El Paradiso Series 8: Desirable Justice [ON-GOING]

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: An Enigmatic Beginning

Aveline's Point of View

For most of my life I've been chasing a high. Hindi sa droga, kundi sa tagumpay. Success is more intoxicating than anything I've ever experienced. It drives me, it pushes me, but most of all—it never disappoints me.

As a new law school graduate entering the sacred corridors of my first law firm, Sabino & Associates graciously welcomed me. A mix of the delicate aroma of coffee and the fresh leather-bound books filled the air, making me feel both excited and anxious. Sa kabilang banda, sa ilalim ng ibabaw ng kaguluhan ay isang kasaysayan na nakabaon sa misteryo—ito ay isang kasaysayan na pinaghirapan kong itago.

"Why did it have to be like this? Why did he have to..." I whisper to myself.

The air was heavy with words unspoken and memories that stayed. As I let my thoughts wander, the pain of the past and a small hope for the better fought in my head. The haunting memory of him hung heavy in my thoughts, an image that brought back the pain I had been holding inside.

I tried to bury it deep within, hoping it would fade away. But it lingers, a silent ache that refuses to be forgotten.

I tried to hide it deep inside me so it would go away. But the pain stays, a quiet ache that won't go away.

When I was a young girl, I had to deal with a lot of hardships and challenges. Some things that happened in my past still continue to throw long shadows into my present, and I had a hard time growing up. The law gave me an opportunity to break free from the gloom that had previously consumed me and became a light of hope for me.

My studies, they became my lifeline. The only way out. The only way to escape the suffocating darkness that enveloped me.

Sa buong buhay ko, ang batas ay nagsilbing gabay na liwanag, na humahantong sa akin na maunawaan ang mga kumplikado ng hustisya at matuklasan ang katotohanan. Nagkaroon ako ng matinding pangangailangan upang magtagumpay, mag-ukit ng isang angkop na lugar para sa aking sarili sa lipunang ito, at gamitin ang batas bilang isang kasangkapan upang magkaroon ng positibong pagbabago.

"I won't let this define me. I won't let it overshadow my future." motivating myself as I clenches my fists.

I could feel the time passing quickly as I sat in the office of the law firm company of Sabino & Associates, my mind stuck in the maze of my past. Memory shadows hung over the present for me. The memories lingered on the edge of my thoughts like the shadows.

"I've worked so hard to build this life, to leave the darkness behind. But the past, it lingers, no matter how hard I try to push it away." I murmured to myself, lost in thought.

It was hard to keep my thoughts in mind because of the horrible issues in my family. Walking back and forth on the smooth desk helped me feel calm, like a weight in the middle of a storm inside me.

I was in the middle of battling of my thoughts when I heard a soft knock on the door. Cybel, the secretary, cautiously stepped inside and cracked a grin.

"Miss Aveline, I apologize for interrupting you, but Attorney Sabino wanted to discuss the new case with you. Naghihintay siya sa opisina niya." wika niya.

"Of course, thank you, Cybel. I'll be right there." I nodded, shaking off the tendrils of my reverie.

Sa aking pagtayo sa aking kinauupuan, ang mga alaala ng aking maligalig na nakaraan ay nagsimulang maglaho, itinulak sa aking isipan. Kahit na ako ay nalulungkot pa rin, mayroon akong responsibilidad na kumpletuhin at isang reputasyon na dapat panatilihin sa aking larangan.