Chapter 2: Unexpected Encounter

After several months of the agony of waiting, Celine had finally taken an oath and signed in the roll of attorneys. And today is another kind of a big day for her — it is her first court appearance as a litigation lawyer.

She went to her office much earlier as she does — did some readings and cross-checked documents needed for the afternoon’s hearing.

After reviewing everything, she then sat comfortably in her black swivel chair. She looked around, still amazed with the fact that she finally had the office she imagined - White walls, black and white furniture, gold accents, and white marble floor. Right after, she spaced out.

Then her telephone rang, and it brought her back to reality. She picked up the call. "Yes. I'm Atty. Celine Mendez."

Deep inside, there are still goosebumps whenever she identifies herself as Atty. Mendez. “Okay, Mr. Cruz, let’s see what we can do with it. My secretary will fill you in with the details of the appointment. Thanks and have a great day," Then, she transferred the call to her secretary. “Cath, you know the drill!” She excitedly exclaimed. 

She continued sitting for a while and appreciated what she has right now. After everything - the all-nighters, breakdowns, failures, and sacrifices, all are worth it.

Then she loudly told herself, “They now call you, Atty. Celine. Well done!" And she patted herself.

She got up from her seat, put all the documents in her suitcase, and left for the hearing.

—

(At the Regional Trial Court)

Celine enters the courtroom. Lawyers, men, and women, dressed up formally. Some men are in barongs, and some are in suits and ties. Women, on the other hand, are dressed up in below-knee dresses. Some are in blazer-pants terno.

Celine opened the lock of the wood bar and entered gracefully.

Everyone in the bar welcomed her warmly as she crossed the bar. Some are familiar faces. Some are not. But each one of them is as warm as the others.

“Congratulations, Atty. Mendez," Atty. Santos, the chic lady lawyer in her late 40s, who Celine looks up to, said.

“Wow! For what, Atty.?” Celine asked with a bright smile.

Atty. Santos answered, “Well, because you’re here now. You’re here inside the bar, with us! Isn’t it something worth congratulating for, ATTY? MENDEZ?”

And everyone laughed. Then, suddenly someone opened the door — it’s a man in his late 30s, handsome and intelligent looking. He is rushing towards the bar. Everyone is looking in his direction as he entered abruptly.

“Apologies, everyone. I thought I was late,” The man, panting, said.

Atty. Santos butted in, “Well, looks like a familiar face! Don’t you think, everyone?” She jokingly said, and looked at Celine with a half-worried look.

Of course, they know him. It’s Atty. Drake Madrigal. The rising lawyer a few years back - who suddenly migrated to the United States. No one knows why.  

Celine cannot say a word — she’s dumbfounded. It’s him, the man she loved — the person who fixed her heart, but the same one who shattered it right after.

She looked at his brown eyes, radiant face, and smooth lips — everything is just as the same, except the beat of his heart. Without her knowing, she shed a tear, and it woke up her senses. She quickly wiped it with her hand and faked a smile.

Drake looked at her, hesitating whether or not he would smile. So, Celine being the biggest faker, smiled and said, “Dra—, I mean, Atty. Drake. Good to see you.” She was able to finish her sentence calmly. But deep inside, she wanted to scream and cry hard.

Then Drake reached out his hand, offering a handshake, and said, “Wow. You’re Atty. Mendez now. Congratulations.” So Celine reached Drake’s hand for the handshake, and just smiled.

It was the first time since their parting that she held his hand. Suddenly, she felt the pain during that day. She did not say a word anymore because Celine feels like, with just one word — her voice will crack, and no one would like that on her first court appearance.

It was getting awkward. Celine cannot hold out her emotions anymore — she could burst out into tears anytime. Then, the judge entered the room - she was saved by the bell. For the others, the judge's arrival and gaze give chills. But for her, it was a relief.

With the judge's presence, everyone is in silence. She cannot hear any sound, but only her heart's - that is in unrest.

Throughout the hearing, Celine tries to calm herself. She doesn’t want to ruin her first appearance in court just because her ex appeared in front of her.

“…SP-2356…” the court employee cites the case.

“Dang! That’s my case," Celine thought in her mind.

She cannot focus on what the judge is saying, but she tried her best — she doesn’t want to screw the case. But after pulling herself together, she was again stunned that Drake was mentioned, turns out Drake is the adverse counsel.

Celine pinched her hand to wake herself up. There’s no time for her emotions. Her client’s interest shall take precedence as oathed.

“Your honor, I’m entering appearance for Mr. Sandoval. Unfortunately, he cannot make his presence today due to an emergency. The reason is attached to the annexes in the motion submitted to this honorable court.” Drake confidently uttered every word.

“Wait, what? He did not request for a continuance?” Celine speaks in her mind.

Celine was baffled that Drake did not request more time to get familiarized with the case, knowing that he's a new counsel to the case too.

The “special proceeding” had to be postponed for a while when the counsels of each party conspired to prolong the case. Thus, the changing of counsels.

“Your honor, it’s a pleasure to be in your court. I’m Atty. Celine Mendez, and I’m entering appearance as Ms. Sandoval’s new counsel for the reason as stated in the pleading,” Celine opened the case.

Ms. Sandoval is a young, beautiful woman in her 30s, legally separated from Mr. Sandoval, her husband, who is the opposing party in the case.

Ms. Sandoval moves for a custodial right over her children with her husband. 

“Duly noted. Proceed," The judge accepted her.

“Thanks, your honor. I am humbly requesting a continuance. I just newly handled this case. Please allow us more time,” Celine continued.

“Adverse counsel, any comment?” the judge asked Drake.

“No objections, your honor,” Drake firmly answered, as if he wants to assure that there would be no problem.

And so, the honorable judge granted the same. The hearing will be reset 15 days from such date.

“Permission to leave, your honor,” Celine asked.

Celine left, while Drake stayed as he had another case in the same court.

“Ms. Sandoval, let’s meet tomorrow morning at my office. I'm so sorry, but I have to leave first," Celine said swiftly.

As Celine walks down the hall, she can’t help but feel unwell. She feels weak and can barely move her body. Her energy is drained, not because of her first court hearing, but with drake’s unexpected appearance.

As she reached her car, her driver opened the shiny black door of her Bentley. She sat in the backseat, and the driver drove. She opened her window, felt the wind in her face as the sun struck it too, and tears rolled down her face.

“Where to, Atty.?” The driver hesitantly asked. “Let’s call it a day, Kuya Allan. I want to go home," Celine weakly said with a cracking voice.  

How can a man suddenly appear right after the woman has gathered the strength to move forward after her heart is shattered into pieces? Celine thinks it’s cruel. But what can she do? She doesn’t own the world, and it won’t stop for her.

And just like that, all the pain and her heartaches were resuscitated — all her memories from the past flashed back

(Flashback)