Chapter 3 3

Part Three

Casey's lips curled as she walked out of the room where she was taken to yesterday.

She couldn't sleep because she was alone, and if Cutie wasn't by his side, She probably wouldn't be able to rest. Cutie is her cat.

She's waiting for Empress' text message or call. She kept glancing at the device because she might not have heard the sound of the message alert. Because it was mentioned to her yesterday that Empress would try to get help from her uncle who said he was going home for a short vacation. Of course she informed his friends about her situation and sure enough one of them came up with a solution to her problem.

She hopes that the result of her asking Empress' uncle for help will be positive. She can't last long in the PNP's protective custody, she looks like a fool in jail. She had only been there for one night and a half day and It was as if she was getting more and more rotten. She even overpowered a madman in a mental asylum.

She was occupying a single bedroom and it was requested by her lawyer so that she could have her own privacy, but it only made the situation worse. She couldn't sleep last night because she's so afraid. Her chest was full of fear. She felt that someone would just come and grab her out of nowhere. She's acting so paranoid and she couldn't help it.

Casey lazily sat on the wooden bench and placed Cutie on her lap. She starts to fondle the Persian cat's head and stares blankly at the blooming roses. There was nothing else in her mind but what happened to her parents. Since last night, the entirety of her memory has been occupied. She had forgotten about it somehow but suddenly it came back and disturbed her whole system. She couldn't eat, she couldn't even move normally. She thought she already gave her best to achieve the justice for her parents, but now everything suddenly warped. Money does something differently because even laws can be twisted like softened steel.

Now, she is still wondering if she will get justice for the second time.

She can't let it happen again. She can't handle it if what happened to her Mommy happens to her.

It was night when those two men suddenly rushed to their house. One pretended like he was in need of help and knocked on their door. Her dad opened the door and she and her mom were shocked when suddenly one of them pointed a gun and the other one a knife. They were taken to the same room and there her Daddy was shot and then her Mommy was forcibly undressed and made to fall on the floor. She was stunned and her whole body trembled with fear but she chose to use her mind instead.

She was so lucky to grab the wooden cross on the table which she used to hit the man who was holding her firmly but that was after her Mom was already raped and murdered.

She doesn't know the real reason why her parents were treated that way, but in the middle of the trial, word came out that her Daddy was a member of an illegal gambling club and took millions of money. That's why many of them can be killed, not just the two men she points to who have tattoos on their bodies, and not the one who owns the earring that was torn off his ear by that impact. Until the end, the two refused and even managed to threaten her secretly. All her testimony was still not enough to reach this point.

What else must she go through to make the law believe tthatshe is telling the truth and not those two chameleons?

She still won but now the case will go to the high court. She thought that those bastards would not appeal, but here they are and still freed. The bad thing then is if those two hide from the law and come back to her like what they were threatening her. Those men must be addicts, Casey thought.

"Boo!"

"Oh!" she exclaimed, nearly dropping Cutie in surprise as her friends startled her.

Casey tilted her head and met Empress's eyes. With her were Queen and Dana, and it brought a smile to Casey's face. They were her makeshift family now, and it always filled her with joy seeing how they never abandoned her.

"Surprise!" they all said in unison, hugging her tightly.

She beamed and left the bench. "I have security now? Em, did your uncle agree?" She quickly asked her friend, who grinned even wider.

"Of course!" Empress proudly replied, causing Casey to quickly scan the surroundings for her new security. Finally, her problems were lessened. If it was up to her, she wouldn't have gone to the place Atty. Ronnie recommended. But that's what she needed, and for her safety, she followed through.

"Where is he?" Her smile faded when she didn't see any man around. They were the only people in the garden.

"Yeee, excited!" Empress nudged her, almost causing her to lose balance.

"He's so yummy, beshy..." Dana said, blushing and covering her face with her palms.

"Sorority goal number one: no boyfriend." Casey reminded her friends.

Dana was their leader, and it seemed like she was breaking their own rules. They weren't actually sorority members; that's just what they called their group. They had goals to achieve and rules to follow for success in life. One of those rules was "studies first before flirting." But here was her friend, seemingly breaking their own rules.

Casey studied Queen's facial expression, and she could tell her friend wasn't good at keeping a poker face. Her eyes were sparkling, and she almost seemed to be sprouting hearts, indicating she was also excited inside. Casey suddenly felt nervous. It seemed like her security guard was a genuinely good-looking guy.

"I am breaking the rule for you, Casey, beshy." Dana shook her by the arms. "You can have a boyfriend now, as long as it's Uncle Miggy."

Uncle Miggy? He's too old!

"Uncle Miggy? Have some respect for your skin, guys. He's already an uncle; do you have to consider him as a boyfriend? He's old and should be respected, not lusted after." She rolled her eyes but was quickly shaken by the three.

"Ouch!" She winced.

"Don't respect him, beshy C. Tease him, tease him." Empress playfully pointed at her. "I would love to have you as my Aunt." She fluttered her eyelashes mischievously.

