Chapter Text
INT. DIMLY LIT OFFICE – NIGHT
Heavy wooden furniture loomed in the darkness and the air smelled like old leather.
Behind the desk sat a man in his late 50s. In one hand, he clutched a glass of whiskey and his other hand gripped a phone pressed to his ear.
"Bakit at sino nanaman ang nagpoprotesta sa lote sa Cavite? Hindi ba’t sinabi ko na ayusin ‘yan?"
He slams the glass onto the desk, the sharp crack reverberating through the room. For a split second, it looked like he might hurl it against the wall, but he stopped himself. His eyes darted to a newspaper spread before him, its headline glaring in bold: Protests Block Land Sales in Cavite.
Beneath it, a subheading stabs deeper: Rival Bids Outpace Echelon Industries.
His fingers tightened around the phone as he read. A grainy photo beneath showed a crowd of protesters, their fists raised, signs decrying corporate greed flapping in the wind.
"Katawa-tawa talaga ‘tong mga kabataan na ‘to. Mga walang kwenta, hindi na lang nag-aral para may pakinabang naman! Padalhan niyo ng mga tao. Takutin niyo lang. We can’t afford another controversy dahil hindi pa tapos ang kagagawan ni Celine sa Malico."
"Masusunod, boss."
He built his empire from the ground and he will not let it crumble.
Not because of protests, not because of rivals, and certainly not because of betrayal.
"At alamin ninyo kung sino ang tumatraydor sa akin. Hindi ako papayag na may sumisira sa mga plano ko."
“Copy, boss. Si Ma’am Celine po, pababantayan ba?”
His gaze shifts to a framed photo on the desk.
A younger Celine Alonzo. She’d been loyal then, a protégée he’d molded into the CEO she was today. He trusted her, implicitly, he told himself.
He held the frame. There was something breaking through his icy facade. Maybe it was trust, perhaps even a paternal pride.
"Hayaan na muna natin si Celine," he murmured, almost as if convincing himself. "Maaayos niya ang Malico project. Kung may traydor man, hindi na sila makakalabas ng Echelon nang buhay."
“Copy, Mr. E…”
The name landed like a stone. Mr. E, the architect of Echelon’s rise, now a paranoid king watching his kingdom fray.
Rising, he moved to a large map of Malico pinned to the wall, its surface dotted with red pins. Each one a target and a piece of his unseen war.
INT. MELO’S STEAKHOUSE BGC – NIGHT
PJ and Daphne finished their dinner earlier than they expected. Apparently, Daphne had to go back to the office since her department was pulling an all-nighter.
“Audit season, meaning no sleep season,” she said as she scooped up her remaining gelato.
PJ nodded and tucked the napkin into her pocket. She rose, adjusted her clothes, and walked out. Her path took her right past Kara and Monica’s table.
Kara, mid-sip of her Pinot Noir, caught the familiar swagger in her peripheral vision. Her glass froze halfway to her lips as their eyes met.
Kara’s eyes widened with unspoken questions, but PJ’s smirk pierced through her.
Tsk, tsk… checkmate.
PJ kept moving. She walked straight out the door, the glass swinging shut behind her with a soft thud.
Monica, who’s engrossed in her ribeye, didn’t notice the exchange. “Kara, ang sarap ‘no? Kain ka pa,” she said brightly, slicing into the meat with relish. Her phone buzzed on the table, but she ignored it, too caught up in her meal.
Two minutes later, Daphne rose from her booth, her gaze locked forward as she headed out. Her heels clicked faintly as she passed close to their table, oblivious to their presence.
Kara stared in shock. “Daphne?” she mouthed, eyes snapped to the woman like a magnet.
Daphne didn’t notice her, staring straight ahead as she left, but the sight of Echelon’s Finance Manager tied to PJ’s secretive meeting froze her blood.
She felt like she’d been doused in ice. What was this?
So Daphne was the leak and PJ, obviously, is the one writing about it. They were the reason info about Echelon was spreading. Traitor, her mind hissed.
Or so she thought.
