"I think that'll be all for today's meeting," I finally said to one of my associates na humahawak sa isang kaso na may kinalaman sa isang large scale embezzlement laban sa kliyente namin na isang assistant regional director nang isang malaking chemical company. "Just make sure that our accounting department finishes reviewing the ledgers provided by our client before end of next week."

"Since you mentioned it, we will need to hire kahit project basis na accountants lang," injected by Aida, one of the head CPAs namin.

Marquez has three accounting and finance departments. Isa para sa mga internal transactions ng opisina. Yung dalawa ay para sa may kinalaman sa mga kasong hawak ng law firm gaya ngayon. We do not get services from third party accounting firms. We do that to avoid leakage of information.

"Why is that?" I asked as I stood up gathering my folders.

"Nahihirapan na ang mga personnel sa department ko. Since two months ago, we've got more cases that requires accounting jobs. If we burn out out staff, there's a risk of mistakes in the numbers."

Sumagi sa isip ko si Laila.

"What's your girl's job?" I asked Atty. Navarro.

We were having a drink after a small celebration for winning a mid-scale case na pinananalo ng team nila. We are at the favorite hang-out ng mga lawyers ng Marquez dahil medyo malapit lang sa office.

"CPA, sir."

"Which company?"

Sinabi nito. Napatangu-tango ako.

"She must be good. It's not easy to land a job there. Is she a board placer?"

Saglit na nag-isip, "If belonging to the top 100, then yes."

"Latin honor?"

Umiling uli, but he smiled, "I can say she's above average. According to her, medyo nahirapan siya sa exam during recruitment but she aced the interviews."

"Must be her personality, huh?"

Proud na ngumiti ang lalaki, "That's why I'm marrying her."

Tinapik ko ito sa balikat, "We have an opening here. Maybe you want to ask her if she wants to transfer here," tumayo ako mula sa bar stool para puntahan ang iba pang associates na kasama namin na naglalaro ng darts.

"Di yun lilipat. Lai is loyal to her company. Also, she just got promoted again."

"Again?" napalingon ako sa kanya.

"Yes, second time in a span of about five years."

"Not bad, huh?"

Ngumiti ito na may halong pagkapilyo, "She's good."

I know it was double-meaning. Natatawang-naiiling na lang ako bago tumalikod. That was the most appropriate reaction I thought I should have.

Because a small part of me was offended for his fiancée. I've seen her in the picture. I find the girlfriend prim and decent enough. I mean, real men do not talk about nor even hint anything sexually malicious about their women in life. Especially, if the woman is someone everyone knows you will marry.

I'm not playing saint. Reid, Rob and I talk about our sexcapades but no mentioning of names. And we don't talk much about stuff like that to connote sexual malice. Mas lamang na nag-aasaran kami or maybe ranting our frustration on it. Isa pa, halos magkakarugtong ang pusod naming tatlo.

Sayang. Kung nakakakita lamang sana ang babae.

Well, if she didn't go blind, there's a big possibility that Atty. Navarro married her instead of Rebecca.

I suddenly hated the idea. Only that I just don't know which of the two I didn't like more: Laila going blind, or she marrying that asshole.

I cleared my throat, "Just hire three more. You know Marquez rules. No outsiders."

"Kahit dalawa lang, sir," sagot ni Aida.

"You sure?"

"I'll just inform recruitment to get only those with sufficient experience para less supervision at mabilis makatrabaho."

"Okay, I'll give you the authority to decide on that. Ako na ang magsasabi kay Dad at Lolo. Just send me an email for that to make it a formal proposal."

Lumabas na ako, kasunod ang secretary ko. I have another meeting in my office which is a conference call.

We only got to have our late lunch after that meeting. Mabuti at sanay na rin ang secretary ko sa ganitong kalakaran ko. She's well-compensated anyway.

