THE BAD BITCH AND THE DOCTOR

Chapter Forty Five

"I expected a rather different reaction from you, Mayor. You surprise me." Pang-aasar ni Shane. "I thought you'd only call me crazy in front of those other politicians. Or maybe my intuition is right, and that those men are your co-conspirators?"

Naglaho yung ngiti ng alkalde't lumapit kay Shane upang mahinang bumulong. "Magkano ang kailangan mo para manahimik ka?"

Marahan ding tumawa ang babae't instinctively na napahawak sa kanyang baby bump. To seek comfort.

"Nakakainsulto ka na, Mayor. Do I look like I need your money?" Ngising tanong ni Shane na ikinilabot ng matandang lalaki.

"You are an interesting person, Attorney Ramos. Saan mo kaya nakukuha mga impormasyong iyan? Nakakalungkot lang na wala kang ebidensyang hawak para mapatunayan mga allegation na 'yan. Chismis lang 'yang alam mo."

"Oh?" Shane tipped her head sideways and pretended to think hard. "So chismis lang din yung financial transaction sa bangko mo na umaabot ng sampung milyong piso noong nawala yung client ko?" Lalong namutla na naman yung alkalde. "And you were what...a prison warden for the NBP during that time? Roughly thirty five years ago?" Kumibit balikat si Shane. "Nakakapagtaka naman tuloy kung paano nagkaroon ng sweldo ang isang warden ng ganong kalaking halaga. Hmm?"

Hindi nakaimik si Mayor Sandoval.

"Don't worry, I have receipts. Don't get me started on how you rose to power too. Patriotism, my ass. You bought those votes." Hinawakan ni Shane yung balikat ng alkalde at naramdamang nanginginig na ito. Naibaon na dapat sa limot yung mga nangyaring iyon sa nakaraan pero nagawa pang mahalungkat ng isang attorney na wala naman dapat pakialam sa politika. "Connections, Mayor. I don't want nor need your money. I need names."

"H-hindi mo ako ie-expose?" Umiling si Shane.

"I'm only here for the Stanley Case. Like what you said, this is all for my selfish revenge." She winked at him.

Lumunok sa kaba ang alkalde, "I will give you names as long as you promise you will not say a word." Linabas ng mayor yung dala niyang cellphone saka in-airdrop ito sa cellphone ni Shane. "Please don't tell Divine I helped you."

Binasa nang mabuti ni Shane yung listahan ng mga pangalang binayaran ni Divine para dakipin ang kanyang nanay. Napamilyaran niya mga iyon.

Finorward niya agad ito kay Hiro at kay Leona.

"Why the fuck would I tell Divine?" Taas-kilay na tanong ni Shane saka siya tinalikuran at iniwan doon na nakatameme.

Binalikan niya si Mr. Rivera, "You're planning on running for the city mayor, aren't you?" Seryosong tanong ng babae sa matanda. "And that's your political strategy of getting rid of your opposition? Using me?"

Marahang tumawa si Mr. Rivera sa kaniya.

"You are a force to be reckoned with, Attorney Ramos. You want connections and clientele?" Inabot ni Mr. Rivera ang kanyang business card kay Shane. "Then I want your firm to represent the Rivera family brand. Alang-alang ito para kay James na malaki ang respeto sa iyo."

Hindi na nagdalawang isip pa si Shane na kuhanin yung business card ni Mr. Rivera.

"Consider it settled. It's an honor to have you as my client." Nagkamayan sila. Kaso hinigpitan ni Shane hawak niya sa palad ng matanda. "Keep your nose clean if you want to stay as my client." She said sharply. "I will happily put your ass in prison if you decide to tarnish my reputation by becoming corrupt."

Ngayon lang nakaramdam ng takot ang matanda kay Shane, "Of course. You have my word."

Bumitaw na si Shane at umalis na doon para maghanap ng mauupuan. Nangawit na siya sa kakatayo ng matagal suot mga takong. The extra weight from her growing belly caused more fatigue on her feet and on her legs. Bumuntong hininga siya't rinub ang kanyang baby bump—naramdaman niyang gumagalaw sa loob ang kanyang anak.