“Congratulations, Attorney Galvez.” I smiled at att Raegan Ignacio. He's one of our contract lawyers here. "You're a highly skilled lawyer who knows how to make evidence suppressed in court. You amaze me."
“Thank you, Attorney.” I replied. He was also present in the court earlier to watch the final trial of my client. I just got my client acquitted, and by that, I had to overwork myself preparing for trials and cross examinations, motions, and too much stress. Dang, I feel so tired. I just want to go home to my son so I excused myself politely for I still have personal things to do. When I got into my old SUV in the parking area, I immediately dialed Yana’s number. “Ciao!” she greeted lively. “So how did the trial goes? did you win? Tell me you did!” I smiled. “I did..” “Gosh! You haven’t lost a trial before! I’m so proud of you!” I felt my heart flattered hearing her voice. She’s been my best friend since then. Though I’m six years older than her, we became close because I was her tutor in political science when I was in law school. “Thanks, how are you?” I asked. She’s now in Palawan and I haven’t seen her for two years because her parents prohibits her from leaving there. “I am very fine, Celine. Aries is taking care of me so you don’t have to worry. Worry about the father of your son who doesn’t have any idea that you had a child!” She laughed as if she’s finding it funny. Well, it somewhat turns out like that. We talked for some minutes while I drive my way home. We are now staying here at La Cuevas with my son, Cohen. He’s in the apartment that I rented and we’ve been staying there for eight months already. I decided to move here with my son because he’s been bugging me about his father. I actually considered telling him that his father’s death, but my conscience won’t allow it. Now, we’re here waiting for a good time to introduce them to each other. I’m sure he’s now a successfull surgeon. He’s always been at the top of his class back then. He can even outstand anyone in medschool without even trying. He’s just so good at everything. I heard my phone ring again so I reached for it quickly. I saw Kyo’s name on the screen. He’s a college student and the only one I trust here with my son. He takes care of Cohen when I’m not around, and I pay half of his school expenses in return. He lives next door alone to our home. “Celine! Where are you? Something bad happened to Cohen!” I heard his voice shaking on the other line. I automatically felt shivers all around my body. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I started to panic. “W-What What happened to Cohen?! Kyo, what happened to my son?!” I exclaimed looking at the hanged rosary in my rearview mirror. God, I have a bad feeling about this. “He was shot! Cohen was shot!--” I suddenly lost it. I mindlessly stepped on the brake and my head banged on the steering wheel. “Ah.. shit,” I felt pain all over my head. My temples are throbbing and my heart’s about to explode from too much fear. “--were here at the LCDH… Celine? Celine what happened?!” I heard the beeping sound of the cars behind me. Thankfully I’m still conscious and nothing worst happened to me, except blood running out of my forehead, I don’t care. My son was fucking shot. Oh God, Cohen! I immediately pulled around my car and drove my way to LCDH. I prayed and prayed while driving. Lots of possibilities went on my mind and for the stress that I’ve got these past few days, I feel like my mind’s about to crash. When I reached the hospital, I asked the nurse. “Is there a gun patient here? H-he’s a child and it just happened a while ago.” I couldn’t even recognize my trembling voice. “Yes ma’am, you just came after him. He’s now being transferred to the OR.” I ran to the elevator and pressed the floor for the OR. ”Fuck, please, please baby. Hang on there, mommy’s here-- what the fuck is wrong with this!” I slammed the elevator door out of frustration. My heart is pounding so loud that I could lose my mind if I won’t make it there in a second. When it opened, I saw Kyo walking back and forth, gripping his hair and shaking his head. “Kyo!”I called him beside the ER. “C-Celine..” He looked apologetic but I held him for a hug. He cried on my shoulder and I understand how he must be feeling. He’s traumatized for seeing a terrible thing, but I’m in total despair because it’s my son. I held his shoulder and cheek to face me. “Look at me, Kyo.” He obliged. “What did you see?” “T-there were two men in a motorcycle, the one on the back ride shot Cohen on the shoulder… I was… I was shocked, I couldn’t protect your son, I’m so--” “I’ll take care of it, for now, you’ll need to cooperate with the police. Tell them everything and make sure you always lock your doors when you get home. I’ll ask for your protection so you don’t have to--” “I don’t care about myself, Celine! Your son’s shot right before my eyes! You should resent me!” I inhaled deeply to prevent my tears from falling again, “Calm down, Kyo. I’ll talk to the doctor--” I stopped talking when my eyes caught someone coming out of the emergency room. Dashing in his white lab coat, gray slacks, and a stethoscope on his left hand, he looks different now. His face in general didn’t change, but some of his features I remember back then became sharper and more manly. His natural grumpy and serious expression is still there as if he’s ready to raise hell to anyone who’ll get in his way. His body now looks better and more defined in many ways. And that.. smell. Like me, he’s also taken aback without sudden interaction after three years. “Are you the guardian?” He asked me in the coldest way I could hear from him. I nodded “H-he’s my son.” He stilled. I saw his Adam’s apple moved.