Isabella~
"Thank you, but I'm sorry, Mr. Thompson, because I'm not hungry right now." I didn't want to spend time with him because it was difficult for me to maintain my hard look for an extended period.
Knowing what he had endured over the years made me feel sorry for him, and as a result, I find it increasingly harder to keep up my professional relationship with him. That day, I saw him eating food like a hungry animal, and I felt pity for his condition. I was taken aback when I observed him licking the lunchbox cover, which was smeared with gravy. He no longer resembled the Xavier Thompson I knew, a man known for his discerning taste in food.
I vividly remember how, because of his dislike for cilantro, I adorned the dinner table with it, only to have him hurl the plate in a fit of rage. My heart compelled me to cook food for him every day so that he could have homemade meals. I don't know why I lied to him. Every day, I prepared meals for him and asked my assistant to bring him to prison.
"Bella, there's a cafeteria located behind the courtroom, and I can assure you that their coffee is delicious." Without even my consent, he motioned for me to walk to the cafeteria.
Why is he trying to be friendly with me?
"Mr. Thompson, didn't you hear me? I'm not starving." I extended my hand to show my boundaries with him, but simultaneously, I felt a rumbling hunger in my gut.
"Comeon Bella, please don't be too harsh on yourself; I would like to thank you." I sighed deeply and fixed my gaze on the floor to hide my embarrassment. Why did my stomach grumble at the very wrong time? I silently followed him towards the cafeteria despite not wanting to spend time with him except for my work.
"Bella, please sit." He extended the chair so that I could sit down. His refined demeanor took me aback.
"How dare you sit next to me? You have no right to sit with me, you illiterate woman." I tried to sit close to him after our wedding, but he hurled my meal dish into the hallway corner. My father-in-law sent us on a honeymoon because he was unaware of his own son's cruelty. I silently endured all of his tortures because, being so stupid and blind, I constantly believed I was undeserving of his love.
I vividly recall the night I spent my empty stomach worrying about Xavier, as he hadn't returned to the hotel room after the incident. I cursed myself for angering him. I was too naïve to understand that he was with Alicia that night, and I mistakenly believed it was my fault. It took me years to heal from old wounds and realize my worth, but why am I here again with this man? Why did I accompany him for coffee? Why am I seated in front of him on the same table?
"Have this coffee, Bella." His voice pulled me out of my inner struggle.
Why was it that he kept calling me Bella? A sword cut my heart each time he called me Bella, reminding me of my past connection with him.
"Mr. Thompson, please stop calling me Bella. I'm Veronica Luis now, and I'd appreciate it if you called me that too." I kept my eyes focused on the coffee mug, but I spoke in a steady, firm tone to let him know that, aside from this case, I didn't need to be doing anything with him right now.
"For me, you are always Bella, regardless of the name the rest of the world calls you." He sipped coffee and muttered under his breath.
"What did you say?" I heard all he said, so I glared at him.
"Nothing; I am just asking what's next." He stared at me, his intense look making me feel a little uneasy and wanting to get out of there fast.
"Enjoy your small triumph, Miss Luis." I turned my focus to Derrick's taunting voice. I lift my gaze from my coffee mug to Derrick's face. His expression conveyed frustration and anger at the events of today's court proceedings.
"Mr. Merchant, please join us for coffee." I stood up from my seat out of respect for him as my senior.
"I don't have drinks with my opposing attorney, Miss Luis." He expressed his refusal by extending his hand in front of me. His conscience is getting the better of him.
"In court, we represent the prosecution and defense. Outside the court, we can have coffee together." I attempted to soothe his rage.
I am aware that during our heated argument in today's session, a number of my comments offended him, but that wasn't my intention. I was only standing up for my client.
"Miss Luis, please hold off on making all of these convoluted remarks until the next court session. At that point, the court will close this case and undoubtedly put him in jail." He gave each of us a resentful and hateful glance before walking out of the café.
"See, I told you earlier not to mess with him because of me, and you can already see the result." Xavier gave me a pathetic, depressed face.
"Don't worry about me; I will handle him. Just focus on the case." I showed him one list of his old cases that I think are somehow related to this murder case.
"In my opinion, Bella, this murder case is not related to any of my previous cases. However, if you're interested in delving deeper into my case history, I can't recall all the cases I've been involved in. I have some files at home and some at work." He didn't seem to believe me, but it didn't stop him from agreeing to work with me, and that's enough for me.
"Mr. Thompson, you must accompany me to your office because I want to read all of your case files." I jumped out of my chair with excitement.
"Right now?" He gave me a perplexed expression.
"No, we have to go there tomorrow because now we need to go to the police station to complete the necessary paperwork for your bail." I took my handbag and walked towards my car.