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Fruits of their Labor

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SO FAR, so good.

This was the phrase that Enzo could think of as he stood in front of the cameras and the podium the next morning after news of the fire broke. There was a relaxed, satisfied expression on his face as he addressed the student body about the student council's new project: a fire prevention system that includes monthly fire drills and a fire-proof rehabilitation of the school's major facilities.

"The president may now take questions," Enzo's trusty P.R.O., Webster Diokno, announced to everyone.

As if on cue, all writers from Castillo High's major student publications raised their hands quickly. Along with this, campus photojournalists flashed their cameras even more towards the president.

Enzo could see Elysia slightly raise her left hand as well, her right arm crossed against her chest which emphasized her tight blouse even more. The news writer was giving him a playful expression, her red-colored lower lip suppressing what seemed like a smirk.

It took all of Enzo's willpower to look away. Flirting with Elysia, even through mere eye contact, was too risky; especially in a press conference such as this where everyone had their watchful eyes on him. Besides, he was starting to have the most inappropriate thoughts.

He'd have to deal with it later.

"Yes, questions anyone?" Enzo cleared his throat, attempting to snap himself back to reality.

Everyone raised their hands further, wanting to be the first to ask juicy questions and get a good quote from the student council president himself. And Enzo was going to give them just that.

"You," Webster said, pointing to a writer from the back of the lobby.

"This rise of campus-related crimes seem to have only emerged as soon as you became president, Enzo," the writer, a rather chubby-looking girl sporting a high ponytail, said. "Do you think someone else is trying to sabotage your term?"

Enzo tried not to chuckle.

"I wouldn't outright say so. But I do know that there's always someone who will pull you down to push themselves up in the jungle of politics," Enzo replied as Webster pointed to another writer.

"You there," the P.R.O. nodded.

"Hello Mr. President, I'm just wondering what your next step will be once this vandal continues its extreme activities??"

"Well, the student council is currently coordinating with the school's administrators to tighten Castillo High's security even more. As for now, the only thing I can say is that we are doing everything we can to capture the culprit," Enzo answered briefly.

"You said coordinating with the administrators. How about the Campus Sleuths? What is your partnership with them?" another writer asked.

"The council is of course in partnership with every major organization in the academe. As of now though, the latest update that the sleuths have given to me will remain confidential so as to not compromise their investigation. But I assure you, they too are working as quick as they can to end this case once and for all."

"Last question, everyone," Webster warned, pointing to Elysia who was at the left-most side of the lobby.

"Good morning, Mr. President," Elysia said, using her formal, professional tone. She was wearing her usual Castillian uniform, but Enzo swore her maroon skirt seemed to be a few inches shorter, emphasizing her long legs.

Focus. The student council president told himself, trying his best to put on a casual face and maintain eye contact with Elysia.

"The latest student survey evaluating your initial term as president was released yesterday. It showed a whopping result of a 90% approval rate from the student body. What are your thoughts on this? And how do you think you can maintain this record?"

Enzo could feel his lips curve into a slight smile. "Let's just say that those numbers wouldn't be possible without my other co-officers, and of course, the support of the student body."

By the time the president stepped down from the podium, shook hands with a few more officials, and returned with Webster to the student council office, he was greeted by his fellow officers with a robust round of cheering.

"You've outdone yourself, Enzo! Pa-blow out ka naman," Deputy President Hendrix Almonte exclaimed, slapping Enzo in the back.

"As a matter of fact, we should," Enzo nodded with a laugh. "Althea, kindly order two large boxes of pizza please," Enzo told the student council secretary who nodded promptly.

"A 90% approval rate," Keira, who was leaning against her cubicle, said snidely as Enzo passed by. "What did you do now, bribe the whole student body?"

The president stopped momentarily to turn to the vice president and face her with a triumphant smirk. "It's simply good leadership and strategy, Keira. Look it up sometime."

And with that, he closed his office door behind him.

---

Elysia herself was reaping the fruits of their labor as she passed her latest article on Enzo's new fire prevention project to her editor.

