Eighteen years later...

“Don’t you dare pick up that gun and put your hands above your head.”

With his back facing her, the man raised his hands and put them at the back of his head, just as he was instructed.

“You thought that you won't get caught, did you?” she asked him. But the satisfaction she felt quickly changed to shock when the man turned around and faced her. Her shock reverberated in every corner of her being, because that face belonged to the man that she once loved.

This can't be!

Now she regret that she was here. Had she known that this would happen, then she shouldn't have not presented herself to be a back up for their team. She should've took a leave, a vacation, called in sick – and she wished she was anywhere but here.

With a heavy heart, she glanced at the man she loved being led to the police car by her co-officers. He kept his head down, not even bothering to send a glance her way and staring blankly at the handcuffs on his wrists.

“What happened to you, Ralf?” she whispered while looking at the police car that was driving away from the crime scene. “Why did you get tangled to this kind of mess?”

Back at the police station, Ralf's picture was taken non-stop and the cameras kept clicking for his mug shots. She can't wrap her head around with what she's seeing and never thought that this would happen to the kind-hearted man she once knew. She knew him way back when they were sixteen, when they were both BS Criminology students in Northern Oriental College.

Sixteen and head over heels with each other. They thought that their love will last for a long time but this changed when her parents found out who she was dating. Her parents disliked Ralf because he was poor and they thought that he was no good for her.

“You’re one of the witnesses for the case against Ralf Villlavicer, PO1 Rivas,” her commanding officer said when he saw her sitting outside the interrogation room. Hearing this, her heart sank heavier as it already was.

With a heavy heart and even more heavy feet, she made a beeline to the prison cell and once again faced the man who once owned her heart. She felt her heart breaking little by little seeing him in this kind of situation. “I never thought that we will meet again like this, Ralf. I don't want to see you behind bars – “ she felt that her voice broke a little, but she managed to steel herself. “But I need to do what I have to do because this is my oath.”

Ralf didn't answer, instead he stared at the floor and kept his silence. She spent a few more minutes waiting for him to say something to defend himself, but he remained silent as the stone wall inside his cell.

She thought of a way to help him get out of jail. If Ka Sidro would only testify that Ralf was there because he had his gun fixed and had no connection to the persons involved, then that would mean that Ralf can post a bail.

“Do you know Ralf Villavicer, Ka Sidro?” Sgt. Morales asked the old man during the interrogation. “Are you sure that he's not involved with those men?”

“He’s an undercover agent from NBI before he became inactive. I know that he was not able to renew his license too.”

Thank goodness, now he has a way out, she thought when she heard Ka Sidro's statement that would clear Ralf's name. She's now relieved that Ralf has nothing to do with those criminals who got caught in the raid. Sitting inside that interrogation room while waiting for Ka Sidro's statement had been nothing but agonizing her. She's sure that Ralf would not be involved in those kind of illegal activity, but what if it is the opposite?

What would she do?

Heaving a deep breath, she sat in her swivel chair and tried to take her mind off things. She's been stressed enough for the past couple of days because of what happened to Ralf, and now the cat's out of the bag, maybe she can relax a bit.

Maybe a good cup of coffee is fine. While opening her pedestal's bottom drawer to reach out for her mug, she saw a old picture frame that was kept along with the things she don't usually use. With trembling fingers, she picked up the frame and one by one – those memories that she had been hiding on for too long flashed right before her.

“It’s beautiful,” she smiled when she touched the handicraft with her fingers, tracing the intricate patterns at the side of the ceramic picture frame. Looking at those beautifully carved flower patterns, she knew that Ralf exerted a lot of effort and time to complete it.

“I’m so glad you liked it,” he said while a warm-hearted smile cross his face while looking at her. “I didn't sleep a wink because of that.”

“What like? I love it, silly.” Her fingers traced the names that were carved at the bottom of the frame. Ralf and Althea, their two young hearts that promised to love each other forever.

“I would like you to put our picture there,” he said and pulled out a picture out of his wallet and handed it to her. “Here.”

She nodded and felt the flutter of butterflies inside her stomach. She scooted closer to him, feeling his warm body against hers. They always make it to a point to enjoy every moment that they are together. Althea's parents were adamant about Ralf and they thought that he is no good for her.

“I promise that I will fight for our love for whatever it takes, Ralf,” she said with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“Hush,” she heard his gentle voice while he held her hands tighter. “I will do my best to finish my studies and to be the best husband for you. I wouldn't stop at nothing until I've proven to your parents that I deserve you, Althea.”

Ralf leaned closer and she met his hazel eyes, clearly showing adoration and love for her. She can also feel the frantic beating of her heart – until he closed the distance between them and captured her lips in a kiss. “I love you, Althea Rivas. I love you till the very end.”

“Silence!” the judge said and banged his gavel. The hearing for Ralf's case has already started and she was also inside the courtroom for the arraignment.

“Not guilty, your Honour,” Ralf said while asked by the judge. He never said a word during the whole proceeding – and its as if he never saw her. She wanted to talk to him – but Ralf never gave her the chance to do so.

“Please, Ninang, I am begging you to help me about Ralf's case,” she had asked Judge Asuncion's help.

“I’m not sure, but I will try. I wouldn't do this for you if I don't love you. His name's Ralf Adler Villavicer, right? Branch 79? I'll talk to the judge that handles his case and see what I can do.”

She was relieved that her Ninang agreed and enveloped her in a hug. “Thanks, Ninang. I owe you one.