In the high-stakes world of politics, love and betrayal often walk hand in hand. Six years ago, Alicia Go, a psychology student, fell in love with a mysterious woman she met while living away from home for college. That woman was Theresia Aguerro, t...
Risa was on FaceTime, video-calling her son while lying beside Alicia. She still had a lot of work to do, but now that they were both asleep, she missed them even more. It had been almost 15 days since she last saw her child and Alicia in person. She longed for their touch and presence, but she had to continue her therapy—she wanted to face Alicia without the pain she had caused four years ago.
"Excuse me po, Sen. Ri," Ate Gee said, entering the office and holding her phone. "You have to see this."
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"Ni-raid ang Lucky O'Casino sa Pangasinan?" Risa asked in shock. "I thought sa Santander lang meron nito since it was the first Lucky O'Casino sa Pilipinas."
"Hindi ko alam, Sen. Ri, but one thing for sure, Mayor Alice is in danger since may plano ang mga Cristobal na idiin si Mayor pagnagkataon."
"You're right," Risa said, taking her phone and calling someone. "Hello, Sir Dan², give me all information about Lucky O'Casino and Pinay Bratty in Santander. Call Eric to protect Alicia at any cost; hindi siya pwedeng madawit sa gulong to—she’s innocent." After a few responses, Risa hung up the phone, but suddenly, someone entered her office.
"Sen. Risa," Loren and Will entered. "Totoo bang may Lucky O'Casino sa Santander where Mayor Alice lives? Sen. Risa, malaking gulo 'to," Loren said in panic. Risa stood up and guided her to the couch.
"Alice is innocent. Look, aaminin ko, alam kong may ipapatayong Lucky O'Casino dun sa Santander four years ago. Ang pasimuno ay si Cong. Herman from Banawi, siya ang unang nagbukas ng Lucky O'Casino sa bansa, kasabwat nila ang mga Cristobal and—" She heard Alicia's phone ringing persistently.
"Sen. Ri, si Cath tumatawag sa akin. Is there a problem?" Risa, in panic, quickly grabbed her phone and called Eric.
"Hello, Eric, bantayan mo si Alicia. Magpapadala ako ng mga bodyguards from Banawi. My family should be protected," she said and hung up. She then called her brother.
"Daniel, magpadala ka ng mga bodyguards sa bahay ni Alicia ngayon. Make sure they are protected."
"Okay, Ate," he replied. She hung up.
"Sen. Risa, ano na?" Sen. Loren asked, still panicking, not wanting to be involved in this mess.
"Loren, you know her. She’s innocent. I’ll give you all the information later in your office, but for now, please leave. I have to make sure my son and Ali are protected. For sure, maraming tao na naman ang dadagsa sa bahay niya, gaya ng nangyari noon sa amin ni Patricia."
"Okay, I trust you—"
"Good afternoon, Senators. May pinabibigay daw po si Sen. Jinggoy, Sen. Risa," Ate Gee handed Risa the papers and placed them on her desk.
"We have to go. For sure, may pinadala rin si Jinggoy sa akin." They left the office, and Risa rushed to review the file. She sat on her swivel chair and began reading it.