She could expose Daphne to Monica. Monica could say what happened to Celine and end the mess.
She could protect Echelon and prove her loyalty. But something pulled her back.
Why was she afraid for PJ? Her loyalty was to Echelon, not some flirtatious journalist with a knack for trouble.
But the thought of PJ’s sharp grin, the way her teasing chipped at Kara’s defenses, confusing her.
“You’re way too smart to just be a mouthpiece.”
She and Monica finished eating, lingering over coffee. “Kara, dala ko car today. Hatid na kita.” she asked, glancing up.
Kara nodded, too tired to argue.
INT. MONICA’S CAR – NIGHT
Just before they part ways, Monica and Kara stayed in the car for a few minutes to chat. While Kara was telling a story about her cats, Monica’s phone buzzed again. This time, she checked, Vera’s texts lighting up the screen.
Engr. Sungit
Ms. Monica, yung site visit bukas.
Alam ko, I have it on my calendar :) but thanks for the reminder, Engr. Vera! See you!
…
Are you in the mood rn?
?
Ugh, the urge na magbiro sa’yo!
? Be professional.
Uy, it's not what you think! I mean to throw in a joke or something.
Loosen up!!! Akala ko pa naman close na tayo after our nightcap hehe
Medyo lang. Tignan mo, masyado kang komportable. Ayoko sa makulit.
Miss mo na ko?
Asa ka
HAHAHA sus!
4:30 AM bukas. Pag dumating ako at di ka pa ready, iiwanan kita
:(
:)
“...tapos hindi makaakyat si Sassha sa bed– ate Mons, sino yang ka-text mo at nakabusangot ka d’yan?” Kara teased.
“Naalala ko, site visit nga pala bukas. Maaga nanaman akong gigising nito. Hay…”
“Aw, good luck… anyway, I’ll come up na. Thank you sa paghatid. Drive home safe!”
EXT. CELINE’S PENTHOUSE TOWER – MIDNIGHT
Monica and Vera had just dropped off Celine at her penthouse after a long night at Flying Ipis, and the tension of hauling a drunk CEO home lingered between them.
Now, they sat on the hood of Vera’s car, with the engine off and the silence settling like dust.
Monica fidgeted beside Vera, while the latter toyed her keys, clearly fighting off exhaustion.
Eventually, Vera stood and broke the quiet first. “Ano, hatid na kita?”
Monica’s head jerked up, as if snapped out of a trance. “Hala, ‘wag na! Magbook na lang ako ng taxi baka gusto mo na ring bumalik kasi diba naistorbo ko tulog mo? Sorry ha, ayaw ko kasing ipagkatiwala si Celine sa taxi lalo na lasing pa nam—”
Her words spilled out in a nervous torrent, tripping over each other as she waved her hands while saying her apologies and explanations. “—kasi nagpanic lang talaga ako kaya ikaw tinawagan ko, hindi ko alam kung sino pa tatawagan eh, tapos si Celine sobrang out na siya kanina, baka kung ano mangyari sa kanya kung—”
Vera rolled her eyes, but a smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth and she’s too tired to fight it.
She’d seen Monica like this before, chatty and a whirlwind of energy, but it still amused her. “Psst, Ms. Ortega. Kumalma ka. Ihahatid na kita baka mapano ka pa. Tsaka may tama ka na eh.”
“Excuse me, I’m sober!”
“Ang sabi ko may tama ka na, hindi ko sinabing lasing ka.”
Monica crossed her arms, pouting. “Tinikman ko lang naman kanina yung iniinom ni Celine, that’s all! Hindi ako lasing, promise. Kesyo medyo magulo lang talaga isip ko kasi—” She was off again, doubling down on her ramble, her voice pitching higher with every word. Her usual chatter doubled in speed and volume now.
Vera pinched the bridge of her nose, exasperation creeping in. “Sa kadadaldal mo, nawala na antok ko, eh. Sakay na.”
“Hmp!”
INT. VERA’S CAR – MIDNIGHT
Monica incoherently mumbled as she climbed into the passenger seat.