"Thanks for this El. You've been on a roll lately," Stephen, her news editor, remarked. "Tell me, may nag-iinspire ba sa'yo?"

The news writer couldn't help but laugh, waving her hand in the air. The face of a certain tall, dark-haired boy flashed across her mind, but she was smart enough not to give herself away.

"Ito talaga si Kuya," Elysia smiled, feigning good relations with her editor even though in reality, nag-iba na ang tingin niya dito simula nung nalaman niya kay Enzo na binayaran si Stephen para sulatan ng magandang article si Keira.

"I guess you can say I just have an active nose for news, that's all," Elysia shrugged nonchalantly.

As she walked back to her cubicle, she could see Sheyna mocking her and making a face. Sa halip na mairita ay mas lalong natawa ang dalaga.

Sheyna was nothing but bitter while Elysia was the current frontrunner in their race towards being editor-in-chief.

She could feel her dreams merely a stone's throw away, and nothing was going to stop her.

By lunch time, Elysia decided to treat herself with a good meal for these small wins. She had been working non-stop for weeks after all, and so far, everything was going according to their plan.

Just as she left the Gazette's office and was going down the hallway, saktong bumungad sa kaniya ang matangkad na student council president.

He was heading towards her direction.

Agad na nagtama ang tingin ng dalawa. There was some sort of tinglingtension emanating between them.

"Elysia," Enzo greeted her in his deep voice — the same tone that made Elysia's knees weak. She could see that his shoulders were tense and tight underneath his polo, as if he was suppressing something.

"Mr. President," Elysia nodded back, feeling her heart thump loudly against her chest with the thrill of it. There were only a few students in the corridor with them but it was best to keep her professional act with Enzo just in case.

The news writer held her breath as they passed by one another. Enzo's thumb slightly brushed against her own hand as they crossed paths — the feeling electric but also fleeting.

Suddenly, Elysia was hungry for something else.

---

Enzo had not done any type of work the whole day. He tried to busy himself in his office, catching up on his academic readings and even listening to music. But nothing was working.

Most of his thoughts strayed to a certain female news writer who had been working him up since she first interviewed him. A certain writer whose dark, wavy, shoulder-length hair smelled like vanilla, whose brown eyes reminded him of his favorite chocolate dessert, and whose smooth skin and figure he had dreamt consistently of these past few nights.

It was an urge he so desperately wanted to satisfy, leading him to their usual meeting place that chilly evening, in the hopes that she would be there.

Saktong pagkarating ng binata sa library ay pasara na ito. The light of its lamps were already turned down low, and Emerie was packing up her things by the librarian's desk.

"Why are you both here?" Emerie asked Enzo in annoyance as soon as she saw him enter through the library doors. "There isn't a meeting, is there?"

"She's here?" Enzo chuckled, one hand in his pants' pocket.

Emerie replied with a scowl before tossing a spare copy of the library keys to him. "Remember to lock up when you leave, Mr. 90% approval rating."

She then grabbed her bag, grumbling to herself, "They don't pay me enough for this type of shit."

And with that, the librarian's assistant slammed the door behind her, locking the library with her own set of keys. Enzo would have to thank Emerie properly some other time.

For now, he had another business to attend to.

"Looking for a book, Mr. President?"

Enzo turned around at the sound of her voice.

There she was.

Elyisa, whose figure was illuminated by the moonlight from the library's large windows, was leaning against one of the nearby bookshelves, raising an eyebrow at Enzo and sporting a playful expression. Her hair, which was usually up in a bun with a claw clip, fell down her shoulders in beautiful waves. And her eyes, her almond-shaped brown eyes, were blinking seductively at him, as if inviting the boy to come closer.

She looked enthralling standing by the restricted section of the dimly-lit library.

"Looking for a writer actually," Enzo smirked, finally finding his voice. He then slowly stepped towards Elysia with one hand still in his pocket, as if he was treading a dangerous path.

But he couldn't help it. There was a magnetic attraction that kept pulling him towards her.

