Severo Laris could understand his feelings, but the law was cold and unforgiving and he said objectively, “I promise you that at least I won’t let the other party get a lighter sentence, I can guarantee it for ten years.”
But more, like a life sentence, he might not be too sure.
Milagros’ father just nodded and choked, “Attorney Severo, thank you indeed. I am very relieved to hear that from you.”
Rufio reached over, patted El padre de Milagros on the shoulder and said, “El padre de Milagros, don’t worry, this Abogado Severo in front of you, during his student years, was a popular figure in law school and has appeared in court and has yet to suffer a lost case, even if you don’t believe me, believe him, go home and rest assured that he will wait for the time of the second trial and we will inform you and your daughter then.”
Milagros’ father did not know what to say, the vicissitudes in his eyes were full of gratitude, “Thank you, really thank you so much, you have fought so hard for us and yet you charge us so little, I … I …”
By the end of the day, Milagros’ father was in tears and could not speak.
Severo Laris tapped El padre de Milagros, “That’s what we defense attorneys do, you go home and you’re safe on the road.”
“Hey, good, good.”
Paula Rouco couldn’t help but admire Severo Laris and Rufio as she watched them from a distance. This was probably what the book said about a young man’s dignity and spirit.
She found that the more she got to know Severo Laris, the deeper and more adoring were her feelings for him, a man who, at all times, was so good as to be admirable.
Rufio looked at the vicissitudes on the back of El padre de Milagros and replied, “Let’s eat.”
A quick turn of his head revealed that Paula Rouco was gone, “Hey? Where’s Paulita?”
Severo Laris turned and saw the girl standing a short distance away, and Rufio called out to her before she came running.
Rufio asked, “Paulita, where do you want to go to eat?”
“I’ll eat whatever I want.”
Severo Laris looked at her and suddenly asked, “Did you really not have class this morning, or did you skip it?”
“…” How did she know!
Severo Laris saw that she didn’t say anything, so that meant she agreed. The man stepped forward with his long legs and threw a cold, “Next time, no skipping classes.”
Paula Rouco gave a demoralized “oh” and Rufio followed.
Rufio gave an evil grin and said, “Looks like this guy is starting to care about you.”
Paula Rouco bristled in disbelief, “Why do I feel like I’m adding negative points in his mind for skipping class?”
“Does it matter if it’s a negative score or not? What matters is that he was so impressed with you that he couldn’t resist attending to you, and then failed you.”
“Rufio, are you an expert on love?”
Rufio shook his fist, “Overrated, barely half an expert on love.”
Severo Laris always felt uncomfortable, did those two behind him know each other so well, muttering behind his back.
The man’s handsome face was sunken, one hand copied his pants pocket, he turned around and spoke coldly, “You two are stepping on ants in the back, are you still going to eat?”
Paula Rouco hurried over to Severo Laris, “What long legs you have, you’re going so fast.”
Rufio followed suit, hooked Severo Laris on the shoulder and sneered, “Exactly. You’re going too fast alone and you blame both of us.”
Both of them?
When did these two get to know each other so well?
Severo Laris lets go of Rufio’s arm and gives him a cold slash.
“What’s wrong with you? You have your period today, you’re so sad! Paulita, come on, let it go, brother Rufio is going to take you to eat something tasty!”
Severo Laris sulked inexplicably and reached out his hand and pulled Paula Rouco roughly towards him, “Who are you brother Rufio, don’t lead the children astray.”
Severo Laris grabs Paula Rouco’s wrist and moves on.
Rufio touched his nose, with a strong hint of jocularity creeping into the back of his eyes.
Hey, interesting! Has this man’s thousand-year-old iron tree blossomed?
Was Severo Laris jealous of that reaction?
…
When we arrived at the restaurant, Rufio, a guy who has always been extravagant and wasteful, asked for a table of food.
Rufio poured juice into the three glasses: “Here, we didn’t win the first test, but we didn’t lose it either, so here’s to a successful second test!”.
After sipping her juice, Paula Rouco curiously asked, “How many years can the other guy get if the fight is good?”
Rufio explained, “The plaintiff was assaulted, but there was nothing physically serious, so you can only start from the psychological aggravation, and if it’s good, he should get about ten years, and in this kind of case it’s very difficult to get a life sentence.”
“But being hurt like that traumatizes a family, doesn’t it?”
Paula Rouco’s unintentional comment made Severo Laris startle slightly, not realizing that a young woman, born into a privileged environment, who was thought to be ignorant of human misery, still knew.
Rufio replied, “Yes, it is not easy for that family of Milagros, a rural family, and by taking the man who raped her to court, she is telling everyone that she was assaulted. ”
As she waited for her food, Paula Rouco put her hands to her small chin and said earnestly, “So the girls should still protect themselves when they go out on the street.”
She said it with a soft, kind, innocent expression on her little face.
Severo Laris’ eyes widened a little.
Rufio was good at making conversation and he patted Severo Laris on the shoulder and said, “Yes, a girl as pretty as Paulita is too attractive to walk alone, may Brother Severo protect you well.”
Paula Rouco lowers her gaze and drinks her juice, her little ears red in silence.
In a rare turn of events, Severo Laris neither shushed Rufio nor turned his back on him.
The corners of the man’s lips curved slightly, and a rare hint of pleasure crept into the back of his eyes.
Once the plates were served, Paula Rouco ate each of the dishes, picking out the shallots, parsley and garlic and not eating them.
Naturally, Severo Laris noticed, and it seems this little friend is a real picky eater.
…
Paula’s contact with Severo is always sporadic, based on chance encounters and blows.
The other person never asks her out, and the more frustrated she is by her unrequited love, the more frustrated she feels.
On Friday afternoon, Paula and Susana were free from classes and went to the school library to study together.
Paula sucks at math, Susana is a finance major and although she is not as good at math, she is still better than her and is more than capable of helping her with her homework.
Walking towards the entrance of the library, the two men were talking and laughing.
“You are way ahead in math, I think we should ask Severo to tutor you, your grades will definitely skyrocket.”
Paula Rouco looked at Susana blankly, “If he were willing to tutor me, would I have to call you?”
Susana laughed and scolded, “Seeing is believing!”.
When Susana looked up, she saw the couple of Severo Laris and Engracia walking toward her, and they had just found a seat on the third floor of the library.
Susana tapped her pencil at Paula, who was looking at her calculations, “Look! Your man-god!”
Paula turned her head and saw Severo.
With Engracia again …
I dare say that all this time he was with Engracia when she was not looking for him.
The heart is sour and angry.
Susana had raised her hand and gestured to them, “Severo! This way!”
Paula Rouco glared at Susana and muttered under her breath, “What’d you call them for!”
“Do you want to see how Severo Laris is snatched by Engracia?”
“…”