Chapter 27: Crazy Condition

"Hindi pa ba tayo aalis?", I asked Red promptly habang nagpalipat-lipat siya ng tingin sa aming dalawa ni Stef. On the other hand, Mnemosyne was giving him a confused look and I have a feeling that they're up for something.

"If you are thinking how to get rid of me, well you can't. Whether you like it or not, I will go with you", deklara ko and they groaned in disappointment.

"Do you know how much dangerous it is to come along with us?", Red asked me. "We're not going to an amusement park, you know."

Pinaikot ko ang eyeballs ko dahil sa kanya. Who says I'm expecting that we're heading to an amusement park? "Oh, I know. We are heading to a rest house where a reaper is killed. How about that?"

"And still you are going with us?"

"Bakit, bawal ba?"

Stef took a deep sigh. "I don't think they will allow you to go with us. Not Cronus, not Tita Athena and definitely none of the boys." Her face twitched a little when she said "boys".

Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo ko sa loob ng chopper. "Let me refresh you what he said kanina. I cannot allow any Vander to go. And like I said, I am not a Vander so there's no restrain for me. Now if you want to find out what really happened to your friend, hurry and let's go."

"He's not our friend. We don't have friends", sagot ni Stef. Her face was serious as always.

"Oh, I thought you and Red are friends? And you're friends with the others too?"

"Being a reaper means being no attachments. So no friends."

I looked outside. "You could just break the rule if you want to." Why am I acting like a sick adviser here? Well, maybe that's what having friends have made me. Kahit iilan lang ang kaibigan ko, at least I know I have real ones.

Wala nang nagkomento pa sa sinabi ko at pinaandar na ni Red ang sasakyang panghimpapawid. After few minutes, we reached the rest house kung nasaan ang sinasabi nilang reaper. It was a private rest house na pag-aari mismo ng pinaslang na reaper. Pagdating namin ay nakalutang pa sa tubig ang katawan nito habang suot ang kanyang summer shorts. His body was discovered when the caretaker arrived at napansing wala ang among si Hector. Siya namang pagdating ni Xavier and that's how he decided to call the mafia first before the police.

"Oh, the 'almost a Vander-Morisson' is here."

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan g boses. It was someone that I knew from a dinner with the Morissons.

Xavier.

From the very first time that I met them, he had an instant dislike for me and vice versa. Hello, paano ko sila magugustuhan kong harap-harapan nilang binabastos si Dad?! Well, me too but that doesn't count. Okay lang sa akin kahit bastusin nila ako but my Dad? No way.

Umirap lang ako at lumapit sa bangkay na iniahon ng isang lalaki. I think he is an expert in identifying dead bodies except that he's not part of the police. Probably from the mafia.

"Oh so you are ignoring me, my 'almost cousin?", wika ni Xavier nang sumunod pa rin siya sa akin. "What are you doing here by the way? I don't think you can be any of help. You do not seem so useful at all."

When I gave him a glare ay napansin kong napatingin sa akin sina Stef at Red. Xavier gave me a half smile na para bang hinihintay niya rin ang sagot ko sa sinabi niya.

"Ikaw? Bakit nandito ka pa? I don't think you are useful here too. It's not like you will help in deducing what happened to this dead body", wika ko sa kanya. I saw his lips twitch like he was preventing himself from hitting me.

"Bakit, ikaw ba kaya mo?"

Nag-aalalang napatingin sa akin si Red. He told Xavier to stop talking pero hindi siya pinansin ng huli.

"Just few details like how experts can deduce before the full examination. Gaya na lamang ng hindi diya namatay dahil sa saksak."

"Really?", he teased. His expression told me that he doesn't believe what I say.

"Lack of blood around the stabbed wound suggests that he is already dead before the knife was inserted", wika ko sa kanya. His face grew dark but he concealed it.

"So he's drowned?"

"Nope. No foam around his mouth means he doesn't die of drowning", wika ko sa kanya at tiningnan ang nag-eeksamin sakatawan.

"Wow. I'm impressed", wika ng medical examiner. I smirked at Xavier at napatangis ang bagang nito bago umalis sa harap namin.

I heard Stef laughed at napangisi din si Red. "Whoah, you talked with Xavier."

"I don't like him. You have no idea how they slander me before", I said at them, and flashes of events from the dinner came into my mind at agad ko namang iwinaksi sa isip ko.

