A Marcos (Sandro, Simon And Vincent Marcos Fanfiction)

Manila

The airport buzzed with activity, a symphony of announcements, luggage wheels rolling, and excited chatter. I navigated through the crowd, a suitcase trailing behind me, a mixture of excitement and apprehension swirling within me. I was finally going home.

Stepping out of the airport, I was greeted by a wave of familiar warmth – the humid Manila air, the vibrant chaos of the city, the cacophony of sounds that only Manila could produce. A familiar car pulled up beside me, the window rolling down to reveal Luis's grinning face.

"Welcome home, Max!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with excitement.

I grinned, throwing my arms around him. "It's good to be back, Luis."

The ride home was a whirlwind of excited chatter. Luis filled me in on all the latest gossip – Sandro's latest business venture, Alfonso's new girlfriend, and the ongoing rivalry between Vincent and Simon, which, according to Luis, had reached epic proportions.

As we pulled up to the familiar driveway, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. The old mango tree still stood tall, its branches heavy with fruit. The sound of children playing filled the air, a comforting reminder of home.

The front door burst open, revealing a cacophony of greetings and excited shouts. My parents, their faces beaming, embraced me tightly. My brothers, Luis and Alfonso, showered me with playful punches and teasing remarks. Even Kuya Matt, who had been unusually quiet throughout the conversation, gave me a warm hug.

The reunion was everything I had hoped for, a whirlwind of laughter, tears, and shared stories. I spent the next few days catching up with friends, reliving old memories, and exploring the city that had always felt like a part of me.

Then, came the family dinner, a grand affair hosted by my parents. The house was bustling with activity, the air filled with the aroma of delicious food and the lively chatter of family and friends.

As I entered the dining room, all eyes turned to me. My cousins, their faces a mixture of surprise and curiosity, greeted me with enthusiastic hugs and playful banter.

And then, I saw him.

Standing beside my parents, looking more handsome than ever, was Mayor Mark Alcala. A wave of surprise washed over me, quickly followed by a strange sense of déjà vu.

"Maxine," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "Welcome home."

He stepped forward, extending a hand. "It's been too long."

As I shook his hand, I felt a strange disconnect, as if I was watching the scene unfold from a distance. The room seemed to shrink, the noise fading into a distant hum.

"Maxine, this is Mayor Alcala," Mom introduced, her voice beaming with pride. "He's been such a wonderful friend to your father."

The room erupted in a flurry of introductions and polite greetings. But I could feel the undercurrent of tension, the unspoken questions hanging heavy in the air.

Sandro, his face a mask of feigned amusement, raised an eyebrow. "Mayor Alcala, the pleasure is all ours. Though I must say, I'm surprised you're not out campaigning. Elections are just around the corner."

Vincent, ever the charmer, offered a thinly veiled compliment. "The city is lucky to have such a dedicated public servant."

But behind their carefully crafted smiles, I could see the simmering resentment, the unspoken competition that had always existed between them.

Just as the tension reached a near-boiling point, the front door swung open and Simon walked in. He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, finally landing on me. His expression was a mixture of surprise and... something else. Something I couldn't quite decipher.