Hate The Game (COMPLETED)

Chapter 27

"It's not that big of a deal," tahimik na sabi ko. "You're a lawyer now. It doesn't matter kung ilang beses ka nag-exam. Iisa lang naman ang destinasyon natin."

It almost felt like a script.

It almost felt rehearsed.

The words just rolled out of my tongue.

Because years ago, that was what I kept telling Samuel... pero para siyang bingi sa mga salita ko.

"That's nice of you," she said.

Tumingin ako sa kanya. Hinigpitan ko iyong pagkaka-hawak ko sa ballpen ko at pinigilan iyong sarili na diretsahin na siya. Hindi ko siya kilala. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang trip niya.

"Ms. Nuevas," I said. "Since we're both lawyers, can we skip to the part ng annulment?" I asked.

"So, you're accepting the case?"

"Not yet," I said.

"Then, I can't talk about the case."

"Then, why are you here?" diretsang tanong ko habang naka-tingin sa mga mata niya.

And I fucking hated how when I look at her, all I could think about was that I was looking at Samuel's present... and that I was nothing but a part of his past.

"Because I want you as my lawyer."

"Why me?"

"You're practicing family law, right?"

"I am."

"Then, why are you asking me why I chose you?"

Huminga ako nang malalim.

"Shanelle," I said. "Can I call you Shanelle?"

"You can," she replied as she was staring at me. Ano ang nagustuhan ni Samuel sa babae na 'to? Because looking at her, she was the exact opposite of what Samuel told me he liked. Kasi ang naaalala ko, sinabi niya na gusto niya iyong babaeng magulo, iyong babaeng maingay, iyong babae na gugulo sa tahimik niyang buhay.

O baka nagbago na siya.

Baka ayaw niya na sa ganoon.

Dahil sa akin.

"Wag na tayong maglokohan," sabi ko sa kanya.

"I don't want an annulment," sagot niya.

"I think naliligaw ka, Miss," kalmadong sabi ko sa kanya.

Seriously, what's her deal? Kasi kung ayaw niya ng annulment, bakit siya nandito sa harapan ko? Hindi ba niya naisip na baka may feelings pa ako sa asawa niya at baka gawin ko lahat ng makakaya ko para maghiwalay sila?

Ano ba'ng problema niya?!

"No, I know why I'm here," she repeated. "I want you. As my lawyer. In my annulment case," she added. "Even better kung hindi na makakarating doon."

Saglit kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko at huminga nang malalim. Kung alam ko na lang na ito ang mangyayari ngayong araw, sana hindi na lang ako pumasok. Sana nahiga na lang ako sa kama buong araw.

"Why me?"

"Aren't you a competent lawyer?" she asked in a tone that made me want to throw her out of my office.

"I am," I replied.

"Then take my case."

Tumitig ako sa kanya. What's her game? Why me? Ano ang meron sa akin para pumunta pa siya rito? She's hiding something... Impossible na ako lang ang kilala niyang family lawyer.