"They're like that. They want to make their names shine upang magkaroon ng mataas na posisyon sa mafia", Red replied. "But for your safety Amber, you shouldn't have come with us."

"Yeah, I sulked at home for few weeks. I think this is just a good treat to me." I stood beside the dead corpse and tried to find other information. "How long do you think he's dead?", I asked the medical examiner.

"Base sa preliminary examination ko, I can say around 12 hours."

Hindi ko alam kung masasabi bang magandang bagay na mayroong sariling medical examiner ang mafia. By that they can get information that the police restricts to others.

"Parating na ang ibang mga police, do not stick your nose too much Amber", anunsyo ni Red. I stood up and shrugged my shoulders.

"Ibang mga pulis? Bakit, may police na ba dito?", I asked and looked at him. I thought they are only calling the police after the mafia investigates his death first.

"Here! Not really a cop but atleast part of the cops", nakangising wika ng medical examiner which caused me to dropped my jaw. He's part of the police? I thought he is working for the mafia.

"I thought he is part of the mafia", I whispered to Red. God, if I have been so careless and asked the M.E about the mafia, I may have gotten myself into trouble again.

"Yeah he is. You have no idea where mafia people work in their day job", he said and winked at me. The medical examiner just winked at me too bago pinagpatuloy ang kanyang ginagawa. Ilang saglit lamang ay dumating ang caretaker at may kasama itong ilang tao. Three people, two wearing a police uniform and one doesn't. I wasn't paying attention at them only when I heard a familiar voice.

"Magandang araw sa inyong lahat. I am Detective Maverick Adler from the police HQ. I believe you should have sealed this area and wouldn't allow kids- oh", he stopped and walked towards me. "Should I say this is a coincidence?"

"Please yourself Detective of whatever you want to call his meeting, maybe fate? Destiny? Or whatever synonymous words", wika ko sa kanya in full sarcasm. He smirked at me and get back to work. The other police started questioning the caretaker and Xavier samantalang nasa living room naman kami ng rest house. I wanted to barge into the area but the police wouldn't allow us. Isa pa ay naiirita din ako sa presensya ni Detective Adler. Okay, I got it that he is a homicide detective but I just can't bear to see him- argh. He is irksome!

"You look like you're not in good terms with that detective", komento ni Red sa akin. I nodded slightly and looked at other direction. Ayoko ng idetalye pa kung bakit ayaw ko kay Detective Adler. He is not an interesting subject to gossip to a reaper.

"What are you doing in the mansion?", nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Stef. "Did you come to see Ryu?"

Napatingin ako kay Red na blankong nakatingin din sa kanya. Stef was raising her brow and looking at me for an answer.

"Why would I do that?"

"Just asking."

"Mom invited me and Cooler come to pick me up at my house", sagot ko sa kanya. Bahagyang lumiwanag ang mukha niya. Girl, are you really that into Ryu? You can have him all you want, that if he wants to.

"Oh, okay."

"Hey, can I asked the two of you about something?"

Si Red ang sumagot. "Sure, what is it Amber?"

"Do you happen to see Cronus all the time?"

They looked surprise about my question. Maybe they didn't see that coming. Si Stef ang unang nakabawi mula sa pagkagulat at agad na sumagot.

"No, unless he called for you."

"Ibig sabihin ay kung may kailangan kayo, hindi niyo siya maaring puntahan?"

Red let out a hearty chuckle. "Cronus is a big fish in the mafia. You cannot expect him to be anywhere you want him to see. No one knows where he always is, not even Cooler, his son. Kung gusto mong makipag-usap sa kanya, you need to have an appointment. At suntok sa buwan lamang ang makapag-arrange ng appointment sa kanya. Not all mafia reapers have seen him. You're lucky if you see him."

Napasimangot ako. Lucky, why do they consider seeing a man like Cronus lucky? They took lives, they do illegal things. Isn't it more like he is a jinx?

"Why are you asking all these things?"

"Because I got a pass."

Parehas silang napanganga na tila ba hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. "Did you say a pass?"

"Yes. A pass, sabi nila. It is more like a paper with his signature for me."

"Wow, you are really lucky to get that one", Red said. "He gave it to you?"

I nodded.

They both whimpered in amusement. "Whoah. That means you can get to see him and ask for anything."

"Anything? Like being a reaper?", I asked at muli silang nagulat sa sinabi ko. "Oh, nagtatanong lang ako."

