Trouble With the Truth

2

Matriarch

noun
a woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group.
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6:45. Crap, Veritie thought, scrambling to find a decent outfit. She didn't even know why she wanted to change, but going to Matriarch with Seong-Kim in her work attire seemed unruly. She settled on a plain black tight skirt with matching jacket and heels, growing too lazy to find anything else. She sat down in front of her mirror, pulling her light brown hair into a tight ponytail. After applying a normal layer of makeup, finding her phone, and telling Seong-Kim she was on the way, 7:30 found its way on the clock.
Hustling out of her cramped yet cozy house, she sighed as she finally sat down in her Lexus.
Driving to Seong-Kim's house was easy, since it was only a few blocks down from hers and she felt relieved when he didn't immediately get in the car. She wasn't the only one running a little late.
Only a few minutes later, he exited his house and walked towards her car. He looked nice. Really nice. Tuxedo, brushed back hair, flawless skin, sharp jawline, and dress shoes. He was carrying a bag in one hand and she started laughing when she saw it was covered in kittens.
"What's the bag for?" she asked as he got in the car. He smirked, looking over at her.
"Not telling."
She raised an eyebrow at him, but started driving to the restaurant.
* * * *
Matriarch was well named. The owner, Sun Bom, was a steadfast woman, who Veritie actually personally knew. She'd come to their house often, being friends with her mother.
She clenched her jaw at the thought of her mother. She had died of brain cancer around two years ago. She pushed the thoughts away, not wanting to confront them.
"I'm ready for pizza!" Seong-Kim exclaimed, rubbing his hands together. She rolled her eyes and headed for the building.
It was very nice, with brick columns, walls of glass, bright neon red letters scrawled across the front. She found herself getting excited, pizza dancing around her brain, and she rubbed her hands together just like Seong-Kim had done.
As they were about to enter, a loud screech sounded behind them. They twisted around, ears ringing. A scream pierced the air from someone and Veritie found herself wanting to join them.
A taxi cab had barreled right into the Matriarch sign, the thick concrete of its base splattered with red. Someone got out of the back of the cab, dazed and hobbling. They shook it off and looked around.
"Oh my gosh," Veritie whispered, disbelief shattered across her expression. Seong-Kim looked down at her, confusion etched in his.
"It's Sung-Ki. I got his case today. He should be locked up. He killed people, Seong-Kim."
She was having trouble breathing, but she managed to pull out her phone and call the police, although she assumed she wasn't the first to.
Seong-Kim dashed past her, the speed blowing her hair back. He aggressively approached Sung-Ki, bag still in hand. "No! Seong-Kim, stop!" Veritie screamed while on the phone.
"Miss Creed, are you okay?" the operator asked in their normal nonchalant voice.
"Yes! I mean, no! Sung-Ki is here. Bring the police, please."
"Ma'am, they're already on the way. Someone else has already called this in. Everything will be fine."
Veritie scoffed, doubt filling her mind, and she abruptly hung up.
When she looked up, Seong-Kim had Sung-Ki's arms behind his back, and she could hear them screaming at each other. Sung-Ki was snarling at her coworker, saliva dripping from his opened mouth like a rabid animal. She took a step back, her mind conflicted. She wanted to help, but she didn't want to be anywhere near Sung-Ki.
When they both rotated around, she saw why her new defendant was so angry. He was handcuffed. His wild eyes looked around, and when they fell on her, he laughed. "You must be Veritie Creed. Who else would hang out with this loser. I've also heard that you're my prosecutor." He let out another laugh. "Pathetic."
She narrowed her eyes, fists so tight her nails dug into her palms, leaving half moon indents in them.
Sirens suddenly echoed around them, red and blue filling her vision. A total of seven police cars were now in the parking lot, and policemen leaped out of them before they had even stopped.
Sun Bom suddenly came out of the restaurant, almost running into Veritie. "What on earth is going on?" she asked, looking up at her. Veritie's heart ached. Sun Bom looked ancient. Her small stature was covered in deep and papery thin wrinkles. Her grey hair was up in a bun, and she wore a Matriarch uniform; red and black apron and name tag saying "Manager: Sun Bom."
"A car crashed into your sign. That man got out of the back." She pointed at Sung-Ki.
"Ah, I see," was all she said before disappearing back into her restaurant.
Veritie turned her attention back to the scene laying out in front of her. Three policemen were dragging Sung-Ki into the back of one of their cars, but he was clearly resisting. His heels were digging into the ground, and his muscles were taut. He was wailing too, not crying, but letting out a pained, yet fearless growl.
Seong-Kim walked back, his hair sticking up, his tie unfolded, and a few smudges of blood ruined his white undershirt. He grinned at her, blood filling his mouth. She sighed, rubbing her temples. "You scare me sometimes, you know that, right?" He laughed, then spat  a clot of blood.
"Where'd you get those handcuffs?" she asked him, still watching the now retreating police cars.
"My back pocket," he stated.
"But how'd you know you'd need them?"
"Intuition," he grinned again.