All Clear, Attorney

QU

MAYBE, SHE WAS just mistaken. Maybe, it was not them.

Maybe. . .

"W-What's your name?"

"Aster, Ma'am."

Pinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata. Imposible.

But. . . what if?

A peck on her right cheek made her blink, and when she looked up, Cadence's hazel eyes were the first thing she saw.

There's a small smile on his lips, and his cold eyes were staring at her, pero nabahiran niya ang konting pag-aalala roon.

"Do you want to go outside and clear your mind?"

As she stared straight into his eyes, she remembered that lady she saw on that very day. . .

Those eyes. . . Those pair of eyes.

She tried to clear her mind and gave him a smile.

"Dito na lang tayo." Tinapik niya ang espasyo sa kanyang gilid.

He sat beside her. "Does my wife want a hug?" mahinahon nitong tanong na ikinatango niya nang marahan.

"Yes, please."

Cad wrapped his arms around her, his warmth enveloping her frame. Sumandal naman siya sa dibdib nito at pinikit ang kanyang mga mata habang pinapakiramdamam ang lamig ng gabi.

Ah, this is what she needs—a hug from him on a cold night.

None of them decided to speak. Tanging ang malamyos at malamig na simoy ng hangin lang ang naririnig niya, and the rustle of the leaves made her immerse herself on her thoughts even more.

What if. . .  that woman was his mom?

"Cad, you know how to hypnotize, right?"

That word seemed so. . . foreign. And it somehow brought her a lot of memories that kept on scratching at the edges of her mind, waiting to be resurfaced.

"Yes, why?"

"Nothing. Just. . . curious." She licked her lips. "Si Jack din?"

"I can do hypnosis, Jacinda. No need to ask about Jaxavion," mariin nitong ani.

Napahalakhak siya sa narinig. Nawala saglit sa isip niya ang. . . mga tsokolateng mata. She can already imagine him scoffing!

"Sus. Selos ka lang, eh," tukso niya rito at bahagya itong tiningala.

His eyebrows were furrowed, at nakatingin ito sa malayo na para bang naiinis dahil nagtanong siya tungkol kay Jack.

Her smile grew wider. Ang asawa niya, nagseselos yata.

"May seloso ka palang side, 'no?"

"Oh, stop it, Jacinda."

The annoyance in his voice was so evident that she gasped and turned to look at him.

"Nagseselos ka nga kay Jack?" Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata at tuluyan itong hinarap.

He's really jealous?!

Cadence clicked his tongue and looked at her. Parang 'di na nito nakayanan ang panunukso niya.

"Ironic how people becomes wary of me because I can analyze their behavior, but when it comes to you, I sometimes fucking lose my ability to do so." He let out a breath." Hell, I thought you like Jaxavion."

"I will never like Jaxavion, Cad!"

What made him think that way? Ito lang ang gusto niya!

"I know, but I can't help but feel jealous! You. . . You two seem so close with each other!" Bahagyang tumaas ang boses nito, something that made her blink.