Chapter 37: Chapter 37

036

Through the chaos and the swirls, it's us against the world

Lies. I could say I have lied a lot of times although I don't know if I already perfected the act of lying. To some, they'll probably don't know that I had lied to them because I am a great pretender. Yet, to people close to me, my lie would never be seen as the truth. They knew me and I hated how they knew exactly everything about me.

When I heard about my bitch sister, I wanted to say I don't care if she killed herself. She deserves that. But my heart betrayed me because no matter how many times I say that I don't care about them, I still ended up caring. They're family even though they are not home.

"What are you doing here bitch?" Gwen welcomed me with her annoying tone.

I rolled my eyes. Why is she such a bitch? Tch.

"If you are here to wish me dead, well, sorry to say I am still breathing," she scoffed.

I want to pull every hair in her body. She should thank herself because she's lying in a hospital bed with a handcuff. Somehow, it made me sad knowing she's not yet proven guilty but people are starting to treat her as a criminal.

"You are a doctor," I told her. "If you want to die, you know where to kill yourself."

She moved her head opposite to where I am standing but I could still see how her cold look changed into a softer one. She's a bitch but there are few times when I've seen how nice she is, not to me though, but to other people. Well, she is indeed good at helping people. It's just ironic that she doesn't know how to be nice to me.

"Go away!" She cleared her throat. "I don't need you. What are you even doing here?"

"I just want to say that you are a stupid bitch!" I mocked her. "I mean, killing yourself with what? Overdose? If you want to kill yourself, you should have called me and I would gladly give you a knife."

It was a joke except that she is a stupid bitch. I didn't mean it about her dying. There are times when I want to kill her but that is just because I am angry at her. But no matter how much I hate her, I could never kill her. I still have a bit of care and that is the reason why I am standing in front of her.

"I would take note of that. Now, go away!" She ordered, but for the first time I felt she didn't really mean it.

"Why did you kill him?" I asked.

"How many times should I say that I didn't kill him," she said in a low voice. "I love him. Why would I kill him?"

"Sometimes too much love will give us the ability to kill," I stated.

She turned to me and sighed in frustration. "If you don't believe me then leave!" She pointed at the door. "I don't need you!"

I looked at her. She sniffed and tears were trying to escape from her eyes as she lifted her head. She clenched her fist and I felt how she wanted to let her anger out but couldn't. I am not a bitch so I will not comfort her. I mean, it's so awkward to hug her. I am not used to it and she wouldn't like it, either. What I did was make her mad even more.

"Go, rot in jail! I'll watch you from there," I laughingly teased her. "That is what you want right?"

She glared at me. "Are you really here to mock me?"

"I was born to," I replied that made every veins in her body close to exploding.

"GET OUT!" She yelled. "I DON'T NEED YOU! UGH!"

"You need me," I said, which made her speechless for a moment.

"Who told you I need you?" She shook her head and bit her lower lip.

"Who is your legal counsel?" I asked although I know that no one wants to represent her.

"Why do you need to ask when you already know?" She groaned in frustration.

"I really don't know," I lied, and shrugged.

"Don't you watch the news?"

I shook my head. "I am busy."

That's another lie and Gwen belongs to the group of people who don't know that I couldn't lie. Well, she doesn't know me.

I have watched the news and I don't need to watch the news to know that she became an instant celebrity for killing the son of the Vice President of our country. For the record, I don't even know that she's dating the son of the Vice President of the country. I thought it was an ordinary person like someone who is a son of a CEO or just a billionaire. Imagine my surprise when I heard that it was the Vice President's son?

It was also the reason why she decided to end her life. She knew she couldn't fight against the Vice President and the people of the country. She became the headline of the news. Gwen was even ridiculed by the whole country and that's really another proof that people are really stupid. She's not convicted yet so they don't have the right. They're not even a judge.

I couldn't blame Gwen because no one wanted to represent her case. Who wants to go against the Vice President of the country, right? I think I am also stupid for going against him but Gwen is my family. My mother doesn't want to extend help and she's all alone. I know the feeling of being alone, where people turned their back on you, and it was so devastating that you just want to kill yourself.

"It was the Vice President's son. Who do you think wants to fight against him?" She lost hope.

"Me."

There were ample seconds before she laughed at me. Ugh! I think I should punch her in the face to knock some sense.

"Are you kidding me?"

"I am afraid I am not." I smiled. "So, don't you dare die before I win the case for you," I reminded her. "After that, you are free to kill yourself and I'll even help you."

