2. Set free

~DIMITRI~

“It's the judgment of this court that the prosecution has failed to meet its burden of proof. Therefore, the defendant is hereby acquitted of all charges.”

Vincent said, and banged his gavel, signaling the end of the case.

The court erupted into cheers and murmurs. Dimitri watched as the lawyer supporting Ava's parents’ gritted his teeth before his shoulders slumped in defeat.

Dimitri continued to watch, trying to keep his lips from cracking into a smile. He continued to watch Vincent who's talking to an older man to his right and he felt jealousy course through his veins.

Initially, he knew he was supposed to hate him. He's a judge. A fucking judge! One of the heads of the enforcer of the law. It was a judge that had set his stepmother free after she killed his mother in cold blood thereby ruining his chance of a happy childhood. A fucking judge! But… he couldn't even bring himself to hate this particular judge who sat at the other side of the courtroom, at least not after seeing and feeling his lips wrapped clumsily around his cock the other day. He wanted to force himself to hate him so bad but he is in a dilemma. His body and heart wants pleasure, but his mind wants revenge. Well, to him… he can get both. Even if Vincent is not the judge who'd set his stepmother free, he'd decided that he will be the perfect lab rat. But… only time would tell.

He dipped his hand into his pocket and used that chance to adjust his cock which had grown stiff from the moment the session started — from the moment his eyes landed on Vincent and his serious expression.

But apart from that, he couldn't help but feel a little happy. Since the moment he was sued by Ava's parents for murder even though he knew nothing about the death, his reputation has been at stake.

The other day, he'd told his secretary to check the CCTV footage, but the video had been tampered with. He knew that it hadn't been a coincidence — Ava's death and the grainy video —- and he was about to start investigating when he was detained. His own ‘detained’ can't be really called detained since he has the upper hand in the cell and the wardens allowed him to move out when he deem fit. In one sentence, he received extremely special treatments.

Dimitri had always detested the law and anyone supporting it, including Vincent. But, his new prey has something he wants to take, an innocence he must taint, an innocence that is his to taint, and he can't wait to do just that.

“A little more.” He mouthed right at the moment when Vincent's gaze landed on him. Vincent hurriedly averted his gaze and Dimitri smirked.

He finally tore his gaze away from him and stepped out of the partially enclosed dock. As he reached the threshold, the court security officer finally cuffed his hands. Dimitri gave him a small smile of acknowledgement before allowing himself to be led out of the courtroom with another security officer trailing behind him.

As he stepped out, he was flanked on all sides by reporters. It was like they'd been waiting for him and when they finally saw him step out, they rushed to him, cameras pointed at his face as they started throwing questions to him. Dimitri gritted his teeth. He hadn't thought of this happening since his mind had been occupied by Vincent.

“Should we shoo them away?” The security officer leading him inquired.

Dimitri forced on a smile and shook his head negatively.

“Mr Santini. How do you feel about your acquittal?” The first reporter asked.

Dimitri turned to the camera, the forced smile still on his lips. “I'm grateful for the justice system’s fairness.” He replied mockingly.

“Do you have any plans to rebuild your reputation?” Another, with a pair of glasses resting on the rim of his nose and a recorder perched on his shoulders demanded.

“Will you take any legal action against those who wrongly accused you?”

“We heard rumors that you are involved in the underworld dealings, will you kill Ava's parents like you killed their daughter?”

Now, Dimitri is starting to get frustrated.

“I don't—”

“How do you respond to critics saying you “bought” your acquittal?” A female holding a mobile phone to Dimitri's face questioned, interrupting Dimitri.

Dimitri inhaled a deep breath, trying to stop himself from snatching the security guards’ gun and putting a bullet through their skull. However, his saving grace came in the form of his secretary, Mara, who, accompanied by five of Dimitri's bodyguards tore through the crowd, trying to part as much space as possible for Dimitri to pass.

He latched himself to the opportunity and rushed to the car waiting for him, his orange prisoner cloth making it easy for the reporters to spot him in the crowd. He entered and his secretary soon entered after. The reporters continued to move towards them, she shut the door and the car sped off.

“How is it going?” He asked, his gaze fixed on the view outside the black tinted window.

“Smoothly, it had only been a week.” Mara chuckled, her eyes fixed on Dimitri's side profile.

“Ava is dead.” She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“That was why I was sued, remember.” Dimitri answered coldly as he turned to Mara.

Mara hurriedly shook her head while her hand swatted the air as if swatting a fly. “Not that.”

Dimitri raised an eyebrow, a scowl starting to form on his devilishly handsome face.

“Grandpa Santini would find you another lady so, do you think—”

“ —the last time I checked, you were appointed as my secretary, I don't remember you turning into a family advisor.” Dimitri interrupted, his head tilted in a questioning way.

“S—sorry sir.”

“I'm starting to get lax with you.” Dimitri muttered under his breath as he turned his gaze back to the view outside the window.

“Hmm.” Mara cleared her throat loudly, trying to gain Dimitri's attention.

Dimitri turned to her.

“Grandpa Santini is waiting for you at your place.”

“Damn that old recluse.” He hissed.