"Congratulations on winning another case, Attorney Martinez!" 

I gave my boss a small smile before walking back to my table to do more work and read more documents. I went straight here from the court, feeling so exhausted after the trial with the dumb prosecutor. I shook my head and looked for some documents in my desk. I didn't like being disorganized. 

"Baguhan ka pa lang pero matunog na ang pangalan mo sa field natin. Good job." The lady boss tapped my shoulder to commend me. 

"Thank you," I answered politely before sitting down on my swiveling chair. 

"Because of that, I think you can take Villaflor's case." She even lowered her voice down like it was a secret. 

My eyes immediately tore away from the documents to stare at her, confused. The surname sounded familiar to me. Patago kong hiniling na sana hindi 'yun ang ibig niyang sabihin. I didn't want to take a case like that. 

"Read it." She placed the folder on my desk before walking away. 

Matagal kong tinitigan ang folder sa harapan ko bago ko binuksan 'yon. When I saw the profile of the accused, I immediately closed it and massaged my head. Fuck it. Tama nga. It was that fucking asshole. This time, it was rape. 

"Problemadong problemado? Kakapanalo mo lang ng kaso, ah," bumulong si Adonis sa likod ko. "Sana all." 

"Go away," mahina kong hinampas ng folder ang mukha niya. 

He made a face and whispered how grumpy I was before walking away. I saw him throw a crumpled paper on Leo's desk before running to his desk like a kid. I rolled my eyes and covered my face a little. I was getting secondhand embarrassment from Adonis. 

'Yun lang ang laman ng utak ko buong gabi. I read the file repeatedly. Paulit-ulit ko ring nababasa ang pangalan niya. Miguel Villaflor, the one who abused Kierra, Luna's cousin. 

Luna. 

I sighed heavily and looked up. It was a bright full moon. Napaisip ako kung kumusta na ba siya ngayon? Matagal na noong huli ko siyang nakita. Years have passed and I still couldn't stop thinking of her. I also went out with other people while we were separated but it just wasn't the same as what I felt with her. 

Fuck, yeah. She was right. It was a curse. Whenever I looked at the moon, I thought of her. Kahit ayoko. Kahit labag sa loob ko. 

She hurt me a lot. I wanted to get mad at her. I wanted to get even but I loved her too much that I couldn't. My love for her drowned my rage slowly as years passed by. Kung dati, galit ako, ngayon, gusto ko na lang siyang makita. Kahit makita lang, okay na. Kahit hindi na niya 'ko kausapin. I just wanted to know if she was doing fine. 

I stared at the folder and remembered what I said to her years ago. Justice will be served. I'll make sure of that. 

I shook my head and sighed again. I made a clear decision that night and I was determined to give up everything just to keep the promise that I made. Gumising ako nang maaga para maabutan ang boss ko sa opisina. Madalas siyang umaalis kapag 8 AM para bumili ng breakfast o kaya dumiretso sa korte. 

"Attorney Martinez! You're early." My boss smiled at me when I entered her office. 

I did not talk. I just walked towards her desk and placed the folder on top of it. Tinignan niya 'yon saglit at binuksan bago binalik ang tingin sa 'kin, nagtataka. 

"I can't take this case," I said bravely. 

"Why? What's wrong with it?" Her brows furrowed and tried to read the file. "You can win this! Kaya nga sa 'yo ko binibigay. I trust you, Attorney. You are one the greatest starting lawyers we have in the firm. Kailan ka pa tumanggi sa kaso?" 

"Now," I said seriously.

"Attorney Martinez, alam kong magaling ka at matunog na ang pangalan mo, pero baguhan ka pa rin sa firm. If you're not competent enough, then resign. If you are, prove it to me by taking this ca-"

She stopped talking when I placed my resignation letter on the desk. I already expected this to happen. Umawang ang labi niya sa gulat at tinignan ako. 

I bowed a little to show my respect before walking out her office, assuming that her silence was already a yes to my resignation. Dire-diretso lang ako papunta sa desk ko para ligpitin ang gamit ko, atat nang makaalis dito. Nakasalubong ko pa si Adonis na may dalang kape at sandwich. Nagmamadaling maglakad papunta sa 'kin si Amethyst na kanina pa narito nang makita ang ginagawa ko. 

"What the hell are you doing?!" She tried to keep her voice down. 

"I am leaving this shithole," seryosong sabi ko.

Napapatingin sa amin 'yung ibang kasamahan sa firm. I couldn't read their faces. I guess some were happy that I was already leaving and some were confused. I didn't care. They can stay in this hell. No one can save them. Not even their hunger for power. Majority of them already forgot their morals. I didn't want to be one of them.

