Chapter 17
1096 Words
Chapter 17
Elise's POV
"Are you looking for mayor?" she asked, her voice pulling me from my frantic search.
"Yes," I managed, barely keeping my voice steady.
"He left a minute ago, Miss Elise. An emergency call. He couldn't say goodbye," she explained, a hint of apology in her tone.
"Couldn't even spare a second?" I retorted, my frustration bubbling over. "How did he just vanish? And what are you doing here?" My voice was sharper than I intended, a surge of unfamiliar bitterness rising within me. "Did he sprout wings and fly off this terrace?" I added, gesturing dramatically, sarcasm lacing my words.
"I've been here preparing a table for you and the mayor, Miss Elise," she responded calmly, unfazed by my outburst. "Something came up. This terrace connects to other offices, too – the Municipal Engineer and the Agriculturist. Mayor Agapito used their back exit." She gestured towards two unassuming doors I hadn't even noticed.
Heat flooded my cheeks. i***t! Why so quick to jump to conclusions? I berated myself, shrinking inwardly. Grabbing a wine glass, I poured myself a generous splash of red wine and gulped it down, hoping to extinguish the burning embarrassment.
"Please, sit, Miss Elise," Joanne said gently. "We have something important to discuss." She offered a kind smile. "I'm Joanne Torres, Mayor Agapito's secretary, by the way."
"Secretary?" I echoed, my eyebrows shooting up. "I… I thought you were his girlfriend," I blurted out before I could stop myself, the words hanging awkwardly in the air.
Joanne's soft laughter eased the tension slightly. "Oh, no, not at all. Just his secretary. Nothing more, nothing less. No need for concern."
"But last time I…" I trailed off, the memory flickering. No, it was nothing. Probably just my imagination. "Never mind. So, what did you want to discuss?" I asked, taking the offered seat, my curiosity arise .
"This is from mayor." She said handling my laptop to me.
"Thank you," I mumbled, taking it gratefully.
"As I mentioned, I'm here to relay Mayor Agapito's proposal," she began, her tone professional. "To finalize the contract with your company, the study needs to be replicated here in Santa Monica. There's a designated testing area in Barangay Sta. Ynez. You can visit it anytime. I can accompany you, or our Municipal Agriculturist is also available."
"No problem. I'm from Sta. Ynez," I replied. "Where in Sta. Ynez, exactly?"
"In Hacienda Agapito," she answered simply.
Hacienda Agapito … My blood ran cold. The words reverberated in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. Why there? Of all places…
"Miss Elise? Are you alright?" Joanne's voice, laced with concern, broke through my spiraling thoughts.
"Y-yes, fine," I stammered, forcing a smile, though my mind was a whirlwind of unanswered questions.
"Any other questions?" she asked kindly.
"No, not at all. I just need to arrange for the seeds to be delivered," I replied, trying to sound composed.
"Actually," Joanne interrupted, "I forgot to mention, everything you'll need is already provided."
"Oh," I blinked, taken aback. "Okay, then." I nodded, still slightly bewildered. "I should probably get going." I rose to my feet.
"Not staying for dinner?" she inquired.
"No, thank you. My family are probably waiting for me." I offered a weak smile.
"Alright. I'll show you out then."
Reuben's POV
Hidden in the shadows of the terrace, I watched and listened, every word a twist of the knife. This was all part of the plan. I had intended to reveal everything – the whole agonizing truth – but a crippling fear held me captive. Instead, I called Joanne, entrusting her with the charade. I walked to the table, pouring myself a glass of wine, the crimson liquid mirroring the turmoil within me.
"She's gone, sir," Joanne's voice was quiet, respectful. "I don't pretend to understand the complexities of your relationship, but if you truly care for her… tell her." Her words, though gentle, resonated with a profound truth.
I sighed, the weight of my secrets pressing down on me. "It's complicated, Joanne. Thank you for your help, for the… alibi." I took a long swallow of wine, the bitterness clinging to my tongue. "You and Andrew will accompany her tomorrow to the hacienda."
"Me? But why? If… if Andrew is going with Miss Elise?" Confusion laced her voice.
"She won't be alone with him," I stated firmly, my jaw tight. "You'll be there… representing me."
"But, sir—"
"Triple your salary," I cut her off, my voice brooking no argument.
"T-triple? !" she exclaimed, her surprise evident.
***
After leaving the municipal hall, I saw Eliot, my cousin, pacing anxiously.
"Looking for someone?" I asked, approaching him.
He spun around, relief washing over his face. "You! Come on i Left the family in the pick-up."
"You could've called."
"Couldn't reach you," he shrugged.
I pulled out my phone. "Dead," I muttered, shoving it back into my pocket.
***
We're home. Eliot pulled into the garage, and I jumped out, laptop clutched in my hand. I saw uncle Ramon in the living room as i entered the house.
"Good evening, Tito," I greeted him warmly.
"Good evening, hija. How's the wound?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
"A little sore, but bearable," I reassured him.
"Good, good. Go up and rest. I'll call you for dinner."
"Okay, Tito."
I stepped into my old room, my heart swelling with a bittersweet ache. After thirteen long years, nothing had changed. Everything was just as I left it, meticulously clean, lovingly preserved. I collapsed onto the bed, the familiar comfort both soothing and unsettling. I'm home, I thought, the words catching in my throat. I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling, lost in a flood of memories. Finally, I got up and plugged in my phone, desperate for a connection to the outside world. As soon as it powered on, it rang. An unknown number…
I ignored it. But it rang again, persistent, insistent. Sighing, I answered.
"Hello?"
…Silence.
"Hello?" I repeated, my impatience growing.
…Nothing.
"If this is a prank call, I'm hanging up," I warned, my voice tight. "Find someone else to bother." I slammed the button, ending the call.
But before I could even lower the phone, it rang again. The same number.
"What?!" I snapped, exasperated.
"Elise," a voice whispered, and my heart stopped.
"Dungngo," he murmured, the endearment sending a wave of warmth through me, before the line clicked dead.
Dungngo… He called me Dungngo…Only one person calls me that, and that's Mayor Agapito.
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