Tired

Without anything in mind, Kanalaa went to their living room in the middle of the night and found herself inside her father's room.

Hugging and being hugged by her father like a kid, Kanalaa's genuine feelings burst out. "Daddy, I'm so tired. I just want to rest for a long, long time," she slowly whispered, enough for Karl to hear her.

Hearing Kanalaa's words, as a father, Karl felt heartbroken. He rested his chin on top of Kanalaa's head and his arms around his daughter tightened gently to comfort her.

"Then rest, rest for as long as you want. I can sustain you for however long you want. I can also make you live luxurious life for the rest of your life if that's what my princess want," he reassured her, giving her confidence to let everything go.

"How can I do that to you, to myself? I've long fought with you and mother to be indepent just to get back?"

"My poor, Kanalaa. It's okay. It doesn't matter. You've proven yourself enough. If you are already tired of fighting whatever you are trying to fight for, rest. It's not so bad to rest after a long battle, my darling." Even without full undrstanding and knowing everything about his daughter's struggles, he just wanted to speak the right words that could assure her that no matter what it is, he's behind her, ready to support her.

She shook, "I... I don't know anymore, dad," she said between sobs.

"Hush now, everything will be alright."

Karl, trying his best to comfort his daughter, he caressed her head like how a parent would comfort their child. He felt tearing up but fought it hard. No one have thought that their precious Kanalaa will come to this point. They all assumed that with the right amount of love, care, guidance, and freedom, Kanalaa wouldn't have to struggle in this aspect. Yet, she still do bKarl would never reject the idea that the pictured perfect Kanalaa can also go through this.

"There's so much inside... inside of me that I... I can barely utter a word to describe it," her weep.

Kanalaa's weak fisted hand thumped it in where heart is located, trying to ease the unknown pain inside of her like it can make it go away.

"You don't have to. Feel it,"

"I'm sorry for wailing when I'm this old."

Hearing it, yet again broke Karl's heart. He shook his head in disagreement to her words, "Cry for as long as you have tears. Who told you you can't just because your old? The hell I care if you cry a river."

"How about you go overseas again?" He added.

...

"Kanalaa, there's a delivery for you. You need to sign up!" Karl's call to Kanalaa after the delivery man refused to let Karl sign the receiving receipt.

"I'm coming!"

Kanalaa hastely went out. She's not expecting anything anyday aside from the thing she asked on the phone call yesterday. As soon as she reached the gate, she saw a thick brown envelope and by the looks of it, that's was she waiting for.

"Thank you!" She bid as soon as she finished signing the paper. She didn't even wait for her father and immediately went back inside, in her room.

Kanalaa opened the envelope. In it are the phone call logs and exchanged of messages. She carefully scan through all of this until she found the names of the people of the cases they've lost to. She highlighted all the important details necessary. From there she also, checked if there's something that could pin Atty. Curtis but what she saw just proved that he's far from being involved. He was deceived.

"Call Pierre, this is about the investigation. Let's see each other in your office." She started as soon as the call to Alistair connected.

"Chill, Atty. Reese. I'm still your boyfriend. How about some sweet pleasantry first?" He teased.

"I'm so sorry!" Kanalaa realized her action that she couldn't help but chuckle about it. With her impatience, she got too caught up with the investigation. It's been dragging that's why she could help but want to end it as soon as possible.

"Call Pierre, this is about the investigation. Let's see each other in your office." She started as soon as the call to Alistair connected.

"Chill, Atty. Reese. I'm still your boyfriend. How about some sweet pleasantry first?" He teased.

"I'm so sorry!" Kanalaa realized her action that she couldn't help but chuckle about it. With her impatience, she got too caught up with the investigation. It's been dragging that's why she could help but want to end it as soon as possible.

Alistair can't also help but laugh with her reaction and just went along with Kanalaa.

"No worries, love. I understand. I'll call Pierre right away. And hey, don't forget to breathe. It's just another case," he reassured her.

"Yes, another case involving your company's reputation!" Kanalaa retorted, a hint of frustration evident in her voice.

Alistair sighed, understanding the weight of the situation on Kanalaa. "I know, Kanalaa. But let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We'll handle it together, okay?"

"How about I tell you there's already a conclusion? But, okay," Kanalaa conceded, her tone softening. "I just want to make sure everything is under control."

"I get it," Alistair said reassuringly. "I'll handle Pierre, and we'll meet in my office as soon as possible."

"Thanks, Alistair," Kanalaa said gratefully. "I'll see you soon."

"Alright, take care, love."

"You too,"

With that, they ended the call, each of them preparing to tackle the investigation that awaited them. Alistair quickly dialed Pierre's number while Kanalaa took a moment to gather her thoughts before heading out to meet her boyfriend and colleague in his office.

...

"Here, March 15, Atty. Riles met with the assistant of Atty. Steeles, Prebrew Inc. lawsuit. Couple days after, they met again, then, again after we lost. They are all after office hours," Kanalaa discussed as she pointed out the dates and names she mentioned. The two were both silent, listening to all the words Kanalaa was saying attentively.

Kanalaa shuffled the papers, looking for the corresponding records before she continued to talk, "Here's the recorded conversation of the two. Phone logs made twice every meeting."

Again, Kanalaa picked up another set of papers before discussing the other details, "On 28th of March, he met with the in-house lawyer of the Carlile Group, a day prior to the trial, we lost. The history of exchanged phone calls and messages are here also."

"The list goes on. Here, I compiled them, you can check them all out." She handed the copy of the records she had, and the partners silently received them, then started browsing every page.

As she spoke, Alistair and Pierre were left in amusement and admiration at her hard work for the firm that they'd established and by the fact that she gathered these records by herself. As someone who's not a lawyer, to Pierre it's pure amazement. But to Alistair who's been quite in the industry, although amused, he had questions for Kanalaa's capabilities to hold records as such. Yet, no matter how you attain such information, it still had a lot of processes to go through. Most of the time, it requires a warrant.

"I'll leave everything to the both of you. The original copy is authenticated, too. I hope you can resolve this immediately," Kanalaa concluded, her eyes flickering with determination as she trusted her colleagues to handle the matter competently.

Alistair and Pierre exchanged looks, impressed by Kanalaa's thoroughness. "Thank you, Kanalaa. We'll look into this right away," Alistair assured her, while Pierre nodded in agreement.

"We'll keep you posted on our progress," Pierre added, a sense of seriousness in his tone.

"I'd rather you not report anything to her. I want my girlfriend to rest, Pierre. She's been working hard on this case instead of me."

Kanalaa nodded, a sense of relief washing over her as she knew she could count on them to handle the investigation diligently. "Thank you, Mr. Connor but, you heard him," she said, chuckling. She turned to Alistair, a grateful smile on her face.

"I understand, Kanalaa. We've burdened enough. Again, thank you so much for going beyond for the company," Pierre said sincerely, his eyes reflecting appreciation for her efforts.

"It's nothing, it's for Alistair," Kanalaa replied softly, her gaze shifting on him with affection.

"Love, I'll go ahead. I still have some things to do." She stepped closer to him, reaching out to squeeze his hand reassuringly.

Alistair returned the squeeze, his expression full of pride and love. "Take care, Kanalaa. And thank you, again, for all your hard work," he said, his voice warm with affection.

"I will. And thank you for always supporting me," Kanalaa said, leaning in to press a quick kiss to his lips before turning to leave the office.

As she walked away, Alistair couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for having Kanalaa in his life. He watched her go, feeling reassured by her presence feeling confident they both could go far.