The Wicked Mrs. Gastrell (English version)

People were jam-packed inside the Cerro Roca stadium for the grand rally of the presidential candidate of the party of Cholo’s cousin, Demish Viera.

The 25-thousand seating capacity of the coliseum was filled with the supporters of both the running mayor and president. The stage is set in a simple way so as not to attract any negative comment from the citizens. Even the hosting of the venue is said to be sponsored by a loyal wealthy supporter of the party bearer.

Only a few days left and the campaign period will be over, that’s why the camp is doing double caution so that the opponents cannot throw anything at them.

This is where they chose to do the mass demonstration because his political party plans to turn Cerro Roca into a stronghold. Of course, with the two local political clans, the Asturias and the Gastrells, backing their candidacy, it sure means that the vote-rich city will lean on their candidates.

That’s what I won’t let happen. I have already promised my cousin that the other party will not win here. In exchange, I asked him for a favor.

“My dear peace loving countrymen! Let’s not forget in the coming election next month, let’s vote for Enrique Antonino for president to fight corruption which is a termite that is destroying our country. My compatriots, this is the true servant of our town that we’ve been waiting for a long time!” urged by the party list spokesperson who as far as I know is a former member of the party supported by my cousin.

I just shook my head while staring intently at the dancing women on the top of the stage who took over the speaker earlier. The surroundings are really full of hypocritical leeches. They move quickly. They easily forget about their sworn allegiance the moment they know the battle is lopsided.

Oh well. What did I expect? There is no such thing as loyalty in politics. Only permanent personal interests.

In my few years of being an Alcantara, I have seen different types of politicians who are trying to get the support of our family. They don’t care if we give them support financially. All they want is a word of endorsement from us. We become the racetrack of politicians who are running from the other side.

It only makes me gasp in irritation how they’re coming back just because we are in circulation again. News sure travels fast. As soon as they found out that the Alcantaras were slowly coming out, they were like bees who had lost their homes and returned to us.

Of course, my brother is as cunning as the head. We need them in return even more and we haven’t really returned to the way we were before. We are still in the middle of reconnecting to high society.

“I thought you won’t come?” asked the voice behind my ear. He kissed my cheek from behind.

I just smiled and held his hand as he sat on the seat next to me in the front row of the bleachers. I meant to tell him this morning that I couldn’t make it because I had something else to attend to.

“My mind has changed. I wanted to show up to support you for supporting your cousin. After all, we’re family. And families support each other.”

He returned the smile and kissed my hand.

“Thank you for saying that. Come. I will introduce you to my cousin. He wanted to meet you for a long time. I told him that my wife is too preoccupied with me to meet the future mayor of the city but he didn’t believe me. He said maybe I was just threatened by him. I still need to remind him that I am the one who was chased more by women when we were still… well… young. The man needs some putting in his place.” He chuckled when he saw me studying him closely. “But I also made it clear to him that he can have the title to himself. I have long decided to retire in a recluse state with you.”

I grabbed his hand and together we started to walk to the backstage area.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“I am not quite convinced with the explanation. I find it to be lacking in assurance.”

Grinning, he broke his hand from mine and encircled his arm around my waist.

“My rings are in your finger, wife, and my last name is yours too. I cannot think of any more assurance to give to you other than that,” he whispered in my ear.

Satisfied with his answer, I made no more attempt to push the conversation.

Even before we got close to the man, I immediately recognized Demish Viera in the distance who was talking to some men who belong to the campaign committee of his party.

The man is of considerable height but with a towering impression written all over him. He’s 27 years old but he looks younger than his age, has a very impressive educational background abroad, and with a good track record in politics. He’s wearing a simple t-shirt and casual pants.

It is also noteworthy that he is not wearing any form of campaign paraphernalia other than his party color. No printed shirt with his name and position on it and no ballers in his wrists. Definitely not your typical traditional politician.

“Dem,” Cholo called to the cousin who immediately said goodbye to those he was talking to when he saw us and walked towards us.

“Wife, this is Demish, the future mayor of Cerro Roca and my cousin. Dem, meet Karina, my wife.”

He offered his hand to me and politely smiled. “My pleasure to meet you, Karina.”

I reached for his hand and returned the serious smile. “The pleasure is mine, Mayor. I have heard about your platforms and I think they’re quite feasible. Kudos to you.”

He smiled broadly at me before glancing at Cholo. “Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot to me when there are citizens in Cerro Roca who like my platforms. It means more to me when they personally come here to support me. I really appreciate it.”

He let go of my hand.

“No worries. Family supports each other,” I answered sparingly.

“That I couldn’t argue but I could argue how you don’t deserve my cousin, Karina. You’re too headstrong for this man right here. Can he handle a strong woman like you?” he said while holding back his joking smile.

“I think he’s quite good at handling women like me which makes me wonder if I’m really the only one he’s handling right now,” I added.

“Oh! We have a lot to talk about on that matter.” His eyes flashed with mischief when he turned to Cholo. “I like her.”

Cholo pulled me closer to him and kissed my head. “Not as much as I love her.”

