/8/
The King's First Move

---

RAINDROPS SLIPPED down the fabric of the student council president's umbrella as he walked past the different gardens that surrounded the campus grounds. August has always been a gloomy month throughout the country, blessing the grass with water puddles for children to jump into, and cloudy skies perfect for afternoon walks.

It was always this particular period where Enzo could feel time blur past him. With both school work and council work piled up on his desk, and his mind always preoccupied with exceeding Keira, August slipped away into a moment in time — jarring enough for him to realize that it was already the end of the first month of school.

This meant he had been working with Keira for almost three weeks.

The thought made him want to double over. It wasn't like he wasn't doing anything to kick her out of the council. Mas nananaig lang talaga ang mga responsibilidad nito kaya hindi niya napaglalaan ng oras ang plano na patalsikin si Keira.

Even today was another busy day as he closed his wet umbrella and walked up the steps to the main building, shaking his slightly damp hair. 

Agad na dumiretso ito papunta sa student council office, using the large umbrella as a sort of cane that made him look like he was an Englishman detective. But instead of entering the Scotland Yard, he found himself entering his supposed lair — one that was occupied by the queen of snakes herself.

"Good morning, Enzo," bati ni Althea Fuentes, ang secretary ng council na nag-aayos ng cabinet sa gilid. Around the place, most officers were scampering around and cleaning the room in anticipation for their visitor who would be arriving this morning.

"Morning officers," bati pabalik ng binata, placing the black umbrella in the corner rack. He mentally took note of everyone cleaning, frowning when he couldn't seem to spot his foe.

"Where is she?" yamot nitong tanong kay Francesca at Yenna na dumaan, the latter holding the broom.

The PRO let out a scoff. "Where else?"

"Probably ransacking your office and dreaming it as hers," Yenna, who had won as the grade eleven batch representative, remarked before the two girls headed further inside the cubicles.

Horrified, Enzo immediately sprinted to his office, bursting into its entrance only to see Keira holding out the nameplate "president" that was sitting on his desk.

"Our dearest president!" Keira grinned, brandishing the nameplate. "Missed me already?"

"Put that down and get out of my office," Enzo said irritably, shutting the door behind him.

"You know, I think it's kind of unfair that only the president has his own personal room in the student council headquarters," Keira frowned, folding her arms and tapping a finger on her right cheek as if in thought.

"Welp," she shrugged. "Never mind. I'll be occupying this office soon anyway. Might as well cherish the privilege."

She then smiled before placing the nameplate back on his desk. 

Agad na nagpantig ang tenga ng binata. "Keep on dreaming, Keira," he shot back. "You're never taking the presidential seat while I'm around."

Keira raised an eyebrow in response, stepping closer to the young man as an attempt to threaten him. "Watch me," she narrowed her eyes.

Sakto naman na biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng opisinang iyon at sumilip si Professor Sarmiento, carrying an urgent expression that made the two put on their respective "masks."

"Keira, Enzo, andito na ang speaker," The professor told the two students who abruptly composed themselves with the news — Keira dusting her skirt, and Enzo adjusting his tie.

At the same time, agad na pumasok ang isang lalaking na mukhang nasa kaniyang mid-twenties. He had a fresh, neat cut, and was wearing a branded light blue polo shirt, a pair of dark, ironed slacks, and shiny leather shoes that seemed expensive. Notably, the man was also wearing a silver chain necklace and a matching large watch on his right wrist.

This was the guest that the student council has been expecting all morning — the guest that Keira herself had opted to seek out and invite for their newest project despite Enzo's many protests. 

At first glance, Enzo immediately wanted to frown. This man was clearly of the higher class; again foiling Enzo's plans to extend the school's connections to the general public. Instead, Castillo High's circle was once again limited to the elite. 

For God's sake. He told himself, eyeing the man up and down. Kaya naman pala ang mahal ng bayad para sa speaker na 'to.

It was true, the student council had to collect funds from every Castillian student just so they could finance today's guest speaker for their first-ever hosted seminar this academic year.

