Chapter Four: Death Penalty

IT's been a week since the trial has been done and I am no longer a witness.

"Oh, it seems like you go out on a date, today huh? You're not wearing office uniform." my mom said.

"Uhm, I'm going to a birthday party, mom." I lied again.

Actually, it's not really a birthday party that I'm going to attend. Today is the last trial of Lucas' case. Even though I'm no longer a witness, I still want to be there.

"Party? But you're just wearing a shirt and jeans." My mother insisted that she was unaware of what was happening. She didn't even know that Uncle Miguel was dead.

We didn't want her to think about it anymore so we kept it a secret from her. Dad and I also asked her caregiver not to let her watch the news so that she would not know what is currently happening to Lucas. She treats Lucas like her real child, so she will surely be hurt when she finds out that he is in prison.

"Mom, I'm not in the mood to wear a gown. Let me just wear it. It looks formal, right?"

"Gosh, it's up to you. Will Lucas accompany you?" I was slightly stunned by her question.

"Uhm, yes....yes!"

"Hmm...that's good. He hasn't visited me here for over a month. Tell him that I'm about to sulk with him." she added in a very sad tone of her voice.

"Don't worry mom, I'll tell him. He's very busy, especially since he's the CEO of their company." I suddenly burst into tears, so I immediately said goodbye to my mom. Maybe if our conversation last longer, I will suddenly start crying out loud.

I hurried to leave.

When I got to the courtroom they were all there. I was very surprised when suddenly someone spoke from behind me.

"Good thing you came. I thought you didn't."

I slowly turned around and I could clearly see how he let out a silly smile. He is the prosecutor on the other side. He is also the one who moved a strike against me.

Just in the past few days I discovered that he is one of my dad's close friend. So at least , this time I know the reason on why he removed me as a witness."What do you want, Prosecutor? Oh it's you again, Charles!" I said sarcastically.

"Have you heard the news about the death penalty?" he asked me.

"Yeah. Defender Kurt has already told me about that."

"Good." he said, while flashing his tricky smile again. "It means, if your boyfriend has proven guilty today, he'll be the first receiver of it." he whispered but his tone was full of teasing.

I just smiled at him and sat quietly where the people on Lucas' side where.

I looked around. Some of our college friends were behind me. Even some of our professors were there too and I know they were ready to help prove that Lucas was indeed innocent.

I stared at the part of the courtroom where Joaquin and his gold digger mother were sitting. But I was so disappointed after seing my father who was also sitting beside them.

This time, I already find out the reason on why he couldn't help me on Lucas case...it is because he chose the other side.

I covered my mouth to control my emotions. I want to yell at him and fight, just in case he thinks that Lucas badly needed him. But what can I do if he already chose to stay on Joaquin's side.

WHEN the trial started I was only more hurt by what I witnessed.

More videos have been released by the other side. Videos that were scripted but seemed factual. They also took out the knife that was used to kill Uncle Miguel and Lucas' fingerprint was found there.

I have lost hope that Lucas will ever be free. My mind flew somewhere, that's why I didn't realize that the trial was over. And the worst part is that they found the accused guilty.

I hurried out of the courtroom. I immediately looked for Lucas. Luckily I found him right away.

Even though there was a policeman guarding him, I hugged him without hesitation.

"I'm sorry baby." I whimpered. He hugged me back and that time it only hurt me more. I suddenly thought of what the prosecutor had said. "Uhm, Lucas...the one about-"

He didn't let me finish speaking. He also loosened the hug and immediately looked at me.

"This is the last time I will say goodbye to you. Don't show up to me again on the very day that my punishment is to be carried out. Maybe it won't work again, because of you." he said while showing me her fake smile.

"Stop it Lucas! How come that you can make a joke even your life is in danger?" I sobbed.

"Look, you're crying again. That's why I don't want to see you. You looks like a hungry crying baby! Go home now, Scarlet. Promise me that this is the last time that you'll visit me."

"No! You can't die yet. Lucas, we still have many plans in life."

"That's unlikely to happen, Scarlet."

"I'll find a way even if dad abandon me. The important thing is that you're alive!"

"Don't ever do anything that will harm you Scarlet! Because I don't know if how does my conscience could handle it. I'm ready to die."

"No, you don't!"

"Tss, Scarlet, wether you like it or not...I'm still punished of death penalty. So, just accept it and live-"

"No! I will ask for another help to my dad. Just trust me, Lucas. If I have to beg him, then I will. As long as you don't die."

He laughed a little. "Beg? That won't work. You're father doesn't have mercy to other. Do you want to know what kind of person is your dad?"

