Rage Against The Heart (Valdemar Series #3)

Kabanata 23

23 – Deal

I woke up the next morning feeling cold. Masama ang pakiramdam ko ngunit pinilit ko pa ring pumasok ng trabaho. I am expecting a client this morning. I don't wanna reschedule it because every case is important to me.

I took a shower and prepared myself. I didn't wanna eat because I don't have an appetite. Nanghihina at masakit ang ulo ko nang dumating sa firm. Medyo late pa ako dahil sa nararamdaman ko.

I thought about Atlas and his deal last night. Buong gabing iyon ang laman ng isip ko kahit umalis na siya at iniwan akong mag-isa sa firm. Hanggang sa apartment ay iyon ang gumugulo sa akin. I don't want to marry him. Kahit kailan ay hindi ko inisip na pakakasalan ko ang lalaking iyon. We were a thing before but marrying him never came into my mind. I was young and ambitious, I never thought of marriage.

Iniayos ko lamang ang gamit ko sa firm saka dumiretso sa café kung saan ini-request ng kliyente. He said he has another appointment here so it's accessible to him. Pumayag naman ako dahil malapit lang din.

I froze when I entered the café. Walang kahit sinong tao ro'n bukod sa isang matandang babae. Her hair was twisted and has light make-up on her face. There was huge pearls on her ears and on her neck. Tipid ang bawat galaw niya habang bumubulong sa kaniya ang lalaking kasama. The man was wearing a coat and tie. It seemed like he's an assistant.

I clenched my jaw and gritted my teeth. Lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko sa galit. Kahit na ganoon, matapang akong naglakad patungo sa table niya.

What do you want, Esperanza Valdemar?

"A pleasant morning to you, Atty. Zamora."

Hinila ko ang upuan sa harap saka prenteng umupo ro'n. A fake smile was on her lips. I looked directly to her eyes and felt the rage inside me. Ang kapal ng mukha niyang magpakita sa akin matapos ang ginawa ng pamilya niya.

"Would you like some coffee or tea?"

Nagtaas siya ng kamay, kasabay no'n ang pagkilos ng assistant niya.

"Anong kailangan mo sa akin?" Malamig kong tanong.

Napatigil siya sa pakikipag-usap saka marahang bumaling sa akin. I exhaled deeply and closed my fists.

"I'm not surprised that you know I have something to talk with you."

I frowned. Of course, I would know. Hindi niya naman ako kikitain kung wala siyang kailangan. What does she think of me, tanga?

"Did the court accept your appeal?"

I answered fastly. "They didn't."

"Of course they won't. You lost the case, you failed to defend your mother."

Umigting ang panga ko. She knows that they won't because she paid them. That's what she did. Sinubuan niya ng pera ang mga taong naroon.

"I won the case. It's clear to me what your family did."

Nanliit ang mga mata niya. "What are you trying to say?"

"I don't like explaining.." I shook my head. "Hindi ba kaya ng pera mong bumili ng utak para makaintindi ka?"

Her eyes widened with my words. Kahit ang assistant niya sa tabi ay nagulat sa sinabi ko. The tea was served and I smirked. Marahan kong kinuha ang tsaa saka ngumiti.

Nanlisik ang mga mata niya sa akin. The assistant cleared his throat to catch her attention. Huminga nang malalim si Esperanza saka muling tumingin sa akin.

"I won't take too much of your time. You are a very good lawyer, I can see that. You are more than a topnotcher and much more than your latin award. You really impressed me in court.." she tilted her head. "Such a bright mind for a young lady like you."