"Keira, Enzo, meet Mr. Cly—"

"Mr. Clyde Arcilla, the man behind the extraordinary book "The Basics of Psychology" and a great academic scholar!" singit ni Keira who immediately stepped forward and shook the hand of the speaker. "I was the one who spoke to you yesterday in the phone, sir. I am so glad that you accepted our invitation!"

Habang kinikilatis pa ni Enzo ang speaker ay agad namang nagpasipsip si Keira at dinaldal ito. Si Professor Sarmiento naman ay todo suporta sa dalaga, brandishing a large smile and looking like a proud father as Keira chatted with Mr. Arcilla who animatedly responded to the young girl's starry-eyed queries.

Enzo wanted to wring his neck with a rope at the sight of it.

"Have a seat, Mr. Arcilla! As a Castillian alumni, gou are always welcome in your second home — all the more reason why we reached out to you to be our guest speaker for today."

"We decided or she decided?" Enzo muttered under his breath.

But Keira continued chirping, patting on the seat of one of the leather chairs as she motioned the visitor to take a seat.

"Ahh, thank you!" Mr. Arcilla said gratefully as he took his seat.

"Keira, right? Ikaw ba ang student council presiddnt?"

"Uh—"

Enzo cleared his throat. "I am, Mr. Arcilla," the young man interrupted as he gave his most formal smile to the visitor. He then reached out a hand. "Nice to meet you sir, I'm Lorenzo Aldrich Marasigan, Castillo High's current student council president."

Napabaling naman ang tingin ng bisita mula kay Keira papunta kay Enzo. "Ah, sorry!" bulalas nito at agad na tumayo.

The two shook hands formally before Mr. Arcilla took his seat once again, eyeing Enzo like a hawk.

"Say, are you a twelfth grader, son?" Mr. Arcilla asked the young man curiously.

"No sir, I'm in the eleventh grade."

"Huh?" kurap ng matanda. "An eleventh grader as student council president? Nung kapanahunan namin, mga graduating students lang ang pwedeng sumali sa student council!"

"Ah, gano'n po ba?" Enzo coughed, his eye slightly twitching as he gave the visitor a fake smile.

"Well, they've changed the rules, sir. The requirement for being student council president is first, you must either be an eleventh or twelfth grader; and second, you must be an honor student with no cases from the discipline office. The same goes for the rest of the student council officers. Deputy officers however, are required to be strictly students from the ninth and tenth grades."

Enzo's explanation about the student council administration was suddenly cut short ng biglang sumingit ang kanilang student council adviser.

"Excuse me Mr. Arcilla, sisilipin ko lang po kung maayos na 'yung gymnasium. Keira, Enzo, kayo muna ang bahala sa bisita," bilin nito sa kanila bago lumabas ng opisina.

Tumango naman ang tatlo and Enzo faced the visitor once again. "By the way Mr. Arcilla, with the issue of mental health problems circling amongst teenagers, we are more than glad to have you as our speaker. So in behalf of the student body, thank you for accepting our offer," he told the visitor.

"About that," the man said, clearing his throat before gesturing both students to lean forward. "Pag-usapan muna natin ang magiging bayad."

Enzo was taken aback by this, prompting him to glance at Keira who suddenly avoided his gaze.

"What about it sir?" he asked, confused as he returned his gaze to the visitor.

"Gusto ko sanang itaas ito ng isang libo. From four thousand, make it five. Ito kasi ang usual na binabayad sa'kin tuwing nag-sasalita ako for different schools and seminars."

It took all of Enzo's willpower not to make a sound. He stood there with a blank look in his eyes, not believing what the man had just said.

"Excuse me, sir??" Enzo frowned. "Don't you think five thousand is a bit too much for a seminar of only two hours?"

The man cleared his throat whilst fixing his collar. "Well, Castillo High is a school for the prestige. I was expecting a more welcomed treatment considering I am also a fellow Castillian. I assure you Mr. Marasigan, my talk will be worth the money."

"Sir—"

"I'm sure it will be, Mr. Arcilla," Keira interrupted, stepping forward and blocking Enzo from the speaker's view. Bilang ganti, humakbang rin paharap ang binata, shooting Keira a threatening glare.