Napatuwid ng upo si Red at direktang tumingin sa akin. "You asked that thing so you must have considered that thing. Why Amber? I thought being a reaper is the last thing that you will consider."

"Might be but I guess it is the only way that can help me."

"Help you from what?"

"I want to kill few people", I said firmly. Kill. Big word but that is exactly what I wanted to do.

"Again, I heard another word that I least expect from you. I thought you are woman of value and justice. Killing is a very big no-no to you."

"Let's just say pain motivates people to do it. I am not just a psychopath who does it for no apparent reason. At sabihin na rin natin na ito ang tanging paraan upang matahimik ang kaluluwa ko. If that would happen, you wouldn't have to worry since hindi naman mga inosenting tao ang papatayin ko if ever. I will eradicate those who deserve to die. That way I can help the society."

"You can terminate people without being a reaper", nakalabing wika ni Stef.

"If that is the case, I will be in jail on my first murder. Atleast being a reaper, I know the mafia can protect me. Can provide me proper training and weapons. Right?"

She unbelievably sighed and refused to comment further. I don't know what they are thinking right now dahil hindi na sila nagsalita pa. Saka ko lamang din napansin ang papalapit na mga pulis sa amin. One questioned Red and Stef samantalang lumapit naman si Detective Adler sa akin.

"This place is a private property and I see no reason for you to be here. Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

I sighed at nag-iwas ng tingin sa kanya. I refused to give him answer dahil ayaw kong makipag-usap sa kanya. Muli siyang nagsalita sa mababang tinig. "The dead man is incredibly rich. Tell me if he is part of the mafia."

I gently pushed his body away from me. "Una, maintain your distance. I cannot stand you being this close gayong hindi naman tayo magkaibigan. Pangalawa wag mo akong kausapin. Lastly, pretend that you haven't seen me."

"You're being a brat again", wika niya at sumandal sa upuan.

"Yeah, I've been called worse", I replied. I saw Stef and Red stood up at lumapit sa akin.

"The police is done for today and the case is still on going. Let's go now", Red said at agad naman akong sumunod sa kanila upang makaalis na sa rest house na iyon.

****************

The classroom is filled with chatters. Everyone can't help but tell each other how wonderful their Christmas break are. Mine could be the dullest, and no one would want to hear such story at hindi ko rin naman ipagsasabi iyon. I flipped the few pages of a classical novel that I read at pinagpatuloy ang pagbabasa. Hindi pa dumarating ang nga seatmate ko kaya walang nangungulit sa akin. Just then I felt two hands covered my eyes kasabay ng pagsalita ng isang tao sa likuran ko.

"Guess who?"

I mentally roll my eyes which was covered with his hands. Seryoso ba siya sa tanong niya? Sino nga bang iba ang mangangahas na hawakan ako? And who's idiot enough to do it even if his voice is recognizable?

"Stop it Je", I said at tinanggal ang kamay niya. I focused on my book again at inignora siya. He sat on my side at padabog na inilapag ang bag niya sa mahabang mesa.

"Pasukan na naman, diba Bestie?"

"Yeah", I replied without looking at him.

"May mga quizzes na naman at assignment, diba?"

"Yeah."

"Maraming school activities, right?"

"Yeah."

"Tapos malapit na tayong magcollege."

"Yeah."

"Ang gwapo ko,diba?"

"Yeah- what the hell?", I mumbled because it's out of the blue. Hindi ko pa rin siya tinatapunan ng tingin dahil naka-focus lang ako sa binabasa kong kwento. Nagulat na lamang ako nang kinuha niya ang binabasa ko.

"Wuthering Heights, binabasa mo pa ito? My God, this classical novel is so old-", pinutol ko ang sasabihin niya.

"Old but gold. Akin na nga yan!", I turned to him to get back the book at saka ko lamang napansin ang hitsura niya. He has a very clean haircut. Mas nadagdagan pa ang kulay ng buhok niya. It looks brownish than the usual.

"At last! Napatingin ka rin sa akin. So, what can you say?", he said at tumayo upang umikot. I want to roll my eyes. So that's the reason why he is saying nonsense thing kanina. He wants me to see his new look. Pfft.

"You could have said, how do I look, you know", I said and looked at my book that I got from him. I lost the page dahil sa kanya so I scanned it to find where I stopped.

"Where's the fun in that? So paano na Bestie? How do I look?", he asked again at nilawakan pa ang ngiti.

