[31st December]
"Since Rikki was charged with first-degree murder," Nick spoke, clearing the silence during the ride. "His case will start in the magistrates' court, and if he has been found guilty, it will be passed on to the Crown Court." we nodded, taking deep breaths as Nick turned the corner into the place. "Rikki's sixteen and still a minor, though," he shook his head, eyes fixed on the road. "It's a first-degree murder, criminals will be charged regardless of age."
"It's...New Year's tomorrow, isn't it?" our shoulders sank at that, no one was looking forward to it. It was a terrible beginning to a new year. One of our friends is hospitalized and immobilized while another's life was being weighed on the scale of justice.
Nick directly went to the receptionist when we passed through the glass doors. The rest of us lingered in the corner, eyes roaming around the common area of the building; a dull shade of beige with large old pillars holding onto its life. I grimaced; the air felt uptight.
From afar, I heard the clerk tell Nick that there was no hearing arranged for today. My brows furrowed as I made my way to the counter alongside Nick. "What do you mean? I got an email notifying me that Yamamoto Rikki's arraignment was today! 31st of December, ten in the morning!"
"Mr. Hwang, you must've read the email wrongly. It is to inform you of the witness hearing today, arranged for you and Mr. Yang to testify the situation." she motioned to Johnny who perked up at his name. In bewilderment, Nick speedily reviewed the email again and sure enough, it was stated clearly and in bold,
'Witness Hearing on the 31st of December, 10 AM.'
"We also gave you a call, if you remember." Nick's brows knitted. "I don't remember receiving a call." I looked over at him.
He sighed heavily, rubbing his face and he glanced over the others in guilt. "Anyway, I apologize. It was my mistake." Nick gave a light bow to the receptionist. "It is no matter," she smiled. "So, when is the trial supposed to begin?"
"It will be arranged soon and emailed to all participants." Nick nodded before returning to the group by the door.
"So? What went wrong?" Dylan immediately inquired. Nick hung his head low. "I'm sorry, I was so out of it that I had mistaken the witness hearing to be the ordeal. Meaning, only Johnny and I had to come today. I'm sorry," he apologized over and over again for wasting everyone's time.
"It's okay, Nick." Ethan pulled the younger into an embrace, gently stroking his back.
"It has been a tough time for all of us these past few days. We don't and will never blame you, or Ethel." Ethan peered at me over Nick's shoulder. I gave him a small, appreciative smile.
Nick released a shaky sigh. "Okay," he muttered with a tired nod as Ethan let go. "Now, don't stall more time! It's already five minutes past ten." we watched as Johnny and Nick made their way to the counter again for directions. A staff appeared to guide them to the rooms.
Johnny glanced at me from over his shoulder before he left, much to my surprise. He was nervous as he profusely rubbed his sweaty hands together. "You can do this." I mouthed with a small smile. He didn't nod or respond as he turned away.
"Don't worry, we'll be out here waiting when you get back!" Silas shouted to the disappearing boys, earning looks from the opulent people seated in the common area, nose deep into their morning newspapers and instant coffee by their side.
The rest of us decided to sit in a more isolated area, remote from any beings we could disturb. While we were taking seats, Dylan cleared his throat. "I have to go for a bit," he informed. "Where to?"
"My dad's office, he wants coffee but he's still on his shift, he can't walk away or something like that. You get the point." he waved his phone around.
"Isn't there like a coffee machine stationed in his department?" Ethan chuckled, loosening his tie. "He said it was wrecked. A co-worker of his smashed it because the coffee came out lukewarm." we snorted. Oh, poor machine.
"Alright. Are you going to come back?" Dylan hums with a sigh. "I don't know, since I'll be there he might ask me to run a couple more errands for him. God, lines for coffee are always long as hell in the day." he groaned, shoving his phone back into his pocket. We waved him goodbye.