"Sir, naayos ko na ang files para sa preliminary hearing ninyo sa isang araw for Barcelon vs Centeno," imporma sa akin bago siya magpaalam na uuwi na. At ipinaalala na first thing in the morning ang case review namin sa kaso ni Mang Ben kasama ang criminal lawyer at isang researcher na katulong ko sa pag-aasikaso sa demanda laban sa matandang lalaki.

It's been almost a week that Laila was discharged from the hospital after four days of confinement. Tulad nang inaasahan ko, halos hindi siya makatingin sa akin pagkagising kinabukasan sa ospital. Actually hanggang ngayon ay halos hindi pa rin.

Dati ay hindi ko maintidihan kung bakit siya may pigil na pagdisgusto sa akin. I'm not numb that that she only talks to me in a very civil, if not irritated way, only if it's about her father, her braille studies or me being her 'legal guardian'. Palagay ko nga ay hindi ito tatanggap ng tulong kung nakakakita lang. I took into consideration that I reminded her of her painful past since I was her ex-fiance's employer.

But her worsening behavior towards me now... well...

I chuckled to my thoughts.

I mean, I was sincere when I told her not be embarrassed when she cannot control her bowels. She was sick.

She's masking up the shame she is feeling now that she not only pooped in their toilet when I was there, but she also did it in my newest car as I hug her to keep her warm. Lucky me, I had her on my lap when I got us both in the backseat of my car but she insisted on sitting beside me instead. She might kill herself if she vomited and pooped on my lap, for Pete's sake!

My chuckle started to have a louder sound.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not laughing about her embarrassing predicament. I just find her cute trying to hide her guilt by being a double snob. Guilt about her bad behavior and guilt for thrashing my expensive car.

It took three days before I got my car from the cleaning. I just want to make sure that there's no more trace of the smell left. Not for me, but for Laila. Napatunayan ko na kasi na totoo na parang K-9 sniffing dogs ang pang-amoy ng mga bulag. I was the one who drove her and Jon back home pagka-discharge niya sa ospital.

"P-wede ba tayong pumunta muna kay Tatay? IIang araw na akong di nakakadalaw," basag ni Laila sa katahimikan ilang minuto ang nakaran mula nang makalayo na kami sa ospital.

I looked at her in the rearview. Looks like she's asking Jon even if we are using my car.

Tumikhim ang lalaki na siyang nagmamaneho. Tapos ay tiningnan ako na katabi sa passenger side.

"I already told you that I have someone bring food and check on Mang Ben while you were confined, Laila," I answered instead.

"Jon?" ang sabi ng babae na di man lang pumaling sa akin.

Nagkatinginan kami ng lalaki. Hindi ko pa nasasabi kay Laila na di ko siya papayagang pumunta sa tatay niya. Alam na naman ni Mang Ben. Pareho kami ng desisyon ng matanda.

"Uwi muna tayo, Lai," ang sagot ni Jon.

"Tanghali na kasi. Baka-"

"Iche-check lang natin yung bahay. Tsaka magpapalit ako ng damit. Alam mong di kita pwedeng iwan sa ospital."

Sa bahay na uli nagsalita si Laila para lang makipagtalo sa akin. Pati si Jon, inaway nito.

"Laila, your father told me not to let you go there now. Malaki ang posibilidad na doon mo nakuha ang viral infection mo. Mahina pa ang resistensya mo ganyang kagagaling mo lang sa sakit so may get infected again of another viral strain. Di mob a naintindihan ang bilin ng doctor kanina? May dalawang preso na dun ang namatay dahil sa dehydration. Pareho sa iyo ang nangyari. Hindi naagapan dahil akala nila ay simpleng pagsusuka, lagnat at diarrhea lang. Alam mo na, kulungan yun," kalmado kong paliwanag.

"Paano ang tatay ko, ha? Kung siya ang magkaganun?!"

"That's why I make sure that he gets his food only from us. May tao nga akong pinapupunta sa kanya dun tatlong beses isang araw."

