Chapter 4
Maco leaned casually over the pool table, her gaze focused as she lined up her next shot. The steady grip on the cue stick contrasted with the easy air she always carried, her posture relaxed but precise. Across from her, Gene sipped from her glass, watching with a quiet, knowing smile.
A phone buzzed faintly, breaking the quiet hum of the pool hall as it rattled against the table. Moments later, the sharp ring of an incoming call followed—loud and persistent.
Maco’s brow furrowed slightly as she straightened, glancing at the phone resting by their drinks. With a soft sigh, she set the cue stick down and picked up the device.
“Hello?” she answered, her tone calm, though the faintest tension flickered behind her voice.
“Maco!” Vicky's frantic voice blasted through the line. “Nakita mo na ba? Have you checked your phone?”
Maco’s frown deepened, confusion spreading as she tried to figure out what her older sister meant. “Nakita ang alin?”
From her spot by the table, Gene’s smile faded. Her glass paused mid-air, her eyes narrowing as she picked up on the sudden shift in mood.
“Maco, may problema tayo,” Vicky said, her voice breathless and uneven. “Look at the pictures I just sent you. It’s going viral Maco. It’s everywhere..”
The words hit like a sudden storm. Maco stepped away from the table, her usually steady demeanor cracking as she moved toward a quieter corner. She unlocked her phone, her eyes narrowing at the screen.
Her breath hitched. Familiar faces stared back at her from the photos, caught in moments that felt too intimate, too vulnerable. Too dangerous.
“Tangina,” Maco muttered, the curse slipping out as she quickly locked the phone again. She set it down on a nearby table, her hand lingering there for a moment as if grounding herself.
She sank into the nearest chair, the cue stick forgotten, the weight of the situation settling heavily on her shoulders.
Gene set her glass down and moved closer, her usual calm now tinged with concern. “Maxx?” she asked, her voice quiet and cautious. “What’s going on?”
Maco didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she rubbed her temples, her frustration barely contained, before switching the call to speaker. “Ate Vicky,” she said, her voice edged with an attempt to hold control. “What the hell is going on?”
Vicky’s voice spilled out, rushed and urgent. “It’s all over the media. Photos of you and Mia—together. It looks… compromising. Pinag-uusapan na siya all over the internet. Media outlets are running wild with it. Nakausap ko na si mama. You have some explaining to do Maco.”
Maco exhaled sharply, her jaw tightening as she pinched the bridge of her nose. The implications hit her like a freight train. She had been so careful, or so she thought. She replayed the incident in her head, the meticulous steps she’d taken to avoid exactly this kind of scandal. Yet somehow, something had slipped through the cracks, blindsiding her.
How did I miss this? How did I let this happen? The questions churned in her mind, each one sharper than the last
Her mind spun, weighing the fallout, the damage control, the whispers that would inevitably follow.
Gene leaned against the pool table, her arms crossed, her steady gaze fixed on her cousin. “Maxx…” she prompted gently, her tone soft but grounding.
Maco let out a slow bitter breath, leaning back in her chair. The pressure bore down on her shoulders, heavier than ever.
“Ang galing. Just what I fucking need,” she muttered, the sarcasm biting but the exhaustion unmistakable.
The cute café buzzed with its Hello Kitty vibes: baristas expertly steaming milk topped with Hello Kitty designs, pastel cups clinking softly, and soothing music playing in the background. Sapphire Sabellana sat in a corner surrounded by Hello Kitty decals, her laptop open in front of her. The screen showed a mix of charts, campaign plans, and social media feeds she was scrolling through. Her iced Americano, complete with a Hello Kitty straw, sat untouched, condensation forming around it, while her phone buzzed non-stop beside the glass.
Sapphire’s sleek hair was held back by a pair of oversized sunglasses resting on her head. Her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard as she wrapped up a marketing proposal. She paused for a moment, her eyes flicking around the café to take in the buzz. Then, the sound of heavy boots thudding against the floor pulled her attention.
Without looking up, Sapphire quipped, “Kung pitch na naman to para sa solar panels, I swear, sisigaw ako.”
A familiar, dry voice broke through her feigned irritation. “Kalma, Saf. Ako lang to.”
Her head snapped up, her sharp gaze locking onto Maco Villafranca, who stood there with her usual understated cool—black jacket, dark jeans, though the faint shadows under her eyes hinted at a weariness she couldn’t quite hide.
