Chapter Eighteen

                                                                             Avyanna Elyse

A month later.

After winning another case, agad nakong umuwi sa condo, and after taking a bath I immediately seat down and took a peek of my new case tomorrow, since I became the most known Criminal Defense Attorney not a day for me to have a rest, since halos everyone wants me to be their attorney, since then everyday the least I can do for myself is just to eat, no sleep no fun, cases.

Everyday may lawsuit ako, pinaka least na lawsuit ko per day as of this month is 4 and heck I feel like I'm an dead body walking on this planet.

Since that worse moment of my life, Rigel leaving me I couldn't resist not crying everytime I don't do something just to see his face, kahit picture kinababaliwan ko pa, I don't know where he heck is he, maski text or tawag di na ito nagparamdam, so that's why I'm making myself super busy, just to avoid and forget the pain.

After reading the while case, kahit mag halos mag five hundred na ang pages I couldn't feel the feeling of being sleepy, that's why opened another case.

It's already 3 am and still di ako dinadalaw ng antok nakakailang case nakong binasa.

"I need to sleep, fuck this Avyanna, you're killing yourself," I said to my self silently crying, again.

I fell asleep when my eyes finally got tired of crying, and woke up, 7 am.

I didn't had the chance to have a break fast when suddenly my assistant texted me that a huge amount of people is throwing a mob outside my own law office.

I took a deep breath before going  down  my car.

I know this, it's about the national player who was once an artist, died due of her illness, pero timing an man  delivered food, since they ordered a hundreds of them the delivery man have to send it in, para di na mahirapan sila, that's when the accident happened.

From the start I knew that my client is not guilty, he came inside the house for 3 minutes, how could he kill someone in a spawn of 3 minutes? Not having clues nor spots saying that he killed the victim, I doubt it.

Because the other side was lack of evidence we easily one, now everybody's here, again.

"What should we do?" My assistant said, looked very worried.

"Let them be, as if I couldn't do anything while they're here, if you're  having a problem about the noise, don't worry I thought this might happened, while this building was under construction I made it sound proof, now let's go," I said and walked inside my law office.

**

When my phone suddenly rang I immediately answered it.

Shit I forget about it.

"Hello, any news about him?" I said on the line.

"No, he really don't want you to find him, ma'am,"

"So you're saying that I wasted thousands of millions on you for nothing?!" I shouted, and slammed the table out of anger.

"No, ma'am, we won't rest until we found the person you're looking for, ma'am," he said, at agad ko namang pinutol  ang tawag.

The hell, I'm going crazy over this.

I've been looking for Rigel for almost a month now, I spent all of my salary just to find him.

**

"Kinkabahan ako, unnie, what if matalo tayo? Then justice won't be served for my mom and aunt," nangi-nginig na boses na wika ng kliyente ko sa murang edad niya ay natuklasan niya kung pano namatay ang inay at tita nito.

"Don't worry, Unnie will make sure that  guy will not see the world again, promise," I said and patted her head, smiling.

But my smile faded when I turned my back on her, knowing that the other side is not easy to compete with, the governor's son.

Habang hinihintay ang iba ay agad nang kumunot ang noo ko ang babaeng kinaiinitan ng ulo namin ni Lula sa field, Alisa.

"Oh, hi there attorney conception, if I were you drop the case while the time is still young, I'm unbeatable, you know that right," she said as she takes the can of cola that was supposed to be mine.

"Uh, an Attorney who's taking someone's belongings? You're not that rude aren't you," I said smiling.

"Oh well, relax, atty, we're friends right? And if you just didn't take that case you won't decrease your win rate, remember the governor asked your to be his son's  defender, but what? You declined, petty," she said and tapped my shoulders and left.

That dirty whore! That Alisa I hope you die.

I sighed deeply not letting my cool off.

And she was right, if I just accepted his son to defend him I won't be driving myself to stress, but I couldn't watch a penniless child to see her love ones being killed and couldn't even bring up justice.

**

"All rise, We will now begin, case number 2021AE0507 the people versus Mike Avotado. First we will check the appearance of each parties, Prosecutor,"

Prosecutor Maxine  stood up and as usual in her serious face.

"Here," she said, and sat down again.

"Defense council,"

"Here,"

"Jurors,"

"Yes, here,"

"The court is now officially on session," pag anunsyo ng judge matapos makitang kompleto na ang lahat.

**

"November 18 of 2020 a young man named Mike Avotado was unfortunately accused for killing the late victims Aleya Sulidad and Fheya Sulidad, for murder," Prosecutor Maxine said, walking around in front with an serious face.

The other side was about to stand up when they saw Prosecutor was about to go back on her spot when the prosecutor playfully came back to the center, smiling, making the Attorney Alisa look stupid standing, at halatang halata na sinandya ito ng prosecutor.

It was also Alisa's fault standing without hearing the prosecutors leave.

"But one thing is odd, why would the prime suspect tried to do something alarming on the victims daughter? To keep his deed clean?" Prosecutor Maxine said, I am quite fascinated at her saying those things without sugarcoating.

"Your Honor! The defense denies the prosecution's weak assertions!"Alisa said, making me whistle secretly.

Mama mo your honor.

"Weak assertions you must say?" Prosecutor Maxine said, looking at Camille, who's besides me.

"I would like to call Camille Sulidad on Witness stand," she said and followed Camille walking with her eyes.

As usual before she says anything she swore to the almighty and to everyone in court that she'll only say legit facts and  nothing but the facts.

"State your name,"the prosecutor said, asking the clerks questions.

"Camille Sulidad," she answered, from her face she looks scared, too fragile to be in this situation.

