No case?

GEORGE

After letting Eleanor pour her heart out to me, we remained in each other's arms for a while longer than what we originally had in mind.

I kissed her and she returned my kiss as we enjoyed each other's company for a while, reluctant to disengage from the hug.

Regretfully though, we eventually had to.

The time for my court case is drawing closer and I needed to be there as early as possible. I needed to discuss with my lawyer before the case starts and since I'm the defendant, it's common courtesy to not be tardy.

With that in mind, we both hurriedly freshened up and got dressed, ready to go begin my first court case and the beginning of the process that decides my fate and the possibility of watching my children be born into this world.

Once we reached the car and got in, an awkward silence settled between us.

Eleanor's mind seemed to have wandered as she stared out the window absentmindedly.

I on the other hand, had a lot on my mind as well. Staring at her pregnant figure in a fashionable floral flared gown, comfortable enough for her baby bump while also proving class, I couldn't help but sigh.

I was worried for her.

I played it off as okay, saying everything would be fine and congratulating her on her new sibling, but deep down, it's a lot more complicated than that.

Zhara being pregnant for John was a lot more messed up than it seems on the surface. They've been separated for years, even before Eleanor was born.

In those years, John had started a new life. He has a family. A wife who is heavily pregnant at the moment and would be due for delivery anytime soon.

What happens to her now?

I don't know what Zhara is planning but I know she is definitely up to no good.

I'm scared her plans might involve Eleanor.

Looking at the beautiful woman who is the mother of my unborn kids, I am torn between the two decisions I might have to choose from regardless of the consequences.

Eventually, I might have to ask Eleanor to dissociate herself from them. They might be her parents, but I fear they might end up ruining her life even more than they already have.

I don't want her to have to go through the pain, stress and trauma they've subjected her to all her life.

I have also thought of trusting her to decide and hoping she makes the right decision, but I can't be sure anymore. Her facade of composure is slowly coming undone. Her heart is being ripped to pieces by their presence. I don't know if she's in the perfect position to be making a decision like that.

"You know," Eleanor's melodious voice pulled me out of my reverie. "When all of this over and I survive through this all, I'm gonna make Nnena my best friend. I'm gonna try my best to grow extremely close to her."

I raised an eyebrow at her statement.

"And why is that?"

Eleanor shrugged in response.

"I don't know exactly but if I must give a reason then I'll say a part of it is because she has been the most supportive person to me in these trying times. She made my world a little less horrible with her presence. That's something I can't deny or ignore. She has proven to be a friend among friends."

"I would advise against trusting anyone you call a friend," I replied calmly as I looked away from her at the window. "Friends will show you hell. They might end up even dragging you into it."

"Just because my father was a douchebag doesn't mean every friend is the same," she replied calmly, causing me to look back at her. "He was a horrible father to me, but that isn't the case for you. You have been nothing but a great father to George. My father being a horrible bastard doesn't mean everyone is the same."

"You still shouldn't trust anyone but yourself with your very being," I shrugged. "I made the mistake and I'm paying for it at the moment."

"You should probably make some more friends," she suggested. "You would realise that there are really good ones among them. I really hope you would try."

I chuckled bitterly.

"I'm too old for friends, Eleanor," I sighed. "And I've got to much on my plate to even make the time for frivolities like that."

***

Blinding flashes from cameras and incoherent words being thrown about by reporters as they yelled over each other filled the entrance of the courtroom as Eleanor gets out of the car with me.

She immediately shielded her eyes from the light as the people crowded around us. They asked me useless and accusatory questions, almost like they were all already convinced that I committed the crime.

I turned to a guard who was shielding us from the mob of reporters and gestured towards Eleanor , asking him to take her away.

Without hesitation, he walks over to her and grabs her hand, preparing to lead her away.

Her head immediately jerked up to stare at me with glassy eyes.

"I'll be fine," I smiled. "Even if I am sent away, I'll find my way back to you. If I don't, then I'm sure you'll be able to live happily and raise our children with more love than I can give."

"No," she replied as she halted in her steps. "You aren't gonna be doing anything of the sort. I'm sure you'll be found innocent and you will be free of this. You did nothing wrong."

Signaling to the guard, I urged him to pull her away even though she's resisting.

"I love you, Aldo," she said just loud enough for me to hear over the rowdy noise. "When you're free of this, let's plan our wedding. I'm ready to pledge my life to you, Aldo."

I smiled at her as she slowly disappeared from view with tears in her eyes.

"She must be joking to help me feel better," I sighed as I straightened my expression.

I walked into the courtroom and was surprised at the sight in front of me.

My lawyer was nowhere to be seen and Jesse was also absent.

How can two key elements of this trial be missing?

I was about to call my lawyer when a familiar face walked into the courtroom. The detective who had informed me of Zubiar's request.

"Your honour, there's a problem," he said calmly as he walked forward. "Concerning the plaintiff, he has been found unconscious and in critical condition along with the corpse of a worker within his household, Rosella. She used to be Mr Aldo's son's nanny. For these reasons, I don't think this hearing can be held today. We might need to re-evaluate the case."

A look of annoyance flashed through the judge's features as the courtroom erupts into a cacophony of murmurs and unruly chatter.

"Order in the court!" the court clerk yelled, bringing the court to a semblance of order.

"This case is hereby adjourned to an unspecified date. The counsel on both sides should convene and relay a suitable date for the hearing of this case after the recovery of Mr Jesse Moguel," the judge declared as he immediately rose from the seat.

With that out of the way, the detective strolled over to me. His intent was clear from his eyes. He was coming to taunt me.

"You seem quite calm for a man accused of murder," he said with a smile. "You must think you own the world. That no one can get their hands on you."

I maintained silence.

"Do you know that we found your DNA in one of the weapons used to murder your father?" he asked with a smile. " You had better hope your DNA isn't found in this maid's murder. You would face two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder if it is, you know. The death penalty wouldn't be farfetched."

I panicked at the thought of my DNA being found in that incident. I tried remembering what I did the night before and I easily remembered I spent the night cuddling Eleanor. There's no way I killed anyone."

"I won't say anything without a lawyer present," I said as I walked away from him quickly. I needed to get away from this man...

....and ask that bastard of a lawyer why he was absent in court today.