"Huh? What do you mean, Lucas?"

"Your dad is an accomplice in killing my dad!"

"What are you talking about?" I suddenly started thinking too.

"Your dad is one of the most powerful person in this world. He can buy someone's life and soul if he really wants to."

"I know. But that doesn't mean that he can do bad things to Uncle Miguel." I defended my father.

"But that was the truth!" Lucas insisted.

I shook my head. Then he pulled me to a bench and signaled the police to give him a few more minutes to talk to me.

"Before I die, I want to tell you something, Scarlet. I want to tell you the truth!" he spoke softly, but emphatically.

"Then, tell it now, Lucas."

"You know, I really hate that f*****g law! I really hate those dumb policeman who investigate! I really hate the doctors who did the autopsy! I really hate your dad! I really hate those people that involved in my father's death!"

"Lu-Lucas..."

"Cardiac arrest was the real cause of my father's death. He was attacked the night of the party where he found out that your father and my stepmother, as well as my stepbrother, were cheating on him. They conspired together and planned everything that happened."

"That's impossible! Dad can't do that! They're best friends and-"

"But your father has already done it, Scarlet. They purposely sent me to the scene of the crime. They made me hold the knife with my eyes closed and plunged it into my father's chest to make it look like a knife stab was the cause of his death. And that's not the end of it, they paid all the people involved in my case so that I can completely disappear from their path and they can completely seize my father's company as well as my father's wealth."

"Then why did you follow them? Why did you put that on Uncle Miguel's chest?"

"Because there's a gun pointed at me. And I don't want to die right away without even revealing to you how bad your father is. So even though I know that eventually I'll die too, I still chose to be temporarily imprisoned, if it's in exchange for that is the truth and the real personality of the person that you admire the most."

"Why you didn't admit that in court?"

"Because I don't want you to get hurt when your dad goes to jail. And I don't want Aunt Jolina to die so early when she finds out what her husband did."

"Lucas, admit it. If you're only saying this to defame dad-"

"That's all true, Scarlet. Go home now. Just tell to Aunt Jolina that I really miss her and kindly tell her that we should meet in the afterlife." He said seriously before turning his back on me.

I couldn't stop crying. It's hard to believe what Lucas said. But with dad's actions now, I suddenly realized that maybe what he said was right.

I didn't think that despite of my dad's evilness, Lucas still thought about mom and my well-being. He chose to die rather than destroy us.

I hurried to go home. I didn't confront my dad first. Instead, I pretended that I didn'nt know anything. I knelt before him and begged. That's the only way I can think of to stop the killing of Lucas.

"What the hell are you doing, Scarlet?" That was my father's angry voice.

"Dad, please...have mercy on Lucas."

"Are you out of your mind? Do you think I can do anything now that the court's decision is completed?"

"You can do something dad, you can solve that. You can free him if you really want to. Dad, it's like-"

"Shut up! He doesn't deserve you. He's a criminal so he should die!"

I stood up and looked straight at him. "Really dad? Is he really the criminal?"

"Does that even need to be asked, Scarlet?" he asked sarcastically.

"What if I tell you that I already know if who are the real criminal? Can you grant me my request? Or do I have to inform the police officers that my own father was involve in Uncle Miguel's case?"

"W-what do you mean?" he asked me with a wrinkled forehead.

"I know everything that happened dad. I know what you did to Uncle Miguel. That's why I have the courage to ask you for a favor, right from the beginning of the first trial. Because I know you can solve it . But what did you do, you disappointed me. You sided with Joaquin!"

"You don't know what you're talking about!"

"I know dad! And If you don't follow my request, I will tell my mom that Uncle Miguel was dead and I will also take you to-"

"Enough! What do you want me to do with that bastard?"

"Let him go."

"You're crazy! Even if he's free, I still won't let your relationship with him to-"

"But dad..."

"I'll let him go, but in one condition, Scarlet."

"Condition? Why are you still the one who feels like giving conditions? I think, it should be me, dad."

He laughed.

"Of course! Remember, his death has scheduled."

"What condition do you want, dad?" I snorted at him.

"End your relationship with him and forget him!"

"What? Seriously, dad?"

"You don't want to do it? Well, it's okay. The death penalty is waiting for him."

"That's unfair, dad!"

"It's not. Your request is too risky. His life depends on your request, so it's the consequence now!" he said with a smile. "Think about the condition I gave, Scarlet. Remember, he'll be dead within this week."

I don't have any other choice and it's really hard for me to decide.

Yes, I can save Lucas' life. But how about our relationship?