Baby Problems

Chapter 4 - Baby Fights

Chapter 4 - Baby Fights

"Attorney, nandiyan ka na pala, how was the mediation conference?"

Blain had just got back at the law firm after the mediation conference of their client had finished an hour ago. Their law firm was just near the DOLE Regional building where the conference happened. It was almost noon when it finished. Ngayon, siya na lang mag-isa ang bumalik sa firm.

He was bringing his brief case and put it on his office table. He also took off the dark gray coat he was wearing. He was wearing a dark grey suit and tie while attending the conference with his client for a labor dispute case. He took a deep breath before answering his fellow lawyer-workmate, Desmond Flores. "Ayaw makipag-settle ng employer. I have to make a position paper for it. I have a hunch aabot pa ito sa Supreme Court."

Desmond shrugged. "Well, as long as the client pays, we do the work. Ipagawa mo na lang sa mga bagong hire na lawyers yung position paper." Blaine chuckled lightly and he shook his head with his friend's remark. Unlike the other senior partners in the firm, hindi niya inuutos sa mga associate lawyers ang paggawa ng mga pleadings or position papers. He usually does the job and his legal staff would just assist him with research and some other related legal stuff. He is a very meticulous man that's why he prefers it more that he'll make his own pleadings rather than assigning them to others. Kailangan pulido at maayos dapat palagi ang mga pleadings at position papers niya.

Both him and Desmond were classmates wayback in law school. After Blaine graduated law school and topped the bar in the 9th place, he was approached and asked by one of his of mentors to join the prestigious Dominguez-Omari and Partners Law Firm. He was hired instantly and after almost five years in the law practice, he was promoted to senior partner in the firm. Si Desmond naman ay two years ago lang nag-join sa kanila.

"Saka nga pala," Desmond approached him, handing him a file. "May new client tayo. It's a land dispute issue, based from the assessment kanina, I think we will have the upper hand for it. Do you want to vouch? It's a huge deal. Iyong counsel team mo, sina Atty. Ypanto at Atty. Veliganilao. They're promising lawyers. Ano? Okay lang sayo?"

"I have some things going on," Blaine replied to him and eyed him meaningfully. Desmond let out a small laugh. He knew what he meant.

"I know. Mas mahirap nga namang maging single dad kaysa maghandle ng kaso." Umiling pa ito sa kanya. "Sige, mag-la-lunch break muna ako. I have a hearing sa RTC ni Judge Oville mamaya. Saka 'yung anak mo, nandoon kay Ma'am Risha." Nagpaalam na rin ito sa kanya at umalis.

Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Blaine. Mamaya, kakausapin pa niya ang mga IT staff ng firm nila.  Earlier, he gave them the CCTV footage that he had acquired from security of the condo building. He instructed them if they could give him a clearer picture for that mysterious woman who left them baby.

Lumapit naman si Blaine sa office ng legal secretary ng firm nila na si Ma'am Risha.

"Ma'am," he spoke the moment he approached them. Napansin kaagad siya nito.

"Attorney! Nandiyan ka na pala," Risha reacted when she saw him. "Naku, himbing na himbing ang tulog ni baby." She handed him the basket. Blaine took it from her and glanced over the baby who was sleeping soundly inside the basket. "Attorney, ayaw mo bumili ng bassinet or maliit na crib? Para mas malaki ang space. Parang ang liit kasi ng basket na 'to eh. O gusto mo donate ko sayo 'yung bassinet ng anak ko? Hindi ko rin naman magagamit yun kasi nasa elementary na mga anak ko."

Blaine just gave their legal secretary a small smile. He wasn't really in the mood to talk. Kaninang umaga, he finally lost to Ms. Gomez and because of that, he was forced to bring the baby in his workplace. Kailangan pa nga niya i-explain sa mga staff at ibang lawyers kung bakit may dala-dala siyang baby. He just told them the summary of the whole story of what happened during the weekend. Some bought it and some didn't. Sabi pa ng ibang babaeng lawyers na workmates niya na karma niya iyon for sleeping around with lots of women.