Chapter 56

I didn't know why I was holding my breath as I watched Iñigo walk and then stop in front of Lui. It was merely a few steps, yet it felt like forever. Every step he took felt like dagger that was being plunged into my chest.

Lui and I talked about this... we prepared for this...

But it's Iñigo.

I knew about what happened before with his friend. He managed to get her thrown in jail. If not for the last minute evidence, sigurado ako na nasa kulungan pa rin ngayon iyong kaibigan niya. The in denial part inside my head told me na professional lang talaga siya. Na kaya niyang ihiwalay iyong trabaho sa personal na nararamdaman niya. But I wasn't born yesterday. The Ramirez family was involved. And like the Villamontes family, they play dirty...

Kaya ano ang pinagkaiba ngayon?

"Mr. Valladares," panimula niya. I hated that I was holding my breath as I was waiting for his next words. Naka-tingin ako kay Lui. His face was... devoid of any emotion. That was good... right? He shouldn't be emotional. Mas maganda kung kalmado lang siya. He needed to be in control para hindi siya malito ni Iñigo sa mga tanong niya.

"Where did you attend school for your undergraduate studies?"

"St. Claire's," sagot ni Lui.

"And after that, you went to medical school, correct?"

"Yes."

"But you didn't finish, did you?"

"No, I did not."

"In fact, you come from a family of doctors, isn't that right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Yet you chose to leave medical school and pursue law instead. Why is that?"

Huminga ako nang malalim. "Objection, Your Honor. Relevance?" I asked although I already knew where Iñigo was heading with the line of questioning that he was doing.

I warned Lui that this would happen...

He assured me that he'll be fine.

But now that it's in the open? How could he be fine? Kung ako nga na mahal siya, nagawa siyang husgahan noon... paano pa iyong ibang mga tao na hindi naman siya kilala?

I just... wanted to shield him from everyone's judgment. But I would be a big hypocrite. Because wasn't I the very reason why he's here, basically admitting to all his crimes?

"Your Honor, I'm establishing the witness's background and potential motivations," kalmadong sagot ni Iñigo.

"I'll allow it. The witness may answer."

Lui threw me a quick look—as if he was trying to assure me that everything's fine, that everything's still under control... kahit na siya iyong nasa witness stand sa aming dalawa.

"I decided that law was a better fit for my personal interests and goals," sagot niya.

"During your time in law school, you became friends with some of the members of the Villamontes family, didn't you?"

"Yes, we were acquainted," maingat na sagot ni Lui.

But Iñigo wasn't done. "More than acquainted, Mr. Valladares. You were close friends, weren't you?"

Naka-tingin lang si Lui. Kalmado pa rin. Iniisip ang bawat salita na sasabihin niya. "We were friends, yes."

Dahan-dahang tumango si Iñigo. Wala siyang hawak na kung anumang papel. Kabisado lahat ng sasabihin at itatanong niya.

"And now you're testifying against their family. Isn't that a convenient turn of events?"

"Objection, Your Honor," mabilis na sabi ko. "Argumentative."

I kept on reminding myself that Iñigo's merely doing his job... but it's so fucking hard to be rational when I was watching him with my very eyes as he tried to lay down the bricks on the road where he'd run Lui over.

"Sustained. Rephrase your question, Counselor," the judge said, agreeing with my objection.

Nakita ko ang pagtango ni Iñigo. Bahagya siyang lumingon at mabilis na tumingin sa akin. Nakita ko na napa-tingin din si Lui sa gawi ko.

Of course.

Of course he'd use this argument.

"Mr. Valladares, let's talk about your relationship with the prosecuting attorney. You two were in a relationship before this trial, weren't you?"

"Yes, we dated briefly."

"And you broke up?" tanong ni Iñigo. Bahagyang napa-kunot ang noo ko. How did he know na nagbreak kami? We never really told anyone about it... o baka alam din ng mga Villamontes? Alam ba talaga nila lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay ko?

"Yes, we did."

"But now you're back together, isn't that right?"

"Our personal life is not relevant to this case."

"Very well," sabi ni Iñigo. "I'll rephrase. Are you currently in a relationship with the prosecuting attorney?"

"Objection, Your Honor. This line of questioning is irrelevant and intended to harass the witness," mabilis na sabi ko.

"Your Honor, the witness's relationship with the prosecutor goes directly to his credibility and potential bias," mabilis na sagot ni Iñigo.

"I'll allow it, but tread carefully, Counselor."

Lui threw me another look. I hated that he's the one comforting me and assuring me kahit na siya iyong nasa witness stand. I gripped on my pen tighter. I needed to hold it together better—if not for me, then for Lui.

"Yes, we are currently in a relationship," Lui stated.

"Mr. Valladares, isn't it true that you're lying on the stand today to curry favor with your girlfriend, the prosecuting attorney?"

"Objection, Your Honor! This is outrageous!" I said, standing up.

"Sustained. Counselor, that's enough. Move on," the judge said sternly.

"Mr. Valladares, you claim you were present at a meeting where a murder was planned, yet you didn't report it to the authorities. Why?"

My jaw clenched.

Yeah... it is hard not to take this personally.

