Chapter 12
The faint glow of dawn pushed back the remnants of the night as Jules stirred awake. She had always been an early riser. Turning her head to the side, she saw Mia still sound asleep on the bed next to hers, breathing softly in the quiet of the room.
Carefully, she slipped out of bed, washed her face, and brushed her teeth. After tidying up her sheets, she decided to take a stroll around the island.
The morning air was crisp, sending a slight shiver down her spine. Dressed in an oversized shirt and shorts, she wrapped a shawl around herself for warmth before stepping outside. The villa was already stirring with life—staff moving about, preparing for the day. She greeted everyone she passed with a warm smile.
“Magandang umaga po maam! Gusto niyo po ba ng kape?” a familiar voice called out.
Jules turned to see Paeng, one of the villa’s butlers, holding a thermos.
“Ay hala, thank you po! That would be nice,” she replied with a grateful nod.
“Anong kape po gusto niyo, maam?” he asked.
“Brewed coffee lang po, tapos two cream, no sugar,” she said, her tone polite but relaxed.
Paeng nodded, then added, “Baka gusto niyo rin ng tinapay?”
Jules hesitated for a second before shaking her head with a small chuckle. “Okay na po ako sa kape, Kuya Paeng. Maraming salamat po!” she said, feeling a little shy. She wasn’t used to being served, especially by someone older than her.
She made her way to an Adirondack chair by the beach, settling in as the early morning view stretched before her—pristine white sand, crystal-clear waters shimmering under the soft light of dawn. The breeze was colder than she expected, pricking at her skin like tiny needles. She curled up, hugging her knees, wrapping the shawl tighter around herself.
A few moments later, Paeng returned with her coffee. She took it with a thankful smile, cradling the warm cup in her hands as she breathed in the rich aroma.
Jules stayed like that, basking in the morning breeze, savoring the warmth of her coffee as she let the sights and sounds of the island wash over her. The gentle crash of the waves against the shore, the rustling of palm leaves swaying with the wind, the distant chatter of the staff starting their day—it all felt so serene, so different from the noise of the city.
She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the warmth of the cup seep into her hands, before taking another slow sip.
Then, faint but distinct, a conversation caught her attention.
Just a short distance away, she spotted Yana and Mang Luis engaged in a lively chat. Yana, dressed in a long-sleeved activewear top and leggings, looked like she had just come from a morning jog, her skin still glowing with the remnants of exertion. Meanwhile, Mang Luis stood beside his small boat, steady on the shore, his hands moving as he spoke animatedly.
Jules watched them quietly, sipping her coffee as she observed the easy familiarity between them. Yana laughed at something Mang Luis said, her voice light and genuine, her posture relaxed. Jules noticed how the old fisherman seemed completely at ease with her, like he was talking to a niece rather than some ultra-rich haciendera’s daughter.
Jules had to admit—she had judged Yana.
Back in the city, the only thing she knew about her was that she was born into ridiculous wealth, the kind of privilege that made Jules wary. She knew Yana only through Mia, had only ever seen her from a distance at events, always well-mannered, always poised. But they had never really talked, never had the chance to know each other beyond polite small talk.
Sure, Yana was known for her volunteer work and advocacies—everyone knew that. People sang praises about how involved she was, how she used her family's influence for good.
And yet, some part of Jules still resisted believing it completely, as if admitting it would mean conceding that maybe, just maybe, not all ultra rich kids were the same. Or was it something else? Was it herself—convincing herself that Yana was too good, too out of reach?
Jules sighed, shaking off the thought before it could settle. She turned her gaze back to where Yana stood, animatedly talking to Mang Luis, her laughter light and genuine. Jules wouldn't deny it—there was something about her, something that made her easy to watch, easy to admire. Maybe too easy.
But here, on this island, Yana felt different. Or maybe, this was just who she had always been.
Jules watched as Yana helped Mang Luis secure something on the boat, handling the ropes with practiced ease. The way she moved, the way she spoke—it was clear this wasn’t just an act. She wasn’t just playing the part of a benevolent benefactor. She was part of this place. Connected.
Her kindness wasn’t performative; it was just… natural.
Yana waved goodbye to Mang Luis and caught sight of Jules on her way back to the villa. She beamed, brighter than the rising sun, and waved enthusiastically. Jules, after a beat, waved back, though noticeably less animated.
Yana approached her, settling into the other Adirondack chair beside Jules.
“Good morning!” Yana greeted, still catching her breath.
“Good morning,” Jules replied, her voice even.
