Her Name Is Persephone [ONGOING]

CHAPTER TWO: THE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF BEING LEFT ALONE AND ABANDONED

THE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF BEING LEFT ALONE AND ABANDONED

PERSEPHONE

"Did Dad send you here to clear me from this nonsense accusation?" I excitedly asked him. For the first time since I got here, ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng hope. Finally, makakalabas na rin ako dito. I knew these were all temporary. My name will be cleared, and I'll return to my old life routine. Magiging isang nightmare na lang ito that I will eventually forget sa paglipas ng panahon.

But my excitement faded along with the spark of hope as I saw how the expression on his face changed. Alam ko ang ibig sabihin ng slight frown at troubled eyes niya. I had seen that exact face so many times in different hospitals. Ganoon ang expression sa mukha ng mga doctor kapag may hatid silang masamang balita sa patient nila. He was hesitant to say a word.

"No, Ms. Valmorez. I'm not a high-profile attorney from a big law firm." Bad news. He was here to deliver a piece of bad news. "Hindi rin ako pinadala rito ng pamilya mo."

"Then why are you here?!" I was frustrated by the fact that he didn't introduce himself properly to me. Kung sino man siya ay wala na akong pakialam. He was not sent here by my parents, and that alone was enough reason not to talk to him. Not to entertain his questions or advice.

"I'm a public defender from the District's Public Attorney's Office, and I'm here as your official legal adviser. I'll be representing you in the court--"

"No!" I uncontrollably yelled and stood up. "I don't need your help. I don't need a public defender to represent me in any kind of court! My Mom will send someone from a distinguished law firm. Someone na... na..." I couldn't find the right word to continue my sentence.

So he did. "Someone na kayang linisin ang pangalan mo? Kaya ko rin 'yung gawin." Hindi ko gusto ang way ng pananalita niya. He was so calm and well-spoken for a situation like this. Another thing, he was wearing a face of someone inexperienced. Ayoko sanang mag-judge ng character at kakayanan based lang sa hitsura ng tao, but I couldn't help myself but to think na masyado siyang bata para pagkatiwalaan.

"Hindi mo ba ako narinig? I said I don't need your help. Anytime now, darating na rin dito ang attorney na pinagkakatiwalaan ng parents ko." I was tired. Pakiramdam ko ay nagamit ko ang natitirang lakas ng buong katawan ko. I wanted to leave that dimmed room so badly, so I turned my back to him and was about to go, but I heard a familiar voice.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I am here today to address the recent news regarding the arrest of Ms. Persephone Valmorez, the daughter of our esteemed Director."

It was the authoritative voice of Secretary Sato, the spokesperson of Valmorez Medical Center. I faced the public defender again and snatched his phone aggressively. And I was right. It was really Secretary Sato. Did they already give a statement to the press? Ni hindi pa nga nila ako nabibisita dito!