Chapter 24

I hadn't had dinner at home in a while. I was always out, trying to close deals with people. I was so tired, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's better to have lots of fund than to lack fund. Ang gastso ng campaign. We really needed to win this one.

"You're going out again?" tanong sa akin ni Archie.

I nodded while I was checking the content of my bag. "Meeting," I simply replied.

"With whom?"

"Donors."

"Hindi pa rin tapos 'yan?" he asked. "Kalagitnaan ng campaign?"

Umiling ako. "It never ends," I replied. "Besides, this campaign is expensive," I told him.

From my peripheral vision, nakita ko na dahan-dahan siyang tumango. "Why am I not invited?" he asked.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Why?" I asked.

"Why not?" he replied.

I shrugged. "I don't know," I said. "I never thought that you'd be interested."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because," I replied. "Remember the dinner with Preston?"

Nakita ko iyong pamumula ng tenga niya—a sign that he's embarrassed. Bahagya siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. He looked cute while doing that.

"That was a long time ago," he said and that made me smile a little. Yeah. It was a long time ago. Ang tagal na rin pala naming magkasama. Time really flew quickly.

"Right," I said tapos ay ibinalik ko iyong tingin ko sa bag ko. When I was sure that everything's inside, ibinalik ko iyong tingin ko sa kanya. "I'll head out."

I did not follow Aspen's advice to go get myself a sidepiece. For what? I did not need a man to validate me. Having a man in my life is more of a... work. For me, a relationship is work. It's commitment. It's constant communication. It's allotting time. It's just too much.

And I knew that he wasn't suggesting that I get myself a boyfriend, but I also didn't want some guy to fuck me. Being with me is a privilege. And I don't have the time to date right now. I wouldn't let some random man touch me. I'd rather be celibate.

"Nadia," he called.

Napahinto ako. "What?" I replied. Hindi agad siya sumagot. I saw him look at me from my face down to my feet. It was like he was taking in the vision in front of him. I was wearing a white blazer and skirt and red heels. I knew it's a business meeting, but I always believe in looking not only good, but great. It's taken me far in life. A lot of man will give you what you ask for if you look good. It's just how it is.

"Next time, I'll join you," he said.

"Where?"

"Dinners," he replied. "With donor."

"Oh," I said. "I thought you're tired? Or you have somewhere to go."

Lately, I did not even bother to ask him kung saan siya pupunta. At first, my curiosity was always nagging me. Where's he going? Was he with someone else? What's he doing? Was he being careful? But later on, I got tired. I knew I would just drive myself crazy. And I knew that it was probably just my pride talking. I'd never be at peace knowing Rosie got ahead of me, but if she can take Archie away, then she could have him. I wouldn't stress myself over someone who can easily be taken away. She can have him.

Besides, right from the beginning, this has always been a marriage of convenience. We tried to make it something that it wasn't and we failed. That's just how things go. You don't always get what you ask for. You just have to roll with it.

"Yes," he replied. "But I'm the one who's running. It's better that I'm also there... don't you think?"

He was looking at me like he was nervous. Weird. What's with him tonight?

I shrugged. "Sure," I said. "I actually have to attend an event tomorrow."

"I'll be there," he replied.

"Okay," I said with a small crease on my forehead.

He's acting different today, but I decided that it's not my problem. We just live in the same house, but we live different lives. At this point, we're more like roommates—although we still sleep on the same bed. If it were up to me, he'd be sleeping on the guestroom. It drives me insane to wonder if he's sleeping in Rosie's bed and then he'll also sleep in my bed. We argued about this before, so the compromise was for him to take a bath before he could sleep beside me.

Nagsimula na ulit akong maglakad.

"Nadia," he said.

"What?" I asked again.

He shook his head. "Nothing," he replied.

I chose not to answer and instead, just went out because I had things that I needed to do.

* * *

The dinner was good. After that, I headed straight to Abuela to discuss some things. I just told her that I was worried about the results of the election. I knew that things were going well—campaign and survey wise. But whenever I'd think about the money invested in this campaign, I could not help but worry.

I just needed to hear it from her that the end game was already taken cared of.

"Why are you worried?" Abuela asked.

"Because a lot of people have invested money on this," I told her.

"Do you not have confidence in your candidate?" she asked. "You're the one who chose him."

I found it ridiculous and slightly entertaining that whenever she'd talk about Archie—or anyone in our family, really—they'd talk about him like he's a candidate, never my husband.

"It's not about that," I replied. "A lot of people donated money. They're expecting a return."

"Do you think you won't win?"

"I think we'll win—I just don't like risks."

"Every election is a risk."

I slightly arched my brow. "Abuela, come on. I seriously have no time for this. I know every election is rigged—one way or another. I just need to hear from you that this election will go well for me."

"Why are you so worried, Nadia?"

"Because," I said, slightly annoyed. "Because I can't throw money at everything like Abby and Maven."

