"Regina, you lost a case again," Rex said in a calm voice but it is laced with disappointment that only Regina can hear
"Sorry, Dad" Regina knows within herself that this is only the third time she lost a case this year and with so many cases, one will always slip through her fingers
"What would your apologies do?" she can't answer anymore
"A Vanguardia always wins, in our work and our life"
'huh! since when did we win in life, it's like every time we put ourselves in our work, we lose a part of ourselves literally' she thought
Since Regina didn't answer while standing in front of her desk while her father sitting in her chair, Rex stood up
"Just try to not disappoint me, Regina" and with that, he left
After her father's visit, Regina drank a bottle of wine again, she took her stash from her ref cabinet and started drinking while reviewing some of her cases like the alcohol can't even affect her anymore. By the afternoon she had three bottles of wine, some loose buttons from her dress shirt, and a laughing fit while remembering her father's words
"Regina?" she knows that voice very well, it's the only thing that kept her sane. She turned around from looking at the window and smiled
"Narda," she said her name with sweetness and arms open wide. Narda knew beforehand that the girl is drunk, and Ali informed her. She went to her and have been engulfed in a tight embrace
"You know Narda, you make me happy" Regina held her tighter and kiss the back of her ear, it send shivers throughout Narda's body
"R-Regina, nakainom ka?" Regina released her and nods
"Well, Dad came, he was disappointed when I lost the case earlier" she raised her arms as if she cared, she walked back to her chair and slumped, wine glass still in hand, and sipped it empty
"He said a Vanguardia always wins in work and life" she laughed subtly
"But you know what? Not every Vanguardia wins because I know he doesn't win in life Narda, he can't even keep this family together"
Narda looked at the smiling Regina wondering what she was thinking, so she moved closer to the Atty. and held her other hand
"Hindi naman sa lahat ng bagay kailangan manalo Regina," she said with sincere eyes while caressing the back of her hand
"Oh, but I do Narda, I do" Narda looked at her puzzled
"Anong ibig mong sabihin?"
"I'm that Vanguardia, I do not care if I win or lose at court, I know I did my best and that's a win for me" she lets go of her wine glass and held Narda's other hand
"And I also win in life because I have you in it" Narda felt warm with what Regina said, the Atty. keep caressing her hand and looked at Narda's eyes with a gentleness that only reserves for the EMT
"I love you, Narda Custodio"
