Chapter 60

Instead of going back to the condo, mas inuna kong pumunta kina Achilles. I did call him to tell him na papunta na ako doon. He asked me kung tungkol saan ang pag-uusapan namin. I told him that it's probably better kung hindi maririnig ni Mauro iyong usapan namin.

So, here we are, in a fucking playground. Kaming dalawa lang ang tao dito dahil madaling araw na. It was cold. Wala akong dalang jacket. Achilles gave me the jacket he was wearing. I thanked him.

"Achilles," I called. Naka-tingin siya sa 'kin. "I'm pregnant."

"How should I respond?" he asked.

"You can congratulate me," I told him.

He gave me a small nod. "Congrats," sabi niya.

"Thank you," I replied with a small smile.

I want this baby. I really do. But I also know that I want to keep this baby's father safe. I didn't want to raise this baby alone. Hindi ko kaya. Hindi ko gusto. Kung may mangyaring masama kay Lui, I knew deep down in my soul that I would—

No, let's not even go there, Tali.

Hindi makukulong si Lui.

"I'm here because I need your help," I told him. "I know I'm asking for a lot already."

"It's fine," he replied. "Ano'ng kailangan mo sa 'kin?"

I drew a deep breath before I told him about the conversation I had with Iñigo earlier. Tahimik na nakikinig lang sa akin si Achilles. I knew that I made the right decision by going here. Achilles and I, we're both in the same boat. Alam ko na gagawin niya lahat para kay Mauro. Kung may makaka-intindi man sa gagawin ko, siya 'yon.

"He's lost his mind, don't you agree?" sabi ko nang matapos ako sa pagku-kwento.

Bahagya siyang umiling. "Not at all," sabi niya. "I think this is the first admirable thing he did in his life."

Bahagyang napaawang iyong labi ko. Wow... they really do not like each other.

"I understand why he wants to do that. I also understand where you're coming from."

Humigpit iyong hawak ko sa hawakan ng swing. "Ni hindi mo pa nga alam iyong gagawin ko."

"Something illegal," he said.

Napa-tingin ako sa gawi niya. "What?"

"I've considered that," sabi niya. "I've considered doing a lot of things because of this case. Iyong mga bagay na kapag narinig ni Mauro, iisipin niya na nagbago na ako. I've always been a stickler for rules—just do as the law says and abide by it. But how can we win if the people we're going against do not have any rules they follow?"

I let out the breath that I'd been holding in.

"I don't want to do this," I said.

"End justifies the means."

I let out a worried chuckle. "Shouldn't it be the end doesn't justify the means?"

"Not when you're dealing with the Villamontes, no," he said. "It's like... doing bad things for good reasons."

"I don't know you very well, pero parang sasabihin ko rin iyong sinabi ni Mauro na nagbago ka na."

"Hindi ba ikaw din?" balik-tanong niya. "Would the old you consider doing anything that's not by the books?"

Hindi agad ako naka-sagot.

"Is it more ethical to let them go free? To let them hurt more people?" Achilles asked to my silence that's been engulfing us.

"You're talking about compromising everything the justice system stands for."

Bahagya siyang tumango. "Sure... but sometimes you have to bend the rules to serve true justice."

Bahagya akong natawa. I can't believe that we're talking about this. That they're so evil that we're practically being pushed to join the other side just to have a fighting chance to make everything even.

"But the right outcome achieved the wrong way isn't right at all. It's a slippery slope...."

"So, we just do our best? Let them win?"

"No," mahinang sagot ko.

I felt this... pressure on my chest.

Naiisip ko pa lang na nanalo sila.

Na patuloy pa rin iyong mga gagawin nila.

Na walang mananagot sa mga nasira at nawalang buhay.

Na makukulong si Lui.

I held on tighter to the swing as I tilted my head up and looked at the star-less sky. "I can't believe we're even considering this."

Tahimik na tumango si Achilles. "This goes against everything we believe in."

