Chapter 9
The Villafranca headquarters was alive with movement, a buzz of conversations and rapid footsteps filling the air. Staff members rushed back and forth, papers in hand, while campaign strategists huddled over documents, finalizing the coalition’s roster.
Today’s meeting was a crucial one—the last major internal discussion before the official campaign launch next week.
At exactly 9 AM, the Rivamontes arrived, accompanied by the other selected candidates. These individuals had been handpicked and thoroughly vetted by the coalition, each one chosen for their credibility and alignment with the campaign’s vision.
Mia had made sure of that.
One of her biggest victories leading up to this day was convincing her Uncle Freddy to step back from politics.
She had spoken to him days prior, emphasizing the need to break the cycle of political dynasties if they were serious about branding themselves as a coalition of change.
It wasn’t an easy conversation, but Mia’s voice carried weight in her family. Her uncle had a good run, and deep down, he knew it was time.
Mia exhaled, feeling a rare sense of relief. Everything was falling into place.
Everything… except for one thing.
She turned her gaze slightly, catching sight of Maco, standing near the far end of the room, engaged in a casual conversation with Gene.
Mia resisted the urge to sigh. Of all people… Maco as my running mate.
She shoved the thought aside, shifting in her seat, just as a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
“May nakaupo po ba rito?”
Mia’s brain registered the voice a second too late.
She turned sharply, only to see Shana grinning down at her.
“Shans!” Mia exclaimed.
The moment the name left her lips, she realized she had practically screamed it.
A few nearby staff members glanced their way, but Mia barely noticed as she slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with excitement.
Shana laughed, the sound light and familiar. They hadn't seen each other in years, but in that moment, it felt like no time had passed.
Without another word, they crashed into a tight, lingering hug, squeezing each other like they were making up for lost time.
On the other side of the room, Maco was watching.
She stood at a distance, arms crossed, trying to appear indifferent. But the faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips as she observed the scene.
Saf, standing close beside her, didn’t miss it.
“I knew she’d come around,” Saf murmured, her tone laced with quiet satisfaction.
Maco rolled her eyes, glancing away. “Yeah, yeah. Just—go easy on her.”
Saf arched a brow. “Easy?”
Maco tilted her head toward Shana, who was still locked in conversation with Mia. “She’s under your wing now. Basta… don’t push her too hard.”
Saf smirked. “Please. Di ko siya bibigyan ng trabahong hindi niya kakayanin.”
Then, with a flick of her ponytail, Saf made her way toward Shana, joining in on the warm reunion.
Maco stayed behind, exhaling softly.
The team was coming together.
And whether she liked it or not, so was everything else.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) office was a storm of flashing cameras, murmuring crowds, and eager journalists. Supporters lined the entrance, waving banners and chanting names, while reporters scrambled for statements.
The air was thick with anticipation.
Maco and Mia arrived separately—a fact that did not go unnoticed by the press.
Mia was dressed in a semi-formal yet effortlessly elegant white blouse, accented with soft yellow details, tucked neatly into tailored pants. The color choice made her seem radiant under the morning sun, a stark contrast to the usual rigid, traditional attire of politicians before her.
Yana followed beside her, dressed in a crisp, pristine white ensemble, exuding both composure and quiet strength.
The media instantly swarmed.
“Mia! Totoo ba na may koalisyong nabuo sa pagitan ng mga Rivamonte at Villafranca?”
“Maco! Dito Maco! Will you be running independently?”
Neither of them responded, offering only polite smiles.
They walked forward with practiced poise, their paths never quite crossing, further fuelling the media frenzy.
Inside, the tension was just as thick.
Maco sat at a desk, pen in hand, signing the necessary documents. Unlike Mia’s polished look, she had opted for a deep green polo shirt, cleanly pressed yet casual, the sleeves slightly folded to reveal toned forearms. It was a simple yet commanding choice—grounded, no-nonsense, and distinctly Maco.