"As I said earlier, I didn't think they would actually go through with it," kalmado pa ring sagot ni Lui. I hated that I couldn't be as calm as him... or maybe he was being calm because he could see me losing it. Because for some reason, Lui can always read what was on my mind... he knows what I am feeling before I could even figure it out myself.

"So, you're admitting that you had knowledge of a potential crime and did nothing?"

"Objection, Your Honor. The witness has already explained his reasons," mabilis na sagot ko. He's not trying to get Lui to perjure himself!

"Overruled. The witness may answer."

"As I stated earlier, at the time, I didn't believe the plans discussed would actually be carried out. My assessment of the situation, while ultimately incorrect, was based on my understanding of the individuals involved and the context of the conversation."

Iñigo cocked his head to the side. "A convenient explanation, Mr. Valladares. Are you aware that failing to report a serious crime could make you an accessory?"

I couldn't even draw the breath that I badly needed. "Objection, Your Honor! Counsel is badgering the witness and attempting to incriminate him!"

"Sustained. Watch your step, Counselor."

"Mr. Valladares, I'll ask you directly: Are you lying under oath to protect yourself from potential criminal charges?"

Fuck you, Iñigo.

"No, I am not lying," Lui calmly responded.

"So, if you're not lying, then you must have been involved in the transaction you're testifying about. Are you aware that such involvement would make you criminally liable?"

"Objection, Your Honor! This is an improper attempt to intimidate the witness!"

"Sustained. Counselor, you're treading on thin ice," the judge warned him... but with that look on his face, I knew that he was far from done.

"Mr. Valladares, could you please explain the purpose of your presence at the location in question?"

"I was invited to the meeting as a family friend and business associate."

"Given your presence at the scene, would it be reasonable to infer your participation in the premeditation or conspiracy to commit the alleged offense?"

"Objection, Your Honor! This question calls for speculation and assumes facts not in evidence."

"Sustained. Rephrase your question, Counselor."

Iñigo nodded. He was not facing me. He was focused on Lui. Was this the plan? To get him to incriminate himself? To drag him down? Because if we'd drag that damned family to hell, they wanted to take him with them, too?

Did Lui know about this?

And despite that, he agreed to be on the stand?

"Mr. Valladares, as a member of the BAR, you're undoubtedly familiar with the legal elements constituting conspiracy. In light of this knowledge, how do you reconcile your presence with the circumstances surrounding this case?"

"Objection, Your Honor! The question is compound and argumentative," I once again called. Lui wasn't even the one in trial, but with the way Iñigo was asking his questions, parang si Lui pa ang may kasalanan ng lahat!

"Overruled. The witness may answer."

"My presence at the meeting doesn't imply participation in any conspiracy," dahan-dahang sagot ni Lui. "As I've stated, I didn't believe the plans discussed would be carried out, which is why I didn't report it immediately. I now recognize that was a mistake."

"A mistake? Mr. Valladares, you're a trained lawyer. You know that mere presence during the planning of a crime can implicate you. Are you saying you were willfully ignorant, or were you an active participant?"

"Objection, Your Honor! Counsel is badgering the witness and asking him to incriminate himself."

"Sustained. Counselor, tread carefully."

Iñigo didn't move nor said a word. "Mr. Valladares, let me be direct. Are you testifying today to save yourself from prosecution, or are you lying to protect your relationship with the prosecutor?"

"Objection! This is outrageous, Your Honor!"

"Sustained. Counselor, that's enough. Move on or we'll take a recess."

"Your Honor, I'd like to make one final point regarding the witness's testimony.

"Make it brief, Counselor."

"Mr. Valladares, isn't it true that your entire testimony today has been nothing more than a self-serving attempt to distance yourself from any wrongdoing?"

"Objection, Your Honor! Argumentative and asked and answered."

"Overruled. I'll allow it. The witness may answer."

Fuck.

"I understand how it might appear, but—"

"It appears that you're either complicit or lying, Mr. Valladares. Which is it?"

"Objection! Counsel is not allowing the witness to answer."

"Sustained. Counselor, allow the witness to respond."

Lui looked at me once more as if he was reminding me to breathe. "As I was saying, I understand how it might appear, but my inaction was based on disbelief, not complicity."

"Disbelief? From a trained lawyer? Mr. Valladares, isn't it the case that your entire testimony today is merely a calculated effort to exonerate yourself while simultaneously ingratiating yourself with the prosecution?"

"Objection, Your Honor! This line of questioning is harassment."

"Overruled. The witness may answer."

"No, that's not true. I'm here to ensure justice is served."

"Justice? Or to save yourself? Your Honor, I move to have Mr. Valladares' testimony stricken from the record as it is clearly self-serving and lacks any credibility."

"Your Honor, I object in the strongest possible terms. Mr. Valladares has provided crucial testimony about a serious crime. The defense's attempts to discredit him are baseless and desperate."

"The motion to strike is denied, Counselor. However, the court will take note of your objections to the witness's credibility. Do you have any further questions?"

"Just one, Your Honor. Mr. Valladares, given your admitted presence at the planning of a serious crime and your failure to report it, are you prepared to face potential charges yourself?"

"Objection! This is another attempt to intimidate the witness!"

"Sustained. Attorney. Borromeo, that's enough."

Iñigo and Lui were staring at each other—no one's letting up. "No further questions, Your Honor."

**

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