Always And Forever

Docket

The city lights shown upon the darkness that covered the sky. Distant car honks, busy streets, traffic that flooded the roads as everyone was trying to get home. Yet, George was still at his office, quietly working. Paper by paper, envelopes here and there. It was like an organized chaos.

The employees of the firm already called it a day, except his secretary who already lost counts on how many boxes of files his boss had reviewed. He glanced on a pile and read the address it was shipped from. A court in California.

George's phone screen suddenly lit. In a dimly lit room and a small illumination from a desk lamp, the phone screen was inevitable. He glanced, and his focused look was immediately replaced by a smile.

A message from Leni.
"Don't forget to eat, attorney"

He chuckled and took a picture of his cold coffee.
"Dinner", He typed and hit send.

Literally seconds later, he received a reply.
"Mamamatay ka sa kamay ko, George. Sinasabi ko sayo"

He laughed. Actually laughed. Alone. In his office. Surrounded by murder documents.
His secretary raised his eyebrows, if it wasn't his boss he would've uttered baliw.
He was about to type his reply, but was halted as his screen displayed Leonor's caller ID.

"Hello, beautiful", he greeted.
"Kadiri, end ko nalang" she jested. His smile widened.
"Good evening rin sa'yo"
"Hmm, di mo'ko madadaan sa ganyan Fererro ha"

He glanced at his coffee, then at the half eaten cracker he couldn't remember buying. He knew what she was trying to imply.

"I know" his elbow rested on the arm chair, fingers slightly massaging his temple. "I'm gonna finish this at kakain na"

"Gusto mo dalhan nalang kita jan?"

His chest softened. Every single time. No matter how stressful life became, she always cared. He fought the urge to say yes to her offer. Yes, he gets to see her, but the thought of the inconvenience she'd experience bothered him.

"Nah" he clicked his tongue "I want you to rest, nonstop yung mga shift mo"

"George-"
"I'll eat"
"Promise?"
"Scout's honor" he held his right hand up.
"Di ka naman naging scout"
"Lawyer's honor nalang"
"Mas lalong di convincing"

A laugh escaped him once again. god he loves this woman.

"How are you?" He asked after his laugh subsided.
"I visited mom and dad the other day"

He sat up straight.Without seeing her face, he still managed to notice her change of tone.

"I'm okay tho"
She wasn't. Not entirely. Not even partly.
He knew her too well but didn't push her to talk, instead...

"Do you want to eat with me? Jan lang sa place sa baba nang condo mo"

There was a short silence from the other end.

"Okay"
"I'll be there in fifteen"

After the call ended, he sat for a moment, smiling. Then reality checked in. He glanced on his table. Newspapers, notes, witness lists.

"Chester"
His secretary immediately looked up from his computer upon hearing his boss. "Attorney?"

George was already reaching for his coat and stopped midway. Grabbed a yellow legal pad and wrote something.
"I need you to make calls tomorrow"

His secretary frowned upon receiving the note.

"I need the evidence inventory from the Romero homicide investigation"

Chester read his note twice and looked back at him.
"Not the actual records attorney?"

George pointed at the pile of boxes near the window that was sent from a foreign address.

"Nandyan na, but I know kulang yan" He wore his coat, "And if the rest survived,then good"
"If not?"
"Then I need proof of their existence"

His secretary studied him. "You think something's missing sir?"
"Twenty-three witnesses", he tapped on the list. "Yet there are only seven sworn statements"
"hmm" Chester nodded, looking the note he was holding.
"I also want the case docket" George added while walking towards the door.

"The court docket?", Chester frowned again. George nodded. He was certain.
"Sir..." , his secretary sighed, "This case is older than me" , his statement implied that the official log might already been archived.

George smiled faintly, he knew the weight of his request. "I'm stubborn, Chester. You know that"
Chester was aware that nothing will stop his boss. He just lowered his shoulders and sighed in defeat.
That was George's queue to leave. "Ay, muntik na" he halted. Then grabbed 5 blue bills from his wallet. "Get yourself a dinner bud".

"Thank you attorney, kayo po?"

"Mag di-dinner din"
"Kasama si Doc Romero?"
George just smiled and winked.