The Iced Gems Series

Sapphire: Guilty as Charged

WARNING: Some scenes may not be suitable to young readers. Read at your own risk.

Dedicated sa pusong sawi ni Elijah, haha. Enjoy reading!! ;)

-Reese

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The world revolves around two Ls --- laws and love.

Law is a mandate that should be followed and respected. Some people try to outwit it oftentimes. They've succeeded, yes, but not for too long. The law may sometimes be lax but never too generous, implying that rules might not always be on your side for saving. Whereas love is the affection that inspires us to continue appreciating the beauty of life. It can make us blush and smile, but it can also break us. If you were lucky enough, you would just cry for a night. But if not? Good luck.

These two... could they possibly collide? Would you break the law to save yourself from love? Or would you rather religiously follow it and cry over a shattered heart?

***

"I hereby declare the defendant not guilty. In accordance with the Civil Code and the governing Law on Sale, petitioners must surrender the prestation of this proceeding --- the patent --- to its rightful owner, and pay the defendant the necessary amount for exemplary damages. The losing party shoulders the cost of the litigation. Court dismissed," said by the presiding judge. Good that he arrived at a wise decision. Saka niya ipinampukpok yung hawak nyang gavel o yung parang martilyong kahoy na nasa podium niya during the whole proceeding.

Narinig kong nagtatatalak yung sa kabilang kampo at sinisisi yung abogado nila. I felt sympathy towards my colleague in the profession. Simula pa lang kasi, questionable na ang mga ebidensyang pinipresenta nila. But I bet the old lawyer did what he can to save his clients' company from humiliation. Napailing na lang ako. Nagsilapitan naman sa akin yung mga kliyente ko.

"You are indeed one of the best lawyers in town, Atty. Montenegro," bati sa akin ni Engr. Trinidad, ang COO ng kompanyang humingi ng serbisyo ko. His happiness is evident on his gruesome features. This man must have had sleepless nights --- countless of it --- because of this case.

"Thank you for the compliment, as well as for trusting our firm with this case Sir, but there is really no need for it. Not that I am being self-righteous here, but I was merely performing my sworn duties and responsibilities as a lawyer. And, if not for your company's cooperation, we would not be able to unravel this mystery. We would not be enlightened that this is all part of their show --- an audacious attempt to taint your company's reputation and jeopardize its operations with an ulterior motive of avenging their late executives who also lost the same patent suit 10 years ago. And of course, their hope to win the case and claim financial damages," mahabang sagot ko.

Natawa naman sina Mr. Trinidad at yung iba pa nyang mga kasama sa opisina. Ano bang nakakatawa sa sinabi ko? I'm freaking serious. (Sabay wiggle ng eyebrows, haha)

As if nabasa nila yung nasa isip ko, nagsalita ulit sya. "You're surely different, Atty. Montenegro. You're dedication is unbelievable." I inwardly sighed. It's called pressure. Hindi ko nga lang masabi yun sa kanila, so I laughed along.

Inakbayan naman ako ni Engr. Severino, isa sa mga mas nakababatang inhinyero sa kompanya nila. "Why don't you take a break Elijah? That's too much for you for the past few months. Get laid and have fun," natatawang payo nya pa sa akin na tinawanan nung mga mas nakakatanda. Kung alam mo lang engineer. *smirks*

I looked at my wristwatch and found that it's already past six. "Gentlemen, if you won't mind, I'll be going. May imi-meet pa kasi ako," paalam ko.

"Yun o!" malakas na kantyaw sa akin kaya natawa na lang ako.

"Not at all Elijah. Sige na, nang makarami ka. Salamat ulit Attorney," nakangising sabi ni Engr. Trinidad saka nakipagkamay. Tapik naman sa balikat ang ibinigay nung iba.