Vera drove through the city lights, Cup of Joe’s Mananatili faintly playing on the radio. Monica’s energy finally waned and she pressed her forehead against the cool window, her breath fogging the glass.
Her head tipped against the seat as she felt her eyes closing. She tried not to doze off beside Vera, but she found the seat warm and her breathing softening. Vera glanced at her a couple times, the hard lines of her face easing just a little.
When they reached her building, Vera parked and glanced over again. Monica’s head lolled against the window, her face softened in sleep. Vera shook her head while she unbuckled her seatbelt and reached over, gently shaking her shoulder.
“Monica, gising na.”
“Hmm?” Monica stirred, blinking groggily as Vera’s face came into focus, closer than she’d expected. Her heart skipped, a flush creeping up her neck. “A-ay… Thank you.”
Vera backed off a little. The woman beside her nearly opened the car door but stopped herself. “Uhm, gusto mo bang pumasok muna? For coffee…?”
Vera raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. She studied Monica for a beat and then shrugged. “Okay.”
And that made Monica smile.
INT. MONICA’S APARTMENT – VERY EARLY MORNING
Monica’s apartment was a warm cocoon of color and clutter. Her vibrant personality outshined her corporate life, so when Vera looked around and found drawings, colored plates, and a keyboard, she was not surprised by it all.
The engineer settled onto the couch, her gaze roving over the space as the assistant went straight into the kitchen.
She heard her speak, currently facing the coffee maker. “Upo ka. Timpla lang ako ng coffee. How do you like yours?”
“Kung anong sa’yo.”
“Pft, boriiing!” Monica laughed and Vera just stared at her. “Oh, joke lang, ‘to naman!”
Few minutes later, Monica handed Vera a coffee mug shaped like Dumbo’s head which made the latter study the cup. “Dumbo talaga?”
“What? It’s cute! Look, mine’s Minnie Mouse.”
Soon, they sat across from each other, steaming coffee in hand. The silence was comfortable at first, broken only by the occasional sip. Then Monica spoke. “Sorry you had to see that mess kanina. Alam mo naman kapag hectic ang schedule ng boss ko, kasama na ako doon.”
Vera nodded. “Wala ‘yon. At tsaka nakakapanibagong makita ang boss mo na gano’n. It makes her… relatable. Baka pwedeng magpa-appointment sa’yo.”
“About saan?”
“Drinking session with Ma’am Celine.”
Monica laughed softly. “Sige, isisingit ko sa sched niya baka makalusot.”
They told each other small stories, whether about Monica’s botched presentation, her brother Gian’s antics, her mom’s cooking, or Vera about a car repair gone wrong. Monica was doing the most work while Vera’s walls stayed up, her replies clipped which Monica noticed, but she didn’t push.
Suddenly, Vera’s curiosity broke through. She’d been wanting to ask this question since the initial controversy and Celine left Monica and the PR team scrambling for a clean-up. “Bakit hindi mo ba maiwan si Celine? Parang loyal na loyal ka sa kanya.”
Monica froze, her smile faltering. “What do you mean?”
“Alam mo na... lagi kang nandyan kahit sobrang demanding na niya. Alam ko mahirap magtrabaho sa isang kumpanyang gaya ng Echelon, pero lahat, kahit labas na ng opisina, even beyond your pay grade, ginagawa mo para sa kanya. May utang na loob ka ba o ano?”
“Celine saved me. I owe her my life, that's why I stick around. I can’t fail her. Hindi ko kaya, that’s why I’m always there whenever she needs me.”
Vera just nodded, at a loss for words. “Wow… uhm–”
Monica immediately stopped her. “No, no! you don’t have to say anything.”
“Okay...”
They sipped their coffee in companionable silence, until it’s already close to 3 AM and Vera needed to go home and have her needed sleep.
She glanced at her watch and sighed. “Kailangan ko nang umuwi.”
Monica nodded, offering a small smile. “Yeah, you should. Thanks again for tonight. I owe you one.”
Unable to fight it, Vera genuinely smiled. “You don’t owe me anything.”