"Crazy! I have no intention of having an old man as a boyfriend, and I have no intention of being your aunt. Where is he?" She simply fixed her hair and tank top, then looked around again. Still, she didn't see anyone.

"Come on. He's talking to Attorney Lagoste." Empress urged her.

Her heart seemed to leap with joy. So it's true. Her friends weren't joking. It's true she was getting her own personal protector. She no longer had to stay in that place and wither away while seeking justice.

She smiled and got excited to go inside, so she led her friends.

"Is Attorney Lagoste here?" she asked them, and they all nodded in unison.

She hurried inside and walked down the hallway toward the main building. She stopped abruptly when she saw a man with his back turned, talking to her lawyer. He was extremely tall, with a straight and sturdy back. He wore a royal blue, tight pullover shirt, denim pants, and expensive sneakers. His dark brown hair looked naturally styled. He stood with his arms crossed over his chest.

So that's why her friends were nearly peeing themselves with excitement. It seems Empress's uncle wasn't just bluffing. Even his back was attractive; he might be even more delectable when he turns around.

"See? You're staring." Dana teased her, shaking her by the arms. She blinked several times before looking at her friend.

She couldn't find the right words to say. Maybe there was a reason her friends were going crazy over this man. But he seemed too old for her friends to be swooning over.

When she looked at the man again, he was already looking at her. Ronnie smiled a bit and gently waved his hand to catch her attention. Empress's uncle turned around, not just his face but his whole body.

"Oh my gosh!" She forced herself not to let her mouth hang open and drool. The man was undeniably handsome and exuded a very masculine vibe, from his attire to his posture. She stared at him, but his eyes scanned each one of them. His gaze didn't linger on just one of them among the four friends. Then, he smiled ever so slightly, specifically at Empress who returned the look.

"She's my client, Mr. Alonde," Casey heard Atty. Lagoste say.

The lawyer even motioned his hand and pointed at her.

The man responded with a subtle nod before they both walked.

She looked up at him, feeling like a dwarf in shock as she stared at the man. Perhaps anyone would react the same way. She had never seen such a handsome creature before, someone who seemed even more striking than Ronnie, and it was Empress's uncle. He seemed like a mix of tan and rosy tones-bronze, to be exact. He looked Filipino, but his eyes were emerald green, his hair seemed black but dark brown, his nose was sharp, and his lips were thin and crimson. He had thick brows and a strong face with a trimmed beard and mustache that suited him well.

He never smiled at her; he just carefully gazed at her. She knew he was just studying her, but she couldn't withstand the intensity of his gaze. It felt like fiery balls that could burn through her.

"Casey," Ronnie called her, causing her to avert her eyes.

Ronnie then looked at Mister Alonde. "Mr. Alonde, she's Casey Daniella Imperial. Casey, he's Lieutenant General Miguel Arthur Alonde II, your security." The lawyer introduced them to each other.

Her jaws dropped instantly. Lieutenant General? Was her security going to be someone of such a high rank? One more step, and he would be a General, then suddenly he's just her personal bodyguard? Dear God. It's embarrassing.

She looked at Empress and narrowed her eyes at her friend. She knew Empress got what she meant because Empress just chuckled and shrugged.

There goes her chance for a decent companion. Why didn't her friend mention that her uncle held such a high rank in the military? Where's the decency in appointing someone who's looked up to by colleagues as a mere babysitter? Or was Empress too proud to even brag about the title her uncle holds? She felt her cheeks heating up and cursed silently.

"It is rude, but how old are you?" Miguel asked her.

She blinked at him because even his voice seemed as unsmiling as his face. Beautiful, indeed, but quite arrogant. He seemed like the type who would shoot without second thoughts if someone made a mistake.

"I'm seventeen, turning eighteen this coming March 28," she replied.

Her eyes couldn't rest, so she withdrew her gaze. His stare felt like piercing daggers into her soul.

He simply nodded at her and then put his hands into his trouser pockets, crossing his broad chest. He even grew taller and more imposing, turning even more handsome. Miggy was so intimidating. He looked influential, like a dictator. He seemed like the kind of guy whose girlfriend couldn't disobey even the smallest command.

"Okay then; I guess we are done here, ladies. You can pack your things, Miss Imperial, so we can leave. I still have to lay my grounds," he said casually.

The four friends exchanged glances, and she furrowed her brow. It seemed like she and Empress's uncle were going to have some issues. He appeared arrogant, and she wasn't the submissive type, especially when pushed.

"Uncle Miggy, don't be so grumpy. Casey isn't in the military for you to give her rules of grounds to remember and follow," Empress said, holding Miguel's arm, but the man remained rigid.

"You're out of this, Empress. This is my job, and I exactly know what I will do about it," he answered cockily.

She unintentionally bit her lip. The man was so dominant, and he certainly wasn't hiding it. She should be grateful, but if he continued to act like a brooding soldier, they might not get along. But she had no choice. Was she really going to be picky now?

For the economy and safety, endure it, Casey.