The Cost of Justice
“My baby, I am sorry you have to go through this. Granny is so sorry for not being able to protect you that night. I am deeply sorry”, granny said to Ellie, who was now seating on her bed. Granny had sat her down on the bed after the Wordsworth left. She commended her for her courage and the strong-will to open up.
“It’s okay granny. It’s not your fault. You don’t have to blame yourself for what happened to me. I am fine now”, Ellie said, looking into granny’s eyes, trying to reassure her that she was fine.
“I am sorry, Ellie”, granny said again, still blaming herself for what happened to Ellie, while pulling her in for a hug.
“I will make sure you get the justice that you deserve. I promise you”, granny said, while patting Ellie’s back. Kevin stood beside them, looking at the love and affection that was being displayed between the duo. Ellie on the other hand, felt somehow relieved after her outburst at Clark earlier that day. She was able to release the anger she was feeling towards Clark and she was glad she did.
“Ellie, I am sorry. It’s my fault this happened to you. If I had come to pick you up at the convenience store that night, this would have been prevented. And if I had arrived in time after receiving that call, he wouldn’t have had his chance with you. I am sorry. Please, forgive me”, Kevin said, apologizing to Ellie.
“It’s okay, Kevin. It’s not your fault either. At least, I will be getting the justice I deserve just as Mr. Wordsworth had promised. He seems like a truthful and honest man, who will keep his promise. As long as he gets punished, I am fine with that”, Ellie said, forcing a smile on her face, trying to console herself that she would be okay. They all discussed for a while, with granny and Kevin, trying to bring back the old version of Ellie. After a while, Kevin decided to stop by their home and check up on Carla. Just as he exited the hospital building and was about heading to the bus station, a car suddenly parked in his front, almost running into him.
He wondered who could have driven recklessly like that and just as he was in the middle of his thought, a man who seemed familiar got out of the car. As the man walked up to him where he was standing, Kevin tried to place where he had seen his face before and after giving it a thought, he realized it was the man he had seen with the Wordsworth, at the hospital earlier that day.
“Hello, Kevin. Mr. Wordsworth will like to meet with you. He seeks an audience with you”, Leo, Carlos’ secretary said.
“See me? What for?”, Kevin asked, suspicious of the sudden invitation he was getting from Carlos.
“You will get to know once you get there. Get in the car”, Leo said, opening the back seat door and motioning for Kevin to get in.
“What if I do not want to do so?”, Kevin asked, being deviant.
“Then we will have to use the other way to make you get in”, Leo said, looking in the opposite direction. At the opposite end, two hefty men were standing there, looking in the direction of where Leo and Kevin were standing, as if they were waiting to be given an order. Upon taking note of this, Kevin willingly entered the car when he realized he would be eventually coerced to do so, if he didn’t follow their order.
On getting to the Wordsworth’s mansion, Kevin admired the beauty of the house and all it entailed. The interior was screaming luxury and wealth, making Kevin wanting to live in richness just like the Wordsworth. He was led to Carlos’ study room and upon getting in, he had met Carlos sitting on his chair.
“Welcome. You may have your seat”, Carlos said, before Kevin could talk. Kevin sat on the chair opposite Carlos, still admiring the interior design of the room.
“I will get straight to the point. I will pay you $500, 000”, Carlos said point blank at Kevin, which made Kevin confused.
“I don’t quite understand you”, confused Kevin said, squeezing his face.NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.
“Well, since you claim not to understand what I am trying to say, I will break it down for you. The recording you claimed you have, give it to me in exchange for $500, 000”, Carlos said.
“Give you the evidence? I thought you said you would help get the justice deserved earlier?”, surprised Kevin asked.
“Get justice? At the detriment of me losing the upcoming election and my son getting jailed? No, boy. I can’t love a stranger more than myself. That statement was made earlier just to gain people’s favor to make them vote for me in the upcoming election and keep the media quiet. Nothing more, nothing less”, Carlos said, getting up and walking towards where Kevin was seated.
“What if I don’t want to? I can’t betray my sister and break the family ties just because of money. I am sorry, I can’t”, Kevin managed to say, despite the fact that he was scared and didn’t know what Carlos might do.
“You know, when I saw you earlier at the hospital today, I saw something unique in you. Your eyes showed that of bravery and you look like a go-getter. Betray your sister? You guys are not even blood-related. I had someone run a check on you and I found out you have a blind sister. I know you have been trying to source for money for her eye surgery. I can give you that money. All you have to do is to give me the evidence in exchange for the money. And if you comply with my request, I promise to have my hospital’s best eye surgeon operate on her. Also, you can sponsor your education and that of your sister’s with the money and I promise to provide you both with jobs once you graduate. What about that?”, Carlos, who was now behind Kevin’s back, placing his hand on his shoulder said.
On hearing this, Kevin began to have a change of mind. His mind trailed back to Carla and he felt that was the opportunity for his sister to regain her sight but at the same time, he didn’t want to betray Ellie and granny.
“I know this is too sudden for you and too big for you to handle due to your age, but there are some things you have to do even when you fell they are wrong and you do not want to do them. I will give you a day to think about it and for you to make the right decision, just think about your blind sister. What you have to do is very simple; give me the evidence and find a way to convince your grandmother and the victim to forget about the case. That’s all. You have just 24 hours to make your decision. I know you will make the right decision unless, you want your blood sister to be in danger”, Carlos said with a fierce look on his face, which showed that he was serious with what he had said. Kevin got scared on seeing this expression of his, making him scared of what Carlos might do to Carla.
“Here is my card. You know what to do with it once you make your decision. You may take your leave now’, Carlos said, gesturing for Kevin to leave. Kevin, with his shaky legs, got out of the Wordsworth’s mansion, holding onto the contact card in his hand, unsure of what to do.