Whenever I'd think about the funds those two are spending... wow. Abby spent a fortune trying to spin the narrative and it's working. Now, people see her as a victim rather than the monster who shot down a plane. I mean, what can she do, really? It's her cousin who orchestrated everything. If anything, she's a victim of it all. It's ridiculous how easily swayed people are.

But I should not take it seriously. I better just use this to our advantage. People are easily swayed. They love sob stories. I mean, I can't be mad about that—I basically used Rosie's tragedy to my own advantage. Who was I to talk, really?

"Alright," Abuela said.

"Alright what?"

"I'll take care of it."

"Okay," I replied. "Thank you."

"Just make sure he won't make it difficult."

I nodded. "I'll make sure."

Then Abuela reminded me of the dinner next, next week and that I needed to be there. I had been avoiding them for as long as I could. I just didn't want to see Maven and Abby—except during times when I see them outside for campaigns. That, I could handle. I could handle them in small dosage, but in private? I just didn't have the energy for that. I couldn't even see Addie because all she could talk about was Abby and I did not have the mental capacity for that.

Nang matapos kami sa paguusap ni Abuela ay dumiretso na ako pauwi. I was so exhausted. It had been a long day and an even longer night.

"Why are you still awake?" I asked nang maabutan ko si Archie sa may kitchen island. I saw an open bottle of whiskey and a glass on his hand.

"Can't sleep," he replied.

"Oh," I said. "Good night, then," I continued because I had no energy for small conversation. And knowing Archie and I, there's a high probability that this would lead to an argument and I definitely had no energy for that.

I took a quick bath. Normally, I'd blow dry my hair, but I was just so tired. It had been a very long day.

"You'll sleep with a wet hair?" Archie asked nang pumasok siya. He's holding a bottle of water now.

"No energy," I replied as I sat down on the nightstand. I still needed to put my night cream on. I was blessed with good genes, but even I knew that I needed to take care of myself.

"You'll have a headache," he said.

"I'll take my chances," sagot ko sa kanya.

I was minding my own business as I was putting on my eye cream nang mapatingin ako sa kanya. He pulled the drawer and got the hairdryer out.

"What are you doing?" I asked with my forehead creased.

"Helping you," he said.

"Why?"

He shrugged. "You attend campaigns and meetings every day. You can't afford to have a headache," he said while he was plugging in the hairdryer. I watched as he tried to figure out kung paano buksan iyon. And when he finally managed to turn it on, he was surprised by the noise like he wasn't the one trying to turn it on. He even chuckled for a bit.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked because he was being nice to me for no reason at all. Was he already tired of his mistress? Why the sudden change? Did he do something? Agad na napatingin ako sa kanya. "What did you do?" I asked again, reminded of the conversation I had with Abuela. That she'd take care of the election, but that Archie needed to do his part and not to make any splash.

"What do you mean?" he asked while he was trying to figure out the setting of the hairdryer.

"Were you discreet?"

Agad na kumunod ang noo niya. He looked annoyed. "What?"

"I knew you told me not to meddle with your personal life, but we can't afford a scandal now," I sincerely told him. A lot of people have invested their money on this. This was serious. Hindi na 'to kagaya nung dati na kaming dalawa lang. Back then, it wasn't that big of a deal. Right now, there were a lot of people banking on this.

He looked at me. His aura changed. At least this was familiar.

"I didn't do anything," he said.

"Are you sure? Because—"

"For fuck's sake, can't I do something nice?" he replied while he loudly placed the hairdryer back on the vanity.

Hindi ako nagsalita. I had no energy for this. I stood up and began to walk.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Guest room," I replied.

"What? Why?"

"It had been a long day, Archie. I need my rest," I told him.

"Why can't you sleep here?"

"Because I want to rest."

"And you can't do that here?"

"No," I said.

I took another step.

"Just sleep here," he said. "I promise no more question."

Tumingin ako sa kanya. I didn't want to argue. I didn't want to talk. I just wanted to rest. Naglakad ako papunta sa kama. I went to my side of the bed. I got under the covers and laid on my side. I tried to sleep, but for some reason, even though I was so tired, slept eluded me.

"What?" I asked because I knew that he was still awake. I could feel it from the way that he was breathing.

"I'm sorry. Did I make a noise?" he asked.

"No," I said. "Just sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

"I know."

"So, sleep."

"Can't."

"Try."

"I'm trying."

"Try harder."

"I am."

"Do you need to go sleep in someone else's bed?" I asked.

There was silence.

And then suddenly, I was hearing nothing but the sound of his breathing and his heart beating.

"I have never slept in someone else's bed since I met you," he said amidst the silence of the night.

I said nothing.

What was there to say?

"Don't you believe me?" he asked.

"Just sleep, Archie," I replied.

"I will," he said, "Answer me first."

"Why does it matter? You sleep in someone else's bed or not, why does it concern me?" tanong ko sa kanya. He was the one who told me that he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. Why was he acting like this?

Then there was silence yet again.

"Are you..." he asked. "Are you sleeping with someone?"

I knew he was waiting for my response.

I gave him none.  

**

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