The Mayor's Secret

PROLOGUE

"Good afternoon," I greeted as I entered the room, instantly capturing everyone's attention.

The click of my heels reverberated through the vintage floor as I confidently made my way to the last seat in the meeting room. The lady stationed near the projector paused, waiting for me to settle into the swivel chair.

All eyes were on me—my colleagues and teammates—astonished by how I effortlessly stole the show, even with my ten-minute delay.

I had to apologize for my tardiness. The meeting couldn't proceed without my presence; after all, I was Serena—the most important person in the room.

"My apologies for being late. Ms. Ferrer, please continue," I said, maintaining my composed demeanor.

As the girl caught sight of me and my poker face, her complexion turned pale. Ms. Ferrer, the woman at the front, began to report on various cases, but one in particular caught my interest—Guillermo.

She began her report on Guillermo, a notorious drug dealer believed to be involved in a prison break at the bilibid.

I had to track him down. The government was my client, and I couldn't afford to let him slip away when I had the means to capture him.

A sigh escaped my lips upon hearing her words. It was disappointing. No updates on the case?

"Why are there still no updates on his case? We had a lead, didn't we?" I inquired, my disappointment evident.

"But Madame! The lead information was too vague, and there were inconsistencies in the witness statement—" I interrupted her immediately. I didn't need an explanation from a young employee stumbling over her words.

"What?!" I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, the information may be broad, but it can still lead somewhere! Leave this room, and start working on it. Don't disregard any crucial details based solely on a witness statement."

That was a constant reminder—our principles when it came to tracking down high-profile criminals.

"The statement is clear, Madame."

Her words ignited a fire within me. Was she testing my patience? Ms. Ferrer's persistence grated on my nerves.

"I can't believe I have someone like you under my supervision, Ms. Ferrer," I began, a glint in my eyes. My words pierced through her, and I observed a mix of shame and tears in her eyes. "Is this what I taught you? Is this how I trained you? NO! Perseverance and professionalism are our standards. We are not lazy girls in tuxedos, Ms. Ferrer. Don't present me with reports like this."

"The board has already discussed and accepted this type of report—"

"I said, leave," I said directly, locking eyes with her. This girl was testing my limits. I had just arrived, and this was what I encountered. "...or else I'll fire you for your incompetence."

Her demeanor showed that my words had struck a nerve. How dare she inform me that there were no updates on the case when I had given her team two weeks to work on it?

The meeting concluded, and everyone left the room. I took a different exit, a back door that led to a hallway. As I walked towards my office, I entered through a glass door and settled into my swivel chair. My day had been marred by Ms. Ferrer's report.

I jumped in surprise when I heard a cheerful exclamation.

"Madame~"

"Why are you in such high spirits, Margie?"

Margie Lastimosa, my personal assistant—or should I say, my secretary—entered the room with a wide grin on her face, engrossed in her phone. She approached me and handed me a cup of iced americano, my favorite.

"Madame, Sir Herrera would like to speak with you. In his office, 4 PM, Madame."

I nodded, taking a sip of my coffee. Time flew by quickly, and I had to attend the meeting with my boss, Sir Marcial Herrera.

I knocked on the glass door of his office located on the top floor of our building.

"Come in, Madame. Sir Herrera is waiting for you in his office."

I acknowledged the woman who opened the door and stepped inside. It was a spacious room, occupying the entire floor. I entered through the third door and found an elderly man in his fifties, seated on a beige sofa, holding a cup of tea.

"What's up, Dad?"

A smile crossed his face as I referred to him as Dad. I composed myself and took a seat opposite him on the sofa.

Time had left its mark on his face—his once handsome features now faded, covered in wrinkles, and his skin showing signs of age. My Dad was in his late fifties. He was my idol, the man I looked up to. It was because of him, a former police officer turned leader in national investigations, that I pursued a career as a crime investigator and profiler.

"I am now confused, Serena."

My brows furrowed upon hearing his husky, bossy voice turn soft and hoarse.

"What do you mean?"

"I have a mission for you."

My eyes sparkled with excitement upon hearing those words. It was like a fairy tale whispered in my ears. I was unlike other women who complained about their work. A mission! It was the aspect of my career I enjoyed the most. It could be anything—fun, terrifying, or both.

"What is it about?"

"You need to prepare for it."

"Why?" I asked. What kind of preparation? Was it a major war? A shootout? Would I be stuck in a place filled with cannibals? Or was I going to spy on someone? Tell me, what was it?

"You won't be using guns or anything like that."

What? What did he mean? What was he trying to say? Dad, please tell me you're not joking.

"You're going to be the uhh—"

I cut him off immediately. I didn't want any part of this.

"Wait, Dad," I stood up from the sofa, preventing him from mentioning anything I didn't want to hear. "Don't even think about arranging me with someone else."

He chuckled at my reaction. Was that idea so absurd? It was the first thought that crossed my mind!

"You won't be marrying him; you'll simply protect his family."

"What?!" My face displayed a mixture of disbelief, doubt, and curiosity.

"You," he pointed at me with his hand, "will be the so-called wife of Mayor Hidalgo and the mother of his son."

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