Love & Law

CHAPTER 6

“Dashell?” My voice almost broke when I saw his hand bleeding.

Bigla namang nabitawan ni Alejandra ang kutsilyo na hawak ng makita kung sino ‘yun.

“N-niko? Are you alright?” she worryingly ask and tooked his hand that is bleeding.

“I-im sorry, b-bakit ka kasi humarang!”

Hinila naman ni Dashell ang kamay niya at tsaka bumuntong hininga.

“I’m fine.” He said.

Tumingin naman ako sa pinaggagalingan niya at nanliliit ang mga mata na nakita ang grupo ng pinaghalong babae at lalaki that is when I realized this bar is occupied by them only.

Para bang mabigat ang puso ko na kinuha ang panyo sa aking bulsa at tsaka ibinalot ito sa gayat na palad ni Dashell ng hindi umiimik.

“Nice bachelor’s party.” I complemented while smiling at him. Bigla namang umiwas ng tingin ang kanyang kasama.

I put my hand inside my trousers pocket and throw the documents that is filled with evidence.

Nilapitan ko siya na namumutla na ang mukha na para bang kamay ni Dashell na naubusan ng dugo.

I smirked and pulled her hair towards me. “Don’t you dare pulled another thing. F*lthy wh*re. Iniinis mo ‘ko. I should not be here” binitawan ko siya ng hawakan ako ni Dashell.

I stepped back and glared at him. “Magpagamot ka. Baka mamaya kung anong impeksyon ‘yang makuha mo sa babaeng ‘yan.” I pulled my hand and told the police officers to come over.

“Let Prosecutor Vasco, questioned her and bring a medics may nasugatan sa loob. She tried harming me using her knife.”

“Copy that, Attorney. Okay ka lang ba?” He asked.

I nodded. “I am. Not until he showed up.”

“Who?”

I smiled. “nevermind.”

Pumasok na ako sa aking kotse at tsaka napasandal sa head rest. Bumuntong hininga ako at napatingin sa aking sarili sa side mirror.

Tiningnan ko ang oras at nakita ko na mag aalas-diyes na pala. Tinawagan ko si Rosie para sabihan siya na pagbuksan ako ng pintuan ng penthouse at wala sa akin ang susi.

“Rosie.” Bungad ko.

She groaned. “Ano ba? Gabi na ah? Asan ka?”

“Pauwi ako diyan. Pagbuksan mo ‘ko ng pinto iniwan ko ang susi sa pagmamadali kanina.”

She just tsked at me as a response and ended the call.

Nasa isang catering center ako ngayon para magcheck sa mga ihahanda sa reception. They even prepared samples! Kaya naman ay hindi talaga ako kumain ng agahan para matikman ko lahat ng pagkain.

I should relaxed at hindi na mag-isip pa. After what happened the other day.

“Pinatawag niyo daw ako?” Ani ko sa mababang boses.

Nasa harap ako ngayon ni Judge Alvaro na nakatingin sa akin ng masama.

“Naibalita sa amin ang nangyaring pagsugod mo kay Ms Fuerte. Bigyan mo nga ako ng rason?”

I smiled bitterly. “I just found out the my client who I keep depending on this court lied to me, using evidences and some people to be the witness, she even paid some investigators and police to cover up. And not just that, it may sound immature but she’s flirting with my fiancé while being secretly married to someone, the marriage tooked place on Las Vegas.”

Napatawa naman si Judge Alvaro. “Okay, ipapalampas ko ito. Pero sana ay kahit dinoble mo man lang sampal ano?”

Natawa naman ako at napayuko. “How do you find yourself joking in the middle of a serious conversation, ninong?”

He shrugged. “You looked sad. I just want to see you smile. You’re getting married.”

I forced a smile. “You really are unbelievable ninong. By the way, you’ll go to my wedding right? Kakarating lang ng invitations na pinagawa ko. Here one for you and one for ninang.”

Inabot ko ito sa kanya at kinuha naman niya ito. He looked at it and nodded. “Anong gusto mong regalo? Aba’y nasa iyo naman na ata ang lahat.”

I giggled and chatted with him for another couple of minutes.

Paano naman kung hindi ko ninong yun? Patay ako kung magkataon.

I figured out that he was just using me. Dashell is using me to get my company. He even dared to be a superhero para mahulog na naman ako sa kanya. He's too much. This is so boring and I cannot even expect this to be like this in a blinked of an eye.

“Why are you not with your soon-to-be husband, Miss?” The chef asked.

I bitterly smiled. “Busy.” Lie.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ginagawa niya sa araw na ‘to. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan siya at kung gumaling na ba ang sugat niya.

