Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

27

"She's a lolo's girl," sambit ko kay Marco. He looked at me. "Mostly si Dad ang kasama niya every day."

"You weren't present most of the time?" He was looking at me warily.

"I had to work a lot back then in Italy, Marco. I still haven't took the BAR again that time and I quitted acting, so my income was really through directing my films. Paiba-iba ako ng lugar. I don't want to depend on Dad's money rin. Lahat ng kailangan ni Qeila, gusto kong galing sa paghihirap ko," paliwanag ko.

"Nandito na ako," he uttered sincerely.

That night, I was able to sleep from all the exhaustion I was feeling. But the next day, I worked a lot. Marco, after his duty, usually visits in the penthouse for Kie. Hindi kami nag-uusap kung hindi tungkol kay Kie.

"The Regional Trial Court of Makati, Branch 137, found accused Benjamin Joachim Valmorida, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of rape of his cousin, Calista Eunice Mercader. Sentencing him to suffer the penalty reclusion perpetua."

My lips rose up in a triumphant smirk as I listened to the decision of the judge for Benjamin Valmorida. Patong-patong ang kaso niya, hindi lang iyong kay Cali. He wasn't the only Valmorida I sent to jail, but also Enzo due to his frustrated murder towards Magnus Fortalejo.

I did it...

But I'm sure they will be after me. May not be now, tomorrow... but they will be haunting me.

"You just got lucky on this one, Marquez. I always win my client's, Benjamin, cases. He's innocent." Attorney Reyes looked apoplectic.

"When will you change?" I gave him a disappointed smile before leaving, not wanting to use my remaining energy to argue with him. He's not worth it.

Pinalibutan kaagad ako ng sandamamak na bodyguards habang papalabas ako ng korte at nag-uunahan ang mga media. I kept a straight face and held my head up while walking to my car. Luckily, I did arrive at my car with no bullets flying in the air.

Simula nang naipanalo ko ang malaking kaso na iyon, hindi muna ako tumanggap ng maraming kliyente.  It drained me mentally. And with the fight I had with Marco still playing in my mind, it caused me to be emotionally tired too. I needed to rest.

"It's okay, Dada! It's just a mistake! We can fix it!" Noong natabig ni Aqeila ang blender ay iyon kaagad ang sinabi niya kay Marco. They were making smoothies. Hindi ko alam kung ba't ako nagtagal dito sa condo niya. I was just supposed to drop Kie!

"Yes, Venice, we can fix it. Up. Up. Huwag mong hawakan iyan." Marco carried her to the chair because she was sitting on the counter and playing with the spilled shake.

"What?" Litong-lito si Kie.

"Don't touch that," Marco translated calmly.

I covered my mouth slightly with my hand to hide the obvious laugh I was about to escape. Umiwas ako ng tingin nang nagtama ang tingin namin ni Marco.

"Momma, voglio la pasta!" Kie gave me a cute smile, tugging my hand.

"Sure. Your dada will do it for you."

"Huh? Ano'ng gagawin ko? Pa-translate, please." Napahilot si Marco sa sentido niya saglit bago nagsimulang maglinis ng counter gamit ang basahan.

"She wants pasta," I rephrased Kie's words to him. "Amore, speak in english so your dada can understand you," I told Kie.

"Oh, okay! Sorry, Dada!" Kie apologized.

"It's okay. You can speak in any language you're comfortable with." Hinalikan siya ni Marco sa pisngi at may binulong kaya humagikgik siya. Then he glanced at me. "Mapapasubok naman ako rito. Accurate naman siguro ang Google translate?"