"We shall consider your offer, Mr. Arcilla," Enzo sniffed politely as the visitor nodded.

Sakto namang bumalik si Professor Sarmiento na may dala na ring paper bag na puno ng inumin at pagkain para sa speaker. As the two adults talked, Enzo excused themselves for a minute as he pulled Keira out of the student council's office.

"Are you insane?" Enzo asked her by the time they were out of earshot. "Who exactly did you invite, an alumni of the academe or a self-induced gold-digger?"

Inside, he was shaking in impatience and anger, trying his best to remain calm with whatever composure he had left. "Saan natin kukunin ang limang libo? Four thousand is already a hard shot—limang libo pa kaya? We do not have that enough funds, miss vice president."

"Edi humingi tayo sa mga estudyante! para sa kanila naman 'yang seminar na 'yan eh!" she replied haughtily, folding her arms. "Enzo, Castillians don't really give a shit if you spend all their money. Kaya nga sila nag-aaral dito diba??"

"Not all Castillians are heirs to a goddamn fortune!" Enzo spat back, causing Keira to scoff.

"Oh right, I forgot your mother is working for our company," she said sarcastically. This was his last straw.

Agad na hinawakan ng binata ang braso ng dalaga, wanting to crush her into pieces.

"Don't you dare speak of my mother," he said in a low, threatening voice. 

"Try me Enzo," Keira hissed. "One scream and I could expel you with how harsh you're holding me right now."

She then raised her other arm in the air, as if conjuring a headline. "Picture this in the Gazette: 'Student council president — expelled!'" Ngumisi ito at agad na binitawan ng binata ang dalaga, his face hot with anger.

"And seriously Enzo? Sino pa bang nirerepresent mo sa Castillo High? It's not like marami kayong scholars. There's you, the Gintuan twins, and probably a few more I can count on my fingers. Stop trying to change a place that isn't catered for you in the first place." 

Keira then leaned forward, her lips barely above his ear. "Besides, I'm the only one who knows your dirty little secret. Do you really want me to tell the whole school that their very leader—their very own president—can't even stay in the school's dormitories because..." she gasped sarcastically. "...he isn't rich?"

Enzo immediately balled his hands into his fists. 

"You're changing the subject," the president said harshly. "You think the Castillians would be interested in paying a person who would talk about their mental health problems? Besides, mamaya na ang seminar na 'to. We have no time to create formal letters to request for more funds from the student body," he replied coldly.

"Kaya ko namang sumipsip sa administrator of finance!" she hissed back at him, placing her hands on her hips. "I'm an asset to this council whether you like it or not, so stop doubting my skills."

"No," Enzo shook his head. "Gusto kong ma-realize mo ang pagkakamali mo. You should have consulted me," he told her in a strict tone full of authority.

"Remember Keira, even if I'm not half as privileged as you, ako ang binoto na maging presidente. Not you," Enzo said before finally walking away, leaving a distressed Keira.

---

Each and every bleacher in the gymnasium was filled to the brim that afternoon. Students and teachers were seated everywhere for the mental health seminar talk that would be tackling topics related to depression and anxiety in teenagers.

Most Castillians were already yawning in boredom as they waited. Emerie Castrana, who was seated amongst the sea of students, gave out a loud snort. "Another useless event hosted by the council," sambit nito.

As more students filed inside the gym, sinaksak ng dalaga ang kaniyang headphones sa magkabila niyang tenga. "If you can't escape the bullshit, drown it," she muttered to herself as she listened to the pop punk music that was blasting in her ears at full volume.

Meanwhile, Enzo was watching the audience quietly from backstage, taking in the view. For a moment, he was starting to feel some kind of impostor syndrome. Keira's words were ringing in his ears, and he was starting to doubt whether he was right to be president of a group of students that came from different privileged backgrounds. 

He wondered if the change he dreamt when he was twelve years old, still resounded inside him.

"Enzo," a voice suddenly hissed, dahilan para bumalik sa reyalidad ang binata. It was Professor Sarmiento, who immediately placed a hand on his shoulder and pointed to the audience.