Inilapag ko ang libro at tinitigan siya. To be honest, he looks so cool in his new style. So far from the Jeremy before na naka-suot ng braces at halos masakal na sa kanyang uniform na nakabutones hanggang sa pinakataas. Kung dati ay mukhang dinilaan ng dinosaur ang buhok niya, ngayon ay masasabing ang gwapo niya sa istilong iyon. But I am not telling him that. Lalaki lang ang ulo ng Pun king na ito.

"Siguro ang gwapo ko kaya natutulala ka", nakangising wika niya and he snapped his fingers in front of me.

"You should have shaved your head", I replied at napasimangot naman siya. He remained like that for a moment ngunit hindi nagtagal ay umaliwalas ang mukha nito.

"You are only saying that to hide the embarrassment. I know right now your heart flutters as you see me", he said and winked sexily.

Yuck. I cannot imagine this nerd winking like that.

"Wow. I know you're conceited but I didn't expect that it would be that much", I blurted. "What's with the new look?"

"New year, new look so I came up with this style. What can you say? Bagay ba?"

I scoffed and roll my eyes. "Why are you so conscious about how you look? And you're even consulting it to me. Bakla ka ba?"

He pouted and he bit his lower lip. "Huh! Bakla ha, halikan kita diyan eh!"

"Who's kissing who?"

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Jeremy sa nagsalita. It was Math who was standing on the side. Malawak din ang ngiti nito. Tila may nagbago din sa mukha nito. Maybe her hair and I don't care.

"Wala", Jeremy said at umayos ng upo pagkatapos samaan ng tingin si Math. I guess this two will always be like that after a million years.

"Hello everyone!", masiglang bati ni Math at agad na lumapit sa akin. She kissed me on my cheek at akmang isusunod niya si Jeremy but like he always do, he put his palm on her face at iniiwas iyon.

"Don't you dare. I'd rather kiss Porsche, okay?"

I ignored them on my side at pinagpatuloy ang pagbabasa. Bigla na lamang tumayo si Math nang may naglapag ng bag sa tabi ko. It was definitely Gray.

"Gray!" I felt her walked towards him at then I heard a smooch sound. Dahil nasa libro ang atensyon ko, I didn't know where did she kissed him. Either on the cheek o baka sa lips! What?! Why do I feel a little grumpy if I imagine that she kiss him on the lips?! Argh! What's wrong with me? Wala akong pakialam kahit halikan pa niya kahit sa saan si Gray! Kahit mula paa hanggang bunbonan pa! Wala akong-

I heard a sound of a paper being ripped and I realized it was the book that I was reading. Napunit ang isang pahina niyon. Uh.

"Bestie? Ayos ka lang ba? Bakit mo pinunit yang libro mo?", pukaw ni Jeremy sa akin. Then I realized that I was the one who teared the paper pero hindi ko iyon sinasadya!

"I accidentally tear it", I said in a low voice bago tinupi ang napunit na pahina. I inserted it between the pages at tinago ang libro sa bag ko. Binati kami Gray at hindi na kami nagkaroon ng pagkakataong mag-usap pa dahil pumasok na din ang guro.

When it was break time ay agad kaming nagpunta sa cafeteria. I'm used to the food here kaya noong nasa bahay ako ay madalas umoorder lamang ako sa mga fastfood o kaya naman ay nagbubukas ng can goods. I ordered my usual snack, pizza and coke in can.

"Bestie, hindi mo man lamang ako binati noong pasko at New Year", nakalabing wika ni Jeremy. He took a bite on his burger at hinarap ako. "Where are you over the holiday?"

"Nasa bahay lang."

Si Gray naman ang nagsalita. "And you didn't reply to everyone's messages and emails kahit nasa bahay ka lang?"

"Tinatamad akong magbukas ng mga emails."

"Ah! You're unbelievable. I was worried, you know", he paused and held my hand on the table. "Akala ko may nangyari sa iyo o kaya naman ay umalis ka. Good thing I was able to see you at the-" Gray stopped and looked at the two others who were listening. He cleared his throat at binitawan ako. He stuffed his mouth with food to hide his embarrassment.

"Tuloy mo lang Gray", nakangising wika ni Je. "Kunwari kayong dalawa lang ang nandito."

"Shut up Puns."

Jeremy laughed at him. "So, it's the time of the day!"

