EMMA.The noise did not die down, even after Laura had told them she wouldn't answer their questions. I heard more footsteps approaching the door, and for a minute, I feared that had trampled over her.I stood by a dark corner, listening. A minute later, I heard a loud thud, and soon enough a hiss.“She kicked him on the groin!”a woman shouted.“I dare any of you to touch me again,” Laura replied.The questions were still up, and buzzing, but there were no footsteps to be heard.She opened the door, and I watched as she walked towards me.“Where's the door man for Christ's sake? Someone needs to lock this place up.” She said, as she approached me. Her face softened, as she watched me.“This will be really tough for you. You'll be lucky to make it out unscathed.”I didn't say anything to that, mostly because she was the first honest person. While I appreciated the motivation others tried to give, I was grateful for someone that acknowledged the gravity of the situation. This was just mo
EMMA.“Open up!” A loud voice came across with an even louder thud. I jumped from my sleep, into reality. “You have ten seconds to-”the same voice said, again. I couldn't make out the rest of what he said, as my mind was clouded with thoughts.I pulled over the blind. The rays of sunshine attacked immediately, causing me to shield my eyes.Right before I could consider my next move, I heard a loud thud. It was so great it felt like the foundation of the house was shaken.I ran out of the bedroom, and into the living room. On seeing everyone present, I froze in space.There were about five or six cops in my apartment. I looked to find they had broken the door down. I wiped my eyes, trying to clear up everything.The sleeve of the shirt I slept in had been rolled up to my elbow.“Ms Martinez, you are under arrest for the possession, and use of cocaine, marijuana,meth, amongst others.” The cop read out. I watched in shock as he read out my rights.“What are you talking about?!” I asked
EMMA.“Laura!” I called her name. She paused and turned to face me. I could see in her eyes that she desperately wanted me to tell the truth, and that was what I was doing, but as expected, she didn't believe me. I couldn't let her leave, she was my last hope.“Please sit,” I pleaded.“I don't have the time for this. Just tell me the truth, and I'll know how to help you.”“Please, sit. Please. Even if it's for five minutes, I beg of you. Please give me your time.”She sighed deeply, but then she dropped her bag on the desk, and sat.“I'm sat,”“Thank you,” I thanked her. I exhaled a deep breath, before I spoke up. “I have seen the pictures, and there are obviously the marks on my arm,”“Get to the point. I don't have all day,”“I know you don't, but please just listen to me. I'm driving somewhere.”She pulled closer.“Laura, you are my last, and only option. Aside from you, I don't know where to seek help from. I wouldn't lie to you. What would I gain from lying to you? You, and I kn
EMMA.I sat on the empty bed, while the women stood at the other end of the room. I couldn't call it a far end because the cell was the size of my fist. It felt like I couldn't breathe without touching the next person.In total, we were five in number, and there were only three beds. I looked through the bars. There was no need to panic, I wouldn't spend the night here. I had Laura, and she was the best. She wouldn't let me spend more than an hour here. I just had to trust her, and her ways.I clinged to myself, ignoring the glares others passed by way. They whispered words, but no one approached me.I had heard stories of jail, and the things that happened there. Although I knew none of these could happen unless in prison, I was still a bit terrified. If any of these women could end up here, they had to be horrible people.I shut my eyes, trying to push back my thoughts. That was an unfair thought. I was here, and I knew I was wrongly accused. It could be the same for them.I turned
EMMA.“Emma Martinez,” I heard my name called out.Slowly, I pulled my eyelids open. There was a female police officer at our door. I looked around, only to notice the bright rays of sun beaming into the room.It was daytime.“Hey, pretty face,” Diane greeted me.I looked to find her sprawled on an empty bed. She was topless, and had a smoke in hand.“Won't you get into trouble for that?” “This?” She asked, waving the cigarette stick. “No one's going to say anything. It's not the first time I've been here,”That sentence actually connected a lot of dots. It explained why her parents would get her jailed. I was sure they had hoped her frequent visits to jail would help change her attitude.If only they knew she paid her way with the officers.“Martinez!” The officer called out my name, with more force.I turned to face her, and quickly walked up.“Laura Miles is here for you,” she informed me. I smiled brightly.Although I had gone to sleep offended that she let me spend the night her
EMMA.“What you're saying is untrue,” I said, unable to believe anything, and everything.Laura slowly shook her head. “It has to be untrue,” I refused to believe, “please tell me it's untrue,” she didn't say anything, “Laura, please” I pleaded. I didn't want to believe it, I couldn't believe it. “Laura,” I called her name. Our eyes met.God! She wasn't lying. I couldn't sit anymore. I stood up, pacing around the room. I needed to clear my head. I needed something to push the thoughts back, I needed a drink.“God!” I muttered out, unable to think clearly.In all that had been happening, my heart felt like it had been shredded to a thousand pieces.“This can't be true,” I kept muttering out. It couldn't. It just couldn't be true.It had to be impossible. No. Alex wouldn't deny me. He wouldn't leave me to fight for myself. He loved me.“Emma,” Laura called my name. I immediately turned to face her, hoping she would reveal the truth. This…it couldn't be it. “I need you to sit for a min
