Chapter 2

"GOOD morning, Ma'am. Table for?" The staff greeted me.

I gave a small smile. "I'm here under the reservation of Lake Mancini."

"Allow me to guide you, Ma'am."

I nodded and followed the staff while my eyes is roaming around the restaurant. Trying to familiarize myself.

"This way, Ma'am." The staff smiled and pointed a door.

Ah, a private room.

"Thank you." I said, the staff thanked me as well before leaving.

Before I open the door, I overheard their conversation.

"Ang daming article's na sumasabog."

"Maganda ang naging flow. Ang angas ng Abogado na iyon."

"Naka-broadast pa naman ito sa TV. Kaninong law firm kaya siya nagtratrabaho."

"Pabida lang kasi 'yung Prosecutor."

"Hala, bakit?"

"Life insurance, 3 million dollars."

They're talking about the case I'm representing. So it was broadcast, huh.

I'm about to enter, however...

"Sa tingin mo, ginawa niya talaga 'yon para sa pera??"

I'm about to throw fist when someone suddenly tapped me in my shoulder.

"Ciao, mio Fratello." 'Hi, my Brother.' I smiled widely and took off my shades.

"Sa'n libing?" He rolled his eyes. "You're late."

I'm wearing a sunglasses and full black outfit.

Ano ka namatayan ka sis?

"The main character always arrived late." I give him a kiss on his cheeks.

"You know, how to speak Italian now? huh?" He chuckled.

"Learning is a part of life." Natatawang saad ko. "Penge kong kape. Yaman-yaman ng firm ko ta's hindi ka manlamang magpa-starbucks."

I heard him laugh and immediately grab his phone to call his secretary.

"That's new, daming natutunan sa Italya ah?" Tsaka siya umupo sa harap ko. "At, ba't ganyan itsura mo? Did my mother died?"

Natawa ko sa sinabi niya pero mukhang seryoso siya. Tsh, hindi mabiro ang kumag. It's the latest fashion trend kaya.

"Hindi pa naman." I said softly while caressing my hair.

Mas lalo siyang natawa, nababaliw na ata. His secretary suddenly appeared before us, I just smiled a little.

Hindi kaya libre ang ngiti ko, duh!

"Yes, order for about 50 coffee."

"Yes, Sir. Have a pleasant lunch." His secretary smiled.

"Kumusta ang bakasyon mo sa Switzerland?" He asked while looking straight to me.

Tinitingnan ata pati kaluluwa ko.

I shrugged. "I just stay in Florence a couple of weeks and decided to stay for three years in Switzerland."

"Ba't ka nasa Florence?"

"I just helped a fucking friend of course." I smiled.

"So you just stayed at Florence for two weeks, then you manage to learn the language?"

I shrugged. "Well? Ako lang 'to Mancini." Natatawang saad ko. "Anyways, kumusta na itong Law Firm ko? Hindi pa naman ako nabaon sa utang 'di ba?"

"Nahh, hindi pa naman. Ako pa ba?" Mayabang na saad niya. "The mighty Mykel Lake Mancini, malulugi ang mina-manage na business? Dream on, my sister."

I rolled my eyes. "A famous Author, managing a law firm, how ironic."

He suddenly let off a cough.

"Why are we standing here? Can't we just enter?"

"You're right." He said as he opened the door.

The place suddenly have an eerie vibe. I slowly entered and smiled at them.

"ATTORNEY MIRANDAAA!!" Rinig kong sigaw ng iba tsaka dali-dali akong niyakap.

"Fayre, Elle, Myghad! Oreo! I missed you guyss, and Storm. It's nice to see you again!" Masayang saad ko habang kayakap sila.

Nang makita ko sila parang bumalik ang nakaraan. Ang mga paghihirap na dinanas ko bago ko makapunta sa kung ano'ng meron ako ngayon. I felt the pain and misery again.