“Kanina ka pa dito?” Yana asked, stretching her legs out in front of her.
“Sakto lang,” Jules answered, taking a sip of her coffee. “Galing kang jog?”
“Ah, oo. Chill morning jog lang.” Yana smiled. “Nag-ikot lang.. It’s been a while since I last came here.”
Jules nodded, her attention flickering from Yana’s words to… Yana herself. Now that they were this close, she had the chance to really look at her—beyond the polished image she had built in her head. A faint sheen of sweat clung to Yana’s forehead, but somehow it only made her look more radiant, her skin glowing under the soft morning light. There was a warmth in her smile, an ease in the way she carried herself, and—Jules swallowed—she smelled good, too.
She was still caught in that moment, lost in the small, distracting details of Yana, when she suddenly heard her speaking again.
“Hmm?” Jules blinked, realizing too late that she hadn’t been listening.
Yana chuckled, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Sabi ko, excited ka ba for today’s activities?”
Jules cleared her throat, hoping she didn’t look as flustered as she felt. “Ah. Uh, yeah… I guess?” she took a sip on her now empty cup. “Ano ba gagawin natin today?”
Aiah stretched her arms and said, “Mhmm, as far as I know, more on physical team-building exercises tayo today eh.”
Yana glanced to her far left, her gaze lingering for a moment before she spoke. “Nakita kong nagseset-up yung mga staff kanina… looks like an obstacle race.”
The soft hush of the morning was suddenly interrupted by the chime of their phones, slicing through the calm. Simultaneously, they reached for their devices, glancing at the notification from their group chat.
“It’s Saf,” Yana noted, already looking at Jules expectantly. “She’s reminding us—breakfast at 7 a.m. sharp.”
Jules let out a small, downward smile. “Sharp, huh?”
“Yeah, Saf’s got a thing for punctuality.”
Jules simply nodded, tucking away the new piece of information about her so-called nemesis. There was something amusing—maybe even slightly impressive—about how alike they were in certain ways.
“Speaking of the devil.” Yana nodded toward the villa’s patio in the distance.
Jules followed her gaze and spotted Sapphire, seated at the breakfast table, eyes glued to her laptop. A coffee cup rested in her hand, steam curling in the air as she took a slow sip. Despite the early morning, she was already deep in work mode—messy bun, oversized sweater, and an unshakable air of focus.
Jules exhaled sharply through her nose, shaking her head. “They say the devil works hard… but Sapphire Sabellana works harder.”
Yana chuckled, and Jules found herself laughing along.
“We’ve got about half an hour,” Yana said, glancing at her smartwatch. She stretched slightly before turning to Jules. “I’m gonna go freshen up… ikaw? Dito ka lang?”
Jules smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I’ll stay here for a bit. Pakigising na rin yung iba, baka malintikan pa sila kay Madam,” she joked, referring to Saf with a smirk.
Yana chuckled at that. “Noted. Ayoko rin mapagalitan.” With that, she gave Jules a small wave before heading back to the villa.
Jules exhaled, sinking a little deeper into her chair, letting the morning settle around her. The golden sunlight stretched across the sand, the crisp sea breeze kissing her skin. Moments like this—quiet, unhurried—were rare for her.
As a journalist, she was always on the move, always chasing stories, always buried in deadlines. But here, for once, there was nothing to do except exist.
Jules was still lost in the serenity of the morning when her phone buzzed against the wooden armrest of her chair. She sighed, cracking one eye open, debating whether to ignore it. But curiosity won.
She glanced at the screen. A message from a fellow journalist. A tip.
"May inside scoop ka ba rito? Word is, may nagle-leak ng info about the ‘synergy’ between Mia and Maco. Mukhang orchestrated, pero magaling pagkakagawa. You’d know anything about that?"
Jules sat up, brows furrowing. Synergy? Orchestrated? Her mind ticked through the possibilities, and then it hit her. Of course.
She didn’t need to think hard about who could be behind this.
Her gaze shifted toward the villa’s patio, where Sapphire Sabellana sat, as expected, deeply focused on her laptop. One hand scrolled through her screen, the other lazily holding a steaming cup of coffee. Dressed in an oversized sweater, her hair in a messy bun, she looked unbothered. Effortless. Calculated.
Jules smirked. Time to stir the pot.
She stood up, stretched a little, and made her way over. As soon as she was close enough, she leaned slightly over Saf’s shoulder, just enough to invade her space. "Magandang umaga, PR princess," she mused, voice laced with amusement.
