All Clear, Attorney

I

"ARE YOU OKAY?"

Muntik na siyang mapatalon nang hinawakan ni Cadence ang kanyang kamay at marahan iyong minasahe. Her lips parted as she looked at his hands on hers, his thumb gently pressing the flesh below her thumb.

"You're pale, Jacinda," he remarked in a monotone voice and lifted his hand to caress her back. The warmth of his touch seeped into her skin, each stroke of his fingertips brought her comfort. Tranquility washed over her like a serene wave, soothing the tension in her muscles.

Magaan at masarap sa pakiramdam ang ginawa nitong paghaplos sa kanyang likod. . . and she had always known that Cadence had a sweet and caring nature, hidden behind his cold and intimidating aura.

That's why she doesn't give meanings to his actions. . . kahit asang-asa na siya.

Well, umasa naman talaga siya. Konti lang.

Tumango lang siya rito at napatingin sa kamay nitong nakahawak sa kamay niya habang ang isa ay patuloy pa ring hinahaplos ang kanyang likod. Dikit na dikit ito sa kanya, and she could feel the texture of his tuxedo brushing across her arm.

"I'm fine, Cad. Medyo, kinakabahan lang sa magaganap ngayon." Ngayon magaganap ang hearing, and maybe because this is her first time to see a real fight in the court kaya siya kinakabahan.

"I'm sure we will win. We have already gathered loads of evidence."

And she's sure of that, too. He's Atty. Cadence Alexander Q. Futore, after all. The one people deem as the master of the courtroom.

"YOUR HONOR AND ladies and gentlemen of the jury, under the law, my client is declared innocent until proven guilty. I intend to prove that on the day of 13th of May 2024, the defendant didn't kill the victim. He has been wrongly accused of murder, and is not guilty of the said charge."

She could hear someone sighed from the other side, as if that someone wanted to lash out to Cadence for trying to defend a criminal. Hindi niya na lang ito pinansin at tiningnan ang nangyayari sa harap.

So. . . this is how trial works, huh?

"The prosecution may call its first witness."

"I call Ms. Lara Callado to the witness stand," the plaintiff announced. A woman, wearing a black polo shirt and faded jeans, stood up and walked towards the witness stand.

Malungkot ang mga mata nito, but she could also see fire in them. Bahagya pa itong napatingin sa defendant, and she threw a sharp gaze at him before looking in front again.

The oath was delivered, and once she was seated, tumayo ang prosecutor at nagsimula nang magtanong sa witness nito,

"What is your relationship to the victim?"

"I'm her friend."

"How long were you friends?"

"Since college. I was also friend with her. . . husband," she spat the last word firmly and took a look at the defendant, her eyes menacing and cold, before looking at the prosecutor again.

"How long were they married?"

"Five years. . . and in those five years, parati silang nag-aaway. Sinasabihan ako ni Calliente kapag nag-aaway sila ni Walden, at 'di ko maiwasang maawa sa kaibigan ko," may bahid na lungkot na ani nito at saka nagbaba ng tingin.

The questioning revolves around the defendant and the victim's shaky relationship. And when the prosecutor was done, it was Cadence's turn to question the witness. She smiled as she saw him stand in front.

Pogi mo, Attorney.

"You said that their relationship is shaky, am I correct?"

"Yes, Attorney."