I'm Yours to Adore

Chapter 29

Nilingon ko ang lumapit na pulis sa selda. "Nandito na abogado mo."

Pinosasan ako ulit at dinala sa isang silid pero natigilan ako nang makita si Atty. Ceño kasama si Gerard. Inilibot ko ang tingin ko sa paligid habang naglalakad palapit sa kanila. It's like a low-budget interrogation room here. Poor ventilation, wooden walls and smelly.

I smiled at Atty. Ceño na halatang nag-aalala. Wow, she looks a lot younger than her age. Pag-upo ko, pinagmasdan niya ako nang maigi. "How are you?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "I'm good."

"Oh, Jesus. You're far from good. Did you know that you made it to the headlines? A teacher killed a cop."

"Sounds good to me."

Mariin siyang napapikit. "Alam na ng Lolo at Lola mo. Baka bumisita sila bukas."

Umangat ang gilid ng labi ko. "Sila? Pupunta sa ganiton lugar?"

"Ikaw ang ipupunta nila kaya bakit hindi?"

"Whatever."

Bumuntonghininga siya at humalukipkip sa harap ko. "Murder cases are non-bailable so you're gonna have to wait until the verdict is out."

Napawi ang ngiti ko. "It's fine for me. But the kid... she's just a kid."

"She is... the chief suspect"

"It is... self-defense."

"I know, I talked to your associate Jim. He told me everything and gave me some stuff."

"Please tell me those stuff can help us."

Saglit siyang tumitig sa lamesa bago muling tumingin sa 'kin. "But I'm here to warn you, those cops won't make it easy for the both of you inside."

Tumango ako at muling bumaling kay Gerard na tahimik lang. Atty. Ceño cleared her throat and stood up. "You and this guy right here talk. I'll be back tomorrow."

I watched her leave the room. Paglingon ko kay Gerard nakatiim na ang labi niya habang nakatitig sa lamesa.

Pinagmasdan ko siya nang mabuti habang hindi pa siya nakatingin sa 'kin. "How are you?"

Nag-angat siya ng tingin habang nakakunot ang noo. "I was fine."

"Was?"

"My sister is jailed together with my..." Nahirapan siyang humanap ng salita kaya ngumiti ako.

"Former boss?"

Tumango lang siya at muling tumitig sa lamesa. "Kung alam ko lang na sa gano'ng tao siya mapupunta."

He punched the table kaya napaigtad ako. Agad kong hinuli ang kamay niya. "Pero hindi mo alam, so it's not your fault."

He held my hand tighter. "Ilang buwan pa bago magkakaroon ng hatol. You and Katya will have to stay there—"

"We will be fine. I will protect her."

"But who's going to protect you?"

I smiled at him. "Don't worry about me."

"How could I not..." He stared at our hands. "Worry?"

I felt a searing pain in my chest as I stared at him looking helpless. "Get your shit together, Gerard. We need you."

He looked back at me and I automatically smiled when I saw his determined eyes. He let go of my hand and crossed his arms.

I sighed and bit my lip. "Talk to Jim. He can get you to my grandparents. Tell them we need to fast track everything. Katya may be the suspect, but she's in grave danger."