The brief interview with Conan Solaire left a bitter taste to our mouths. Sandro seemed to be in deep thoughts, and the disappointment was painted all over his face.

"Do you know what's making this case so complicated?" He queried as we made our way to the parking lot. "We don't have a clear lead that could bring us to another suspect. Everything about the case points Conan Solaire as the culprit."

I pursed my lips. "Things on his end do seem grave."

"Yes. Even his confession earlier adds more suspicion to him." Napabuntong hininga siya. "If it's true that Stellar Lumina was in love with somebody else, then he has all the more reason to kill her. After all, an unrequited love could be a strong motive."

Pareho kaming walang imik ni Sandro buong biyahe. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip niya kaya hindi ko na lang siya ginulo. Besides, he looked so crestfallen. Maybe he was expecting to fish something important about the case, something that could strengthen our client's sidsi

But it backfired. His words only added more suspicion.

I'm sure that he's telling the truth, though. That's the main reason why I was sent here to possess Gaia's body. I was tasked to prove the innocence of Conan Solaire.

"For now, all we can do is to believe him." Hindi ko na kinaya ang katahimikan kaya nagsalita na ako. "Abide by the principles of Atticus. He swears loyalty and puts all his faith on his client, regardless of the truth."

"I suppose so." Lihim naman akong napangiti dahil ito ang unang beses na hindi niya ako kinontra.

Hinatid ako ni Sandro sa condo namin ni Atticus. I told him that I can manage to go upstairs by myself, but he insisted on coming with me.

"We must practice extreme precaution at all times. What if someone attacks you on the way up there?" I realized that I wouldn't win against his paranoia. Hinayaan ko na lang siya.

We stood quietly inside the elevator, careful not to invade each other's personal space. Mabilis din naman kaming nakarating sa ikapitong palapag kung nasa'n ang unit ni Atticus.

Naunang lumabas si Sandro at sinundan ko naman siya. Pumasok naman sa elevator ang isang lalaking nakasuot ng cap at nakayuko. I wouldn't have paid attention to him but when our arms made contact, I suddenly felt shivers down to my spine.

I came to a halt then hesitantly looked at the man over my shoulder. My heart pounded in anxiety when I saw him, his face carved with that familiar and unpleasant grin.

Yvonne...

"Is there something wrong?" Sandro asked in his usually flat voice. I turned to him for a second but I immediately returned my gaze to the elevator. Unfortunately, it was already closed.

I can't be mistaken. It's him. Anong ginagawa niya rito?

I shuddered upon remembering the times when I had encountered that man. The first time we met, he strangled me regardless of the fact that I was Gaia Venice, the woman he loves, or so it seems. Everything about Yvonne seemed sinister, his aura, his eyes, even his smiles.

"Gaia?" Sandro called me. "You're so pale."

Napahawak naman ako sa mukha ko. "Oh,"

"Are you feeling ill?" tanong niya.

"I'm fine. Please don't concern yourself with me."

Nang maihatid ako ni Sandro sa unit namin, nadatnan namin sa Atticus na nauna pa palang makauwi. He was still in his suit and tie, and he was comfortably slumped on the sofa.

"Welcome home, love." His face brightened at our arrival. Tumingin siya kay Sandro. "Thank you for keeping her safe. So, how did it go with Conan?"

"We discovered some crucial information." Sandro remarked without batting an eyelash. "Stellar Lumina is an adopted child."

"And?"

"She's in love with someone else."

Silence.

I tried diving into my thoughts in an attempt to remember something about my past love, but it was futile. If I were in love with someone else, with whom, then? Who was the person I chose over Conan? Oh, I was desperate to know the answer.

"That makes our client even more suspiscious." Atticus groaned in frustration. "An unrequited love is a strong motive."

Sandro nodded in agreement. "I thought so."

"Anyway, let's call it a day. Thank you for the wonderful service, Sandro. Maaasahan ka talaga kahit kailan."

"I shall take my leave, then." Sandro said coldly. He turned his back from us and was about to leave when Atticus called him again. May kinuhang papel ang katabi ko at inabot sa kanya.

"Whose... number is this?" pagtataka ni Sandro.

Atticus smiled. "If you're not that busy, can you please track the owner of that phone number for me? No rush."

The secretary bowed politely. "Okay. Leave it to me."

Sandro bade his farewell and left the unit. Naiwan ako sa tabi ni Atticus na sumandal naman sa balikat ko. His arm snaked around my waist.

"I still can't see the light on this case." he mumbled, looking so tired and exhausted. "But we'll surely see it."

I smiled then ran my fingers through his hair.

"Everything will be okay, Atticus."

He looked up to me and returned my smile. "Hmm. Once I solve this case, Gaia and I can proceed to our wedding."

It was painful to hear that from him. Not because I was jealous, but because I knew that it was impossible. Nasasaktan ako para kay Atticus dahil alam kong niloloko lang siya ni Gaia Venice. At hindi ko alam kung paano iyon sasabihin sa kanya, o kung kaya ko bang aminin sa kanya ang totoo.

"How did you meet Gaia? I want to know." I told him.

Napangiti naman siya, tila may naisip na magandang alaala. "We met in a coffee shop. I was..." kwento niya na may halong pambibitin. I waited for him to resume what he was saying, but he said nothing. I looked at him and the smile on his face had faltered.

I nudged him gently. "You were what?"

His eyes twitched. "This is odd, Stellar."

"What's odd?"

Tumingin siya sa akin. "I don't remember how we actually met. I mean, we met in a coffee shop... and I was crying?"

"Tumatanda ka na!" biro ko kay Atticus.

He chuckled to my joke, but spoke worriedly. "I've been having the same feeling lately. I don't feel good about it."

"What kind?"

"The feeling that I'm forgetting something."

He took a small box from his pocket. Sa unang tingin ko pa lamang ay alam ko nang engagement ring iyon.

"I don't know why I have an engagement ring. I can't remember no matter how hard I think." nag-aalala niyang sabi.

Napangiwi ako. "Are you stupid? You're engaged to Gaia. Of course you'd have an engagement ring." katwiran ko.

"No. You don't get it." he replied then raised his hand to show me the ring on his finger. "This is my engagement ring with Gaia. I always wear this and I never take it off unless it's time to bathe. What strikes me as odd is the fact that I have another ring, but I cannot remember when and why I bought it."

I was rendered speechless. That is odd, indeed.

"More importantly, for whom?" Atticus whispered to himself, his eyes lost in deep thoughts. "Something's wrong. I hate being in the dark. It's like I'm trying to remember something that didn't even happen."

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