Loving Him Is Red (Sanford Series #3) [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 20

PAPALABAS na siya ng trial court nang makitang papasalubong sa kanya ang step-sister na si Francine. Nakasuot ito ng prosecutor's robe at may dalang dokumento sa mga kamay at marahil ay patungo sa isang hearing.

Hindi niya ito pinansin at tuloy-tuloy na lumakad. Subalit napatigil siya sa paghakbang nang bigla itong magsalita. "Why?" Kunot noong nilingon ni Cameron si Francine na nakalagpas na sa kanya. Nakalingon din sa kanya ang kapatid. "Why didn't you sue my mother?"

Pinakawalan ni Cameron ang noo mula sa pagkakakunot at bumuntung-hininga. She smiled at Francine wryly. "I don't want to stress myself." Iyon lang at tinalikuran na niya ito. Narinig pa ni Cameron ang mahina nitong, thank you.

She decided to not file a case against Feliza. Nakuha na niya ang dapat na sa kanya at hindi rin siya mapapayapa kung maipapakulong niya ito.

Nang makalabas si Cameron ay tumigil siya sa harap ng trial court at tinitigan ang mataas na gusaling iyon. Sari-saring damdamin ang namahay sa kanyang dibdib, there was sadness and there was contentment.

It was her last day as a lawyer. Finally, she found the courage to be true to herself. Hindi naman talaga iyon ang kanyang pangarap, hindi ang pagiging abogado ang hinangad niya noong bata pa siya.

She wanted to please her dad and gain the respect of her stepmother and siblings. She believed that if she'll become like them, they would accept her. But now, she realized that she didn't have to be anybody she doesn't want to be just because she wanted to be accepted. That's not what her father wanted for her.

Sure, she loved helping others, she enjoyed being a lawyer. Standing in a courtroom, engulfing all pressures and fought hard to beat it and won. She'll probably miss those things, but she needed to stop and start pampering herself.

Kahit na naging masaya siya sa mga nagdaang tatlong taon na pagtatrabaho bilang abogado ay naroon palagi ang pakiramdam na parang may kulang.

Ipinasok ni Cameron ang kanyang briefcase sa loob ng kotse, kapagkuwan ay inilabas ang digital camera na galing pa sa kanyang ama.

Itinutok niya ang kamera sa mataas na gusali at kumuha ng magandang shot. A smile of satisfaction etched her lips as she captured the best shot. The building was standing proud and mighty under the afternoon sun. Now, that was she loved the most, taking photographs. Bata palang siya ay iyon na ang gusto niyang gawin.

It was always satisfying when she saw the photographs she shot by herself. It was fulfilling and blissful.

"CONGRATULATION for winning the case," bungad sa kanya ni Anton Carlos pagkapasok niya ng opisina nito.

"Thank you, Attorney," kiming sagot ng dalagang abogado. Umupo si Cameron sa upuang nasa harap ng mesa ni Anton Carlos. Isang buntung-hininga ang kanyang pinakawalan bago sinalubong ang mga mata ng nakangiting abogado. "I... I am very thankful and grateful to be part of your team, Attorney..." panimula niya. "...but I have to do this," aniya sabay labas ng resignation letter mula sa kanyang bag.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Anton Carlos at may pagtatanong sa mga mata. "Why?"

"I don't to be someone who I don't wanna be just to please others. I need to have the time for myself, Sir."

Nawala ang pagkakakunot ng noo ni AC, tumayo ito at lumapit sa dalaga. "Let me hug you," he said and envelop her in a warm embrace. "Do what you want to do and what your heart desires. Your father will be happy to see you living each day with your eyes glow in happiness and contentment. Please know that you always have a place here, Cameron."

"Thank you, Sir," sagot niya na gumaralgal ang boses.

"Call me Tito."

"I'll visit you, Tito."