THE INMATE

TWO NIGHT'S, ONE SHIFT

Clark's POV

I kept staring at her—the tears that rolled, the little smile she tried to pretend with. The weariness in her face—I could… maybe, kind of feel her pain.

“My un—cle—” she stuttered.

“Your uncle? You mean that little dude is your uncle?” I mumbled, confused. But she smiled, then shook her head.

“Not at all. My uncle sold me to him.”

God! I was heartbroken. How could one’s uncle do something so evil like that?

“Why?!” I let out confused, watching her eyes get clouded with tears again.

“What else, if not for his selfish interest?” she cried, then paused. “Before I can get freed, I’ll have to pay seventy thousand dollars.”

Our eyes met at the mention of that. I was mute, then her smile came.

“Now that you’ve heard the story, can we now get inside?” she demanded, standing up from where she sat.

“Sure,” I mumbled, still shocked, taking a step after her.

Inside, I didn’t say a word to her. It was just like yesterday—we became strangers again. I’m sure she was worried. I didn’t eat, nor did I say a word to her.

I didn't know what had come over me, or why I acted that way. But somehow, I just didn't see the need to communicate further.

The rest of the day, it was just like living with a total stranger, which I admit I am.

She let me sleep in her room again, and again, she kept rolling and hissing nonstop on her bed. I wanted to help, or maybe say something that would make her relax, but… I watched her battle with her emotions until she got tired and slept off.

I couldn't sleep either, I just faced the ceiling while thinking about her situation. I was practically restless.

Early the next day, I woke up first. I sat at the edge of her bed, watching her sleep. She repeated the same word from last night. I felt really bad watching her go through all of these.

“Don't worry, I'll try my best to help you. You wouldn't live in fear anymore”. I whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead, before leaving.

At the city bank, there stood beautiful Mary, the receptionist from way back. She didn't fail to immediately recognise me. I couldn’t believe she still worked there. It’s been thirteen years, yet nothing seems to have changed.

“Welcome back, Sir,” Mary—the now old-looking lady—said with her usual warm smile while handing me my keys.

“It’s been a long time,” I mumbled, gently patting her shoulder.

“Did anyone come around?” I whispered, tossing the key into the air.

“Yes, but I did as you instructed.” She answered with a slight bow.

“You’ve done well,” I said, before heading to my shelf.

Everything was just as I left it. I grabbed my phone, powered it, and just as it turned on, the image of Victoria and I surfaced on the bright screen. I gnashed my teeth with annoyance, then put it back into the shelf. Grabbed some cash, my car key, and headed straight to the salon.

After which I got cleaned up, purchased a new apartment, and called back my personal guard, Anthony.

Anthony has been a faithful guard. He’s all changed—a little older—but… I can’t wish for a better guard aside from him.

“It’s good to have you back, Sir,” he said as soon as he saw me, and I threw the car key at him.

“It feels good seeing you again,” I said, going over to give him a hug.

“How’s Victoria?” I mumbled after I let go.

“Still single,” he answered. Then a slight grin escaped my lips.

“You’ve done a great job. I knew I could entrust you,” I muttered, while still smiling.

“And my father?” I continued.

“Still convinced you are out of the country”

I took a deep breath after his response. I have indeed missed my father.

“Prepare—we’ll be going to see him. And after that, I have an assignment for you.”

“Yes, Boss,” he said, before I went inside.

I couldn’t have been more happy, seeing all my plans thirteen years ago still taking root. Maybe I’ll pay a little visit to Victoria… and to my father. But how do I make up for my absence and years of lies?

I had my ass finally pinned on my bed. Somehow, all of those thoughts were nothing compared to how bad I felt for ignoring Isabella.

I’m sure she must be looking for me now. Will she hate me if she eventually discovers my plan?

“Sir?” Anthony’s voice echoed from the other end as he knocked on the door.

“Come in,” I said, and he immediately stepped in, clicking his black polished shoe on my marbled floor.

“Everything is ready, Sir,” he said with a slight nod.

I took a deep breath, I was a bit relieved, but… I was scared to see my father. It's been thirteen years, he must have really aged.