EMMA."Emma!” I heard both voices call my name as they rushed towards me.For some reason, Kristy caught up to me on time, breaking my fall.We both ended up on the floor, with minor casualties.I remained still as she adjusted her position, getting off the floor.The door opened, and the cop walked in. “Any problem?” She asked.Kristy shook her head, as she wiped the dust off her jeans.The cop watched me silently, with a skeptical look on her face. For someone who was charged with drug trafficking, I could only imagine the thoughts that rammed through her mind.She walked closer, and I tried pushing myself up, but failed.“She's fine,” Kristy grunted, as the woman touched my neck, searching for a pulse.“I'll be back in five minutes,” she announced, as she walked out.I remained frozen, unable to think or breathe properly.I needed to clear my head. This couldn't be happening to me.Alex couldn't have denied me. My sister couldn't be in a coma. It had to be impossible.My mother co
ISABELLA.I sat, silently, watching as they both walked in. Laura in a white suit, and John in black.“Mrs Blackwood,” he acknowledged, as he stretched forth his hands.I smiled gently, receiving his handshake.“I'm Laura Miles,” Laura introduced herself, stretching forth her hands.I clasped mine together, holding back my sneer. “I know who you are,”I watched as she retreated her arm.“Can we sit?” John asked.“Sure,” I replied, trying to hide the edge in my voice. I didn't want Laura on my chair, or anywhere near my office for that matter, but some level of pettiness was beneath me.They both sat, watching me intensely. I focused my eyes on Laura. If she had any tricks of her sleeves, they were bound to fail.“How may I help you?” I asked both of them, impatiently. None answered immediately. I turned to face John, “you do know my husband and I have decided not to get the divorce, right?” “I am quite aware of that,” he replied.“Good,”“We're here for a different purpose,” “What i
EMMA.At about five pm, Samuel had texted, telling me I would get picked up by eight. That meant I had three hours to prepare. Kristina and I had already chosen the dress, shoes, and bag I would use so it wasn't that much work left, but I still panicked.I needed to get my hair, and make up right.We eventually started preparing by six pm. A girl needed her time to prepare right?I sat before the mirror as Kristina worked her magic with my hair. Luckily, Zara had some curlers around and we made judicious use of them.“This date will be amazing,” Kristina said, brushing my hair.“I hope so,” I replied, trying to ease the tension I felt in my chest.It had been a while since I went on a first date with anyone. What were the etiquettes? What would we talk about?For someone who had decided to dump the dating pool for a long while, it surely was too early for me to be rehearsing what to say on a first date. What would we even talk about? I couldn't think of one thing we had in common. Su
EMMA.I knew Kristina often worked out to tone her body, and maybe gain some strength, but I was beyond surprised when she lifted the heavy box off the floor, and headed into the living room.I stepped out of the way giving her all needed chance just so she could do what she wanted.She slammed the box on the floor, turning to face me.“It wasn't even that heavy,” she said, breathing heavily. Yeah…“It wasn't that heavy but you lifted it off the floor, and slammed it down like a two hundred and sixty five pounds man. Oh, and the delivery man himself refused to lift it because she thought it was ‘too heavy’”“Come on, you know I work out. I lift weights often. This is a breeze.”“I work out too, but you don't see me lifting things like superwoman.”.She laughed out, wiping her face.“There's absolutely no point in arguing over this. Samuel gave you a gift, and I helped you bring it in. The least you could do is appreciate me.”“Fine,” I agreed, “thank you.”*You're welcome.”“Now let'
EMMAOh well. The day I agreed to go on a date had arrived.I didn't inform Kristy, neither did I tell Zara. Not even my mother was aware.I sat on my bed, pondering on what to wear. I knew I should have told them what happened, but after yesterday's event, we all clocked out.Since then, I just couldn't come up with a way to tell them. Not that they would be annoyed or anything.I knew they would be excited for me. They loved me.Kristina on one hand would be over the moon. She had been waiting for this for a long time.But in my heart, I harbored some thoughts.Was it wise to start something with Samuel?What if it didn't work out? What would happen to his lovely relationship with my family? He knew them before me. I didn't want to get in the way of anything.If I ended up ruining their friendship, I would be pissed at myself forever. I couldn't even tell if I would recover from that.Then again came the question of time. Wasn't it too early to date? Did I want to fall in love jus