"Kilala mo si Emerie Castrana, diba?" he nodded towards the young girl who had a scowling expression and headphones around her ears. Emerie's arms were folded and her legs were crossed, one of the few students that were seated at the far end of the gym.

"Yes, sir. One of the council's staunch critics," Enzo nodded in return, a small smile escaping his lips as he remembered all the other instances Emerie had stood up against the student council. While he had reprimanded the girl numerous times about smoking illegally the campus, he would be a liar to say that he didn't enjoy her foul remarks against their organization.

It made Enzo feel that there was still someone who honestly cared about whether or not the student government was doing their job properly.

"Hmhmm. I want you to stop her from standing from her seat and causing any chaos," the professor said, dahilan para muling lumingon ang binata.

"Sir??"

"As president, you shouldn't allow negative remarks to taint the validity of your council," sambit ng matanda, dahilan para mas lalong kumunot ang noo ni Enzo.

"Hindi po ba normal lang ang magkaroon ng criticism? It can help the council do better—"

"Listen Enzo," Professor Sarmiento sighed, shaking his head. "Marami ka pang kailangan matutunan. So now, I'm here to teach you the first rule as a student leader," sambitnnito, raising one finger in the air.

"As much as possible, drown out any form of dissent against the council. One criticism can lead to another and another — until the council can't defend itself anymore. And when this happens, change will become inevitable. It could be a change in the system, or the platforms of the council, or worse... a change in leadership. And you don't want things to change and be exiled as president, do you?" 

Agad na kumurap ang binata, the professor's words sinking in.

"No, sir—"

"Good. Now make sure to shut Castrana up," the older man said, and with that, he pushed Enzo forward into the stage.

"Ladies and gentleman, before we start this program, we would like to acknowledge the presence of Enzo Marasigan and Keira Suarez, the president and vice president of this year's student council!" Althea, whom the council decided was the best option to become the master of ceremonies for the seminar, announced.

The whole gymnasium seemed to have slightly awakened as the two powerful students walked up the stage. Keira was all smiles and bubbly while Enzo waved with his blank eyes and monotone-looking face, his mind clouded with the professor's advice. 

Agad na nagkandarapa naman ang ilang mga committee members ng student council to give the two their microphones.

Nang may iniabot na isang microphone kay Enzo, agad na inagaw ito ni Keira, a wide smile plastered on her face.

"HEEELLOOO CASTILLIANS! READY NA BA KAYOOO?!" she squealed in a hyper-active manner as Enzo stood by her side, trying his best not to scowl.

The next few hours for the Castillians were nothing but dull as the guest speaker tried engaging the students to open up regarding their issues with mental health.

Sadly, no one was listening.

By the time the two hours had passed and the seminar was over, doon lamang nagising ang diwa ng mga estudyante.

"He wasn't even a good speaker," Enzo told Keira who was sitting on one of the chairs near the stage, her legs crossed. He, on the other hand, was leaning on one of the backstage walls with folded arms, giving Keira a cold stare.

"Whether you like it or not, this event was a success, so act like it," Keira hissed before going up the stage to wake up the sleepy students.

"WHAT'S UUUP CASTILLIAAAANS?! Did you all enjoy the wonderful talk that Mr. Arcilla gave?" she told the crowd with all-smiles and bright eyes.

"What a fake," sabi ni Enzo sa sarili before shaking his head in disgust.

Instead na sumagot ang mga Castillians like they normally do whenever Keira Suarez would speak, natameme lang ang mga ito, making her look stupid as if she was talking to thin air.

Enzo was smiling ear to ear as he tried not to laugh at the absurd situation.

Nakita niyang medyo nag-twitch ang ngiti ni Keira which meant napahiya ito, but of course, the Suarez girl was not one to back down from embarrassment.

"Alam niyo ba na that's only one of the many projects the student council has in store for you Castillians? Isang magarbong palakpakan naman diyaaan!" sigaw nito while fist-bumping the air. Unti na lang at pwede nang maging host ang dalaga sa isang game show.