"You're leaving?! Then, I'm leaving, too!" Amy walked back towards her table. 

"Anong aalis? Anong mayroon?" Naguguluhang sabi ni Adonis. 

"I resigned," maikling sabi ko at pinagpatuloy ang pagliligpit sa gamit ko.

"Huh?! Re-assigned?! Saan?! Sama ako!" His sandwich almost fell from his hand. 

"Resign," mariing ulit ko. "I don't want to take that case," I said and carried my things. 

"Anong case? Hoy! Sama pa rin ako! Wait lang!" I ignored his loud voice and just walked straight towards the elevator. 

That was certainly not part of the plan. Hindi ko inasahang sasamahan nila ako kahit saan ako magpunta. I mean, I already hinted about building my own firm but I was still not that sure if it would work. After resigning, I could say that I was... unemployed. 

"Hey, hey! Bro, ano 'yan? Saan ka pupunta?" The elevator opened and I saw a confused Leo inside. 

Hindi ko siya sinagot at sumakay lang sa elevator. Pinindot ko na ang close nang makalabas siya para hindi na 'ko maabutan ni Adonis. I didn't want to talk and explain what happened. Wala ako sa mood magpaliwanag and I didn't have the energy to. Medyo magulo ang isip ko sa mga gusto kong gawin. 

I did not regret it. I felt like I just made the right decision. They offered Amy the case like what I expected them to do. Our boss had two favorites, ako at si Amy. She wanted to resign too but I made her take it. Kung hindi niya tatanggapin, alam kong maipapanalo ng iba. They could easily play dirty when faced with a large sum of money to back them up. 

"He's a client! I will do my best to defend him," Amy argued. 

"Really? Whatever it takes?" I arched a brow. 

"Dude, I'm not a damn avenger but yes." She rolled her eyes, obviously not taking this seriously. 

"You know they're plotting some dirty tricks behind you, right? I made you take this case because I trust you." I sighed. "I trust that you will not lose your morals along the way. You know what I mean for sure." 

She bit her lower lip and stared at me while thinking. Halatang nagdadalawang-isip pa.

"If you want to put some dirt in your hands, then do it fucking right. Slap it against the right person. You can't bring an innocent man into this. You're better than that," I hissed.

Next thing I knew, Miguel was convicted of rape and sentenced reclusion perpetua. I smirked when I saw Amethyst leaving the courtroom, looking fierce. Her heels clicked against the floor as she moved past the reporters, holding documents in her arm. 

She went straight to her car and drove away. Sumandal ako sa kotse ko at nakita ang text niya roon. My lips slowly formed an amused smile as I read it. 

From: Atty. Alvarez

We're quits now. 

"Attorney! Na-salestalk na kita sa Valeria Group. Hintayin mo e-mail nila!" 

I looked at Adonis who just entered the room with a big smile on his face. When I heard that their lawyer died, I asked him to go check if they were still hiring. I didn't say he should promote me for fuck's sake. I just sent him there to ask! 

"You dumb fuck." I threw a folder at his face. 

"Ayaw mo noon, Attorney?! Mapapalapit ka sa iyong sinta!" Malakas pa siyang tumawa kaya mas lalong nag-init ang ulo ko.

"Get the hell out." Napamasahe ako sa sentido ko. 

"Parang mali pag-pronounce mo ng 'thank you' pero sige na nga." He laughed again before closing the door. 

Did I hire Adonis to give me headaches? I slowly regretted my decision. He should have just stayed in that hell with Leo and Amethyst.

Their company really did send me an email. I wanted so bad to decline their offer but it was Luna's mother who emailed me and I would feel bad if I said no. Ayokong ma-bad shot kaya pumayag kaagad ako. Hell, the things I could do for her and her family. 

"Excuse me, Miss." My voice went cold, remembering how she treated me back then. 

I didn't know what to call her. Luna? Architect? It was safe to call her Miss. I didn't remember her getting married so it was the safest option. 

"Sorry, you're standing in my way." 

I saw how irritated she was when she walked past me, almost bumping my shoulder. I sighed and entered her mom's office after being ignored. Was she mad? All I could think of was her developed features. She really changed a lot. Was she taller? She looked more mature and proper. 

Pero bakit ang sungit niya? 

"Let's say, the land in Quezon City?" Si Adonis pa talaga ang tinanong ko. 

