Chapter 3

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.

" Why are you here? Go straight to the point, I'm quite busy at the moment " She stated.

The lawyer searched through his bag and pulled out an envelope, placed it in the table before him and pushed it to her.

" Here's a little something from Oscar! He said to use this to get whatever you want. He doesn't want you lacking anything "

Althea raised her brows, taking the envelope to see some dollar notes.

A loud scoff escaped Althea's lips as she pulled out the dollar notes and without thinking twice, she tore them off completely, then banged on the table and sprang up.

Is this some kind of a joke or something? How dare he send her money when he knows exactly what she needed?

"If Oscar wants to do something for me, then he should get me out of here as promised. He knows exactly what I want, not some silly dollar notes. My freedom is already lacking and I'm loosing it completely. Don't you ever show up here, when it's not plans on how to get me out, got it.!!!"

She snapped angrily, glaring daggers at the lawyer for pulling such prank against her.

"Althea..."

She banged the table, interrupting the lawyer.

"Have Oscar know that the only thing I need right now is getting out of this hellhole and not some petite money! I want my freedom back..."

She threw the money at him, turned and walked away. She's so pissed right now that she feels like screaming down the walls of this prison house.

At this point, she's begining to doubt the promises he made. Is he going to leave her in jail? and not do anything?

Should she still hold on to his promises and keep waiting? She doubt that.

Everything is gradually becoming clearer. Why else would he walk away from the court without saying a word? Why else would he send his lawyer over with some dollar notes... That says it all right?

She bites her lower lips hard, suppressing the pain and anger she feels within.

Returning back to the cell, she grabbed the jars and filled them up, taking them in.

As she reached her cell room, she met the inmates standing outside with hands tucked into their pockets.

It's like those highschool movies where the naive girl is getting bullied by the school bees.

"What took you so long newbie?" The red haired lady asked.

"I had to attend to something!" She said Icily, walking past them.

Unbeknownst to her, one of the inmates placed her foot on her path and she accidentally tripped and fell, spilling the water all over.

"So sorry Newbie, I didn't see you there.!!!"

They all laughed. The kind of laughter that pulled Althea on the edge. It's annoying and frustrating putting on with them.

"Hey... clean this mess up and get another water or you're gonna regret it. And don't be slow as snail..."

The red haired lady said, yanking her hair backwards while walking away.

_____________

In his luxurious dining room, Oscar sat ready to devour the meal before him when his lawyer and Mayra, his most trusted colleague walked in.

"You two are just in time, come join me!" He ushered and they took their seats right opposite him.

He gestured for them to have a bite of the food first and they did as told. But he kept eating, knowing fully well that whatever information they've got, was going to ruin his appetite completely.

When he had eaten to some extent, he turned to them.

"Tell me, how did it go?" He faced his lawyer who pulled out the torn envelope and dollar notes.

"As expected sir, she rejected everything and only wants you to fulfill the promises you made"

He raised his brows then turned to Mayra who handed him her cellphone which displayed a video of Althea.

Oscar watched keenly, observing the things she had done and said. His eyelids twitched and he couldn't help himself.

He pushed the cellphone away when he was done and rubbed his palm together.

"She's feisty!" He mumbled.

"What do we do now Sir? She rejected the money and only wants her freedom back" Mayra asked.

Oscar scooped a spoonful of his noodles but his appetite were completely gone. He dropped the spoon and relaxed back, tapping on the table with his index finger.

He didn't expect her to accept the money with open arms. After all, he did not fulfill his damn promises.

But it is for the best. There is absolutely nothing he can do getting her out even though it's something he can do... Having his reputation cleared is what matters to him right now.

Did she not have the slightest idea when she agreed to take the fall for him that she was getting into something risky?

At some point, Oscar felt guilty after seeing how pathetic she looked but he quickly shakes the feeling off, assuring himself that she's in jail because she agreed to it.

He did not force her into it. However, it's for the best and nothing is his fault. After all, he never committed the murder he was accused off.

"Any news on Katie Rolland?"

"Yes sir.. She's still in coma and according to the doctors, they're not sure when she'd regain consciousness"

"How is it going with the blogs?" He asked, digesting the info regarding Katie.

"They're working towards having your name cleared sir. Rest assured, the negative things they said about you will be all gone by tomorrow and only Althea will be known as the murderer!"

He nodded.

"Sir, what do we do about her since she already rejected the money!" Mayra asked again.

" Let her be Mayra! She'd get used to living in jail pretty soon, you have nothing to worry about "