Always And Forever

I have decided

"I'm telling you, better send him back to the UK"

Imee paced around her grandfather's office, a glass of whiskey in hand. Iw wasn't even Eight in the morning, yet the amber liquid had already replaced coffee.

Fernando calmly puffed his cigar, "No". A cloud of smoke drifted between them. "He won't dare".
"Dare to what?", Imee stopped pacing.

"He won't dare to disobey me", Fernando tapped the ash into the tray. "Si Bongets", a smug smile appeared. "Alam n'ya kung hanggang saan lang sya."

Imee scoffed, "You sound too sure". She raised a finger, "Mind you, he changed...A lot".
Fernando simply chuckled, "Then we'll see". His eyes narrowed, "Alam n'ya kung paano ako magalit."

Before his granddaughter could answer, a voice caught both of their attentions.

"Good morning?"

Both looked at the door. Bongbong stepped inside with both hands tucked into his pockets. He glanced between the whiskey and the cigar filling the room with smoke. "Ang healthy naman nang breakfast n'yo?"

Fernando stood up and straightened his coat, "Just catching up with your sister". He walked around his desk, "So, have you decided?"

Ferdinand clicked his tongue, "Actually..." He excitedly slouched on the couch making Imee look at him and raise an eyebrow. "I want to buy a property, in Ilocos"

In what sounded like a delight for Fernando's ears, felt the opposite for Imee. "And?" she asked. Inevitably hating the projection of the conversation.

"I have decided. I think it's time to settle down"
" There you go", their grandfather's face visible brightened. "I knew you'd come to your senses."

Imee however, remained stiff. "What changed?
"You know the reason manang. I've told you", his smile alone told Imee everything. Sinasabi ko na nga ba.

"Great!", Fernando nodded approvingly. "Choose whichever property you want, we'll have it arranged."

=

"Wala na bang ibang balita sa Pilipinas?", Riza sighed dramatically as she scrolled through her phone. She was sprawled across Leni's office sofa while having her third cup of coffee for the day.

"Anong kinaaasaran mo ngayon?" Leonor glanced up from a patient's chart. Eyeglasses hanging by the tip of her nose.

Riza cleared her throat dramatically.
"Breaking: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Fashion Designer Isabella Monteverde Ended Their Three-Year Relationship"
She stared at her screen, "Tapos?", tossed her phone onto the table. "Anong ambag n'yan sa ekonomiya?"

Leni laughed and reached for Riza's phone. "Patingin nga". She scrolled through the article again,"Hmp, sayang, three years din yon".
"Marami naman atang pwedeng i balita bat mga ganyan pa?"
"Teka ba't na eembyerna ka?" Leonor jokingly crossed her arms and faced her friend."Pero infairness"
"in fairness ano?" Riza raised an eyebrow.
"Pogi sya ha"
"Pogi?" Riza's forehead wrinkled.
"Mukhang mabango"
"Pano mo nasabe?"
"Mukha lang"
"Mukhang mabango ampota"

Leonor's smug face successfully rage-baited Riza. She always disliked politicians, except for those who are true and pure, in contrast with Sherwin who came from a political dynasty. A major red flag that gives the idea that power is hierarchical, centralized in one family.

"Aba" Joseph suddenly entered the office and interrupted their conversation, "I thought you're in the OR?" He asked Leonor.
"Case got cancelled pa. Patient suddenly had a fever". She reasoned out.
"Well that's unfortunate" He sat on one of the chairs and looked at Riza. "I actually came here for you".

Joseph's words made Riza sat up, "Baket anong chika tito?"
"There's a VIP admission coming this afternoon"
"And?"
"I want you to take care of him"
"Baket ako?"
"You fit perfectly"
"Anong fit? Sino ba yan?"

Joseph leaned back on his seat, and breathed out. "Senator Win Gatchalian"