Like a criminal, Althea was pushed into her jail cell. This was reality, slapping her right at across the face!.
Just a month ago, she was living her best life not untill she took the fall for somebody she loves. Now, this is where she is, locked in the four walls of this prison cell. She knew what awaits her, the torture of being in jail and a criminal.. But how is she going to survive this? She shut her eyes tightly, grabbing the rails of the prison door, tears escaping from her eyes. She has been reduced to nothing but a murderer and a fraudster. She trusted him, he had promised her a light sentence, not the five years that was passed to her. What has Oscar done to her? Her mind was conflicted, can she still trust him? Will he still get her out of this hell hole called a cell? She thought within, wiping off the tears that kept rolling down her cheeks. "Hey you!!" Her eyes pulled open, hearing a croaked voice say from behind. She refused to turn around, knowing fully well that she's being referred to. "Hey, newbie!!" Said the voice again. Althea placed her head on the bars, still refusing to look back. She's so not ready to any prison dramas. Suddenly, her hair was yanked painfully and she gave a loud squeal. "Aren't you the one I am calling?" The inmate who had yanked get hair said, her hand still gripping Althea's hair tightly. Althea looked at the lady, her eyes flashed with anger as she gazed at her. She was a lady with a red disheveled hair that looks like it hasn't been washed in centuries. Taking a sneak peak around, she saw the other inmates who were also glaring daggers at her. They looked haggard with tattoos all over. "What do you want from me? Let go of my hair!" She said fiercely. She felt a kick on her leg which sent her straight to the ground. " I heard you murdered someone, tell me. how did you do it? Did you slit her throat open? Tell us about it!!" " It's none of your business!" She voiced out daringly. " Listen newbie, you can act tough for all I care, but listen to me.. Everyone right here is your superior, therefore you need to accord us some respect. Get that?.." " I won't, I won't show respect to criminals like you! " That earned everyone a share of laughter. The red haired lady, yanked her hair harder again and Althea winced. " Listen here newbie, as long as you are here, you're also a criminal. Do you think you're anyway better than us? snap back to reality, will you?!" She forcefully let go of Althea's hair " Let her enjoy her first night here! I believe by morning, she'd accept she's a murderer as well as a criminal " Another inmate said and the others laughed. The red haired lady snorted and returned back to her space. Althea picked herself up and curled herself up at a corner. She looked around, taking in everything. The inmates were busy chatting and talking amongst themselves, more like, they're used to being prisoners. But hers is different, she's not supposed to be here, she's not a criminal..! She doesn't belong here! She pull her legs up and bowed her head, crying. _________________ Morning came by in a rush and Althea had no idea she had slept on the cold ground after crying non-stop. She gasped, jerking up when she felt cold water being splashed on her face. She pulled her heavy eyes open, her six inmates stood with smirks on their faces. "Get up newbie.. Do you think you still have those luxurious freedom?" Althea refused to say a word or give in to their bully however pissed they were making her. She turned and laid down again, facing the wall. She could hear them mutter within themselves but she paid no attention. "You asshole!! Get the fúck up!" The red haired lady said annoyingly, kicking her roughly. Althea groaned loudly, clenching on her tommy while her eyes blazed with fury as she stared at the inmates. She couldn't understand why they're out to get her? Are all inmates this rude and immature? They threw their jars at her, without any care of where it landed. "Take those and do our chores. Hey! you need to hurry, do not slack off if you don't want to taste our wrath!" She turned, alongside the other inmates and was about to leave. "Don't you have hands and legs? why do I have to do your chores?" Althea asked, making them halt on their steps. The red haired lady turned, her lips creasing with a wicked snort. She walked up to Althea and crouched to her level. She grabbed Althea's cheeks fiercely, her finger nails piercing deep into it. "Do as you're told Newbie, else you will regret it!" She stood up and walked out with the rest of the inmates. Tears gathered in Althea's eyes, she rested her head against the wall, blinking out her tears. Just a day in prison and it already feels like hell hole. More like the inmates wants to completely make her life miserable else why would they turn her into a slave? How long does she have to be here enduring this? How long would she keep her hopes up waiting for Oscar to come get her out. As much as she wants to keep her faith in him firm, she just couldn't, it keeps diminishing with every passing second. She stood up, low grunts emitting from her lips. She grabbed the jars, her other hand on her tommy, suppressing the pain from the hard kick. She walked out, right outside the jail house, inhaling the breath of fresh hair she felt relieved. She began to pull water from the well as slowly as she could. "Althea Grace Miller!!" She turned when she heard her name, it was an officer, staring at her with a look of disgust. "Yes?" She responded. "Come with me, there's someone here to see you!" Althea frowned deeply. Who could that possibly be? She thought within.Althea's brows furrowed when she found Oscar's lawyer seated. A feeling of disappointment washed over her because for a split second, she had thought it was Oscar himself and he was finally here to get her out "Hello Althea?" Said the lawyer, putting on the same smile which she found annoying.It was the same smile he had on his face when he had assured her of having a light sentence alongside Oscar. It can't be trusted anymore.What she failed to understand was that, why she was giving that long sentence regardless the promises.Oscar is someone that can get things done at the snap of his fingers, getting her out of jail is a piece of cake for him, yet he hasn't done anything."What brings you here?" She said casually."How have you been Althea?" Asked the lawyer and she snorted."What a ridiculous question to ask, don't you think? Shouldn't you be asking if I'm mentally okay with the five years imprisonment or not?" The lawyer chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck." Wh