"Bakit mo ako pinangungunahan sa mga-"

"Because your father entrusted you to me,"

"Kasi iniimpluwensyahan n'yo ang utak ni Tatay!"

"I did not. I just told him what happened to you. He has all the right to know. He's your father!" I can't help but raise my voice.

Her stubbornness is getting into my nerves.

"Pinagkakaisahan ninyo akong lahat! "Abogado ang hiningi naming tulong kay Mr. Agoncillo. Hindi diktador!" sigaw niya sa akin paabalik.

"Call me a dictator or whatever you like but I remain your guardian, Laila! The last decision is mine!"

"Hindi kita boss para sundin!"

"You can't do anything about it. Rob's got a lot on his plate now. He already passed the responsibility to me to help you. So thus your father. Jon is directly reporting to me now."

Natigagal ang babae. Gusto kong maawa pero hindi kasi pwede.

"J-jon...?"

"Sorry, Lai. Nagsabi na sa akin sa agency," sagot ng lalaki, tapos sumulyap sa akin. Tumango ako, "At... uhm... baka isa o dalawang linggo na lang ako sa iyo."

"B-bakit?"

"May trabaho sa agency na kailangan ako."

"P-paano ako?"

I grimaced at the tone she used. She sounded so dependent on Jon. Narito naman ako!

Oh shit!

Where the hell did that thought come from?

"May papalit naman, Lai. Uhm, hindi naman kasi talaga pagiging bodyguard ang trabaho ko."

"Huh? Ano ba talaga ang-"

"Hindi mo na dapat malaman. Basta."

"Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi?"

"Rob informed me just yesterday," singit ko sa usapan. "Ipu-pull out si Jon dito."

"Ayoko!" tanggi ng babae tapos ay nangilid ang luha. "Kakausapin ko si Mr. Agoncillo."

I don't want to admit that it's jealousy starting to kick in, especially when Jon said,

"Uhm, hayaan mo. Kapag natapos agad yung mission na yun, dito uli ako sa iyo magpapa-assign kung kailangan mo pa ng kasama."

"I'm not sure if that is a good idea, though," kontra ko.

"Pati ba naman sa ganito, makikialam ka?" pagsusungit na naman ng babae sa akin.

I looked at Jon.

"Uhm, kahit bibisita na lang pala, Lai," salo ni Jon.

"Jon naman!"

"Ano kasi..." medyo na-awkward ang lalaki na magpaliwanag.

If I'm in his position, I will be, too. This woman is so sensitive.

"Ano?"

"Yung kapalit ko na bodyguard, babae na."

"Babaeng bodyguard?"

"Oo. Pero sanay yun. Mga lady politicians ang dati niyang alaga."

"B-baka masungit," may pag-aalala sat ono ni Laila.

"Mas masungit ka dun," pabirong sabi ni Jon.

Nairita ako. We are having a serious conversation here.

She pouted then frowned. "Ayoko!"

"Laila," napakamot na ako sa batok. "It's better that you have female companion here."

"Hindi ako malisyosang tao, Attorney!" singhal sa akin.

Namumuro na sa akin itong si Laila. So I finally dropped the bomb.

"Okay, if Jon's done with his job. I'll ask Rob to assign him again here. But if you get sick again or whatever, I'll be the one to clean you up once you shit in your undies. Deal?"

I won't forget how her cute crumpled face turn so red. Then the next thing I saw was her walking stick flying at my direction. Naiwasan ko naman.

Laila walked out on us going to her room. She marched in fast strides as if she wasn't blind. Ganun niya kakabisado ang loob ng bahay nila.

Then a loud thud when she slammed her bedroom door shut.

"Minsan talaga, nagdududa ako kung paano kang naging abogado, eh," nailing na sabi ni Jon. "Tsk!"

I chuckled again.

"Hey, what are you laughing about?"

It's one of our senior associates na nagsu-supervise sa isang team ng mga junior lawyers.

