The drive from the Convention was the longest I ever had. I wanted to redeem myself and uphold the integrity I was adamant on proving to Mr. Sol but the last event only showed how blind I was to everything that has been happening.

As I file and organize the catalogues and fliers I took from the expo, the words Mr. Sol told me moments before he left only haunted me and reminded me of everything I saw that day.

"If you wanted to know everything about politicians, ask their drivers. They know more than what Google can provide." Those were his words.

Even though I knew what Kuya Ernie's stuttering was about, there's a part of me who still refused to believe it. I knew some of the politicians were known to be greedy and dishonorable. But Ms. Amanda?

I had never paid attention to the driver's activities other than transporting their bosses, along with us, to where our duty calls us. Even when I was left with Kuya Ernie, I never asked him what he doest while he waited for us. I presumed he was either smoking, talking with other fellow drivers or occupying himself with whatever he has on his smartphone.

This was what I was expecting when I went to the parking area. Kuya Ernie animatedly chatting with a driver of some hotshot businessman, not the crates and boxes he was hauling unto Ms. Amanda's car trunk with the help of a well-dressed young man whom I presume to be Bryce.

I shook the image from my mind. There must be an explanation.

"Wow, that looks interesting," Sally remarked, pulling me from my thoughts. She was holding a sample of a mini personalized storybook that was given to me during the convention. She leafed through the pages with her eyes twinkling in delight. "I could ask them to write my own happily ever after." She chuckled at her own joke when I only smiled at her.

I arranged the papers I was filing and placed the ones marked with a sticky note on top. They were the ones which I thought would be feasible businesses for Sigayan.

Sally's forehead creased, worry marring her plump, pretty face. "What's wrong Jazz? You've been quiet since yesterday."

"It's nothing," I muttered. I secured the fastener in place before closing the last folder I prepared. "I'll get this to Ms. Amanda."

"Okay," Sally replied but I know she wouldn't let the matter rest until I told her what's bugging me.

I knocked on the door and waited for Ms. Amanda to call me in.

"Jazz, come in," Ms. Amanda invited me. She was wearing her reading glasses while reading a thick wad of paper. My eyes fell on the can of coffee beans on the shelf behind her. It was decorated with an emblem of the sun with the words "Villa del Sol" written below it. I shifted my gaze back at Ms. Amanda and saw her looking at me. She nodded at the folders in my arms. "Are those the stuff you got from the expo?"

"Yes." I handed her the folders. "The ones on the top are the most suitable business for Sigayan - "

"Homemade bottled sardines. Yes we could do that. It's perfect for the local livelihood projects," she smiled. She opened another folder, her eyes whizzing from left to right. "Export quality papaya? Hmmm...interesting. Let's consult this with the local agriculturist." She quickly scanned through the file while I remain seated in front of her.

What I saw yesterday kept me awake last night. The thought that my boss, Ms. Amanda, the underdog politician who broke the thirty-year reign of the political dynasty in my province, accepts unsolicited 'gifts' created a shadow of a doubt to my image of her.

Those aren't exactly bribes, right?

"Uhm," I started to say but I did not know where to start. I opened my mouth again but hesitated to say anything. I just couldn't just ask her if she was being bribed by Mr. Sol. That would be extremely rude.

She looked up at me, her perfectly arched brows knitted together. The corner of her lips perked up in amusement. "Is there anything you wanted to ask?"

She was always like this. She could read anyone just by looking at their actions, which was very useful to her because it helped her to properly deal with different people.

"Uhm, I saw -," I stopped. I was about to say that I saw Kuya Ernie loading some boxes yesterday but I remembered how frightened he was at being found out. " - that you have that canister of Villa del Sol coffee beans. I've read the blog reviews about it. Is it really that good?"

Ms. Amanda's frown only deepened. "Yes, it is. You should've tried some at the expo."

"Oh, was it there? I didn't see it," I replied.

She kept on reading the stuff I gave her. "Yes, Mr. Sol was there too. He was kind enough to give me some sample of their famous coffee."

Well, she didn't lie about that.

"Uhm, wouldn't that pose a problem for the house's no-gift policy?" I queried.

She looked at me incredulously before laughing softly. "Is that what's bothering you?"

I nodded. There's no use lying to her.

"Sweetie, of course not. The no-gift policy was implemented to prevent anomalous hidden transactions and acts of bribery. A canister of coffee is hardly a bribe-worthy favor owed to a businessman," she explained.

"Mr. Sol was asking for political support," I retorted.

"Which I haven't even considered, let alone discussed. Jazz, stuff like these," she indicated the coffee canister. "These aren't bribes. Sometimes people give small tokens of appreciation, such as this. It's normal for politicians, even government officials, to receive small stuffs like this. Just think of it as someone who treated you to a cup of coffee or lunch. Or someone who gave you a pabalot during fiestas. It's normal in our culture. Besides, it would be extremely rude to decline Mr. Sol."

I nodded to her in silent agreement. I kept my mouth, unsure of what to think of what she just said. Ms. Amanda rummaged at the huge eco bag beside her and pulled out another canister of coffee, emblazoned with the insignia of Villa del Sol.

"Here, take it. Mr. Sol asked me to give you that," she said.

"I don't drink coffee." She raised an eyebrow at me as if saying how rude it would be to refuse. I took the can from her and gave her a small smile which she returned.

"Don't stress yourself over it."

I nodded to her again before excusing myself. I left her office only as confused as I came.