The training session this morning with Armando has just started. Before he introduced the new lesson, he called for a roll call to determine if there were absences in the training room that day. When he was going to call the name of Hale, nobody responded. He called him again but he never heard the voice from that person.
He was wondering why his girlfriend was not around. He just saw him early in the morning, so he assumed that Hale would not make any absences. So, he asked the trainees if they knew where their classmate was. Unfortunately, they also don't know.
He was so worried and his heart beat fast. He excused himself first to the trainees and then got out of the training room. He ran to the office to approach the boss. He assumed that he met the right person to ask.
"Oh, what is the rush, Armando? Why do you look exhausted?" his boss asked.
"Sir... Have... you... seen... H-H-Hale?" He was gasping and catching his breath.
"Don't you know that he was sent to jail? Where were you earlier?"
"W-W-What? What did you say? Seriously? Hale is in jail? Just what?"
Armando started to get mad and he secretly clinched his fists. His face turned red which made his oozing emotions unhidden.
"Why are you asking? And why does your face look red?"
"I am just concerned. He is still a student, how absurd he was sent to jail. What is his mistake?"
"Hhhmmm... I am wondering why you are so interested in him. He is just a trainee. In our company, we don't tolerate wrongdoings, especially to criminals."
"Then tell me, so that I will not ask for more questions. I just wanted to know the status of my trainees to maintain peace."
Harrison turned back and bit his lips. It looks like he felt guilty about what he did. He is citing that Armando must be a boyfriend of Hale. He thinks that nobody would mind Hale unless that person has a strong relationship with him.
"Alright! If that is the way so that you will keep your mouth shut, I will tell you frankly that... I was the one who sued him for theft. Are you satisfied with my answer?"
"You? I can't believe it. Just how? Why did you sue him? What is his fault?"
"He stole anything from this office. I just gave him a task to count the bills and coins manually, then commanded him to do account reconciliation for his practice in bookkeeping."
"Then what is your proof that he stole anything?"
"I assumed that my money had been stolen because of an unmatched count from the last time I counted it."
Armando cannot take this anymore. He left the office and bid goodbye to his trainees. He asked his boss permission to visit Hale. From the time he was permitted with his favor, he immediately started his car and drove fast.
He slapped the steering wheel in great impulse. He is like a bomb that is ready to burst and boom. He is so very furious like a spicy jalepeño.
"Arrrrrrgggggghhhhhh! Damn you! How could you, Xander? Fuck you!"
Even though he has a strong personality and is a tough man, he cannot deny that he can still cry especially in this situation. What happened to him is the worst and such a nightmare for him. No matter what happened to his life, for him, it is quite okay, but this time it pushes the button and crosses the limitation on him.
He loves Hale so much, his girlfriend is like a gem to him that he can keep and give care to. He thought that he was successful in what he did to Xander, but the world slapped him with the truth that the victory was on him.
"How dare you send my girlfriend to jail, Xander? Huh! I thought you loved him too! Are you really that evil? You are destroying one's future! Shit!"
Due to his fiery anger, he cannot control himself. The beast's mood wore his soul and he even acted like a wolf that growls loudly. When he was near the police station, about half a mile away, he accidentally hit an old man in front of his car.
"Oh dammit!" He immediately got out of his car.
"I only rented this car, I don't want to be in trouble," he whispered.
Fine that the man in the lane is not totally hurt. He offered himself to provide help and suggested bringing the granny to the hospital.
"I am okay. I want you to be calm, okay?" the oldie responded which chilled him.
Maybe that old man is sent from above to send Armando a message.
"Oh god, I hope he was okay."
He went back to the car with puzzles on his mind. He didn't expect that the old one could still walk properly and with a good posture.
"Is he an angel sent to me? I think it is, I was so fucking insane late. I need to be calm and must not waste my energy in madness."
He continued his driving until he reached the destination. He cannot wait any more, he wants to meet Hale, hug him tight, and comfort him so badly.
His eyes began to water, he really felt emotional after what happened. Maybe he was being backlashed by his bad deed. He is aware that he almost killed Xander, but it is still unfair to him. He wanted a fair fight, eye for eye and teeth for teeth. If Xander or Harrison is mad at him, he must be the one to be hurt and not his girlfriend.
After a few minutes, he can finally see the silhouette of the logo of the police department. The excitement is rising, but he needs to drive safely. After a patient waiting, he finally entered the entrance and asked the officer a favor.
The officer on the desk commanded the police one heading on the cells. Hale's name got called, so he immediately got out of the cell and headed to the visiting station.
Armando finally saw Hale wearing in yellow shirt and he approached him then gave him a tight hug.
Hale sobs and makes a sound while crying. He even coughed and his face moistened due to intense tears.
"Oh my god, tha-..."
"Hale, I am now here. Everything will be alright, my dear."
"Armando..."
(Coughs)
(Sobs)
"I thought you could not find me. I am so terrified here. Please help me to get outta here."
"Yes, I will. I love you very much, Hale. You are not alone. I already know who did this to you."
He is speechless right now. He has a gut that Armando already knew that the boss was the one who sued him and let him be arrested and jailed.
"Just be strong, Hale. Okay? I will find you a lawyer, a competitive one, and the one who will defend you and prove that you are totally innocent."
"I am praying on that, Armando. I really didn't do anything wrong. I am not a criminal. I'm innocent..."
Hale bursts into tears again because he cannot imagine that he is suffering even though he is innocent. He swore to God that he worked ethically at Fuentabella Company. From now on, he is convinced that Harrison is Harrison, he is thinking that Xander might be really dead. His boss is just playing him and taking advantage of his weakness.
"Just cry, my dear. I feel you."
Armando even cried, he didn't keep himself acting steel-hearted. He is feeling pity for their relationship because they cannot live together and he will sleep, eat, and work just alone.
"Armando, what we gonna do? I don't want to stay here in jail overnight. Is there a chance I can get outta here in purgatory?"
"It might not gonna happen. The evidence is so strong, but don't you ever lose hope. I am here and willing to uplift you. How about if I ask help to your parents? I can borrow money from them to pay a strong lawyer."
Hale felt embarrassed to himself. He is not ready yet. Well, reality hurts, and he must accept the truth that he is now in jail. He doesn't have any choice but to accept what his boyfriend advises him. In the end, he nodded and gained confidence.
"If that would be the only solution, I will go with it. I have trust in you, Armando. I hope my family fights for me as well, I don't want to be hurt again."
"Trust me, Hale. You cannot fight this alone. It is now the right time to use wealth to get justice. We will fight, we can do this, okay? I promise you, I will avenge you. If Harrison wants a war, I will give him a goddamn revolution! I am your ace, the only person who knows his weakness. Mark my word, Hale. I WILL AVENGE YOU!"