“How is he? Is he critical? Does he need to be operated?” I panicked again. He became more serious and distant. Seeing him like this makes my heart break into pieces. I could even recall myself with him back then, when I could still hold, kiss, and tame his beast inside. I can only wish I did the right decision to leave him back then. But where did my feet take me? Here. In front of him. Again. “He’ll be fine after the operation.” I sighed in relief. “T-thank you, Lore-- doc. Please save my son..” Our son. I added in my mind. He didn’t paid much attention to what I’ve said, but he looked dangerously at Kyo as if he’s some kind of trash that needs to be disposed of. What kind of stare is that? When he shifted his gaze again at me, my heart instantly reacted the same way as it does every time he’ll look at me three years ago. It’s still here. The same feelings I felt for him. The same old thing I had for him. I just hope he feels the same way too. “For now, come with me.” I almost dropped on bended knees when his familiar scent enveloped my nose once again as he walked past by me. When I realized what he just said, thousands of voltages came rushing through my veins, sending unbelievable nerves in every bit of my body. He’s now walking away from me, just like what I did to him back then, but unlike him who never looked back at me.. I’ll follow him. I’m gonna chase the biggest star in my sky.—————
DISCLAIMERThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Content warning: This book contains strong language and explicit content that may not be suitable for young readers. Read at your own risk.
“Mierda! Can I just skip these?! It's fucking long!” Yana exclaimed pertaining to the Philippine Constitution I made her read. “No.” I firmly said. She’s a third-year student taking Political Science at the University of the Philippines. She hired me as her tutor since I also need extra income. “But I already read the Australian Constitution! Mi fa male la testa!” “You’re here in the Philippines now and that’s just the fundamentals of your course.” She’s originally from Italy but studied in Australia with the same course. "What about you? You’re supposed to teach me, why are you just writing there?" She's really like a child. "I'm writing your reviewer so you won't have to read everything you need. Shut up and read what I told you to." I’m six years older than her. I’m taking law at the UP College of Law here in Diliman just the same with her. She frowned at her beautiful face. “Non Voglio.” I can’t even understand her. I heaved a sigh and nodded before closing her
“What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I blinked when Yana clicked her fingers in front of me. “O-oh.. nothing. Where are we again?” I asked when I finally came back to my right mind. I was dumbfounded thinking about that rude pervert earlier. I just can’t believe I embarrassed myself twice in front of him. Damn it. “Hmm, é abbastanza. I’m tired!” She said as she closed her book. I creased my forehead. “Huh? No way, you can’t be lazy like that every time.” I grabbed the book from her hand to open it again. She still wasn’t familiar with the basics so she have a long way to go. And I’m her tutor so it also affects my image if she messed up. “We can continue this tomorrow, I have a party to attend!” She said. “Party?” “Sí. Par-ty.” She rolled her eyes. “Where?” Is that the party that Kate’s talking about? She stopped arranging her things. “Hm… I think it’s in RB? Not sure." I knew it. "Should I drop you off?” I just shrugged and yawned. “I’m good. Take
Days passed and my path never crossed again with Loren’s. My performance in both work and law school went well, except for the multiple attempts of guys in getting my number. The landlady also had visited me twice already. I just can’t budget my salary for my daily expenses and school. I’m thankful that she somehow understands, though. I am now here at The Lib again, and as usual, I am doing digests and lots of readings and ghostwriting for extra income. Law school is probably the most consuming time of my life. So I ought to make sure that it’s gonna be worth it in the end. I was moving on to the next case when Kate suddenly sat in front of me. “You okay?” I asked. She looked pale and her nose is reddish. “It’s so cold outside.” She muttered after sipping on my coffee. I just looked at the transparent glass wall beside me and nodded before resuming my digests. I was handwriting them because it was ordered in our memo. During my first year, my penmanship sucks so I tho