Huh? Time for what?

"If it's your puns Jeremy, wag na lang please", pambabara ni Math sa kanya. He threw a glare at her pero hindi iyon pinansin ni Math at nagpatuloy lamang sa pagkain.

"May fish joke ako. Tsaka wag kayong mag-alala, dahil bagong taon na ibig sabihin, naglevel up na rin ang quizzes ko. So paano, game?"

"Oh sige na nga", sagot ni Math at agad namang ngumisi si Jeremy. A very mischievous grin.

"Anong isda ang may baril?"

"Wala namang isdang ganoon ah!"

"Meron."

"Wala sabi eh!", pagprotesta ni Math.

Jeremy let out a crying face. "Akala mo lang wala, pero meron! Meron! Merooon!"

Eh? Why does it sounds like that line is from an old soap opera? Or maybe a movie? Uh, not really sure if who's line it is though.

"Sige na Puns, sirit na", iritadong wika ni Gray.

"Edi BANG-us! HAHAHAHAHA!", he said and made the 'bang' sounds like a kid playing some toy gun. He also formed his fingers into a gun at bahagya pang hinipan ang dulo ng kanyang daliri.

"Ah."

"Okay."

Bigla na lamang siyang sumimangot. "What? You don't find it funny, do you?"

"Nope. None at all."

He scowled at us for a while at nag-isip. "Aha! Ito may tanong ako. Dito masusukat ang intelligence level niyo."

"Bring it on", mayabang na wika ni Math. Mayabang nga ba ang tono niya or it sounded just like that in my ears?

"Anong isda ang wala sa ano mang anyong tubig?", he asked seriously at isa-isang tiningnan kami.

"May ganoon ba?"

"Meron. Gray, what do you think?"

Napakunot ang noo ni Gray habang nag-iisip. "Fishes can only live in water, how come one doesn't live in a body of water?"

"Sus, ang slow. Di mo alam na may isdang nabububay pero wala sila sa ano mang anyong tubig? Tsk! I'm so disappointed! Maya, what do you think?"

Hinaplos ni Math ang nakalugay niyang buhok habang nag-iisip. "I'll go with Gray. Meron bang isdang ganoon?"

"Hay, slowpokes! Edi yung mga isdang nasa aquarium! Sabi ko wala sa anyong tubig. Di ko naman sinabing wala sa tubig! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" His laughter echoed on the four corners of the cafeteria kaya napatingin na din sa gawi namin ang ibang naroon.

Meh, malala na talaga ito. I was about to take a bite on my pizza when a woman in her corporate clothes approach me. May dala itong itim na attache case at nakasuot ng salamin sa mata. She was lead by a classmate at nang nasa tabi ko na siya ay agad siyang nagpasalamat sa kaklase ko. Ibinalik ko sa platito ang pagkain at bumaling sa kanya.

She smiled at and she was the first one to speak. "Good day, Miss Amber Sison. I believe this is the first time that we've seen each other." She handed me a small card with the name Atty. Rose Alarcon.

"I'm Atty. Rose Alarcon, your father's lawyer and consultant. We already talked on the phone before about this appointment but I need to see you right now. We have to talk about the will and estates that your father left."

Dahil siya mismo ang nagpunta dito, I have a feeling that what we are about to talk is urgent. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at ini-offer ang bakanteng upuan sa gilid ko. Agad naman siyang naupo at ngumiti sa mga kasamahan ko.

"So Attorney, tell me what you really need with Amber Sison here", seryosong wika ni Jeremy. He was biting over his food and watching the young lawyer in her seat. I could say she's young basing on her features and body. Or maybe she's just too short for her age.

"Actually, there are things that I want to discuss with her about her father's estate but of course, in private", sagot ng abogada. She smiled at me na para bang sinasabing kailangan talaga naming mag-usap na kaming dalawa lamang.

"Yes, of course Attorney. You haven't informed me for this visit", wika ko sa kanya. Nag-usap na kami dati pero hindi ko inaasahang pupuntahan niya ako dito sa Bridle.

"I called at your house but no one's answering so I figured out coming here is the only way to talk to you", sagot niya at uminom ng tubig mula sa baso na inilagay ni Gray sa harap niya. Right after she announced that she talked to me, Gray ordered food for her and she asked for water. Iyon ang ininom niya at halos mangalahati na lamang ang laman ng baso nang inilapag niya iyon sa mesa.