"Bakit sa QC? Malapit kasi 'no? Tsaka batay sa 'king research. Gusto raw ni Architect sa QC magpatayo ng mansyon. Gusto mo ba simulan na natin?" He arched his brow and smirked at me. 

"No, shut up. I'm just asking." I shook my head. 

"Hindi mo ba tatanungin kung saan ko nalaman?" He laughed like crazy. 

"Hindi," maikling sagot ko habang nagty-type sa laptop ko. 

"Sige na, tanungin mo na!" He seemed excited to say it. 

Bakit hindi na lang niya sabihin? Gusto pa niyang tanungin siya. Parang bobo. "Saan?" I sighed, giving him what he wanted. 

"Doon sa pinagseselosan mo! Si Engineer Camero! Nakasalubong ko siya sa Valeria Group noong sinalestalk kita!" Tumawa na naman siya. 

"Hindi ko siya pinagseselosan," I denied and rolled my eyes. 

"Huwag kang mag-alala! I did the job for you! Tinanong ko siya kung may girlfriend siya ngayon. Ang sabi niya it's complicated daw, bro. Hindi ko natanong kung si Luna ba 'yon o hindi." He was smirking. 

"Wala kang kwenta. Bakit hindi mo tinanong?" I almost threw another crumpled paper on his face. 

Magtatanong na lang, hindi pa sinagad. 

"Hayaan mo na! Gagawa ako ng paraan para sa 'yo!" 

I wasn't really expecting Adonis to show up in the meeting as a damn client! Gustong gusto kong basagin sa ulo niya ang baso sa tapat ko habang pinapanood ko kung paano niya gaguhin si Luna. Luna really believed him about his bullshit with his 'dad'. I glared at Adonis the whole time but he wasn't even moved by it. 

"What the fuck was that?" I complained when Adonis entered my office the next day. 

"Ang sabi mo, Attorney, gusto mo ng mansyon! E 'di, magpapagawa tayo! Tutal, may lupa ka na sa QC! Binayad sa 'yo noong big time mong kliyente. Pwede na!" Tuwang tuwa siyang umupo sa tapat ko. 

"She would fucking freak out." Napasapo ako sa noo ko, getting stressed out just by imaging Luna's face. Kapag nalaman niya 'tong kagaguhan ni Adonis, mas magagalit pa sa 'kin 'yon. Ang init na nga ng ulo sa 'kin, e. 

"Hindi naman niya mahahalata, Attorney! Chill ka lang!" 

"Fine. She would probably turn it down anyway. She has too much in her plate right now." I sighed. Halos hindi na 'yun kumakain. She was getting me worried all the time. 

It really happened so I gathered the courage to switch to Plan B. It was less creepy. At least it was really my house and it was just a little remodeling. I was confident that she would take it and also used the 'anything' card. People should stop being careless with throwing that phrase everywhere. That could easily get them in trouble. 

"Luna's here," Amy whispered on my ear. 

My eyes immediately roamed around to find her. There, I saw her talking to Adonis, obviously irritated. Napailing ako at umiwas ng tingin. Sometimes, I wished I was Adonis so she could smile at me like that, or talk to me casually. 

"Adonis is really a dumbass. Look at him. Hindi niya ata alam na selos na selos na girlfriend niya rito," Amethyst whispered on my ear again so we could hear each other. I glanced at Adi's girlfriend who was seated next to Leo, glaring at her boyfriend. 

I laughed and got myself a glass of whiskey. That dumb ass. When I looked back at Luna, she was already gone from my sight. Agad akong tumayo at hinanap siya sa dance floor. I saw her friend pushing her to the other guy, nirereto ata. I clenched my fist and drank the alcohol in my glass, obviously getting infuriated by it. 

I couldn't watch them flirt anymore so I went back to the table, annoyed. Amethyst stood up and went to the dance floor and I stayed to play some cards with the guys, but all I could think of was Luna dancing with that... vegetable. 

I did a bottoms-up on two glasses of rum then I looked at my cards again to see if I was winning the game. My brows furrowed when Luna entered the V.I.P area holding another man's arm. I watched them closely, not taking my eyes off that dude. 

And of course! Of course they were making out! Fuck! 

"Kalix, kawawa 'yung baraha ko," Leo pointed out. 

Nang tignan ko ang barahang hawak ko, lukot na 'yon sa kamay ko. Binagsak ko ang nag-iisang barahang hawak ko sa lamesa at agad umalis doon. What? Should I stay and hurt myself more? Fuck, no. 

"Attorney! Smoke ka?" Adonis stalked me behind. 

