Mágoa | SB19 Josh [SB19 Series #4]

5

Josh's POV

"Annulled?" I asked Grace, my jaw slack. "Annullment process takes years," I told her. I had known people who were at this thing for more than 10 years. Grace made it sound like it can be done in an instant. Divorce in the US maybe easy, but marriage was sacred in the Philippines. Divorce is not legal here.

"I don't want to stay married, Josh. And besides, you don't want to stay married, either," Grace pointed out. "It's our best option at the moment. It's not as if we can get divorced here," she snorted.

She does have a point on that though.

"Let's consult a lawyer," Grace suggested.

"Why we?" I asked her, eyebrows raised. "You can go alone. I have training to attend to," I declined. Why does she have to include me? Was I the one looking for a groom at that marriage booth? Nooooo. Not me, girl.

"Anong alone? I'm not the only one who's married in this situation," she complained.

"Excuse you. Sino nga gusto magpakasal to experience it without the commitment?"

"Excuse you, too. Ako lang ba nag sign ng papers? No! It was both of us, so both of us should go." Di rin nagpapatalo si ate girl!

"I didn't want to get married!" I snapped.

"So did I!" she snapped back. "Either we go together or we stay married. So, there."

Grace was fuming. She looked like she wanted to kick me out of her apartment.

"Fine," I conceded. Para matapos na. I felt like this was the only way out of our situation. I don't want to stay married. Ever.

"Fine," she replied.

I got up and walked towards the door. "Let's meet some other time. Message me in Messenger if you can find a lawyer. I'll do the same," I told her.

Grace merely nodded. Then she slammed the door on my face!

Hay nako. Ang attitude din.

***

Grace and I met in front of Garcia Law Firm two days after the grandest news of my entire life. I had asked Justin if he knew a lawyer who specializes in annulments. Apparently, Attorney Hana Garcia, the head lawyer of the firm, was a batchmate of Justin's kuya, Kuya CJ.

Justin was mystified when I asked him about it. I quickly made up an excuse that a co-worker from TaskMe was inquiring and I was just helping him. Thankfully, Justin had no follow up questions.

I did not want to lie to Jah, but this was the only way out of the situation. I can't tell him that I was married. Not now. Not ever.

I shuddered, thinking about the possibilities if ever ShowBT would know that I am indeed married. They would wring my neck. And they would kick me out.

Now, where would I pick up my sorry ass?

Grace and I entered were ushered into Attorney Hana's office. She was on her table reading something on her computer, one hand underneath her chin, the other was clicking a mouse.

"Good morning, attorney," I greeted.

The lawyer looked up from her computer and smiled at us. "Come in. You must be CJ's friends."

I nodded. Thank God for Justin's family connections.

"Hello, attorney. I'm Josh. And this is...ummmm..."I gestured towards Grace. "This is my uhhh..." Wife. Just say it, Josh. Wife.