The streets of New York echoed with the sound of wailing with sirens. The police cars were a curious site as they cruised through the busy roads. Despite this, people barely have a glance to try to see who was being transported by them. If only they knew that it was the two people whose stories had shaken up the city.
"They're here!" A few reporters shouted at the same time when they saw the police cars round up. They all swarmed like bees towards the cars and got their cameras ready.
"Gwen! Gwen!"
"How do you feel about the allegations made against you?"
"Please say something!"
"Make way", an officer snapped as they pushed their way out of the sea of reporters. Gwen had her head hanging low, avoiding the cameras as she was escorted in with her hands cuffed.
Pak!
An egg was thrown onto her head leaving the slimy substance to trickle down her face. Some friends and families of the victims had also gathered outside the court. "Murderer!"
"Murderer! You must die!"
"Death penalty for Gwen Cancino!"
"You bitch! You deserve to die!"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMore eggs and flour were thrown at her as the people wrung curses at her! The officers didn't bother stopping them or covering her but simply dragged her in to escape the drama.
"Peter Wright!"
"Peter Wright!"
"Make a comment on your affair with Gwen that has been revealed to the world!"
Peter's face that was hanging low turned paper sheet white at that question. Everything else was a blur and the noise drowned out. He did not hear the curses or feel the food stuffs being thrown at him. His mind was clouded by one thought: the affair was out in the open.
'Shauna', he cried out in his thoughts.
His heart started pounded hard as he was brought into the court room. There, he walked into a scene of the audience being restrained by the officers from pouncing on Gwen.
"Order in court!"
"Murderer! Bring back my sister!"
"My cousin! Bring her back to me!"
"Order!"
"Murderer!"
Peter paaid no attention to that and looked around to confirm his worst fear: his family being there. Yet...
No sight of Shauna and the boys. He looked around carefully, scanning each and every face including Gwen's disheveled appearance, yet, nothing.
Should he be relieved that they were not here to witness this low and embarrassing moment he brought on himself? Or should he be sad that he was alone during this shit moment?
Back in Albany
"Twenty bodyguards is too much. And no bodyguards would very much be preferable", Lorraine argued as she glared at the man who stood a few feet away from her.
"We've already had this discussion Lorraine and I'm not changing my mind", Xavier said with ease as he wiped the washed plates and put them away.
They had just had their late lunch. Lorraine was working the night shift for her friend who had covered up for her while she was away. Xavier had driven all the way from work just to share this meal with her.
"Do you... Do you know what my situation is?" She looked at him uneasily and afraid. Did he look her up? What does he know? Her heart started thumping a mile a minute in anxiousness.
Xavier stopped and walked towards her and used a free hand to hold her shoulder. "I'm still waiting for you to tell me. But from the cars and people that follow you, I'm smart enough to know that the situation is bad."
"Yet you're still here...", She muttered in disbelief. "Why?"
"Why not?" He asked with a smile as he cupped her cheek and caressed it with his thumb. "How's your friend Savannah?"
"She's... She's hanging in there. We had a burial ceremony for the girls the day before yesterday", her voice grew muffled from being led into Xavier's comforting embrace.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe did not even realize that tears had started falling down her cheeks or how comfortable she easily stayed in his arms in that moment. It felt so natural for both of them but Lorraine's mind was still on the painful situation. "It feels like it was just yesterday when we were all together still figuring out life but today...."
Xavier patted her head as she quietly sobbed in his arms. His heart grew heavy at this sound. It felt like someone was hurting him instead just from hearing her cries.
She let out a long sigh to stop her sobbing. "Savvy has been summoned as a witness being one of the survivors. She has to retell the horrors they all faced..... Gosh. But she's so strong."
"Then she'll be just fine. Besides, she has you", he stated.
"I won't always be there with her during the hearings. Things are hectic at work. They're still trying to catch the others involved in this case. Actually", she chuckled and sniffled. Her tone had grown lighter and Xavier detected the excitement in it. "A.J personally called requesting that we do our utmost best to catch these guys."
"A.J?" Xavier's brows shot up, shocked because Amy went to such an extent when the authorities could have handled that.
"Yeah. He said that it might take longer than we might like it, but we should be persistent. We cannot afford a slip up because of our slacking."
"He?" Another shocking revelation as she released herself from him. So Amy wasn't just messing with his brother that time but she actually alters her voice as part of her disguise?
"Mm. He must be the hottest man to ever walk on this Earth judging from his voice", Lorraine answered with a dreamy expression.
"The hottest man ever?" He repeated earning a cheeky smile from Lorraine.
He knew what his sister-in-law looked like but why did the thought of her being his love rival stir an unpleasant feeling within him? Couldn't she use a less appealing voice instead? And what was with the personal reque-
Xavier felt his brain shut down when he felt something soft briefly press against the corners of his lips. Lorraine's face burned red and she looked down with a silly smile playing on her lips. The next four words she uttered made a massive bomb go off in Xavier's head.
"You-You're it for me."