Hindi ako nagpakita sa kanya. Hindi ko ‘rin sinasagot ang tawag niya, even his parents. Hindi sinasabi kong talagang nasaan ako but today, schedule talaga namin ang pumunta dito but he didn’t come.

Hindi niya siguro alam, nakalimutan o sadyang hindi pumunta. Since manggagamit lang naman siyang tao. I don’t care where he is.

“Are you sure for the Invited guesses of 2000 maximum?” the chef asked.

He was looking at me weirdly making it awkward for me to respond. Kanina pa kakaiba ang titig niya at kinikilos niya.

Natawa ako. “We are not a normal couple, Chef. We do business and there’s a lot to invite with since we’re holding more than 5 branches. My husband has a lot of friends and coworkers since he’s an actor.” I paused.

“I can pay through cash. I can even double it if the service is good. The foods that I’ve tasted is great so I considered those.”

He nodded. “That’s a great choice of food. So I will just give you a receipt and the menu of the chosen foods.”

“Okay.”

Umupo na ako sa isang malambot na one-seater sofa and smiled. “This one is nice.” Bulong ko at tiningnan ang inupuan na sofa.

My phone suddenly rang very loud that I panicked and answered who ever it is who’s calling.

“Hello?”

“Nasa catering center ka pa?”

My eyes widened and check my phone screen. Si Dashell pala. “O-oo. Pauwi narin naman ako.”

“Pupuntahan kita diyan.”

“Huwag na! No need. Pauwi na nga ako. Kakatapos ko lang magcheck sa pagkain at bibigyan na lang ako ng receipts. Kaya ‘wag na.”

“Did they gaved a free taste?” he asked.

“Oo inggit ka?” Pang-uuto ko na may kasamang sarkasmo.

“The man you’re talking too is Alejandra’s husband. Damn it! The chef is her husband!”

My eyes widened. What?!

“D-did they own this or something?” tanong ko.

“I found out yesterday that the previous owner is missing hanggang ngayon ay hindi nahahanap. The chef, is her husband.”

I calmer myself and breathed heavily. “Nǐ zěnme zhīdào nà shì tā de zhàngfū?” (How do you even know that it is her husband?)

“Tā bǎ yīgè qiánbāo liú zàile wǒ zuótiān gāng qǔ huí de bātái shàng.” (She left a purse on the bar that i just retrieved yesterday.)

“Hái hǎo hòulái wǒ de mìshū gěi wǒ chuán láile chúshī shīzōng de xiāoxī, ránhòu shénmì de tā de mìmì zhàngfū túrán chéngle nàlǐ de chúshī.” (Luckily i've got a news from my secretary afterwards that the chef is missing and then mysteriously her secret husband is suddenly became the chef there.)

I pressed my lips together. “Sige, just met me at the gasoline station.” Buti na lang at marunong ako mag chinese at nakaraos din ako. I ended the call and goes straight to the exit at tinakasan siya habang siya ay abala sa kanyang pinaggagagawa.

Nasa kotse na ako at nagmamadaling magpatakbo ng kotse but then I slowed down, my body is started to go weak.

My heart is clenching in pain. Kaya naman ay napabrake ako ng kotse at huminto sa gilid ng kalsada. Malapit na sana ako sa gasoline station pero hindi ko magawang kumilos. It feels like I was being paralyzed.

Isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa head rest ng kotse at tsaka malalim na humugot ng hininga. I felt the urge of closing my eyes that eventually I did. I closed my eyes slowly letting myself eaten by darkness.

I woked up with my head hurting very much. Pilit ko itong pinupokpok ng paulit-ulit bago naisipang sumandal sa headboard ng kama.

I was in someone’s room. But I felt safe dahil natanaw ko ang isang lalaki na nasa balkonahe. He was smoking while only showing the side of his face.

Sa kanang bahagi niya naman ay may hawak siyang cellphone at tsaka mukhang nagsasalita na hindi ko lang marinig.

Hinulog niya sa sahig ang sigarilyo at inapakan ito bago bitawan ang cellphone at nilagay sa bulsa.

Salubong ang kilay niya na pumasok kaya naman ay nagpadaosdos ako at nagpanggap na tulog.

Naamoy ko ang sigarilyo na humahalo sa kanyang pabango kaya naman ay alam ko na nasamalapit na siya.

“It’s 5 o’clock in the afternoon and you still not waking up? Nahimatay ka lang ‘di ka nacoma.” Bulong nito sa aking tenga.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagkunot ng noo at pagmulat ng mata. I saw him staring at me kaya naman ay binalutan ko ang aking buong katawan ng kumot.

“By the way, nahuli na agad yung asawa niya. He will fly back to Las Vegas. Since, taga doon siya and he’s just a tourist here.”

“Edi nice.” I exclaimed.