Out in the corridors, Enzo always made sure to be consistent with his front as this archetypal serious student council president who had no friends and no time for flirting. But here in the library, with no one else but the only lady driving him crazy, Enzo was quickly stripped off from his armor. 

By the time he was inches away from the brunette, Enzo could feel the heat and excitement emanating from both their bodies. He wondered if she could hear his loud heartbeat.

"What about you," Enzo murmured, placing an arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. "You aren't looking for a book, are you?"

He then leaned down, his tall figure towering over the young girl, lips inches from her soft cheeks.

Elysia smacked her lips playfully as if in thought, all while slithering her hands around his neck. "Actually, I'm looking for someone who recently had a 90% approval rating to celebrate with me."

The student council president let out a low chuckle. "Then you're looking at the right person," he murmured deeply, lips nuzzling Elysia's neck who stifled out a breath. The young girl could feel the hair on her face stand from anticipation.

"What celebration do you have in mind?" Enzo whispered, his voice raspy against Elysia's ear.

To his surprise, the writer rolled her hips towards his groin, inciting a guttural moan from the boy.

"I was thinking about something along those lines," Elysia whispered back.

Enzo's gaze immediately darkened. It was as if Elysia had finally fully switched something inside him.

With a low groan, he pushed her against a nearby wall, kissing her hungrily.

A sigh escaped from the writer's lips as she returned Enzo's kisses, eagerly pushing his maroon blazer off his shoulders, letting it fall onto the library's marbled floor.

"Enzo," Elysia gasped as the boy pressed his leg in-between her thighs, rubbing her core sensually. The president took this as an opportunity to insert his tongue into her mouth.

Elysia whimpered, rubbing her own tongue against his as Enzo raised both her hands above her, locking the girl underneath him. His other hand was venturing into new territory, running across the side of her curves — all the way from her hips to the plumpness of her chest.

This time, Enzo turned his attention towards the crevice of her neck, nibbling a path towards her ear.

"You have no idea the effect you have on me," he whispered before licking the outer shell of her ear. His fingers had found its way to Elysia's blouse, undoing her buttons and letting the material drop to the floor as well.

Enzo couldn't help but groan seeing the young girl only in her black, lacy bra.

"May I?" he murmured, fingers grazing her belly. Elysia nodded, guiding his hand to cup her breasts. Even through the lacy material, he could feel their softness.

"Not so innocent after all, Mr. President," Elysia managed to say teasingly. "Wait 'til the readers of the Castillian Gazette hear about this."

"That's funny, coming from their professional star writer," Enzo chuckled deeply, grabbing Elysia by the waist and flipping her around until she was pressed to a bookshelf this time.

"You've been teasing me with this skirt all day long," the president muttered darkly from behind her, bunching up the skirt's material and pressing himself onto Elysia's round behind.

"Glad it did its work," Elysia giggled, pressing herself further into Enzo.

"Fuck," Enzo groaned, burying his face into her neck. "You feel so good down there," he murmured, his tone hazy as he rubbed himself on the young girl.

Elysia whimpered, feeling more and more wet as Enzo's left hand slipped between her thighs, his right hand unclasping her bra. Slowly, he pulled the straps down her shoulders, taking in the softness of her skin.

The president kissed the crook of her left shoulder. "You're beautiful," he whispered, reaching from behind to fondle her chest.

The young girl cried out his name as his lips grazed the back of her neck, twisting her nipple and grinding his hips on her.

"Hush baby," Enzo murmured, slipping a finger inside her underwear to rub her gently. "We wouldn't want the whole student body to hear, would you?"

In retaliation, Elysia rolled her ass into Enzo, causing the boy to cry out her name.

"Shit, El!" Enzo groaned, thrusting his hips involuntarily into her.

"You better be quiet yourself, Mr. President," Elysia taunted in reply, meeting his thrusts until the both of them were moaning incessantly. "You wouldn't want everyone to find out the student council president is fucking a student journalist."

Enzo groaned with her words. It wasn't long before the both of them reached their peak, their shadows dancing across the bookshelves and the library floors.

It was a secret rendezvous that they'd gladly repeat.

---

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