When the Beat Drops (Chasing Celestine #2)

Chapter 56

CHAPTER 56

Justice

When I entered Stephen's car, my tears fell instantly. Tumabi sa akin si Sabina sa back seat at nagdrive na si Stephen habang may cellphone na tumutunog.

"I don't... get it..." Hikbi ko sa yakap ni Sabina.

"Miguel, everything's overwhelming for her now... Damn it, we weren't going on a date! Pupuntahan namin yung abogado ni Phoebe! What the hell, dude?!... Oo..."

Marahas na bumuntong hininga si Stephen. Nanatiling nakayakap ako kay Sabina, pakiramdam ko kapag hindi ko nailabas ito ay sasabog na lang ako. I want to focus on one thing at a time first, deal with it, before onto the next one. Pero ngayon... nagsabay sabay ang lahat.

"Phoebe, I'm sorry. It's my fault. Nalaman sa akin ni Miguel kung saan tayo pupunta. I think he used his connections to find where we are in Sorsogon."

Umiling ako at pinunasan ang pisngi ko bago umupo nang maayos. "I-It's... not your f-fault..."

Pinaypayan ko ang sarili ko gamit ang mga kamay. I can't show up to the Revillas with this condition. Ayaw ko ring magulo ang utak ko dahil kailangang maayos akong makikipag-usap sa abogado ko. I can't mess this up as well as my decisions. Even with mama and papa gone from this world now, they still deserve justice. Lalo na sa akin.

"Stephen, tigil ka muna diyan. Bibili ako ng tubig para kay Phoebe." Turo ni Sabina sa madadaanang convenience store.

Sinunod siya ni Stephen at agad na lumabas si Sab para pumasok sa 7-11.

"I'm sorry again, Pheebs." Lumingon siya sa akin.

Ngumiti ako nang tipid at umiling. Right now, I just want to concentrate on meeting the Revillas and the lawyers. I don't want to think about anything first but that. Iyon ang kailangan.

Mabilis lang ding nakabalik si Sabina at nagmaneho na ulit si Stephen. I drank my water, almost finished half of it. Nilahad sa akin ni Sabina ang panyo niya at iyon ang ginamit ko para punasan ang ibaba ng mata ko.

Stephen announced we were near the meeting place. Inalok ni Sab ang face powder niya sa akin. Ginamit ko iyon sa ilalim ng mata ko.

Now, in the elevator going to a VIP lounge in this hotel, my heart started beating erratically again. Like it's preparing me for an impending doom inside my head.

When we were in front of a door, Stephen looked back at me.

Huminga ako nang maayos at tumayo nang mabuti. I fixed my hair and my dress before I nodded at him.

Binuksan niya ang pinto at nabungaran ko roon ang dalawang lalaking matanda na posturang-postura, ganoon din si Cedric at Celine Revilla. Blangko lang ang ekspresyon sa akin ng mag-ina. I feel like Mrs. Revilla wants to lash out but she's composing herself because we are in front of the lawyers.

"Ms. Phoebe Revilla?" Tumayo ang isang matandang lalaki, nakangiti sa akin. "I'm Attorney Gopez, your father's attorney."

Nilahad niya ang kamay sa akin at agad na tumabi sa akin si Sabina. I decided to shake his hand. I am not comfortable but I have to train myself to be normal. To not let my fear get to me.

"G-Good morning, Attorney Gopez." I cleared my throat when I noticed my voice was hoarse.

"I'm Attorney Samson, the lawyer of Mr. Cedric Revilla and Mrs. Celine Revilla."

"Good morning, attorney," Yumuko ako nang kaunti sa kanya at bumaling sa dalawang mag-inang kaharap ko, "Good morning po."

Humalukipkip si Mrs. Revilla at tinaasan ako ng kilay.