His Broken Gem

HBG 25

Stella's POV

I was spacing out in my seat at Angelo's car. I didn't even notice that I got in his car. It's all Sebastian's fault. Bakit niya ba kasi sinabi 'yon?

"Are you okay?" Angelo asked, wondering why am I spacing out. I just shook my head and lean it on the window pane.

Hindi na rin siya muling nagtanong pa at itinuon na lang ang tingin sa daan. After a few minutes ay nakarating na rin kami sa trial court. after 2 weeks of spending my time into this matter, finally, we're gonna put an end into this. Angelo park his car and both of us got out in the same time. Both of my lawyer are already waiting for us in the lobby. both of them stand and greeted our arrival.

"Are you ready, Miss Salvador?" Atty. Andal asked. He is one of Angelo's trusted lawyer in their firm. He's also the one handling the case.

"I won't be coming here not prepared," I said in a neutral voice. I heard Angelo scoffed beside me and immediately elbowed him. Unfortunately, he easily dodged it.

"She is very prepared for this which results to over sleeping," he murmured. Luckily, hindi ito narinig ng dalawang lawyer dahil busy na ito sa pag-uusap. I look at him and give him a deadly glare. He's so annoying, like Sebastian. Are they relatives? or maybe they are long lost brothers with knowing? They both know how to get into my nerves.

"We need to go inside, the trial will start in a few minutes," my lawyer said. We conform at him and make our way to the court.

We earn stares from the by passers, maybe wondering why I have 3 lawyers beside me. Well guess what money can do?

We remain calm the whole time. I already know the result of this case, they are fraudster. How dare them mess with me? A Salvador? Now, they'll taste their own karma. As expected, we won the case. We have enough evidence to prove that we are not involve in what happened to the rest house. One of their men change the materials without telling my employees.

"That's an easy one," I said as I stretch my arm slightly.

"That was just the first trial, we shouldn't let our guard down," Angelo said as we made our way to his car. I look at him and gives him a suspicious look. Why did he suddenly becomes cautious and afraid?

"Why? Are you not confident that we will win this case, Attorney Gonzales?" I asked him.

"Of course, I am," he immediately said as he entered the car. I just shook my head and look at him. If si Seb ang kasama ko ay hinding hindi niya kakalimutang pagbuksan ako ng pinto.

Aren't he gonna open the door for me? Sebastian used to do it for me, I guess nasanay lang ako.

'Are you seriously comparing him to Sebastian?' Megan asked in disbelief.

No! Of course not. I was just wondering if he'll do the same.

I dismissed the idea of comparing the both of them and went inside the car. We stop over at a restaurant to grab late lunch, I just remembered that I didn't eat breakfast and lunch. He was the one who ordered everything.

"I'll be paying," I said as I eat my food. Angelo shook his head and declining my offer.

"No, it's on me. After all, I'm gonna ask you for favor, right?" he stated. my brows furrowed at his statement as I look at him in confusion.

"Didn't we agreed that well do that if you will win the case?" I asked.

He drink a water from his glass and laugh as he put it back to the table. "Didn't you say that we're gonna win this case?" he confirmed.

Right, I did say that.

"So, I am just thinking of doing this now para matapos na agad, I can sense that you're already getting tired of seeing my handsome face," he said and laughs as if he said something funny.

Yes, he's also right on that part. I'm tired of seeing his face, scratch the handsome part. I also want to take a rest after this.

"Okay. What favor is it?" I asked him as I dab the table napkin on my lips as I finished my meal.

"Later." He winks before calling the waiter for the bill. After paying ay bumalik na kami sa kotse. I don't know where he's gonna bring me.

He's not planning on abducting me, right? He can't do that. There are so many witness that I'm with him the whole day. My mind was now at peace as I can see the mall not far from our position. I look at him, wondering what he is planning to do? Tila naramdaman niya naman ang mga tingin ko sa kaniya. He just smile at me and park his car. I didn't wait for him to open my door and went out the same time as he got out.

"What are we doing here?" I asked him as we make our way to the entrance of the mall.

"You'll know later," he said.

I was just following him heaading to somewhere I don't know when my phone rang. I check it and saw Sebastian's name on the caller ID.

Why is he calling? May problema ba unit? I answered the call and put the phone on my left ear. I saw Angelo entered a shop.

"Hello?" I heard the person behind the call said.

"Yes?" I answered as I followed Angelo inside the shop. It's a boutique. Sebastian didn't answered so I thought the call already ended but when I check it, it's still on going.

"Sebastian? Why did you call?" I asked him. I saw Angelo turns around and look at me. He motion me to come near him.

"What can you say about it? It's beautiful, right?" Angelo asked as he shows me the skater dress he's holding.

