Chapter 7

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 - It was Warden Zheng.

He gestured for her to step out of the cell and she did. The look on her face expressionless as she stared at him.

Why is he calling her? What does he want? She thought within.

"Follow me!" He said and began to move ahead, with hands folded to his back.

She contemplated going with him or not. What has she done this time? Is he going to punish her?

Noticing she wasn't coming, Warden Zheng halted and turned, passing her a stern look. The kind of look that tells her not to disobey.

Swallowing hard, she followed him.

____________

Warden Zheng led her to the back of the prison house and Althea was mindful of each steps she took.

She couldn't bring herself to trust anyone, not anymore.

Not Oscar, not her inmates, not even the wardens or anyone at all. The last bit of trust in her has been shattered.

"Sit..!!"

Her thoughts were interrupted. She found Warden Zheng already seated on a bench and he tapped on the space beside him, signalling her to sit.

Althea sat.

"I heard you haven't been eating, is that true?"

Althea looked at him, wondering what his business in her not eating is? Why should he care? Why would he call her out just to ask her this?

"I haven't been that well..!" She responded.

"No! I take it as you're emotionally stressed out and exhausted"

She looked at him but did not say a word.

With a sigh, Warden Zheng pulled out a food flask and stretched it to Althea.

"Here, have it and eat. Just because of some reasons best known to you, or probably because you're locked up in here, shouldn't be a reason you should try to starve yourself to death"

"I wasn't going to starve myself to death. I was headed to the cafeteria when you came"

"Eat up!"

She looked at the food flask, then back at Warden Zheng. She shook her head negatively and politely turned it down.

Why is he being nice to her? Why would he get her food? These and so many other questions kept ringing in her head.

"I know you're starving as it is, so just take it and eat. Feel free and be rest assured that it's not poisoned" He said.

Althea swallowed, her tommy rumbling loudly as if to remind her how hungry she is.

She slowly took the food flask from him and pulled it open. The enticing aroma from it filled her nostrils and her mouth watered from the sight of it.

As much as she tried to refuse it, she really wanted to have a taste. It was nothing compared to the foods being served at the prison cafeteria, it was way better and different.

She took a large spoonful from it and she craved for more. Hastily, she began to eat, savoring the taste.

It feels like forever since she last tasted something as delicious and nutritious as this.

Warden Zheng shook his head and chuckled slightly. He took out a bottle of water and passed it to her.

"Slow down or you might choke"

Althea was done eating in no time and she felt full.

"Thank you!" She said to him while he only nodded his head in response.

She had no idea what to do next, if she was to leave or remain seated because of the awkward silence that befell them both.

Still, she couldn't help the nagging feeling within her.

"Why are you being nice to me? Why did you take me to the prison clinic? Why did you bring me food? Why?"

She couldn't help but ask before she could stop herself.

She stared at the man keenly, watching as he simply laughed at her question.

"Well, I would say I don't know either!..." Replied Warden Zheng. "I'd say there's something about you that piqued my interest. Don't ask what , because I don't have the answer to that!"

Althea was silent... Still finding it hard to believe the old man's words.

"You once asked if I really attempted to murder Katie Rolland!" She spoke up after sometime, inhaling deeply.

"You don't have to answer that of you don't want to..." Warden Zheng said but Althea shook her head.

"No, let me talk. My heart is heavy and only voicing out my pain would help ease that pain I feel inside"

" You think so?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded, then Warden Zheng gave her a curt nod and urged her to go ahead and speak up.

" What difference does it make if I attempted to murder Katie Rolland or not. I'm stuck in this hell hole called prison. I blame myself for believing him so blindly and trusting his words.

I should have known better and be smarter to know what he was up to. Like a piece of trash, I was used..."

She paused and sniffed, then turned to Warden Zheng whose eyes were fixed on her.

" If I was your daughter, what could you have possibly done to me for trusting the words of the man who claims to love me?"

" I probably would pull your ears so hard and spank your head for being such a fool"

Althea chuckled. " Right! I was a fool" She mumbled.

" Listen dear, I have no idea why you had to say those words, but listen closely... Everyone in this prison house is a criminal but there are few who were cheated and robbed off their freedom, still they had to endure every misfortune because one way or the other, they had a role to play in everything.

Therefore, I urge you not to push yourself too hard, but blame those who had wronged you deeply, okay?"

He placed his hands on her shoulder, patting her gently.