Chapter 11: Facing The Criminal

"I'm leaving, be sure to lock the door and make sure to eat, okay?" Alexander lightly tapped me on the shoulder, his voice pulling me back to reality.

"H-Ha? Ano?" I stammered, confused. Napansin kong nasa may pinto na kami, at siya'y paalis na. Ano bang nangyari? Did I seriously zone out while watching his back?

He raised a brow, amused. "Uh, yeah, I'll be sure to do whatever it is you said. Hehe, bye!" I blurted out, awkwardly waving him off before shutting the door quickly. My heart was oddly racing, and I hated it.

I leaned against the door, exhaling sharply. "Ano bang problema ko?" bulong ko sa sarili ko. Dumiretso ako sa kusina at napansin kong wala na yung lumang pizza sa mesa — nasa basurahan na. Huh? Napakunot-noo ako. I remembered heating it earlier… but then Alexander came and— Oh my God, tinapon niya.

"Punyeta, ang pakialamero talaga,"

---

The next morning, I was greeted by my alarm blaring at 5:30 AM. "Another day, another opportunity to be the best version of yourself," I sarcastically muttered. Yeah, right. After getting ready, I hailed a taxi.

Pagdating ko sa office, Matthew, my boss, was nowhere to be seen, and I sighed in relief. "Thank god," I muttered. I walked toward my office, still feeling a bit off from yesterday's encounter with Alexander.

The hallway was eerily quiet. Normally, there'd be people milling about, chatting, or working on their desks. Ngunit ngayon, tahimik na tahimik. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad pero hindi ko maiwasang mapansin na parang may ibang tao sa likod ko. I turned around — nothing.

"Okay, stop scaring yourself," I muttered.

As I approached my office door, my hand reached for the doorknob. Then — "Boo."

"JESUS FREAKING CHRIST!" I screamed, my back slamming against the door.

Loud laughter erupted behind me as I turned to see Matthew, my insufferable boss and friend, doubled over like he'd just watched the funniest thing ever. "Oh my God, did you see your face?! You looked like you'd seen a ghost," he wheezed.

"What the actual—" I gasped, clutching my chest. "Ano bang problema mo?! Gusto mo ba akong atakihin sa puso?"

He took one last drag of his cigarette, grinning. "Well, if you die, I’d have to hire someone new. And honestly, no one handles crazy cases like you, so I’d prefer you alive."

"Putangina ka talaga, Matt," I muttered, still catching my breath.

"Ah, relax. You’re fine. Anyway—" he checked his watch nonchalantly. "You're late."

I froze. "Ano?" I checked my own watch — 6:50 AM. "Late? Dude, it's 6:50. I'm early."

He scoffed, flicking his cigarette onto the ground. "Well, I was here earlier than you. And the employee should come in before the boss."

I glared at him, exasperated. "Are you serious? Ano bang gusto mo, Matt?"

He grinned devilishly. "Just keeping you on your toes." Then his tone shifted. "I heard she tried to kill herself. What happened?" Tamo lang, bipolar talaga tong abnoy na to.

"Yeah, it's all taken care of now. I've already talked to the police, and they said they'll monitor her more closely. Her doctors mentioned she has small cuts all over, but she should be fine. I also spoke with the psychologist, but she's still not saying anything. That's about it," I explained.

We reached my office door, and his tone darkened. "Hmm, okay. Well, I have to handle other cases. Will you be okay to go alone? You know the drug lord is nuts."

I gave a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll see you when I see you."

He hesitated. "Adeline."

I turned around. "Yeah?"

His smile was gone, and his eyes turned unusually cold. "Just… be careful in there. He's not like the others. And if he starts mentioning stuff that hits too close to home—" He paused. "Don't let it get to you."

A chill ran down my spine. "What do you mean by that?"

He just smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good luck."

---

I gathered my belongings and hailed a taxi. Today, I would be going to the prison, which was half an hour away, to visit Sebastian Morales, a powerful drug lord with a deep connection to the case. He was undergoing trial, and the police were actively investigating his ties to human traffickers, corrupt cops, and cartel operations.

Thirty minutes later, I arrived. Pumasok ako sa kulungan, and the tension in my chest grew heavier with every step. The guard walked me through the dim corridor until we reached the room.

"Handa ka na, attorney?" tanong ng guard, looking at me like I was stepping into a death trap.

I forced a smile. "Yeah."

The door creaked open, and there he was — Sebastian Morales.

His jet-black hair was slicked back, his orange jumpsuit looking pristine, as if he still had power despite being incarcerated. His grin widened when he saw me.

"And so we meet," he drawled, his voice dripping with malice. "Hello, attorney."

I straightened my back. "Mr. Sebastian Morales. I'm here to ask you—"

"Naku, attorney. Wag na tayong pormal-pormal," he interrupted, his grin widening. "You came here dahil gusto mong malaman kung anong droga ang binigay ko sa uncle, 'di ba?"

I tensed. "How did you—"

"Honey, I know everything," he chuckled darkly. "Alam kong he overdosed the girl. Alam kong kaya nabaliw yung bata ay dahil sa droga kong 'yon. But the real question is…" He leaned forward, his voice dropping. "Why do you care so much?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Because she's my client duh."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Dapat hindi lang 'yan. Kung tinanong mo ako about my connections I would've told you, you know? Maganda ka kasi kaya ok lang." His smile turned predatory. "Ikaw ba, attorney? Kamusta?"

My blood ran cold. "What did you just say?" Grabi nakakakilabot. Bakit ba ang daming sinasabi ng ungas na to? Masyadong personal ah, feeling close?

Ngumisi siya, para bang natutuwa siyang makita akong nawawala sa sarili. "Sabi ko… kamusta ka—"

"Shut up."

"Ah. Ayaw sa small talk? Naka-relate ka ba masyado sa kaso ng kliyente mo kaya gusto mo ng matapos to?"

I slammed my hands on the table, 'Ano ba ang pinagsasabi ng gagong to?'. "Give me the name of the drug you used, Morales. Now."

He only laughed. "Gusto mo talaga?" He leaned forward, his smile widening. "BZP-79. Military-grade deliriant. Isang beses lang gamitin, baliw agad. Same drug na ginamit sa tito niya. Ang tanong…" He smirked. "Do you think she’ll ever come back from that?"

I stumbled back. "What do you mean?."

"You already know, so why ask?" ang gagong to.

The guards rushed in as I stormed out of the room, my heart racing. No… no, no, no. Wala din point kung manalo kami sa kaso kung di din makakabalik sa dati si Emilia.

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