She stood, smoothing her jacket as she walked to the door. Her hand settled on the doorknob, but she stopped. With hesitation, she turned back to Monica.
“Monica… yung sa site visit pala sa Tuesday…”
“Ah, oo, meron nga pala,” Monica replied, tilting her head slightly. “Ihahatid naman ako ng driver, as usual. 'Di ko kaya maglong drive eh.”
“Hindi,” Vera shifted her weight, almost awkwardly. “I mean… gusto mo bang sumabay?”
“Huh?”
“Sa ‘kin… sumabay sa akin…”
Monica’s eyes widened in surprise, and then a slow, teasing grin spread across her face. “Hmm. Does this mean close na tayo?”
Vera’s cheeks flushed faintly, but she squared her shoulders, trying to hold her gruff composure. “Oo or hindi lang naman, Ms. Ortega.”
“Oo or hindi lang din, Engr. Ventura,” Monica shot back playfully.
“Nauna akong nagtanong,” Vera countered, crossing her arms.
Monica laughed. “Hindi talaga ko mananalo sa’yo ‘no?”
“Well…” Vera trailed off, her lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile.
“Well… since you asked, sige, sasabay ako sa’yo.”
“Nice—” Vera blurted out, only to catch herself mid-word. Monica smirked, raising her eyebrows in amusement as Vera quickly backtracked, flustered by her own reaction. “I mean… okay… uhm, sige, alis na ‘ko. Enjoy your Friday and the weekend.”
Monica chuckled at the engineer’s rare stumble. “See you on Tuesday, Engr. Sungit!”
Vera rolled her eyes, but a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips as she stepped out into the hallway.
Monica leaned against the closed door, a contented sigh escaping her. Malico was three to four hours away, but already, Tuesday felt too far off.
And she couldn’t wait for it to come.
INT. VERAS CAR – SUNRISE
The memory faded as Monica blinked back to the present. It was Tuesday morning now, sun barely out. She settled in the passenger seat of Vera’s car. The car smelled like mint, Monica noted, as they merged onto the North Luzon Expressway, the three-to-four-hour drive unfolding ahead.
Uhaw was on the radio.
“Napakaaga paaa,” Monica stifled a yawn as she glanced at Vera behind the wheel.
“Matulog ka na lang diyan kung gusto mo.”
“Ay si concern!”
“Ayokong magreklamo ka mamaya kapag inaantok ka na sa site.”
Minutes later, Monica shifted in her seat and rubbed her arms as a chill crept over her skin.
Vera noticed and she sighed. She reached behind her seat without taking her eyes off the road. She pulled out a worn denim jacket and tossed it onto Monica’s lap without saying anything.
Monica caught the jacket, her fingers brushing Vera’s as she did, a quick, accidental touch that made Vera pull her hand back fast. “Thank you,” Monica said, her grin widening as she slipped it on, the fabric warm with Vera’s faint scent. “Ang bango naman. Surf ba 'to?”
“Binili ko lang yan sa palengke, tig-syete pesos na sabon.”
Silence in the car again.
“O, may problema ba?”
Vera’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Iniisip ko lang yung project.”
“Why, are you still having doubts after nung leaks? I mean… we sorted it out. ‘Yung consultations with the IPs, adding security, fast tracking everything. Celine and Naya are hands on despite… whatever’s going on sa kanila.”
Vera let out a bitter laugh. She shouldn’t say these things in Monica’s face because she’s technically under Celine, but being the courageous one, she tested the waters. “Sorted it out? Sa papel, oo. Pero ‘yung mga leaks na yan? Narinig mo naman yung chismis that your company’s just playing nice para mabili nila ‘yung lupa ng Malico. At ako-tangina-ako 'yung napagitnaan, building houses for Celine and Naya like some pawn.”
Monica stiffened at the mention of her boss. Vera’s words stung. “Teka, si Celine? Hindi naman siguro ganun. I mean, she’s tough, oo, pero… she cares about this project. Everything’s on paper!”