Saf didn't even flinch. "Princess na ngayon? What did I do to be downgraded? She said sarcastically. She took an unbothered sip of her coffee before shooting back, “What brings you to my office?”
Jules shrugged. “Suits you better” she said, sliding into the chair across from Saf, crossing her legs leisurely.
“Just got an interesting message from a friend. Seems like a certain PR strategist is once again pulling the media’s strings, shaping the Rivamonte-Villafranca narrative to their liking.” She tilted her head, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Care to confirm or deny?”
Saf finally looked up from her laptop, eyes sharp but lips curled into a smirk. "Word travels round fast huh.”
Jules let out a short laugh. "Malamang. Ang tanong, sino kaya tong PR person na to and what strings did this she pull this time?" She drummed her fingers against the table. "Kasi alam mo, may pattern eh. Magaling, pulido, subtle… halos hindi halata. Pero alam mong may direksyon. And let’s be real, Saf, ikaw lang ang may ganitong finesse."
Saf set her coffee down with deliberate ease, tilting her head as she arched a brow at Jules.
"If you’re here just to admire my brilliance, you might as well write a full feature on me. Honestly, you’re exhibiting peak fan behavior—and last I checked, this isn’t a meet-and-greet."
"Omsim! you’re absolutely right—I’m your biggest fan," Jules drawled, flashing a grin. "Pinapanood ko bawat galaw mo." The way she said it—dripping with sarcasm, laced with just the right amount of threat—made it clear she wasn’t just teasing. It was confident, condescending, and just enough to get under Saf’s skin.
Saf set her cup down a little too hard, the sound of it slamming against the coaster cutting through the air. She shot Jules a sharp gaze, her expression laced with challenge.
"And what are you gonna do, Ms. Holier-than-thou?"
Jules leaned back in her chair, unfazed, a slow smirk creeping onto her lips. "Hmmm ewan… maybe keep you on your toes?" she mused, tapping her fingers idly against the table.
"Someone has to, since you’re so used to playing puppet master without anyone pulling your strings."
Saf closed her laptop, tilting her head. "Let’s not pretend you don’t know how the game works Julliane.” — “Mia said you’re here to keep everything in check. She’s pushing for a clean and truthful campaign and yet, she agreed on this strategy, My Startegy. That’s a bit contradicting don’t you think? So ano ba talaga role mo dito? "
Jules chuckled, shaking her head as she crossed her arms. “Aww, what’s wrong, princess? Don’t want me here?” She tilted her head, feigning offense with a playful pout.
Saf didn't blink. "Last thing I need is you being a pain in my ass. Telling me what I should and should not do. It's called strategy, Julliane. Politics isn’t just about idealism—it’s about control. You, of all people, should understand that. Or baka iniisip mo na elections are won just by telling the truth and hoping people listen?"
Jules let out an amused hum, tapping her fingers against the armrest. “Wow, you almost sounded like a real villain there, Puppeteer princess ,” she quipped, her smirk widening. “Akala ko ba this was all about public service .”
Saf rolled her eyes, but her gaze remained sharp. “Spare me the theatrics Rubio. You can paint me as the bad guy all you want, pero at the end of the day, alam mong kinakailangan to.” She leaned forward, voice steady, unwavering. “A clean and truthful campaign sounds noble, pero reality check Jules—truth doesnt win elections. Perception does.”
Jules scoffed, shaking her head. “And what? That justifies manipulating narratives?” She leaned in, matching Saf’s intensity, her eyes glinting with something sharp, almost triumphant.
"Alam mo, isa sa mga bagay na na observe ko sayo ay sobrang obsess mo with control" Jules said, shaking her head. "You act like everything is just a game of strategy—like people are pieces you can move around at will. Pero naisip mo na ba what happens when the story you’re spinning spirals out of your control?”
She tilted her head, a smirk creeping onto her lips. “Ironic lang kasi, the very person orchestrating and suppsoedly leading this coalition to victory is also the one who contradicts the very principles it claims to uphold.
Jules’ gaze was piercing now, pinning Saf in place. “Habang busy si Mia at Maco na kumbinsihin ang mga tao na sa makabagong pamumuno, you’re here, naglalaro ng madumi na parang lumang pulitika. Sounds a lot like hypocrisy to me Sabellana.
The words hung between them, thick and heavy. Saf’s smirk didn’t falter, but there was a flicker—just a flicker—of something in her eyes. Jules saw it, and oh, she was enjoying this.
