All Clear, Attorney

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"THAT'S YOUR REAL name, if I remember it correctly," the attorney muttered after the woman with cold eyes and short hair left.

Tumango naman siya at binasa ang kanyang mga labi, hindi alam kung ano ang isasagot dito.

He really still remembers her. . . even after years. And she doesn't know what to feel about that.

She looked down and played with her palm, digging her thumbnail into it. Ramdam niya ang titig nito sa kanya, and it makes her feel intimidated by him even more!

Damn those cold eyes!

She gazed upwards when the attorney walked towards the side table and grabbed a. . . mirror. Kumunot ang kanyang noo sa hawak nito, lalo na no'ng binigay nito sa kanya iyon.

Bakit siya nito binigyan ng salamin?

She gave him a skeptical look, pero tinagilid lang nito ang ulo habang nakatitig sa kanya, kaya wala siyang nagawa kundi abutin iyon at. . . tingnan ang sariling repleksyon.

Her mouth hung open with what she saw. Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at napahawak sa pisngi. A gasp of disbelief emerged from her mouth as her stomach swirled.

She's seeing an unfamiliar face!

Hindi ito ang mukha niya!

Before she could ask him anything, naunahan siya nitong magsalita,

"Don't worry. I didn't do anything to you. That's a photostatic mask, and you must wear it at all times. . . even here inside. Baka mayroon akong maging kliyente o bisita, and someone might recognize you," the attorney explained and sat on the edge of the bed again.

Nakatitig pa rin siya sa mukha niya. . . and she feels strange.

She feels like. . . a stranger. 'Di niya kilala ang babaeng kaharap.

Gone was the small mole on her left cheek, and her doll eyes were replaced with chinky ones. Her cupid bow was not that prominent anymore, at may maliit na nunal siya sa itaas ng kanyang labi.

"You can put makeup on it or do whatever you want. Walang mangyayari d'yan. That's also waterproof. Kung gusto mong tanggalin, just press your left temple and pull the mask off," the attorney continued to explain.

Ginawa niya ang sinabi nito, and she could see how her face glitched before it turned black, at tanging ang bandang mata at labi niya lang ang nakikita niya.

Hinawakan niya ang mukha at dahan-dahan iyong hinila, and familiarity enveloped her upon seeing her real eyes staring straight at her.

Freaking hell! How did. . . they make this?

She tried to put the mask on again and pressed her temple. The face of the woman that she had seen earlier reflected on the mirror again. . .

Fuck. . . It's a mask, but it feels light on her face. Parang mukha niya talaga iyon. Wala siyang nararamdaman na para siyang may sinusuot.

"So, Shayna Azanthea Jacinda, how do you like your new look?"

Ipinilig niya ang kanyang ulo nang maalala ulit iyon bago naglagay ng eyeshadow. This mask. . . had served as her protection from those who want to capture her and bring her back to that hell. . . dead.

"Are you okay, Mommy?"

A peck on her cheek brought her back to reality, and she met Guinevere's gentle eyes, looking at her with worry and curiosity.