here we are, again | billie eilish

24 | the decision

continued..

we resumed from recess and the courtroom seemed to be fuller. like more people were sitting in the back which kinda annoyed me because everyone just wants to watch some drama.

but i didn't pay attention to them. i had other things to focus on because it was lisa's turn to cross exam me.

"mrs. rose- o'connell," she started. "thanks to mr. clark, we're all aware that mr. marino told you not to walk that night, but we weren't told why. can you explain?"

"he was upset," i started. "i had told my wife about how he treated me. so, being the overprotective woman that she is, she confronted him and told him to leave me alone."

"which caused him to threaten to make the job harder for you, right?" lisa asked.

"yes," i nodded. "his ego was hurt."

"what else happened?" she asked me.

"when the director told me i could walk anyway, luca told me that it wasn't over," i sighed. "so later that night when he had me pinned to the bed, about to assault me... um-"

"what did he say to you, leilani?"

"shut up," i said lowly. "don't think i won't kill you."

"and what else?" lisa asked.

"um," i looked down. "you tell billie to watch who she's talking to next time."

billie's eyes got wide and she furrowed her eyebrows.

"why didnt you mention that when the police asked?" lisa continued.

"billie was right next to me," i said. "and i didn't want her to know."

lisa nodded and mouthed the word "good" to me.

"no further questions your honor," she said as she walked away.

the judge sighed. "mrs. rose- o'connell, do you not have any witnesses that can testify to mr. marino's behavior?"

"um no ma-"

"yes," one girl said as she stood up from the audience in the back. "i'd like to testify."

i recognized her to be one of the models i worked with. we never talked at all but i remember her face.

"me too, your honor," another model said.

"i can too," another stood up.

and then one last girl stood up. "me too."

and it was my dear frankie.

my eyes got wide as i was in so much shock. i then looked at lisa who was also in shock. but then i looked at billie and she winked at me.

im assuming she called them up.

wow.

they all testified, giving their inappropriate experience with luca marino and how they witnessed him touch other girls inappropriately as well.