CHAPTER 05

I just looked at the canned beers that my friend Catleya put on the table that I was sitting at and then I quickly took one of them and opened it forcely.

"Jeez. If you just don't have a big problem right now... I assure you, you won't entice me to drink this evening." She told me and then sat down in front of me as she took a canned beer for her own.

By the way, she is Catleya Santa Mesa, she is one of my friends here in the province. We did not lose our connections even I leave this town long time ago so our relationship is still strong like before. She is an pre school teacher here in our town that’s why she had second thoughts when I persuaded her to drink this evening. Of course, she need to keep her respected name here as a teacher.

"It's a good thing it's Saturday tomorrow so I don't  have to go to school with hang over." She added sighing.

I just drank almost halfway through my beer without realizing it. A few seconds later I felt like she was just staring at me so I didn't even look at her because I already knew what she was thinking. Maybe she felt sorry for me or she pity me.

"I don't want to interfere to your problem Leigh, it's just that... the lawyers in the city in this days really prioritize the money. Most of them are greedy. They can't entertain you if you can't give what they want or show to them that you are capable of paying them." she spoke gently to me with concern.

I sighed loudly. Actually, that is not what I am thinking right now because my problem is about what happened earlier between me and Wayne. But because she already mentioned that topic, I can’t help it but to also think about it.

And I still don't know if I'll tell Catleya about our unexpected confrontation of Wyane because she knew him. 

"You know Leigh, this is just my opinion okay. You are now at your right age. You're twenty -five and it's normal for you to get married at that age. Why don't you just accept Pio's offer? He has been chasing and courting you for a long time and he has proven his love many times. Why don’t you consider him this time." She said.

Because of that, I throw her with a serious look before I speak, "I will not leave our land Catleya. I will not give it up without fighting. You probably know how important this is to me," I answered.

She nodded lightly and hold my hand. "All right, let's get to the point where that is really important to you. It's just that... you know it’s not easy to find a big amount of money in your situation, right? You are jobless and of course... its not easy to find job." She said with full of concern.

Because of those facts that she said, I started drinking my beer again.

I didn’t really know what to do anymore.

But because Catleya and I are also talking about serious things— maybe I should tell her about Wayne, she's a teacher so I know she can understand my situation. Besides, I also have no intention of telling her everything about personal thing that we had talked especially about that thing. You know what I mean. 

"The truth is..." I intentionally hang my words first because I drink a little more of my beer again before giving her a serious look. "I saw Wayne earlier," I continued and the weakness in my voice was immediately noticeable.

Catleya almost choked because of what I told her. This is really a shocking news that’s why I already expect her to be that surprised. I drink the remaining of my beer to averted my gaze at her.

"W- Wayne? You mean, y-your ex?" She asked incredulously.

"Yeah. He's the lawyer I confronted earlier," I gave more information on what happened.

"So, he's a lawyer now." She said and I nodded as my responsed.

"Not just a lawyer, because it came out to his own mouth that he was one of the BEST lawyers in the country," I said and I drank the last drop of my canned beer and then opened another one.

"Is he mad at you? Did you explain why you left? Did you say the reason why?" She asked one question after another and because of that I could not help but lift the edge of my lip.

"He never asked, like— he doesn't care at all," I replied and I was really hurt by that fact.

I could see earlier that he seemed to be hurt and there’s also hatred on his eyes but the fact that he didn't ask, I knew immediately that he didn't care anymore. "And one more thing, even if he asks-- I have no intention of answering that," I added.

"What? Why? He has a right to know." 

"You're right. He has the right to know but there's nothing to say anymore. I left! And I left him without saying goodbye. 5 years to be exact... and I think saying the reason why is just nonsense. I saw the size of his changed earlier, if it used to be hard to reach him before, it's even harder now. And people like him—" I hang my words and shrug my head as I continue. "It’s really nonsense." 

"What's your ex's full name again? Because if he's really good then I should know him." Catleya said randomly after a few seconds of silence between us. 

"Wayne, Wayne Harden Ferrer."

I noticed the automatic enlargement of her eyes as well as the covering of her hand over her mouth. Wait! Is she shocked?

"Oh my god! As in OH MY GOD ?!" she said in so much shock reason why I can’t help it but to frown.

"What? Why?!"

"Girl, you will win your case when he becomes your lawyer." She spoke as if she was hundred percent sure. "Whatever your case is, you will definitely win with his help." She exclaimed.