The Ruthless (Quantum Meruit Series #1)

12. Dream

12.
Dream

━━━━━━━

Acaimie was in bad shape when we came. Halos hindi namin siya nakausap nang matino. Tulala siya at parang wala sa sarili.

According to Ate Mira, the authority was preparing to file a case against her. Methamphetamine hydrochloride was found in Acaimie's possession. Hindi ko alam kung ilang gramo pero abot-abot ang dasal ko na sana, at least iyong pinakamababang parusa ang katapat.

"Do you believe she'd been into drugs, Ate?" mahinang tanong ko nang iwan na namin si Acaimie sa loob.

"No." Napatingin ako kay Bredant. His eyes were deadly and his jaw was clenched. "Cai's not that type, Will."

"He's right," Ate Mira concurred. "I swear that guy has got to do with this. Hindi talaga ako tiwala sa lalaking 'yon."

"Tingin niyo may kinalaman si Faller dito?"

"We can't rule out that possibility. Anyway, where the hell is he?"

Bumuntong-hininga na lamang ako dahil wala nang masabi pa. Bredant was also extra-sensitive with the issue since he was the closest to Acaimie. I didn't want to be the villain by stating possibilities.

I knew Acaimie. Somehow I believed she wasn't guilty. She could be mischievous and naughty sometimes but she wasn't the type to commit the crime to be charged against her.

But she once confessed being a drug dependent before. However, she was more into marijuana. And she said she stopped after she entered law school.

Hindi ko na talaga alam.

"Good evening po, Prosec. Calleja."

Confused, I looked at my friends and found them with our former professor. My lips parted when I was reminded he was the one who brought me here. Narito pa pala siya!

Prosec. Calleja smiled and my conscience scraped my insides. "Good evening. Kumusta ang kaibigan niyo?"

It was almost eight p.m. Magdadalawang oras kaming nasa presinto at magdadalawang oras na rin siyang naghihintay. I thought he had left! I was in a rush earlier that I wasn't able to properly thank him for the ride. Nakakahiya!

The chat endured for some minutes and I was there listening awkwardly. The more he smiled, the more I smelled my stinking embarrassment. We just came from work and I was certain he wanted to rest. I should have just pushed to commute and didn't disturb him.

"Everything will be okay, Miss Barrameda."

Nilingon ko si Prosec. Calleja. The two had left minutes ago. Kami na lang pala ang narito.

If it was just that easy . . .

I sheepishly smiled. "Pasensya na po pala sa abala. Hindi ka na po sana naghintay."

"I was curious, too. So it wasn't really a problem." He paused. "Shall we go?"

Tumango ako. Binuksan niya ang sasakyan at iniumang sa akin ang puwesto sa tabi ng driver's seat.

"I'm kind of hungry. Okay lang ba kung kumain muna tayo?" he asked when he entered.

"Sige po."

I shouldn't have really involved him.

Habang nasa daan ay wala kaming imikan. I didn't mind, though. In fact, I was grateful. Naglakbay ang isip ko sa nangyari kanina. Nanghula sa surpresa ng mga susunod na araw. Natakot sa kung ano pang babagsak para sa amin.

When I testified for Soshila, I promised myself that I would never set foot on the witness stand again. The procedure was tedious and scary. But fate decided to play bitch on me – on us.