"Sometimes, doing the right thing means making impossible choices."

Napa-tingin siya sa akin at bahagyang napa-tawa.

Did we just agree to do something illegal?

In the name of what?

Love?

What a fucking cliche we'd become.

* * *

I knew for sure that Lui knew about the talk that I had with Iñigo. He didn't bring up me leaving the country anymore. Good. At least bawas na 'yon sa mga iisipin ko pa.

I didn't really talk to him during the whole week. I was confined in a room I decided I'd make my work room. I called some people to help me create a whole timeline just to make sure na walang papasok sa mga objection na gagawin ni Iñigo. I'd do my direct; he'd do my cross. I'd probably do a re-direct.

Lui let me be. He'd just randomly pop up to give me food or vitamins. Alam ko rin na lumalabas siya. I also just let him be.

He wanted to be imprisoned.

I wanted him to stop being dumb.

I guess the better lawyer will get what she wants.

And then it's finally d-day again.

I didn't think it was even possible na mas dumami pa iyong media, yet here we were.

Para akong mabubulag sa dami ng ilaw na naka-tapat sa amin. Lui was trying his best to keep people away from me. He even almost broke someone's neck nung matulak ako nang bahagya dahil sa dami ng tao na sinusubukan maka-kuha ng comment mula sa amin.

"Are you okay?" he asked nang maka-pasok na kami sa loob ng Court kung saan off-limits na iyong ibang mga media.

"I'm fine," I said. I looked at his face. "I'm fine," I reiterated. I really was fine. Before I delved into this... madness, I had a consultation. I wanted to make sure that I was fine. I was told to keep stress to a minimum. But the only way I'd be stress-free ay kapag sigurado na ako na nasa loob ng kulungan si Villamontes at wala roon si Lui.

I guess, at the end of it all, I was still following the doctor's order.

Malicious compliance as it may be.

Later on, dumating na rin si Villamontes. Did this motherfucker put on some makeup? Bakit mas mukha na siyang mamamatay ngayon kumpara sa nung huli kaming nagkita?

"The prosecution may call its witness," the Judge said.

"Thank you, Your Honor," I said as I stood up. "The People calls Reynaldo Villamontes to the stand."

I watched as Villamontes was sworn in. Tama nga si Lui sa sinabi niya dati na papayag si Villamontes na matawag bilang witness. Kailan pa kaya sila nag-uusap ni Iñigo? Dati pa? Bago pa magsimula iyong kaso?

I had all the questions I wanted answers to, but they could wait kapag sigurado na ako na makukuha ko iyong mga gusto at kailangan ko.

"Mr. Villamontes, please state your full name and occupation for the record," I began.

I stared at Villamontes. Did he hire a makeup artist and apply concealer on his face? O talagang hinahatak na siya papunta sa impyerno?

"Reynaldo Antonio Villamontes. I'm a businessman," he answered, playing safe.

"Mr. Villamontes, can you describe your relationship with Atty. Luisito Ruiz Valladares?"

I didn't know why I wasn't nervous this time around. I thought I would be nervous. After all, I had a lot more to lose this time... but I guess it's all adrenaline. Or pekeng lakas ng loob. Either way, I'd take it.

I'd take it than trembling in fear in front of this monster.

"Atty. Valladares is a family friend and business associate. Our families have had legitimate business dealings for many years."

"Can you elaborate on the nature of these business dealings?" I asked. I had to deal with Lui's connection with him. The faster I did this, the quicker I can move on to the other important issues.

"Objection, Your Honor. Relevance?" Iñigo objected, as I expected. Hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang eksaktong gustong mangyari ni Iñigo. Was he just playing both fields safely? Perhaps. But not me. I had a specific end game in mind.

"Your Honor, I'm establishing the background of the relationship between the witness and a key prosecution witness," I quickly argued.

"Objection overruled. The witness may answer, but keep it brief, Mr. Villamontes."