Her face remained unreadable, an air of calculated detachment surrounding her.
Mia, on the other hand, finished first.
She walked toward the podium outside, the signed papers in hand, ready for the official photo op.
The moment she stepped forward, the crowd erupted.
Gasps. Whispers. Murmurs of disbelief.
Mia Lorienne Rivamonte for Governor?
The expectation had been clear—her father was supposed to run.
At best, people assumed she was aiming for vice governor, a stepping stone. But this? This was a statement. A bold, calculated move. The cameras flashed as she took her place at the podium, adjusting the mic.
Then, she spoke.
"Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. Una sa lahat, taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa tiwala at suporta ng mga naririto ngayon. Alam ko po na marami ang nagtatanong—bakit isang Rivamonte na naman? Bakit hindi na lang iba?"
“I stand before you today not just as Mia Lorienne Rivamonte, but as someone who believes that leadership is not about a last name—it’s about service, integrity, and the courage to do what is right.”
A wave of murmurs rippled through the press. This was real. She wasn’t just a placeholder—she was taking the lead.
"Hindi lingid sa aking kaalaman na matagal nang bahagi ng pulitika ang aming pamilya. At hindi ko po ipagkakaila—marami sa mga nagawa ng aking ama ang tunay na nakatulong sa ating probinsya. But times are changing, and governance must change with it."
Her voice was strong, unwavering.
"Ang pagpapatuloy ng maganda niyang nasimulan ay isang pangako—pero ang hamunin at baguhin ang mga sistemang hindi na epektibo ay isang obligasyon. Hindi tayo dapat manatili sa luma at nakasanayan kung may mas mabuti pang paraan.”
The crowd was captivated, their eyes locked on Mia. She took a deep breath.
"This is not just about legacy. This is about progress. Hindi lang po ako tumatakbo para ipagpatuloy ang pangalan ng aking pamilya, kundi para tiyakin na ang ating hinaharap ay mas maayos, mas makatarungan, at mas bukas para sa lahat."
Mia briefly scanned the crowd, her eyes locking onto a few familiar faces—former fellow organizers, studnnts, activists. A knowing smile crossed her lips.
"Alam ko pong may ilan sa inyo na pamilyar sa aking naging aktibismo. Kilala ko ang ilan sa inyong narito. At alam kong hindi kayo ignorante sa mga ipinaglaban ko noon—at patuloy kong ipaglalaban ngayon."
"Kaya sa darating na halalan, ang hinihingi ko po sa inyo ay hindi basta pangalanan akong inyong gobernador, kundi bigyan ako ng pagkakataon upang patunayan na kaya nating gawing mas makabago, mas inklusibo, at mas makatao ang pamamahala sa ating probinsya."
She looked at the crowd, eyes burning with conviction.
"Umaasa po ako na sasamahan ninyo ako sa laban na ito."
The crowd stilled for a moment—absorbing her words.
"I am ready. I am capable. And I am here to serve. Maraming salamat po."
The cameras flashed wildly as Mia stepped back, her expression unreadable.
From a distance, Maco stood entranced. The way Mia carried herself—her poise, her words, the sheer impact of her presence—was mesmerizing. Confidence radiated from her with every syllable, as if she were born for this. Public speaking came to her effortlessly, something Maco was still striving to master.
Soon, it was Yana’s turn. Like Mia, she delivered a powerful and compelling speech. Eloquence was something they both shared, a trait that set them apart. As she finished, Mia joined her at the podium, standing beside her—a steady presence amidst the flashing cameras. The questions came pouring in almost instantly.
“Mia, anong nakapagpa decide sayo na tumakbo instead of your father?”
“Yana, does this mean you’re her running mate?”
“Is the coalition real?”
But Saf’s instructions had been clear—they wouldn’t be addressing any questions until the scheduled press conference later that afternoon.
From the sidelines, Saf stood with her arms crossed, watching everything unfold. She was analyzing the crowd’s reaction, the optics of the moment, the way the media was eating up the narrative.