I couldn’t stop my face from heating up as he openly showed affection to me in front of so many people.

“Oh please you guys. Stop with the PDA. Don’t spit on my face that I’m really single now. You know I can’t serve two masters at a time. Public service first for now.”

“You’re jealous Dem because until you achieve your dream of becoming a senator, no woman will be able to keep up with you because of your job.”

We all turned to the one who spoke behind our backs. A cute girl in her early twenties and probably just a few years younger than I am is looking at us particularly at Demish. She was wearing a t-shirt with the young man’s promotional campaign printed on it.

“I agree with you, Yvonne. Dem got too many things going on right now in his life to even think of women especially now that he has more responsibility in the city,” Cholo said and briefly introduced me to the girl who gave me a smile and shook my hand.

Demish put his arm around the woman’s shoulder and jokingly patted her forehead.

“Thank you for the loyalty, cousin but I’ll still tell your wife about everything she needs to know. And this annoying girl right here and I will say goodbye to the two of you because there are sti many supporters we need to talk to. All for the love of Cerro Roca. ”

He saluted at us before turning back while dragging the girl. We followed the two who seemed to be arguing based on how the woman forcibly removed Demish’s hand from her shoulder.

“He’s good and sincere. He’ll make a good mayor,” I commented.

“I know. When we were just kids, we already knew he would get involved in politics. He takes after my mom. He is born to be a leader,” he said proudly as he led me back to the seat.

“Speaking of your mother, did she already approve of our relationship? Did she still not like me until now? I could understand why then but now? Why would she not want me now when I am as successful as you? I am as educated and as wealthy as Elizabeth and someday, you will also meet my real family. By then, I hope she will accept me. I don’t hate her anymore because she once made me feel that she is more on the side of others than the wife of her own son.”

Instead of leading me back to the seat, he pulled me to a corner and cupped my face, not minding how many can still see us. The music had already stopped to give way for the preparation of speech for every candidate.

“I know my mother’s treatment of you hasn’t been good. It was displeasing and it’s a shame that I took a part in it but I’ll make sure that she will still accept you in the end. You are my wife and I am choosing you, Karina. I’m choosing this relationship over anything. We will work this out, trust me. We can do this, okay? Just give me time to sort this out, can you trust me on that?”

I sighed and nodded. “You’re right. We can do this. I shouldn’t be sulking right here and thinking about negative things when it’s a big day for all of us, especially you. The investors will come now for your project. It’s important that they will see how great my husband is. Imagine being the primary force behind the newest and the largest oil exploration in the country. Not only that, you were also on the lucky side of history. The president you support has a big advantage in winning this year’s presidency.” I fixed the collar of his polo shirt. “I’m so proud of you, Cholo.”

Suddenly, the sparkle in his eyes disappeared and a sad expression took its place, which he tried to hide by smiling at me.

“It never felt this good coming from you. Thank you.”

I looked down to calm myself because of the sudden tightness in my chest. “Let’s go back to our seats. The program will start any minute from now.”

I pulled my hand back and gently held his arm. “You go first. I’ll just go to the comfort room.”

“I’ll go with you. I can wait. I can always wait.”

I shook my head and smiled at him. “You go ahead. It looks like the investors are already there. Go to them. I’ll be right back.”

He nodded and secretly kissed me on the lips. “Alright.”

I turned around and started walking in the direction of the bathroom. I closed my eyes and sighed when Cholo’s face appeared in my mind earlier. It’s like he wanted to ask me something.

I stopped walking and turned around. I wasn’t surprised to see that my husband was still standing there staring at me blankly. The corners of my eyes warmed when he waved at me and moved his hands to tell me to continue walking. I followed him with my hand on my chest while trying to calm myself down.

I’m sorry, Cholo, but I have to do this. I know you will understand me eventually too.

I went into the bathroom and took out the make-up kit and started retouching. When I finished, I looked at myself in the reflection in the mirror. From here, I saw Missy entering wearing a hat.

“Have you done it? Finished already?” I asked without looking at the mirror.

“I-It’s done. I’ve done what you want me to do but are you really sure you’re still going to do this?”

I smirked before turning around to face my old friend.

“You just don’t know what else I’m capable of and ready to do, Missy. I’ve waited for this day to happen for years. I’m ready for everything that can happen.”

I folded my arms and leaned against the counter of the lavatory.

“So I’m telling you, follow what I say. Leave Cerro Roca right now and go far away. Go now. Go away.”

He bowed his head and clenched his hands.

“Karina, I’m sorry for what I did before. I-I didn’t mean it. It was just a coincidence that you were the girl I thought of so I lied that Cholo was looking for you. I’m really sorry.”

“Go away. I’m not having any of it at this time. Hurry up. I still have things to do,” I shooed him away.

I turned him away and went back to staring at myself in the mirror. He went out the door after saying a soft ‘thank you’. I took the cellphone from my bag and called someone.

“It’s showtime,” I said in my most resolute voice when the other line picked up.

“Copy, Ms. Karina.”