A/n
Most of the chapter is interrogation. The lawyer asks a bunch of questions necessary for the case. Although it's just questions it involves everything Rome went through. So it's upto you if you want to skip or continue.
Enjoy!
Rome Taylor
"Okay so whenever you are ready we can begin this" Henry says calmly.
"We can start..." I tell him trying to sound confident enough.
"Okay so I'll be asking you some basic questions, please feel free to answer only the ones you want to, and in case you want somebody by your side you can call them now. And this conversation will be recorded, and remember this is not the official interrogation. Once this is done and I get an idea of the situation, you'll be interrogated again in the office, I'll be there too so you don't have to worry so shall we begin?"
"I want Otis to be here" I blurt out. I don't even know why I said that. Do I really want a person I barely know in here as I spill the beans?
"Ok but he is not to interrupt you in any way and he will also be interrogated once you're done"
"Yeah ok"
Henry walks out and comes back with Otis. He simply stares in confusion at me.
"Mr Langston, he wished for your presence as I question him, and you are not allowed to influence him in any way and do not interrupt him. Got it?" He says. Otis simply nods and takes a seat beside me.
"Okay firstly, can you describe your relationship with Mr Cooper?" He asks as he turns on the recorder and stares at me in a way that suggests I'm only here to help you but I also have to be professional.
"Uh...I met him 2months after i quit working for the Langstons. I quit the job a year ago. So 10months ago I met him for the first time.
He approached me first actually. He thanked me for suggesting his name to the Langstons. I was quite confused why he was here 2 months after-"
"Sorry to interrupt you, but did you know Adam Cooper before that meeting?" Henry asks.
"No, I heard from my colleagues that he was really good and had great experience in his duty, and I really wanted the Langstons to have a trustworthy person so I recommended him. That's all, I never met him before or even heard of him"
"Okay you may continue"
10 months ago
"So why are you thanking me two months after I got you the job?" I chuckle.
"Well, to be honest I knew you since you moved here. I also came to your house to give you some welcoming gift as well. I really liked, and even now I like you. But I was too shy to approach you" he admits sheepishly.
"So I just wanted to ask....do you want to go on a date with me?" He finally says.
"Uhm"
Present
"So I told him that I was still moving on from someone, but he insisted I go on that date and he told me to be honest after a few dates whether I like him or not.
We started dating two weeks later. And we've been in a relationship since then" I complete, not wanting to tell the full story at a time.
"Alright. Did he ever show signs of any kind of abuse or violence during your relationship?"
"Uhm yes he did" Otis freezes beside me. I could feel the disappointment.
"He yelled at me when he was in a bad mood, and once he slapped me because I was being too clingy and....3 months into our relationship he pushed me and I accidentally fell onto a glass jar..." I admit so slowly I doubt he could hear me.
"Did you have any thoughts of leaving him when he did those?" Henry asks.
"I did...to be honest...my previous foster family was sort of abusive. When Adam started behaving like that I wanted to leave but he was always back to normal. The sweet loving Adam. That confused me so I ended up staying"
"Okay, when did he start imprisoning you in his house and abusing you both verbally and physically? Not the subtle ones but full on abuse, when exactly did it start?"
"It was a month ago, he proposed to me. I rejected him. He didn't like the answer. He told me he already moved all my things into my house and somehow he even sold my house, I don't know how!! He told me he will be receiving the money for now and once we get married he said he would share some of the money" I spat in anger. My house. I built it. It was mine.
"You have no idea how he got his hands on your properties?"
"No. I do not"
"Okay, before asking the next question I wanted to ask you. What is your goal with this case?"
"I don't understand...." I respond. Otis opens his mouth to speak but Henry shoots him a glare.
"What do you want to achieve by fighting against Adam? Financial support? Restraining order? Imprisonment? Stuff like that" he explains.
"Imprisonment and a restraining order to when he gets out of jail. But I'm curious how many years can he get in jail for his crimes?" I ask.
"It depends on the intensity of the situation that is why i wanted to ask you this prior to my next question which is....how bad was the abuse?"
"Oh..I uhm..it was..." I glance at Otis who was quite literally on the edge of tears.
"Mr Langston can leave if you wish so" Henry tells me.
"Uh..no no I just I need some time"
"Okay, we will pause this conversation and we'll continue it after a small break. Get some water" he tells me softly as he walks out.
I take a deep breath in as Otis continues staring at me with sympathy or empathy I can't point out.
"I'll get you some water" he says with a voice crack.
He takes his time bringing the water. In the meantime I try to calm myself down and think how to answer Henry's question. Am I supposed to be completely honest? Can I do that?
"Hey....about his question. You can say whatever you want to. We can even stop it right now and continue it tomorrow if you wish" Otis speaks up. It's as if he can read my mind.
"No. I want to finish this today"
"Okay.."
YOU ARE READING
Defiance
RomanceOtis Langston has just settled into his new house with his two kids and his mother. His kids are his motivation to live, he values them more than his own life. His mother is quite worried if he'll ever open up his heart again....well to answer her...