“Care? Monica, hindi ko alam kung ano pa ‘yung totoo. Si Celine ang CEO. Kung may ganitong plano ang Echelon, hindi pwedeng hindi niya alam. Ako, ‘yung gumagawa ng mga bahay na ‘to, tapos malalaman ko na lang na gagamitin lang pala nila ‘to for some commercial bullshit? Parang sampal sa ‘kin eh.”
“Vera, alam ko na mukhang magulo ngayon, pero… si Celine, she’s not perfect, but she’s not a bad person. Kilala ko siya. She might make bad decisions, but she owns up to it and makes it right. Well, eventually. Trust me, I know.”
Vera sighed, “Monica, hindi ko sinasabing masama si Celine. Pero gano'n kalaki ‘yung responsibilidad niya. Kung totoo ‘yung mga leaks, ako pa ‘yung tumulong sa kanila. Ako ‘yung gumawa ng mga bahay eh.”
Monica wanted to defend Celine, but Vera’s words echoed the whispers she’d overheard in the office. Kara’s stress, the press hounding them, the rumors about Echelon’s true motives. “I want to believe she’s better than that. I have to.”
Because she knew. It was hard to take and understand then, but she knew.
Suddenly, she tried to test the murky waters of Vera Ventura. “Bakit hindi ka umalis? I mean, kung ganito ka na rin ka-frustrated, pwede ka namang mag-resign, diba? You’re a good engineer, Vera. Any firm would snap you up.”
“Pwede akong umalis, pero kailangan ko yung pera. Kaya kahit inis na ‘ko dahil ayaw kong madawit sa mga isyu, hindi ko magawa kasi kailangan ng pamilya ko.”
Monica’s curiosity piqued and Vera sensed this. Her instinct to shut down warring with the strange pull she felt to let Monica in.
Monica sensed it too. “Hey! It’s okay kung ayaw mong pag-usapan…”
“No, uhm… okay lang…”
“I’ll listen.”
She adjusted her grip on the wheel. “Isang kahig, isang tuka kami noon. Tatay ko, mekaniko, nanay ko, may mini sari-sari store, pero puro utang ng kapitbahay. Tuyo at kanin ‘yung ulam, minsan nga wala pang tuyo.”
Monica waited.
“Panganay ako at breadwinner. Sa UP nag-aral, pero kahit libre, nag-tutor para may panggastos. Pagod, pero walang choice eh, umaasa sakin pamilya ko. Echelon pays well. ‘Yun.”
“Pero?”
Vera wanted to let Monica in, but the fear of being seen as less held her back. “Pero… parang nawawala na ‘ko. ‘Yung dating Vera, ‘yung may pangarap na magtayo ng mga proyektong may saysay ba… hindi ‘yung para lang sa mga kumpanya.”
The assistant’s heart twisted. “Hey… ginagawa mo ‘to for your family. That’s not nothing. At ‘yung frustration mo sa project, sa Echelon, kay Celine? That means you care. Hindi ka tulad ng mga walang pakialam diyan.”
Silence engulfed the car for a minute before Vera broke it, a faint smile breaking through. “Ang galing mong magsalita, ‘no? Parang ikaw ‘yung dapat nasa PR, hindi si Kara.”
Monica laughed, easing the car’s heavy tension. “Uy, wag mo kong i-compare kay Kara, ha! Sure, I got the charm,” Vera snorted at the remark. Monica just rolled her eyes, “...but I could never face the media at maging super serious sa harap nila. Oh my god, can you imagine? But seryoso na. Kung kailangan mo ng kausap, nandito lang ako. Hindi ko man ma-solve yung Echelon drama, kaya ko namang magpa-kape. Kahit every night pa ‘yan!”
“Huwag na, pupuyatin mo pa ‘ko.”
“Excuse me, I asked you if you wanted to go in at pumayag ka naman,” Monica shot back, her grin wide. “At saka, ikaw rin naman ‘yung nag-offer na magsabay tayo ngayon. So, who likes who?”
“Ang ingay mo talaga. Matulog ka na lang ulit. Mahaba pa ‘tong biyahe.”
