Maeve ushered me to the event hall. It was full of glamour, polished with diamond chandeliers and golden statues. Politicians, media and business personalities— name it and they have it! Around hundred rin ang invited, I suppose.

I still can't believe that I'm a guest in Primo's pre-election party. Anong gulo na lang ang mangyayari 'pag kumalat ito?

"Ivy, this is Atty. George," pakilala ni Maeve. "Prof ko sa Criminal Law." I extended my hand for a shake.

"Ivy Gonzaga po." At mahigpit na hawak ang tugon niya rito.

His forehead suddenly creased. "I mistakenly thought you are someone else."

"Ganoon talaga 'pag maganda," pagbibiro ni Maeve.

Agad ring nagpaalam si attorney dahil may pupuntahan pa raw siyang friends. Phew! Hindi ko yata kakayaning ma-expose agad ang identity ko. The game's just beginning, why end it right away?

Kada table yata ay may kinakawayan si Maeve. Small talk tapos lipat sa next table. Every time I introduce myself as Ivy, mas lalo akong nanlulumo. Bakit ba kailangang mag-pretend para matanggap?

"Bakit 'di mo sinabi na we are going here?" I asked after we found our seats. Nasa VIP section yata kami dahil ang lapit lang sa stage. Concert 'to, girl?

"I know you wouldn't come," she admitted. "Gut feeling."

When the lights dimmed, I pushed away my inner thoughts. I need to chill and have a good time. Bahala na sa consequences kinabukasan.

The host began to welcome. "Tonight, we've come together to witness a man of honor."

"Priam Oliver Castellano." With a sight of him, everyone stood and applauded.

Damn, I never saw him like this, slicked back hair and navy tuxedo. Grabeng genes naman 'yan!

"Thank you all for coming tonight," panimula niya.

"I gathered all of you to celebrate this milestone with me. From Primo as a son, friend, CPA lawyer and hopefully, a public servant." He uttered passionately.

"Words cannot explain how grateful I am for your support. Tonight is not just my pre-election party but a time to enjoy ourselves." Then, the crowd clapped the second time around.

Inakma niyang ibalik ang microphone sa host but the latter shook his head. "May hinanda kaming special Q & A today, Primo."

He kidded. "Nako, Tonight with Tito Boy?"

"Don't worry, hindi naman 'to kalevel ng law school recit!" Napatango na lang si Primo.

He folded his arms. "Game."

"What will be the first thing you'll do as the mayor?"

"Aayusin na ang uniform ko para pumasok agad," he paused. "No victory parties, no pretentions. Being a public servant doesn't entitle you to an elite position."

"Why is there a need to combat political dynasty?"

"The power lies in the people, not in a specific clan. If you want to change the system, replace trapo."

Primo's words were concise and direct. Hindi paligoy-ligoy na marami pang irrelevant na sinasabi. Mas lalong tumaas ang respeto ko sa kanya after hearing him speak. Kada tanong ay lagi siyang may sagot in a second. To lighten the mood, may mema round ng Q & A.

The host asked in a playful tone. "Ano ang masasabi mo na ikaw raw ang Vico Sotto ng Ciudad Real?"

Crush na crush ko pa naman si Mayor Vico. He always make an exception to the rule in a good way. Talagang makamasa, plus points na lang ang good looks. If Primo's gonna be the next Vico, who I am to disagree?

He bursted into laughter. "Vico is a friend and a role model. Compliment ba 'yan?"

"Last but not the least," then a drum roll played in the background. "Ang tanong ng karamihan, single ka ba?"

"I hope not," he vaguely answered. One thing's for sure, his girl will be hella lucky!

After that segment, Primo outlined his plans in governance. Detailed, pati breakdown ng expenses. Well, what do we expect from a CPA lawyer?

May open press para sa additional questions but that's too long. Fast forward to the life of the party. Expensive booze was served and open na rin ang dance floor. Tila ba nawalan ng bakas ang normal na pre-election party. It seems like a lit Friday nightout.

I am busy enjoying the live band when I heard a baritone voice. "Can I get you a drink?"

Agad akong umiling. "No, thanks."

Malakas man ang alcohol tolerance ko, I still need to guarantee that I have self-control. Na kaya ko pang ihandle kung may leakage na magaganap.