"Nothing," I answered. "Come in."

Inabot pa kami nang halos isang oras sa isang kaso na gusto niyang ipasa sa ibang team na sa palagay niya ay mas angkop na hahawak noon. So I had to stay a bit longer to discuss with the other team.

As I was exiting our parking area, I checked the time.

Past eight na ako makakarating sa bahay ng mga Centeno.

Hindi bale kahit mag-late dinner na ako. I was not able to go there for the last two days. I was so damn busy.

I dropped by a Chinese resto and ordered dimsum. I sadly looked at it. Siguradong si Jon na naman ang kakain nito because Laila never spoke to me again since the day she was discharged from the hospital. That only follows na di niya kinakain ang mga dala kong pasalubong.

That was my silent way of saying sorry. I know she was really embarrassed about that 'incident', but it wasn't my intention to rub it in.

She just won't stop arguing. And her contention about Jon being replaced was irritating me big time.

I just want her to zip it, and follow what was told of her to do.

But yeah, I admit I hit her below the belt. I'm guilty.

Still, I find her flushed face cute.

I smiled to myself before I stopped at a lobby of one of Reid's hotel.

"I'll be out soon. Don't park my car too far," I told the valet attendant as I toss my keys to him.

Agad akong binati ng mga staff sa reception. Gayun din ng mga nasasalubong ko sa hallway going to one of the hotel's flower shops.

"Atty. Marquez, good evening," masayang bati ng manager.

I returned the smile. I saw her eyes sparkled. So, she still got a thing for me. I heard her telling her subordinates before. I got interested but Reid told me to back off. She has a steady boyfriend who's also an employee of a valued tenant.

"Don't break a relationship just for fun," Reid said.

We were having one of our boy's night out. Kababalik lang ni Rob at Juno mula Australia. Grad gift ng kaibigan ko sa kapatid ni Andromeda.

"Ow, common," angal ko. "If she breaks up with him, it only means she really doesn't love the guy. Right, Rob?"

"Agree," sagot nito sabay inom sa beer niya.

"Right now, Ralph, you are more of a scumbag than Kho before. At least that chink tried to break me up and Drew because he was in love with my wife then."

Natawa si Rob.

"And you," ito naman ang binalingan ni Reid, "Don't feed this goof's crazy ideas. Remember the difficulties you've been through and still going through. Carlito Sorriente's dead but he's still in between Juno and you."

"Oh fuck off, Schulz," Rob waived a palm at Reid as if shooing away a bug.

"I'm telling you, Ralph. Don't be a demon between a man and woman. Also, she's the marrying type, bro. Baka mag-eskandalo yan dito kapag... you know..."

Rob and I chuckled. Ganun na rin si Reid.

Dinunggol si Rob ang balikat ko, "Just find someone single and willing to mingle to warm your bed. Or better yet, get married."

"After that stupid arrangement with Rebecca and Bran, no way!"

"Working late, Chel?" I asked.

"Just finishing up, Attorney. May wedding bukas sa ballroom dito. So..."

"Oh, I see. Maybe I should ask your staff then. I bet your boyfriend's waiting. We, guys, don't like that."

Her face toned down, "Palagay ko nga. Pero okay lang. Wala namang naghihintay."

"Walang sundo?"

She smiled again. "Wala na. Hindi nga kasi nakapaghintay."

I get it. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Wala yun. Ganun eh. Hindi pa ako ready magpamilya. Marami pa akong gustong gawin. So naghanap siya ng iba. So, what made you drop by?"

I cleared my throat. I can read between the lines, and the way her she flutters her lashes at me.

Some other time, Chel. I told myself.

"I need an arrangement."

"Oh..." disappointment scattered on her face. "For...what occasion?"

"No occasion. Just to apologize to someone."

"Girlfriend?"

"No. Uhm..."

"Someone special?"

"Yeah, you can say that. I think lilies and spring tulips arrangement would be perfect," I immediately said to divert the conversation.