Monica chuckled, leaning back in her seat, the denim jacket still warm around her shoulders. “Fine, fine. Pero aminiiin… close na talaga tayo!”
Vera didn’t answer, but the corner of her mouth lifted just enough to betray her amusement.
Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw was playing on the radio now. Monica hummed quietly, her eyes drifting to the window, while Vera’s fingers tapped lightly on the wheel, her thoughts still tangled but eased by Monica’s presence.
EXT. MALICO SITE – DAY
A van stopped at the edge of the site and Naya stepped out. Ellie and Lorraine followed, stretching stiff limbs, while Vera and Monica emerged from a second vehicle just behind them.
The site was far more crowded than anticipated, but it was the protesters who dominated. Chants from progressive activists could be heard throughout. Signs jostled above their heads, scrawled in furious red and black: “No to Land Grabs!” “Protect Ancestral Domains!” “Lupa para sa Masa!” “Naya Guevarra Sell Out!”
The words struck Naya like a blade, each one a shard of her past turned against her. The uneven handwriting, the fervor in the slogans, it was a time machine to her college years. Back then, she’d been one of them, marching against corporate greed. Now, those placards branded her a traitor, and the betrayal cut deeper than she’d expected.
A nostalgic ache bloomed in her chest, heavy with the memory of who she’d been and who she was still fighting to be.
Media vans lined the site’s perimeter and mainstream outlets were alongside alternative journalists, all ravenous for a story. PJ was also in the crowd. Her lens lingered on Naya, but wondered why Celine was nowhere to be seen.
Ellie stepped closer to Naya. “Naya, we need to be careful, ha?”
Naya nodded. She gestured toward the LGU reps and her team followed..
Nearby, Vera tuned out the noise and slipped into work mode. She barked orders to her engineering team, yet her attention kept drifting to Monica, who stood a few paces away, her phone pressed to her ear and her face taut with stress.
Monica was drowning in a flood of calls from Kara. “Yes, Kara, alam ko, pero hindi tayo pwedeng maglabas ng statement without Naya’s go-signal. Nakalimutan mo na ba yung nangyari noon?”
The noise persisted. “No to land grabs, Echelon out! No to land grabs, Echelon out!”
Naya, Ellie, and Lorraine were deep in discussion with the LGU reps, trying to salvage the morning’s schedule, when a young protester broke through the crowd. He was barely out of his teens, his sign trembling in his grip.
“Naya, akala ko para sa amin ka! Bakit ka sumama sa Echelon? Pera lang ba habol mo, ha? Nasaan na yung aktibistang kilala namin?”
Naya’s heart pounded. She stepped toward him. “Hindi ko kailanman tinalikuran ang laban natin! Pero paano natin matutulungan ang mga IPs kung wala tayong resources? My partnership with Echelon is for the purpose of giving the Malico tribe homes. Legally. Walang kinakamkam na lupa rito!”
Ellie grabbed Naya’s sleeve. “Naya! Media’s right there, PJ’s right there!” She hissed. “Baka palakihin pa nila. Please, let’s handle this later.”
The protester was unconvinced. In his frustration, he lunged forward, grabbing Naya’s arm to make his point. “Resources? Sell out! Walk the talk. Magkano ang bigay sa’yo? Nasilaw ka na sa pera!”
His grip was desperate, but the crowd’s surge behind him turned it chaotic. He stumbled, his shoulder shoving Naya backward. She tripped, her hip slamming against a nearby folding table. The table wobbled, and she fell hard, her arm scraping against its rough edge. A sharp gasp escaped her as blood welled up, a thin red line stark against her skin.
“Naya!” Ellie was at her side in an instant, followed by Lorraine. “Tayo! Halika na…”
Lorraine led them out of the crowd and the police, who just arrived, eventually tried to control the crowd.
Naya winced, but she tapped Ellie’s hands that held her. “Okay lang ako, hindi naman niya sinasadya ‘yun.”
The young protester stepped back into the crowd. One of the uniformed officers saw this and immediately grabbed the young boy before punching him in the gut. The group saw this and fumed which made the protest more chaotic.
