.

Because in the end, love was worth the danger. And as long as she had Sandro by her side, Lexi was willing to face whatever came their way.