PROLOGUE

I am staring myself at the mirror while I am just wearing some robe. Looking for some
spot to treat since I have a hectic schedule lately which causes me stress. I just finished
my shower, and I already dried my hair.

After some checking, I just put my skincare. I decided to just put some light make up
since my schedule is hectic today and it makes me uneasy to bare the heavy make up
in my face.

I walk to my walk-in-closet to choose my outfit for today. I decided to put some loose
tobacco long-sleeve, white slacks, Hermes belt, black coat, and some black heels. To
finish my look, I put some minimalist earrings, layered necklace, and Tambour
Monogram 28 My LV. Then, I grab my Bottega Veneta Triangle Leather Tote.

I am in my way to the kitchen. My heels are the only sound in the house. As usual, it’s
so quiet. I decided na hindi na kumuha ng kasambahay since I can manage on my own.
At first, it was lonely since I grew up from a big family but later nasanay na rin ako.

I was really taught independence. Even if it not taught to me, I could learn it on my own
because of my position in the family. I am a first grandchild, first child, and first niece. I
don’t come second to anything. However, despites of my independence my world
usually surrounds with my family. They were my joy, my sanctuary, and my inspiration.
I pour some water in the reservoir of the coffee maker and put the carafe back on the
heating pan. Then, I put some coffee powder in the filter. I also toast some bread while
the coffee is on its own momentum to not waste my time.

I am sitting in the counter of the kitchen, and I just finished having my coffee and toast. I
also read some newspaper. I hear my doorbell rang so I open my door. It’s my breakfast
delivered, I ordered it before taking a bath. I pay my breakfast and give some tips to the
one who delivered my food.

I transferred the tapa and fried rice in a plate before I started eating it. I cannot handle
my day without eating 2 breakfasts. Well, I don’t really consider the first one as
breakfast since it is just some coffee. When I finished eating, I clean my pinagkainan
and drove my way to my firm.

It’s a two-story building. I rented it in my first year but later the owner decided to sell it to
me. As I entered the building, some accountant greeted me. When I ride in the elevator,
some paralegal greeted me. The first floor is my accounting firm while the second is the
law firm and both are my profession which gives me advantages as a corporate lawyer.
It is funny na kahit two- story building lang ay may elevator ito but I can’t do anything
about it since nandiyan nayan pagbili ko.

“Good morning, everyone!” I greet to my staff. Everyone stands up and greeted me

back. While my secretary walk rush towards me para masabayan ang paglalakad ko.

“Is Atty. Sy and Atty. Cruz here? Did you already settle my schedule in the planner?”
Sunod- sunod kong tanong sa kanya.
“Atty. Sy has hearing today while Atty. Cruz has an outside-meeting set and your
planner is set and so is the released of the new bag that you are eyeing last month.” My
secretary Angela replied with a smile in her face.

I stopped before entering in my office and mouthed her thank you.

I turn on my laptop and scan my planner which are on the table together with a table
name plate with Calista Greta Aristizabal carved on it. After that, I opened the black box
with a white ribbon which are the packaging of the bag.

I was surprised that there is a magazine bow it but I am more surprised to read that
inside are the names of the top male lawyer. I scan to that page and saw the name
Anwyn Aahil Canez.

“What a bastard.”

‘
CHAPTER 1

I was walking in an alley to find some buildings that I can rent for my law firm. I’m
already sweating so hard and I cannot go back to my car since it’s 4 kilometer away to
where I parked.

Frustration is already killing me. It’s my third day in search for a commercial building to
rent and I can’t find one. May pinagusapan kami ng adviser ko, kapag nakahanap ako
ng building sa loob ng tatlong araw I can have leave him with the knowledge he gives
but if I can’t I have to stay for another year working with him.

I got no problem working with him, but I want to build a name away from his shadow
already. I’m not getting younger, and I am hungry for stability. The idea of giving another
year working in others freaks me out.

It is past 1 already and I have not eaten my lunch yet. My makeup is so mess up and
my feet have wounds. Kahit sino yatang taong nakakasalubong ay aakalain na ang
dugyot ko.

My problem is I don’t have an umbrella that’s why I am directly affected by the heat of
the sun. Nang marinig ko ang kulo sa aking tiyan ay huminto ako sa tapat ko. Luckily,
it’s a kainan.

Pagpasok ko ay dalawang mesa lamang ang occupied. One is a couple who’s seems a
student while the other one is a group of students composed of 2 man and 3 woman
who’s I think nagstustudy.
I pick the seat which is in front of the aircon. After a while, a waitress attended me. She
has a thin line draw eyeliner and a red lipstick. She is not smiling, and she is chewing
some bubble gum. She placed the menu in front of me as if I did something wrong.

