Page 7 of Stella’s Manster

The defendant is her brother, the man who was arrested at the party, and I’m the lawyer fighting against him.

Fuck.

Before I have a chance to process anything more, the judge begins. “This is the case of Darren Gold, case number CR25-82.” She peers past her thin-framed glasses at Darren. “You are being charged for a count of drug possession with intent to distribute MDMA.”

From the day I became a lawyer eighteen years ago, not once have I ever felt unsure in the courtroom. But today, I feel sick to my stomach.

Damn the universe!

“Mr. Gold, how do you plead?” the judge asks.

“Not guilty, Your Honor,” Darren replies, his eyes appearing red from distress.

The man looks scared, which makes me feel even worse. Is he guilty or not? Catwoman swore her brother was innocent on that dreadful night. Scanning the files, I see the police received an anonymous tip about suspicious substances being seen in a car, in Darren’s car. The police searched the car and found drugs, scales, baggies, and cash. It’s pretty damning.

Glancing up from my papers, I meet Catwoman’s gaze once again. Tears well in her eyes and it’s almost as if she knows what I’m here to do.

Whether I like it or not, this is my case. I took an oath with my job and I have to do it, even if that means I may lose her in the process. Right?

Chapter Three: Stella

Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump.

My heart beats faster and faster as I stare at the man who has my brother’s future in his hands. The man whose eyes are so piercing blue, they are unmistakable. They are none other than the sweet, sincere Batman who took care of me that dreadful night at the Halloween party.

On the verge of a panic attack, I quickly and quietly dart out of the room during the short recess and rush toward the restroom. I grip the edge of the sink, breathing in and out faintly. My lungs feel as if they are closing in.

How could this be? How could someone who seemed so genuine end up being a scummy lawyer battling against my brother? This can’t be real!

So far, the first half of the court session is a blur, but I manage to take away the facts. Not only is Darren denied bail, but there will most definitely be another court session. I’ll have to sit on the opposite side of the bench watching the man I thought to be my knight in shining armor, send my brother to prison.

I thought things were just about to go back to normal for Darren, but now, I don’t know what to think.

Splashing a bit of water on my flushed face, I stand up tall and smooth my dress. I can’t hide forever. Twisting the handle, I push the door open and step into the hallway.

I walk out with so much force that I nearly topple over someone. But just before the two of us have a chance to hit the ground, a pair of strong hands grab my arms, keeping me upright.

“So sorry about that, I…” I gaze up to find those familiar piercing blue eyes locked onto me.

Once again, my heart races.

Fighting every urge in my bones not to toss my arms around his neck and plant a wet kiss on his lips, I quickly step back from him.

“Hey,” he says excitedly. “It’s you. I saw you from across the room and you took my breath away.”

Damn, he’s charming as ever.

“Hi,” I reply, awkwardly pulling my hair to one side of my shoulders.

We stand in the hallway, staring at each other, not knowing what to say. What is there to say? We both know why the other is here, and it’s clear we’re not on the same side.

After a moment of silence, he speaks up, “I’m sorry.”

That’s all it takes to open the doors of conversation for me.

“He’s innocent,” I blurt. “Darren swore to me that he didn’t put any of that in his car,” I tell him convincingly. “You have to believe that an innocent man who was on the path to getting his life together, is the person on trial today.”

Tossing his hands up, blue-eyes replies, “Whoa, hey. I believe you. Honestly, I do.”

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