"Grab me coffee too if you ever return!" Silas joked. "Then I'll make sure I don't!" Dylan directed his middle finger at the twin who only took it as friendly banter. "I'm kind of starving, though," Silas leaned back. I faced him. "Did you not eat breakfast?" he shook his head nonchalantly. "We didn't have time to,"
I recalled what Nick had told me in our call last night and winced a little. I hope that was not the case for them this morning. "I can go get you something," I offered, already getting ready to stand up. "But what if the two of them come out?"
"It would take much longer than you expect, Silas," Ethan spoke, scrolling through his phone. "They'd have to provide testimonies and identify items found at the scene if they have any. It's a long process." Silas pouted with a sigh.
"I can wait," he told me. "Let's all go get a satisfying lunch together once it's all done." Silas grinned and swung his legs leisurely, but I was bothered. "Are you sure you can wait? It will take quite a while," he shook his head again.
"I'm used to it."
I frowned at that. I had wanted to ask him if their mother visited this morning too but I made a promise to Nick not to tell anyone, so I kept my mouth shut. I wasn't sure if he meant Silas too. However, Ethan was just beside him so it was safer not to say anything.
"I'll go get you a cup of instant coffee from the machine over there, it might ease your hunger." Silas stopped me. "But coffee isn't good if you drink it on an empty stomach!" I bit my lip in thought.
"Water?" he nodded with a grin. "Thank you, Ethel." I returned his smile before moving my feet to the water dispenser not far from here.
-
While I waited for the cup to fill, I felt a presence behind me. I flinched when an arm was wrapped around my shoulders. Assuming it was one of them playing a prank on me, I turned around, only to meet a pair of unfamiliar eyes. "May I help you?"
"You sure can, sugar." I cringed at the pet name before I turned around again, figuring he was just trouble. When the cup filled perfectly, I stepped forward to return to the pair but the man abruptly got in my way.
"Excuse me?" I scoffed, raising a brow at him. "Why don't we go somewhere private, hm?" he moved closer to which I instinctively took a step back. "What makes you think I'd do that?"
"C'mon, sugar. Don't play hard to get!" he chuckled, attempting to move forward again until I whipped out a pocket knife I recently found in Ethel's room.
"One more step, and I'll make sure you don't have that dangly junk in your pants."
He wooed, feigning fear. "Sugar, do you know who I am? I'm an outstanding person in this building!"
"You're filthy. No trash is ever important as far as I know." I was getting annoyed since the warm water I had gotten for Silas was already turning cold. "Aw, come on," he whined, which made me queasy. "I can gift you with all the treasure in the world! Just-"
He leaned in and I yelped, closing my eyes shut. When nothing happened, I peeked an eye open. My brows furrowed when I realized how much of his face was scrunched up in agony as he made small wheezing noises. I noticed that his hands were wrapped around his crotch. "What-?" I glanced at my pocket knife.
I hadn't hurt him, right?
Suddenly, he wheezed again, this time he fell onto his knees in pain. It was only when he plummeted that I noticed Nick behind him with his hands fisted and his brows knitted.
"How do you like that?" He spat, shoving the tip of his fine polished dress shoe into the man's crotch for the third time. Oh, I was beginning to feel sorry for him. Silas and Ethan heard the commotion and rushed over.
Silas was absolutely floored to realize that his twin was in the center of attention. "N-Nick?!"
Nick rolled his shoes on the man's blue balls and bent down slightly, staring at his face menacingly. The next thing he said to him shocked me greatly.
"Try hitting on my man again, and I'll kill you."
he released the weeping man with another blow to his crotch. "Let's go." he nudged his chin to the exit. We nodded in silence, still dumbfounded about Nick's behavior. We've not seen him like that before.
While the others went ahead, I was taking slower steps to ponder on Nick's remark earlier. My man?
"You heard what he said, right?" Silas asked from beside me. I was startled by his voice. Hell, I was sure I saw him went ahead. "Not sure..." I was doubting my hearing. "Want me to ask him for you?" he side-eyed me. I immediately shook my head. "N-no! It might make things awkward between us!" "How? He doesn't know you heard him." I went silent. Well, that was true. Silas was the one asking, after all.
"Then...can you do that?" I decided to take up his offer. "Sure,"
"Thank you." I grinned.