"Give me your names." The police officer boredly looked at the two ladies in front of him. Eliza, whose hair was disheveled, and the woman next to her, Allison, whose nose had tissue stuck inside to stop her nosebleed.
"Allison Mendez," Allison told the police officer while glaring at Eliza. "She started it."
"What about you?" The police officer was now facing Eliza, ignoring what Allison just said after her name.
"Eliza Martinez," Eliza answered while checking her phone, waiting for Vasquez to contact her.
"Aversin." A man's voice was heard from the police station's entrance, correcting Eliza's surname. Everyone looked in his direction.
Eliza didn't bother to look at the man, as the voice was very familiar to her. It was Vasquez's voice. Although she was quite annoyed with how he corrected her surname since she didn't want to drag Jalil's name into this trouble, she was still thankful he arrived on time.
"Calling your lawyer's best friend here, huh?" Allison scoffed, but Eliza just controlled her temper and ignored her. She didn't want to make things worse. If they were not in the police station, she swore Allison's face would need a thousand stitches by now.
"What a coward," Allison added. This time, Eliza let out a deep sigh and glared at her.
"Look who's talking. Me? Coward? Who called the police again because she was afraid of what I could do?" Eliza retorted.
Allison's expression changed, and her fist was now closed. "Bitch!"
"Mhm? Calling yourself?" Eliza smirked. And in just a split second, Eliza's face swung to the right after she received a forceful slap from Allison.
Everyone was astonished, including the police officer who was currently talking to Vasquez.
Eliza was about to return the slap, but her hand was held back by someone. She tried to pull her hand, but her wrist was tightly held. "Let me go."
"Did you just slap my wife?" A deep voice of a man was heard. Everyone was silent. No one expected his presence. His aura was emanating dominance around the four corners of the station.
Eliza slowly looked behind her and met the cold gaze of Jalil. She felt his hold slowly loosening as he rested her hand down. She saw how his gaze turned dark when he looked in Allison's direction.
"She started it!" Allison defended herself; nervousness was shown in her face.
"Jalil, it's fine," Vasquez said as he got near them. "Let the officers settle this matter."
The police officer cleared his throat and walked towards Jalil. "Sir, pardon me. She's your wife?"
Jalil just stared at the police officer. It was indeed that Eliza's veil got in the way during their marraige, which prevented reporters and journalists from having a clear picture of her face. Not to mention that the photoshoots they did prior to and after the wedding were exclusive to both the guests of the wedding and their families. With this, Eliza was unfamiliar to some.
The officer was in an awkward silence as he didn't receive an answer from Jalil. His intense stare was enough for the officer to know his reply.
The officer cleared his throat once again and looked at Vasquez. "And you are her attorney, right?"
Vasquez nodded politely. The officer sat down in his swivel chair and took a deep sigh after he looked at Eliza and Allison. "You know. This is just a minor disagreement since none of you is severely injured. So, I suggest that both parties should resolve this in good and peaceful talk."
Allison stood up in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?! I was punched in the face! You saw my bleeding nose, and you even gave me a tissue!"
The police officer just looked at Allison with a disinterested gaze. "Yes. But, I don't think it's a big deal. Besides, you're more at a disadvantage since you assaulted her here. There are more witnesses against you than against her. Did anyone see her punched your face?"
Allison was taken aback. She knew right away that the police officer was being biased. She chuckled bitterly and glared at Eliza before returning her gaze to the police officer. "You're just favoring her because she's an Aversin. You're too biased!"
The officer stood up in anger. "Mind your words, woman!"
"If you don't mind, Ms. Mendez, can I ask you a question? Why did she punch you?" Vasquez joined in, but Allison just glared at him.
"Shut up, Lor! Don't meddle."
"With all due respect, be mindful of your mouth, Ms. Mendez. I'm not here to be her friend but an attorney," Vasquez politely said.
Allison closed her fist in anger. "We're not in trial court; why does she need a lawyer?"
"You can't answer a question with another question. I asked you first, Ms. Mendez."
"Wow!" Allison laughed at what Vasquez said. "I can't believe this unfair treatment."
Jalil let out a faint sigh and walked closer to the police officer who was assigned to settle the girls. "I would like to apologize for the trouble we've caused you. But I have an important meeting, and I couldn't leave without my wife."
The police officer understood what Jalil was trying to say, so he nodded and formed a wide smile as he stretched his hand towards Jalil for a handshake. "Of course I understand, Mr. Aversin. Your wife will be released now."
"Hey, what?! I am the complainant, and I was the one she assaulted! I am the victim here! Why are you releasing her?!" Allison opposed, slamming her palm on the officer's table. The police officer was about to say something, but he saw Jalil move his body to face the woman.
"Atty. Vasquez asked you earlier, but instead you just kept on complaining. You're wasting our time. If you only told them what happened then, this matter should have been resolved." Jalil paused for a moment, fixed his necktie, and looked at his watch.
"Anyway, I still have 5 minutes more," Jalil said, facing Allison. "On behalf of my wife, I want to settle this situation with you. I will give you choices of settlement, and you are free to choose any of them. Is that okay with you?"
Allison glanced at Eliza before nodding her head as a response to Jalil.
"Okay. First, you will tell the police officer everything that happened and we will listen to you. My wife will take responsibility if she is proved guilty. And of course, my wife will tell her side as well. Second, you will agree to release my wife and both of you will reconcile. Third, you will take responsibility if my wife proves she's innocent and you will agree if we file assault charges against you. You slapped my wife earlier, and I saw a cut on her cheek. Your choice."
After Jalil finished his sentence, Allison felt shivers up her spine as she looked closely at Eliza's cheek. There was indeed a bleeding scratch on her face. She closed her fist and realized she was wearing a ring on her index finger.
Allison looked around her and felt the gazes of everyone focused on her—they were waiting for her answer like she was the climax of the movie.
She furiously glanced at Eliza in defeat and walked out of the police station without saying anything.
The police officer looked in the direction where Allison had just left, then he looked at Eliza. "So she's guilty, then?"
Eliza just let out a faint sigh. "Of course. I didn't punch her."
Jalil glanced at his watch, then gave a cold stare to Eliza. "We need to talk."