Silhouette at Dusk (Bar Series #5)

SAD #30

SAD #30

Zaña's POV

"Why are you still single?" 

It was a random question I dared ask, not sure if Atty. Nic would answer me. I have met him more than twice because Avey chose him as a consultant for our fashion school. He's the one handling all the issues and concerns with regards to students and employees. 

I tried asking him to be my lawyer in defending me against Zoe, but he refused. Kaya ayan, we're just discussing the school. I decided to temporarily close all the branches and refund all the payment of the students. Also, compensate my employees and the sponsors.

Bankrupt. Sakto lang. Atty. Nic is great at his job, perfectionist gaya ng sabi ni Avey kaya hindi na rin ako nagtaka dahil ang bilis niyang gawan ng solusyon ang mga problema at kahit papaano ay may nabawi rin akong kita. 

Who am I to complain? Kasalanan ko naman kasi ang lahat. 

"Apparently, the only woman who caught my attention is already married," he replied, not sounding bitter. 

Nabulunan si Avey kasi nagulat din yata na sinagot ni Atty. Nic ang tanong ko. Tinaasan lang siya ng kilay ni Atty. Nic saka uminom ng tubig. 

"Ah, Atty. Montemayor," ako na ang sumagot sa kanya. He didn't agree, he didn't deny. I don't know what his silence means. 

Nagsisi rin ako sa pang-aasar ko sa kanya. It fired back when he asked me, "Why did you choose to be a mistress?" 

He didn't sound like he was insulting me. I felt like he was really curious, tipong wala talaga siyang idea kasi napakainosente niya kaya gusto niyang malaman. 

"I didn't have a choice."

"We all do..." This time, he looked at Avey who was sipping her strawberry frappe. 

"Nanahimik ako rito, Nic..." depensa ni Avey. "Nadadamay na naman ako."

"Just saying..." sabi ni Atty. Nic. "If wala ng problema, I have to go. I need to attend a hearing. I will just schedule another meeting to settle everything..." Inayos niya ang gamit niya saka tumayo. Hindi na siya nag abala na ayusin ang magulong buhok niya. 

"He's going to lose his license, right?" tanong ko kay Atty. Nic nang maalala na nasa korte nga pala si Heron ngayon. 

"He already did." It was Avey who answered, showing me a text message coming from Gael. 

Shit. It was our fault...but then, he worked hard for it. Nakita ko ang pagod niya. Dama ko. Alam ko. Naranasan ko...and just like that, nawala ang lisensya niya. 

"He can appeal..." Atty. Nic said, "He's a topnotcher. Hindi naman siya nakapatay ng tao. But still...it would depend..."

Naiwan akong nakatulala roon habang iniisip ko ang nararamdaman ni Heron. Wala naman na dapat akong pakialam pa pero ang sakit lang din. Kahit na wala siyang pakialam ay alam ko na may parte sa kanya na nasasaktan pa rin. 

"How about Erox, hindi mo ba talaga siya ipapakilala kay Heron?" tanong ni Avey na nagpabalik sa akin sa realidad. "How long are you going to keep him from Heron?" 

"Heron doesn't deserve Erox..." sagot ko.

"You also don't deserve Erox, Zaña. That's realtalk. You both don't deserve him yet...he is Heron's son."

Naguguluhan pa rin ako. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang desisyon ko. Ayoko lang talaga na madamay pa si Erox sa gulong ito. 

Ilang linggo na rin naman ang lumipas simula nang malaman ni Heron ang totoo. He talked to me...pero wala ako ni isang sinabi sa kanya kahit na magmakaawa pa siya sa harapan ko...katulad ng ginagawa niya ngayon.