Sapphire leaned back, an eyebrow arched. “Maco Villafranca, gracing me with her presence in a Hello Kitty themed café? Parang medyo out of place ka ata”
Maco sat down uninvited, her movements deliberate. “Desperate times.”
A smirk tugged at Sapphire’s lips as she closed her laptop slightly. “Desperate times? Alam mo bang two hours na akong nagtatrabaho dito at walang interesting drama until now? What is it this time? May nagkapikunan sa tarpaulin printing?”
Maco leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her tone low and direct. “Alam kong nakita mo na.”
Sapphire cocked her head, feigning ignorance. “Yung showdown sa parking lot? Oo naman. Trending eh. Pati nanay ko, tinanong ako kung legit ba daw.”
Maco grimaced, her jaw tightening. “It’s not what it looks like.”
Sapphire took a slow sip of her coffee, savoring the tension. “Oh, I know. Pero alam mo naman, perception is reality. Ngayon, ang tingin ng Valencia, either kayo ni Mia ay secret lovers o may ninja moves kayo for a coalition. Parehong magulo.”
Maco exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Kaya nga nandito ako. Kailangan ko tulong mo. I need you to fix it.”
Sapphire leaned back, her expression unreadable, her smirk lingering on the edge of her lips. She folded her arms, the quiet confidence in her gaze unwavering. "PR stuff?"
Maco’s eyes flickered, a mix of frustration and something deeper. "Not just that. I need you to be my campaign manager."
Sapphire set her glass down, her smirk widening. She closed her laptop fully, her fingers lightly drumming on the table. “Gusto mo akong maging campaign manager?”
Maco nodded, her expression serious. “Kailangan ko ng taong kaya mag-control ng narrative. Someone who can flip this into something that doesn’t ruin my chances before I’ve even filed my candidacy.”
Sapphire’s eyes glimmered with mischief as she leaned forward. “And what makes you think gusto ko magtrabaho para sayo? No offense, you’re not exactly my ideal client, Maco.”
Maco’s gaze didn’t waver. “Kasi alam ko na you love a challenge. And because if you pull this off, you prove you’re the best at what you do.”
Sapphire studied her for a beat, her sharp gaze assessing. Then, she chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Flattery. Solid move.”
Maco leaned closer, her voice dropping an octave. “Saf, this isnt just about me. The United Valencia Party is gaining ground. Alam mo ang plano nila. Not just to wipe out dynasties but also take full control of the city and twist the narrative into their own gain.” May kinalaman ito sa trabaho mo, Saf. You manage influencers, you handle PR for businesses and campaigns. Kung makakontrol ng UVP ang media at social platforms, silang magdidikta kung sino ang maririnig, sino ang mangingibabaw. Gumagamit sila ng troll farms, nag-iimbento ng propaganda. Alam mo kung paano nilalaro nila ang social media ngayon. And Social media is your field”
For a moment, Sapphire’s confident smirk faltered. She tapped her manicured nail on the table, her eyes narrowing as she weighed Maco’s words carefully. The change in her expression was subtle, but it was clear she wasn’t brushing this off. Finally, she exhaled sharply, her tone firm but calculated. “Fine. I get it. You’ve got my attention. Pero heads up, Villafranca—if we do this, we follow my rules.”
Maco’s jaw tensed, her eyes locking onto Sapphire’s. “Got it,” she said flatly, though there was a hint of hesitation in her voice.
“My strategy. My way,” Sapphire added, leaning in as if challenging Maco to disagree. She held her gaze, waiting for any sign of pushback.
Maco let out a sigh, more tired than defeated. “Fine.”
A slow, triumphant smile spread across Sapphire’s face. “Good. We’ll figure out the details later. May meeting pa ko with a client. Okay lang 6:30 sayo?” She stood up, gathering her things like she was on a tight schedule.
“Sa headquarters namin,” Maco answered, standing as well, her voice sharper now. “Alam mo naman kung saan diba?”
Sapphire slung her bag over her shoulder, her smirk making a comeback. “8th Alemanya Drive?” she teased, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
Maco’s face hardened at the mention of the Rivamonte HQ. Her lips pressed together in irritation, and her annoyance was obvious.