As Keira continued fist-bumping the air, the Castillians kept quiet as their eyes bored through Keira's soul. Anyone who would drop a coin would be heard throughout the whole gymnasium.

Silence enveloped the place for about a few more seconds at magsasalita na sana ulit si Keira when a hand amongst the thousands of high school students shot through the air.

"I have a question," tumayo ang babaeng ito and soon, all eyes were on her.

It was Emerie Castrana.

The one who sat at the back of the class and ate lunch in the library alone whenever she was on duty. The one wasn't afraid to do things and speak her mind.

Nang nakita ng mga estudyante na ang isang katulad ni Emerie ang tumayo, ay agad na umupo ng tuwid ang mga 'to.

They all sat on the edge of their seats, eager to hear what Emerie has to say to the newly-elected vice president. Even Enzo detached himself from the wall he was leaning on as he looked at the young girl in alarm. Saglit itong napalingon kay Professor Sarmiento na pinanlakihan siya ng mata.

"Yes, Emerie, what is it that you like to know?" Keira inquired, the static sound of the microphone buzzed throughout the gym, making everyone cringe and cover their ears.

Emerie rolled her eyes at pinalipas muna ang nakakainis na tunog ng micropono. Nang tumahimik na muli ang gymnasium, the girl removed her headphones and placed it around her neck before clearing her throat.

"I'd like to know your other future projects for this school year," she said bluntly.

"Well, we are of course already planning our projects for important events such as halloween, the Christmas holidays, and Valentine's Day," Keira said. "Meron rin naman kaming mga plano para sa academic events such as SciMath week, and of course hindi naman namin makakalimu—"

"Is that it?" Emerie asked sarcastically, chewing gum as her eyes bored straight into Keira.

"Excuse me??" Keira repeated slowly, her eyebrows furrowing as she looked down below to where Emerie was seated.

"Puro events lang ba ang kaya niyong gawin? No such improvements implemented for this school year?"

"Well, no, meron rin kam—"

"Then if you're such a good student council officer, can you hear me out and implement an animation club?" tanong ni Emerie, sarcasm dripping in the tone of her voice.

"What for?" Keira scoffed. "We already have tech clubs and art clubs. An animation club would be useless."

Heads immediately shot towards Keira's direction at her bluntness, a few students gasping at the vice president's choice of words.

Agad na nagpantig ang tenga ni Emerie.

"What if I tell you that the council useless. Alam niyo bang pinapatay niyo ang future ng mga Castillians na may ibang interest at skills? Hell, you can't even put up a gymnastics team in this godforsaken school! Stop putting out useless projects and start caring about what really matters to students!" she said in an irritated manner.

By this time, gising na gising na ang diwa ng mga tao sa loob ng gym. This was the highlight of the day that they were waiting for, the crème on top of the bruleé.

Keira's mouth hung open as she stood there, speechless on top of the stage.

Enzo sensed that this was the time to intervene kaya agad naman itong umakyat ng stage at inagaw ang micropono.

"Alright Miss Castrana, that's enough. We appreciate your concerns to making Castillo High a more progressive place. Rest assured that the council will look into this matter. As for the rest of the Castillians, you may now fall in line and return to your respective classrooms," he ordered through the microphone.

While the others groaned in disappointment, agad namang tumayo ang iba dahil sa gutom.

The students were then guided by the teachers, advisers, and class officers as they filed their way out of the gymnasium. From down the stage, he could see Professor Sarmiento frowning at him in disapproval, causing Enzo to look away.

"Miss Castrana."

Emerie on the other hand, tore her gaze away from the stage and was not at all surprised to see the scowling face of Professor Simon Zaldiga who was now in front of her.

"You never stop do you, young girl??" the discipline officer scowled. 'Come, you are to go to the principal's office. Hindi pwede ang ganyan na rebellious attitude dito sa Castillo High."

The discipline officer then immediately placed a hand on her shoulder, like she a culprit about to be escorted to prison.

"Gladly," Emerie muttered to herself, putting on her headphones once more.

