Bound by Duty

01: STORM

Disclaimer:
purely imagination of authors, none of these really happens in real events.

A: Pabasa po ulit ng intro, may unting pagbabago akong ginawa dun. Thank you😚
Sorry if it's taglish ha, kinda hard for me na to write a pure tagalog eh. Mahirap na siya ng unti🤏
Anyways, enjoy reading!

Alice Pov

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the small city of Bamban, Tarlac but inside my office, the atmosphere was anything but gloomy.

I sat down at my desk, fingers tapping nervously against the polished wood as I stared at the stack of papers before me. The headlines screamed from the morning’s newspaper.

"MAYOR ALICE LEAL GUO, UNDER INVESTIGATION: Allegations of Corruption Surface."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I had dedicated my entire life to public service, fighting for my community and pushing for progressive policies that would uplift the marginalized. Yet here I was, facing the very real possibility of losing everything I had worked for.

I can't bare it! Hindi to totoo, please!

These allegations were serious—bribery, misuse of funds, and a slew of other accusations that painted me as a corrupt politician. It felt surreal, like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.
"Mayora?" My assistant, my secretary, and sister by heart, ate Gee poked my head through the door, concern etched on my face.

"Senator Risa is here."
My stomach twisted at the mention of Ms. Risa’s name. The senator had been a vocal critic of my administration, often questioning my decisions and calling for greater accountability.
Our encounters had always been charged, filled with tension and sharp words. Now, with the storm of scandal brewing against me, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of dread and anticipation.

"Send her in," I replied, forcing a calmness into my voice.

Moments later, Senator Risa entered the room, her presence commanding and fierce. She was dressed in a tailored navy suit, her dark hair pulled back into a sleek bun. There was no mistaking the intensity in her gaze as she approached my desk.

"Mayor Alice," Sen. Risa said, her tone is cool and professional, but I could sense the underlying tension between us. "We need to talk."

"Right," I replied, trying to maintain my composure. "I assume you’re here to discuss the investigation?" Sen Risa crossed her arms, her expression unreadable.

"I'm here because I care about this city, and I want to help you. But you need to understand that these allegations are serious. You can’t just brush them off."

I felt a flash of anger. "I'm not brushing anything off, Senator Risa. I’m fighting for my name and my administration. You know I’ve always prioritized transparency and accountability."

"Then why did you approve that development project without proper oversight?" Ms. Risa shot back, her voice rising. "You’re putting the city at risk, Mayor Alice. This isn’t just about you, it’s about the people who depend on you." I clenched my jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I did what I thought was best for the community. Not every decision is going to be popular, Ms. Risa."

"Popular or not, you have to be held accountable" she replied, her tone softening slightly. "I want to help you navigate this, but you have to be willing to listen."

The tension in the room hung thick around us, and I felt a flicker of vulnerability. I had always admired Senator Risa’s passion and dedication, even if sometimes our political philosophies often clashed. But now, in the face of potential ruin, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.