Humiwalay sila sa pagkakayakap sa'kin dahilan para makita ko pa 'yung iba. Napako ang mata ko sa isang tao.

He seems familiar.

Before I drifted away because of my thoughts... I sighed, tsaka ko siniko si Mancini.

"I called you guys to introduce my sister. Attorney Elara Miranda, The owner of Pisces Law Firm."

Everyone clapped, they looked so amazed.

"Siya 'yung nasa broadcast kanina." Rinig kong bulong ng isang tao.

I guess he's new here.

"I'm looking forward on working with all of you." I smiled and sat down.

"Ahm, I'd like you to meet Thunder Centeno, twin brother of Storm a paralegal." Mancini introduce him to me.

I'm familiar with his brother, but I didn't know that he has a twin.

"Nice to meet you."

We both smiled with each other.

The, Mancini introduced another one. "This is Jaspher Lazaro the Investigator."

"Hi, nice to meet you."

He smiled. "Likewise, Attorney."

"This is Attorney Chastine Garcia the another Civil Attorney"

She smiled. "Hello, Attorney, I'll be in your care."

"Nice to meet you."

I can see her deadly stare, she's examining me.

Mancini deeply sighed before introducing another one. "Its Attorney Devon Selvantes, the new Criminal Attorney."

"Attorney Devon Selvantes?" It felt really familiar.

Where did I met him anyway? I forgot a lot since I've bee undergoing therapy for 3 years.

"I saw you again, Miss."

"Oh, I'm sorry... I'm having a hard time remembering."

"Don't worry, I'm your angel and savior."

He laughed.

My heart skipped a beat. I was struck by feelings of coldness, emptiness, and sadness. I can feel my fingers trembling.

Hinawakan ko ng madiin ang parehong kamay ko at nag-angat ng tingin.

That smile, I know that smile. I want to crush that hope.

"Well, then." I smiled. "I'm Attorney Miranda, looking forward to know you guys."

Nagsimula na kaming kumain pero dahil madadaldal sila nadaldal na rin ako. Since there are a lot of new faces here, might as well blend in.

"Kumusta ang Switzerland, Elara?" Nakangiting saad ni Fayre, siya ang pinakamatanda sa amin. I guess she can talk casually to me.

I chuckled and answered. "Switzerland pa rin."

Magulat kayo maging Pilipinas 'yon, tss.

"Kala ko, hindi ka na babalik simula no'ng nangyari 'yon." Nakangiting saad niya.

Napatigil ako saglit tsaka napatingin sa gawi niya. Nakita ko ang titig ni Mancini, agad naman akong tumingin kay Fayre para sumagot.

"May inayos lang ako ro'n, medyo napatagal nga lang." I calmly said.

"Bakit umalis si Attorney?" Tanong ni Jaspher.

I saw Attorney Garcia smirked. "Oh you didn't know?"

"Attorney, stop." Biglang singit ni Elle.

"There's an issue, 3 years ago. A very proud Attorney, made a complete mess inside the courtroom by slicing her wrist."

She looked at me.

"Familiar, huh?"

Mancini suddenly stood up. "Attorney I have to stop you befor-"

"You're right, that's me." I stood up without any emotion. "I'm the proud Attorney who attempt to commit suicide inside the courtroom.

I looked at Chastine. "Will that satisfy your curiosity?"

"You look proud saying you're suicidal."

I scoffed. "I'm not trying to come clean unlike you, Attorney."

I grabbed my bag. "Well, this is a pleasant lunch... Thank you for welcoming me."

I was about to leave when Chastine also stood up.

What now? Do I even know her that deeply for her to interrogate me like this.

"Your license to practice should be revoke."

I turned my back to face her. "Why are you so invest with my life?"

"I just want to know how you escape the law so easily."

I smirked and slowly leaned to her. "I am the Law."

I laughed and turned my back once more to give some reminder.

"Remember, you're working under me. I'm not gonna raise an unfaithful dog who will bite her own owner."

-E.I-