---

"That was a disaster!" the student council's adviser yelled in frustration as they entered Enzo's office. Sa likod ng propesor ay makikita ang hindi maipintang mukha ng presidente.

"I specifically told you to not let Castrana speak! Sabi ko nga sa'yo, the more dissent we have, the more expectations and changes we'll have to deal with! Ano ba Enzo, nakikinig ka ba? Kung gusto mo, palitan ka nalang ni K—"

"That's enough, professor," Enzo interrupted in a hard, cold tone. "No one is replacing anyone. This was just a one time thing. Rest assured that this type of situation will never happen aga—"

Bago pa matapos ng binata ang kaniyang sasabihin ay biglang may kumatok sa pintuan ng office, only to see Professor Zaldiga enter the room with the main subject of their discussion: Emerie Castrana herself.

"Ano pong meron, sir?" Enzo asked the discipline officer, surprised to see the two.

"It's about the incident earlier," the professor said, stepping forward with Emerie scowling behind him.

"Dahil sa nangyari kanina, the principal decided that her punishment would be to help with the student council's duties, since ang vice president ang natapakan niya," pagpapaliwanag ng propesor.

"As the student council officere, kayo na ang bahala sa pagbigay ng gawain sa kanya. Professor Sarmiento, may appointment pa tayo sa isang parent," the discipline officer told his fellow teacher who nodded before turning to his students.

"Enzo, Keira, I expect you to deal with Miss Castrana appropriately," he warned, his gaze lingering longer on Enzo as if threatening him to do his job properly before exiting the room.

By the time the students were left alone in the office, the three could feel the tension thick in the air. 

Enzo could see Emerie looking right at Keira with daggers in her eyes. He couldn't help but watch what the Castrana girl's next move would be to the very student council officer that she had butt heads with in front of everyone.

"Well, I guess your punishment could start with you bringing me iced latte," Keira hummed in thought as she made herself comfortable on Enzo's swivel chair.

Before Emerie could respond with a haughty comeback, biglang bumukas nanaman ang pinto at bumungad ang mukha ni Elysia who was peering through the doorway. As usual, she had her hair up in a bun using a fountain pen.

"Gazette writer here," sambit ng dalaga, holding up her large ID with consisted of the word "PRESS" written in bold letters below her photo. "Is it alright if I hold another ambush interview, Mr. president?" she inquired in a composed manner, her heels creating a tapping sound as she entered the air-conditioned room.

Nagulat ang dalaga nang mapansin na si Keira ang nakaupo sa upuan ng presidente instead of Enzo who had both hands in his pockets and was seemingly quiet. 

"You can take a seat, Elysia. Pabayaan mo na ang vice president natin who seemed to like my chair a little too much," Enzo told the writer, prompting Keira to roll her eyes. 

Dahil dito ay nag-aalangang umupo ang dalaga sa office chair na nakalagay sa harapan ng desk ni Enzo. She then criticized the scenario of the whole room, pushing her eyeglasses further up her nose bridge.

Amidst the silence, Keira raised an eyebrow at Emerie who was chewing bubblegum loudly from where she was standing.

"Em, darling, if you don't get me an iced latte I'm afraid you'll be further punished by the discipline office," Keira frowned habang tahimik na nakatingin si Enzo at Elysia.

Emerie seemed like she could be bothered less as she blew a pink bubble using her gum — popping it and then chewing once again.

"Student council duties ang sinabi nila na gawin ko, hindi maging utusan mo. Anong tingin mo sakin, yaya?" Emerie asked her in disgust. "And don't call me Em, 'di tayo close. I'd never be friends with a girl who only has half a brain."

Her last comment immediately made Keira flare up in irritation, much to Enzo's amusement. The president had situated himself in the corner of the office, enjoying Emerie's backhanded comments against his foe.

"Speak against me one more time and I'll be the one to expel you myself," the Suarez girl snapped, standing up from Enzo's swivel chair.

"I'm sorry to interfere, but I would just like to remind the vice president to compose herself," Elysia, who had been silently observing the scene, spoke up quietly.

Dahil dito ay gulat na napatingin ang tatlo sa feature writer. 