Too much drama isn't our thing so I left her room before she could cry. Two police officers were standing outside her door. There are a lot of police scattered around the place guarding Gwen. They really won't let her die without giving justice to the Vice President's son.

"Gabriella." I stopped upon seeing Atty. Levi.

"What are you doing here?" I said, surprised.

"What are you doing?" He showed me my resignation letter. "You are resigning?"

"Aww, I feel so special considering you flew here to tell me --"

"I am not kidding," Atty. Levi impatiently said.

"I am going to represent my sister's case and I don't want to include your firm. You'll be caught between us and the Vice President and it will be bad for your firm," I explained.

When I decided on representing Gwen's case, I know I have to let go of a lot of things and to risk everything. It was really hard for me to decide since I am up against a powerful person and it seems to me that even the justice system is favoring him. How am I going to fight against him? But if I will not do it, then why did I become a lawyer? Why did I pursue this dream when I am going to turn my back on people who needed me the most?

Gwen and I have never got along since we were kids. We used to fight a lot but it doesn't mean she isn't worth fighting for. And, I believe she cannot kill him. She acted so tough, deep inside, she's so fragile.

"I am so sorry about my pending cases," I smiled a bit. I felt guilty for leaving the firm since I have a lot of pending cases but I need to focus on this. Although, I still have Zack's cases and I don't think I'll let someone handle it. After all, one reason why I became a lawyer is to save my family's ass.

The universe is really great since it made me become a lawyer. What will happen if I become a doctor, right? Perhaps, Gwen is already rotting in jail. I wouldn't let that happen.

"Are you sure about this?" Atty. Levi sighed in disappointment. "You are fighting against the Vice President of the country?"

I nodded. "I am terrified but Gwen is my family."

"Did she treat you like a family?"

"Atty. Levi, thank you so much!" I sincerely bowed down. "For accepting me. I've learned a lot from you. Don't you want me to pay it forward?"

He looked at me with concern. "You know the risks."

"I am willing to take it."

"Okay," He sighed, defeated. "I can no longer change your mind?"

"No. You can't- what? Why did you tear up my resignation?" I widened my eyes.

"You can't change my mind, either," he smirked. "Let's go fight against the Vice President."

"WHAT?" I yelled and blinked. "You are kidding me..." I said in a slow tone, not comprehending what's happening.

Atty. Levi laughed. "I am not kidding."

"No, you can't do that!" I protested. I lowered my voice down when we caught the attention of the strangers roaming around the hospital. "This is on me. You don't need to be part of this case."

"C'mon, it'll be great for the firm if we win the case. We'll be known! That would be amazing!" he said, eager.

"There is no we," I pointed out. "And, what if I lose? What will happen to us?"

Atty. Levi just laughed at me. Ugh! Isn't he getting this? I don't even know if I am going to win. How could I win? I haven't thought about it. It was an impulsive decision. I know I wouldn't regret it but I would definitely hate myself if I lose.

"Do you think I would let you lose?" Atty. Levi licked his lips and playfully caressed his chin.

"You don't know what will happen," I pouted. "Ugh! I am starting to hate myself!" I brushed my hair in frustration.

"But I know my brother."

"What?" I raised an eyebrow.

"My brother is the prosecutor who filed a charge against your sister."

"Oh..." I clicked my tongue. "Do you want to represent the case so you'll have a reunion?" I joked. Atty. Levi didn't get along with his brother, too, since he told me they view things differently. I guess now it includes the difference on how they viewed justice.

"No, you fight against him and I'm gonna grab a popcorn because he's going to lose." He offered a fist bump. It was a gesture we usually do when we are up against big people. This time it's a huge one.

"The drink is on me," I confidently said.

Honestly, I am shaking. I am terrified. But they don't need to know that. The people should only know that my sister is innocent.

Atty. Levi decided to tour around the town before we head home while I stayed in the hospital to wait for Zee. I haven't seen her since I went back to Cebu. We rarely talked because we are both busy and now is the only time I got to visit her since I am in the hospital.

I felt like eating my words again. I told myself never to set foot in this place again and here I am standing between the hospital walls.

I played some music while waiting for her at the resident's quarter. I am not really allowed to stay but I am just so exhausted. I laid down on Zee's bed. I thought of going to Gabriel's room but I might just cross paths with my mother and I don't want that.

I slept for a minute until I heard the door creaking.

"Hey, Gab!" Zee jumped towards the single bed and pulled herself closer to me. "I missed you! How are you? How is Gem and oh Loud? Is he doing well there? I kinda missed him here. Omg!" She sounded excited to see me though there was also tiredness in her voice.

