CHAPTER 02

"What did you just say? Leigh Devon?" I at once asked him, and he quickly glared at me. I need to clarify if what I heard is correct... it has been ages since I heard that name.

"You knew her?" He astonishingly asked me.

So, I really heard him right. I quickly closed the folder I was holding to pay attention to him.

"What's her case?" I asked directly. He handed me the folder that Yella gave him earlier, which I quickly accepted.

"It's just about a land case." He answered me as I now looked at what was inside. "Why? Are you interested? That is just a small case Ferrer, her defense isn't quite strong." I didn't look at him because I was busy looking at what was written on the paper.

Her file says she is the complainant.

"His late father has a lot of debts to an old woman... and if I'm not mistaken the old women, Ms. Cruz wants the land to be the payment for all the debts that left behind and Ms. Devon did not agree so she filed a case against Ms. Cruz." Brent explained to me, and I looked at him this time.

"And what's the problem? Why don't you accept it?" I asked more.

"Apart from the fact that her case is not that strong, she's asking for a pro bono. And I told her before that I’m not still available for a pro bono yet and now... she filed the paper again showing that she will pay me half first. I have many pending cases so I can't really accept him. Then the whole next month I might stay at El Zey Company. And then of course, I'll prioritize my fully paid clients." 

I close the folder. "Okay... then pass this case to me," I said seriously, and I noticed the frown on his forehead again as if wondering.

"Wayne, are you serious? She can't even pay my retainer fee that's worth 25,000 pesos per hour compared to you that 250,000 per hour?" He guesses.

Yes! You read it right. My retainer fee is much higher than others. Trial lawyers are expensive. But of course, it still depends on if the case appealed to the higher court like court of appeals and the supreme court. Well, majority of cases that I managed appealed on the supreme court that's why my fee doubled or even tripled in just an hour. "Then I'll make a pro bono," I answered back.

He laughed at me like I throw a corny joke. "Are you f*cking kidding me? Your signature is f*cking precious like hell bro. Tell me, what's the catch?"

I can't help it but to smirk at him and stand up quickly. I have no intention of answering that. That's too personal. 

When I was about to turn my back on him to leave the office, he spoke again that made me stop. "You knew her, don't you?”

"Maybe yes, maybe no," that's all I answered and then finally left the office while I was holding the folder.

Yes. I f*cking knew her. I knew everything about her... but that was before because now, I think that's going to change! It's been almost 5 years and I don't really expect that we'll ever meet again. ESPECIALLY HERE AT MY OWN LAW FIRM!

I adjusted my coat and when I met Celine which is my intern, I quickly stopped walking.

"Go to the waiting area, call Leigh Devon and send her to the meeting room. Don't say anything to her,"

"Yes Attorney." She answered.

I finally entered the meeting room and at once sat down in front of a long table here inside. While waiting for her, I face the transparent wall and keep smirking out of nowhere. I did not expect that we would meet here again. What is really the catch? You will see.

After minutes, I heard a soft knock on the door. I am 100% sure that is her, so I didn't waste any more time looking back at her. I just heard the door close softly until she said, "Attorney Ong?" she called from behind. Her voice is still sweet like before.

She thought that I was Brent, so I slowly stood up and then slowly faced her. I noticed the automatic widening of her eyes... in shock maybe when she saw me. I at once make a scan of her from her head to toe, secretly.

Nothing much has changed in her, except her wavy light brown hair and a sexy body that is not like before. Her breast has also grown a bit, which is not it used to be. I smirk in my own thoughts. She still looks beautiful on her simple white blouse and her faded jeans.

"You seem amused," I said and smirk after scanning her visual.

"W- Wayne." She mentioned my name.

I smirk again. She was obviously guilty of what she had done before. I noticed it because I am a lawyer.

"Yeah. It’s good that you still know me," I said nonchalantly.

She gulped badly. "I'm- I'm here for Attorney Ong, n-not you."

I knew that she is nervous at these times, I can sense it. I slowly stepped closer to her, but she quickly backed away from me, so I smiled again. "I don't bite... don't be afraid," And then I smirk.

I started approaching her again and this time, she remained stiff while fighting my gazes. "Leigh Devon, I didn't expect that we would meet here," I said while looking directly into her eyes. There was no emotion in the tone of my voice because I was not sure if I was happy to meet her again.

"Y-yeah, I also didn't expect to see you here W-Wayne Ferrer." She said stuttering.

We stared at each other for a few minutes and seemed to be reading each other’s thoughts. She didn’t even look bother. "Why don't we sit down, so we can talk better," I said and turned my back on her.

I was about to step back to the table when she spoke again which made me a little taken aback.