Everything was going exactly as planned.
Then, it was Maco’s turn.
She stepped onto the podium, raising her signed documents for the cameras. Unlike Mia, her candidacy wasn’t a shock. People had already expected Maco Villafranca to run. But what no one saw coming was her running mate.
Nelson Bernal. A former member of the opposing party. A hushed wave of confusion and murmurs spread through the crowd. This wasn’t Maco’s choice. This was her family's decision.
And she wasn’t happy about it.
Still, she had to keep her expression neutral. There was no point in showing dissent. Maco stepped up to the podium, adjusting the mic with a casual confidence that contrasted with the polished speeches before her. She exhaled, then smirked.
“Hindi ko na po pahahabain pa to, kasi let’s be real… hindi talaga ako magaling sa public speaking. But if there’s one thing I am good at—it’s getting things done.”
A ripple of chuckles spread through the crowd, but the conviction in her voice held their attention.
She spoke of Valencia’s transformation—how, in just a few years, it had grown from a promising city into an emerging economic powerhouse. Infrastructure had flourished, businesses thrived, and opportunities expanded. It wasn’t just about progress; it was about sustainable, inclusive growth that benefited everyone.
“We’re not just building roads and businesses—we’re building a future where Valencia isn’t just another city on the map. We’re making it one of the most dynamic, progressive, and competitive cities in the country. And trust me, we’re just getting started.”
Her words were direct, unembellished—but they carried weight. Maco didn’t need flowery language to make an impact. She let results speak for themselves, and the crowd responded with resounding applause.
With the formalities done, both parties left the Comelec office, heading straight to the press conference venue.
There, they would finally break their silence.
And the real game would begin.
The press conference was held in a grand hotel ballroom, its backdrop adorned with a sleek emerald green and gold banner displaying the coalition’s name—"Valencia Bagong Siglo Coalition." The slogan echoed their vision: a new generation ushering in a new era of progress and prosperity for Valencia.
The crowd was buzzing with speculation. They had seen Maco and Mia arrive separately at the COMELEC office—so was the coalition even real??
Then, the moment arrived.
Shana, as the host, stepped onto the stage, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today. We have an important announcement that will shape the future of Valencia!”
The murmurs settled. The cameras zoomed in.
Maco and Mia stepped onto the stage together, finally standing side by side.
The tension in the room was almost palpable.
Mia spoke first, her voice calm, measured, professional. “Today, we officially confirm that we will be running under a unified coalition. This is more than just a political agreement—this is a commitment to putting the people of Valencia first.”
Maco took over, flashing her signature grin. “We’re here because we believe that unity is stronger than rivalry. And trust me, if we could set aside our differences for this—so can everyone else.”
The room erupted into mixed reactions—some cheers, some skepticism, but the announcement had been made.
Then came the press questions.
A girl with long, straight hair and glasses—pretty, striking, and unwaveringly confident—stood near the front, her eyes sharp as she spoke. Her voice carried easily over the low murmurs of the press. There was something about her presence that made people listen. And Saf, ever the strategist, didn’t miss how her questions were brave, deliberate… and triggering.
“Ms. Villafranca, some people believe this coalition is just for political convenience. How do you respond to that?”
Mia answered smoothly. “We both have our own individual political backgrounds. If this was just about winning, we wouldn’t need each other.”
The girl barely hesitated before turning to Maco, her gaze expectant.
“Not too long ago, the two of you were caught in a heated argument in a parking lot. How do you go from that to this?”
Mia expected this. Saf had drilled into her how to answer, how to maintain composure, how to steer the narrative. Yet, as the words hit the air, she could feel a prickle of something else—something unscripted.
And from the corner of her eye, she noticed Saf shift slightly, arms crossing, gaze sharpening. She had caught it too.
She turned slightly toward Maco, the teasing curve of her lips disguising the flicker of something deeper in her eyes. That night had been anything but trivial. There were things said—things meant. And now, here they were, standing side by side, seemingly united.