“After you then,” I eventually said to Anthony who was still waiting for me.

While we drove to my father’s house, I felt really weird. Everything seemed so different—even the road. I honestly can’t believe it’s been thirteen years since I last rode on this road. And my father… he isn’t even aware his son went to jail. This is indeed chaotic.

“Do you think he’ll be angry?” I eventually broke the silence between Anthony and I, as we got closer to the house.

“I can’t tell for sure, Sir. But I know he’ll be glad to see you.”

Those words really assured me, until we got to the entrance to our house. One of the things I loved to watch back then, while growing as a kid, is our gate. But now, I'm a grown up, nothing excites me again.

“Nothing has changed”. I whispered to Anthony, before I sighted my Dad, he was at the balcony when he spotted my car.

His face flushed with a smile, I couldn't resist running over to hug him, he was indeed in great surprise.

“Clark?!”. His voice shrinked, so full of excitement, then he came over and gave me a tight hug.

“Dad” I uttered, but my voice was barely audible.

“Where have you been all these while? I've been worried sick. No calls, no text”. He said, then started to look at me in disbelief.

“You reduced, what happened? Is the workload too much?” he said, touching my cheeks.

“It's a long story Dad, but I'm okay. I've missed you”. I blushed, then he cleared his squeezed up face and smiled back at me.

“A long story?! I have all the time in the world to spare”. He said excitedly.

“Quickly, come, I'll ask them to prepare a lot of meals for you. You are just like the prodigal son and now, I just have to act like the father”. He teased, then we both started laughing.

“Quickly, come in”. He said, talking a walk ahead of me.

I didn't know my Dad was this affectionate, I only smiled, while watching him from behind. He kept turning back every second, to ensure I was coming.

Just while I settled in, he had a lot of food prepared for me. He made sure l shared my story with him. Well, I did tell him a lot, but I never mentioned to him I was in jail, I only managed to tell him a convincing story.

“Dad, I need to catch up with some of my friends. I promise to come visit tomorrow”. I let out after hours of conversations.

He glared up, I knew he didn't want me to go, his expression read it all.

“It's alright. Don't hesitate to ask for a favour if you need any. I'll deposit some funds into your account. I need you to be taken care of. The heir to the HK company can't be looking like this…”. He paused, then flashed a smile at me.

“I'm not looking so bad Dad. But I appreciate”. I let out with a grin, gave him a hug, then stepped out with Anthony.

My face was all covered with a smile. Thirteen years of not seeing my Dad, he was already getting old, the wrinkles on his face had become a little visible. Somehow, I don't even see the need to commit a crime that would lead me to jail, but… I'm yet to start my mission.

I just hope I don't regret my actions later.

“Where next Sir?”. Anthony interrupted halfway to the ride.

“Take Me to Victoria”. I let out in a low, venomous tone.

“Okay Boss”. Anthony answered

And at an instant, he drove down to her apartment.

“Is this where she lives?”. I asked, a little disappointed, while taking a look at the unfamiliar environment.

“Yes Boss”. Anthony's voice came right after.

I smiled then mumbled “Let's wait for her to come out. I don't want her to know I'm out of the prisons already”.

“Noted Sir”.

“Are you aware of her favourite loc—a—t…?”. I paused, confused, surprised, shocked…There she was, the woman I sacrificed all for, the one who betrayed me and accused me of rape. VICTORIA.

Her name still echoes, but unlike everyone Victoria didn't seem to change. She only looked sad. I wish I missed her, but—I don't, I only feel hate for her.

“Gently follow her”. I said to Anthony who had turned back to look at me.

He did as I had commanded. I watched her every step, she didn't know she was followed, until she got to a coffee shop and went inside.

“Coffee shop?”. I muttered confused, while glaring at Anthony.

“Yeah, she works here”. Anthony answered.

“That's great then, wait here”. I said, stepping out of the car after adjusting my outfit and putting on some perfume.

In the buzzling coffee shop, I managed to find a close spot at the window side, from there, I could see every damn person in the shop. She didn't notice when I walked in, she was having a little banter with her boss who complained of her lateness.

