Avery and Prince [3]

[3 years ago]

Prince hadn't call off a night without having dinner with what he considered the most favorite person for now: Avery De Leon. It has been a year of persuading her to have dinner with him, and she seemed good to go a few nights ago.

Prince had made effort every single time he invited her over.

They both agreed to call it off when the dinner invite marked 5 times, and something doesn't seem to stir. Prince wanted to ask Avery about his progress to her heart, but it doesn't seem the right question to ask. Besides, he's doing this for a purpose, and not with the intention to fall in love.

Avery still has a trial. In just a few minutes, it will be done.

Prince waited outside the court, still wearing his prosecutor's robes, and all the files he used earlier. He tapped his foot impatiently, wondering what it's like to be a lawyer. Prince always sat down on the other side of the court, with no other than a senior prosecutor protecting the laws.

On the other hand, Avery was doing the exact opposite.

She's there to defend the person who get accused, whether innocent or not, and they're definitely in need to be the shield from their accusations. Sometimes, Avery would rant out how she despised her job of being the counsel.

At one point, she had to defend a psychopath who killed an entire bus full of kids.

Avery doesn't want to talk to the client anymore, but she's required to have short conversations with him at the court. That hearing was what she loathed the most. Avery wanted to forget the badge of honor she wore as an attorney, and leave everything behind, but luckily, Prince was there.

She eased out her mind whenever he's around. Avery broke off the promise not to like somebody until she turned 30. She's only 24, and Avery felt a sense of attraction undeniably getting through her nerves. It made her sick inside.

Prince leaned the back of his head at the wall, his eyes getting drowsy as the minutes passed.

He stared at the on-air light, waiting for it to turn off, and sighed.

A few minutes ticked by, and it already gone. Someone inside opened the doors and the courtroom audience flourished out. Prince perked up on his seat, straightened out his hair, and smiled, waiting for Avery to come out.

After the audience dispersed, Avery walked on the corner where he was, wearing a white blouse, coat, and even her skirt. She was a shining light today. Avery stared at the familiar face waiting for her, and immediately threw in a smile to her frustrated frown.

Her eyes lit up the moment Prince opened his arms widely.

Avery slowly approached him with a quivered lip. She hugged him by the waist.

Prince sighed, patting the top of her head as a sign that she did a good job.

Avery doesn't want to separate herself for a while, and leaned onto him, asking, "Can we have our fourth dinner today?"

Prince raised his eyebrows. With their busy schedules, they barely had any time to eat at a fancy restaurant. They always talked or called on each other, or even went to car dates with chips and beer. It's the only thing they can do for now, since they're still a full-time workers.

Prince unclasped his hands, held on by her shoulders, answering, "Of course. What should I do when I can't say no to a woman named Avery De Leon?"

Avery chuckled, holding on, and closed her eyes. "Let's just go. I can sacrifice my night with you."

…

Prince and Avery settled on a steak house with lots of meals to offer. They have cans of beer on the side. Avery rubbed her hands together, anticipating the taste of broiled steak, mushed potatoes, and even caramelized beans and carrots. To top it all off with their main cuisine, they have glazed and buttered fried rice finished off with spinach on the top.

These were all delectable, and Avery couldn't help herself to pick up the utensil. She scooped up some, and didn't even wait for Prince to start eating. He was settling the bills first, so that they could stay longer.

Avery chewed on hastily, and Prince took up a moment to see what kind of a fast-eater she was. He doesn't seem to get impressed with her day-by-day, but there were unexpected moments where Prince wanted to abandon the plan and start his love with Avery.

Avery savored the gravy around the steak, and ate more.

Prince started to drool inside, too, waiting for the taste to reach his tongue.

Both of them pigged out to the cuisines presented on the table as their plates ran off one-by-one. Avery, who admitted not having lunch earlier, decided to add the tab so that she could eat more. Prince chuckled, complimenting, "You need to slow down, or you'll choke."

Avery was halfway on her second plate when she slowly chewed, sighing, realizing that she's already full. She put down her spoon and fork, turned to Prince while wiping the excess sauce at the corners of her mouth.

Avery breathed, "Did you ever charge someone of the highest degree of murder?"

Prince munched in the steak for a while before furrowing his brows, curious about her question.

"Why are you asking me that? We just charged around the first-degree. I haven't encountered the highest one, maybe because the higher-ups restricted the list of prosecutors who can handle them. Why? Is your new client has a claim close to that?"

Both of them liked to talk about the law. No one can stop them from discussing about it. Plus, it's their life, and nothing would be able to eradicate it from their bone.

"No, I just… I met my mother 2 days ago."

Avery smiled sadly, opening up a can of beer while sniffing up. Prince tilted his head to one side.

Lara De Leon, the one who testified to get his father ruined, is that right?

Well, Avery should know well who he was.

"What about your mother?" Prince asked.

Avery put down the beer down on the table, smiling, and shook her head, knowing it would sound absurd. Prince motioned for her to go on, as he wouldn't judge her for what she had said.

"I accidentally found out on one of my files the picture of someone else beside me. I was actually rummaging around, you know, poking to see what I can find. But then, when I got to my file—a birth certificate hidden in the storage, that is, of a usage for the future clients—I saw something odd."

Prince propped his elbows on the table, listening intently.

"What was it?"

Avery tapped the side of her can for a while. "A picture of me and another baby, Prince."

Prince heart skipped a beat. Another baby? That meant it was Aria De Leon, the one who lived with the same face as her on the country end.

"I met my mother, and I said it to her, but she said it was a coincidence. I have nothing to do with the baby beside me. But my guts are telling me something's wrong. Could my late father, including my mother, killed her?"