“That’s the difference between you and me, Jules.” She reached for her coffee, taking a slow sip before continuing, voice cool and certain. “I don’t let things spiral. I make sure every move is calculated. Controlled like you said .” She set her cup down deliberately. “You don’t like my methods? Fine. But don’t pretend you’re above this. Because you’re still here. Watching. Waiting. And deep down, you want to see how this plays out.”
Jules held her gaze, jaw tightening. There was no denying it—Saf had a point. And that annoyed her more than she cared to admit.
She parted her lips, ready to fire back, to claw at the cracks in Saf’s argument and wedge herself right in—but before she could, a voice cut through the tension like a knife.
“Good morning!!!!”
Shana’s voice rang out, overly exaggerated and oozing with an almost offensive amount of energy for this hour. Jules tore her gaze away from Saf just in time to see Shana bouncing toward them, her usual sunshine self, completely oblivious to the invisible battle that had just taken place.
Gene, Mia, and Maco followed sluggishly, still half-asleep, while Yana trailed behind.
Mia yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Ang aga aga Shans napaka hyper mo”
Maco grunted in agreement, plopping into a chair without a word, her head immediately resting on the table. Gene, ever the quiet one, simply stretched before taking a seat, scanning the two already-seated figures in front of her—Jules still tense, Saf looking just a little too composed.
Jules exhaled, leaning back. The moment was gone. For now. But she wasn’t done. Not even close.
Saf, sipping her coffee like nothing happened, smirked over the rim of her cup as if to say, Round one goes to me.
“San si Alex?” Jules asked, glancing around.
“Ginising ko na,” Yana replied, stretching her arms. “Pero sabi niya she needs nine more minutes at mauna na daw ako.”
Saf checked the time on her phone. Without a word, she stood up, clutching her laptop, and headed inside the villa. The rest of the group followed her with their eyes, then slowly exchanged knowing looks.
“Patay ka Alex,” Shana murmured, shaking her head.
Inside the villa, Saf strode straight to Alex’s room and pushed the door open.
There, in the middle of the bed, Alex was completely wrapped in her blanket like a human burrito. Saf let out an exasperated sigh and tugged at the blanket, but Alex only grumbled and yanked it back, her voice groggy and raspy.
“Yana, nine minutes pa…”
Saf’s eyebrow twitched.
She grabbed the blanket with both hands and pulled harder this time.
“MICHAELA ALEXANDRIA.”
Alex’s eyes snapped open to see Sapphire standing over her, looking visibly pissed. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and flashed a hopeful smile. “Hehe… Four more minutes?”
Saf just shot her a death glare before turning and walking to the door. Alex knew better than to push her luck, so she quickly followed.
Their breakfast was quiet but comfortable, tension from earlier settling into an unspoken truce—at least for now.
Afterward, Saf gathered everyone in the common area, her laptop open in front of her. “Quick update,” she said, tone clipped but efficient. “Habang nandito tayo, the campaign is still moving. I’ve made sure of that.”
She clicked through a few tabs, revealing headlines and engagement stats. “I tipped off a few journalists about this retreat—just enough to frame it as a leadership summit. The public’s already speculating about what this alliance means. At siyempre, I added my own touch to it.”
She shot Jules a look, one brow raised, met by Jules’ subtle downward smile, before her gaze flickered to Alex.
“And oh, Alex’s completely natural and unscripted Instagram stories and reels? Already gaining traction. Engagement’s solid, people are buying into the authenticity.”
"And?" Saf said, looking at Alex expectantly, prompting her to speak.
“I’ve also coordinated with my org. They’re on board for a potential talk and statement of support—subtle, but effective.”
Saf turned to Mia and Maco. “Your branding’s in motion. Narrative’s being shaped: Mia as the people’s advocate and vanguard of change, Maco as the powerhouse and trailblazer. The opposition will have to address us soon.”
Finally, she exhaled, glancing at the group. “VBS team’s already looped in. Everything’s covered. All we have to do now—” she looked at Mia and Maco, “—is make sure we live up to the story we’re telling.”
“Questions?”
Silence. Then Jules leaned back with a smirk. “So, basically, you’ve already pulled all the strings.”
Saf met her gaze, unbothered. “I don’t pull strings. I set the stage. It’s up to us how we play it.”
Shana clapped her hands together, cutting through the lingering tension.
"Okay! Ngayong tapos na ang heavy brain work, move on na tayo to something a little more... personal." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, earning a few groans and chuckles from the group.
Maco, arms crossed, leaned back in her chair. "Parang mabigat yan ah."
