Bente-Quatro 2 - Star Witness (Completed)

8 - 0000H

A/N: Inabot po ng siyam-siyam si otor sa pag-update dahil kay Habagat at sa halos apat na oras niyang biyahe nang mga nakaraang araw.

Akala lang nilang wala nang traffic dahil sa baha, pero meron, meron, meron!

At siyempre dahils sa kaka-lurk sa ganap ng dalawa sa mga nagdaang-araw. Hindi sila busy, hindi talaga!

Now, back to regular programming. Nasaan na ba tayo?

Disclaimer: RAW Update.

Judge Manalo's library.... pasok!

"The accounting book and the accountant?"

The clock strikes the midnight hour. It's now officially a Monday. And they're still here with Nanang and her statement.

Richard went back to flipping his small notebook for his notes as he replied without looking at her. "Inulit mo lang sinabi ko. And I thought you were taking notes. Gusto mo bang paulit natin kay Nanang?"

"Bakit ba kayo Nanang ng nanang? Bakit ayaw n'yo kong tawaging Tita Jackie? Hindi ba sapat ang under acting ko? Kinakalawang na ba 'ko? Pa'no na ko kukunin ni Direk niyan?" Hindi napigilan ni Nanang ang hikab, dala ng antok ang pagod.

"Never mind, I'll figure this out. Ms. Eugenia, inaantok na po yata kayo? You may rest now. Samahan ko kayo kay Ate Reg. Gigisingin na lang po namin kayo pag pipirmahan n'yo na 'to."

With one last look at the dreaded typewriter, which she has last seen used by her father's old secretary when she was a kid, Maine led Nanang outside, not bothering to take her leave of Richard who continued to study his notes.

Although not before the old lady put back her trusted and beloved bandana over her head.

What Maine really wants is to take a logical break. A bathroom break, call it whatever-break-it-is from being in the same room with him or her thoughts will get more clouded.

She can't believe she missed that detail about the book and the accountant. The fact that Nanang did not deny it means what he said was true. Now, she needs to get the particulars from him. Truth be told, what am I nervous about? Being alone with him and typing the witness' statement in that old thing while he's watching or admitting that she missed the details because what, she took a moment to observe him? Well, not exactly a moment, more like momentsss. Aaargh!

She didn't realize that Nanang, err, Tita Jackie was asking her a question while they made their way passing though the living room on the way to the stairs going to the room that Ate Reg told her Nanang can use. She didn't even get the question, when she should be the one asking her questions about the book and accountant. "Huh?! Ano pong tinatanong n'yo?

Of course Ate Reg to the rescue. "Ola Tita Jackie! Ako nang sasagot sa tanong mo at nakalutang po ang isip niyan. Naiwan sa library. I'll get this panyera, ako na bahala kay Tita Jackie. I'm sure marami kaming pagkukuwentuhan about showbiz. You go back to where your heart obviously belongs. Mahirap yang pinipigil, lalong nanggigil."

"I don't know what you mean. I'm just taking a logical break."

"Logical break my foot! Kung ilalagay kita sa lie detector test, siguradong bagsak ka. Bagsak kayong pareho. Tara na Tita Jackie, it's from Jackilyn Jose, right? Baka gusto mong gayahin ang acting niya sa Ang Babae sa Septic Tank." She took Nanang's arm and led her to one of the rooms.

"Si Eugene Domingo yon, si idol Jackilyn ay sa Ma' Rosa. Nanalo siya ng international award."

"Aaaah, the under acting actress! Panyera, kape-kape din pag may time para magising ang natutulog mong diwa. Bahala ka na diyan."Ate Reg winked at her before ushering Nanang inside the room and closing the door.