2025-01-09 20:02:41~Alone~
The days blurred by quickly.
Andrès was having a hard time. His wife had strangely disappeared at the office that day and he had not seen her since then. He had spent a few days in the cell without bail or anyone who believed in him. As a matter of fact, he spent days with neither news nor help.
No one came for him and no one would tell him why he was really there.
He had not killed the boss. No matter what they said he had done, he was not the one that killed the boss. He had absolutely nothing to gain from it.
Andrès was lying on the bed in the cell one day when they informed him that he had a visitor. His face visibly brightened as he heard the news and he jumped out of bed determined to meet whoever it was that had finally come to see him.
An officer accompanied him to the visitation area.
There, a small strange woman whom he had never seen in his life greeted him. Andrès craned his neck, trying to look around to see if his wife or somebody familiar had come along. There had to be some sort of mistake. Maybe the officer had mistaken someone else’s visitor…
“I’m the only one here.” The woman at the table said. She had on a power suit and one of those leggings that make women appear to have really smooth legs. Her shoes were black and her glasses and coiffed her made her look like an intimidating school teacher.
Andrès frowned at her because she was not at all who he was expecting. “I thought you were my wife. I’m expecting her. Not you.”
“I understand, but given the situation, I might as well be your wife right now. Please sit down.”
“Who the hell are you?”
“Forgive me, Mr. Manuel,” the woman said in a stern voice. “My name is Joyce Meyers; I’m going to be your attorney.”
Andrès recoiled from the woman once she said this. He looked to the officer that had walked him here, but the officer only gave him a flat look and undid his handcuffs and walked away. He had been cuffed before they could bring him to the visitation area. As if he were any threat to anyone at all.
But this woman—
“Why are you here?” he demanded, once the officer had gone. He was finding it difficult reining his anger in. More than a few days ago, he had been charged with the murder of a man who he had no reason at all to kill.
All of the events that led right up to this moment were strange, to say the least.
But most especially strange, and painful, was the fact that Andres was still yet to see his wife after everything that had happened so far.
“It is just as I said, Mr. Manuel. I am the lawyer that has been assigned to your case. Please take a seat.”
Andrès glared suspiciously at the woman, but he slowly lowered himself into the single seat that was there and linked his arms together.
“Thank you for choosing to see me today. As your lawyer—“
“—You say you’re my lawyer,” Andrès interrupted. She nodded calmly back at him. “But I don’t remember anything about a lawyer. I know the state is supposed to provide one for me, but you honestly don’t look like a lawyer that the state provided. Who’s your client and why are they interested in me?”
The woman smiled and took off her glasses. “Please allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Joyce Meyers, and I have bene contracted to stand in as your attorney for this case. However, I am afraid that I cannot disclose the identity of my client.”
“And why is that?” Andrès narrowed his eyes at her.
“Let us just say that you have people in very high places—very powerful people who wish to ensure that you pay for a crime. Personally, it is not my business to meddle in such affairs. I only do what I’m paid for. But I should tell you that this case is not going to be an easy one. So I’ve come to you with a solution.”
Andrès didn’t trust her one bit, but he decided that it could not hurt to hear what it was that she had to say.
“Alright. I’m listening” he said as he leaned back in his chair.
“Thank you.” She said and put on her glasses. She leaned forward and stared at me with an intense gaze in her eyes. “Here’s the plan. When we go to court, I need you to plead guilty.”
Andrès snapped at her. “Didn’t you say you’re a lawyer who’s trying to help me? Why would I willfully confess to a crime I didn’t commit?”
“There is no way at all for you to prove that you are not the one who killed your boss. From all indications, you are the one who poisoned his tea. Or do you have another way to prove that this is false?”
“No, but—”
“Nothing! You’ve got nothing. This is the only way that the judge can be lenient with your sentence. There’s no time. Your court hearing has been moved up to tomorrow.”
This time, Andrès was genuinely shocked. What sort of people had the power to pull his court date so close and so soon, without any prior notice?
“Mr. Manuel,” the lawyer placed a hand on his own hand. He recoiled and brushed it off. “I’m only trying to help you.”
Andrès pushed out of his chair and stormed away. He was tired of hearing all this nonsense. “If you say tomorrow is the court hearing, then so be it! But I’m not confessing to a crime I didn’t commit!”
He sprung up from his chair after saying that and walked out of the visitation area, away from his supposed lawyer.
Joyce Mayers on the other hand watched him walk away, her mouth agape from his reaction.