Sapphire laughed lightly, clearly enjoying herself. “Relax, joke lang. Of course I know. See you later, Mayer.” She gave a playful wink before turning on her heel and striding out of the café, leaving Maco behind with a mix of frustration and reluctant amusement.
The sun dipped low in the sky, its soft rays spilling through the trees that lined the well-worn university path. The golden light bathed everything in warm shades of orange and gold, stretching shadows across the pavement. Mia and Jules strolled side by side, their steps slow and easy. The quiet between them was filled with the rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.
This path was steeped in memories—countless afternoons spent walking to and from their org office tucked at the far end of campus. Back in their college days, it had become their ritual, a shared pause from the chaos of deadlines and meetings.
They’d walked this route in every mood—laughing over silly mishaps, venting frustrations, or pouring out their dreams and fears. Sometimes they talked about everything under the sun; other times, they didn’t need words, letting the steady rhythm of their footsteps and the calm of the moment speak for them.
As they passed under a particularly tall acacia tree, Jules glanced at the golden streaks of sunlight spilling through its branches. “Nakakamiss to,” she said quietly, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
Mia smiled faintly, her gaze fixed ahead. “Oo nga. Ang tagal na rin nung huling ganito natin. Parang ibang lifetime. Busy na kasi tayo.”
“Lalo na ngayon, ikaw na ang future governor, di ka na mare-reach nyan” Jules teased, though her tone was gentle.
Mia chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Di pa nga nananalo eh. Tsaka same lang naman ako, Jules. Walang magbabago.”
Jules smirked, her eyes crinkling slightly. “Beh? For sure naka-pustura ka na palagi nyan tas may entourage pa”
Mia bumped Jules’ shoulder lightly, laughing. “Yung pustura pang ukay-ukay fashion. Naka three layers kahit sobrang init with matching ribbon sa ulo leeg bewang at sapatos”
“Naku! Yan talaga naiimagine ko pag aattend ka ng binyag. Tsaka yung mga mass weddings! Ikaw yung magkakasal pero kakabugin mo yung mga bride!” A laugh escaped them both, light and unguarded.
They continued down the path, their quiet companionship broken only by the soft rustling of leaves carried by the evening breeze. It was like reliving a moment from the past, yet the weight of the present hung between them—unspoken, but impossible to ignore.
Mia kept sneaking glances at Jules as they walked side by side. The silence between them felt heavy, filled with things they weren’t saying out loud. Jules seemed lost in her thoughts, her brows drawn together in deep concentration. Mia’s heart was pounding with anticipation—she had prepared herself for a fight, sure that Jules would be the first to question her decision to run for governor. But the argument she expected never came.
Of all people, Mia thought Jules would push back. Jules, the one who always stood by her principles, who wasn’t afraid to call out injustice, and who had opened Mia’s eyes to a world far beyond her own privilege. Jules had always been the person to challenge Mia, to ground her in reality when things got overwhelming.
Their friendship had always been a contradiction: Jules, the activist who despised political dynasties, and Mia, the daughter of one. Yet, despite that, Jules had come to see Mia as more than her family’s name. She saw Mia as an individual—someone who shared her values and her hope for change. Over time, their shared vision had turned into a deep and unbreakable bond.
But Jules had always known this day would come. Mia’s sense of responsibility, shaped by her family’s legacy, would eventually pull her into politics. Jules understood that. She believed in Mia’s ability to lead and trusted her intentions. But good intentions alone weren’t enough. Not in a system that seemed to corrupt even the most genuine people.
“Wala kang sasabihin?” Mia broke the silence, her voice soft but edged with uncertainty.
Jules let out a slow breath, her steps steady as she kept her eyes on the path ahead. “Alam ko namang alam mo na naniniwala ako sa kakayahan mo,” she said finally, her voice measured.
Mia frowned slightly, sensing the weight behind Jules’ words. “Pero?”
“Pero hindi lang yan ang usapan, Mia.” Jules stopped walking and turned to face her, her expression firm but not unkind. “Naniniwala ako sa intentions mo. Sa sincerity mo. Pero ang sistema—ibang usapan yon. Hindi ka palaging makaka decide ng malinis. Hindi ikaw ang magpapatakbo ng lahat.”
Mia hesitated, feeling the sting of truth in Jules’ words. “Jules, alam ko naman yun. Hindi ako nagpapaka naive dito. Tsaka di ba ito naman yung pinaglalaban natin from the start? Change?”
