Offered Conviction from the Past (Justice Series #2)

CHAPTER 40

✧✧ : Listen to Tadhana by Up Dharma Dawn while reading this chapter. Happy reading!

JS2: ZARI'S POV

"Atty, lunch tayo."

Atty. Clea Lopez came in with lunch boxes, having her sweet smile. I stood up to join her on the sofa near the veranda to have our lunch together. Three days ago was the final verdict. Life suddenly went silent. I couldn't sense chaos and nuisance. Reading the cases I'm currently handling, I could sphere some time to open my Instagram account, since that the only socmed I stayed to.

It's still the same, but my posts were more on private. Not to mention that Atty. Chua's follow request was still there. He sent it two days ago. I ignore it and didn't dare to accept. Not because he unfollowed me before but I'm still enjoying my own company while we're both having our healing.

Hindi kailangan na magkadikit kami palagi. Kahit sa online system. Wala akong problema na magkasama kami kahit araw-araw pa, pero hindi yung dikit talaga. Katulad ng dati. Kung paano ako pinangalan ng mga kaibigan niya ng Zari the friend with benefits. Hindi ganoon. Casual lang, civil interaction lang muna. Hindi hanggang workmates, at hindi rin lalagpas bilang workmates.

Ayusin muna namin ang isa't isa bago mag commit ulit. Bago tugunan ulit kung ano man ang nanatili sa puso namin. Sa ngayon, sariling kalayaan at paghihilom muna namin ang dapat naming makamit bago ang ibang bagay. Handa siyang maghintay sabi niya, handa rin akong sumugal ulit. Pero sa tamang tyempo na.

"Pero grabe talaga Attorney 'no? Ang unrealistic talaga ng nangyari sa inyo, parang sa nobela lang..." hindi tumitigil sa pagtalak si Clea kahit pa kumakain.

I was just slowly nodding my head. I then look at her sharply when I came up with something in my mind.

"Kayo pala ni Kio?"

Nabilaukan siya kaya mahina pa akong natawa habang nag-aabot ng tubig. Uminom siya bago pinaypayan ang sarili at hinarap ako.

"Atty naman, nambibigla e!" I laugh at her demand."Oo na po, pinu-pursue na ako noong intern palang ako rito."

"Small world," I chuckle lightly.

"Oo nga Atty e, small world no kasi magkaibigan sila ng ex mo---ay nadulas." she then show me a peace sign.

Napapailing nalang ako at pabiro siyang inirapan. I got more closer to Clea when she finally work as a lawyer here in Arellano Law Firm. She begun to be more talkative and entertaining. Kahit ang seryosong si Atty. Arinuevo ay napapatawa niya nga minsan.

"Ilang taon na kayo Clea?" I was cleaning my table after finishing my food as I asked.

"One year and half. Wala nga akong balak sagutin yun e, ang raming babaeng nakapaligid. Tsaka alam mo ba Atty, may babaeng nagpacheck-up kahit walang sakit para landiin yung jowa ko, nakaka-stress!"

"Oh anong ginawa mo? Baka kinasuhan mo ha, di kasali yun!"

"Grabe naman, edi sinabihan kong tuturukan ko siya ng maraming injection para di na siya bumalik." I was laughing at her story.

Akala ko matapang na ako, may mas matapang pa pala sa'kin.

"Eh ang kaibigan mo na kaibigan rin ng ex mong si Atty. Chua, nag drunk call ang loko. Sinabi ba namang 'baby I miss you, I'm still kneeling at your gate, lumabas kana please', tsk sinong di maaamo e ang gwapo Atty!" patuloy na pagtatalak niya.

"Clea, di man lang nagpakipot?" hindi makapaniwala kong saad sakanya.

"Ay wala ng paligoy-ligoy pa Atty, hinalikan ko agad pagkabukas ng gate--"