In Love With The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 31

#ILWTG31 Chapter 31

Walang wifi sa apartment. Nahihilo din ako sa amoy ng pintura. I stayed in a coffee shop overnight reading related cases and anything that could help me in the case. I had always disliked working on civil cases, but it seemed like the burden doubled because I was assigned to work with Yago. It was my fault—I passed the draft that Sancho prepared. Akala siguro nila sobrang galing ko na tipong kaya kong gumabay sa mga baguhan...

Lies have their own way of coming back to bite you in the ass.

Medyo nahihilo pa ako nang makarating ako sa office. Halos wala pang tao dahil maaga pa. Agad akong dumiretso sa pantry para uminom ng kape. I needed to wake up because I knew that this was going to be a long day.

I was holding my cup of coffee when I saw Yago already doing his readings. Hindi agad ako naka-galaw sa kinatatayuan ko. Should I greet him? Should I tell him to wait for me to finish my coffee? I didn't know how to move around him anymore.

It's just sad when familiarity is replaced with formality.

"H-Hi," I said when he stood up. Kita ko ang gulat sa mukha niya. "I'll just get my papers."

Tahimik siyang tumango. Huminga ako nang malalim bago ako pumunta sa cubicle ko. I gathered my things and nagsimulang maglakad papunta sa isa sa mga conference room para ma-discuss namin iyong case. Ramdam ko na tahimik siyang naka-sunod sa akin.

"The lower court decided that the contract was rescinded—" I said, but paused when I realized that he wasn't listening. He was just staring at my face as though he was memorizing every contour of it. Agad akong huminga nang malalim. "Atty. Gomez de Liaño," pagtawag ko sa atensyon niya. "I need you to focus."

He nodded. "Right. I'm sorry, Atty. Floresca."

I strengthened the imaginary crease on my skirt as I continued to discuss the decision and how I thought we could argue our appeal. The cases that Sancho sent me were very helpful. Malakas ang tiwala ko na maipapanalo namin iyong appeal... And I badly needed this win. I wanted to make a name for myself. I knew I should work hard for this. Kasi sila Jax? They're working for whatever they have. I should, too.

"Are we clear?"

He nodded. "Crystal."

"Okay, good. Our client requested that we meet them in their hotel later at 2pm. I'll see you then, Atty.," I said as I gathered my things and went out of the office.

And I couldn't help but be proud of myself.

I did it.

Hindi ako na-tanga.

Dumiretso ako pabalik sa cubicle. Nakita ko si Yago na kinuha na naman iyong laptop niya. Nakita ko siya na naglakad papunta sa fire exit. Magta-trabaho na naman siguro sa rooftop. I didn't want to stop him. I didn't even want him here. He shouldn't be here. He should let me have my own space.

Tahimik akong nagtrabaho hanggang sa kailangan na naming umalis. But before I left, pumunta muna ako sa opisina ni Jax. He was there, as usual, buried in his piles of work.

"Hey," I said. He looked at me. I could see the guilt in his eyes. "Free ka later? I'll treat you ng dinner."

"Why?" he asked.

"Apology. I'm sorry I snapped. I was just... mad, okay? But you shouldn't be at the receiving end of my anger. I understand your position. But I hope you try to understand where I'm coming from. Alam ko namang naiintindihan mo. Pareho naman tayo ng pinagdaanan, 'di ba?" I asked although our difference was, he knew why Katherine left him... Where I was just left with no reason... Made me go crazy thinking what was so wrong with me that he left without so much as an explanation...