"Sorry, I forgot to inform you about my contact details. Pasensya na po kung naabala pa kayo sa pagpunta ninyo dito."

No, I don't mind at all."

Math cleared her throat at ngumiti sa abogado. "Attorney, I hope you wouldn't mind my question pero ilang taon na po kayo? You know, you look young", she asked out of curiosity.

"Ah, I am 36. I've been a lawyer for eight years now", she replied politely.

"Wow, talaga po?", Math said to her. Looks like she's a fan. "Gusto ko din po sanang maging abogado but maybe I will take up engineering in college. I think I am good in that, I mean the best."

Bakit kailangan pa niyang mag segue ng kayabangan niya? Tsk! I saw Jeremy made a face at Math's statement ngunit hindi na ito nakapagsalita dahil naunahan na siya ni Gray.

"By chance, do you know Iverone Silvan?", tanong ni Gray. He was referring to his mother. Yeah, his mom is a lawyer too.

"Yeah, I know her from a case before and we're kind of acquainted. Bakit mo naman naitanong?"

"I'm her son", Gray smiled.

"Oh, really? No wonder, you look familiar. Must be the similarities between you and Ivy."

Tumikhim ako upang makuha ang atensyon ng abogado. Gladly, she was able to turn her gaze towards me. "Pasensya na Atty. Rose. Just don't mind my classmates, they're quite annoying at times", paumanhin ko na ikinangiti lamang niya while the three others gave me a glare. They must haven't like it when I called them "annoying."

"Attorney", tawag pansin ni Jeremy sa abogada. "May tanong po ako,"

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

"Alam mo ba kung bakit A-T-T-Y ang abbreviation ng attorney title mo?", he asked here.

Napakunot ang noo ni Attorney Rose na tila ba nagtataka sa tanong ni Jeremy. "Well that goes for other's abbreviation too. Bakit?"

"Eeenk! Mali! Yang abbreviation na A-T-T-Y ay para lamang sa mga babaeng abogado", he said seriously. Really? Meron bang ibang abbreviation para doon?

"Talaga? I really think it goes the same abbreviation for the others too", Atty. Rose said, still having a furrowed brows.

"Sa babae lang yan kasi pag binasa mo yung ATTY, A-te. Kapag lalaki, KOYA yung abbreviation para kapag binasa ay ku-ya. Diba guys? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA ATTY Rose. Kapag naging abogado si Gray, magiging KOYA Gray na siya, HAHAHAHAHA", he laughed again like there is no tomorrow. Uh, like seriously? Can anyone tell me an effective medicine for this guy? He is so sick. I kicked his foot from under the table at bigla naman siyang napasimangot sa akin.

"Please excuse us, we need to talk", tumayo ako at bahagyang tumango kay Atty. Rose. She stood up and followed me towards a vacant table inside the cafeteria. Nang makaupo kami ay hindi na siya nagpaligoy-ligoy pa.

"I'm sure you know that we will talk about the estates that your father left for you in his will", panimula niya at tumango lamng ako. "He left a considerable fortune for you."

Hindi na ako nagulat pa. I mean, I was shocked to know that Dad has few extra zeroes in his bank accounts when I asked Ryu to check it before. Well he could have earned from working in the organization other than his front business.

"So does this mean I will receive my share now?", I asked nonchalantly.

She slowly shook her head. "Well, some of his properties were already sold and converted into cash and I already paid his debts and the remaining is kept under his account. He left some property for you though. May ilang bahagi din ng estate niya na mapupunta sa kanyang chosen charity and the rest goes to you. I can help you work in that", wika niya.

"Tell me Atty. Rose how rich is my Dad?"

"Just enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life", sagot niya.

Really? Wow. I don't really know how all those things he left be accessible for me, so I guess I really need a hand from this lawyer. Phobie's diary referred her as 'him' kaya naisip kong lalaki ang abogado ni Daddy. I guess she used him since she doesn't know her gender before. And speaking of Phobie's notebook, naalala ko ag tungkol sa isang bagay na maaring makatulong sa akin.

"Hey, Attorney. May iniwan din ba si Daddy, something like an algorithm or software or whatever?", I asked. She half smiled at me na para bang may iniisip siya. Then it hit me! I held her arm tightly at hinila siya. "Tell me, bahagi ka rin ba ng Genesis?"

