Chapter Two: Preliminary Trial

THE next day, I could hear people whispering left and right about Lucas.

"It's a pity for that kid. He's so handsome. He looks like an actor and he doesn't look like a criminal."

"Oh, that's really how the wealthy people act." The woman said. "Even if he's innocent, his relatives will try to find a way to keep him out of their lives so that they can just be the one who can benefit."

"That's unbelievable! He is a kind and smart kid. He's an honor student."

"He killed his father because he thought he could get all his wealth."

"Poor kid, maybe his family abandoned him."

I heared different views and opinions from every person as I passed by them. Others hate Lucas. While others are trying to convince themselves that the man I loved is innocent.

My car was on the other side of the road so I was forced to walk across there. When I got inside, I quickly drove it to the detention center.

I want to visit Lucas. I want to know how he is doing there. He's not used to that kind of life, that's why since last night I've been very worried about him. I couldn't even sleep wondering if the guards and police even fed him and let him sleep.

It took me a few minutes to reach it. I spoke to the police and the guard on the entrance. They allowed me to visit but I've been waiting for amost fifteen minutes for Lucas but he still hasn't shown up.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry but he really doesn't want to entertain visitors." said the guard.

"Did you tell him that his girlfriend is the one who's visiting?"

"Yes ma'am. But he told me that no matter who else came to visit, he had no intention of talking to them anymore."

I was so disappointed after hearing that.

I still waited for almost half an hour, but I was disappointed again. So I just left the food I brought for Lucas.

The next day, I visited again. Like my first visit, I brought food again. I even ordered a New York cheese cake, which is our favorite. But all I got was another failure and disappointment.

I didn't topped. I visited him again the following days.

I've been sitting for almost twenty-five minutes waiting for him to come out but Lucas still hasn't shown up. Again I felt sad and a little dazed. But that disappeared immediately when I finally saw him slowly walking towards me.

He was wearing a blue shirt and a jersey short. While walking, I watched him closely. He's only been here for a few days and it seems like his physical appearance has changed a lot. It is also obvious that he has loss weight.

When he finally got close to me, he silently sat down in the chair infront of me. No emotion can be seen on his face.

"Finally, you showed up. It's my third time around, visiting you. Why you don't even show up to me?"

"There's no reason for you to visit me anymore, Scarlet."

"Lucas, I'm your girlfriend so I should visit you." I insisted. "By the way, you're not wearing a detainee shirt like them, huh!"

"I remanded in custody." he coldly responded. "But don't worry, after I plead guilty, you will be able to see me wearing a detainee shirt." he added.

"Hmm...how are you doing here? Are they feeding you-"

"Just don't mind me. I'm fine here. I don't want anyone to visit me. Promise me that this will be your last visit, Scarlet. I don't want you to be harmed."

"But, I'm not just anyone. I'm your girlfriend and I can't-"

"Let's end our relatuonship, Scarlet." he coldly said.

"Hell no! I love you and I won't let you stay here. We won't break up, Lucas."

"But you'll only be in trouble if we continue this, Scarlet. I don't deserve your love. I'm a murderer." he said. His voice was almost raspy. "Forget me."

"I won't!" I firmly said.

"Are you out of your mind? How can you love a murderer like me? I killed my dad! Aren't you scared that maybe one day, I'm gonna kill you too?"

"I don't believe it, Lucas. Because I know that you're not capable of doing such things."

He laughed a little. "Do you hear yourself, Scarlet? Everyone, including Uncle Sebastian, Aunt Jolina and even Joaquin believe that I killed dad. You're the only one who doesn't believe me."

"Lucas, even if the whole world judges you, I will still remain by your side. I will continue to love and trust you!"

"Really?" He brought his face closer to me and spoke in a whisper. "Maybe you know me... you know me as a good person, but that doesn't mean that I can't do bad things. I killed my dad! Please, believe me!"

I shook my head. "No...you didn't kill him!" I snorted. "I believe that you didn't kill him! You and Uncle Miguel never fought. And I never heard you say anything bad about your father. So it's impossible that you killed him!"

"Scarlet, that's enough! And please just....don't come here again. I don't wanna see you anymore."

"Whether you like it or not, I'm going to visit you here. Anyway, I sent a lawyer and-"

"I don't need your lawyer. The public defender will do. After all there's no trials will happen."

