Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 3

Chapter 3

Bukas sara ang bibig ko habang ang mga mata ay hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin sa kanya. I know for a fact that I am in a province and there's a big chance that there will be fewer lawyers compared to Manila, but Rohen being recommended to me never crossed my mind!

I also knew he had an occupation but I didn't know he was a lawyer! Wala sa backgrounds niya na nakuha ko?! Ang akala ko namamahala lang siya ng mga lupain ni Governor Astalier.

He eyed me like a hawk and it put more pressure on me! Anong isasagot ko sa kanya?

Ikaw ang problema ko?

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa cellphone at napalunok. "I-I don't have a problem..." halos hindi iyon lumabas sa bibig ko.

I feel like a criminal caught in the act and now trying to get away with whatever plan I have.

He licked his lips and shifted his weight. Sumandal ito sa swivel chair, and compared to me he is very calm. Kulang na lang tumulo ang mga pawis sa noo ko dahil sa gulat at kaba!

"That's not what Atty. Murillo told me, he even said that you need to find a lawyer, ASAP." may riin sa kanyang pag sagot.

I hummed my laugh to make it less awkward before I finally faced him fully. "W-Wala lang iyon... minor problems but I think I can handle it. I don't need a lawyer anymore." sagot ko.

Tumaas ang kilay niya sa sinabi ko. "You suddenly don't need one when you figured out it was me?"

My eyes widened in fraction because of his conclusion. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang biglang pagkabog ng puso ko! Para akong nahuli sa akto! Paano kung mapagtanto niya na kaya ako naghahanap ng abogado dahil para sa lupa? Paano kung unahan niya ako sa paghahanda at hindi ko na talaga mabawi?

"No! No! O-Of course not..." I waved my hands in disapproval and tried to walk towards his desk, giving him an assuring smile. I immediately bit my lower lip when I felt it trembling.

His thick brows furrowed at my weird responses. Hindi iyon nakatulong dahil lalo lang akong kinabahan.

Okay Cali, calm down. Compose yourself.

You are always composed even in front of a judge. Si Rohen lang 'yan, bakit ka kinakabahan?

"Then, what is it? What's with the sudden change of mind?" he sounded so curious he didn't bother to notice my behavior.

I inhaled a couple of times and closed my eyes for a second. "I-It's about my boyfriend... I-I mean ex-boyfriend." I bit my lower lip again.

His narrowed eyes darkened more because of my answer. Hala, hindi ba siya naniniwala?! Napagtanto niya na bang iba ang pakay ko?! Don't tell me mapapalayas ako dito sa unang araw ng dating ko?

"What about your ex-boyfriend? Did he abuse you or something?" natigilan ako sa paraan ng pagkakasabi niya noon. Malayong-malayo sa itsura na binigay niya sa akin kanina. It sounded so curious but with a hint of concern at the same time.

"N-No... just a misunderstanding with some... property." paglilinaw ko.

It's true. I will definitely take care of this issue when I get home. Pero kung maaayos ko naman habang nandito, bakit hindi 'di ba? Para mabawasan ang mga problema ko, kung hindi ako matutulungan ni Rohen sa lupa, e 'di sa ex ko na lang?

He shifted his position and I heard the chair squeak again because of his size. "You have a property with your ex-boyfriend?" sambit niya na parang hindi ako nag iisip sa parte na iyon. I can't blame him though, it was stupid of me.