Chapter 4

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It has been three days since Leni slept with Risa.

Exactly three days ago, both women shared a pleasure and spoke foreign language of satisfaction. The pink and purple hued room served as their sole witness on how one's presence caused the other to experience the tingling feeling of high, the rhythm of their tongue that savored, danced and tasted each other causing their petals to arouse and until now, Leni can remember it all too well.

Both Leni's body and mind are twisted, her body hurts from travelling to Naga and returning to Manila because of an emergency call from her dad saying that her mom was in a critical condition at the hospital. She's tired because of the cases that are now piled up waiting for her and it's as if those papers are going to eat her alive, it's as if her body wants to shut down but deep within, Leni knew she's aching for something more.

"Thank you, for last night... Attorney, Leni."

Leni thought back to her previous conversation with Risa. Leni honestly foresaw that Risa's expressions of thanks weren't sincere at all since she was only attempting to act professionally.

Leni replied in a smile. An awkward smile.

"So, I guess... See you around?" the smaller lady spoke after clearing out the knot in her throat that had been preventing her from speaking. The blob of shame.

Risa remained silent. She simply stood there and stared at Leni for a moment, attempting to read the other woman's thoughts but failing so she ended up just rolling her eyes.

"We'll be seeing each other if you accept Zuarez's case and dare to defend him in the court."

"Trust me, Leni. Hindi mo ako gugustuhing makalaban at mas lalong hindi mo ako gugustuhing magalit."

Leni bit her lower lip as she remembers Risa's last remarks.

It has been stuck in her mind, rent free and damn all the gods, her going home to her hometown didn't help at all.

She went to Naga the very same day Risa and her exchanged their goodbyes professionally. Leni believed she would be able to breathe in some fresh air in the province, take a break from her job for a little while,  and escape Manila's chaos, especially the Zuarez case and issues.

But as said, it didn't help at all.

Leni's mom is in much more stabilized condition now which is a relief for her but still, the woman worries for an unknown reason.

"Tignan nyo, tulala na naman si Leonor." Lei pointed at her.

"Namaligno ka ba sa Naga? ba't parang ibang Leonor ang bumalik dito sa Manila,"

"Manahimik nga kayo, ini-stress nyo pa si Leni. Malamang sa malamang iniisip lang nyan yung kaso ni Zuarez," Leni immediately got her sense back as she heard Chel defending her.

Leni, Kit, Chel and Leila have been friends for a very long time now. Leni and Kit were in the same dormitory when they were in college but they weren't that close before, they only got a chance to know each other deeply when they became lawyers already. To add with, Chel and Leila were college bestfriends and as fate let the four lawyers meet in PAO, they all get along pretty well. Leila, the oldest but the naughtiest. Chel, the "Kuya" in the workplace. Kit, the lowkey 'crush ng bayan' and of course, Leni, the poging babae in court.

"Ano nga palang balita dun, Leni?" Chel asked.

"Hindi ko kukunin yung kaso." Leni spoke after sipping a coffee.

"Sabi ni Kit tinadtad daw kayo ng messages and calls from Sen. Pres. Zuarez's office nung umuwi ako sa Bicol ah?" she added and everyone nodded. "Naku, miss ma'am nakakairita nga eh. Pero sure ball ka na ba dyan? medyo malaking tao ang makakalaban mo nyan," Kit tapped Leni's shoulder lightly. 'miss ma'am', Kit's usual nickname to Leni.

Okay na yung sila yung makalaban ko, wag lang si Risa. Leni said at the back of her mind.

"Yes, sure na ako. Hindi kakayanin ng konsensya ko kung mapawalang sala ko yung taong totoong may kasalanan sa kaso."

"Leni, abogado tayo. Darating at darating ang mga kasong ganito, at saka, you've made your own conclusion here. Tingin mo si redacted 1 talaga ang may dahilan kung bakit nasa coma at halos mamatay na si redacted 2?" Lei became more serious this time.