EMMA Well, it was safe to say this was the sweetest and most intentional thing any man had ever said to me.I was dumbfounded, and couldn't even come up with any concrete reply. “Emma,” he called my name.“Yes?” I croaked out.He seemed to be genuine. As I stared at him, I will ndered if his words were genuine? They could always be lies.I would be a fool to believe his lies.“Emma, I want to take the appropriate step. Can I take you out on a date tonight?”Tonight? I had nothing to wear. All the clothes I had brought were casuals, and it would be almost impossible to find an outfit that would work in less than six hours.“What's the time?” I asked,He pulled out his phone. “Six thirty three.” He answered.No. Definitely too late.“I don't think I can,” I replied, slowly. I just hoped he didn't get the wrong message. I did want to go on a date with him, but I was beyond unprepared.“Why?” He askedIf I asked for a dress for the date would I come out as entitled?I mean, he had alrea
EMMA.He turned around.“Are you sure about that? I can always come by later.” I closed off my phone, “I'm sure.” I replied.His smile was all too bright for his excitement to be hidden. It somehow made me excited too. He had this boyish glow in his eyes whenever he was excited.I walked up to him.As I approached him, I noticed his eyes following my chest.Little did I realize that I wasn't exactly clad. I had unbuttoned my shirt, and while I had covered up, the buttons were mixed up, giving him access to see my chest. He looked away immediately. What a gentleman. Well-behaved. He maintained eye contact with me, and in his eyes, I could see him battling not to look again.Something about that turned me on.“Please come back,” I said.I said out loud just because. It was good that I did. I wanted to choose someone who wasn't Alex, and I had done that. I verbally, outrightly chose someone who wasn't Alex.I had broken free away from his grasp. I was my own woman.I took a breath, l
EMMA.The first time I had made an attempt at calling Alexander Blackwood after his wife pleaded, he did not answer.I was immensely grateful for that. At least, I could say I tried.I mean, it would go down in record that I dialed his number, right?Yes, it would. I hadn't done anything wrong.I laid in bed, watching the ceiling, engrossed in thoughts.The day had gone all so well. Kristina and Samuel had gotten into a deep conversation about me, and I didn't want to be there while they analyzed my lifestyle.Well, two hours had gone by, and neither of them had come up to me.I looked out the window, only to find the entire family, and some friends in the backyard. They seemed to be having fun discussions, and eating together.Did anyone notice my absence?Did it matter?I was sure they were preoccupied with activities.I laid back.Looking at my screen, I stared at my wallpaper. There was a picture of me in sunglasses, and red lipstick. My smile was broad, and genuine. I was all too
Emma.“Hey, Emma. We need to talk,” Mrs. Blackwood's voice came out as soft and gentle, but it was enough to send a chill down my spine. I sucked in a deep breath and wondered if picking her call was a good idea. I hadn't thought it through before picking her call.“Mrs. Blackwood,” I replied, sounding a little apprehensive. “How may I help you?”I didn't need a mirror to know my face had turned pale. I could easily tell from the weird and worried look plastered on Samuel and Kristina's faces. Kristina mouthed the words, “Are you okay?”I shrugged.Mrs Blackwood let out an audible breath before continuing. “It's about my husband.”My mouth ran dry. I knew bullying Anna wasn't far from him, but talking his wife into speaking with me? I didn't think he'd go that low.“Firstly, my husband didn't send me to call you, if that's what you're thinking,’’ she continued.“Okay,” I whispered into the phone. I could feel my heartbeat pick up pace. If Alex had not coerced her into calling me, the
EMMA.“Well,” Samuel started his speech, still standing really close to me, “I would try to initiate a conversation to see if there's any remote chance we could have anything serious.”“And then?” Kristina urged,I knew what she was searching for, and judging by the kind of person Samuel seemed to be, he would play along, and that would ruin me.“After that, I would try to make a grand gesture for her. That is after she has given me a green light of course,”Did I, by any chance, give him a greenlight?“And what's the definition of a greenlight to you?” Kristina probed,“I don't think it's wise to disturb,” I tried to divert their attention, but Kristina was so focused on what she was trying to achieve.Knowing the kind of person she was, I let her be. If she wanted to prove, she better do it.Moreover she would be gone in three days, and after that, the only source of information she would have would be me. I would definitely make her suffer. It wasn't time yet.I just had to endure
EMMA.I didn't know how to react to that message. Well, it was obvious Samuel wasn't trying to hide his status, but what was he doing in such a small town? He was supposed to be with the top leagues.I had heard of the johnsons. Although I had never met or had any personal encounter with them, I had attended some of their parties. Of course, Alex had been invited to some of their parties, and when I worked as his assistant, I was an immediate invitee.I bit my lips gently. If I was wiser, I should have taken advantage of that opportunity.I should have made some friends, even at the least a few connections with some elites. They would have helped.I took a deep breath.“What is he doing here though? As a sheriff at that,” Kristina finally asked the questions in my heart,“We have no idea. Although some say his father is trying to build a brand here so he's kind of preparing the place for him.”“Hmm…” I took a breath, “so, he's brooding this place.”“Something of that sort,” my mothe