"Pretty Little Promise's"

Chapter 23 lamp-post sixth street

Risa Pov:

The alarm clock blared, jolting me awake. It was a new day, and I was supposed to be a senator. A senator! The realization hit me like a wave, and I let out a groan, burying my face in the pillow for a moment.

"So, how's that case going?" I asked Loren, my voice still thick with sleep. "Before Alice left, we were knee-deep in that mess about the senator and the stolen budget."

Loren, sprawled on the couch, shrugged. "Still a work in progress. We're making progress, but... well, you know. kailan Ka ba Kase uuwi? We need you here."

"I'll be back with Alice on Monday," I said, my voice tinged with a hint of weariness. "We're flying back together."

Loren sat up, her eyes widening. "My gosh, Risa, that's three days away! We need you here!"

"Relax, Loren. Three days is just a blink of an eye. I'll be back," I said, forcing a smile.

The Zoom meeting was a blur of political jargon and rapid-fire questions. I navigated the conversation with a mix of confidence and exhaustion. My mind kept drifting back to Alice. I wondered if she was awake, if she was missing me as much as I was missing her.

My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Ms. Risa?" a familiar voice called out.

"Come in, Alice! The door is open!" I said, my voice laced with a mix of excitement and relief.

The door creaked open, and Alice stepped inside, her face glowing with a warmth that rivaled the morning sun. Her hair was loose, cascading over her shoulders in a gentle wave, and her eyes sparkled with a playful light.

"Morning," she said, her voice like a sweet melody. "gising ka na pala"

"Morning, to" I said, smiling. "And I see you're already whipping up breakfast. Hindi ka naman Siguro naka sunog ano?" I joked, my heart warming at the sight of her.

"No,Po" she said, laughing.

"oh mabuti Naman Kung ganon" I said, my voice sincere.

She turned, her gaze lingering on the laptop screen. "Sino Po yang kinakausap mo?" she asked, her voice soft.

"Just a few of the other senators," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

so since zoom meeting Nga Yon Nasa 19 senators Yung Ka Meeting ko "Oh, is that Senator Imee?" she asked, her eyes widening. She pointed towards the screen, her finger hovering near the image of the elegant senator.

"Yep," I said, nodding. "She's a real gem, you know."

Alice smiled. "Hi, Sen! I miss you! Uuwi na Kami sa Monday. I miss you so much!" she said, waving enthusiastically at the screen.

Imee, caught off guard, looked at the camera, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh, Alice, it's so good to see you! I miss you, darling! I can't wait to see you!"

I winced, my face flushing with embarrassment. This was a Zoom call with the other senators, not a social hour. Alice, oblivious to the subtle cues, continued to chat with Imee, her voice bubbling with excitement.

With a sigh, I reached for the mute button, silencing Alice's enthusiastic chatter.

"Why did you mute it Po....?" Alice asked, pouting. "Is she not my friend too?"

I tried to stifle a laugh. "Alice, this is a Zoom meeting with the other senators. You're still in your pajamas. It's not exactly the most appropriate attire for a formal political meeting," I said gently.