"Sungit," bulong niya. Sino ba 'tong slapsoil na 'to?

"Look at me," he challenged. Hindi ko siya hinarap dahil baka mainis ako lalo. A sneaky guy with a sexy voice offering drinks shall be avoided.

"Hey," he called again. Whatever! I rolled my eyes in disgust.

Pagkurap ko ay nasa harapan ko na siya. Ilang beses ko na bang hindi siya narerecognize dahil sa boses niya?

"Primo, ikaw pala 'yan." I acted goofy, hiding another stupid encounter. Invited nga ako sa party pero ni boses niya hindi ko pansin.

He snorted. "I'm just a standee, your honor."

"What brings you here?" I asked.

Ang dami niya pa kasing influential guests na pwede kausapin. Why the hell is he wasting time to kid around with me?

"Wala lang." He admitted, grabbing the seat beside me.

I threw him a glare. "Seriously, Primo."

"I don't like it when I'm distracted."

Inangat ko ang kilay ko. "Distracted, saan?"

"Just stuff." He sighed, then chugged the Hennessy he was holding.

A complete silence followed. I just don't know what to say. Mas gusto ko pang manahimik keysa sa hindi ko alam ang sinasabi ko. It took a few minutes until Maeve broke the silence. "Anong ganap?"

"Nothing," sabay naming sambit ni Primo.

Maeve knitted her brows. "Seriously guys, what's up?" At umakbay siya sa'min.

"Primo," she called. "Hindi mo kina-cute ang pagbusangot mo. C'mon, it's your party!"

Umismid lang si Primo at tinungga ang natirang alak. Hindi pa rin natatanggal ang nakakunot niyang noo.

"I'm worried," he bowed his head. "We're not getting any younger. Responsibilities are piling up."

"It's not like it's your stag party tonight, Primo." Maeve kidded.

An intimidating guy interrupted our talk. "Maeve, can you spare me a second?"

"Sure," she nodded. Agad rin siyang nagpaalam. They looked like they were doing some serious business which I lack knowledge of.

"Kailangan mo munang ikasal sa bayan. Just a year. Serve the people." I whispered to his ear.

In a split second, he looked back. Not realizing how we are close in an inch or two. It was dark, yet I witnessed how his cheeks blushed and he immediately turned away. Uso pa pala na namumula din ang mga lalaki. Never proved one until now.

My phone was silent the whole day. It was a weird feeling pero gives off the peace of mind. But life doesn't seem to end the thrill.

You have received a new message from X.
Get your grip, tiger.

My eyes furrowed at the sight of the text. Ilang araw na ring nanahimik si X. As far as I can remember, sa oath taking 'yong huling text niya.

X exists in a big crowd. Ibig sabihin, he or she may be one of the invited guests ngayon. Baka nanumpa rin noong oath taking? Media na gusto manggulo? But the closest I've been with X? A party at Quentins. Suspicious.

Dalawa lang ang sigurado ako, X had connections and plays safe by blending in the crowd. Palagi lang may ganap kung kailan siya nagpaparamdam. He knows that I can't check all the log lists of those events. Masyadong  matrabaho.

Primo nudged me, handing a Smirnoff bottle. "You might need a stress reliever."

Napangiti ako sa gesture niya at kinuha ko ang bote. "Akin na nga!"

"Bottoms up!" He declared. "Loser gets to tell first their thoughts."

I counted up to three then I drinked my bottle agad. Ayaw ko nga mauna magkwento! I don't want to throw another pity party.

Ilang minuto lang, tapos na ako. He was intently staring at me until I finished my drink.

"Ang daya-daya mo!" I blurted like a child. Bwiset naman kasi, bakit ako lang umiinom? Hindi ko naman gusto na maturingang drunkard attorney.

"I'll go first," he licked his lower lip.

"Why did you do it?" I asked. Of course, I don't want to assume hangga't hindi ko alam ang sagot.

"So you'll be comfortable," he pierced his eyes. "If I tell what's mine first."

Okay, that rendered me speechless. Ayon naman talaga ang reason why I wanted to finish my drink first. It's just that kailangan ko nang back-up in case he'll turn his back from me. Mahirap na sa panahon ngayon 'yong kapos sa blackmail. Traitors are the new normal.

"It's kinda weird how you gave me a bottle instead of asking me first about my problem." pagpansin ko.

