Boss Lady #4: Laws in Love

XII. Felt This Way

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JUST like what he said, Axel returned to the unit after a few hours, holding some paper bags in one hand and drink trays in the other. Mukhang bumili ito ng dinner nila bago ito umuwi. Olive helped him by taking the paper bags as they both walked toward the dining table.

"Kumusta na si Erika?" tanong niya sa binata na naupo sa kanyang harapan.

Axel gave her a small smile while putting the food containers out of the bags. "She's doing well. Trey's very ecstatic too. It's their first child, and it's a bouncing baby girl."

"Oh, that's so good to hear! For sure, maganda 'yung baby nila na 'yun. Ang ganda ng genes nila pareho eh," komento niya. They both started eating after her comment, while Axel continued sharing what happened at the hospital when he came back to visit.

"You have good friends around, Axel. You're very lucky," Olive said. Hindi niya mapigilang matuwa sa kabaitan ng mga kaibigan ng abugado, pati na rin ang pagiging welcoming ng mga ito sa kanya kahit ngayon lang sila nagkakilala maliban kina Gold.

He nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm lucky to have them and they are also lucky to have me. Ako ang abugadong taga-areglo ng mga problema nila kaya swerte rin sila sa'kin," wika nito sabay tumawa.

"Buti hindi ka nahihirapan na maging abugado ng sarili mong mga kaibigan?"

"No, it's not actually difficult. We don't mix our personal lives with business. They really have no choice but to listen to my legal advice, and I also have no choice but to do what they ask me to do legally. They pay me the same way my other clients pay me."

"Except me, Axel. I'm not paying you," she added. Tapos na sila parehong kumain pero hindi pa sila umaalis sa hapag dahil nagkukwentuhan pa sila, at natutuwa si Olive dahil nagiging mas casual na sila ng abugado.

"I didn't ask you to pay me, remember? I'm taking your case pro bono, so you don't have to worry about my pay."

"How much would it actually cost me, though? Kung babayaran kita at mananalo ang kaso, magkano ang legal fees?" tanong niya.

"It might cost you half a million minimum."

Olive was not drinking anything but felt like she choked on a drink after hearing the amount. Half a million minimum? Halos masisimot pala ang pera sa savings ko kung sakali!

"Oh... buti pala talaga na pro bono. I don't think I'll be able to pay for your fees, Axel. Kahit 'yang minimum pa lang ay mamumulubi ako," wika niya.

He chuckled. "My clients are not just paying me, you know. They are paying for the work of my paralegals and lawyers in my firm too who are helping in their case, among other things."

"Ah, I understand. Hindi nga naman ito one-man team lang," sabi ni Olive. "Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa inyo, Axel. Lalo na kung maipapanalo mo ito... you'll be giving my life back to me. You'll help me earn my freedom. I don't know how can I repay that."

"Olivia, what I only want you to do after all this is to enjoy the freedom you will earn when I win your case. Go out, explore the world, and have fun. Shop all you want, travel anywhere, whatever. Do what you want to do. Do the things you've always wanted to do," Axel told her.

She eagerly nodded as she gave him a sweet smile. "I know you're a ruthless lawyer in court, but it's good to see that you still have a soft spot for others, Axel. Tao ka rin pala talaga tulad ko."

"Don't get me wrong, Olivia. I'm still that ruthless lawyer who will kick anyone's ass in court, even the lawyers your motherfucker of a husband will hire," Axel said, his voice deep. "But for you, Olivia, I will always have a soft spot for you. Only for you."