The Return Of Adrian Raines

4. Under Arrest

“Young master Daniel! I know you must be surprised, and I promise I will explain everything to you. But I am so grateful that after all these years, you have finally found your way back to us.” The excitement in her voice was unmasked.

Unfortunately for her, Daniel didn't share in her excitement. “Who the hell is this? Do you think you're funny? Calling me and wasting my time with this nonsense.” He spat angrily, immediately blaming himself for answering the call. “I am in no mood for whatever you're doing. Don't you ever call this number again!”

He sighed frustratingly, his life was falling apart and yet someone thought it would be funny to prank him. His heart started beating in an unusual rhythm and the tears he was so determined not to shed was starting to blur his vision.

Just then, the sound of his ring tone filled his ears again. “What the fuck did I just say?!” he answered without checking the caller.

He only paused after hearing the angry voice of his landlord on the other end of the line.

“Am I the one you're talking to in that tone?” The older man barked. “If you know what's good for you, you'll get your good for nothing ass over here this instant and pack your trash out of my house, or else you'll be sorry.”

Alex heaved a heavy sigh, his life had turned into a chain of disaster in less than twenty four hours.

He hurried out of the school premises to the little rooftop apartment he stayed in.

His landlord was standing by the door, with two policemen flanking him on both sides. Daniel knew he had been into his apartment because the door was left ajar.

“You’re Daniel?” One of the officers asked, eyeing his rough appearance.

Daniel gave a single nod in reply. He wasn't sure what to say next, the last thing he wanted was to get in trouble with the police.

“Just look at him, I can't believe I let such a wretched kid live in my house.” The landlord said in an angered tone. “I only allowed him to rent when he claimed to be a student of Crestmont University, now I seriously doubt that's true.

No one who attends that university can be this poor.”

“Sir, I understand that I'm a couple of months behind on my rent—”

“Six fucking months!”

“I know sir, but—”

“You claimed to be a student of Crestmont? Can you prove that?”

The officer took a step towards Daniel, and he could immediately tell that he suspected him of doing something illegal.

There were two ways to prove he was a student there; the first being to show his ID card, but that had been taken from him when he was expelled.

The second would be to have the dean himself confirm it, but Daniel knew the old man would rather die than help him out.

“Wait up, you're Daniel Shaw?” The other officer asked.

“Yes ma'am.” He nodded.

She turned to her partner and whispered, but not quietly enough because he heard her clearly. “He's that lonely kid from the orphanage no one wanted. The one who apparently had amnesia and the school gave a scholarship out of pity.”

“Oh the one they call an unclaimed dog.” The male officer said, his gaze glued to Daniel. “Well the law doesn't care if you're unwanted or not. We'll have to take you down to the station till you can find a way to settle your rent.” His voice held no form of sympathy.

“I'm under arrest? But… then I won't be able to pay the rent.”

“Not our problem, kid.” The male officer said as he cuffed Daniel.

“Mr Turner, please! I have to work in order to pay what I owe.”

His landlord looked at him like he was something disgusting. “Please get him out of my sight.”

Without any consideration to his pleas, Daniel was taken down to the station and locked behind bars. Looking down at his shirt, stained with food and dried blood, all hope felt lost.

All his life, he never had anyone to call his family, but for some reason the thought felt scarier than it ever had, maybe because losing Rachel finally forced him to face reality; he was alone in the entire world.

Of course the money he received from Rachel would be more than enough to settle his rent and bail, but he would rather rot in jail than spend that money. No matter what happened, he would make sure he returned it to her in full.

“Oh wow, if it isn't Crestmont’s unclaimed dog.”

One of Charlie's minions said, his voice, drawing Daniel out of his chain of thoughts.

His father was the head of the police department and he had gone there to demand money, but seeing Daniel locked behind bars fueled his bully instinct.

He immediately took out his phone to record. “Charlie is so gonna wanna see this.” He laughed as he made a video.

“Come on dog, won't you bark like you used to?” He mocked.

Daniel, who had lost all will to fight, remained seated. He didn't even make any attempt to argue or hide his face.

After recording to his satisfaction, he posted it on all the school's social platforms for everyone to see.

In less than an hour, the video had circulated round the whole campus. “I wonder what he is locked up for.” One girl said.

“Who cares?! It's so good to know that the loser is finally behind bars when he belongs.” Another said.

“I hope he rots in there just like how rotten his life is!”

Another girl smacked her lips. “What a waste of good looks.” She said and laughed with her friends.

Outside the police station, several expensive black cars pulled up and a man dressed in a black suit rushed out to open the door for someone, presumably his boss.

An elegant looking woman stepped out of the car and walked firmly into the station, a flood of suited security personnel flocking in after her.

She was dressed in a black fitted dress that reached just her knees, a white coat draped over her shoulders, and matching white heels completing her stunning yet authoritative look. She looked pretty young too, probably in her mid or late twenties and her light brown hair was wrapped up in a high bun.

Anyone could tell that she came from money. The second she walked in, all the officers rose to greet her. Of course they did, she was Lily Foster, the official representative of the Raines family, the richest family in the entire world!

Lily scanned the room with her honey brown eyes, when they landed on Daniel who was seated on the ground in the waiting cell, her veins bulged with anger.

She rushed towards him– the security team still following behind her– and immediately bowed her head. The others followed her lead. ”Young master, accept my sincerest apologies for taking so long to get here.

But I'm here now, and I'll make sure to handle this mess.” She said in a serious tone.

With a confused expression, Daniel could only watch the beautiful woman in front of him, wondering who she might be.