“I’ll order 1 chicken adobo and one cold mineral water please.” I said while my eyes are
still scanning in the menu that she gave me.

Hinila niya ang menu sa kamay ko. I am pissed but I just give her some sweet smile. I
can’t be rude to her baka lagyan niya ng lason yung pagkain ko. Plus, I am asking her
service so I should be kind.

While waiting to my order, I decided to fix my hitsura first so I went to the rest room
while bringing my phone, wallet, and my makeup pouch and left everything at my table.

I reapplied some sunscreen, powder, blush, and lipstick. I also comb my hair and tied it
in a bun. I scan my blue puff sleeve maxi dress and my white half-inch block sandals.

On my way to the table, I’ve noticed that my order is already serve. What an ugly
service.

I still eat the food. Nothing special in the taste, it’s just a simple adobo you can usually
get. I was still just drinking some water ngunit may padabog na nilagay na small red tray
sa mesa ko. It’s the bill. I didn’t even ask yet about this one. I stared the tray then
shifted it to the same girl waitress before I rolled my eyes to her.
“Miss, you should suggest sa may-ari na itrain mo na kayo ng proper etiquette.” I said
while my eyes are on my wallet. She stared at me the whole time.

“Here! Keep the change para may pambili ka ng pang kilay.” I said with a huge smile in
my face while giving her the small tray.

Hindi niya ito tinanggap kaya nilagay ko nalang ulit sa lamesa. Then, I grab my bag and
get out of the place. Enough of the disrespect.

I go back in my agenda which are finding a building to rent. I heard my phone rang so I
opened my bag to search for it when I noticed that there is an umbrella in it. It a black
and foldable umbrella, it’s the looks like my own umbrella but I don’t think it’s mine.
Even if my intuition says that it’s not mine, I still use it.

I open the umbrella before answering to the person who’s calling me.

“Atty. Canez, I don’t think I can do it.” Reklamo ko agad sa kausap ko sa telepono.

“Now I know what thing can make you give up.” He replied with a chuckle.

My adviser and I are close enough to have some casual talk. He’s a really prominent
lawyer which I always dreamed to be my adviser even when I was still a law student,
and I didn’t expect him to be this chill.
“Why did you call ba Atty.?” I asked him.

“I have this famous brand client and I will offer them to you in case you’ll find a building
today.” He said with a serious tone.

“Is this you’re other way telling me that I can have them next year?” I said making some
chuckles to hide the frustration I have.

“No, they’re expecting my answer before 10:00 pm so you better call me before that.”
He said then ended the call.

Pinagpapadyak ko na ang mga paa ko dahil sa frustration. I have no choice but to

continue the search since I have few hours left to search a building.

I called some of my contacts to help me but their answers disappoint me. I tried to call
some of my cousins and tita but they can’t help me. Sana pala pulang panty ang sinuot
ko ngayon para swertehen ako.

It’s already dark and most of the buildings are already closed. I found a bench which I
decided to seat on. All my frustration and anger has turned into sadness and
disappointment. My tears are slowly falling. I am covering myself because I cannot
afford to be embarrassed.
I can sense that there is someone sitting beside me already. Ba ka holdaper to. I hold
my bag and about to walk when he talks.

“What’s your problem? How can I help you? Are your pregnant?” He asked with a smile
plastered in his face. His wearing a blue polo shirt and denim jeans. I can see that his
still a student because of the maroon id lace in his neck. He has an expressive eye,
small, pointed nose, reddish lips, fair skin, and a two- blocked hairstyle.

“I don’t talk to stranger.” I replied with a hint of pagsusungit sa boses ko.

CHAPTER 2

After he hears what I said, he chuckles.

“Do I look like I can do something bad to you? I am studying to help the oppressed and
yet I am accused to might do something bad.” He said while smiling.

Law student.

“Lahat ba ng nag-aaral maaring hindi gumawa ng masama? Kung ganon pala ay sana
hindi naghihirap ang ating bansa dahil may pinag-aralan naman ang nakaupo sa itaas.”
I said with conviction.

“I get your point but to be honest I am uncomfortable to see someone who’s crying that
is why I want to help you.” He said with sincerity in his eyes.

I scan looked at him from head to toe. He looked clean and formal. He’s face is
welcoming and warm. He looks like someone who won’t harm me.

“How can I make you feel secure? How about you send my picture to someone you
know in case there’s gonna happen to you then I can be a suspect.” Wika niya na akala
mo naglalaro lang ng Uno.
I nod my head and take a picture of him. I decided to send it to the group chat of my
cousins.

“I’m looking for a building to rent.” I explained to him pero halata pa rin sa boses ang
pagdududa.

