Red: A fervid temptation : The Lawyer's Bed Warmer

Chapter One

“I think he's cheating on me, Attorney”

The young woman sat anxiously in the lawyer's office, unraveling the tangled web of her allegedly cheating husband's deceit. She was in her mid-twenties, a sense of desperation clinging to her as she confided in the distinguished Attorney Marcos during their initial consultation. The lawyer, impeccably professional, sat in her swivel chair, her serious demeanor softened only by a subtle touch of lipstick, as she prepared to tackle her next case with precision and poise.

There she was Imee Marcos stood as the epitome of elegance, exuding sophistication in her prim and proper demeanor. In her forties, she embodied the essence of a Tita of Manila, alongside her equally distinguished sister. Known as Atty. Marcos, she commanded respect as a formidable divorce lawyer, devoted to her craft with unwavering dedication. Her pursuit of justice was not just a duty but a source of deep satisfaction, as she navigated the courtroom with the finesse of a seasoned professional. With a dark feminine aura juxtaposed with a gentle demeanor, she captivated all who encountered her. Her authoritative presence and unwavering commitment left no room for doubt—her seriousness was palpable, her authority undeniable. In her poised appearance lay a depth of thoughtfulness and subdued strength, rendering her a force to be reckoned with. As she strode through the corridors of justice, she commanded attention, a true exemplar of grace under fire.

“What claims could you have against him? And what evidence do you have to prove that your husband has been unfaithful, Mrs.?”

Imee brought up the topic and glanced at the girl, who composed herself as the attorney began asking questions.

“I must say, Attorney, that these past few days he's been acting weird. He comes home late, always grumpy, and has started drinking more. This may not be proper evidence, but sometimes when I do the laundry, I see his clothes covered with a feminine perfume that I know isn't his. Or sometimes I see kiss marks on his shirt's collar. Now, tell me, Attorney, isn't that obvious?”

The girl’s voice trembled with emotion, and Imee could sense her pain, but she remained professional, humming softly as she wrote everything down in her notes.

“All right, is that all the information you have for me? In that case, I may not be able to speak for now. We need to prove these allegations are true before we can proceed in court. Call me or send me a message if you have anything more to add about your case. I will always have your back, Mrs.”

The consultation concluded, and the girl thanked her trusted attorney before leaving. As the door closed behind her, Imee sighed heavily, the weight of the impending challenge pressing down on her.

After an extensive session of counsel and representation, addressing the intricate legal intricacies pivotal to resolving the case, Imee felt a sense of refinement and grace. Finally, she could breathe.

Yet, she sensed the strain on her faculties, her mind teetering on the verge of an overwhelming crescendo. Still, she affirmed her decision amidst the tumult. There were no regrets. They served truth and justice.

Sipping her coffee, Imee returned to her work, reading through countless papers, continually searching for a way to solve her client’s case, Mrs. Hidalgo being the complainant. She needed to conduct case law research on this matter.

From the onset, her intuition resonated with certainty regarding the husband’s infidelity. Despite her academic pedigree from a prestigious institution, she remained perplexed by the motivation behind such deceit. Why, indeed, would individuals choose to betray the sanctity of their commitments?

When she thought of Mrs. Hidalgo, she seemed perfect—any man could wish for her. Beauty and brains. Imee couldn’t understand why. She shrugged off the thought and continued her work.

She didn’t want to meddle.

Amidst the flow of her duties, an untimely interruption disrupted her focus—a ringing phone echoing through her office. Oh, the timing! Engaging in conversation felt burdensome in her state of exhaustion.

“Yes, this is Attorney Marcos speaking,” she answered, wondering where Janice was. Picking up the phone, she was surprised to hear her sister, Irene, on the other end.

"A-huh, Manang Soleng, put a little bit of pepper," Irene said, causing Imee to sigh in annoyance.

"What now, Irene? Can't you see I'm busy? What is your agenda, calling me now?" she asked, irritated.

"Ay, sorry po, Atty. Marcos! It's so init nanga sa pinas, ang init pa ng ulo mo!" Irene chuckled, clearly amused by her sister’s short temper.

Imee sighed deeply, already feeling her patience tested. She could hear Irene's laughter. Irene was well aware of how easily she could irritate Imee.

Despite her irritation, Imee knew Irene was not suffering from the heat, given that even the kitchen in her house was air-conditioned.

For once, why couldn't she have a good day? Nothing seemed perfect when Irene was her sister for real!

“Irene,” Imee warned.

"So serious, Atty. Marcos. Christina called. There's a catch-up, but I don't know when yet. Anyway, have you seen Manang? So are you coming, Manang, or not?" Irene asked, her tone light and teasing. Meanwhile, Imee was still typing on her laptop and reading files, feeling overwhelmed by the endless workload.

“No, I haven’t. I haven’t had time to check my messages,” Imee replied, struggling to keep her thoughts in order.

“Just say yes or no, no need to explain. Manang Soleng, put a little bit of salt, yes, like that. And Manang, call Luis afterward,” Irene said, her voice filled with playful energy.

“Ah, y-yes... I don’t know yet, Irene. Please, not now. I’m busy. I’ll call you back later. When ba?” Imee said in a flustered tone.

“Jeez, okay, I still don’t know. I love you, Manang. Bawas-bawasan ang pagiging highblood, napaghahalataang mat-” Irene didn’t finish her words because Imee had already hung up. She knew what Irene was about to say.

The audacity!

Irene’s persistent vexations tried Imee’s patience beyond measure. While she maintained an air of composure in public settings, in the presence of her sister, she regressed to a state of awkwardness, unable to engage in meaningful discourse or playful banter.

Siguro in front of a new circle of people, pero kapag kami lang, nako lang talaga.

While many may find it difficult to fathom, accustomed as they were to Imee’s demeanor as a lady of authority, in the company of her sister, she embraced a whimsicality akin to Irene’s own.

She didn’t realize she was smiling, thinking of her silly sister.