She let out a soft chuckle, her voice smooth but playful.
“Alam niyo naman, minsan ang matagal nang magkakilala, nagkakatampuhan din.” Her gaze lingered on Maco for half a second longer than necessary, the corner of her lips quirking. “But at the end of the day, we share the same vision for Valencia. And when you have the same goal, you find a way to meet halfway.”
Maco, who had been standing with arms casually crossed, shifted slightly. There was a glint in her eyes—one that wasn’t just amusement but something else, something restrained. The memory of that parking lot lingered in her mind, the sharp words exchanged, the unspoken tension. She leaned into the mic, her voice smooth yet edged with something more.
“Hindi ba ganyan naman talaga?” she mused, her smirk betraying a flicker of something softer beneath. “Minsan may away, minsan may asaran… pero at the end of the day—” she let the sentence hang, her eyes locking onto Mia’s, her voice lowering just enough to send a ripple through the audience, “—nagkakaintindihan din.”
There it was. That undercurrent.
The press room crackled with intrigue, murmurs rising like embers catching fire. Reporters leaned in, eyes darting between them, searching for something beyond the words. Were they just talking about politics? Or was there a history beneath the polished answers?
Maco barely had time to appreciate the way teh press ate up her response before she decided to take it up a notch.
With the cameras flashing, she threw an arm around Mia’s shoulder, pulling her in just a little too close, her grip firm as her fingers dug into Mia’s shoulder in slow, deliberate circles. To everyone watching, it looked casual, friendly, almost affectionate—but Mia immediately knew what this was. Retaliation.
Maco’s smirk deepened as she continued, her voice dripping with playful ease.
“Alam niyo, matagal na kaming magkakilala—since we were kids, actually.” She gave Mia’s shoulder a squeeze, her tone light, teasing. “So I guess… we were bound to find our way back to each other, one way or another.”
Mia’s smile barely wavered, but under the table, her elbow found its mark, jabbing Maco right in the ribs—discreet enough that no one saw, but sharp enough that Maco’s posture stiffened for half a second.
Maco cleared her throat, schooling her expression as if nothing had happened, though her grip on Mia’s shoulder noticeably loosened.
Mia, still holding her perfect press-ready smile, tilted her head toward Maco just slightly, her voice honey-sweet as she added, “Some connections really do stand the test of time… though some require a little more work than others.”
Maco let out a slow breath, her smirk returning, though this time, there was an edge of respect—and maybe a little wariness.
Round two? Mia: 1 point, Maco: still recovering.
The hallway buzzed with movement as Mia, Maco, and their team made their way to the private room reserved for their debrief. Security led the way, clearing a path through the press and campaign staff still lingering from the press conference. Saf walked briskly beside Mia, already pulling up notes on her phone, while Maco trailed slightly behind, arms crossed, her brows still furrowed from the post-conference tension.
They were nearly at the door when a familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Mia!"
Mia turned almost instantly, her lips curling into a surprised smile. From the crowd emerged Jules Rubio, her press ID still hanging loosely around her neck, a smirk tugging at her lips as she approached.
Maco tensed immediately. "Putangina," she muttered, shifting closer to Mia as she shot Saf a sharp look.
Saf barely glanced up from her phone, her expression tightening. "Oo. And now I know why her questions felt like a goddamn landmine."
Jules, ever unbothered by hostility, stopped in front of them and let out a chuckle. "Ang galing mo dun ah. Pwede ka na maging politician!”
Mia laughed, shaking her head. "Galing mog magtanong ah. Pwede kang maging journalist!"
Maco, not amused, took a step forward, positioning herself just slightly in front of Mia. "Teka lang—magka kilala kayo?"
Mia, pointedly ignoring Maco, still took a moment to introduce her friend. "Oh, nga pala. Everyone, this is Jules Rubio. Journalist, activist—"
"—pain in my ass," Saf muttered under her breath.
