SPINSTER'S PLANS GONE WRONG

CHAPTER 10: Yam, Being Practical

September 1, 2018. Saturday. Mariam spent it at her office working on the financial analysis jobs that Julie had assigned to her. Only a few office staff usually report to work during weekends, just as their skeletal work force report to accommodate prospective clients. Their schedules were already pre-arranged and pre-approved by them. They received double pay as they reported for work on weekends or holidays. She usually worked during weekends as well, except when she had to attend some family or social gatherings. She did her own laundry every day while taking a shower in the morning. As for the cleaning, a housekeeper reported every week to do extensive cleaning. She had seldom cooked her own food since the firm was established. She and her colleagues usually just lunched out or ordered food deliveries.

Before lunch break, another food delivery came. It was from a famous fine dining restaurant in Ganna City, another city of Los Lillia located in the east of the Municipality of Juytan, her hometown. Again, it came with a note containing the message -

Yam,

Missing the time when we had a meal together and we fed each other. Enjoy this meal. I also ordered the same. So, it will be like we are eating together again. I am just sorry that I am so busy with work that I cannot personally deliver them and eat with you.

Missing you,

Your King



Mariam had just finished reading the message when Kathleen suddenly came into her office. Her best friend dropped by to get the shopping bags that she had forgotten to bring the previous evening as she and her husband left the office.

Kathleen immediately asked, "They looked so delicious, Yam," she read the label, "Clásica Restaurante", then said, "It is a famous Spanish restaurant in Ganna City," and then finally asked, "Who is sending you food from those famous fine dining restaurants? Yesterday, your lunch delivery was from Huángdi de Chúfáng in Floria City."

Mariam gave an answer, "They are apparently from someone I called my king."

Kathleen asked, "Do you know who he is?"

Mariam said, "I have an idea but I am not yet sure about it so I won't tell until I confirm," then told her best friend, "Have some."

Kathleen responded, "I really want them but Dexter has been very strict about my diet now that I am pregnant. Less salty and oily food for me," and then asked, "Anyway, are you sure that those foods have no love potion?"

Mariam just laughed, "Well, you want me to get married, so this is the chance for your wish to come true."

Kathleen remarked teasingly, "Crazy!" And then she asked seriously, "Is he a good man?"

Mariam responded, "If my assumption of his identity is correct, then I think he is a good man."

Kathleen then asked, "Are you sure these foods are not from your ex?"

Mariam laughed again and said, "His handwriting is different from the handwriting on the accompanying messages. I also never called him my king during our relationship."

Kathleen asked further, "Would you consider dating this man if you already confirmed his identity?"

Mariam answered honestly, "I am not yet sure, Kat. He said in his message just now that he is also busy with work. You know me, I want my man spending quality time with me."

Kathleen commented, "At least, he is making an effort," and then expressed her intention to leave, "Well, Dex is waiting for me in the car. The security guard had already loaded the shopping bags into the car boot. I've got to go now. Enjoy your delicious meal."

In Mariam's mind - I am not even sure yet if it is really indeed you who sent the flowers and the foods, Oli. But I am kind of expecting it to be you already. What if it is not? I should not think about this matter anymore. I should just focus on my work. Anyway, whoever this man is, he will eventually reveal himself.

September 2, 2018. Sunday. Mariam decided not to go to the office anymore and just continue her work at her home in Victory Homes.

She was just about to cook breakfast when the doorbell rang. A delivery guy was outside with a box of her favorite freshly baked banana bread from a local bakery in her hometown.

It came again with a note with a message saying -

Yam,

I passed by Juytan on my way from Ganna City to Tavalera City and recalled hearing from a pair of lovebirds that this banana bread is your favorite. I tasted it too and I like the rich flavor of the banana. Have a blessed Sunday.

Take care,

Your King

Then another delivery van came with a delivery of several small pots of Galdiolus of different colors.

It again came with a note with a handwritten message stating -

Yam,

I was out walking here in Ganna City to unwind, then I saw a plant shop with different colors of Gladiolus. So I decided to buy some for you. They will be delivered to you on Sunday.

Your King

In her mind - How did he even know that I would be here in Victory Homes? Does he also know my apartment address? This is already kind of creepy. This man knows a lot of things about me. Who is that pair of lovebirds who told him that I love banana bread? This might not be Oli. But then her grandmother had a comprehensive background check on me before deciding to hire our firm. Perhaps he also asked someone to check on my background. Shall I still eat this bread? Well, I love it. Refusing grace will make my sight blurry. It is just food anyway. I even accepted an expensive suit from Oli as a birthday present because it is not practical to still wear the clothes I had the previous day. Eating this bread is practical too. I don't have to cook anymore. I just need a cup of coffee.

