2820 LOPEZ, SAOIRSE IVORY G.

My heart jumped out of my chest the moment I saw my name on the list of bar passers.

Law school isn't for everyone and that's for sure. A hundred-page readings for a day, handwritten case digests, and nerve-wracking recitations were the basics in a law student's life.

"Congrats, babe!" Quen cheered.

It's funny how he survived being a boyfriend of a law student. Instead of focusing on him, my digests were most likely where my attention is.

Nevertheless, the Stefan Quentin III stayed on my side.

Heck, being the partner of a future politician frustrates me a lot! Keyso future magnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan, corrupt at anti-poor.

You have 3 new notifications from Twitter.

@makamasa tweeted: g0rl, paano ka pumasa ng bar kung makitid utak mo? naturingang freedom ibig sabihin ng name mo

@l0seR69  tweeted: at may isang law student na naman na pumasa dahil sa suhol

@seahors3 tweeted: stomoyon congrats may isa na namang privileged abogaga na quentin apologist ew

These hate statements were just tweeted by some trolls na walang lakas ng loob mang-bash using their real account.

All eyes on me, bawal magkamali. Everyone has something to say, whether it's personal or just anything mean.

Political dynasty is evident and Quentins are part of it. To be honest, I don't see anything wrong with it.  They are very competent sa larangan ng politika. Though I won't deny na his family is super rich and that causes false theories.

"Still there, babe?" He looked at me sincerely, as if there is something wrong.

"Yup, sorry if I'm spacing out too much." I apologized.

"How about we celebrate it with my parents? I'm sure they'll be happy to hear it!"

Of course, who would not be pleased to meet his parents? Mayor lang naman ng Ciudad Real ang papa niya. I looked up to him very much lalo na't mahal sila na tao. And that's what you call leadership, serving with pure intentions.

There was an awkward silence as we walk to the parking lot lalo na't nasa area kami ng scholars. And I will tell you, they are too much to handle.

Masyadong political, madaming sinasabi lalo na sa gobyerno. Hay these university students, I can't even.

A casual dinner with his parents makes me shiver. I mean this isn't the first time but they are hella intimidating. I hope they won't mind my simple dress.

"Quen.." I mumbled. Overthinking won't help me to set a good impression pero I can't help it. He looked at me directly, now that the stoplight is at red. Hay naku, endless traffic sa SLEX.

"I t-think I'll go nuts when your father asks me about my career."

"I got you babe, divert ko na lang attention nila sa ibang bagay." A typical Quen replies. Lagi lang naman siyang chill and he resolves everything at his reach. Kaya di ko maatim 'yong mga negative comments tungkol sa family nila.

"Kasi naman, we are both 25. It's May 2015 and malapit na elections. Ano na namang ambag ko?"

"Saoirse, you being there is enough for me. And being a lawyer, that's it!" He assured and placed his hand on my shoulder.

Since the stoplight's already on go, I immediately brushed off the topic. The last thing I wanna do is makipag-away sa boyfriend ko on an important day. Like the person's already tired from driving, why would I even bother to be a bitch?

An hour had passed and we are nearly in Ciudad Real. Actually malapit siya sa may Tagaytay to Batangas route. Parang nag roadtrip na rin kaming dalawa if pumupunta sa kanila.

Basta ang palatandaan, mansions and humongous gates. In Ciudad Real, everything is just plain extravaganza. No wonder why most celebrities and politicians settle here. Of course, the biggest house is owned by the mayor of the place itself. Deserve naman siguro nila 'yon after their sacrifices for the public.

I was blinded by the lights coming from the place, booming sound from the speakers. It looks like there was a party going on. Ayokong mag-assume but I had high hopes that it was for me. Just daydreaming.

"Saoirse, I think wrong timing tayo." He panicked, looking immensely at his phone and typing fast which is weird. I never see him panicking in our two-year relationship. Maybe something's really up.

"I can just go home so you won't get tired. We can just visit the other day." I assured dahil it's not time to lash around and demand something.

"Tangina, palpak! Kung kailan malapit na eleksyon, motherfuckers," pabulong niyang sabi pero I can really see his anger. Namumula na rin siya at nakakuyom ng mahigpit.

"What's up, love?" I looked at him in the eyes pero umismid lamang siya.

I was so desperate to know what's bothering him since I never saw him mad like this.

Never.

Not once.

"You can tell me everything. I promise."

"Remember the colleague I told you about? The one who registered after knowing na tatakbo ako for President sa Student Council." He recalled as if it was just a day ago.

