Chapter 5 5

Part 5

Quietly, Casey opens the door while Empress and the others wait behind. Attorney Lagoste is in conversation with Lt Gen. Alonde, but the latter seems uninterested, casually looking around, self-assured in his shining blue sunglasses. Handsome indeed. Casey is momentarily stunned, struggling to insert the key into the doorknob, as her attention is fixated on the older military man. She knows he's multitasking and is annoyed with herself for being unable to look away from the entirety of the older man. For her, he's an older man at thirty-five and unmarried.

However, it's impossible for him not to see his perfect match. She's sure he has many choices; perhaps he's just picky. His demeanor is meticulous, the kind of man who, if his clothes get wrinkled, would iron them again. She even imagines that if his wife never learned to cook rice, his future wife might be in danger and that he'd hang her upside down.

Dana elbows her, saying, "put it in."

It caused her to blink.

How can she do that? It's as if her eyes are glued to the man. That's not acceptable. But he's just so incredibly handsome. Even from any angle, he has no flaws. Hmph! It's just his personality.

"Yes, just a moment," she subtly replies, avoiding revealing that she's once again been caught staring.

"Later, you'll have him all to yourself," Empress giggles and whispers beside her.

She flinches as if a shiver runs down her spine at her friend's whisper. Her friends seem like crazy consciences murmuring to her.

"Yes, indeed. You have permission to tease Tito Miggy, Beshy C," Queen agrees, glancing subtly at the back.

"What are you talking about? I have no intention of disrespecting him. I'm still too young compared to him," she fumes as she inserts the key into the keyhole.

She pushes the door open wide, giving them a triumphant look as they enter. They all seem to be smiling and genuinely conspiring against her.

"I'm desperate to find Uncle Miggy his match, the opposite of what he is, and let's see how mad he can get if it happens to be you," Empress says, pointing at her.

Is it really me? "Why me? I have no intention of taking care of a grandfather when I turn thirty. Your Uncle Miggy is old, and those who are like him should be the ones flying to heaven and facing St. Peter, riding a golden coffin," she says, chuckling, but she stops when she realizes he's already at the door.

Even with sunglasses, she knows how fierce his gaze is. Carrying his bag, he blocks the door, almost overshadowing the attorney due to his massive stature.

Casey notices how Attorney Ronnie stifles laughter, making Miggy's jaws even more clenched. She bites her lower lip, hiding her laughter. She has a habit of saying all sorts of things. She even comes up with a golden coffin.

"Ahm, Casey," Ronnie calls her, and she immediately tilts her head. "I'll go ahead. I still have something to finish in the office. If you need me, call me. I'll come back if I hear any progress about our appeal."

She nods at the man and smiles. Somehow, she's happy to find a man like Attorney Lagoste. He's young but knows how to be legally decent about his chosen job. He's a man of honor and doesn't care about money. He could just ignore her, but there he is, supporting and protecting her all the way. Her safety is more important to him than any payment she could give. Hopefully, the lawyer won't change, as she has nothing to repay his kindness except kindness itself.

"Thank you, Attorney. I'll pay you when I already find a job," she sincerely says, lowering her head a bit, but the lawyer gently shakes his head.

"Don't mind it. I'm willing to help, just like Lt Gen. Alonde, who's willing to help without any kind in return," Attorney Lagoste glances at the old man still standing near the door and gazing around the house.

"Yes, but only to those who want to follow my rules," Miggy retorts bluntly, a frown on his face.

"Tito Miggy, you're so grumpy. Casey is nice. It's just a joke, joke, joke about the golden coffin," Empress intervenes, giggling with the rest of their friends.

"I never mentioned any name, Em-Em," Miggy briefly responds, dismissing it.

"Bye, Casey! Ladies!" Ronnie bids them farewell, prompting Casey to approach Miggy to see him off.

"I'll go ahead, Lt Gen. Alonde," Ronnie taps Miggy, who nods with arrogance. Casey tries not to meet the stern gaze beneath his sunglasses, perhaps his way of concealing his intimidating look.

"Bye, Attorney Ronnie!" her friends say in unison, and Ronnie leaves with a small wave.

She follows him until they reach his car parked on the narrow village street. If not for their financial constraints, she wouldn't have been forced to hire a security guard she could afford, as her current residence, a second home in a somewhat remote area, lacks the strict security she used to have. The place is not fully developed yet, with only a few neighbors due to its affordable land and housing. She had to sell her first house, the mansion, to cover her remaining debts and legal fees to win her case. Left with only three hundred thousand, she couldn't afford a private lawyer again. Fortunately, she found someone like Atty. Lagoste at the Public Attorney's Office, who offered his help without charge, ensuring justice and her peace of mind.

"I don't know how to thank you, Attorney," she starts as she sees him opening his car door.

"You can thank me if you will remain strong, Casey," he smiles at her, glancing deeply.

"I am strong," she replies, crossing her arms. She is strong but tired of pretending.

"Then, that's my girl," Ronnie winks before getting into his car.

Her cheeks suddenly feel warm, especially when the lawyer chuckles. She's left speechless, rooted in her spot, until he drives away.

As soon as he leaves, she regains composure, turns around, but her face is met with a broad chest, covered in a blue fabric-Miggy's chest.

"Oh, Uncle Miggy! You startled me," she exclaims, holding her own chest.

With a wrong step, she might kiss his chest. She realizes how short she is, not reaching his shoulders. There she regrets inheriting her genes from her mother, especially now that she's standing so close to Miggy. She notices his hands in his pockets and tilts her head up to look at him.

"Why not walk me around the entire place, Casey Daniella?" he speaks regally.

His mouth barely opens, but it seems to catch all the air, hitting her face. His breath even smells good, matching his appearance.

After a slight bow, he looks around again, and she takes a step back. She tries to ignore the acceleration of her heart, unsure if it's from shock or the close proximity to him. It feels different, and she knows she should act casually in front of Lt Gen. Miggy. Moreover, she's nervous because of her friends' teasing. She wants to act as nonchalant as possible.

"Well, as you can see, this is a remote area not yet fully developed. We don't have fences here, and my next neighborhood is two hundred meters away," she says with a stifled chuckle, walking towards the left corner of the house.

She knows the next neighbor is not really 200 meters away; she exaggerated. It's close, but not that close, making it difficult to hear even if she screams. Her place would be nice if properly organized. The previous owner neglected it, and not many are interested in buying vacant land far from amenities. She doesn't know why her father's money disappeared from the bank account, prompting her to investigate. She secured it for her future, but before he died, her father made a withdrawal of five million pesos. d.

"I don't know how to thank you, Attorney," she begins when she sees him opening the car door.

"You can thank me if you will remain strong, Casey," he smiles at her, glancing deeply.

"I am strong," she replies, crossing her arms. She is strong but tired of pretending.

"Then, that's my girl," Ronnie winks before getting into his car.

Her cheeks suddenly feel warm, especially when the lawyer chuckles. She's left speechless, rooted in her spot, until he drives away.

As soon as he leaves, she regains composure, turns around, but her face is met with a broad chest, covered in a blue fabric-Miggy's chest.