I went out to the smoking area. It was a balcony for V.I.P tables. I sighed heavily and reached out for a stick. Tinago ni Adonis ang pack pagkatapos akong alukin. He got one for himself, too. Pareho naming hindi sinindihan.

"Tinitignan kayo ni Architect kanina. Kayo ni Amethyst," sabi niya at sumandal sa railings. 

I shook my head a little. "Yeah, at least we were not making out." I smiled bitterly. 

"Wait lang, kukuha kita ng Black Label." Tinago niya ang stick niya at nagmamadaling pumasok sa loob. 

I waited outside with a cigarette on my mouth, tasting a little bit of menthol from it even if it wasn't lit. I was breathing heavily from the sight of her kissing someone else. Images of her with that dude continued to play in my head. Mukhang kailangan ko nga ng alak para makalimutan. I was so fucking mad and hurt. How could she hurt me like this? 

"ATTORNEY! SI LEO INAAHASAN KA!" 

I turned around and saw Adonis panicking. Tumaas ang isang kilay ko, hindi naintindihan ang sinabi niya. 

"SI LEO! ATTORNEY! INAAGAWAN KA NG-"

"Gago, bro, hindi naman ganoon 'yon!" Leo suddenly appeared behind Adi, covering his mouth to stop him from talking.

I arched a brow, still confused. They were acting like kids again. Tinanggal ni Adi ang kamay ni Leo sa bibig niya at agad tumabi sa 'kin para magsumbong. 

"Nakita ko! Kitang kita ko! Tinabihan niya si Architect! Attorney, isa siyang traydor!" Adonis said dramatically. 

Tumingin naman ako kay Leo para kumpiramhin ang sinabi ni Adonis. "Bro, I swear to God, she asked me to sit down! Hindi ko naman alam na aayain niya 'kong makipag-kiss! I mean-"

"You what?!" My brows furrowed.

"Bro..." Leo was already defensive.

"See?! Traydor!" Singit ni Adonis. 

"I didn't kiss her, I swear! I did not even touch-" 

Hindi ko na pinatapos ang sasabihin niya at bumalik na 'ko sa loob. What the fuck was her problem asking every man to kiss her?! Bakit hindi na lang ako kung ganoon?! 

Inside, I saw Luna wasted as hell in their table but still trying to pour some alcohol on her glass. Hindi pa ba sapat ang alak na ininom niya? Umaapaw na 'yung nilalagay niya sa baso pero hindi niya tinitigilan. She was out of her mind. 

"That's enough." Kinuha ko ang bote mula sa kamay niya. 

Her face turned fierce right away upon seeing me in front of her. Ang laki talaga ng galit sa 'kin nito. Nag-away pa kami sa parking lot bago siya pumayag na ihatid ko siya. I felt a sting on my chest when she started crying inside my car, saying how much she wanted to forget me. To forget us. 

I remembered myself. I was also like that. I cried so hard, wanting to forget. I asked myself, how could I be alone with everything we used to do together? That wasn't fair. It hurt a lot. 

I love her so damn much that I was still willing to do anything for her. Anything. I said I wasn't expecting her to come back to me, but if only I could beg to the universe, I would kneel and ask for it over and over again. I wanted her back. God, I wanted her back so much. 

But I also wanted to be heard. I was looking for the perfect timing. I wasn't ready when she started crying on my chest, asking me if I really cheated on her. I did not book a flight from Malaysia to Boracay just to hear her cry in front of me. My chest felt so heavy. Pagod ako dahil dumiretso ako rito pero mas bumigat ang pakiramdam ko nang marinig ko 'yung mga hikbi niya. 

Fuck, what I'd give just to see her happy again. 

I changed my mind. I wouldn't beg for her to come back to me. I just wished for her happiness. Her genuine happiness above everything. 

"I'm pregnant, Kalix." 

My heart burst with so much happiness. I had been waiting for this for so many years. Ngayong nasa harapan ko na, hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. I was overwhelmed and immediately got blinded with tears. 

"Kalix, I'm so proud of your sperm! Omg!" I glanced at Luna's friend.

Yanna was already touching Luna's tummy. I just got home from work and here I saw them inside my condo unit almost throwing a party after Luna's dramatic announcement. Niluwagan ko ang necktie ko at naglakad papasok ng kwarto. 

I placed my briefcase on the side table before taking off my necktie. I unbuttoned my polo and changed into a plain white shirt. After that, I went outside again so I could prepare a meal for them. Luna's mother sent some helpers but Luna was getting so picky with food, and she had trust issues. Palaging ako ang gusto niyang paglutuin. 

