Sunshine

LV

TODAY surely feels different for the Special Task Force Team. It is still early in the morning but the prosecution office must be in an early morning duty that someone from there came over to take Olivia already as early as 7AM. Everyone was a witness of the turn over. Master Sergeant Carlos who was at the police station anyways since the day before woke up from his sleep on his table to the early visitors. Lieutenant Aguinaldo and Captain Rivera also came in early as scheduled. And Corporal Valencia just came in time. He at least managed to meet eyes with Olivia one last time at the police station’s entrance before the men in suit took her inside of the prosecution’s car.

Now the team is at the meeting room. Awfully quiet and absent-mindedly seeping coffee, sighing from time to time. Too much thoughts are running on everyone’s head. Thoughts that could be just similar to each other. They were filled with worries on different angles and levels. Marie was worried over the entire case. As a uniformed psychologist who is in charge of profiling, she is more concerned over Magbanua’s motives and how her hunch is telling her chances are this is entirely the Mayor’s fault. That Mayor Romualdo Costales brought it upon himself. While Captain Rivera on the other hand is worried where to lead the team’s investigation to. Sure they weren’t assigned of anything. They won’t probably be given of any case of national matters in their entire career and that is something very annoying. But that’s a worry for the next day. But needless to say they have to do something. Because no one else will help Olivia in this matter.

While best friends Juan and Carlos had their worries and frustrations lie on the actual people involved in this case. Juan is almost on the verge of insanity. Real one. He had become a dog for the Queen’s Spear to prevent this from happening but it still happened. He didn’t know how to protect his childhood friend and his sister anymore. While Carlos kept thinking of last night. One of these days Alex will be jumping on the fire just for Olivia and die on that fire. No saving intended on that jump. And this is why they need to get Olivia out of the fire first.

But over worries and breaths held in they are people who’s next steps mattered the most than their worries and fears. And they are actually people who has no time and room for one. They do not have the luxury to ponder and cry over anything. Because the moment they were done it is now too late. And that is why even with haphazard steps, even with armors that will never save them they still head on. Because that’s what life has set them to.

“I have something to say first.” Juan said, sipping the last drop of his coffee. He put back the now empty starbucks cup on the table. Just like the now clean cup he came clean on what Olivia is to her. “I am related to Olivia Magbanua. I am actually adopted. And yes, we met at the orphanage. She’s the only friend I made there. I treat her as a sister.”

That shocked the other members that didn’t know. After all Juan never made it obvious. Captain Rivera gave him an approved nod which Juan reciprocated with a small bow. While Marie, bewildered, did not managed to say anything. She was busy processing. While Carlos had something to ask.

“Was that why you were adamant on knowing if I met her on college through Alex? Because you knew her?”

“Yes.” Juan nodded. “The first time I saw her after I got adopted was when Adrian pasted her picture on that white board. Saying she and her girlfriend is the only suspect we had.”

This time Juan talked while looking at Carlos. Their eyes met in mutual agreement only they could have. They have similar situation. They are currently in the same s**t. And funny how they are now bound to help each other to take themselves out of the whatever stinky hole they’re now in. They are best friends, indeed.

“I couldn’t tell anyone and I feel now that that was wrong. I’m sorry.”

Carlos gave Juan a tap on the shoulders and a nod. Marie is also nodding to him, hers came with a small smile. Then they heard Captain Rivera take a deep breath. That made them look at him, now all focused and ready.

Now it’s time to talk about the steps they’re about to take together.

“First of what Magbanua gave us before will be sent to her lawyer. I already asked her about this. Second, we have to find anything on Romualdo Costales that could help to lessen the verdict on Olivia. We could account on this. Olivia is a victim turn assailant. And we need to find whatever to support that so she doesn’t spend the rest of her life in prison.”

His next words were for Juan. Suppressing a little of his most upright and righteous self Rivera told him.

“This is the best we could do for her, Juan.”

Juan nodded, flashing a grateful smile. “Thank you, Capt. Thank you so much.”