Conspiracies

23. The survival of the fittest.

We spent weeks preparing for the trial with the best lawyers that my mother brought. When we had everything ready, I realized all the evidence that we had collected. They were boxes and boxes full of documents. Tian had contributed many more, making things much easier for us.

Now I was on the terrace of my new apartment, with a 24-hour surveillance system inside it and men at the doors, protecting me. The sky was terribly dark tonight. Stars were hardly visible. The frigid air caused my skin to crawl every second that I stood there staring into the darkness, my head full of thoughts.

Tomorrow morning was going to be the long-awaited trial against Lasse. The national and international press has not stopped documenting every second and every movement that has occurred since we publicly accused him. All eyes in the world are on us and on the trial. I sighed and let the cold air embrace me.

I turned around and went straight to bed. I wrapped myself up and closed my eyes, hoping this would be over once and for all. I was woken up by the phone alarm, my mother and a team ready to dress me, do my hair and makeup for the big day. I got up and went to the bathroom to take a shower. When I came out, a group of five people and my mother were ready, looking at me.

"Good morning darling. Today is going to be a very important day, that's why we have to prepare you." Said my mother with a happy voice. She was already fully ready for war. She was wearing a very elegant white blouse accompanied by maroon suit pants and black heels.

"You know I don't like these things, Mom." I said.

"But you have to." She replied giving me a hug.

The team began to do my hair, make-up and dress while my mother and one of the hundreds of lawyers explained to me again what I had to say and my possible answers to the Lasse team's dirty questions.

"And it's very important that you mention everything you found in his office. It is a key evidence and don't let them take you onto their turf or confuse you." My mother clarified again.

"Yes mom, don't worry. I know exactly what I have to say and do, you even told me how I have to greet the press as soon as they arrive."

"Okay honey, then if you're ready we'll go now. The trial starts in an hour. Get your things, I'll wait for you outside."

I nodded as I stuffed everything I needed into my bag. The team had chosen me an indigo blue blazer and skirt ensemble with a daffodil yellow blouse and matching heels. I left the building and was led to a black car where my mother and three other lawyers were inside. I got in and the car started.

"Remember, you're going as a witness. This is a brief summary of what Mrs. