Best Part of Me

38

I could feel awkwardness between us.

He was sitting on his swivel chair while I'm sitting in front of his table.

"Zoe Avery Madisson." Bulong nito habang tila may hinahanap sa mga kumpol kumpol na papel nito sa lamesa.

The old man just left us alone here dahil babyahe pa raw ito. I cannot understand, they looked rich as fuck but why is he driving a taxi.

"Gotya." Bulong nito muli ng tila makita nito ang hinahanap niya.

He took the envelope from those piles of paper. I stared at it, it brought a lot of memories and pain.

Just looking at the envelope, made my heart wrench.

"Is this yours?" He asked showing me the envelope he was holding.

"Yes." I answered. He smiled at me. Not sure how to read those smiles. I couldn't even feel his emotion, I can't sense if his smile is genuine.

"No. This is not yours." He answered.

Inayos nito ang upo niya at inayos ang suot niyang reading glass.

"That..that's mine." I whispered.

"You're the daughter of the famous Madissons, who owns the biggest law firm in the country. Right?" He asked like he was interrogating me. He looked very intimidating, I wonder if he's always like this inside the court room because anyone will gets easily intimidated on how he ask questions.

I just avoided his eyes and cleared my throat. I was about to answer when he started speaking again.

"I know you are. Do you know how much I hate injustice?" He chuckled while opening the envelope, he started turning the pages like he was reading it while shaking his head.

"Your mother is well know to win almost every cases she handled. She has been my role model, and someone I used to look up to. Then one day, my father went home crying and gave me these papers. I started reviewing the case and did my research." He stopped and stared at me.

"That's when I realize how dirty our justice system is." He smirked and stood up.

"I know. I am aware of that. And I'm here because I will be the one to report that to the police." I said. He just laughed and walked towards me.

"You still believe on our fucked up system?" He asked, laughing. He stood infront of me and put his hands inside his pocket.

"I have to. They..t-they deserve justice." I answered. I'm trying really hard to stop myself from breaking down, I don't know why but I felt like at last, I would will be able to give Ash the justice they deserve.

"You're going to expose your parents?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito.

"Yes. I don't have to think twice about that." I answered firmly.

He took out something from his wallet and handed it to me.

It was a calling card.

"You'll need a lawyer for that."

---

Everything happened too fast. I still cannot believe it.

I am staring at the calling card he gave me.

At the end, he did not gave me the envelope. He said he cannot hand it to me unless I will ask him to be my lawyer.

And how am I supposed to pay him for that?!

I don't know why is he so insistent to take the case. Is it because that will make him famous, or is it an easy win? I don't know, but I know for sure it's not as easy as that. They even kidnapped me just to get those documents.

Napabalikwas lamang ako ng may narinig akong busina ng sasakyan. Agad naman akong gumilid, I did not realize I was on a middle of the road. Sobrang lutang ko the whole day, I don't know where did my feet took me.

"Wake up Zoe." I whispered.

Mag-Dedecember na pala.

Christmas is approaching kaya medyo malamig na ang simoy ng hangin. I hugged myself and roamed my eyes around, I did not notice I was infront of the hospital.

I don't know why my feet took me here.

"I miss you so much." I whispered.

I could feel my tears started to stream across my cheek once again. Hindi na nauubos, at natatapos.

I'm tired of it.

I suddenly remember Ash's mother telling me he's terminally ill. I also need anwers for that.

I decided to walk inside the hospital. I was welcomed by strong smell of ethyl alcohol but I continued walking.

I saw Ash's mother entering the small chappel inside the hospital so I followed her.

"Ma'am." I called her. She looked back at me, and immediately smiled but her eyes were sad.

"Hija." She answered. She suddenly hugged me and pulled me inside the chappel.

"I heard what happened last time. I'm sorry you have to hear that. " She said while brushing my hair.

I am stopping myself from crying really hard.

"It's okay po. " I answered. She held my hand and apologeticly smiled.

"Sorry I lied. Ash is not terminally ill. I just said that so you could give him a visit. I never thought sila na pala ni Jewell, he never even told me. Akala ko may chance-" I stopped her.

"Hearing that he's not ill is enough for me." I said cutting her off. Para akong nakahinga ng maluwag sa sinabi niya. It felt like a huge burden was lifted on my mind, kahit papaano ay nabawasan nito ang mga iniisip ko.

I also held her hand and smiled sadly at her.

"Sorry for everything." I whispered. I saw a tear dropped from her eyes but she nodded.

"I will do my best. I'll give your husband the justice he deserve." I could feel the pain from the ways she looked at me. It was full of hope and longing.

I hugged her tight and we just cried at each others arms. Good thing we're alone in this chappel.