Theresia's pov:
I gripped the steering wheel, navigating through the familiar streets, my mind replaying the encounter with Mayor Alice earlier. I had simply found her plushies cute, but her reaction had been...intense. "She looks cute but she has attitudes. Sensitive naman niya," I sighed, shaking my head.
It seemed I was going to have to deal with her prickly demeanor. After all, she was my client now, and I was committed to representing her. It was only thanks to Ninong Attorney Cruz that I had even agreed to take on this case. I could already imagine my sister's reaction when she found out.
"I'm just hoping she'll cooperate and be kind," I muttered to myself, hoping for the best.
Fast forward, I arrived at my condo, feeling the weight of the case heavy on my mind. Resting for a moment, I decided to call Ninong Cruz for advice and guidance.
Before I could speak, Ninong Cruz greeted me warmly. "Hello, Theresia. How did your conversation with the mayor? Is it going well?" he asked curiously.
"I'm not sure what I expected from a mayor, but this is definitely different," I replied, unsure of my feelings.
"Just try to understand, she's going through a lot," Ninong reassured me, his words lifting my spirits.
Feeling overwhelmed, I expressed my doubts, "I'm not sure I'm fit for this. She's a handful. I feel like she's trying to intimidate me," my tone reflecting a sense of vulnerability, seeking guidance from a father figure.
"Focus on the case, not her personality. You're smart, my inaanak. I know you know how to handle this. That's why I chose you for this case," Ninong Cruz encouraged me.
"Okay, Ninong. Bye," I responded, feeling a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.
As I hung up, self-doubt crept in. "Maybe I should have asked more questions before taking the case. I'm in over my head," I mused.
"You got this, Theresia. There's so much more to you than this. You're not weak," I whispered to myself, seeking to uplift my spirits.
"I need to find a way to connect with her. We need to work together if we want to win this.
Mayor's pov:
Late into the night, I found myself buried in paperwork at my office, the weight of the day's events lingering in my thoughts. Exhausted, I finally made my way home, seeking solace in a hot bath before preparing for sleep. Despite my weariness, the looming presence of the legal battles ahead kept sleep at bay.
As I lay in bed, my phone pinged with a message from Attorney Theresia:
☘️☘️☘️
"Good evening, Mayor. I need to discuss further steps regarding your case. I will come to your office tomorrow for a meeting."
The message only added to the mounting problems that already burdened me. Annoyed by the prospect of dealing with this persistent attorney, I couldn't help but question my animosity towards her. Was I being childish in my mistrust?
It's never easy to trust easily, especially when there could be ulterior motives at play. Her background as part of a family of journalists, with her sister taking an interest in my case, fueled my suspicions.
The nagging thought crept in that perhaps Attorney Theresia was merely capitalizing on my troubles. Trusting my instincts, I resolved to keep a close watch on her, unwilling to be deceived again by those who feign friendship only to betray, much like the individuals who had entangled me in previous misfortunes.
As I drifted into a restless sleep, the weight of distrust and uncertainty lingered, casting a shadow over the days to come.