"Primo yata 'yong name if I'm correct." I replied. Why would I forget the name if that was the name that my boyfriend mentions when he's drunk?

I bet he's beating him to death in his mind. He never mentions that name without a cuss.

At mas lalo pang humigpit ang hawak nya sa kaniyang phone, as if may hawak siyang gustong sirain.

"That son of a bitch, Primo! He filed his candidacy kanina for mayor."

Kaya naman pala galit na galit si Quen. All he wanted is to win this position lalo't na he trained hard for it. His family made him work on an entry-level position in the government just to learn.

"Ano bang alam ng Primo na 'yon? Mas kilala family niyo sa governance plus you earned this town's respect."

And the mood cooled a little as we enter the gates of their mansion. Although we are both clueless what's going on, we still decided to say our goodbyes to his parents lalo na't ang tagal ng byinahe namin.

"Ma, what's this stupid party all about?" He aggressively asked.

This is so unlikely of him. For sure, mas lalong magagalit ang parents niya pag nalaman ang candidacy ni Primo.

"Just a homecoming party for your Papa's friends. 'Yung partners natin sa America." She answered.

You just don't mess with the Quentins. They never played dirty, but dealing with them brings a huge collision. And collisions mean there will be casualties. You definitely don't want to be one.

"Stupid Primo filed a fucking candidacy!" He shouted which caused a commotion from the guests. I understand where his rage is coming from.

Whenever he recalled the incident of him losing to Primo, he feels like he's living in hell. And what's worst is that he lost to a beginner in student governance. Kamusta na lang ang ego niya if he will lose the second time around?

"Calm down your nerves, son. Alam mo naman kung sino ang bagay sa position at may suporta ng tao." His mom gently said as she patted his back. He let out a heavy sigh as a reply.

"She's right Quen. Hindi naman siguro babalewalain ng taong bayan ang service niyo dito for 10 years." I immediately added. Maybe he just need a solid support system.

I hate to admit it but Quen is spoiled since he is the only son. It is kinda toxic to hear that it's a testimony from me but sometimes he can be too much.

"Tita, late na po. Maybe I should get going." It's already past 8 in the evening and baka pagsarhan na ko sa dorm. Ayoko namang makipaglaro sa lamok buong gabi.

"Saoirse, your safety is my priority. Spend the night sa room ni Quen, I trust you both since matured na kayo."

So as she said, I am spending the night in this palace. We never really bothered to go to the party since we don't want to mingle with the oldies. For sure, business and stock market ang hot topic doon.

As usual, we followed Tita's orders and went to the bed. The moment Quen felt the warm sheets, he dozed off to sleep. Dala siguro ng pagod sa driving and stress sa upcoming elections. It's just frustrating me na wala akong magawa.

Like how can I even remove Primo out of the way?

Or how to be a girlfriend na may connections? All I have are haters, lalo na noong naging kami ni Quen.

They often said that nabulag na ko sa pera or sa politiko. That I tend to lose all my morals and principles because of him.

But isn't that how life goes that you can't just have everything? Like you need to sacrifice to get what you want?

If you found your ride-or-die person, you would not afford to lose them. In my case, I lost my personal connections especially my social circle. Lagi lang nila pinopoint out that Quen is just a political instrument ng family niya to retain their power.

I could have believed them pero wala naman silang proof. Or kaya may proof pero ayaw kong maniwala.

One thing's for sure, this love had made me blind.

I expected to be asleep by this time, madaling araw na. All these thoughts kept me wide awake.

It just hits different at 3 am. Your mind screams out of desperation but you can't break the silence. Like you want someone to save you from your drowning thoughts.

And out of the blue, I just felt like getting a glass of water. The house is in pure silence not until I saw two silhouettes bickering in the corner. Hindi pa yata tapos ang party at may hawak pa silang wine glass.

"Ba't ba hindi na lang ako ang isabak sa eleksyon? Mas deserving ako compared kay Quen," inosente niyang tanong.

"You just need to trust me," matigas na sabi ng lalaki.

Their voices are low but I can feel the intensity of the conversation. It's not surprising that there are traitors in this house and I need to find out who.

Pero sa ngayon ay kailangan ko munang mag-pretend na wala akong alam. After making sure that no one's around, dahan-dahan akong bumalik sa kwarto.

At saktong tumunog ang phone ko. No one texts at this ungodly hour unless it's a booty call or maybe not.

But it is way weirder to see a text from an anonymous person. As if may nagmamatyag sa bawat galaw ko kanina and decided to end what I was planning.

You received a new message from X.

The cat got killed by its curiosity.

Maybe I should just mind my own business.