“A place to rent. So, I guess you’re still a freshman.” He replied while we are already
walking. I maintain a huge gap between the two of us.

“A freshman?” I repeat with a hysterical voice.

He chuckles again.

“Excuse me! I am already a lawyer, and I am looking for a place for my law firm.” I
clarify to him but with a hysterical voice.

“That’s amazing! I guess the law school isn’t that bad to you since you look very pretty.”
He said jokingly.

I blushed a little because of his compliment. He noticed my silent so talked again.

“I know a place and I hope the owner is still there.” He presented.

We walked some few meters when we reached into a modern two story building. It’s
rectangular white and black building. It has a lot of window. I also like the location since
it is near a university and some huge buildings. I guess the owner is still there since
lights are on.

“Do you like this one?” he queries.

I stared at it for some few second. My heartbeat became fast as I stared longer sa
building.

“It makes my heart so happy, so I guess I like it.” I replied but my eyes are still in the
building.

I hear him chuckle.

“Let’s go inside.” He invites.

He led the way while were walking inside.

“Anwyn Hijo! You should have told me na pupunta ka.” A woman in her 40s greeted the
in my side. She looked rich since cloth seems from a designer brand and her body is full
of pearl jewelries.

Nagmano ang lalaki sa tabi ko. Then, they share some few jokes to each other. The
woman laughs exaggeratedly kahit hindi naman nakakatawa. After, she scans me from
head to toe and her eyebrows raised.
“Is she your girlfriend? I don’t think she’s pretty for you.” She said with a judgement tone
in here voice.

Pumintig ang tenga ko sa sinabi niya pero I must have patience since sa tingin ko ay
siya ang may-ari na building na ito.

“Hindi po I am just helping her to find some building that’s why I bring her here.” He
explained in between his chuckles.

“Hi po! I am Calista and I am looking for a place para sa isang law firm.” I said with
politeness.

“Aahil, I told you na ikaw lang ang hinihintay ko dito.” She remarks after opening her
fan.

“I am planning to work as her paralegal after I graduate naman po.” He replied calmly.

I was surprised in what he said. Mundo nga naman, walang ibibigay kung walang
ibabalik.

“Calista, right? I’m Daicy Marvel the owner here. Take a tour on the first floor since may
umuupa pa sa taas.” She said with a smile plastered in her face. Is it fake or not?

Nilibot naming tatlo ang building. May apat na malalaking opisina samantalang may
tatlong maliliit na kwarto naman. Maraming ilaw kaya maliwanag ito kahit gabi na. After
that, we talk the price and some terms and rules sa building. Pasok naman ang presyo
nito sa budget ko and the rules and terms are not strangling.

The owner and the guy are talking when Atty. Canez called me.
“Hello Calista, kumusta na?”

“Attorney, can I asked for some advice since may nahanap na akong building but I want
you to recheck it.”

“Ibigay mo sa may-ari ang telepono at kakausapin ko.”

I excuse the owner and give her the phone.

“I am Anwyn Aahil Cevalos and called me Aahil.” Pagpapakila ng lalaki sa akin. He lifted
his hand for a handshake, and I receive it.

“Calista Greta Aristizabal.” Pagpapakilala ko rin.

“Is it true that you will work with me?” I asked since kanina pa bumabagabag sa isipan
ko ang sinabi niya kanina.

“If I’ll be accepted then why not.” Aahil replied.

The lady gives me my phone back and return to their conversation with Aahil.

“Calista, the place location and the papers are fine.” Attorney Canez said.

“I’ll get it, Attorney”

“You better do dahil ni recommend na kita sa sinasabi kong kompanya kanina.”

“Thank you, Attorney.”

I hang the phone and accidentally open the groupchat with my cousins. It has 99+
message but I just read the last 4.
Zelyg: Bawal lumandi, sis.

Nyx: Add to collection na naman.

Cardea: He’s handsome.

Aurelia: xUmB0nG mAmA,,

I laugh while reading their messages.

Chapter 3

It’s already past 1 am when the owner decided na I return tomorrow afternoon for the
contract signing.

I already have a business plan, decided my practice area, form my entity, and have a
name. The next step is finding my location. I decided to have associates, mga kasama
ko rin sila sa firm ni Attorney Canez.

“Do you have a car or something?” Aahil asked.

“Nasira.” I replied.

“Ihahatid nalang kita, if it’s okay?” he offered.

I was quite surprised and it makes me blushed a little. Damn this attachment issue!

“No need, papunta na rin kasi si Shaun.” I declined. I saw his eyebrows rise a little.

Shaun is Atty. Cañez’s eldest son. Nirereto niya sa akin. We’re hanging out but