"It’s not!" Shana grinned. "Well, kinda. But in a good way!"
Yana raised a skeptical brow. "That’s what people say before dropping something terrifying."
Shana gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. "Grabe naman sa terrifying"
"Ano yan Shans?," Mia muttered, though a small smirk played on her lips.
Shana cleared her throat, shifting into her serious (but not too serious) mode. "Alright, listen up kids! Ganito yan." She grabbed a small stack of paper and pens, handing them out. "You’re going to write something—anything—you want to say to someone in this group na di niyo kaya sabihin sa kanila ng harapan."
A few exchanged looks.
"It will be completely anonymous," Shana continued. "No names. No hints kung para kanino at kanino nang galing."
Alex, holding up the pen like a weapon, smirked. "So basically, a confessional."
"Or a roast session," Gene deadpanned.
"Or," Shana stressed, pointing at both of them, "a way to get things off your chest without the awkwardness of saying it directly."
Saf leaned back in her chair, an unreadable expression on her face. "And what happens to the letters?"
"Ibibigay niyo kay Ate Paula once you’re done," Shana explained, nodding towards Paula, who gave a small wave. "She’ll keep them safe until tonight."
"Tonight?" Maco echoed, her expression now wary.
"Yep! During Connect Night, babasahin isa-isa ang mga sinulat niyo and then we’ll have a discussion about them as a group."
A beat of silence.
Mia pursed her lips. "So… isusulat namin ang aming deepest thoughts tas we’ll have to sit there while everyone dissects them?"
Shana beamed. "Correction! Natin! Siyempre kasali ako noh!!"
"Sounds awful," Alex muttered.
"Sounds fun," Jules countered, already scribbling something down.
Maco huffed. "Sounds like a trap."
Shana shot her a wink. "Sus! Masaya to. Exciting!"
Maco rolled her eyes but took the paper anyway. Across from her, Mia did the same.
"Okay, okay, tama na ang chika!" Shana clapped her hands. "You have until noon to write your letters. After lunch sisimulan na natin ang ating next activity. So mag muni-muni muna kayo. Take your time. Reflect. Be honest."
Mia twirled her pen between her fingers, eyes narrowing. Honest, huh?
The group scattered across the retreat grounds, each clutching a slip of paper, the unspoken weight of the task settling over them.
Maco found herself leaning against a palm tree, arms crossed as she stared at the blank page in her hand. They probably all expect me to write to Mia, she thought, rolling her eyes at the mere idea. Like hell I’d give them that satisfaction.
Instead, she tapped her pen against the paper, her thoughts drifting to someone else. Someone who had, time and time again, been her anchor.
A smirk tugged at her lips as she scribbled down her message.
"Sometimes I wonder how you manage to carry everyone’s weight, yet never let anyone carry yours. It’s okay to let people take care of you too, you know. You don’t always have to be the strong one."
Maco glanced over at the hammock where Shana lay, scribbling something down with furrowed brows, completely engrossed in her own thoughts.
Maco smirked. Hope she gets it.
Mia, on the other hand, sat on the wooden deck, the sound of waves lapping against the shore filling the silence around her. She tapped her pen against her chin, her thoughts clouded with hesitation.
She knew exactly what everyone expected. That she and Maco would—should—use this as an opportunity to air out whatever still lingered between them.
But Mia refused.
She wouldn’t give Maco that power. Not like this.
Instead, she wrote to someone else.
"Sometimes, I envy you. The way your mind works—how you see through the noise and stay true to what you believe, no matter what. It amazes me how sure you always are, how you never seem to waver.
You have such a kind soul. I wonder what it’s like to live in your world, to have that kind of certainty, to always know exactly where you stand.
And I hate that you know me so well. That even in my silence, you hear the things I don’t say. That even when I don’t want to be seen, you see right through me."
She exhaled sharply, staring at the words she had written for Jules before quickly folding the paper and tucking it away.
Across the deck, a few steps away, Shana clutched two sheets of paper in her hands—one blank, one already written on.
And in the shadows of the villa, Sapphire watched.
"Copy it word for word," she had told Shana earlier, slipping her the pre-written letters.
Shana had hesitated. "Gagawin talaga natin to?"
Saf’s smile had been sharp, knowing. "Oh, I’m just helping them say what they’re too stubborn to admit."
Now, as the last of the letters were folded and prepared to be placed in the bowl, Saf glanced at the group from a distance, her fingers tapping lightly against her arm.
Maco and Mia thought they could avoid this conversation.
They were wrong.