Chapter 2
1681 Words
Leanne
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Ninoy Aquino International Airport... For your safety and comfort, please rein seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and that it is safe for you to move about...... blah blah"
I checked out my luggage and walk out. I looked for Lucas, he agreed that he was the one who will pick me up at the airport.
I looked around and saw Lucas waving at me. I immediately walked towards him.
"Welcome --- hmmm --- wait, what do I need to say? Welcome back or welcome to the Philippines?" He scratched his nape while asking me.
I just rolled my eyes at him. Pulled him out of the airport.
"In what hotel where I'm staying?" I asked him while inside his car. I was on the passenger and Lucas was the one who’s driving.
"You're not staying in a hotel" he answered while not taking off his eyes on the road.
"What?! Then where I'm going to stay?!" I shouted.
"Keep your voice down a bit. Jeez woman!!!! Don’t think too much. You're staying at my place"
"Okay!” I looked outside.
We were at EDSA. The road traffic here still doesn’t change.
I big billboard from a building caught my attention, I smiled bitterly while looking at it. It’s a photo of the people that I missed, my family. I don’t know if I still have the right to call them my family.
The intimidating aura still evident on his poise and mom who' sitting in the chair in front of dad, is still looked the same, she looked like she never aged. I looked at the two men standing both sides of dad we’re standing. Kuya Theo looked matured now and my baby brother Brent is not a baby anymore. Seeing them now, even in a photo is making me missed them more. But I know it’s better if I’m not with them. I'm just a disappointment to my family. Who would have thought that I'm the only daughter of Sebastian and Amanda Monteverde?
(A/n: Kuya means big brother on Tagalog language.)
I didn't notice that I already shed a tear. I turned my head to looked at Lucas and I saw him looking at me too.
I don’t know why I'm feeling this way. I thought I already learned how to hide my emotions. I taught myself to be tough and stronger but I think I still failed in that.
Lucas handed me a handkerchief.
"Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?" He asks.
I didn’t say anything. Even nodding or shaking my head.
"You know Leanne, I've known you for a long time but I still don't know what your life back then, before I met you. Your life here in the Philippines is still a mystery to me. I respect your decision, if you don't want to share it with me. But still, I want you to know that I'm here for you, to listen to your story."
I nodded to him and smiled a little. I can feel his sincerity in his word. He really is special to me. He's like a big brother to me. "Maybe next time" the only thing I can say to him.
A smile formed over his lips and his hand reached for my face and wiped away my tears. He’s free to do it because the traffic signed stop.
After half an hour we finally arrived in his penthouse in Makati City.
"Welcome to my f*****g home." he said while opening the door of his penthouse.
He led me to a room. "This will be your room. Go have some rest. I know you still have jetlag."
I nod in agreement. I actually felt dizzy and sleepy. Maybe because I’m tired, I immediately fell asleep the moment I lay on the bed.
When I woke up it's already morning. I slept for almost fourteen hours. I looked at my clothes and I’m still wearing my clothes when arrived in the Philippines. I decided to take a quick shower.
I got out of the room and went to the penthouse’s kitchen. I found Lucas preparing food on the table and I almost laugh when I see him wearing a pink apron. No one would think this is a ruthless business that everyone fears.
"Good morning Attorney. Come on, the breakfast is ready." He greeted me.
While we eating, I remembered my purpose here in the Philippines.
When can I meet my client?" I ask him.
"Later. Lunchtime. We will meet them at the restaurant near here"
My forehead knotted. "Them?"
He nodded "Yes them. Your client will be meeting us together with his friends."
"So, I'm the only one who doesn't know anyone there?" I raised my eyebrows when asked him that.
"I'm there. You knew me. And I'll introduce you to them. So, technically you will get to know them later. Maybe after the meeting you’ll end up with a date. Don’t worry I’ll only introduce you with a decent man.”
My eyes widen. "You wouldn't dare" I said threatening him.
"Try me, sweetie." He said and laughed when he sees that he’s getting on my nerves.
*****
Lucas and I were on the way where we going to meet my client and his friends.
Until now, I still think about Lucas's friend problem. I asked him who he was, but he told me that he would introduce me.
We arrived at the restaurant and walked to a VIP room. There are other Lucas friends there. I feel nervous as we walk. Until we reached the door and Lucas open it for me.
But I was frozen where I’m standing when I saw the people inside. I can feel the fast beating of my heart.
All of the people there also looking at me. Three sets of eyes are staring at me. I can’t move, I want to run. I want to walk away but I can’t feel my feet.
I felt Lucas’s arm wrap around my waist and called my name.
"Leanne"
"Hmm," I slowly looked at him.
"Are you okay? Why you look so pale? Are you sick?" He asks me while putting his palm to my forehead to fill my body temperature.
"I- I'm o-okay!" my voice was trembling.
"Are you sure?" as if he wasn’t convinced by my answer.
I nodded my head as a response.
"Okay. Come on. I'll introduce you to my friends" he put my hand on his arm and pulled me towards the people who were part of my past.
"Leanne, these gentlemen are my friends. This is Alex Chua..." Then he pointed Kuya Theo "this is Theo Monteverde. You two have the same surname and this one... " and lastly he looked at the man who ruined me… “this one is Xander Deogracia"
I almost drowned from the stares they were throwing at me. My hand starts to grip on Lucas's arm was tightly.
I can’t take away my eyes off them. If only I can disappear myself here. Why is this happening to me?
"Guys, this is my friend, my best friend actually, Leanne. Atty. Leanne Ree Monteverde.... she is the one I've been telling you all and also one of the best attorneys from our firm."
Silence prevails around the VIP room after Lucas introduced me. No one made a single sound.
I know Lucas also seemed to notice the tension around that’s why he gave me a strange look.
I stared at Kuya Theo and I notice a tear in his eyes. I'm trying my best for my tears not to fall down.
I came back to my senses when I heard Lucas make a coughing sound.
"Leanne, are you really okay? Maybe you're feeling sick because of the jetlag." Lucas asked me again.
I sighed. "I'm fine. Don’t worry okay."
I lowered my gaze and took a deep breath before returning my gaze to them. Lucas and I sat on the chairs in front of them.
I looked at them one by one using my blank face.
"So, who's going to be my client?" I asked.
"I am" Kuya Theo answered.
So, it's him.
"What is it about? What is the reason why you needing my help?" I tried my best to be professional.
"I want to file a divorce"
Confusion crossed my mind. I looked at Lucas. He gave me a sorry look.
"Lucas, you know divorce or annulment is not my forte."
Lucas sighed. "I know. But as far as I remembered you once handle this kind of case. And you won hands down. And I know you can also win this case. This will be too easy for you."
"You're pressuring me with your highly compliments you were giving me but it is a small case. Local lawyers here can handle this case and can win without my help." I truthfully said.
"But they got married from another country. That's why local lawyers are not in our options. Please, Leanne, don’t back out now. You promised me." he pleads. I can feel the desperation in his voice.
I sighed and surrendered to him. "I traveled halfway around the world for almost fifteen hours and you think I'm going to back out now? Of course not. You know that I will do anything for you." Lucas smiled at me after hearing it. My eyes turned to look at Kuya Theo. "You want a divorce, on what grounds?"
"She's having an affair two months after we got married three years ago."
"Please continue. I want to know the details.”
- Writer