She was surprised by my sudden outburst ngunit agad ding nakabawi. "No, don't worry. Hindi ako bahagi ng organisasyon but I know about their existence. I am not just Bernard or Rovan's lawyer, I am also his friend."

I gave her a look which was calculating if she really can be trusted. Mahirap ng magtiwala sa panahon ngayon kaya hindi na ako basta-basta magpapadala sa hitsura ng isang tao. Even though she looks trustworthy, I am not letting my guards down.

"As of your question, I don't know about anything like an algorithm but I can say that he has something in a safe deposit box in a Swiss bank. I guess you can have access on that thing and maybe you will find there what you are looking for", wika niya. Naglabas siya ng ilang mga papeles mula sa kanyang attaché case. "Also, since you already reached your legal age, you can have your trust fund but as of the other fortunes, you can have the half of it after some legal procedures but the other half; you can only have a direct access on it upon the fulfilment of a suspensive condition."

I made a face upon all her legal and financial word. "Suspensive condition?"

"Yes. You can have the full ownership of the estates that he left you after the fulfilment of this suspensive condition which is", she paused and read what was written on the paper. "After you will marry."

The word MARRY hit me like a bomb. I mean, the word doesn't have an impact except that it was talking about me. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya. "Did you say marry?"

"Yes, marry."

"You must be crazy", I blurted with a sigh. Seriously, be married before I can have all what I deserve as his daughter? I mean hindi naman sa naghahabol ako sa mga iniwan ni Daddy sa akin but this condition is just so - lame.

Atty. Rose let out a chuckle. "No. Your father is."

"I thought this things only happen to movies and soap operas", I argued. Hello? Gasgas na ang ganyang plot sa mga palabas but if it happens to you? You'll be surprise as hell.

"Well, that's how the law works."

Tila nabuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig. My God, what is Dad thinking in making such crazy condition? "No. I mean- hindi na ba mababago iyan Attorney?"

"Unfortunately, no other will is present to contest the existing will so this matter will never go further", she said. "Why? Ayaw mo bang mag-asawa?"

I scoffed at her statement. Hindi naman sa ayaw kong mag-asawa. It's just that it is too early for it! My God, hindi ko maiwasang mainis kay Daddy. "Isn't it too early for that?"

Natawa si Atty. Rose sa sinabi ko. "Who says you will marry now? Like I said, only the half of it. As of now, you have the trust fund and enough money to live comfortably", sagot niya ngunit hindi pa rin nawawala ang inis ko dahil sa kondisyong iyon. Hindi ko alam kong nababahala ba si Daddy na baka hindi ako mag-asawa.

"Which means?", I asked in confusion.

"Kahit hindi ka pa mag-asawa, you can live comfortably with what he had given to you now."

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko. Dad and I never really had a talk about guys. Hindi kaya iniisip niyang ayaw ko sa mga lalaki so he made this condition?

Bahagya akong tumawa at kinuha ang coke in can. "Dad must be worried that I might end up being an old lady. So, when will I be married and who's the lucky guy?"

Kinuha niya ang isang papel. "Here's a paper personally handwritten and duly signed by your father. It is stated here that you will marry before you reached the age of 25 and the lucky guy that you will marry is -

"Ikakasal ka na Amber?"

I immediately jumped from my seat nang marinig ko ang wika ni Jeremy mula sa likuran. Maging si Atty. Rose ay nagulat sa biglaang paglabas ni Jeremy sa likuran niya kaya napatalon din siya mula sa kanyang kinauupuan. The papers that she was holding flew and scattered on the floor. My elbow hit the table at kasabay niyon ang pagkatumba ng coke in can. The contents spilled and it ran from the table down to the floor.

"Bakit ka ba nanggugulat Jeremy!", I shouted at him. Ayaw kong malaman nila ang tungkol sa suspensive condition na sinabi ni Atty. but I guess I cannot avoid it anymore. Alam na niya and for sure, ipagkakalat na niya iyan mamaya.

"Hindi naman ah! So Attorney, sino na?", he said and smiled at her. He helped her picked up the papers on the floor.

"About it, I think I have a very big problem", sagot ng abogada. She stood up and showed me a paper soaked in coke at may malaking bakas ng maputik na sapatos. Some part of the paper was teared apart. She looked at me with a very worried expression as she showed me the paper. It was the paper of the suspensive condition that we were just talking about.

Uh. I'm bad with liquids lately, wasn't I?

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