Traces of Her

CHAPTER 17 Past

Stephen was really shocked with the papers in front if him. Aside from the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) there are several papers also about the processing of the adoption of Mishka into Mordicella and to think the person behind all of this is his mom!

Stephen is still scanning the papers. He still cannot believe what is written on those documents.

"It's shocking, isn't it?"Jessica asked him mockingly.

"Is she behind all of these?"

"Well, you can see it to yourself," Jessica simply replied, relaxed. She folded her hands on her chest and lean on her swivel chair.

Stephen still could not believe what he saw. The Name of the Mother who adopted Miksha was really Katrina S. Mordicella.

Stephen shook his head while re read the document, "I can't believe she really did this..."

Jessica stood up, "I was shocked as well. She never inform me about this. She actually did this on her own. But I am not surprised knowing your Mom has many secrets..." she faced the window and took a cigarette. Jessica, known as a workaholic, could only get time to calm herself when she lit a cigar, "So, I won't be surprise if there is another revelation would pop out of nowhere. We lawyers carry burdens and secrecy of our clients. So, I may not be surprised if one day, if my body will be found in a gutter," she said as she blow out a smoke on the open window. She suddenly faced Stephen,"But she was a noble lawyer. She wouldn't accept clients with dishonesty and has an ulterior motives. Unlike me, who accepts anyone as long they will be honest and willing to give the rate I ask them," she said.

"What's the reason behind why she had done this?" he asked her.

"Why don't you ask the person who brought it herself," Jessica replied while walking back to her desk.

Badump badump! His heart beat skipped a little when Jessica said those words. No...don't tell me she's here....

"Ate Renisa," Jessica pressed the intercom on her desk," Kindly please tell her she could come here now," Jessica said.

After several minutes there is a a knock on the door

"Aunt Jessica, Ate Renisa told me you're looking for me?" she asked.

Stephen was sitting in front of Jessica which is his back is at the door. He could not see the owner of the voice but he knew who owns it.

How can he forget the sweet soft voice...there is only one he knew who owns it...

His heart went more faster than before when he turned and saw a petite girl wearing pigtails on either side of her hair. Her eyes are still the same. Small round eyes and chinky at the end. Her skin is still pale and how she have grown! It could not be mistaken that it is really Mishka his very own Mishka.

Does she still have the dimples on her cheek when she smiles?

Jessica waved at her,"Come here Mishka."

When she arrived at Jessica's side she looked at Stephen.

She still has the innocent eyes...Stephen thought.

"Can you still recognize him? Hmm?"

Mishka nodded.

Same as ever, taciturn---

"---and so, Stephen she is in your care from now on. Since Philip--"

"Wait!" Stephen cut off his own thoughts as he heard Jessica 's words, "What do you mean?"

"She is in your care,Stephen since she is your sister," Jessica replied.

"But, Aunt Jessica, you know my hands are full,"

"Oh, is that a problem? Well," Jessica stood up and put her hand around Mishka's shoulder."You will have no problem in sending her in school since she is a scholar of Wyeth. She is one of the chess player and has an advance curriculum. Though she is just eleven years old she is already on first year highschool," Jessica explained with a grin.

Stephen was hanging his mouth open in shock.

"Also, I have already contacted the Wyeth about her transfer and school, so don't you worry," Jessica added.

"You didn't do this on purpose aren't you?" Stephen said in suspicion.

"Oh no, I didn't," vigorously shook her head.

"But still Axcel--" Stephen still did not give up on excuses.

"Oh, about him, don't you worry he already knows she's coming," she cut off smiling then bend down for him to hear and whispered, "though he doesn't know about the adoption papers. So, it depends on you when are you going to spill it out to him,"

"Also, a letter arrived and he was accepted in the University of the Philippines, so there will be no reason for you to take care of her," Jessica straighten up, "You wouldn't let a poor girl walked around the neighborhood without shelter, wouldn't you?" she said while patting his shoulder.

Stephen glared at her,"You really didn't do this on purpose, huh? It looks like you really made all the preparations of her transfer,"

Jessica waved her hand vigorously,"No, not at all," she said still acting innocent. "Anyway, I have to go now," she said while checking on her watch. She then grab her suitcase and walk pass them,"I still have an appointment to catch up. If you still have any further questions you could ask her," pouting at the girl

Mishka is in awe for Jessica's fast phase.

When she was already at the door she suddenly stop on her tracks, "By the way, do you know Cynthia Borromeo? She called an hour ago telling me she's gonna sponsor the bills of Andrea..."

"Cynthia Borromeo..."Stephen said while frowning," I have heard--oh yeah, she was one of my client and so happened to be Kevin's auntie!"

Though sometimes you're stupid, but..... "You have a good judgement of character. So can we trust her?"

"Yeah...I think so. But that was so fast," Stephen said.

Jessica frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, Kevin, who is the nephew of that Cynthia, who happens to be an esco--"he cut off and glanced at Mishka,"colleague of mine, I mean, was just with me at lunch and offered to look for a sponsor for Andrea,"he look back straight to Jessica.

"Hmm..okay," she just said and went straight out of the room.