"Looks like you know flowers for us women," komento nito.

I just shrugged and gave her a polite smile. Then I made it obvious that I looked at my wrist watch. Nakahalata naman ito.

"Uhm, yeah. I think I have one for you," tumalikod na ito at may kinuha sa isang panig ng shop.

I took that opportunity to call Jon.

"Have you eaten dinner?"

"Magluluto pa lang si Lai. Nagbabad sa kuwarto niya. Nawiwili magbasa ng braille."

Napangiti ako.

"Punta ka ba dito? Sabihin mo na para madagdagan namin ang sinaing pati ulam."

"Uhm, yeah."

"Huwag ka na magdala ng dimsum. Ako rin naman kakain niyan. Nauumay na 'ko."

"Pakialam mo!"

I ended the call while he was chuckling. Saktong bumalik si Chel may dalang mini-basket arrangement.

"Here. Magugustuhan yan nang pagbibigyan mo."

"I hope she'll accept," I spoke my mind aloud.

"I'm sure she will once she sees it. It's my design."

I admit Chel is good with floral arrangement. That was the reason I came here. But I know she's fishing for compliments from me. However, I'm not in the generous nor in gallant mood now.

"She's blind."

"Oh...!"

Inabot ko na sa kanya ang card ko. I immediately left after she swiped it and gave me the receipt. I tried killing the anxiety that started eating me up the moment I turned to the street where the Centeno house stands.

Naalala ko ang sarili kong salita kay Chel.

Laila is blind so how can she see that the flowers I am about to give her are for the purpose of apologizing?

Baka isipin pa nito na nagibibigay ako ng bulaklak para umakyat ng ligaw.

E bakit mo nga kasi naisipang bigyan?

To say sorry?

You can just talk to her and apologize. Matter of fact, you said those so she'd shut up, right? You got what you wanted.

It was really rude of me. That's not the proper way to treat a lady.

Oh, I see. The Valentino of Marquez wants to be a gentleman now after leaving a handful of women with broken hearts and ego.

Oh damn it!

Tinapos ko ang tila pakikipagtalo sa sarili. Iniwan ko ang mga bulaklak sa loob ng kotse, pati yung dimsum, pagbaba ko mula sa pagkaka-park sa tapat ng gate.

Bukas ang tindahan pero walang bantay. Malamang ay tumutulong si Jon sa paghahanda ng hapunan. May mag-asawang dumaan ang bumati sa akin.

Mga kapitbahay na kilala na ako.

"Maganda gabi rin," balik ko sa kanila.

"Attorney, mabuti at dumating kayo. Hinihintay namin si Jon lumabas."

"Bibili ba kayo?"

"Ahm, hindi. Ano kasi, may humintong kotse kani-kanina dito," sabi nung babae. "Akala nga namin eh ikaw na ibang sasakyan lang ang dala. Pero mga tatlong minuto lang, umalis uli. Baka kako eh kung sino. Mainam na alam ninyo."

Napaisip ako. Magkahalong pagdududa at halong iskeptikal. Maari kasing naligaw lang ang driver at dito naisipang humnto para magtanong pero walang tao sa tindahan. Maari ring sa kampo ng mga Barcelon.

"Uhm, sige. Salamat sa pag-aalala. Ako na ang bahalang magsabi kay Jon."

Pag-alis ng mag-asawa, tumawag ako kay Rob.

"No, Ralph. Wala akong inutusan na mag-check kay Laila at Jon," ang sagot nito. "What do you think?"

Napahimas ako sa batok, "I don't know. If that's the Barcelon, it was a sloppy job. Marami pang mga tao sa labas. I guess, hindi lang yung mag-asawa ang nakakita sa sasakyan."

"Better be sure than regret things in the end, bro. I'll get another security details for her and the old guy."

"Just discreet," bilin ko. "Laila might get alarmed."

"Sure."

