Chapter 7: The Associate

'someday'

I shook my head and smiled bitterly.

That someday was so nostalgic. It brought me hurricane and a beautiful rainbow afterwards.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I removed my reading glasses. I should have rest my mind first. It's been 4 hours since I started studying Triptivo's case.

In the whole duration I spent reading, I felt something was off. I think subjectively in this case knowing that I have a substantial reason to defend him apart from the trust that he can't and never do such crime. Argh! I'm used at working professionally but why can't I in this case?

I need an associate. One person already popped out in my mind. I know he is a rationale person though he loathed Triptivo. The only problem is, if he refuse. Yeah! I'm referring at Yino.

I was about to call him when my phone beeped.

My head automatically shook when I saw two voice message from the twins.

<Wiseio's vm>

Wiseia is under by her naughtiness.

<Wiseia's vm>

I'm innocent, Mom! Don't believe at your son. Trust your, daughter! Mwaps!

They're so cute.

I responded their voice message with, "I miss you both. I love you. Mwaps!"

After a few seconds, I decided to Yino. Since he's just one call away, "I'm busy, babe."

"Help me," I sounded so plain. But the truth was, I wanted his help so bad. I wanted this to be smooth.

"I'm busy," he repeated in a monotone voice

I sighed. "C'mon, Atty. Yino Montecarlos."

"You know what's my answer, Atty. Torres."

I rolled my eyes. This is just the first attempt. I'm sure Yino's heart will soften. Just a little but constant push.

"Uhm," I heard him chewed afterwards. He's busy, huh? "How's the twins?"

"They're fine. I always keep in touch with them." I stood up and got a glass of water. Though, I gained more facts, reading really dehydrates me.

I heard him mocked a laugh. "Oh really? They kept on asking me if you're fine, if what were you doing, if you have eaten already and others. They didn't even bother checking on me." He let out a loud sigh. "I was like a monitor. Psh!"

I laughed at what he said. The twins were really overprotective. Speaking of the twins, I missed them so much.

"Stop being so childish," I laughed.

"Don't they love their Dada anymore?" he sounded so emotional.

"Bring me foods here," then I cut the call.

I hope I could convince him later.

While waiting Yino, I felt bored.I need to rest my mind so I took a nap.

I was awaken by a poke on my cheeks a lot.

"Hey, wake up. Your food is here" a soft voice owned by Yino whispered at my ear.

I timidly nod. "Yeah, I'll get up," and so I got up.

Yino left, probably fixing my food. It's so sweet of him.

"Let's help our friend!" I shouted on my way to the kitchen. I'm gonna wash my face there. Too lazy to went to my bedroom.

"Yeah, you should help him," he said while busy fiddling my medicine box.

I sat down, wiping my face with towel. "C'mon, Yino."

"You can do that," then he widely grinned. "Don't convince me anymore. I'll not change my mind."

I sighed. This will be a hard one.

The morning hours ended and my mission failed. His decision never changed.

"You seemed stress. Did I stressed you that much?" Triptivo asked as he sat down.

We were at the old interrogation room. I'm glad that one of my police friend let us borrow the old IR.

His cooperation with me contributed and will contribute a lot. He should, as reclution perpertua is waiting for him.

It's only between us since Yino declined helping me. But, I really need him being my associate.

He cleared his throat. "Take a rest, will you? You ain't like my lawyer. Perhaps, you look like my maid."

I shot him my squinted eyes. "Should I look like a maid, I don't care." I leaned. "It's nearly impossible."

He clapped like he was amazed. "Woah!"

I rolled my eyes. "Let's be serious now."

"Okay," he shrugged. "I guess you missed me that's why you come here though you just came here yesterday."

I looked at him, nonchalantly. "I haven't tell you about the crime."

"Uhuh, then?"

"The crime seems so complex. All of the suspects do have evidences that can appoint to be the culprit."

He smirked, "You talk like you weren't one of the suspects."