"If only you guys know what I know..." Leni whispered. "Oh, ayan na naman sya. Basta, malaki ka na Leni, kaya mo na sarili mo." Lei rebutted with her teasing tone that made Leni roll her eyes and shook her head.

"Hindi ko na tatanungin kung ano yung alam mo. Dito lang ako, miss ma'am. I'll support you every step of the way." Kit's statement made Leni beam. She's glad that she has this support system from her friends all throughout.

After their lunch with full of laughter and catching up, Leni immediately wrote an email to the Senate President saying that she won't take his son's case. Leni's not a private lawyer and she's currently under PAO, she can't take the Zuarez case either way so perhaps the Zuarez's have to find another lawyer. "Marami ding mas magaling na abodago kesa sakin," Leni stated and click the sent button.

Minutes have passed, Leni has been pouring out her attention to the new case she has. Kit went into her office with a coffee to check up on her just a while ago after sending the email, Leni told him not to worry too much about her and assured Kit that she'll be fine which the taller guy understood. Leni's fine, Leni will always be fine.

Leni heard her office telephone ring as she sipped the coffee Kit had given her.

"Hello, this is Atty. Leonor Gerona's office," she greeted but sobs answered her.

"M-ma'am, this is Senate President Zuarez's secretary. I-I..." the woman on the other line continue to sob as she stutters and it made Leni worry.

"H-hindi na po ako mag papaligoy-ligoy pa, Mr. Zuarez doesn't accept your declination of his son's case po. Ma'am k-kung pwede po, pumunta po kayo dito sa opisina namin? Mr. Senate President wants to talk to you in person, 3 days ka na po nyang hinihintay... Ma'am, forgive my informality but he clearly gave me an order that he'll fire me if you don't come here. Attorney, p-please. Help me po."

Leni was too stunned to speak. She can also hear noises of a person shouting on the other line and surely it was Zuarez. Leni bit her lip before replying, "Sige, papunta na ako... Mag-iingat ka dyan, I'll talk to you too."

With that, Leni didn't hesitate to leave her office as soon as possible, she didn't say anything to her colleagues and just went to the senate president's office.

She arrived within 45 minutes. Cameras from news team and journalists welcomed Leni but she couldn't say a single word, still mind corrupted by what she heard from the secretary.

"Attorney, Leni!! Finally!!" Zuarez approached Leni with a big smile on his face, he was wearing a tux but it didn't cover up the stress that was written on his face. "Your visit was unannounced but I was free naman so andito ako," the senator offered a handshake and clicks from the camera started causing for flashes to escape.

Leni couldn't help but to forcefully smile and take the handshake, she was about to think that it was a trap coming her but then she spotted the secretary standing behind Zuarez, and the first thing she saw was the woman's swollen eyes and nearly torn sleeve.

After a little while they went inside the office and started talking about the case.

It was all over the news and headlines.

Leni Gerona coming to the senate president's office.

"Putangina." the only words that came out to Risa's mouth right after hearing the news.

"Putangina, Leonor Gerona." she added.

The news was forwarded to Risa by her staff after it had been published for 15 minutes since it was obviously related to the case of Zuarez and Silveztre. The case of her godchild. Risa clenched her jaw as she recalled when she had last spoken to Leni, it was very evident what they had discussed and she now she's restless.

For the past 3 days with no news about the senate president, Risa have been calmed but she knew that Zuarez's has a plan. Maybe this is their plan, she thought.

And with that, Risa hurriedly went outside her office, started the engine of her car and decided to take care of something.

"It took you an hour and a half..." Risa spoke while tilting her head. The taller woman is standing calmly in front of Leni's condominium's door.

Leni was too stunned to speak, again. She was taken a back and even stopped herself from walking while taking her keys out of her pocket.

"Senator, Risa... anong ginagawa mo dito?" despite having knowing the reason for Risa's unexpected appearance in front of her condo, Leni asked. Her heart began to race but she did her best to keep from stuttering and maintained her composure.

"I'm just here for a little talk."


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