If Mayors Ruled The World [Duterte - Robredo]

"Forthcoming"

Jesse's PoV

DILG-NAPOLCOM HQ, Quezon City

I know I should be at home this hour – it is 2 am. Instead, I'm here at the office, alone, staring at the television screen, waiting for nothing. Words are not enough to describe what I've seen, what I've heard from the recent damages of a typhoon. I was requested by the President to stay in Bicol with him, to discuss some politics stuff but I refused – I've had too much for the last few days. I remember him looking at me intently before he let me go, until he finally did.

"Thank you for your work, Moises."

I gave him a weak smile. "I know why you're holding me up."

He smiled back, his eyes, looking sad and tired. "I'm not going to force you, if you don't want it, anyway."

"Digong," I whispered as I pulled him to me, looking at him in the eyes. "Nag-usap na tayo. I think it is best na lumayo muna ako at asikasuhin nalang itong pulitika mo. Inday agreed to meet me tomorrow. I'll let you know."

I step back and let go of his arm. He just nodded and started to walk past me. I look at him walk away to his chopper to have a late dinner with .. who else.

"Please take care of her, Digong. Promise me." I shouted at him. Some of his officers looked at me.

He was about to look back but eventually, he didn't – but he raised his right hand to respond to my request. I smiled.

Maybe, right now, he's sleeping with my wife, my dear wife – in our house, the house that I built. The children are away I know, it's only Leni that's in Naga. I put up my hand and stared at it blankly, finding anger in my heart. Surprisingly, I couldn't. My head tells me it was my choice to let her go despite Digong's attempts to reverse my decision.

I stood up and looked at the dark skyline of Quezon City in front of me. It shouldn't be complicated, I thought – without all these feelings that are coming back, or feelings that were awoken. Whatever they have, I know they have something, must be complicated as well, knowing them, looking at them. There's this restraint, them holding back – why? I don't know.

Maybe it is best that I do not know.

I finally decided to go home and get a good night rest because tomorrow will be a big day.

--

Undisclosed location

"Mayor, how are you?" I extended my hand to Inday Sara, mayor of Davao and the eldest daughter of the President. She took my hand and shook it firmly.

"Sec, I'm good, and you?"

"Never better. Have a seat, coffee's on me – and anything you like."

She laughed and gave her order, then looked at me intently. I adjusted my sunglasses.

"Naku ma'am, baka matunaw ako nyan,"

"You look oddly familiar,"

I shift a bit uncomfortably in my seat and forced a smile. "A lot of people tell me that."

"Really?" She was still staring.

Silence.

"Byudo ka daw, Sec?"

I nodded.

"Ah, you live with your kids or you live alone?"

"Alone." The shorter the answers to these kinds of questions, the better, I thought. Less talk, less mistakes.