I need to get Laila's confidence back. Her cooperation. Her not talking to me is not going to help us. I went back to my car and decided to give her the dimsum and the flowers.

"Naks! Ano yan ha?" puna ni Jon nang papasok ako sa gate.

Lumabas kasi ito dahil may nag-buzzer sa tindahan para bumili.

I just gave him a dirty finger but waited for him to finish selling. Nang wala na yung teenager na bumili, sinabi ko sa kanya ang tungkol sa sasakyan at sa usapan namin ni Rob.

Agad nawala ang pang-aasar na ekspresyon nito.

"Help me get Laila's favor," I asked. "But I suggest she should not know yet. She might get worried out of something we aren't sure yet."

"Halika na sa loob. Nakahain na," ang simpleng sabi matapos tumango.

Nauna ang lalaki papasok tapos, "Lai, ako na ang tatapos diyan. May bisita ka."

Saglit na tumigil ang babae sa paglalagay ng mga pinggan sa mesa.

"Sino?"

"Si Atty. Marquez."

"Di naman bisita yan."

Sabay kaming napakamot sa noo ni Jon.

"May sasabihin daw sa 'yo."

Di nagsalita ang babae. Tinuloy ang paghahanda sa mesa.

Sinenyasan ko si Jon na hayaan na lang. Dumiretso na kami sa kusina. Inako na ng lalaki ang pagtapos sa paghahain nang sabihin kong,

"Laila, I'm ... I'm really sorry for being an asshole."

Wala. Parang kinausap ko ang dingding.

"Here."

Saka lang ito napalingon. She heard the rustling of what I was holding up to her.

"Ano yan?"

"Uhm... " shit! I think I swallowed my tongue!

"Kung pagkain yan, nagluto na kami ng hapunan."

"Bulaklak, Lai," singit ni Jon.

Kunut-noong inaninag ng babae ang inaabot ko sa kanya tapos ay ang mukha ko.

"I-it's lilies and tulips. I... I chose them... because... uhm... I just really want to say I'm sorry.," depensa ko kaagad.

Saglit na lumamlam ang mga mata niya, tapos ay lumungkot.

"Pakitapon na lang. Di ako mahilig sa mga bulaklak, lalo na ang ganyang klase," ang malamig na sabi.

"Lai, sayang naman. Ang ganda oh," si Jon.

"Ikaw yata ang may gusto, eh di i-display mo sa tindahan. Para lagi mong nakikita."

Sinenyasan ko ang lalaki na hayaan na lang. Bumalik ako sa sala at ipinatong ang arrangement sa center table. Pinakikiramdaman ako nang dalawa kahit nagsimula nang kumain.

Tahimik ko ring inalis sa lalagyan ang dimsum at isinama sa pagkakahain sa mesa.

"Laila," umpisa ko. "Dimsum oh."

Inurong ko sa harap niya yun.

"Sige na, Lai. Nagpapabili ka nga niyan sa akin kanina. Di lang kita maiwan dito," suporta ni Jon.

Napangiti ako. Pasimpleng binuking nito ang babae.

Naglakas loob na akong ilipat sa pinggan niya ang ilang shrimp at shark's fin rolls.

"I put some ten o'clock of your plate," I casually said.

I have to tell her that para alam niya kung saan ang posisyn ng pagkain niya. Things I learned from her and from searching in Google how blind people eat by themselves.

Di ito kumibo pero sabay kaming napangiti ni Jon nang kainin din yun ng babae nang maubos ang kanin niya.

Gaya nang mga pagkakataong dito ako nakikikain ng hapunan, tumulong ako sa pagliligpit at paghuhugas ng mga pinggan.

Si Jon, bumalik sa tindahan. Sa pagkakaalam ko, nagsasara siya ng tindahan alas-dose na nang hatinggabi. Marami-rami pa rin kasi ang bumibili dahil kakaunti lang ang tindahan sa lugar nila.