I hugged her and we fitted ourselves in her single bed. "I am exhausted," I whispered to her.

"How's Gwen?" She asked. "How is the investigation going?"

"Atty. Levi and I are working on it. I can't believe she is dating the Vice President's son. How did she even know the guy?" I commented. "Also, Gwen is still a bitch."

Zee laughed a little. "Yeah, but she is your sister. Are you sure about going against the Vice President?"

I straightened my back and stared at the deck above us while Zee was slowly breathing on my side.

"I don't know," I honestly replied. "I'm scared but I should be scared, right?"

"No..." Zee replied in a low tone. She was sleepy. "The one who killed the Vice President's son should be scared. You do believe that Gwen didn't kill him, right?"

I nodded. "She's a bitch but she's not a killer."

I am sure of that. I am going to show the world that they've put the blame on the wrong person.

"Who did?" Zee asked.

"We'll know soon," I replied.

"So, Gwen is going to stay in the prison during the trial?"

"She's under the custody of the police," I left a deep sigh. "Actually, the evidence is more than enough for the law to convict her."

"Maybe that is the reason why the Vice President isn't saying something," Zee concluded. "I think he knows he'll win."

"Ugh!" I brushed my hair in frustration. "I think so. Oh. I need to sleep before I can think."

"I need sleep, too." Zee yawned.

Before we could go to dreamland, an intern hurriedly went inside the quarter.

"Dra. Zamora!" He breathed heavily and wiped his sweat. "There is a problem!"

"What is it?" Zee lazily replied, still not moving from the bed. I still had my eyes closed, too.

"The media are gathering outside the hospital."

"What?" Zee and I both hurriedly got out of bed.

"The police are keeping them but they kept on insisting they want to get a word with the Chairman of the hospital," The intern explained.

"What the hell!" I reacted.

"What are you going to do now?" Zee asked in concern.

"What else?" I grinned.

I tied my hair, fixed my clothes, and wore my best smile as I approached the media waiting outside our hospital. They were all gathering at the main door and I heard the hospital calling for locked doors while I was walking towards them.

"Ma'am! What can you say about the incident?"

"Did your daughter do it?"

"What will happen now to the hospital?"

"Will you allow your daughter to go to jail?"

"What do you want to say to the Vice President?"

My mother was watching the press as they tried to enter the hospital, bombarding us with questions about Gwen. My mother was standing still too proud or maybe it was really how you see her no matter what situation she was in. She remained calm. Her hands were inside the pocket of her coat.

I couldn't comprehend her expression. She blankly stared at the reporters. The police and the guards of our hospital continued to drive them away from the hospital but the media stood tall. They were even using microphones and speakers for us to hear what they are up to.

There were chaos and they were disturbing the hospitals.

Is this part of the Vice President's plan that is why he'd been quiet for weeks? Is he trying to ruin our hospital?

People and patients also gathered around the main door while doctors and nurses tried to push them away. Some of them were already panicking, others wanted to get out of the place and moved into another hospital.

There were murmurs everywhere and I heard them talking about Gwen and what might happen to the hospital.

This isn't good. If this continues, no one will want to go to our hospital even if this is indeed one of the best. The Vice President and the media can ruin us in a glimpse.

I stepped forward and faced my mother.

"Are you letting them ruin your hospital?"

"I am thinking of what to say to them," she simply replied although there was a fang of anger in her voice. "Gwen is really not thinking.

"Should I tell them that Gwen is no longer my concern because --"

"Like what you did to me?" I cut her. "That's it? That is how you will do it?" I mocked her. "Are you willing to throw your children away because of their mistakes instead of helping them?"

"She disgraced our family!" She said in a raised voice.

"Indeed," I agreed. "However, she is still your daughter."

"She-"

I didn't let her finish. "You are worse than I ever imagined, mother."

I bowed down, still with respect, before I approached the media. I was thrown a lot of questions as soon as I stepped outside. Cameras were everywhere and I felt dizzy hearing every word they threw at me. I still manage my smile, though. They're going to publish and televised this one so they better make sure I am beautiful.

"I believe this is a hospital and you are keeping the doctors and the nurses their job to save lives if you will continue to do this," I started.

"Who are you?" That's the question they kept asking.

I gave them the best smile I could ever form in my lips. I stood proud even though I am so close to collapsing at any moment.

"I am Gabriella Wong Tan," I answered. "I represent Gwenleah Wong Tan and..." I stared closely at the video camera imaging the Vice President watching me. "I'll see you in court, Vice President." I bowed down.

That simple statement, made my whole life change in a glimpse.