Love Amidst Deceit

Prologue

It was Sunday, a day meant for rest. I left the mansion early to attend Mass, following my usual Sunday routine. I would visit the church that my family and I used to attend when they were still alive. Now, I go alone, offering prayers to remember and honor them. After Mass, I would have a brief chat with Aling Andeng, a sampaguita vendor outside the church whom I met when I returned to the Philippines. She has become like a mother to me. She once told me that she lives alone and supports herself, so I make it a habit to buy a sampaguita from her whenever I can.“Mauna na ako, Aling Andeng, may lakad pa ho kasi ako. Salamat po pala dito sa libreng almusal,” nakangiting sabi ko sa kaniya. “Nako, wala iyon. Oh siya, mag-iingat ka ha!” sabi niya, na sinagot ko ng tango.Hindi pa ako nakakalayo ng simbahan nang mag-ring ang cellphone ko. It was Mando; agad ko itong sinagot. “Hinahanap ka ni Mayor, may kailangan daw kayong pag-usapan,” he said, sounding a bit hurried.“Okay! Pauwe na ako...