She decided to have her breakfast in the wrought iron outdoor 4-seater patio set in the sunroof metal pergola in the garden in front of her house. She also put the pots of gladiolus in the center of the outdoor dining table. There were five pots all in all, each with a different color - white, yellow, lavender, burgundy and purple.

September 3, 2018. Monday. In the morning, Carlos had already submitted to the court their response to the petition of nullity of marriage filed by Louisse Manzano against his client. By mid-morning, Mariam already had the copy of the response. She, Dexter and their life coach, went directly to Missi in their client's residence to discuss their next move for the pre-trial scheduled on Thursday, September 6. They rode her SUV going to Missi with Dexter driving and the life coach in the passenger seat beside him. Mariam was seated in the middle passenger seat, reading the response to their petition over and over again.

Dexter said, "You have been reading their response over and over again, Yam. Let me hear your thoughts."

Mariam spoke, "Well, I just can't believe that they did not contest any aspect of our petition. They even agreed on full custody of the children being given to our client. But, of course, the visiting privileges will still be discussed."

Their life coach said, "But the senator will surely face the backlash for the fraud he committed. He might be expelled from office."

Mariam said, "Well, according to the article regarding the manner of imposing discipline, members of the Senate may be disciplined, suspended or expelled for disorderly behavior. But the interpretation of the phrase ' disorderly behavior' is the prerogative of the Congress and cannot be judicially reviewed. At least two-thirds of the entire body is also needed. I am still not sure if the Senate will decide on expulsion. Perhaps they might just discipline or suspend our senator."

Dexter then shared, "But a lot of women's rights advocacy groups are already following this case. Even if our client is not releasing anything to the media, she is still a very famous celebrity. So, her every move is being watched by media personnel. Their separation had been reported. And a petition for the nullity of their marriage has also been reported. But no details had come out. Both parties wanted to be private about the proceedings."

The life coach then said, "But as a duly elected official of this country, the citizens are demanding to know the truth as to why their marriage was invalid."

Mariam said, "It might only be disclosed once the case has been decided already."

The life coach then asked, "What will then happen if he is expelled?"

Mariam answered, "Then our state governor will be given the power by the Senate to appoint a replacement to complete the term or hold office until a special election can take place."

It was already night time when Mariam arrived at her apartment building. They had already prepared their client for the pre-trial. The personnel at the concierge had told her that a package had been delivered for her. It was a big box, but not too heavy.

She looked for the envelope with the note. As she read, it was again from her king. The message was -

Yam,

I know that your work usually entails a lot of sitting and so I decided to purchase lumbar support memory foam pillows for you. Anyway, I have a series of conferences to attend, so I might not be able to send you daily messages. But once I am done with these conferences, then I will see you in person again. May you find comfort with these pillows.

Take Care,

Your King.

She opened the box as she arrived at her apartment unit. The box contained three sets of seat-cushion-and-lumbar-pillow combo.

She asked herself - Why did he give me three? Well, I can have one at the office. I can also have one in my home office at Victory Homes. And the third one I can have at my workspace here. How did he even know that I might need three? This is already giving me a creepy feeling. He seems to know a lot about me; my office address, my home address and even my apartment address. And I am not even sure who he really is? I am leaning towards Oli, but it is just wishful thinking. We are from two different walks of life. Although the s*x is so good, a relationship cannot just be all about intimacy. But then how can I refuse such a thoughtful gift? But this might be the last gift. He will not be able to send me daily messages anymore. I will already be able to confirm his identity once he reintroduces himself to me. I just hope that this person is not an obsessed stalker. So I will just focus on my work. Things will be back to normal. My peers won't be thrilled anymore, guessing who is sending me gifts.

September 6, 2018. Thursday. The day of the pre-trial arrived. After the presentation and the confirmation of all the evidence, the judge approved the petition for declaration of nullity of void marriage. A recess was called afterwards and then they were asked to return for the other details of the verdict in the afternoon.

As they returned, the judge had rendered the full verdict on the petition of declaration of nullity of void marriage. Their prenuptial agreement was nullified because their marriage was invalid to begin with. Thus, they have no conjugal properties. Louisse Manzano, who was the richer spouse, would retain all of her assets. The full custody of the children was also awarded to Louisse Manzano but visitation privileges would be given to the senator. Their children would still be considered as legitimate children of the senator, so they would be entitled to all the benefits of a legitimate offspring. Child support was also required from the senator.