Althea balled her fists, her grip tightening on her clothes. Her breath could be heard telling how furious and pained she is right now.She felt exhausted from having to go back and forth with the jars continuously just to get water for them.This is all Oscar's fault. She wouldn't be going through this if she hadn't agreed to his empty promises.What was she thinking, taking the fall for him? If only she had known better! If only she had realized how foolish she had been!But it's too late to turn now as she's stuck in here with no hope of getting out.He must really be having a good life right now.. Damn this stupid love!All she did was sacrifice her reputation and career just to see that the man she loves is not labelled a murderer. She had no idea he was going to turn against her this way!"Damn you Oscar! Damn you!" She yelled, breaking down in tears.She was hurting so bad as realization kept hitting her."Hey newbie! Keep it down will you? We're trying to sleep here!" Came th
Flashlights were on and the cameras were rolling. The reporters were on standby, awaiting Oscar's presence.Oscar on the other hand, adjusted his tie and placed his cellphone into his suit pocket.He turned to Mayra who was busy operating on her laptop and asked."Is everything set, Mayra?" "Yes Sir! The guards are on standby so you have nothing to worry about" He nodded. " Let's go then"Mayra stepped out and pulled the door for him. He stepped out and the guards shielded the reporters from getting close to him.He had officially set up a conference so he could clear up his name. About a month ago when he was accused, he had kept away from the public. Being as influential as he is, his business associates were demanding answers and some kept pulling out of business deals.The press conference was necessary, to tell the public who exactly is the culprit and also clear his name. Getting signaled by Mayra that the stage is ready, he walked up stage as confident as ever while waiting
Althea woke up the next morning, stretching out her limbs as she yawned slightly. This is the best sleep she have had while in prison these past few days. Well, how else would she describe going to sleep without any form of disturbance from the inmates. It's the best ever. Opening her eyes, she got up only to notice the inmates returning back to their spaces with some glancing randomly at her but the red haired lady maintained a stern look at her. She mentally rolled her eyes and pulled her legs up, bowing her head against her knees, ignoring whatever thing they could be saying. Althea tried to figure out what the day is for she has lost count of the days since she arrived prison. She thought for a while a sighed, recalling what day it actually is. If she wasn't in prison, she would be at work right now, receiving her promotion. The promotion she has always dreamt off, now it's happening but she isn't there. It had taken her a whole lot of efforts to finally want to get promo
Althea tried to be better. It's been a week since Oscar's press conference and she tried to live by the terrible revelation from Oscar.All she wants to do is accept her fate, after all, she brought this upon herself.She was still sulking and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help the grudge and hate cooking up within her.She would never have believed it if she was told that Oscar would betray her in such manner!But it's all good. Nothing can be done! Absolutely nothing."I do hope he's happy wherever, he is.... " She mumbled painfully.For the past one week, she has refused to go to the prison cafeteria and eat. How can she eat when her heart is heavy and she's hurting deeply. But isn't she only tormenting herself by refusing to eat? While he's out there living a good life and eating healthily." I must really be stupid " She said to herself again and rose from her bed, wiping the lone tears on her cheeks. "Althea Grace Miller?" She looked up when she heard her name -
Gasps, heavy breaths, the sound of heels hitting the ground could be heard. Her gasps echoing through the empty spaces on the streets, the heavy footsteps behind, seemed unending and scary. A lady in her late twenties, short spiky blonde hair, piercing blue eyes- Running for her dear Life. Regardless of how tough and confident she seemed, her life is on the line right now, for she has just messed with the wrong person.She turned, her heart racing as those who were after her were already catching up to her. However, she halted on her steps with full force when a black SUV car screeched in front of her. She held the bag of money close to her chest, her heart thumping really fast and knowing fully well that she was doomed. She took a step back when a man alighted from the car. His black tuxedo suit, dark shades and all... He looked domineering and dangerous.His men had all surrounded her by now, leaving her with no room to escape. She groaned and fell on her knees when her legs were
She could recognize it just anywhere.. That bracelet, it's hers. Oscar had gifted it to her, it's the only thing of Oscar's she has here... How could she have lost it? Why didn't she notice? She could vividly recall taking it off out of anger after listening to Oscar's press conference. How then did it get to the warden? And what does it have to do with the inmate that tried to escape? These and many more questions flooded her mind. "You have ten seconds to step out... " The wardens began to count down and with each count he took, her heart kept beating.However, she stepped out before she could stop herself."Excuse me Warden, the bracelet is mine!." The Warden sharp gaze were fixed on her." So you are that inmate who tried to escape?"" No, I assure you, there seem to be a mix up somewhere. The bracelet is mine but I have no idea how it ended up with you. I didn't try to escape, I promise " She said in her defense.She hasn't been this confused in her entire life? How did th
Althea jerked up when a cup of iced water was poured on her, bringing her back to consciousness.Perhaps, it could have been better if she had just died than to be woken up to a life filled with more misery.She looked at the Wardens whom she have come to despise so much. They are also part of this torment she's experiencing by being so unjust."Althea..." She looked towards the direction of the voice, It was Warden Zheng."Please leave us.." He said to the other wardens who hesitated before leaving.When he was sure they were gone, he moved closer to Althea, squats to her level and places a comforting hand on her shoulder."I'm sorry this had to happen. I wasn't on duty that night, I would have done something to prevent this. You must have been so scared, weren't you?" Althea casts her gaze on him. She could see sincerity and concerns in his eyes.She nodded her head, responding to his question. "I.. I promise, I didn't try to escape" She forced herself to say."Oh dear! I believe