"What are your relationship to the victim and the prime suspect," the clerk asked.

"Nanay  ko po si Aleya Sulidad at tita ko rin naman po si Fheya Sulidad," she answered.

"How about Mike Avotado?" the prosecutor asked.

"Hindi po, hindi ko po kilala kung sino po siya," she answered, now looking down.

I saw the prosecutors face changed.

"September 15, 2020 said here that a student from mailshot high that the both of you, Mr. Mike Avotado were dating, and you just said that you didn't know him, are you trying to lie to fold the real truth above this case Ms. Camille? You swore remember? Now tell me, do you know Mike Avotado?!" The prosecutor asked, in a high tone, making Camille starting to shake.

"Your Honor!! The the prosecution is trying to affright the witness!! she is still a minor and she won't stand it ," I said in the highest voice.

"Sustained persecution change the question," the judge said letting me breath, for now.

"As of now I would like everyone to focus  yourself on the screen, On September 15, Ms. Camille and  Mr. Miguel was seen on a hotel, at 6:30 in the morning, stating that they know each other, the question is.... Ms. Camille what were you doing on the on a same room on a hotel with mister Miguel on  6:30 a.m. if you didn't know each other could you please explain?" Prosecutor Maxine asked, making me worry about revealing the past of Camille.

But Camille didn't answer.

"Ms. Camille? Kilala mo siya o hindi? Isn't a yes or no?" The prosecutor repeated.

I thought she was on our side!

"Yes or no?" she repeated again.

"H-hindi, a-an—,"

"Yes or no! Answer me yes or no Ms! Is it hard to answer!?" the prosecutor said trying to intimidate her again I was about the stand  up but the judge gestured me not to.

"M-makinig kayo, hi-hind—,"

"ANSWER THE QUESTION MS CAMILLE! YES OR NO!" the prosecutor now shouted, she's definitely she's definitely taking advantage  of it.

"NO!!" Camille shouted, now crying.

"The Prosecution rest, thank you Your Honor," Prosecutor Maxine said and sat down, and smirked on me.

"Your honor I would like to pass an evidence as to jeopardize the witnesses statement," Alisa said or shall I say Attorney Alisa.

After sending an picture to the judge they immediately put it on a big screen, letting everyone see the picture.

I sighed, I knew that they'll be  using this as a weapon, but they just got my bait. I smiled secretly, feeling the victory already.

"Your honor I would also like to request the permission to pass an evidence," I said, raising my hand who's holding an usb.

The judge agreed and I quickly played the record.

'Babe, please come back to me, please, I don't care about your mother, if I had to I'll  just kill her for us to continue our love, please,'

Everybody was shocked hearing the governor's son's voice.

'No, ayoko alam mo na sa una una di kita minahal, at pinilit mo'ko maging girlfriend mo, but I don't want my mother to know this.' I sighed before saying anything.

I really didn't want to spread their past, and Camille even pleased me not to, but they already spilled the beans, I have the court into my hands.

"Your Honor, like what you heard the suspect, Mr. Mike Avotado said that he'd kill Ms. Camille's mother just to let the 'Love' back," I said making the judge look suspicious.

"Your Honor, permission to ask a question," Alisa said, now looking at me straightly.

"Permission granted," the judge replied.

"Bakit mo lang ngayon pinasa ang evidence mo? You know from  the start if you pass that evidence earlier this case would be closed, right?" she said, trying to intimidate me also.

As if.

"As you know, Your Honor Ms. Camille has a past with Mr Avotado, she tried to hide it for the sake of her future as well, but since they spilled the beans I'd took advantage of it," I said, nor looking on Atty Alisa.

"Your honor, that yield everything, i rest my case," I said and sat down.

**

After 3 hours of waiting the the verdict finally came out.

"The accused has been charged to attempted murder, as the representative of the juries and in front of the people of the Philippines as power bestowed us by the constitution of Philippines with an unanimous  decision from the juries driven by the arguments and evidence presented, now the accused is found....." I felt Camille's hand shaking, she's currently hugging me, praying for the justice of her late mom and aunt.

"Guilty,"

**

"Oy! Avy! Andito na kami ni Xali sa bar! Bilisan mo! Gago yong kaibigan natin humaharot, pwede ba yon sa inyo? Kung hindi bilisan mo na dyan! At baka mawalan pa 'to ng license!" Xali shouted, because of the music She needed to shout.

"Yeah, I'm on my way," I said, putting some makeup on my face

I was planning to treat myself some sleep after winning another case, but Xali and Lula pleased, that's why wala akong choice.

**

"Oy! Shot mo na!" I shouted! Seeing the both flirting with boys, I couldn't stand it so I threw some tissues on them.

"Epal mo attorney! Na bi-bitter ka na-naman eh!" Xali said and flipped her hair.

"Respeto, pwede?" I said and saw her laugh.

"Wag kami damayin mo sa pa bitter mo girl," Lula said laughing.

**

After hours of drinking my head started to spin, I'm  still sober but the alcohol's slowly hitting me.

"HOYY!!!" my body literally jumped when Lula shouted at me.

"OH?!" I shouted back, drinking.

"Remember sam? Yong nag invite sayo sa sikat na party noong grade 11 pa tayo?!" she shouted, I just nodded.

Samantha, the girl who black mailed Rigel just to be her girlfriend.

"Yes? Why? She's dead? That's good," I said nodding, but my eyes widened when she faced the screen to my face.

#SOONTOBEANEWLYMARRIED

#OTWNEWCOUPLE!

A tear fell, seeing Rigel and Samantha on a gown and tuxedo, smiling.

Mag papakasal si Rigel?