"Do you guys want anything?" I asked while walking towards the kitchen. 

"Kahit ano, Daddy Kalix." Kierra laughed. 

"Ninang ako, ha! I want to be a ninang! Please?!" Sam clasped her hands together, begging in front of Luna.

"Anong ituturo mo sa bata? Uminom?" Via's here too. 

"You are so judgmental! Bakit si Yanna, ninang?! Anong ituturo niya sa bata?! Sex?!" Sam had no chill. 

"And what about it, huh?" Yanna glared at her best friend. 

"Ang cute n'yo, wala namang malinis dito." Kierra rolled her eyes. 

I laughed at their conversation while cooking. They stayed in my unit until midnight, the reason why I couldn't work. They were too loud for heaven's sake. I could hear their high-pitched voices and screams inside my room. They were watching some erotic movie on the couch since they couldn't throw a bachelorette party. I wouldn't mind as long as Luna was happy. 

"Buntis?! As in?! May bata sa tiyan?!" Adi repeated with wide eyes. 

"Score!" Leo gestured a free-throw. 

"Can I be a ninang? Please?" Inalog ni Amy ang braso ko. 

I was trying to work inside my office but all of them made a grand entrance inside when they saw Luna's Instagram post. The ultrasound copy. I didn't know if I would regret hiring them in my firm. They were all working for me now. I just snatched Amy and Leo from our old firm. 

"I want to be a ninang!" Amethyst demanded. "Please! Hindi ko siya tataguan during Christmas!"

"Gustong-gusto mo ng bata, e 'di mag-anak ka," Leo said. 

"O, anakan mo nga, Leo." Adonis smirked.

"Dude, what the fuck." Leo immediately scowled at him.

"Ew!" Amethyst rolled her eyes, disgusted. 

My lips rose to form a small smirk. Adonis, the little match-maker. Palaging nagkakatotoo kapag ginagawan niya ng paraan. 

"Can I have sampaloc? Please? Please, Kalix?" And there she was, my wife. "Or you can cook sinigang. Or tinola. I heard malunggay leaves are good for the breasts."

I just got home and she already made so many requests. I sighed and put my briefcase above the coffee table before leaning over her to give her a soft kiss. 

"Are you tired, my hubby?" She pinched my cheek. 

"No, I'm not tired, love," I stood up and walked towards the kitchen. 

Hell, yes, I was tired. 

Pagod ako sa trabaho dahil nag-overtime ako kakabasa ng napakaraming documents. Nag-iipon na sila sa lamesa ko. Tinanggal ko ang necktie ko at nilapag na muna sa countertop. Then, I folded the sleeves of my polo until it reached my elbows. Hindi na 'ko nakapagbihis dahil mukhang gutom na ang asawa ko. 

"What do you want again?" I asked, smiling. 

"Uhm, sinigang!" She shouted back, pre-occupied with Netflix. 

Her tummy was so obvious now. Wow, it was actually so big. The doctor said she was due next month. I smirked on that one. 

Isang buwan na lang. 

I was already planning my revenge in my head when I heard her shout again. 

"Tinola na lang!" 

I let out a heavy sigh before checking the fridge. 

Isang buwan na lang. Get ready, Louisse Natasha. Your period won't visit you again for nine months. 

I remained patient with her. I learned how to cook various dishes for her. YouTube wasn't really helping a lot for me! She would watch food reviews all day and ask me to buy it for her as soon as I get home. Her cravings were absurd! 

But still, her happiness mattered the most to me so I still drove to Bataan to get her some fresh seafood. 

Happy wife, happy life it is.

"I'm so happy. So so so happy with you." She giggled. 

I blinked and there I saw my gorgeous wife picking some flowers in the yard. She had this big smile plastered in her face as she tried to smell the roses. It was enough to make me smile, too. 

"Are you happy, my love?" 

I smiled and watched her put the flower on Estella's little ear. 

"So cute!" She pinched our child's cheeks.

Estella, our 9-month-old daughter giggled. It was like a music to my ears. I stared at the two most important girls in my life. They looked so adorable. When Luna looked back at me and smiled, my heart doubled in beat. She was so bright in my eyes. Like the moon. 

I would give up anything for their happiness. 

"I love you," I whispered on her ear, which made her giggle. 

"I love you." She kissed me on my cheek. 

I can't imagine myself enjoying this life with anyone else but Luna. With her, I have the moon.. and the stars. I could never ask for more.

- END -