DIVIDED ALLEGIANCE

UNSEEN THREATS.

"Senator," Alexander stood the moment the police warden appeared with Senator Fabian, now clad in a stark prisoner uniform. The irony of his current attire wasn't lost on anyone.

"Mr. Senator," Adrian, his attorney, greeted him.

Fabian offered a curt nod in acknowledgment.

"I have to get out of here," he blurted out the instant they were settled for their discussion.

Attorney Adrian sighed, a hint of defeat in his expression. "I'm trying, Senator, but don't worry, I will definitely make it happen. Your court date is in two weeks, and..."

"So? I need to be out of here before then. This place isn't for me," Fabian seethed.

Adrian sighed again. "It's proving incredibly difficult to secure your release, Senator. The evidence against you is substantial and irrefutable. I'm sorry."

Infuriated, Fabian slammed his hand on the table. "Keep... trying. No matter what, I have to get out of here," he insisted, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"How's the plan progressing?" he asked, and Adrian sighed.

"I'm still working on reaching them. That lawyer has clearly made a strong impression," Adrian replied. "But rest assured, I will do my utmost."
Fabian scoffed, a look of utter contempt twisting his features.

"Arianna Rodriguez," he muttered to himself, his lips curling into a malicious smirk.

"She doesn't have powerful men backing her, yet she seems to make those who do tremble at the mention of her name. None of them want any involvement," Adrian observed.

"That stupid bitch," Alexander cursed under his breath.

"Find everything about that woman. Leave no stone unturned," Fabian ordered.

"Understood, Senator," Adrian confirmed.

"And I must be out of this place before the week ends. Make it happen, Adrian," he commanded.

Adrian nodded, despite knowing the impossibility of the task. "I'll be going now, Senator. I have a meeting with Governor Ellish."

"Yes, you should go. And Alexander, you remember what I mentioned the other day?"

Alexander swallowed nervously. "I should proceed with the plan?" he asked for confirmation.

"Yes. Vincent definitely owes me one, after all," Fabian smirked slyly.

"I will do as you instructed, Senator," Alexander replied with a curt nod before leaving the room with the attorney. Senator Fabian was then escorted back to his confinement.

<<<<<<<<<<<

The creaking sound of her office door opening made Arianna look up from her work.

"Shirley!" she exclaimed in surprise.

"Hi, best," Shirley offered a small wave.

"What are you doing here?" Arianna asked, genuinely surprised by the unexpected visit.

"I'm fine, and you?" Shirley countered with a small smile.

Arianna chuckled at her oversight.

"How are you? How are Andrew and the kids?"

"Fine. I saw the news," Shirley blurted out.

Arianna offered a wry smile and a shrug, her expression unreadable. She knew exactly what her friend was referring to.

"Yeah, he's been apprehended, and I'm going to court in less than two weeks," Arianna explained calmly, her index finger tapping lightly on the table.
Shirley rolled her eyes with a sigh.

"Every single person in America knows all of this already... Are you really going through with this?" she asked, worry etched on her face.

"Yes," Arianna replied calmly and firmly.

"And Richard?" Shirley pressed.

Arianna shrugged nonchalantly, but the conflicting emotions swirling in her eyes were evident. "He's fine... been quiet since it went viral," she said, trying to mask the hurt in her voice, but Shirley knew her too well.
Shirley huffed out a sigh. "He... he'll come around... probably," Arianna offered weakly.

Shirley scoffed. "'Probably'?"

"Arianna, he's worried about you,"

Shirley exclaimed, her voice sharp and stern.

"Then what do you want me to say, huh? He will someday accept the fact that I'm already involved in this," Arianna stated.

"Richard doesn't want you to do this. He doesn't want you involved," Shirley pointed out...

"But I want to do this, and I am involved. He should just accept it."
Shirley stared at her friend in disbelief. Why was she being so incredibly stubborn?

"Senator Fabian isn't just anyone. He's a big fish in the political world. He has power... authority."

"Do you think he'll just sit back and let you take him to court? He has his own people," Shirley added.

"Then why is he still in jail? He should be out by now. I can do this, Shirley. You all just have to believe in me,"

Arianna said, her voice rising as she stood abruptly. Shirley stood as well, confronting her friend.

"We all believe in you, Aria, but this is too dangerous. What are you even so obsessed with?"

"Because it's the right thing to do. It's justice," Arianna replied firmly.

"Does being a barrister mean you have to put yourself in grave danger all in the name of justice? No matter what we do, this world will always remain flawed. We are all flawed," Shirley countered.

"No, they are the flawed ones."

Shirley sighed and shook her head. "I just hope you don't end up hurting yourself and your loved ones in the end."

"No one will get hurt," Arianna replied, looking away, her face resolute and serious.

Shirley sighed and picked up her elegant handbag from the table. "I hope this all goes smoothly. I pray so." With these final, weighty words, Shirley strode out of her friend's office.

Arianna exhaled shakily, swallowing hard as a single, chilling phrase echoed in her mind – words from the previous night:

"Watch your back, Barrister."

© Adira H.

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