“May gusto ka bang kainin?”

“Wala.” Sagot ko at tsaka sinubukan ulit na matulog kahit gising na gising na ang diwa ko.

“Sorry I lied about the bachelor’s party. It was my friends idea to celebrate my last moment as a bachelor”

I bit my lower lip. Hindi niya alam siguro na alam ko ang pinag-usapan nila ng mga araw na ‘yun. Alam ko ang ginawa niya. Alam ko ang plano niya. Akala niya siguro ay galit lama g ako dahil sa pagsisinungaling niya.

“Wala naman akong pakialam. Even if we got married kahit magdala kapa ng babae sa bahay. Wala akong pakialam, It’s just a marriage to benefit your family’s company.”

Umupo ako at nilingon siya. I stayed neutral and didn’t let any emotions to hinder my anger towards him.

“Sabi ko nga, pwede pang magbago. But the marriage? Tuloy. I also asked Tito Dominique that the marriage will only last for one year. One year is enough to make your company back at its normal state. Kaya hindi ako naba-bother sa kung ano man ang gawin mo.”

“Who am I to be mad? I’m too old for that stuff.”

He’s facial expression suddenly changes. Hindi ko ito maintindihan. Hindi ko siya maintindihan. Why is he hurt?

“Y-you didn’t answer my calls or texts, hindi mo rin sinasabi kung nasaan ka. Kaya akala ko galit ka sa akin.”

Habang pinapakinggan ko siya hindi ko alam ang gagawin. Bakit ba mukha siyang nasasaktan? Why is he even making that face? Why is he sad? Why did I offend him? Did I hurt his ego? Did I step on his pride?

“I just got busy. I was summoned by some devils. Just mood swings. You need to get used to it.” Suhestiyon ko.




“TEQUILA,” Uto ko sa bartender habang nakabusangot ang mukha at walang mapaglagyan ang katarayan. 


“T-tequila? Pero nasabi po sa akin ng papa niyo na bawal.” alanganing sagot ng bartender sa akin. “Ayaw niya daw po kasi kayong malasing lalo na’t—"



“Shut up, Lalo na at? Because I’m a war freak when I’m drunk? Come on, Reyes. Unless you don’t want to keep this job any more.”

“right away, madam.”

I sighed in frustration. Hindi ko gustong ibuhos lahat ng inis ko kay Dashell sa bartender na wala namang kamalay-malay. Hindi ko ba alam, after that night when he saved me. Hindi ko na maiwasang hindi mainis sa kanya. Pakitang tao masyado ang dip*ta.

I tried keeping my cool but I really can’t handle it. Even myself can’t control my emotions. Kaya nakakainis siya.



Nakita ko naman ang pagdating ni Reyes. Inabot ko mula sa bartender ang goblet. I tooked the shot in one swallow. At pagkatapos ay sinenyasan ko ulit si Reyes na muling lagyan ang goblet niya. Sumunod naman ito agad nang hindi nag aatubili.

Because of frustrations while drinking. I can’t stop tapping my fingers on the countertop. I keep tapping impatiently when suddenly a man stood up beside me smiling like a foolish pervert. I can smell clearly the alcohol from him. Disgusting.

“You look alone here? Baka gusto mo ng kasama?” Isang pagkatamis-tamis na ngiti ang ibinigay niya sa akin ng kamuntikang magsanhi ng aking pagkaduwal.

I rolled my eyes. “I can handle myself. I don’t need you”

“No need to be shy, miss”

“Please,” I said, I gaved the man a fixed smile. “I do not mean to be rude, but I just want to be left alone. I want to be alone. Kaya nga ako nandito mag-isa”


Tumawa ang lalaki, making him more uglier. “Come on, miss,  tinatanong ko lang naman kung gusto mo, ‘di ba? Kung ayaw mo, edi pangalan mo na lang?”

I rolled her eyes in irritation. Hindi ako makapaniwalang may ganitong customer ang Bar na ito. This Bar is part of my fathers Delmondo hotel, A five star hotel. Pero may isang uneducated, perverted maniac ang nasa loob?

Maliban sa naka-coat and tie ang lalaki at mukhang disente naman. Dala lang siguro ng kalasingan kasama ang kalandian.

Nilingon ko ang bartender na si Reyes. “Ask someone to take my drinks on my suite. ” Umikot ako upang tumalikod subalit biglang dumaklot sa braso ko ang kamay ng lalaki na kanina pang nangungulit sa akin.

I stood in my place without moving. Hindi ako kumikilos dahil kung kikilos ako ay baka masapak ko ito. I have security all over once something happened but I trust my strength to make this man kiss the floor  But also I didn’t want to create a scandal. I don’t want to create a mess on my name.

