I
When Governor Draeko arrived in his mansion, he was surprised to see Mariella waiting for him in his mansion’s living room.

“Mariella, why are you here? Did your father send you here?” Governor Draeko asked the woman, furrowing.

Mariella cleared her throat first before speaking. “Nope, I came here not because of my father.”

Governor Draeko furrowed more. “So, what about Mariella? Why are you here?”

“I need to tell you something,” Mariella replied with seriousness in her expression.

“Regarding what?” he made sure that his voice would sound tired and disinterested.

“Regarding your darling Grazziena Governor Draeko,” Mariella's voice sounds to have such mystery, to which she even coupled it with a mischievous smile.

Governor Draeko however just raised his right brow at her. “What about Grazziena? Be straight to the point Mariella. I am tired and I wanted to rest. So, if this is mere gossip, I don’t want to hear it.”

Somehow, Mariella was embarrassed but more on being offended when she heard what Governor Draeko have said.

“It is not a gossip because I saw it with my own eyes Governor Draeko,” she replied in a hissing manner; annoyance was evident in her voice.

Governor Draeko’s furrowing increased as he looked at Mariella questioningly. “So, what have you seen Mariella? Spill it out and do not hang me.”

“I saw Grazziena being fetched by a young and handsome man, who seemed to be her lover.” with head high Mariella announced. "Let me see if you will not be interested in my information," Mariella thought, smirking.

Governor Draeko however, suddenly laughed out loud. “Was that all Mariella?” he asked while his laughter was still ringing in Mariella’s ears, offending more the woman.

“Yes, why? Are you not affected?” Still, with her head high trying to overcome her embarrassment, Mariella retorted with arrogance.
“Why should I Mariella; I know that man you were mentioning. His name is Lumaro. I met him just a while ago at Grazziena’s house.” Governor Draeko replied with seriousness in his tone now.

Mariella was stunned, feeling stupefied.

“Mariella, if you don’t have more important to say; please go now. I need to rest.” Then Goveror Draeko turned his back leaving Mariella, dumbfounded.
Mariella felt like a fool. How could Grazziena always win so easily against her? She gritted her teeth in anger.

II

Mariella went home still with anger in her heart. She never thought that Governor Draeko, who once gave him such special attention, she being the daughter of the Vice-Governor, would now be treating her like that, just because of Grazziena; that poor fellow, Grazziena!

What happened a while ago with Governor Draeko, added up to Mariella’s existing hatred of Grazziena.

“Grazziena, you almost robbed me, of everything that I dreamed of; that Ms. Albaya crown, the prestige and popularity, and most of all, Governor Draeko. You will pay for this Grazziena.” Mariella murmured as she plunged herself into her luxurious Victorian-type bed.

She then gave her best friend, Leslie a phone call.

“Hello friend Leslie, I just can’t take it.” Mariella’s greetings to Leslie when the latter answered her call.
Leslie frowned upon hearing the negative words that came out of Mariella’s mouth. “What is it Mariella? We were just together a while ago and you seemed so happy with all of the stuff you bought at the shopping mall. So what happened now?”

Mariella made a deep breath before answering Leslie. “It is about Governor Draeko. It seems like, he was really smitten by that witch Grazziena. You know what Leslie, he does not believe me when I say that Lumaro is Grazziena’s lover; he even laughed at me saying that he met Lumaro at Grazziena’s house tonight.”

Leslie was surprised by Mariella’s information. “Oh, really? Maybe it’s true Mariella. Remember, we followed Lumaro and Grazziena a while ago and indeed their direction was going to Grazziena’s barrio, right? So, most probably, they will be meeting Governor Draeko at Grazziena’s house.”

Mariella became silent for a while; but later on stated, “I don’t think so Leslie. Something fishy is going on and I need to know it. My instinct is telling me that Lumaro and Grazziena have a connection with each other.”

Leslie felt annoyed. She does not want Lumaro to be involved with someone else. “Mariella, Lumaro, and I have this mutual understanding; so stop pairing him with Grazziena!” Leslie then turned off her phone aghast, to Mariella’s shock.
Looking at her phone, while hearing its disconnected tone of line, Mariella felt like a fool again. "Why did Leslie fail to tell her about her relationship with Lumaro?" she murmured, feeling betrayed and offended. Leslie is her best friend, she is even like a sister to her, why would she hide something important to her?
She thought she was that important to Leslie. Leslie even accompanied her on her vacation in the United States after she failed to get the crown of Ms. Albaya 2020. She was so frustrated that she needs to go away and relax. Leslie offered to accompany her and even paid for her own fare and expenses in going to the United States. She considered it as the kindest gesture, a friend could give to her.
"Are Leslie and Grazziena friends now?" she thought, while anger against Grazziena rose again in her heart. "Grazziena, you really wanted to rob from me, everything that is dear to my heart. I cannot forgive you!" she said now, shouting inside her room.