The Hidden Duchess

CHAPTER 12

The Hidden Duchess | Royalty Series 1

Krizzybabes

"Attorney!" His client, Ms. Sembrano, together with her family, exited not long after Vienson, and they caught us in that moment, stopping in their tracks as they looked at us.

My gaze met Ms. Vanessa Sembrano’s, so I gave her a friendly smile, and she returned it, though with a hint of teasing for both me and Vienson, which made it awkward.

Vien, embarrassed, gripped the sides of my waist as he pulled away to face his clients, releasing an awkward cough. Kaya lalo lang napangiti ang babae at ang pamilya nito sa kaniyang reaksyon, and I couldn’t help but feel shy. Wala naman kasi yung malisya sa'kin eh; there’s nothing going on between us. He’s just tired; that’s why I let him rest on my shoulders for a while.

Vienson cleared his throat and straightened as he spoke, “Mr. and Mrs. Sembrano, Ms. Sembrano,” he greeted in a formal tone to mask his embarrassment. “I’m sorry for my sudden exit earlier; I was just trying to catch someone. Nauna kasi siyang lumabas, kaya nagmadali ako para maabutan,”  he explained, and the family nodded in understanding.

“Walang problema, attorney. Gusto lang namin magpasalamat sa’yo. Kung hindi ikaw ang abogado namin, siguradong hindi magkakaroon ng hustisya ang nangyari sa anak ko, lalo na’t malakas ang kapit at impluwensya ng taong gumahasa sa kaniya,” the mother said, her eyes softening as she looked at Vienson.

“Sobrang laki ng utang na loob namin sa’yo, attorney. Hindi po namin alam kung paano kayo mababayaran,” the father added, and their daughter agreed, nodding.

“Hindi ko po alam kung ano’ng mangyayari sa kaso kung hindi ikaw ang naging abogado namin, attorney. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa tulong nyo,” she thanked him sincerely.

Vienson responded with a reassuring smile, tapping Mr. Sembrano’s shoulder. “Wala po kayong utang na loob sa’kin, Mr. and Mrs. Sembrano, Vanessa. Ginawa ko lang ang trabaho ko at kung ano ang dapat. I offered my services for free, kaya wala kayong dapat bayaran,” he said, and I couldn’t help but feel touched by his humility and kindness. I didn’t expect it.

Mrs. Sembrano and her daughter grew emotional as they looked at Vienson, the man I’d always known to be a bit of a jerk and arrogant. Now, I wasn’t sure what to believe, because the person standing beside me felt different.

Since that day, something changed between Vienson and me. We still have a boss-employee relationship and act normal in front of colleagues, but I know something has shifted in how I see him.

We often smile at each other now, and though there’s still a barrier between us, it’s not as strong as before. We’ve become closer, but I’m still guarded, just in case.

“Hi, good evening.” I wasn’t even surprised to hear his voice behind me, so I looked back and smiled.

“Good evening,” I replied.

Every night, when everyone else is asleep, it’s become a habit for us to stay up and talk, since we can’t do that while everyone’s awake. Especially now that Mama Mila is back at work, dahil sa bilis ng isang buwan. Matagal na rin sana akong aalis sa pagtatrabaho dito, but Manang Lydia and our other co-workers asked me to stay. Napamahal na rin naman ako sa kanila, and I’ve grown to enjoy my work.