I tightened my grip on his polo because of the coldness. When he noticed that, he immediately turned off the ac. I turned my head to the window and bit my lip. When I turned to him, I saw his grip on the steering wheel tightened too, causing his veins to be more visible on his firm arms. I remember what Kate told me about veins. ‘It means they masturbate often!’ I shut my eyes hardly and shook my head. Now I can’t let his image while doing ‘it’ out of my mind! Damn it, Kate. “Are you going to work?” I opened my eyes. Wait, how did he knew I have work? And why is he here in Diliman? Does he live here? “I’ll go home first.” He nodded slowly while looking at the road. Why does he look different now from earlier? I showed him the direction to my house in Sta. Mesa, and he stopped his car in front of my apartment. “T-thanks.” I said and hurriedly held the door handle to go out but stopped when he spoke. “I’ll give you five minutes. I’ll drive you to your work.” I turned to
I'm in The Lib with Yana for our session. She’s sipping on her milk shake while I make her pointers.“Anyway, Loren asked me yesterday about you.” She said.“About me?”“Yeah, he’s my only neighbor at the 15th floor in Rockwell since that’s exclusive. He told me he has something to tell you so I gave him your name and workplace.” I stopped writing and sighed. So she's his source of information. “You told me he carried me out of the bar last time, right? Did you two talk?”I creased my forehead. “No.” I resumed writing.“Really? Anyway he wouldn’t dare to hit on you.” She remarked so I looked at her. “Duh? You’re famous in Ateneo for being a man hater!” She snapped so I unbelievably opened my mouth.“What?”“Remember the guys you’ve turned down before? Most of them are from Admu and Feu. Loren’s at the top of Admu medicine and I’m sure he’s heard about you!” She added.I transfixed my gaze and sighed in disbelief. I know I’m always grumpy, but I never thought that people would take it
"Truth or dare?" Question of the woman wearing a spaghetti strap crop top and shorts. She looks very drunk already. She was the loudest earlier and I found he very funny."Ahm .. dare!" Yana replied so they shouted.I slightly tilted my head because of the noise. "Kiss Nate!" The woman responded quickly so they all laughed.Nate is her classmate i guess, who is also a civil engineering student. "Seriously?" Yana asked with a laugh. No, girl, it's just a joke."All right! It's your birthday today and you're 20 so don't be kj!" The woman said. I think her name was Leslie.That's okay with me, Yana's at the right age but I just hope Nate doesn't expect too much because there's nothing in Yana's vocabulary to take seriously."Okay, let's go!" She said and stood up, Nate suddenly sat down and met Yana's mouth when she approached him."Ooohh!""Score!""HAHAHAHA!"I smiled and averted my eyes because they had been kissing for a long time. I caught sight of Loren who was sitting in front of
"How are you there, Celine?" My mother asked from the other line.I stirred the egg on the sardines in the pan before answering, "I'm fine here, how about you?" I asked back."We're doing fine here, too. Cole visits here often and brings us food." She answered so I nodded softly even though he couldn't see.Cole is my childhood friend in Nueva Ecija who is also studying Law now at the University of Cebu - Main Campus. We were both supposed to study here in Manila, but he didn't pass the LSAT of UP and he was lucky to pass there so he didn't go."I see. How about Gino? where is he?" I asked.Gino is my younger brother, he is only two years old because mom is still young. He was the son of her new husband, but left use too in the end. We found out the he had another family in another country. Anyway he also had no intention of holding sustaining Gino's needs so the child was not named after him. Mom was only 17 when I was born and Gino followed me when I was 24."He's already playing wi
“Where are you going?” I asked when I saw Kate, carrying two boxes.She stopped and turned to me and smiled, “Oh, Ateneo.” I stoppped walking. What? “I’ll give this to Ella. Do you know her?”Ateneo? That’s where Loren studies. Though, I don’t actually care."You gotta treat my fare.” I said and carried one box for her.She automatically smiled and nodded.WOW. That’s the only word I could use to describe how fascinated I am to see Ella for the first time. She has a fair skin with long straight hair. Her features are all so mature yet so youthful. I don’t really know how to describe her. I just know that she’s quite a match for Yana.“Thank you, Kate. I’m sorry for the trouble.”"It's nothing!" Ella smiled and turned to me so I was surprised."Ah! This is Celine, my orgmate at UP. Celine, Ella, president of ALDAS." Kate introduced us so my eyes almost popped out.She's the president of Ateneo Law Debate and Advocacy Society? So she's also a law student too?"Hi, Celine. Pleasure to me