Gunned Down (Chasing Dreams Series #4) | C O M P L E T E D

Chapter 36

This chapter is dedicated to: lalyte

A few weeks ago, the arraignment, or Cong. Glen Romualdez's first court appearance took place in Quezon City Regional Trial Court. With the presence of the presiding judge and the prosecutor, the accused was informed of the charges that was filed against him. It was also his opportunity to enter a plea and since he pleaded "not guilty", the case was set for preliminary hearing.

It should've been done before. Justice must've been served by now. Two years ago, the Office of the Ombudsman filed charges before the Sandiganbayan, but the trials for the cases were always rescheduled due to various motions filed by him. Mabagal na nga 'yung usad ng sistema, malakas pa ang kapit niya sa nakatataas. His crimes weren't just misdemeanors—he should be convicted of three felony counts or more. And I would witness it soon 'cause the long wait was finally over...

Donned in a black solid puff sleeve belted jumpsuit partnered with a black ankle strap heels, I leaned forward to the mirror and applied the red lipstick. I was touching it up 'cause I smudged it earlier. For my eyebrows, I used an eyebrow gel to make them stay in place. Natural na ang pagiging makapal ng mga kilay at mga pilik-mata ko kaya hindi ko na kailangang pakialaman ang mga 'yon. Aside from the the lipstick, I put on a tint on my cheeks just to add some colors on my face.

My hair was more longer now—umabot na 'yon sa aking dibdib. Since I didn't want to brush it from time to time, I decided to tie it to a low ponytail. My mother told me that I should never wear pearl earrings unless I was already married, so I just put on a rhinestone water drop statement earrings.

Binawi ko ang tingin ko sa salamin nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I received a text message from Daniel. Nasa baba na raw siya kaya dinampot ko 'yung hinanda kong black handbag at umalis na.

Binuksan ko 'yung pinto para sa shotgun seat at awktomatikong napangiti si Daniel. Pumasok ako sa SUV at habang ikinakabit ko 'yung seatbelt ay ramdam ko ang titig niya sa akin.

"Baka naman matunaw ako niyan, Attorney?" biro ko sabay sulyap sa kanya.

"Sorry na. Ang ganda mo kasi..." pabulong niyang sinabi, pero narinig ko pa rin.

Ngumisi ako. Tumikhim siya at pina-andar na ang sasakyan. Hawak ang cellphone, sumandal ako sa upuan at nag-text kay Jeremiah upang itanong kung nasaan na sila. Present ang buong pamilya ko ngayon; nagpa-book pa ng flight sina Lola Carmelita para makadalo sa hearing.

"Nag-breakfast ka na ba?" tanong ni Daniel na balak iliko ang sasakyan sa drive-thru ng Starbucks.

I glanced at him. "Oo, pinagluto ako ni Bridgette kanina bago siya pumasok."

"Would you like to have some coffee, then?" he rolled down the window and it seemed like the cashier was put under his spell the moment she saw him.

"Yes, please," nangingiti kong sagot at inudyok siyang um-order na sapagkat naghihintay 'yung babae.

The place where the crash occurred and the bodies of the victims were found was in Quezon City, so the court in there acquired the jurisdiction over the case. Malayo-layo ang Diliman sa Makati kaya minabuti ni Daniel na bilhan na rin ako ng makakain para hindi ako ma-bored sa biyahe. And for the nth time, we were seen in public together so I'd understand if the rumors about us being in a relationship would spread again.

I was aware that Daniel had feelings for me, but he knew that I was in a complicated situation wherein falling in love hit rock bottom of my list of priorities.

Sa tulong ng PNP, wala kaming naabutang reporters sa labas ng korte. Bukod sa mga sasakyan, mangilan-ngilang pulis at sibilyan lang ang naroon. Ayoko nang pagpiyestahan ng mga tao ang kaso ng papa ko at ng ibang biktima. Hustisya ang habol namin, hindi atensyon.