I crossed my arms. "Can you at least be serious? It's reclusion perpetua, for goodness sake!"

"I'm innocent" he reasoned out.

I want to punch this man right now. "Crap that, Mr. Lopez."

"If I will be convicted, then I will be. I don't care about my name. Triptych already grown up. So, I don't need--"

I cut him off through a slap. My hands were trembling. This is just the second time we talked about his case and we led at this situation. Thus, what more on the upcoming days we need to talk about the case?

The one he said earlier stepped on my ego. It's like he knew will be convicted. Didn't he trust me?

I need some air. I felt like I'm suffocated.

I stood up and was about to left the room when he spoke.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

He didn't finished his litany anymore when I stormed out of the room.

I calmed myself. As much as I want to slap my reasonable rants, I chose not to. So, I evaded thinking about what he said earlier.

When I felt totally calmed, I went in. An awkward and deafening silence greeted me.

Triptivo cleared his throat. "About what I have said earlier, I apologize."

"Apology accepted." I looked at him seriously. "Now, let's start some sort of discussion."

"You will start without me?" I know who was the owner of the voice. Wait, did- "That's sad. You will start without the associate."

I looked at Yino with a bright smile. I knew it!

"Hey, babe!" then he got monoblock chair, placed it beside me and sat down.

"I thought you wouldn't?"

"I'm waiting for you to pursue me but," his smile turned into frown. "you just let me."

"You're here so can we start now, can't we?" Triptivo asked.

"Easy!" a mocking laugh of Yino followed.

I was like watching a tennis game. I kept looking at Yino then to Triptivo.

"I thought you wouldn't change your mind?" I rendered him a curious look.

He laughed. "Yeah, I wouldn't. Why? On the contrary, I never said I will not help."

I rolled my eyes. Right. He never said he won't help. He just said he's busy, he couldn't and I can do this.

"Done with your chitchats?" Triptivo asked sarcastically.

What's with this guy?

Yino widely grinned. Didn't even intimidated a bit. "Nope."

Silence fleeted in the room.

I cleared my throat. "I already did some reviews on the related cases but I'll gather more and bring it. Triptivo, you are assigned in evidences that will support your innocence. While you, Yino," I paused. "You already know what you should do." The truth is, I can't appoint him because he will just do the tasks he want."

"Assigned him with a specific task," Triptivo muttered that made us looked at him.

Yino laughed. "I know what should I do. Cyn already clear that."

"Yino knows what he should do," I sighed. "Don't worry, he is responsible enough and will be."

Yino held his chest and giggled. "I'm flattered."

My lips twitched at he said. "You will be. You should be. Remember, I'm watching you 24/7," I rendered him my squinted eyes.

"What do you mean?!" Triptivo asked.

"I know~," Yino said-oh wait! he sang it.

"What do you mean?" Triptivo asked again.

I looked at him, confusedly. "What do I mean?" I threw him back the question.

"We're living in the same room." I shot him a deat glare. "Kidding. It's roof not room."

Silence again deafened. After a few minutes, we decided to dismissed it. Since, our conversation won't go any further now.

"Is there something that bothers you?" Yino looked at me and then to the road.

I sighed. "It's nothing." I just wandered my eyes outside to keep away from thoughts.

"C'mon, Cyn."

I looked at him. "Am I haggard? Do I look like a maid?"

I almost jump out of my seat when Yino guffawed.

"Seriously? You are asking that kind of question?"

My brows furrowed but I nodded as an answer to his question.

He look up like he was thinking. "When was the last time you asked me the same question?" He snapped his fingers. "Aha! That was when Triptivo told you that you look like a mess before the pageant started!"

"F-Forget it."

He shot me, squinted eyes. "Did he say something again?" he widely grinned while brows wiggling. "Don't you ever lie to me, babe. He's the only person who could turn you down," he reminded me with a playful voice.

I rolled my eyes. That's it! I'm cornered, can't cover up anymore.

"So, spill it," he added.