Jules’ lips pressed into a thin line. She crossed her arms, her gaze softening just slightly. “Alam ko Mia. Pero gusto ko lang malaman mo na mahirap to. You’ll have to fight harder than you ever have, not just for others, pero para sa sarili mo rin. Para hindi ka lamunin ng sistema.”
“I know,” Mia replied, her voice steady despite the unease bubbling within her. “Kaya kailangan ko ng mga taong katulad mo sa tabi ko, Jules. Mga taong hindi takot sabihin sakin kung kailan ako nagkakamali.”
Jules gave her a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll always be honest with you. But I can’t always be there to hold your hand. You need to be ready for that.”
Mia nodded, a flicker of determination lighting up her face. “I am. Kaya nga nandito ako.”
Jules held her gaze for a moment longer before nodding. “Good. Kasi kapag nagkamali ka, ako ang unang magsasabi.”
A soft chuckle escaped Mia’s lips, breaking the tension. “Duh. Wala naman yatang bago dun.”
Jules smirked, resuming their walk. “Tama ka naman. But seriously, Mia, if you’re doing this, do it right. Huwag mong hayaang masira ka ng mga bagay na sinusumpa natin pareho.”
Mia’s smile softened into something more thoughtful, her eyes glinting with quiet determination. “I promise, Jules. Bastat diyan ka lang for me. Lalagpasan ko lahat ng obstacles na yan!”
Jules raised an eyebrow, her tone shifting to something teasing yet curious. “Speaking of obstacles, wala ka pa ngang filing, may problema na agad. Anyare don sa issue niyo ni Maco?”
Mia let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes. “Ay nako, pag-uusapan pa namin sa meeting mamaya sa HQ. Sabi ng consultant ni Daddy, likely daw na ploy ng UVP. Parang ang calculated ng timing di ba? Lumabas yung scandal isang linggo after pa nung nangyari.”
Jules nodded thoughtfully, her lips twitching into a smirk. “Oo nga, ang shady ng dating. Pero nakita mo ba yung mga comments online? May mga nagsasabi na LQ lang daw kayo ni Maco. Grabe tawang tawa ako! Mga tao talaga, ibang level ang trip.”
Mia groaned, covering her face briefly. “Ay talagang pina alala mo pa.”
Jules was already pulling out her phone, snickering. “Tingnan mo ‘to. Bwisit pero ang laptrip ng ibang comments.” She held out the screen to Mia, scrolling through the the comment section of the viral tiktok videos.
@galyyyfire: wow dispatch lng ang atake ah. New couple alert
@munimunchkinn: OMG parang bagay? New ship #MiCo #RivaFranca
@s4m0nly: medyo naguluhan ako dun baks 🥴
@wifeynimaxxvf: sure sure i close my eyes
@user10928743: sino kaya top sa kanila 🫢
@cheeechay_: ios yung sound ah bagay na bagay 😅 Maybe this time
Mia’s cheeks flushed as she peeked at Jules’ phone, unable to suppress a snort at a particularly absurd edit of her and Maco posed like leads in a dramatic teleserye poster. “Ano ba yan?! Mga siraulo talaga,” she muttered, but a small smile showed her amusement.
Jules smirked, ever the instigator. “Oy, pero kung iisipin mo, I doubt kagagawan to ng kabila. Kasi lets be real, it’s not entirely bad PR for either of you.”
Mia narrowed her eyes but said nothing, hoping the conversation would steer away. Jules, of course, took that as a green light.
“And aminin mo—natawa ka rin. Or…” Jules’ tone shifted, dripping with playful malice. “Baka naman kinilig? Yieeee!”
“Yuck!” Mia shot back, scrunching her nose in exaggerated disgust. “Ang cringe kaya! Ew!”
Jules leaned in, her grin widening as she sang in an overly dramatic tone, “Malay mo siya na pala future mo— Maybe this time… it’ll be loviiing they’ll fiiind! ”
Mia gasped, her jaw dropping as she pointed an accusatory finger at Jules. “Huey! Anong kabalbalan yang pinagsasabi mo? Kadiri ka talaga!” she exclaimed, her voice slightly higher than intended. “Me and Maco Villafranca? NEVER gonna happen. Like, EVER.”