Vera, who's watching from a distance, clenched her jaw. She turns to Monica, whose hand flies to her mouth. “Oh my God!” She pulled out her phone to make a call.
Meanwhile, the media swarms closer to Naya.
“Ms. Guevarra, care to comment sa kaguluhang ito?”
“Ito ba ang kahihinatnan ng Malico sa partnership mo with Echelon?”
“Ms. Guevarra, anong masasabi mo sa mga alegasyon ng Echelon sa land grabbing?!”
PJ spoke last, “Naya, is this blood on your arm the price of Echelon’s ‘charity’?"
Naya pushed herself to her feet as blood trickled down her arm, but she ignored it. She brushed off Ellie’s restraining hand. “This project is for Malico’s indigenous community. Hindi ito tungkol sa pera o kapangyarihan. IllumiNaya has always fought for the marginalized, and this partnership with Echelon is about giving the Malico IPs homes, legally, transparently. Kung may duda kayo, you can just look at the community leaders. They’ve been part of every step, every consultation.”
Naya looked at PJ, who had an unreadable expression. The journalist’s question about “charity” echoed in Naya’s mind, a reminder of the doubts she’d been wrestling with since Celine’s name resurfaced.
Monica, who was standing at the sideline, stepped forward. “Everyone, please po, let’s give Ms. Guevarra some space!” She said, “Andito po tayo to support the Malico community. Echelon and IllumiNaya will address all concerns through our official channels.”
Ellie tugged at Naya’s sleeve again. “Naya, tama na. We need to get you cleaned up. This isn’t helping.”
Lorraine seconded. “Opo, Ms. Naya, tara na, naghihintay na yung van.”
Naya nodded reluctantly, allowing the two to guide her toward the vehicle.
Nearby, Monica just finished talking to the reporters. She glanced at Vera, who was directing her team to help the Malico elders and secure the site’s equipment. Monica’s loyalty to Celine was unshakable, and she understood when the CEO’s words replayed in her mind again.
“Stay out of the protests. Protect Naya. Trust me.”
The command had come during their heated call.
And she understood that now.
“Engineer!” she called out.
“Ano?”
“Sabay pa rin naman tayong babalik ng Manila, ‘di ba?”
“Oo naman. Paano ka uuwi kung ‘di ka sasabay sa akin?”
“Kina Ellie…”
This time Vera faced her, “Ah… sige lang, kung nagmamadali ka. Dito pa ako sa site hanggang 2 PM.”
“Hintayin na kita!”
The engineer raised one eyebrow. “Sure?”
Monica gave her best smile despite what happened earlier. “Oo nga! Doon na lang ako sa trailer magtatrabaho.”
Vera shook her head. With no Kara around, Monica was at the forefront of the war between the protesters, media, and the company. The assistant must be scrambling and tired at the same time. Still, she grinned from ear to ear as if nothing happened.
If it was Vera, her mood would’ve turned sour until the end of the day.
She could never get that woman’s attitude.
Yet she still wanted to ask her. She called out for the assistant who’s jogging toward the makeshift site. “Ms. Ortega!”
“Yeah?”
“Okay ka lang?”
Monica nodded, smiled, and put her two thumbs up. Vera got the message.
“Boss! Ano bubuhos na ba?” It was one of the construction workers.
“Ha?”
“Kanina pa namin hinihintay ano sasabihin mo eh.”
“Lintik, bakit hinihintay niyo ko? Nandyan naman si Engr. Alvarez!”
“Eh sabi mo ikaw masusunod…”
“Pucha… oo na, buhos na!”
“Ibang buhos yata iniisip mo boss… buhos ng emosyon!” The construction workers laughed and scrambled away as Vera playfully threatened them with a pipe.
“Piskit ka, Mario, huling araw mo na ngayon!”
INT. ILLUMINAYA COMPANY VAN – DAY
An on-call medic was cleaning up Naya’s wound inside when Apo Diego approached slowly.
“Naya,” he said. “Ipaliwanag mo ito. Totoo ba ang sinasabi nila? Kinakamkam na ba ng Echelon ang lupa namin?!”
