Always Mine [unedited]

PROLOGUE

Always Mine

I was busy reviewing the case I have to represent in court next week when I heard my doorbell ring.

I am a Public Defender working at PAO. I could work at a private law firm, but I prefer to serve people who cannot afford a private attorney—just like the case I’m reading now, Toto’s case.

He was accused of selling drugs. Drugs were found in his house.

When I received the files about the case, I immediately went to see him at the police station. He was crying, saying he was innocent. He looked devastated and hopeless at that time, so I comforted him and said that everything would be alright.

I knew he was innocent, and there was a big possibility that he was just a victim of the policemen based on his statements. Puwedeng may ibang nangyari. I also asked the neighbors, and they said that Mang Toto was a kind man—he only focused on working and taking care of his two children.

I even suggested that he take a drug test, and he agreed.

The result was negative.

Napakurap ako nang ilang beses nang marinig ko ulit ang pag-ring ng doorbell—akala mo’y sisirain na sa lakas ng tunog nito. Whoever it is, I’m gonna punch him or her so fucking hard.

So fucking annoying.

I took off my reading glasses before walking to the door. Who the hell is this? It was almost ten o’clock in the evening, nang-iistorbo pa ng ibang kapitbahay.

Sa lakas ng tunog, halatang pinanggigigilan.

“Hey, why—” I immediately cut him off by giving him a hard punch to the face after I opened the door.

I smirked when I saw my friend—or I must say, Leonardo’s friend—lying on the floor while holding his nose.

Serves him right.

“Yah! What was that!?” Clay angrily asked. He held his jaw and then looked at his nose to see if there was blood.

Ang laki ng katawan niya tapos natumba agad dahil sa isang sapak ng babaeng katulad ko? Lampa.

And besides, it was his fault. Halos sirain niya ang doorbell kakapindot.

“What do you want?” I asked as if nothing had happened. I leaned against the wall with my arms crossed.

“Aren’t you going to let me in first? I’ve been waiting here for a long time.”

“If you don’t say anything, then I have to go. You’re just wasting my time.”

I was about to close the door when he suddenly came in, so half of his body was inside while the other half was outside. I looked at him. What’s wrong with him? He knows my time is precious.

“Chill, tiger,” he chuckled. “I just need to give this to you. They said you didn’t go to Tita Nez’s shop.”

He handed me a box. I was about to ask him what it was when he mentioned Tita Nez.

Right! I forgot that I had a schedule with her this afternoon. I have to call her later.

“Looks like you forgot. Might as well the party too,” he said confidently while smirking.

I just looked away from him and firmly closed the door. I even heard him shout my name, but I didn’t care.

He’s right. I forgot that too.

I went to the sofa where the files were kept. I put them away before placing the box on the table. When I opened it, I was neither surprised nor happy. Well, it was a beautiful red gown. It was long and had a slit in the middle. Overall, it was good.