Why is this man buying a woman dress?

"Where are you, Stella?" I heard Sebastian asked in the other line. Before I can even answer him, Angelo pushes the dress on me and push me towards the dressing room.

"What the hell, Gonzales," I complains as we reached the dressing room.

"Try it," he said pushing me inside. I slap his hand away, if only I know what his favor is, hindi na sana ako pumayag. Is he playing a dressing up game with me? He offered to hold my things as I entered the room. I strip on my clothes and change it to the dress. Totally forgetting the call.

"Does it fit?" he asked from outside.

"Yeah," I huffed as I gather my hair and tie it.

"Let me have a look," he said as he knock on the door. I groan as I open it. He scan the dress, he even made me turn around.

"Are we done?" I asked, already feeling tired after he made tried 6 clothes. We are now at the counter, he's paying for the clothes.

"Nope, that's only the first shop," he said grabbing the bag of clothes. I groan as he walk away from the shop. I guess it's gonna be a long day. Shop after shop, panay swipe lang siya ng card niya sa counter. And me? Ako ang tagasukat ng lahat ng pinamili niya.

"What are you going to do with this thing?" I asked him looking at the pile of bags from different brand. dresses, clothes, jewels, shoes, bags, and even perfume. All of this thing is for a woman.

"I'm gonna give it to someone," he said as he put the bag inside of his car.

"Is that someone running a charity event? I can say that it is too much to become a gift for a one person," I told him blankly, leaning on the car as my foot starting to get numb. I look at it and notice that it's starting to become puffy and red.

"Your opinion is not needed," he said as he put the last bag inside of the car. he was holding a small paper bag and hand it to me.

I arched my eyebrow at him, questioning him. "Is that what they called suhol?" I sarcastically said.

"Just accept it. It's a necklace, I think it looks good on you so I'm giving it to you," he said handing the paper bag to me but instead of taking it, I just look at it.

"I have tons of jewels, I don't need a new set," I told him as I open the door and get inside of the car. I'm tired and I just want to go home and take a rest.

"Just accept it, think of it as a gift," he said. "Right, as what I remember your birthday is coming, right?" he asked. Napatigil naman ako dahil do'n, starting to get uncomfortable of the topic.

"Are you gonna have a party this year? I didn't heard you celebrate your birthday before, do you prefer it private?" tuloy-tuloy na tanong niya. He was about to talk again so I stop him immediately.

"We are done, right? Can we go home now?" I said blankly.

"Sure, sorry if I tire you out," he apologized. I just nodded my head at him. Luckily, he already drop the topic. I really don't want to talk about that. I don't want to talk about it.

When we reached the building, he insisted on walking with me until we reached my unit. I was again spacing out. My mind was wandering around, trying to dismissed the thought of my birthrate.

"Hey, are you okay?" I felt Angelo's hands on my arm, suddenly, I felt very sensitive to his touch and immediately slap his hands away.

'Is he gonna hurt us?' Stacy inquires, quivering in fear as we felt a very unfamiliar touch from a stranger. It's so scary...

"Stella. You don't look good," Angelo said in concern voice as he took a peek at my face. I back down to create some distance.

"S-stay away...D-don't come near me..." I stuttered as I pushed myself in the corner of the lift.

"Stella?" he said as he attempted to take a step forward.

"I said stay away!" I screamed, just in time the lift door's open. I immediately rushed outside.

'Run...we need to run...'

Lakad-takbo ang ginawa ko para mkalayo sa elevator. My breath become shallow and painful. D*mnit!

"Stella! You come to the hospital, you look pale," Angelo inplied as he followed me from behind.

"I told you to stay away! Can't you understand that?" I snapped at him. I was about to take a step forward nang bigla akong natapilo. Sumalampak ako sa sahig dahil do'n.

"Stella!" Angelo rushed to my aid. I immediately started to panic as he tried to pull me up.

"No, stop! Stop it...get away from me," I cried out while trying to remove his hold.

"Stella, I'm gonna bring you to the hospital," he said.

I frantically shook my head as I refused to come with him. "No, I just want to go home...let me go...please..."

We were still at the hallway of the rooms, making a scene. Fortunately, no one is outside.

"Let me go!" I screamed as he started to pull me towards the elevator again. Magsasalita pa sana siya nang bigla na lang may sumuntok sa kaniya.

"What the hell are you doing?" the man with a low baritone voice said. He was now holding me, caging me in his embrace. A familiar scent hit my nose and just like before, I immediately melted into his touch. My body slowly relax into him. Wala na akong marinig sa paligid ko bukod sa mga hikbi ko. I felt him cares my hair as he whispered into my ears.

"Shhh. It's okay, I'm here now..."

'No one's gonna hurt you...'