Chapter 17
Napangisi si Attorney Collins matapos lakbayin ng kaniyang isip ang nakaraang pangyayari kung paano niya nakuha ang loob ng mga opisyales at ni Detective Lim para magkaroon siya ng easy access mula sa mga awtoridad.
Kinuha niya ang kaniyang cellphone para tawagan si Detective Nathan Lim para humingi ng ilang pabor. Unang ring pa lang ng tawag ay agad itong sinagot ng tao sa kabilang linya.
“Detective Nathan Lim, speaking.” Words Attorney Collins heard from the other line.
“011301,” pagsagot ni Attorney Collins. He used their code to indirectly introduce himself to Detective Nathan Lim.
“Attorney Grey Collins,” saad ng nasa kabilang linya, confirming his identity.
“Can I ask you a favor, Detective?” malumanay na tanong ni Attorney Collins.
Attorney Collins is always like that. Telling what he needs directly without saying unnecessary things.
“Sure thing.
Chapter 18 Matipid na tango lamang ang ginawad nila Attorney Collins at ng lalaking kararating pa lang sa isa't-isa. Their own way to acknowledge each other's presence. Bahagya pang lumingon sa likod ang lalaki at sinenyasan ang kung sino para pumasok at kunin ang lalaking nakamaskara. The man who came just minutes ago didn't wear his usual attire. He was currently on disguise to hide his identity for some reason. They cannot take the risk to reveal his identity in the midst of situation they were in at baka ikapahamak niya pa ito. Lalo na ngayon na may intruder silang kasama. His identity might be used against them at ayaw niyang dumating sila sa punto na ganoon nga ang mangyayari. The case he and Attorney Collins currently working is no ordinary. At lahat ng involved sa kaso ay walang kasiguraduhan ang kaligtasan. You just have two choices to make. Either to reveal yourself and attract
Chapter 19 Napabuga lang ng malalim na hininga si Mr. Jared. Kasalukuyan silang nasa secret quarter kasama si Attorney Collins, Mr. Winston at ang dalawang tauhan ni Mr. Jared. Prente at tahimik lang na nakaupo si Attorney Collins sa isang swivel chair. Malalim ang iniisip at tila ba nasaang lupalop na naman ng mundo tinangay ang naglalakbay na isipan nito. Si Mr. Jared ay nanatiling nakakunot ang noo at pabalik-balik ang lakad sa harapan, hindi mapalagay at tila ba balisa. Ang dalawang tauhan nito ay nakatulala lang sa gilid at nagmumuni-muni kung ano ang sunod na gagawing habang. Naghihintay lang sa utos ni Mr. Jared. On the other hand, Mr. Winston was on his phone... probably calling his most trusted staff to take care of the restaurant while he is still not around. “Hello, Ms. Maggie?” unang bungad ni Mr. Lee sa kabilang linya. Ms. Maggie, his cashier and his most trusted staf
Chapter 20“Good day, Mr. Lee! Glad to finally meet you,” Attorney Collins greeted.Kasalukuyan silang nasa loob ng interrogation room and it was the first time they met to talk about the case. Palapit na rin kasi ang kaso kaya kailangan nilang mag-usap dalawa para makagawa na ng plano.“Nice to meet you too, Attorney Grey Collins. I heard about you a lot,” balik na bati ni Mr. Lee. He was returning the favor, he treated Attorney Collins with respect and someone he looked up to.Mr. Lee was on his jail uniform, he is still under the police custody until he is not yet proven innocent and not guilty. Just until then, they held him captive.Attorney Collins nodded.“About the case... Mr. Winston gave me a short briefing about your situation,” Attorney Collins paused as he wander his eyes around, being careful not to be heard by someone. Their case is confidential and the informat
Chapter 21“Nah, he cannot do that. Suicide, really? That's absurb!” Treton exclaimed as a matter of fact.He just cannot grasp the idea of Mr. Aaron doing that, if ever. Nakasama niya ito sa loob ng ilang taon and without any doubts, they can confidently say that he cannot do that or rather not to. He was not a man like that, the Mr. Aaron they knew despised that idea the most.“He loves his life too much. He even gave us an earful one time when we were too close on giving up on our lives,” Cheska butted in, after being silent for a long time.She stated it smiling as she vividly recalled what happened in the past, how Mr. Aaron Lee lectured them when he was still alive. She remembered it crystal clear like it only happened yesterday. Those kind of memories are one of a kind, a rare memories that is worth keeping.Iyon 'yong oras na tambak sila sa trabaho, kaliwa't kanan na reports ang kailangan nilang tap
Chapter 22“Good to see you again, Mr. Lee. Hang in there, we will get through this,” Attorney Collins comforted.They are currently facing each other, face-to-face inside the visiting room. Mr. Lee wore his jail uniform, but then, he was smiling when he face Attorney Collins.He is a lot better now, Mr. Amfed Lee they mean. Thanks for Attorney Collins, it is not possible if not for him. He did all the works and now they are too close to winning, no doubt that.Sinisigurado nilang nasa kanila ang huling halakhak. Through Attorney Grey Collins, everything is possible with him. Power and authority may have the ability to bend the law but Attorney Collins hold the sense of justice, so who will win against him?May hindi mapantayang kapangyarihan man ang nasa kabilang panig na kalaban nila, na kayang manipulahin ang batas... But Attorney Collins never feel threaten
Chapter 23“You did well. Thank you for your hard work, Attorney Collins,” the presiding judge congratulated.The presiding judge was impressed by him. Indeed, he trusted the right person.“I did what I ought to. Thank you, Your Honor!” Attorney Collins responded as they exchange handshakes.Attorney Collins may be cold but he appreciates all their compliments in a way that makes him proud of himself.It melts his heart knowing that he accomplish something not just for himself but for anyone who needs help. That alone helps him find his purpose in life.He failed to save his father's life. So he decided to give them the favor. In them, he can at least do things that he is capable of doing.It is his way to console his younger self for not doing his best. Now that he was given a chance to showcase his talent in court
Chapter 24“Welcome to our law firm, Attorney Rouge Dwayne. It is indeed an honor to have you here with us. Feel free to roam around,” Attorney Collins welcomed.Pormal na pagbigay bati ni Attorney Collins. Ang gaan ng pakiramdam niya sa araw na 'yon sa kaisipang wala itong bitbit na gawain o tungkulin na dapat gampanan.It feels like the weigh he was carrying throughout the years has been lifted up. For how many years he have been working hard, it will be his first time to take a leave for a longer time. And it feels so good to be freed from work.Para siyang nakawalang ibon sa hawla, pagkatapos ng ilang taong pagkakakulong.Today
Trigger warning: Contains sensitive words and sexual harassment. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! “Objection, Your honor! The defense attorney are making baseless accusation.” A man stood up with dignity. Walang bakas na takot ang makikita sa kaniyang mukha. He was standing among the crowd. Scared with no one. A man who works for truth. Sa loob ng apat na sulok ng korte, hindi na mahalaga kung ano ang katotohanan. Kapag may pera kang pambayad para ipaglaban ang kaso mo, panalo ka. Regardless of your crimes. In court, only few works for the truth. Because a lot of them became the slave of money. “Objection sustained. Defense attorney, change the question.” The judge-in-charge declared. Nakangising binalingan ng babaeng attorney ang lalaki. A woman in the corner smirked. The total opposite of Attorney Grey Collins, she is no other than Attorney Phoebe Quinn. She is