"Huh? What do you mean, Lucas?"

"I'll plead guilty." he said while turning his back on me. I didn't react immediately so I didn't have the courage to stop him from leaving.

I was left dumbfounded and unable to believe his decision.

WHEN the day of the preliminary trial came, I felt nervous. That's why I talked to dad. I tried to convince him to come and help Lucas.

"Dad, please...I don't want Lucas to be in jail for a long time."

"Tss, so what do you want me to do?" he sarcastically asked me.

"Help me to find the best lawyer in town."

"I did, right? But he turned it down." my father reasoned out.

The first lawyer that I sent to Lucas was my dad's friend.

"Dad, what if he pleads guilty?"

"Then, there's nothing we can do about it. By the way, the death penalty has been approved by the senate."

I covered my mouth after hearing what dad told me. It means that Lucas will be the first to be sentenced to the death penalty when he is proven guilty.

Lucas was too young to die. He's only twenty two years old and he doesn't deserve to suffer such a severe punishment.

"Today is his pre-trial, dad. Come with me, please. I have to go there to prove to everyone that Lucas is innocent."

"Stupid!" Dad responded with a shrug and turned his back on me. He doesn't even clarify if he will help Lucas. I'm also wondering why Uncle Miguel's death doesn't seem to bother him and he doesn't seem to care if Lucas is in jail.

I sighed and followed him. I found him sitting on the couch in the living room. And I was even more surprised when I saw that Joaquin was also there. Lucas stepbrother who has been mad and insecure to him for a long time.

"What are you doing here, Joaquin?" I asked him seriously.

"Oh, there you are, Scarlet! I was just asking your dad if where the hell you are." He said followed by a grin.

"Tss, really? I can't believe that you're here relaxing while your brother is in jail and today will be-"

"C'mon! He killed our dad. So, what do you want me to do? Accompany him to prison? Well, I think he deserves to stay in prison. He has no mercy for dad. After he was appointed as a new CEO of the company he is not satisfied yet."

"Enough! Lucas didn't kill Uncle Miguel!" I complained.

"Then who?" suddenly it was interrupted by my father which surprised me.

"Look, even Uncle Sebastian believed that your lover is-"

"F*** you, Joaquin!" I screamed angrily.

I left them and took care of myself. I have to get there right away before the trial even starts.

Lucas's public defender happened to be a close friend of my dad and was also my godfather. I made a way to get closer and talk to him thoroughly and I succeeded.

"Hey, Uncle Kurt!" I called him and his eyes almost rolled when he saw me.

"Scarlet! What are you doing here?"

"Uncle, I'm here for my boyfriend. And...and I also came here with my dad's request. Will your client plea guilty or not?"

Even though he was confused, he was still forced to answer my question. "He says guilty."

I took a deep breath and spoke bravely. "Dad says, you'll say not guilty."

"Huh? But he says-"

"Uncle, you know my dad, right? You know how much he love his daughter. And you also know that Lucas is my boyfriend. So please....help me." I plead. "Please, uncle...I assure you that dad will also help you in the trial."

"Hmm...I need to talk to your dad first to-"

"Nah, you don't need to do that. Dad and I have already talked. He told me that he won't be able to come today, so I'll be the one who should talk to you."

"Okay." he replied briefly, obviously forced.

When the trial starts, Uncle Kurt, finally says that the accused pleaded not guilty.

I smiled a little. But that was immediately erased when Lucas and I met our eyes. I was the first to avoid. And when the trial was over, he immediately approached me.

"You did this, right?" He said that there was anger in his voice. "Didn't I tell you not to show up here again and not to interfere with my case!" he snorted at me.

"Dad is the one who-"

"Liar! He wouldn't do that!"

"Sorry. I just want to help." I sobbed.

"Really? To tell you honestly, you only made the situation worse!"

"Sorry again, Lucas. I just want to prove to everyone that you're innocent."

"Then prove it!" he snorted again causing me to stare into his eyes.

"W-what do you mean?"

"Investigate on your own, Scarlet! Look for a solid evidence! Help the defender! So that you can get answers to all of your questions. Then, once you had the evidences. Give me a verdict!" he spoke authoritatively.

Then he smiled again. A smile of insult that I never expected to seen on him.