Diallogus Series 03: Inescapable Eventuality

Chapter 16

ALEXIS

"Are you serious?" I asked David as soon as I got in his new office.

I couldn't even help myself that instead of just putting the folder on his table, it was almost a throw.

"They requested for you." He said pointedly.

"I have a lot on my plate with my cases in GFC and here," I reminded him.

I know I would definitely be in trouble—no, I wouldn't even be able to say anything if this was his father. Judge Mendez was intimidating as an attorney; what more now that he's a judge?

"They're going to pay you triple your rate here just to have you focus on their son's case." He explained and I sucked in a deep breath. "I'm already working on the transfer of your cases to the other lawyers of our firm because they want you to focus on their son's case. I can't do anything about your workload in GFC since you'll have to talk to Solomon or Oz about it."

There's a hint of a dismissive tone in his voice that all I could do was take deep breaths and exhale exasperatedly. Then, I took back the folder before leaving his office begrudgingly.

Alam ko naman na may certain level of friendship kami. It's why I have the nerve to barge in his office and question him—quite disrespectfully, I know. But I just needed to know why I was given that case even though I've reached the maximum case we've agreed I'll handle for MLF while I'm a co-head at GFC. Ang kaso, the fact remains that even if we are friends, that's not the case when we're working. He's still my superior in this firm and now my boss.

Plus, he did say that he was going to transfer some of my cases to another lawyer. So it was technically within the agreed workload. Ang kaso, ayoko hawakan yung kasong bagong bigay! Tang ina naman.

Sa firm sana ako magtatrabaho ngayon kaso naiirita ako kaya kinuha ko mga papeles ko at nag-drive ako papunta sa GFC. At ewan ko ba pero tuwing bwisit na bwisit ako para akong naka-autopilot sa pagtatrabaho ko na hindi ko na napansin kung ilan na yung natapos ko. Ni hindi ko nga sigurado kung ilang oras na ako nagtatrabaho eh.

"Alexis," rinig kong tawag sa akin ni Ridge.

"Yes?" Sagot ko na hindi inaalis yung tingin ko sa trabaho ko.

"Out time na," aniya.

"Uh, okay. Ingat ka," sabi ko na lang.

Nang marinig kong sumara yung pinto sa opisina ko rito, akala ko umalis na s'ya kaya muntik na ako mapatalon nang may kumuha ng ballpen ko.

"Leave the office with me, please?" He said which made me furrow my brows.

"Bakit? May iniiwasan kang makakita sa 'yo?" Tanong ko.

"No. Pero hindi ka pa raw kumakain since dumating ka rito. Baka pag nagmaneho ka pauwi maaksidente ka kasi nahilo ka sa gutom."

"Wait huh?" Gulat na tanong ko. "Anong sabi mo kanina? Out time na?" Tanong ko ulit nang maalala ko yung sinabi n'ya kanina at tiningnan ko yung oras sa laptop ko at nagulat ako nang makita ko kung anong oras na.

Hindi ko napigilang mapamura at dali-dali akong nagligpit ng gamit ko. Sa totoo lang hindi ko rin alam anong minamadali ko kasi wala naman akong ka-meeting ng dinner. Pero napatigil ako nang parang biglang nag-black yung vision ko pagtayo ko.

"Oh, sabi na eh," ani Ridge pero parang more like sa sarili n'ya sinasabi at hindi sa akin. "Akin na gamit mo. Sumabay ka muna sa akin." I didn't even know he was already holding onto me. Muntik pa ata akong bumagsak.

"Sure ka?" Tanong ko. "Baka may lakad ka."

"Wala. At kung meron man, I'll cancel it knowing that you might get into an accident."