"Ivy, I am not good in comforting people." My eyes widened in disbelief when he softly squeezed my hand.

"But when you gave them a drink, the story will flow out unexpectedly," he smiled at me and finished off his bottle.

"I was distracted as I've said earlier," he crossed his legs.

"Serving is the dream, Ivy. Sobrang lapit na niya." He spoke with enthusiasm. "But deep inside, it's scary. What if I failed my younger self?"

"What do you mean, Primo?" tanong ko.

I never thought that he has this side. We all have our vulnerable side. Hindi ko lang inakalang ipapakita niya sa'kin 'yon. Maybe he trusts me that much?

And he began to tell his story. "When I graduated, sobrang taas ng mga pangarap ko. All my hardwork paid off."

"It's just that," he sighed. "What if I never made the dream magical? That one day, I'll be asking myself that's it?"

"Lahat naman tayo mag hesitations. Usually sa mga mid-20s, nagkakaroon ng existential crisis," I said.

Now, he's drinking his third bottle of Hennessy. No signs of being tipsy. Diretso pa rin magsalita and maintains an eye contact whenever I talk.

"Your turn," he said. "Cheers muna!"

Agad kong itaas ang pangalawa kong bote. Smirnoff and Hennessy won't make me pass out. Strong yata 'to sa drinking sessions.

"I have a stalker." pag-amin ko. Biglang kumuyom ang kamao niya.

His jaw clenched. "What the fuck?"

"X likes to meddle if there's a big crowd. Just texted a while ago." I honestly told Primo.

Sariling boyfriend ko ni hindi ko masabihan. He's a man with anger management issues. I'm sure informing him about this won't help. Maybe he just took our two years for granted.

"Tell me everything, Ivy." Pagkatapos ay ipinatong niya ang kamay niya sa balikat ko. "At your own pace."

"Not tonight, Primo." I reached out for his ear and whispered. "Too dangerous if the enemy's close."

—

It's already 12 am. Isang oras kaming nag-usap ni Primo sa table. Maeve is nowhere to be found, baka umuwi na. Ngayon, all I can see is a sleeping Primo. His head is resting on his folded arms.

I badly wanted to dance. Wala na ring press at bilang na lang sa kamay ang nandito. Usually mga teens at 20s who's enjoying the booze and the dancefloor. But it would be rude na iwanan ko si Primo mag-isa.

My phone rang kaya napabangon siya. Probably Quen or Niko calling. He rubbed his eyes and combed his dishelved hair.

"What time is it?" He asked, fixing his suit.

"12 am. I need to get home." I said, worrying about what Niko might say. Kakabati lang namin and I don't want to set a bad impression.

"Hop in my car. Hatid na kita." pag-aalok niya.

I shook my head. "Don't mind me. You rest."

"Any song requests? One last call. We'll be closing the booth in a few minutes." DJ announced.

Primo raised his hand. "Play what the lady wants."

For an instance, I became the center of attention. I shrugged it off and requested a song from the Reputation album.

"I owed that," he chuckled. "For sleeping on you."

At the first drop of the beat, he held my hand and dragged me to the floor. There's a relation talaga between Primo and running with intertwined fingers. It's wrong but I don't want to let go.

I loved you in secret

First sight, yeah, we love without reason

Oh, twenty-five years old

We were just staring at each other on the first verse. My body froze and I don't know how to act.

Friends lang, Saoirse Ivory. Don't ever think of cheating to Quen. Even though he's acting bad, that's just unfair. Sabi mo self-control. Huwag kang papatalo sa Hennessy at Smirnoff. I'm sure 'yong isang brain cell ko ang responsible sa monologue.

Deep blue, but you painted me golden

Oh, and you held me close

Oh, how was I to know that

As if on cue, he pulled me in his arms. Mata sa mata. His hands held my waist. "Okay lang?"

Bahagya akong tumango. I was so mesmerized by his hazelnut eyes, to the point that I can't think straight. My hands found comfort in his nape.

Yeah, we were dancing

Dancing with our hands tied, hands tied

Yeah, we were dancing

And I had a bad feeling

His face went an inch closer every line. I've been holding my breath and my guilt for the last minutes.

Fuck, Primo.

Don't make me do bad things.

I can't risk everything I have. Not now.

"Time to get home," he said raspily.