Okay. Tali, one. Iñigo, zero.

"Our company..." Villamontes answered. He took a few seconds to continue, probably choosing the right words to say. "Our company assists the Valladares family in procuring high-paying clients for their premium medical services. It's a mutually beneficial, completely legal business arrangement."

On one hand, he's right.

He had a way with describing an otherwise very illegal business.

"Mr. Villamontes, were you present at a meeting on October 2nd at your family compound?"

"Yes, I was. It was a routine business meeting, nothing more."

"Who else was present at this meeting?"

"Several family members and business associates, including Atty. Valladares. All respected members of the business community."

Good.

He didn't deny Lui's presence at that damned meeting. Akala ko talaga ay ide-deny niya 'yon. I had several evidence to back it up in case he tried to deny it. I wondered if Iñigo had a hand in this.

"Mr. Villamontes, Atty. Valladares has testified that during this meeting, there was a discussion about 'disposing' of Patricia Santos. However, he has also stated that he did not verbally agree to or participate in any criminal plan. Can you explain the nature of this discussion and Atty. Valladares' role in it?"

"Objection, Your Honor. The question is compound and calls for speculation."

"Sustained. Counselor, please rephrase."

I nodded, and then took in a deep breath. "Mr. Villamontes, was there any discussion about Patricia Santos at this meeting?"

"Absolutely not. Our meetings are strictly about legitimate business matters. We never discussed anything related to a certain Patricia Santos or any illegal activities."

"Are you denying that you know any Patricia Santos?" I asked him directly. I stood in front of him. I waited for him to confirm or deny. I just needed him to say yes or no.

"I do not know of any Patricia Santos."

'Good,' I whispered in my ear.

"Mr. Villamontes, are you familiar with the case of People v. dela Serna, in which your son, Arthur Villamontes, was accused of rape?"

"Yes, I am aware of that case. It was a false accusation that has since been dropped."

"Not dropped but never filed because Arthur Villamontes died," I quickly commented. "Just for the record, Your Honor."

At least man lang kahit sa transcript ng kaso na 'to, masabi na kaya lang walang naging kaso sa nangyari kay Assia ay dahil namatay agad si Arthur bago pa man siya makasuhan—the ultimate injustice, if you'd ask me.

"Proceed with the questions, Counsel," sabi ni Judge, but the tone wasn't berating.

"Your Honor, I'd like to introduce Exhibit R, which is a birth certificate of a child born to Patricia Santos, listing Arthur Villamontes as the father."

"Objection, Your Honor," mabilis na sagot ni Iñigo nang mapa-tingin siya sa akin at mapa-kunot ang noo. "This evidence is prejudicial and not directly relevant to the case at hand."

"Objection overruled. The exhibit is admitted."

Good.

I drew in another deep breath.

I needed to be in control—Reynaldo Villamontes shouldn't see through all the bullshit that I was about to pull.

"Mr. Villamontes, were you aware that Patricia Santos had a child with your son Arthur?"

"I was aware of Ms. Santos' claims, yes. However, paternity has never been legally established."

"Didn't you just say that you didn't know of any Patricia Santos?" I asked.

I saw him panic. He quickly threw Iñigo a look as if he was a child asking to be saved from the big, bad wolf.

But, for the first time, Iñigo didn't object.

Probably because he didn't see this birth certificate coming

"Mr. Villamontes, I'd like to direct your attention to Exhibit S, a transcript of a recorded conversation between you and your sibling, Renato Villamontes on October 3rd. In this conversation, you're quoted as saying, 'Naayos na ang problema kay Patricia.' Can you explain what you meant by this statement?" tuluy-tuloy na pagtatanong ko. I just wanted him flustered. I wanted him to feel the fear, the anxiety. I wanted him to feel even just a fraction of the fear that he made his victims feel.

"Objection, Your Honor! This is the first time we're seeing this evidence!" Iñigo objected vehemently.

