THE CONGRESSMAN'S MUSE (Sandro Marcos)

Chapter 36: Unwanted Attention

The scandal had thrown Sandro and Lexi into the eye of the storm, but the initial shock was just the beginning. While some of the public had moved on to the next big story, a persistent cloud of scrutiny still loomed over them. Sandro's every move was dissected by political commentators, and Lexi's modeling gigs now included unwanted questions from reporters hoping to capture the next juicy soundbite.

Despite their united front, the relentless attention was taking its toll. Lexi found herself dodging paparazzi at every turn, their cameras always poised to catch her at her most vulnerable moments. Even simple tasks like grocery shopping or meeting friends had become an ordeal, with strangers whispering and pointing as she passed by. The harsh spotlight made her feel exposed and vulnerable, far from the confident woman she usually portrayed.

Sandro, on the other hand, was being hounded by political rivals who saw the scandal as an opportunity to undermine his credibility. In legislative sessions, he could feel the sideways glances and hear the whispered judgments. His every vote, every public appearance, was now shadowed by the specter of his relationship with Lexi.

One afternoon, as Lexi was leaving a modeling shoot, she was met by a throng of reporters blocking her path. The barrage of flashing cameras and shouted questions immediately overwhelmed her. She tried to maintain her composure, her sunglasses hiding the exhaustion in her eyes.

"Lexi! How do you respond to the claims that your relationship with Sandro is purely for publicity?"

"Is it true that the Governor of Ilocos Sur is planning to disown you over the scandal?"

"Lexi, do you think this attention is damaging your career?"

The questions were invasive and relentless. Lexi pushed through the crowd, her heart pounding. She was just trying to get to her car, but it felt like every step was a battle.

Finally reaching the safety of her vehicle, she slammed the door shut and took a moment to catch her breath. The reporters continued to shout outside, their cameras clicking incessantly. She rested her head against the steering wheel, tears stinging her eyes.

**When did my life become a spectacle?** she thought, feeling the weight of the unwanted attention crushing down on her.

Back in his office, Sandro was dealing with his own version of the nightmare. A political opponent had released a statement suggesting that Sandro's relationship with Lexi was compromising his ability to serve the public effectively. The rival accused Sandro of being distracted and implied that the scandal had become a weakness that his enemies could exploit.

Sandro's advisor, Luis, sat across from him, going through a stack of news articles. "They're painting you as reckless, Sandro. They're saying that your focus is divided between your duties and this relationship."

Sandro rubbed his temples, feeling the pressure mount. "I knew this would be tough, but I didn't expect it to become a weapon against me. It's like everything I do now is seen through the lens of this scandal."

Luis nodded sympathetically. "You've got to show them that you're still the dedicated Congressman they voted for. You need to control the narrative. We can set up some community events, show them you're committed to your work."

Sandro agreed, but he knew that no matter how much good he did, the shadow of the scandal would linger. It wasn't just about proving himself professionally—it was about reclaiming his own identity from the noise of the public and the press.

One evening, after a long day of dealing with media inquiries and political maneuvering, Lexi received a message on her private social media account. It was from someone claiming to be a fan, but the tone was unsettling. The message praised her beauty in a way that felt overly familiar, and the sender made references to her daily routine that only someone watching her closely would know.

At first, Lexi brushed it off as just another overzealous follower. But as the days passed, the messages became more frequent and more personal. They shifted from admiration to a disturbing obsession, with the sender expressing a desire to protect her from the world that was "unfairly attacking" her.

Feeling uneasy, Lexi decided to block the account and tighten her privacy settings. But the experience left her with a lingering sense of unease. It was one thing to deal with the public and the press, but this was something else—something darker and more invasive.

Lexi confided in Sandro about the messages. "I thought I could handle the attention, but this... this is different. It feels like I'm being watched all the time."

Sandro's expression turned serious. "We need to be careful, Lexi. This isn't just about public opinion anymore. It's about our safety."

They agreed to increase their security measures, but the incident was a stark reminder that not all attention was harmless. In the quest for public transparency, their lives had become a show for all to see, and not everyone watching had good intentions.

Seeking solace, Sandro and Lexi decided to spend a weekend away from the city, hoping to escape the relentless gaze of the media. They found a secluded villa by the sea, far from the prying eyes that had become a constant in their lives.

For the first time in weeks, they could relax without worrying about who was watching. They walked along the beach, the sound of the waves drowning out the noise of the outside world. They cooked meals together, shared quiet conversations, and simply enjoyed each other's company without the pressures that had been weighing on them.

"This is how it should be," Lexi said, her hand intertwined with Sandro's. "Just us, no cameras, no questions. Just... peace."

Sandro nodded, pulling her close. "We'll get through this, Lexi. I don't care what the world thinks. As long as we're together, we can handle anything."

The weekend away was a brief but necessary reprieve. It reminded them of why they were fighting so hard to be together. But as they packed up to return to their regular lives, they knew that the spotlight would be waiting for them, as harsh and unforgiving as ever.