“You are late again, Victoria… Don't worry, just go attend to that customer at the extreme”. I heard her say, I knew she was referring to me, so I pretended to be on my phone, until that unchanged, familiar voice echoed.

“Hello Sir, what would you like to order?”.

“Coffee please, less sugar, more milk”. Just as I always like my coffee, I mumbled, while still having my face buried in my phone. I noticed she hesitated a little, before going. I'm sure she recognised my voice or even, my pattern of coffee.

Minutes later, she was back with the coffee.

As she came closer, I slowly raised my head.

“Jesus!” She exclaimed shocked, as she locked in gaze with me. The coffee immediately fell off from her. I didn't fidget, I remained calm like nothing had happened. Immediately, her boss came over, apologized and scolded her to get another coffee.

“I'm so sorry Sir”. She apologised with the tray on her hand, then walked away.

She returned, yet, still in shock. I could feel the atmosphere thicken, her eyes kept darting with fear.

“Here you g—go Sir”. She stuttered, dropping the coffee on my table. She stood, gazing at me in shock.

“You've got any problems?” I let out, then she apologised and left.

A few seconds after the coffee, I paid, then left without uttering a word. I went to my car real quick, knowing she will most likely follow me. Moments later, there she was, scanning the environment. I knew she was looking for me.

“Perhaps, she still loves you”. Anthony whispered.

“She's just a snitch and a gold digger. Take me home”. I let out annoyed, while watching her enter back inside.

All that came to my mind as we drove back, was our relationship thirteen years ago. It was beautiful, it was actually my dreamed life, I thought I was living it, not up until that night. Vicky started really weird, she didn't want us to be intimate before marriage, and I respected that. But there she was that very night, crying to me to come over “I'm really scared”, so she said. There has been a recent robbery around her and she needed me to come spend the night with her.

I came, that was our first ever night together. I trusted Victoria with all of my existence. My friends were jealous of me, because of how loyal she was. But that night, I saw a different Victoria, a wild and slightly dangerous one.

That night, there was an unusual hunger for intimacy, but her eyes said something different.

Not even in my weirdest dream did I imagine that night. First she apologised to me, then made me promise to hit her. I didn't want to, but she forced me. I hit her, once, then she started yelling, tearing her clothes and shouting “Rape!“ It took me minutes to come out of reality, and even when I knew what was happening, we were all in court.

There she stood, the one of my dreams. Unapologetic, bold… she stared deep into my eyes and accused me of rape and abuse.

I hit her, of course I did. I had no evidence to prove my innocence and there, I was imprisoned for thirteen years.

”Boss“. Anthony's voice echoed as he drove into my garage.

I didn't even realise we had reached home, I thanked him, then stepped out of my car.

“You said you have a task for me,” he reminded.

“Yes”. I mumbled a little stressed, then whispered some words to him, before handing him a piece of paper with an address on it.

Hours later, they arrived. I was in my sitting room, when Anthony walked in with her. She didn't stop screaming.

“Let her go”. I mumbled, while still backing them.

There was a minute silence, before she started yelling again.

“Aren't you tired of hurting me? What the heck do you want from me, you moron. I've given you everything, what else do you want? My life? Huh…? Why don't you just go ahead and kill me, you vampire!”

“Leave us”. I commanded Anthony, and almost immediately I heard his footsteps fade off, as he stepped out.

“What now? Do you want to rape me? Say something you swine!”. She cried out.

“Where are the Documents?” I whispered, then she let out a horrific laughter.

“What document now?! Just wondering when you will get tired, because I'm sooooo done with your silly games”.

I couldn't endure the drama, then I started laughing.

“What? What now? You think you are funny?” she said, then paused with shock as I turned to face her.

“What?! You were saying something”. I mumbled, then took a step closer

“How? What's happening?” she let out, still shocked.

“Sit”. I commanded, then took a seat opposite hers.

“I—I…”

“Shhh” I shushed, I watched her, innocent, timid and confused. In her eyes, there was terror, like one who had seen a ghost.

“Clark?”. She said, still shocked.

“How are you?” I answered, then she nodded her head slightly and said.

“I honestly don't know how I feel, but, what is going on?”