Arrested

The moment I got to work, I noticed the looks everyone was giving me. My eyes scanned them, and they quickly developed an interest in whatever was under them just to avoid meeting my eyes.

Some were engaged in hushed discussions, but when I got closer, they scattered. I got into my office, sat down, and my assistant came rushing in. "You need to see this, Mr. Sommerson."

I opened the file, and I was greeted with a bad line. 'Unusual cash flow and forgery of contracts.'

I frowned and asked coldly, "Where did you get this?"

"F-Finance department," my assistant stammered. "T-They noticed the relation b-between t-the account of the funds a-and your personal account."

Flames of fury burned me whole. I asked my assistant, "And who started this whole thing?"

"C-Claude Landton, s-sir."

Flames of fury flared further.

Yet, I held it down and called Winona right away. "Where are you?"

Coldly, dispassionately, she answered, "Outside. Claude and I are talking business. What is it?"

I gnashed my teeth and sneered. "Good. He's accusing me of embezzlement and contract forgery. Tell him to get over here right now. We have matters to settle."

For once, she fell into deep silence. Then, imperiously, she said, "Why should he? His time is worth as much as yours. And he told me everything. The files are verified. It's true. You've been keeping him down for years, and you won't even let him expose the truth?"

I nearly blacked out. I clenched my fists so hard that my knuckles were white. No, my fury could not be held back this time.

"His explanation to you means jack shit! Who do you think you are? I gave you my money for five whole years, and now you're going to bite the hand that feeds you because of that bastard? If you love him so much, then I'll shove you and him into jail together!"

A pregnant pause ensued. I hung up before Winona could say anything, but my hand was still trembling. I worked myself to the bone to support her, and what did I get in return? An ungrateful wench.

I told my assistant to sort out the files and tell everyone about what would happen, then I grabbed my phone again. Moments of hesitation later, I called the cops.

Then, Winona showed up. She stormed into my office again, this time looking like something straight out of a horror movie. She was like a vengeful spirit. Claude was standing right behind her, grinning widely. I could see the smugness in his eyes.

I scanned him coldly, but Claude didn't even look away. He even nodded at me, as if he was challenging me to even touch him.

She screeched, "How dare you! How dare you yell at me! You have no— You have no right! Get down on your knees and apologize to Claude, or I'll never forgive you!"

The commotion grabbed the others' attention. I did not do as I was told.

Instead, I slapped her with every ounce of force my arm could muster. The impact almost made her stumble and lose her balance.

Claude quickly held her up.

The slap stunned her. Winona looked at me, shivering. Blood was trickling down her lips, but she said nothing.

Claude shot me a furious glare. "You can't hit her, Nathaniel! You're her fiance! I'm not going to let her marry you!" He turned to Winona. "It's alright, Winona. I'll call the cops. I'll make this bastard pay."

Right after he took his phone out, a group of cops came in. That stunned him, and he stood up. He had questions racing through his mind.

Winona cried her heart out, but the cops did not give her a moment of their time. They asked around and found out I was the one who made the report. Once they were done with their questions, they took Claude away for questioning.

She stopped crying. She jabbed a finger at me and shouted, "You got the wrong guy! You should take him away, not Claude!"

I laughed mirthlessly. Even now, she wanted to defend Claude and sacrifice her own fiance. Girlfriend of the year, huh?

Panicked, Claude stammered, "I was only going to report Nathaniel for financial dispute. Why are you taking me in?"

I sneered. "Because that's the general process. You accused me of embezzlement and contract forgery. You didn't do your homework, did you? Look before you leap, you know. You can't take me down if you're lazy. And this isn't over, Claude. We have a lot of trials to go through. See you in court."

Claude froze, then he swerved around, turning his attention to Winona. Winona was at a loss as well.

The cops took Claude away anyway. Winona had no idea what she should do. Leave? Stay? None of those sounded right, so she yelled at me. "Tell them it's not Claude's fault, Nathaniel! Tell them! Tell them to let him go, or… or I'll never marry you!"

I took a deep breath. Five years. Five years wasted on… this woman.

Coolly, I said, "Good. I'll cancel the engagement. We're done."