"Remember, I'm part of the school paper," the spectacled girl said carefully. "One article away and all of this could be exposed. You wouldn't want a tainted reputation, would you miss vice president?"

Enzo's smile slowly fell, the gears in his mind suddenly moving by the speed of light as he stared at both Emerie and Elysia. This was one of the many rare instances that anyone would dare defy a student council officer — let alone one with the second highest position in all of Castillo High.

"Not that her bitchiness isn't already exposed," Emerie remarked, shaking her head.

"You wouldn't dare, Elysia," Keira laughed merrily, sitting back down.

"Kaibigan ko si Sheyna. You know... ang soon-to-be EIC ng Castillian Gazette?" she said tauntingly, dahilan para unti-unting mawala ang confidence ng feature writer.

"Besides, I've heard that none of your articles were published in this year's first issue," she said sweetly, pulling out a folded copy of the Gazette's latest issue from her skirt pocket and handing it to Elysia who frowned in confusion.

Dahil sa mga nangyari ngayong araw ay hindi pa nasisilip ni Elysia ang printed copy ng unang issue this year. She didn't even know it was already distributed. 

With narrowed eyes, napatingin ito sa vice president na kumibit-balikat lamang. She then hesitantly opened the newspaper, scanning the articles.

As she flipped further through the pages, the haunting realization that Keira was right dawned upon the feature writer, a sinking feeling stirring in her chest.

"So, Elysia, masakit bang tanggapin na baka hindi ka lang talaga magaling magsulat?" Keira asked with a fake smile as Elysia closed the newspaper in disbelief.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon sa apat niyang taon sa Gazette na wala sa printed copy ang mga ipinasa niyang article.

Dahil dito ay agad na napatayo ang feature writer mula sa kinauupuan nito, her knuckles turning white as she grasped onto her laptop and the latest issue tightly.

"Mag-kaibigan nga kayo," she spat out in disgust, about to throw hands when Enzo suddenly stepped forward, stopping Elysia and holding her wrist.

"That's enough," Enzo said coldly, warning Keira silently who rolled her eyes. He then turned his gaze to Elysia who let out a shaky breath before nodding and packing up her things.

"I believe it's best that we reschedule this interview for another time, Mr. president," the writer said, looking at Enzo was staring at her again with that same deep gaze. "When you're alone?"

"I agree," Enzo nodded, before grabbing a pen and a piece of paper from his desk. He then scribbled something illegible on the paper before thrusting it into Elysia's hand.

"I'm available for an interview at that time and place," the student council president said, giving her a knowing look as he shook her hand, making Elysia furrow her eyebrows.

He then turned to Emerie. "Come, Miss Castrana. I'll lead you to your official student council duties," sambit ng binata, leading the young girl out of the office and away from Keira.

Elysia stared at the two one last time before looking back at the vice president who waved her fingers at her in a haughty, arrogant goodbye. Inirapan na lamang ito ng dalaga before stepping out of the president's office. 

Welcome to Castillo High — where favoritism is a religion, the campus is a board game, and the system is bullshit. In here, every student is a puppet or a pawn.

But not for long.

As Elysia walked out of the student council's headquarters, she felt the curious, small piece of paper in her hand.

She could remember the look that Enzo gave her just before she left, a look that made him seem like he was scheming something. Dahil dito ay binuksan ng dalaga ang kaniyang palad para basahin ang papel.

The king of the empire had finally made his first move. 

---

NOTE: Hi sleuths! If you like this chapter, follow me on my social media accounts for more updates. You can freely message and post on my FB page, tweet your thoughts to me on Twitter, or show me your fan arts and favorite quotes on Instagram.

FB PAGE:
IsadoraQuagmire13 or @isadoraquagmire13
https://www.facebook.com/isadoraquagmire13/

INSTAGRAM:
@isadoraquagmire13
https://www.instagram.com/isadoraquagmire13/?hl=en

TWITTER:
@isa_quagmire
https://twitter.com/isa_quagmire?s=09

Remember to use the hashtags #TheEmpire and #TE aside from tagging me so that we can compile all TE-related posts!