“You haven’t told me your name yet, miss,” putol ng lalaki sa paglalakbay ng isip ko, and he breathed fumes of wine into my face when I faced him.

“Listen,” marahang sabi ko. “If you will just let go of me, I’ll promise to tell you my name. But please, keep a distance away from me.”

The old man grinned and he was started staring at me intently.

“Let her be. Danilo”

Napalingon naman ako sa nagsalita at nakita ko si Dashell na nakapamulsa habang nakatayo sa ‘di kalayuan.

Even from a distant. I can always recognize him. His voice, his posture. Everything. Nakakatawa at lagi na lang siyang sumusulpot sa kahit saan.

The man named Danilo let go of my hand kaya pinagkrus ko ang aking braso at tsaka humakbang palayo sa lalaki.


“Anong ginagawa mo sa bar?” wika nito. His eyes sparked dangerously, He doesn’t looked mad. But the way he look is like a predatory animal look to its prey.

He was wearing a simple polo shirt and a ankle cut- pants. Habang naka suot ng puting sapatos. Sa sobra niyang puti ay halatang siya nga talaga ito. Ang buhok nito’y ay mahaba pero hindi gaano kahaba. Tama lang siguro para malagyan ng style.

“Having a drink, I guess?” I answered.

Dashell walked towards my direction at tumikhim naman ang lalaki ng si Dashell ay lumapit sa pwesto ko.

“You don’t have to asked for her name. Kilala mo siya, lasing kalang.”

“Bakit? Sino ka ba at bakit mo ‘ko kilala?”

Ngumisi lamang si Dashell at tsaka nagkibit ng balikat. “You can stop now, Danilo. She’s betrothed to me.”

“Then why did you let her alone in this bar?” Nakangisi naman ito ngayon na parang aso. I rolled my eyes and sighed.

“Hayaan mo na siya, Dashell. Let’s go” Ani ko.

But before we could even left. Dashell let the man leave first. I tsked. “I could have handled that this time,” I said ungratefully. Nilingon ko si Reyes at tsaka tinuro ang goblet.

Inabutan naman ako kaagad ni Reyes. Sa sulok ng mga mata ko ay nakita ko ang mabilis na pag-angat ng kamay ni  upang abutin ang goblet. I smirked and emptied the goblet in a hurry.

Nang maibaba ko ang goblet ay dinagdagan ulit ito ni Reyes at ininom ko kaagad. Naka tatlong shot din ako kaya kunot noong hinablot ni Dashell ang bote ni tequila kay Reyes at ininom ito.

“T-that’’s my favorite! Alam mo bang huling bote na lang ‘yan!!” Galit kong saad sa kanya.

“Even if we go bankrupt. May pera parin ako pambili nito.”

“I didn’t say that. Lagi mo na lang nilalagyan ng laman ang bawat sabihin ko.” Hindi sumagot si Dashell. Sa halip ay nag-angat ito ng tingin sa ibabaw ng ulo niya.



I was just standing and when I tried walking kamuntikan akong matumba ng bumuway ako. Mabilis naman akong inalalayan ni Dashell.



And I felt stunned by the sudden trembling of her heart. Suddenly, unexpectedly, i was aware of myself as a woman, This type of closeness is just average from what we’ve just done before. Even if it’s a kiss. Pero kahit na ganoon ay bakit parang tuwing siya ang gumagawa ay parang lahat ay bago?

I dated lots of guys when I was in highschool. I know everything but this type of feeling that I know I only felt for him. It was strange of me because I can’t understand myself.

Hindi ako pinakawalan ni Dashell. Sa halip ay humigpit lalo ang pagkakahawak nito sa baywang ko at inakay ako palabas ng bar.
And somehow, there is something on me, merong parte sa tagong bahagi ng isip ko na hindi ko gusto na pakawalan niya ako. I want to stay this way. I want to stay this way even just for a moment.

Mixed with his clean breath, nalalanghap ko ang amoy ng alak mula sa kanyang hininga and it was intoxicating as the man himself. At ipinagtataka ko pa kung paanong kakaiba ang amoy ng alak mula dito kesa sa lalaki kanina sa bar. And there I found myself questioning my sanity.

“Saan ka uuwi ngayon?” tanong ni Dashell sa seryosong tono. “Do you have suite here?”

“M-meron, kaya ko na ang sarili ko. I-im not drunk just tipsy you can let go of me now.” Hindi naman agad kumawala si Dashell.

“Paano pag ayaw ko?” Paghahamon nito. “You have the guts to drink tequila, naparami ang inom mo. And I don’t want to let you go kung pwedeng tayo namang dalawa.”

Even if I said I’m alright he knew me that I am lying. He must be really good at handling women.