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~Sensational~ Andrés drove through the quiet streets leading to his estate, the day's events playing on a loop in his mind. The long driveway, lined with trimmed hedges and bright garden lights, came into view. His estate was massive, with tall iron gates that opened smoothly as his car approached. It was the kind of place that screamed wealth and power, but to Andrés, it was just home. Pulling up to the front steps, he sat in the car for a moment, staring at the grand double doors. He usually felt relief when he got home, but tonight, a strange unease crept over him. Shaking it off, he stepped out, his shoes clicking softly against the stone driveway. The staff were already waiting. The butler opened the door for him, giving a polite nod. "Good evening, sir. Would you like dinner served now?" "Not yet, Marcel. I need a moment," Andrés said, walking past him into the house. The place was spotless as always, every piece of furniture perfectly in place. The silence inside was heavy,
Chapter 36
~Another Day~ Andrès stepped out of the front door of his estate, the morning sun casting long shadows across the driveway. His sleek black car idled nearby, the driver already holding the door open. He adjusted the cuff of his shirt and slid into the backseat, nodding to the driver. "Hospital," he said simply, pulling his phone from his pocket. The ride was quiet, the hum of the engine and the blaring of impatient drivers the only sound as they wove through the city streets. Andrès tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery, though his mind was elsewhere. When they pulled into the hospital parking lot, he stepped out before the driver could circle around to open the door for him. Inside, the sterile scent of disinfectant hit him immediately, sharp and familiar. He approached the reception desk, his polished shoes clicking against the tiled floor. "Joyce Mayers," he said to the receptionist, his voice low but firm. The woman looked up, clear
Chapter 35
~Stay With Me~ The next morning, Andrès walked briskly down the sterile white halls of the hospital, his shoes echoing against the polished floor. He was anxious to see Joyce-hoping she was doing better already and eager to speak with her face-to-face. When he reached her room, he knocked softly and then entered, finding her sitting up in bed, looking much more alert than the day before. She glanced up at him with a faint smile. "You look better," he said with a hint of relief, moving closer to her bed. "How are you feeling?" "Like I've been hit by a truck," Joyce replied, managing a chuckle. "But honestly, a lot better than yesterday. They've been giving me enough medication to make sure I'm not in too much pain." He nodded, pleased to hear it. "Good. I didn't sleep much last night, worrying about you." Joyce raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise passing across her face. "I didn't realize I was that important." Andrès hesitated, then cleared his throat. "Joyce, someone clea
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~Cryptic Message~ As Andrès drove home, trying to focus on the road while his mind raced with plans for revenge, his phone buzzed. Glancing down, he saw an anonymous text message lighting up the screen. The words made his blood run cold: "I hope you listen now." He gripped the steering wheel tighter, feeling a surge of anger and indignation. This message was no coincidence; it was a direct taunt from whoever had orchestrated the hit-and-run that put Joyce in the hospital. They wanted him to know they weren't afraid, that they were willing to cross lines to get what they wanted-and they expected him to bend under the pressure. But they had made a grave error. Andrès pulled over to the side of the road, his mind racing. He quickly scanned the message, analyzing each word, trying to find any hidden clues. "Listen now." What was it they wanted him to understand, or submit to? The message was cryptic, but one thing was clear-they were sending him a warning. And by involving Joyce, the
Chapter 33
~Hit and Run~ Less than an hour after Joyce left his office, Andrès's phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw an unknown number, but something in his gut told him to pick up. The voice on the other end-a calm yet urgent tone-introduced themselves as a nurse at the nearby hospital, informing him that Joyce had been involved in a hit-and-run and was listed as critical. They'd called him as her emergency contact. For a moment, he froze, processing the words. Hit-and-run. Critical condition. The meaning of those words were scary, and then suddenly, he was moving-grabbing his keys and rushing out the door, not bothering to tell his guards or even lock up behind him. He didn't think twice. In that moment, nothing mattered except getting to her. The drive to the hospital was a blur, each red light and obstacle on the road adding to his growing frustration. His mind raced with questions. Who would do this? Why now? And most importantly-was she going to be okay? After what felt like an
Chapter 32
~Nothing to Find~ Andrès hung up the phone, the call with Carlos still lingering in his mind, leaving him slightly annoyed. But rather than letting it occupy his thoughts, he decided to set it aside. Carlos could say what he wanted, but Andrès had his own path to carve out, and he wasn't about to let anyone-family or otherwise-dictate his way of running things. With a quick shake of his head, he refocused and picked up his phone, calling his Pa to track down Joyce. After a few moments, Pa confirmed she was on her way. Andrès leaned back in his chair, letting his mind wander briefly as he waited. He'd asked Joyce to dig into Carlos's background, and he was eager to hear what she'd uncovered. Carlos seemed to pop into his life out of nowhere, and while he was supposedly family, Andrès knew better than to accept anyone's word without proof. A light knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and Joyce stepped in. Joyce had a way of handling things that put him at ease, but she also ha
