Kabanata 2
1137 Words
Bea
"Attorney Basha Ortega?"
I groaned when the delivery guy called me by my real first name. Ngunit kahit gusto ko siyang tarayan ay naalala kong hindi nga pala niya alam na ayaw na ayaw kong tinatawag na Basha.
"It's Bea. Attorney Bea Ortega. Tell the one who sent that bouquet that I got no butterflies in my belly anymore that need the flowers," I said before I continued reviewing the case on my table.
Napakamot siya ng batok. Nang hindi kaagad umalis ay muli kong iniangat ang tingin ko't tinaasan siya ng kilay. "Shut the door properly when you leave."
My cousin who works at the Solis-Ortega Law Firm went in with a grin after the delivery guy left. Funny how he was named Rafael because it was John Lloyd Cruz' character in his movie with Sarah. He hates local films and his ears bleed whenever he hears Sarah G's song, "Tala".
"Let me guess. He made the worst mistake someone could ever commit." Nilapag niya sa mesa ang kape na para sa akin saka siya naupo sa visitor's chair. "
Our grandparents are die-hard John Lloyd and Bea fans. Sa isang movie showing daw kasi ng mga ito nagkakilala ang dalawa kaya naman lahat ng anak at apo nila, ipinangalan nila sa mga karakter ng paborito nilang tambalan.
I was the last grandchild they could ever name so they ended up naming me Basha. When they realized I hated it, they gave me a brilliant nickname; Bea.
"If only I wasn't worried about all the hassles that changing my first name could give me, I'd scratch that goddamn name out of my birth certificate."
Rafael scoffed before he sipped on his coffee. "I heard you got the hottest murder case right now. Mind giving me some context?"
I leaned on my swivel chair and played with my Vivinice pen. "The younger brother got jealous with the older one. Despite the older brother sacrificing a lot for them to reach their dreams of having a comfortable life, the younger one murdered his brother because of a girl." I smirked. "Looks like I'm gonna enjoy this case."
"I don't know, Bea. Maybe you should've given it to someone else. Sure loss ang isang 'yan."
I was about to answer him when my phone rang. Nang makita ang pangalan ni Mr. Beun ay walang pagdadalawang-isip kong sinagot ang tawag.
"Attorney Ortega speaking."
"Bea, Sir Khalil needs your help on his son's case. Can you come over now?"
Khalil Ducani is my father's long-term client before he passed away last year. Nagkakilala kami sa lamay ni Daddy, at magmula noon ay ako na ang naging abogado niya.
He's a very generous man who always tells me to stay away from playboys. Kung alam lamang niya. . .
"I'll be there in thirty minutes."
Pinatay ko ang tawag at sinabi kay Rafael na may pupuntahan akong kliyente. "Would you mind putting Khalid to sleep if I won't make it home on time?"
"Not at all. I could really use some uncle-nephew time. These cases I've been receiving lately are burning my sanity."
I smirked and finally stood up. "Oo na. Tutulungan na kitang i-analyze ang mga kaso mo."
Rafael grinned. Ihinatid niya pa ako sa parking lot saka siya kumaway nang mapaandar ko ang kotse.
I went straight to Khalil Ducani's place where they explained what happened earlier. Nang maikwento nila ang nangyari ay nagtungo kami sa presinto kung saan dinala ang anak niyang si Kreige.
I went inside the investigation room where he was waiting, and the moment he lifted his head to meet my gaze, I felt chills trailed down my spine when I remembered that stupid night I spent with him.
Biggest mistake of my life. Good thing Khalid is a bundle of joy.
Tumuwid siya ng upo at pinanatili ang pagkakatitig sa akin hanggang sa nakaupo ako sa bakanteng silya. I tried to look back at him, but with all the memories of that one sultry night we had three years ago, his gaze feels. . . incinerating. Tumikhim ako at inilabas ang pen ko. "I need you to confess anything that we can use to win your case."
Kreige sighed. "Do I look like I have to force someone to have s*x with me?"
Nope. I wasn't forced at all when we did it. Not to mention it was my first time.
I chewed my bottom lip. What the hell am I even thinking right now?
Humugot ako ng hininga saka siya muling tiningnan. "I just need you to be completely honest with me. I don't like losing in court."
Umismid siya't tila naiinis na hinimas ang kanyang batok. His biceps flexed effortlessly, and his nose furrowed brows made him more. . . well, appealing.
Bakit ang hirap mag-focus kung ang isang ito ang kaharap? I can't be distracted by his thin lips or by his wild obsidian eyes all the time? Hindi ako nagsunog ng kilay para lang maging malambot na abogado.
This guy is really bad for my career. Sapat na ang stretch marks na ibinigay niya sa akin.
His jaw clenched after taking a series of breaths to calm himself down. "I never knew the victim on a personal level since her family has conflicts with mine. All I know is that she's obsessed with me." He leaned towards me and gave me a firm gaze. "I don't f**k creepy chics."
Humugot ako ng hininga't umiwas ng tingin. "Walang pyansa ang kasong isinampa sa iyo, pero kung maipapanalo natin kaagad ang kaso, you can sue her back for the damages she caused in your career and your reputation."
"Are you saying that I'm gonna have to spend some time in jail?" He scoffed. "Eh, wala ka rin naman palang silbi, eh. You're just someone who is surely tossed around easily because you can't have the upper hand in anything."
Seryoso ko siyang pinakatitigan. "I am the best lawyer who can get your ass out of this mess." I stood up and c****d a brow. "But if you think you can find a better one to defend you, I suggest you get someone who won't obsess over you once your trial is over."
Umismid siya't naghahamong ngumisi. "Are you saying you don't find me attractive, hmm?"
I smirked back. "You are. I just don't see myself liking a potential heartbreaker." I grabbed my bag. "Goodbye, Mr. Ducani. Good luck on finding someone to replace me."
Dumiretso na ako sa pinto, ngunit bago pa ako makalabas ay muli na siyang nagsalita.
"Attorney Ortega."
I turned my head to look at him. "Yes, Mr. Ducani?"
He sighed, his eyes turned hopeless.
"Help me. . . "
The corners of my lips lifted for a smirk.
Who's got the upper hand now? Huwag ako, Kreige Ducani.
- Writer
