Disobedience

Chapter 6: Hoodie

Kimberly Jane

"Good morning, Ate Kim!" Kumaway naman ako sa grupo ng teenagers na narito sa village park. They knew who I was despite the hood I was wearing because I run the same route every morning. Walang palya. It's just part of my very strict routine.

There are times that Nacho will tell me that my routine is a nightmare because of how constant and predictable it is.

I run in the morning. I hold my classes until two in the afternoon. Head to my law office. Go to court. Head to Nacho's gym. Go home and I cook my own meals. Repeat it all again.

My days only change whenever the prosecutor gives me pro-bono cases. Even then, it is pretty much the same. Some will say that it is boring and it is, but I like the predictability. I like the peace it brings.

That said, Nacho told me it is a nightmare because if my enemies decide to have me watch and pay someone to kîll me, it wouldn't be hard because of my 'boring life'.

Well, I'm not really worried since it has been ten years since I started practicing law and so far, I haven't had anyone put a hit on me.

Maybe because for half of those ten years, I spent it practicing banking law. At the ripe age of twenty-two, I became an Attorney. I became an associate lawyer in this big practice and I happened to convince two of the biggest banks in Asia to put my practice back then into their retainer.

Since I was the one who brought them in, I got to take the lead. I handled both of their expansions and lawsuits which I all won. That gave me the chance to buy a two storey with a three car garage home here in a suburban styled neighborhood village just right outside Metro. It has very tight security, that's why I wasn't really worried.

My legs are starting to burn as I make my way back to my home. When I unlocked the double doors, the familiar scent of faint vanilla and clean fabric greeted my nose.

Most of the time, my home is quiet because I don't have a partner. Travis doesn't count because he is nothing but a publicity stunt and like Nacho said, I would rather get run over by a car before I bring Travis' disgusting åss to my home. I also don't have kids and I could've bought a penthouse but I don't like the building or even the apartment life. Sure, I have an apartment I keep near my office and in the courts which I only go to when I have big cases, but I always go home to my house.

I want the space of a backyard where I have a pool and a grill. I want the grass. I like the fact that I can scream and do something stupid, nobody will hear and even give a shît because it is my home.

I guess that's what I wanted after years of being observed like a specimen under the microscope. Growing up with my father, everything that I do, he will question and will always find something wrong.

Even in college, I had security following me around and he has access to everything that I do in school. When I graduated at the top of my class and became one of the youngest lawyers to ever pass the BAR exam in Philippine history. He finally stopped hovering and nit-picking everything that I do, don't get me wrong though, he still has his claws on me but it just became more tolerable.

I fought really hard for my peace and I will be dåmned before I let someone take it away again.

Somehow, Elijah's face popped up in my head.

I don't see him as someone who will take my peace away. Probably just my sanity.

I jogged my way up to my room and started stripping all of my sweat-soaked clothes before I hopped into the shower.

I groaned when I felt the ice-cold water covered my head down to my inked back.

Today is my first day shadowing him and I'd be lying if I say that I hadn't thought of him all night.