I placed my hand on my stomach as if I was trying to get strength. Iniwas ko iyong tingin ko kay Lui. I knew if I did, I'd see the questioning look on his face.

Pero sabi nga ni Achilles, sometimes, you have to do bad things for good reasons.

I was breaking my oath.

I was lying in court.

But... I guess... just for this time... end does justify the means.

"Objection overruled. The exhibit is admitted. Mr. Villamontes, please answer the question."

Villamontes was rattled, but he quickly gathered himself. He was probably asking himself kung talaga bang sinabi niya iyong bagay na 'yon... Kasi possible naman. He did have her killed. He probably said that amongst all the evil things he said and di.

"That statement, if I made it, was clearly taken out of context. I was likely referring to our legal team's efforts to challenge Ms. Santos' credibility as a witness through proper legal channels. I have never and would never condone any illegal actions."

"It's just really amusing, Mr. Villamontes, how just a few minutes later, hindi mo kilala si Patricia Santos, and now, you had a whole legal meeting just to address your concerns regarding Patricia's actions," I couldn't help but say.

"Leave the commentary out of my court, Counsel," the judge admonished.

"Yes, Your Honor," I said. It was worth it. "Your Honor, I'd like to introduce Exhibit T, which is a compilation of police reports and court records detailing five previous rape accusations against Arthur Villamontes over the past decade."

"Objection, Your Honor," mabilis na sagot ni Iñigo. "This is highly prejudicial and not relevant to the current case."

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

"Mr. Villamontes, were you aware of these previous accusations against your son?"

"I was aware that my son had faced false accusations in the past, yes. Each of these cases was thoroughly investigated and dismissed due to lack of evidence."

"Your Honor, I'd now like to introduce Exhibit U, which contains financial records showing substantial payments made to each of these five previous accusers, all traced back to Villamontes Inc. or its subsidiaries."

"Objection, Your Honor. This is another attempt to prejudice the Court with information not directly related to the case at hand."

"Objection overruled. The exhibit is admitted."

"Mr. Villamontes, can you explain these payments to your son's previous accusers?"

"Those were civil settlements, made on the advice of our legal team to avoid unnecessary and damaging publicity. They were not admissions of guilt, but rather business decisions to protect our company's reputation."

"Mr. Villamontes, given this pattern of paying off your son's accusers, what made Patricia Santos' case different? Why wasn't she simply paid off like the others?"

"Objection. Calls for speculation."

"Overruled. The witness may answer."

"Ms. Santos' case was not handled any differently. Our legal team was in the process of addressing her claims through proper legal channels. I was not personally involved in these matters."

"Mr. Villamontes, in light of all this evidence, I ask you again: did you order or in any way participate in planning the massacre that resulted in the deaths of Patricia Santos and 19 others?"

He was grasping for air.

At least now he knew how it feels.

Kagaya nung mga walang awa na basta na lang nila inilibing.

"Absolutely not. I categorically deny any involvement in this tragic event. My family and I are law-abiding citizens, and we would never condone such a heinous act. These accusations are baseless and seem to be an attempt to exploit a tragedy for personal or political gain."

I could see him continue to struggle to breathe.

But I wasn't done.

"Your Honor, I'd like to introduce Exhibit V, which contains information about Atty. Julia Zaldivar."

"Objection, Your Honor! Relevance!" Iñigo quickly objected. He was looking at me like I had lost my damned mind. Hindi ba sinabi ko naman sa kanya? Wala akong sasantuhin.

He's the one who told me na may kasalanan si Lui... Hindi ba't may kasalanan din si Julia? I mean, if we're being fair and equal?

"Your Honor, this information is crucial to understanding the context of the previous cases against Arthur Villamontes and the potential conflicts of interest involved."

"I'll allow it. Proceed, Counselor."

"Mr. Villamontes, are you familiar with Atty. Julia Zaldivar?"