Mia shot her a look before continuing, "—and also a dear friend of mine."
There was a pause. Then—
"Tangina."
Maco and Saf said it at the same time.
Jules grinned, clearly enjoying their reaction. "The infamous coalition." Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she met Maco’s glare. "I gotta say, masyado niyong ginalingan today."
Maco exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of her neck. "So let me get this straight… isa kang journalist, tapos kaibigan ka ni Mia? Hindi ba conflict of interest yon?"
Jules shrugged. "I never said I wouldn’t be fair. Pero alam mo naman, Maco. Politics is all about perception."
Saf, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke, her tone clipped. "And perception is exactly what we don’t need messed up right now."
Jules met Saf’s gaze, the air between them charged with something between hostility and amusement. "Relax, PR queen. Hindi ko papabagsakin ang golden project mo. I just ask the questions."
Saf clenched her jaw. "Yeah? Well, maybe next time, try asking them without making it seem like we’re walking into a trap."
Mia, sensing the impending clash, clapped her hands together. "Kalma, kalma. No fighting in the middle of a hotel hallway." She turned to Jules, softer now. "Let’s grab coffee later?"
Jules smirked, throwing one last glance at Maco and Saf before stepping back. "Basta ba’t libre mo Gov."
With that, she walked away, leaving Maco and Saf still caught between disbelief and irritation.
Maco exhaled through her nose. "Psikit. Siya pa talaga."
Saf groaned, already anticipating the headache. "I swear to God, if she tries to pull some exposé, I’m—"
Mia simply smiled, patting both of them on the shoulder. "Relax. Matalik ko siyang kaibigan. We need her to keep us in check. May tiwala ako sa kanya."
Saf and Maco exchanged a look.
Somehow, they weren’t convinced.
The moment they stepped into the private lounge, Mia whirled around, eyes locked onto Maco like a heat-seeking missile.
"Ano yun kanina?!" Mia huffed, arms crossed.
Maco, halfway through grabbing a bottle of water, blinked up at her, playing innocent. "Ano'ng ano?"
"Ulol wag ako Maco. You—" Mia gestured wildly
Maco scoffed, leaning back. "Relax ka lang pwede ba, of course I had to make it believable!"
From the side, Saf, Yana, and Gene exchanged looks, already sensing where this was going.
Mia groaned. "Subukan mong ulitin yun di lang siko ang aabutin mo!"
Maco gasped, “Naririnig niyo yun? That’s abuse! Ang sakit-sakit pa nung sikmura ko!” She turned to Saf, Yana, and Gene, looking for sympathy.
Mia sighed dramatically. "OA!"
Maco threw her hands up. "Anong OA eh ikaw nga tong grabe maka react porket inakbayan ka lang!"
Before she could finish, Mia suddenly leaned forward, feigning an attack. Maco flinched hard, jerking back with a gasp like she’d been personally ambushed.
"Ayan oh sasaktan na naman ako!" Maco clutched her side like a wounded soldier hahaha "Saf nakita mo yun?! May witness tayo dito!"
Saf, who had been sipping her coffee, set it down and smirked. "Oh wow. So… are you two done flirting, or should we step out?"
Mia’s jaw dropped. "Ano?! Hindi kami—"
Yana chuckled. "Medyo mukha nga kayong mag-jowa na may LQ."
Gene, quiet but clearly amused, nodded. "lovebirds..."
"Hoy! Hindi to away mag-jowa! Kitang-kita niyo naman kung gaano ka bugnutin tong kandidato niyo! At nanakit pa! Ang sakit nga oh!" Maco clutched her side dramatically, as if Mia had gravely wounded her.
"Tingnan mo to, nagsusumbong pa! Gusto mo madagdagan yan?" Mia cracked her knuckles for emphasis.
Saf, Yana, and Gene exchanged amused glances, barely holding back their laughter.
"Yep," Yana muttered, smirking. "Mukhang magiging masaya tong campaign na to"