Naya opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. The accusations, the leaks, they swirled in her mind. She’d faced the media with boldness, but the elder’s question stripped her bare.
She felt helpless.
“Apo, alam niyo naman po kung bakit kami nandito. Malinis ho ang intensyon namin, para sa inyo, para sa Malico. Pero… pasensya na at kailangan ko rin pong makausap ang si Ms. Alonzo. Pero pangako ko po, hindi ko naman kayo iiwan. Aayusin ko po.”
“Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa’yo pero naguguluhan na ang mga tao rito. Ang lupa namin, ang kultura namin… kung totoo ang sinasabi nila, paano na kami?”
Naya wanted to promise him certainty but the truth was, she didn’t have all the answers. Not yet.
Apo Diego turned and walked back to join the others, leaving Naya standing in the dust, her scraped arm throbbing as much as her heart.
Ellie placed a hand on her shoulder. “Naya, let’s go. We’ll figure this out.”
EXT. ECHELON MAKESHIFT OFFICE – DAY
Just before opening the door to the trailer, Monica’s phone buzzed.
CLN the bawse
Is she safe?
Bakit hindi ka sumunod dito?
Alam mo naman kung bakit.
Alam ko. Pero mas lalo lang lumala y ung sitwasyon kasi wala ka.
…
That’s not very CEO of you. But don’t worry, I handled everything.
Just like always. Thank you, Monica, nagkautang nanaman ako sa’yo.
Better make up for it. Talk to Naya ASAP.
Ayoko pa. You know what happened a few days ago.
…
I think she hates me.
M asisisi mo ba siya?
Sagutin mo na lang tanong ko. I s she safe?
May commotion kanina and Ms. Naya scraped her arm. Ok naman na siya now, I think.
What?!
Boss, kausapin mo na.
INT. ILLUMINAYA COMPANY VAN – MIDDAY
The long drive back to Manila was very quiet. Naya slumped against the seat at the back. Ellie sat beside her while Lorraine was in the passengers seat
Naya pulled out her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed a message to Celine: “Protests got ugly. I’m okay, but we need to talk. You need to come clean with me, Celine. Hindi ako galit. Please, sabihin mo na lahat.” She hit send, her heart pounding as she waited for a reply.
She wanted to demand answers, to confront the woman who’d once been her closest ally, but exhaustion dulled her resolve. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes.
Ellie glanced at her, her voice soft. “Naya, you did what you could out there. Hinga ka muna.”
Naya heard the consoling, but her mind was elsewhere, tangled in memories of Celine’s laugh, her fire, the way they’d once dreamed of changing the world together.
In the seats ahead, Lorraine’s voice broke through. “Ellie, bakit mo sinisi ‘yung volunteers kanina? Nagsorry na nga si Kuya Ben, eh. Hindi naman nila sinasadyang magkamali sa food packs!”
“Hindi ko siya sinisisi, pero nakakahiya, ‘di ba? Kinulang yung food packs kasi may nadoble raw na nabigyan kaya may mga hindi nakaabot.”
Lorraine waved her tumbler of iced coffee at Ellie’s face. “O, taste the chill ka muna dyan. Nag-promise na si kuya na babawi sila next visit.”
“Ewan ko sa’yo, ang gulo-gulo mo.”
“Hindi talaga siya mag-sorry, o…”
Ellie sighed, “Oo na, sorry na.”
“Hahaha cute! Okay, you’re forgiven!”
Ellie froze. She forced a smirk, masking the flutter in her gut. “Papansin.”
Naya listened, their familiar banter pulled her out from her spiral. The friendship of the two, years deep, carried the exchange.
She gripped her phone, Celine’s silence a dull ache, but the bickering in the background wove a fragile lightness.
Yet she can’t help but be envious of Lorraine and Ellie.
But things are different now. She and Celine have grown and they have more responsibilities than before.
Much, much serious responsibilities still tied to what once was.
And so Naya waits for what once was hers.
END OF CHAPTER 8