暗影的面纱 (Veil of Shadows)

Chapter I (Stacey)

A/N: This work is purely fictional. Any similarity to actual people or actual events is purely coincidental. The characters and events in this story are products of the author's imagination. It is written in both Tagalog and English.

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Piles of paperwork surrounded Fiscal Stacey Reyes, each pile bearing witness to the numerous criminal cases she handled. Her desk was cluttered with complaints and appeal papers from several courts, each file representing a case of justice sought and lost.

Imbestiga doon, imbestiga dito, she muttered to herself, referring to the never-ending cycle of criminal activity. Within the walls of their office, crime doesn't have limits from small-time stealing to sophisticated schemes.

Tahimik ang kapaligiran at nag-iisa si Stacey sa kanilang opisina, tila ba ang bawat paghinga lamang ang naririnig sa kwarto. Nang biglang may sumira sa katahimikan na kailangan niyang harapin. "Fiscal!" sigaw nito.

Tumigil si Stacey sa kanyang pag-aaral sa mga dokumento at agad na lumiko ang kanyang tingin patungo sa pintuan. Isang lalaki ang biglang pumasok, tila may magandang balita na ihahatid. Ngunit hindi maganda ang pakiramdam nito.

Dala-dala niya ang isang puting sobre. Maaaring isa itong panibagong reklamo ng kliyente na magdadagdag sa bulubundukin ng mga papel sa harapan niya.

Pumasok siya sa silid na mayroong malaking ngiti sa kanyang mukha. Dapat ay ikatuwa ko ang balitang ihahatid mo saakin.

"Fiscal Reyes!" there was excitement in his eyes, bungisngis kung bungisngis si Marco Rivera.

"Hindi ka ba marunong kumatok?" ang sagot nito sa kanya, ngunit sanay na siya sa ugali nito.

Stacey is indeed someone who's serious, and her sharp facial features amplify this demeanor. She has big eyes that can be compared to a snow leopard ready to devour its prey. Makuha ka sa tingin. She's colder than ice, as if she lives in black and white.

Marco Rivera grinned broadly, continuing to annoy her as he eagerly handed whatever he had to Stacey "Ang sungit mo, kung ayaw mo edi wag!" ang pagkukunwaring pagtatampo nito.

Stacey rolled her eyes "Ano ba yan?"

"Event," he happily said, expecting the woman to say yes.

"Cancel it, marami tayong kailangang gawin"

Hindi na siya nagulat sa desisyon ng fiscal, ngunit alam nitong mapapayag niya ito "Too early to say no, I'm not done with my-"

The woman snatched the white envelope from the other prosecutor "Statement" he added.

He smiled, expecting a big yes. He knows that she will say yes to this. Stacey always turns down invitations for events because she thinks that they are unnecessary since they won't help with their investigation.

"This is an event for LGUs, so no." nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ni Marco.

Ngunit determinado siyang mapapayag ang babaeng fiscal "Inimbitahan tayo ni Cong-"

She turned to him, stating that it was a yes.

Doble ang ngiti ng ginoo na tila ba ay makakawala ulit sa kanyang hawla. Minsan lang pumayag ang babaeng fiscal pagdating sa mga ganitong bagay.

Ngunit sa kabilang banda, sigurado siya na mapapayag niya ito. Kahit minsan ay hindi humindi si Stacey sa mga imbitasyon ng Kongresista.

An event for the LGUs in Tarlac Province, located in central Luzon, it is a growing province and has a harmonious municipality where progress and community spirit thrive hand in hand amidst lush landscapes and vibrant local culture.

It is odd for them to go there, especially since they are from the capital and feel it is unnecessary to be part of it.

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A few hours had passed, and the sun had already set; it was now evening. For them, the prosecutor's office is their second home. They had just finished their mock trial in preparation for an upcoming court case. It takes a whole team to complete an investigation.

The room was filled with stacks of documents, scattered coffee cups, and the lingering tension of a long day's work. Everyone was weary, their faces showing signs of exhaustion, yet they pressed on, driven by their commitment to justice.

The courtroom had its own atmosphere, charged with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Defendants often felt a cold dread, knowing their fate hung in the balance. For Stacey, however, the courtroom was her playground. She thrived in the high-stakes environment, her sharp eyes missing nothing, her arguments piercing and precise. To her, it was a place where truth battled deceit, and she was determined to emerge victorious every time.

 As a perfectionist, Stacey demanded excellence not only from herself but from everyone around her. Her meticulous nature and unyielding standards set the bar high, and she rarely accepted anything less than perfect.

Just as they were wrapping up, a young man burst into the room, holding a megaphone.

"Attention, team! Just a reminder that the LGU event in Tarlac Province is approaching. Please ensure you're prepared and dressed accordingly. We'll have details shortly." their sleeping souls, we're awakened.

They all looked at the woman who was sitting on the judge's bench, reading the case. Everyone has a grin on their faces, except for one; he is the male version of Stacey.

"Kailan pa tayo naging parte ng LGU ng Tarlac?" tanong ng pinaka bata sa loob ng hukuman "At-" may gusto pa sana itong idagdag ngunit pinigilan siya ng kaniyang katabi.

Tinakpan ng babae ang bibig nito upang hindi na makapagsalita "Masyado pang bago and lisensya mo para mawala" pagtatangka ni Isabella.

"Tarlac~"

Isabella broke the thin air silence.

"Look, Sir David Halasan is online. Should we message him and make an appointment? " sambit ng isang fiscal

Silence means yes for Stacey.

"Oo raw"

Sir David Halasan is known for his formal attire when it comes to this type of event, so he is the perfect designer for them.

They messaged Sir. David and he immediately responded.

"Sorry, I'm not available na, huli ko na kasi yung Mayora ng Bamban ngayon"

Mayora ng Bamban.......