Villamontes looked at me like he was already planning my assassination. "Yes, I am aware of Atty. Zaldivar. She's a respected prosecutor."

"Is it true that Atty. Zaldivar was your son Arthur's best friend?"

"I'm aware that they know each other, yes. But I wouldn't presume to characterize the nature of their relationship."

He was already distancing himself from her.

He knew that the boat is sinking.

Didn't I tell Iñigo to warn him that I'd be bringing shovel? Not only to dig up the bodies but also to destroy that fucking boat?

"Mr. Villamontes, Exhibit W shows that Atty. Zaldivar was the assigned prosecutor for all five of the previously dismissed cases against your son. Were you aware of this?"

"I was not personally involved in the legal proceedings. If Atty. Zaldivar was assigned to those cases, I'm sure it was through proper channels."

"Your Honor, I'd like to introduce Exhibit X, which contains records of numerous social media posts and photographs showing Atty. Zaldivar in close social situations with Arthur Villamontes, dating back several years before and continuing through the time she was prosecuting these cases."

"Objection, Your Honor," Iñigo called. "This is irrelevant and prejudicial!"

"Your Honor, this evidence speaks directly to a potential conflict of interest in the handling of previous cases against Arthur Villamontes, which is highly relevant to the current case."

"Objection overruled. The exhibit is admitted."

"Mr. Villamontes, given this evidence of a close personal relationship between Atty. Zaldivar and your son, do you still maintain that all previous cases against Arthur were dismissed solely due to lack of evidence?"

"I stand by my previous statement. The cases were dismissed based on their lack of merit. Atty. Zaldivar is a professional, and I'm sure she handled the cases appropriately."

"Mr. Villamontes, isn't it true that your family's influence, combined with your son's close relationship with the prosecutor, ensured that these cases were dismissed regardless of their merit?"

"Objection, Your Honor. This is speculative and argumentative."

"Sustained. Rephrase your question, Counselor."

"Mr. Villamontes, were you aware of any communication between your family and Atty. Zaldivar regarding these cases outside of official legal proceedings?"

"Absolutely not. Any communication would have been through proper legal channels. We respect the legal process and would never attempt to influence it improperly."

"Mr. Villamontes, given this pattern of dismissed cases prosecuted by your son's close friend, can you understand why Patricia Santos might have felt that standard legal proceedings wouldn't be sufficient to bring your son to justice?"

"Objection! Calls for speculation about the victim's state of mind!

"Sustained."

I turned my head to look at Iñigo and nodded. "I'll rephrase," I said as I looked at him. I, then, turned my head and looked at Villamontes. "Mr. Villamontes, in light of this information about Atty. Zaldivar's involvement in previous cases as well as the birth record proving your son's paternity of Patricia Santos' child, do you still maintain that you had no motive to prevent Ms. Santos from testifying?"

It was as if I could see the alarm going on inside his head. What the fuck was he so scared about? Kung makukulong man siya, sandali na lang. Mukhang malapit na rin naman siyang maubusan ng hininga.

"I categorically deny any motive or action to prevent Ms. Santos from testifying. We were prepared to address her claims through proper legal channels, just as we had done in previous cases. The tragic events that occurred were completely outside of our knowledge or control."

He sounded like a puppet at this point. His empty and rehearsed answers.

"No further questions, Your Honor."

"We'll take a recess before cross-examination. Court is adjourned for one hour."

As soon as the judge left the court room, naramdaman ko iyong paglapit sa akin ni Lui. I turned, so I could look him in his eyes.

"What... are you doing?" he asked as he held my arm. He was holding it tightly like he wanted me to feel his anger... but not so much so that he wanted me to be hurt.

"Probably the dumbest thing I ever did," I replied.

But the only way wherein I could get both things that I wanted was for me to start playing the way they're playing.

Only then will the playing field will be even.

Only then can this game finally be over. 

**

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