Sebastian

.

Damn it. What the hell?

I flip through the folder and read Eva's profile. Just yesterday, Judge Del Romero handed this to me. It contains information about the person who will be my legal adviser. I had been so busy that I didn't even take the time to look at it.

Attorney Evangeline Serino is a 30-year-old, unmarried attorney who has been working at Emperial Law for two years. She has many specializations and excels at her job.

Wala pa siyang kaso na natalo, dahil lahat ay naipanalo niya ito. Magaling siyang adviser at may experience na rin. Nakasama siya noon ni Venus, bago ito mag retiro.

She lives in BCG but is originally from Cebu. She is adaptable and open to various job opportunities.

Bloody hell.

I couldn't stop staring at her photo on the profile, and my hand fisted in shame.

Geez... fuck.

I took a deep breath and set the folder back down.

I'm guilty as hell, and I can't think clearly right now. What she said to me earlier really struck a chord. I am to blame. It was all my fault, and now I'm paying the price for my past mistakes.

"Gov, ano? Party na tayo. Nag book ko na ang sikat na bar, at pribado ito." Gumalaw ang kilay ni Graham at akma siyang sumayaw na paikot. Halatang excited sa magaganap ngayong gabi.

"No, I'm not interested in it, Graham. Go ahead and have your party." I shook my head and turned away from him, walking towards the hotel mini-kitchen to make some coffee.

"What? Come on, Gov. Huwag ka namang KJ. Walang reporter, at malinis ang mga babae na napili ko."

I scoffed and shook my head. "Not my fucking thing, Graham. Get lost," I grunt as I start the coffee machine.

"Okay... Kung may kailangan ka, Gov. I'm a message away. Let me know." Itinaas niya ang kamay at saka lumabas na rito.

I sighed, feeling troubled by this, and tilted my head to the high ceiling adorned with astonishing designs.

"Damn, I need to do something. I need to talk to Eva..." I mumbled in silence.

I didn't sleep well. My mind was hoovering around the space thinking of Eva. Ang mukha niya ang naalala ko limang taon na ang nakaraan. Ang malungkot na mga mata niya. Ang patak ng luha niya at ang sakit nito.

I let the warm water cascade on my face as I think of her.

Buong gabi ko siyang inisip at hindi ako mapakali. Binibilang ko ang oras na parang baliw dahil gusto ko na ulit siya makita ngayon.

I should have messaged her or given her a call, but I know her. She will only answer regarding work and not personal feelings.

"Looking so KFC, Gov ah?" si Graham. Pormal na ulit ang dating niya sa dati niyang hitsura kagabi.

"Sayang, Gov. Wala ka doon. Maraming chicks at ang se-seksi, Gov. Walang katulad. Ibang-iba talaga ang mga babae rito sa Maynila kaysa sa mga babae sa Cebu."

I walked past him and got into the lift first, ignoring the dull party story. Graham chuckled and pressed the button for the ground floor. His behavior has now switched to that of a typical office worker.

May dalawang personalidad si Graham. Mali, dahil mukhang tatlo ito. Matalino siya at magaling sa hisfic ng bansa.

You can trust him with political views of personalities and their profiles. He can give you all the pros and cons of that specific person. Graham also knows their weaknesses and secrets. I don't know how he does that, but I guess it has something to do with how his personality changes.

The other side of him. He's a playboy, a sex drive maniac, and the third one? He's a wolf dressed up in sheep's skin.

I don't trust him, but he is the only person who qualifies for the job description that I want in my team. He can stab me in the back. I know that. But I know more about him, and he knows I can strike and stripe him with his titles.

"Alam mo, Gov, si Attorney Eva mukhang matapang. Maganda na sana eh. Kaso nakakatakot ang babaeng katulad niya. Mala amazona." He jerked up laughing.

I gritted my teeth and gave him a sharp glare, causing him to lose his smile.

The limousine drove us to the Imperial Law office, where we have a meeting today to prepare for our trip to Cebu. I also received a call this morning from Madam Catherine, the wife of Congressman Santiago. She informed me that they have still not been able to locate her husband.

Nakaupo si Judge Del Romero sa kabisera at nasa kanan na bahagi niya ako. Katabi ko Graham at kaharap si Eva.

She did not look at me. She greeted me when I arrived with Graham, but her eyes were more into Graham than me.

"So, this is what will happen, Gov. . ." Judge started with the plan. We just listened.

"Eva, you will take charge of all legal matters, okay? May office tayo sa Cebu. You can stay there on your free time. Hindi naman lahat ng araw ay nasa opisina ka ni Gov."

"Yes, Judge."

I glance at Eva once more. I've been watching her the entire time. Judge Del Romero was right. Eva doesn't need to be in my office all the time, but I wouldn't mind having her there with me every day.

"So, that's all the plan, Gov. I will leave Attorney Serino in your team. Please look after her."

"I will, Judge." We shook hands, and the meeting ended.

"Refreshments are here..." one of the staff members announced.

I stood formally, my eyes fixed on Eva. Hindi ko yata maalis ang mga mata ko sa kanya kung hindi niya ako titigan pabalik.

"Excuse me, Judge. I'm sorry I have to go. Aayusin ko pa ang mga gamit sa lamesa, at ipapasa ko rin kay Atty Romualdez ang mga natirang assignments ko. Konti na lang iyon. Dalawa na lang. Pero kailangan kong ipaliwanag sa kanya."

"Okay, Attorney. Not a problem."

Maraming papelis sa mesa na kailangan buhatin ni Eva pabalik. Tumayo ako at mabilisang pumwesto sa tabi niya at tinulungan siya.

Graham and Judge were busy talking, so I took the chance to get into Eva.

"Ako na. . ."

"No. It's alright. Lalabas din naman ako papuntang banyo. Let me help you," I insist, now holding the folders.

"Talaga? Sabi mo ah." At ibinagsak niya ang lahat sa kamay ko.

I groaned, not complaining, but Eva intentionally pushed the folders as she handed them to me.

"To your office," I smiled, not minding the cold treatment she gave me.

She rolled her eyes and turned her back to me. I scoffed and smiled to myself. I glanced at Judge and Graham and gave them my signal before Eva, and I exited the room.

Mabilis ang hakbang ni Eva, at mukhang ayaw niyang magsabay kami.

I quicken my pace until we are back even.

"How has your day been?" I asked. I heard that her office is located on the third floor.

The Imperial Law Building only reaches the fifth floor and does not have an elevator. The architect designed it this way to encourage workers to think while they walk and to promote exercise as they attend cases in the courtroom.

Adjacent to the Imperial Law Building is the Court Estate Building.

"Good..."

I licked my lips while holding all the documents. I thought she wouldn't answer me.

"Do you have a place really to stay in Cebu?" It came out of concern. "I have two units that you can—"

She paused and turned towards me.

"I don't need your help, Sebastian. . . At kahit pa na wala akong matitirahan sa Cebu, ay mas pipiliin ko na matulog na lang sa terminal kaysa sa makasama ka sa iisang kwarto!" She crossed her arms, looking furious at me.

I chuckled slightly.

"I'm not asking you to stay with me, Eva. The team has a unit with two available rooms, and I already reserved one for my legal adviser, not realizing it would be you." My jaw tightened as our eyes locked.

"So, please take it. Just remember that it's all about work and nothing else, with no personal feelings involved."

.

c.m. louden

Always vote for support. Thank you.