Accidentally Yours

We Meet Again

The mayor's secretary placed the coffee in front of the senators. "The mayor will be here any minute, senators. Do you need anything else?" she asked, polite but efficient.

Risa smiled. "No, thank you."

"Where's the comfort room?" Senator Gatchalian asked, excusing himself and following the secretary, leaving Risa alone in Alice's office.

As she glanced around the office, she couldn't help but notice the pink theme everywhere. Plushies dotted the room, and soft, rosy hues colored the decor. Hindi naman halatang link ang paborito niyang kulay Risa thought with mild amusement.

She walked toward a small architectural model displayed near the mayor's desk. It was a scaled-down version of Bamban, the city Alice governed. Risa studied it, amazed at how much the city had changed since her last visit, which was three years ago during her senatorial campaign. It was clear from the model that Alice had overseen significant transformations.

Beside the model, a blueprint caught her eye. It was a design for a university. So she's planning to build a university for her city? Risa thought, impressed yet skeptical. Building a university in a small city like Bamban was a massive undertaking, and with the country's tight education budget, it seemed almost impossible.

This project will be an uphill battle for sure.

As Risa examined the blueprint further, the door swung open. She heard a familiar voice, one that had been giving her headaches over the past few weeks. "I'm so sorry, did I keep you waiting?"

Risa looked up and saw Mayor Alice Leal Guo, dressed in a fitted black turtleneck, glossy high-waisted cargo pants with white text details, and platform combat boots. Her angular sunglasses and black helmet tied to her jacket suggested she had just arrived on a motorcycle.

Of course she rides a motorcycle, Risa thought, slightly amused.

"Where's Senator Gatchalian?" Alice asked, scanning the room and noticing Risa was alone.

"He excused himself to the restroom," Risa replied, still focused on the architectural model.

"Oh, I see. Feel free to look around, Senator," Alice said, her tone unexpectedly polite. It caught Risa off guard. May sira ba tong babae na toh she wondered, raising an eyebrow. They had clashed so much in their last interaction that Alice's sudden politeness was almost suspicious.

Alice placed her helmet on the desk, looking around as though she, too, wasn't familiar with the space. In fact, it was her first time in her own office. She didn't even know the chief of police earlier; she only recognized his rank from his uniform.

Well, this office definitely looks like hers, considering all the pink stuff in it.

"I didn't know you ride a motorcycle," Risa remarked, noticing the helmet Alice had just set down.

"It's sport I have since I was 18," Alice replied casually.

"You race?" Risa asked, surprised.

"Sometimes, yes. Legal races only," Alice quickly clarified, earning a chuckle from Risa.

"So, you're planning to build a university here in Bamban?" Risa asked, glancing at the blueprint again.

"Uh, yes, although we're still waiting for the approval," Alice admitted, though in truth, this was the first time she had even heard of the plan. Still, it sounded like a good idea to her future self, so she liked the idea and she didn't want Risa to know she was clueless about it.

"It'll be tough to get that approved, given the budget constraints. I doubt the national government will allocate the necessary funds," Risa pointed out. Despite the noble goal, she was fully aware of the country's financial limitations.

Alice, however, was unfazed. "We only need the approval, Senator. Once we have that, investors from around the world can help fund it. And if not, I'll raise the funds myself," Alice said confidently. She had no idea about the full scope of the project, but if there was one thing she knew, it was business. She had been running her family's empire since she was 14, and she had done an excellent job getting funds for this university will be a piece of cake for her.

Before Risa could respond, Senator Gatchalian re-entered the room. "Sorry about that. I had to take a call, so I took longer" he explained, walking over to Alice and offering his hand.

"Mayor, it's nice to see you again," he said with a smile, which Alice returned politely, though it was actually their first time meeting for Alice.

"Likewise, Senator," Alice responded, always keeping up appearances.

"By the way, I'm sure your staff or Senator Risa here already mentioned that we're here to inspect the POGO building," Gatchalian explained.

Alice nodded. "Opo, Sabi ni HEPE the area is clear, and we can visit the site now."

"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Risa said, and they all left the mayor's office.

---

Risa and Win Gatchalian sat together in the same van they had arrived in, while Alice led the way on her motorcycle, guiding their driver to the site.

"I can't believe she's into motorcycle racing," Win commented, still processing the information Risa had shared earlier.

"Given everything we've learned about her recently, I wouldn't be surprised if she also knew how to fly a plane," Risa joked.

"Well, she does own a helicopter," Win replied.

Alice Leal Guo was absurdly wealthy, owning everything from high-end cars and motorcycles to a helicopter. Everyone knew she came from a rich family and was a successful businesswoman, but the extent of her wealth still amazed them.

"But you know what?" Win said, his tone is more serious. "It's such a waste."

"What do you mean?" Risa asked, confused.

"She's a great leader. If it weren't for this scandal, she could've done a lot of good for her city," Win explained, shaking his head in disappointment.

Risa fell silent. She knew Win was right. Despite everything, Alice had done remarkable work for Bamban. Risa had seen it firsthand-the city had transformed under Alice's leadership, and the people had praised her during her reign even now. Even now, seeing the progress, Risa couldn't deny Alice's effectiveness.

It's ironic, Risa thought. A Chinese mayor managed to uplift her city, while many Filipino politicians only enriched themselves at the expense of the people.