Digong’s POV
Malacañan Palace, City of Manila
I introduced Mr. Moises to the cabinet as Ed’s replacement on the role of DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order and Public Safety. It is only my closest allies and myself who knows the true identity of the man, including Ed. He welcomed him warmly. Today, we convened a classified security briefing on the basis of the threat to the Vice President.
“Her security are the young elite troops trained in Israel and Russia. She has 9,” Delfin, Secretary of National Defense shared.
“Before we talk about defense, can we talk about the cause? Who are we fighting?” I asked and they all looked at me. I looked at Moises and he’s also looking at me.
“Am I supposed to leave Mr. President?” he asked.
“No. Please stay, secretary. Go on,” I ushered everyone to answer.
“Mr. President,” Hermogenes Esperon, the NSA adviser cleared his throat. “Threat still consistent to Operation Homecoming, only that location of the VP is mapped for the next 4 weeks and location of execution moved to place still to be decoded. Timing is compromised due to mapped locations.”
I looked at Moises. “Sec Espinosa, Operation Homecoming details are documented in the book in front of you. It is coded so you’ll have to learn to read it.” He nodded.
“Ok, so what are the defense strategies?”
--
Jesse’s POV
I slowly read and decoded the book and I could not believe what I read. I need to calm down, I thought. I suddenly thought and longed for Leni. I sighed heavily.
“Moises?” It’s the President.
“Sir,” I offered him the seat beside me. We were alone in a room.
“I hope it is not too much.”
“It is! I could not believe it. I am – speechless. I want to see Leni.” I blabbered. He nodded.
“You seem cool about all this,” I noted.
“Since Day 1, I’ve been fighting faceless people, Jesse. Alam mo yan. You must have felt what I felt.” He said softly.
“Are we talking about the -?”
“Yes.”
“I thought this is foreign.” I felt confused.
“Foreign mastermind, local execution.”
“Why Leni? Di ba dapat ikaw lang?”
He laughed. “Why don’t you ask yourself?”
“I am not she. She is not me.” I argued.
“Jesse, ok ka lang? She is VP. She is somebody now. This is not about you in totality. But your past affects it. And sadly, she is the one suffering for it.”
I felt angry to myself. I also felt helpless. “Digong, pasensya ka na. Alam ko hindi ko dapat malaman lahat pero, anong mangyayari? Ayokong may mangyaring masama kay Leni.”
“We share the same sentiment, Jesse. That is why we agreed di ba? You come into my team to help me finish this shit. But we must also trust the system. We cannot work the way mayors work back at home. Even I myself is frustrated at the pace everything’s going. Alam mo yan. I am very impatient, if I did this my way, they’d all be dead by now.”
I let out a forced laugh. “Yeah, I understand. What can I do?”
“I need you to talk. You’re a good speaker.”
“Talk to whom? Talk about what?”
“Everything’s in this folder. Let me know if may concern ka. I told you we are at least 10 steps ahead on this. As long as we trust the system.”
“This is so unusual of you Digong,” I can’t help but comment.
“Why so?”
“You do not trust the system. I know,”
“Yes that is true,” He replied, his eyes clear. “But this is not about me anymore, this is about someone important – “ his voice and gaze trailed off.
I looked at him. I knew there is something between him and my wife. I’ve seen it many times from my television screen back at Palawan. And from our conversations since we met, I know he loves her. He cares for her. Beyond his role. Beyond their roles. I blinked.
“We do this for Leni, Rody.” I offered my hand for him to shake.
He shook it. “For Leni,”
Even if it means second death. I’m ready to give up my life again. For her.
That’s how much it takes, Rody.
My life.
--