"Laila," marahan kong tawag sa atensyon niya nang maitaob ko ang huling baso sa dish drainer na pinupunasan naman ng babae bago ilagay sa dish plastic cabinet nila.

Di ako nito pinansin although I know she heard me and she's listening.

I cleared my throat, "I'm really sorry."

No reaction so I continued, "By the way, your father's preliminary hearing would be the day after tomorrow. May braille class ka that time."

"A-absent ako," was her short answer.

"Susunduin ko kayo ni Jon. Sabay na tayo papunta sa Pasay."

Tumango lang siya.

Ganun na nga ang nangyari. Pero may kasama kaming escort vehicle provided by Agoncillo Agency.

Ang dahilan, may isang kotseng dumaan sa street nina Laila na noon lang daw nakita ni Jon. Saglit na huminto sa kabilang panig ng kalsada pagkatapos ay umalis muli. Hindi naman makumpirma ng lalaki kung yun rin ba ang binanggit na sasakyan ng kapitbahay nila dahil walang tao sa kalye ng mga oras na yun.

I asked Jon to drive because I have to make calls on the way to make sure that my partner lawyer and our researcher are already there and that they've already did briefong to Mang Ben of what to expect. Isa pa ay kailangan kong i-follow up ang status ng kaso ng MonKho laban sa Enrico Apartelle sa Bataan. Umalis na si Kennie doon matapos magalit ni Mike dahil sa issue ng OJT ng babae.

Napatingin ako sa rearview mirror.

Nakapaling sa labas ni Laila. Tuluyan kong nilingon. She's playing her fingers on her lap. Obviously, she's nervous.

I don't know if I'll be offended or what. Parang wala talaga siyang tiwala na maiaalis ko ang tatay niya sa robbery and murder charges.

And fate seemed to be playing on us, nakasabay pa naming dumating doon kampo ng mga Barcelon. I don't want us to appear guilty, but I told Jon not to go out yet. Si Laila ang iniisip ko. Nai-stress ito. Saka lang kami bumaba sa kotse nang makapasok na ang pamilyang nagdemanda sa loob ng building.

Laila usually walks by herself with just her stick but I saw her stood at the backdoor of my car after I opened it for her. She's really uncomfortable. Or most probably, it's anxiety.

Jon just got off the car and was looking around. I saw him nod to the four men who also got off from our escort van. I also saw my two security detail on the other sides of the premises.

Pagtingin sa akin ni Jon, sinenyasan ko na ako na ang aalalay kay Laila.

Napapitlag ang babae nang hawakan ko sa siko.

"Come," mahina kong sabi.

She started walking with me without any objection. But after a few steps,

"Si J-jon?"

"Andito lang ako, Lai."

Nasa likod lang namin ang lalaki.

"Watch you step," I told her. "Hagdan na."

But when we got to the lobby, there was a bit of noise from our back tapos ay nawala naman agad kaya di ko na pinansin. We continued to the old hallway.

"Excuse me, could you please walk faster?" malumanay man pero naroon ang katarayang sabi.

As my jaws clenched, so thus Laila's arm tensed.

I turned to look.

I was right. It was Rebecca talking to one of our security details. And her husband behind her with a suppressed pissed off expression. May kasama rin silang bodyguards.

What the hell is she doing here?

I looked at Jon. He nodded then motioned to our security to give way for the Navarro couple to pass.

Marahan kong giniya si Laila patabi. I held her by the arm gently but firm. Jon was quick to stand on my other side to cover us but Rebecca saw me.

"Oh, Ralph! It's you! Are these men your security?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes, they're with me," I answered.

"Why so many?" she asked with a mischievous smile and a raised eyebrow.

I wasn't able to answer her promptly because my attention was caught by something else.

Napatingin ako kay Laila. Her arm is not just tensed. She's trembling.

She remembers Rebecca's voice because this hallway has a low return of echo when someone talks a bit loud, just like on that day in the church when Atty. Navarro left her at the altar!

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