Boulevard to Polaris (Virago Series #1)

never changed fates

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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
never changed fates
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Napangiwi ako sa estado ng paligid ng presinto na sumabay pa sa lasa ng kalawang sa bibig ko. Ang mata ko'y nakatuon lang sa isang lalaking nakaupo sa isang dulo ng lamesa na nagt-type sa computer niya. Ni hindi ko binigyang-pansin ang nagwawalang bruha sa harap ko na pinapakalma ng boyfriend niya. 

Clacking sounds, foot stomping, the smell of orange freshener, the see-through tinted window beside us, and multiple complaints plus shouts of Quince around the room. 

What a fucking good consequence for what I've done. I shouldn't have done it in the first place now that it has come to this. Many people are getting tied up now, and it seemed like I can't handle this anymore. I was all talk, no bite. I thought I could pull it; I thought I can unravel something from the constant confusion that's building up inside me; and I thought I can know the truth behind all of this.  

"I'll sue you, you fucking whore!" 'Yan ang paulit-ulit na naririnig ko kay Quince bago siya inubo't binigyan ng tubig. Bibigyan din sana ako pero mabilis na pumagitna sa'min ng pulis ang abogado ko.

"Don't you dare give my client a glass of water." Malditang ani ni Alessa bago hinawi ang buhok na tumabing sa mukha niya. Napatingin sakanya ang iilang pulis kasama na ang kasamang lawyer ng mga taong nasa tapat namin pero isang taas lang ng kilay ay nagsi-iwasan sila ng tingin. 

"Who called you to come here?" Tanong ko kay Alessa dahil wala akong may maalalang may tinawagan ako para puntahan ako rito sa presinto. Wala rin akong maalalang pumayag ako na makasama 'tong si Alessa, Quince, Gazer, at lawyer nila sa loob ng interrogation room dahil gusto raw nilang makapagusap kami nang masinsinan patungkol sa nangyaring gulo sa cafe.

"Un número desconocido me llamó a mi oficina diciendo que fuiste a la cárcel y que necesito sacarte la fianza por cualquier medio. Incluso si lo haré como un forajido." Sabi ni Alessa o tamang sabihin ay Attorney Alessa Navier Rocci, Vienna's older sister. 

An unknown number called me in my office saying that you went to jail and I need to bail you out through any means. Even if I'll do it as an outlaw. She said in her native dialect because whatever conversation we have is recorded. She knew that she can't afford to let anyone here know anything about her plans.

Nagsalubong naman ang kilay ko. So my plan went to vain, huh? That anonymous person just called a friend of mine which they know will help me. Ang nakapagtataka lang ay kilala niya si Alessa at alam niya ang numero nito sa opisina. Alessa might be a friend of mine, but the last time we met was like a decade ago noong hindi pa siya naging independent mula sa pamilya nila sa Espanya. Kaya papaanong kilala siya ng anonymous investor na 'yun gayong hindi naman kami nagkikita?

Now that I think about it, there's this huge possibility out there that the anonymous investor knows me too much or might as well say that they know who the fuck am I from the core. They really are not someone I should underestimate. 

Pagak akong tumawa, "Bien, joder. Supongo que realmente no puedo hacer nada con ese número desconocido." Well, fuck. I guess I really can't do anything about that unknown number?

"Anong sinabi niya?" Galit na tanong ni Quince sa harap namin na katulad ko ay magulo rin ang buhok, may konting punit ang damit, at may dugo sa labi. Pareho kaming parang baliw sa kalye lalo na't alam kong wala rin kaming sapatos.