Since Tuesday, Mariam's king had not reached out to her; no flowers, no food, no thoughtful gifts and no messages. Her colleagues then started to wonder why.

As Mariam and her colleagues reached their office after the conclusion of the nullity case, Kathleen took the liberty of asking her best friend privately at her office.

Her question was, "What happened to your King, Yam? Why is he not sending you gifts anymore?"

Mariam casually answered, "He said in his last message that he would be busy attending conferences. But once these conferences are done, he will see me personally again."

Kathleen's next question was, "Have you not confirmed his identity yet?"

She affirmed, "Yeah, I haven't. I will just wait once he sees me personally again. Anyway, I am way too busy with the cases I am handling. I can help you now again regarding the malpractice case against the surgeon."

Kathleen then asked, "Have you not heard yet?"

Mariam asked, "What happened?"

Kathleen stated, "The surgeon's medical license has already been revoked. His membership in the Filipinas Medical Association as well as in the Filipinas Board of Surgery had also been terminated. And during the pre-trial this morning, the surgeon had already pleaded guilty to the wrongful death lawsuit that had been filed against him . His sentence will already be read tomorrow."

Mariam remarked, "That was fast!" And then she asked, "So do you now have a new case for me?"

Kathleen said, "One of the largest women's advocacy organizations in the state, would like to personally hire you to be their chief legal counsel."

Mariam inquired then, "But did you explain to them that hiring me means hiring our entire legal team?"

Kathleen answered, "Yes, but then they just want you."

Mariam asked, "So, what did you tell them then?"

Kathleesn said, "Well, they told me that they had volunteer newbie lawyers and they just want you to lead them. So I gave them the option of just having our entire legal team for consultancy, for just half the price of our fee. They are a non-profit organization, anyway, and they help a lot of abused women. The price I gave them is quite reasonable enough because we will provide them with our expertise and resources."

Mariam queried, "So, did they agree?"

Kathleen answered, "Yes, they did."

Mariam then asked, "So what is the first case that they wanted to consult with us?"

Kathleen responded, "They want to file a petition for the removal from office of our state senator."

Mariam needed confirmation, "And that is just because of the nullity case?"

Kathleen answered, "Yeah."

Mariam had a follow-up question, "Did you already tell them what to do for the preliminaries?"

Kathleen answered, "Yes," and then asked, "What do you think about that petition, Yam? Will they succeed in removing the senator from office?"

Mariam said, "After everything I heard from the senator, I somehow believed that he truly loves our client. But then, he did it illegally. He already knew that his first wife was alive but he still used the declaration of presumptive death to contract a second marriage."

Kathleen then asked, "What about our client? Do you think she loves the senator?"

Mariam replied, "She did. But then, upon knowing that he was capable of such fraud and continuous lies, the trust she had for him just broke into so many pieces. She cannot love a man whom she does not trust anymore. She also has a strong sense of what is right and what is wrong. She did not want to be a participant in a bigamous marriage. She knew that it was a crime. And she somehow got involved in that crime because of the senator's deceit," and then told her best friend her thoughts about the petition, "Hence, the petition might be addressed by the Senate but the senator might just be disciplined or suspended but not expelled. He is just a man in love, who wanted to be with the woman he loves, but then the secrets of his first marriage had caught up on him."

Kathleen asked, "So what should you tell the group?"

Her answer was, "I will tell them the truth. That if they want the senator expelled, then there must be a much more grave violation or crime that he committed, like graft and corruption."

Kathleen then inquired, "And your thoughts about having a divorce law in the country?"

She expressed her thought, "I do agree on having one in the country. But then I also got the point of the groups who are against it. They just did not want the sanctity of marriage to be easily dissolved by divorce. The grounds of filing it must just be very clear. Because if this law is passed without clear guidelines, then things happening in Las Vegas can happen here, where you get married in the evening and then get divorced the following morning."

Kathleen reacted, "Yeah, that is true. I think domestic or marital violence should be a ground."

Mariam agreed, "I also agree on that. a******y and concubinage should also be a ground."

Kathleen asked, "What about irreconcilable differences?"

Mariam replied, "I am not sure about that. I believe that a man and woman before getting married should get to know each other deeper. They must already accepted their differences. Because if they just get married out of whim, then it is a recipe for disaster. You don't simply end a marriage just because you get tired of your spouse already and you need a change. This is the very reason why some groups are very much against passing divorce as a law here in the country. It will reduce the institution of marriage into a simple contractual relationship without its pureness anymore, as well as the call for an everlasting commitment. Just look at my parents. I also want that for myself and my future husband if I still ever find someone I can fully trust."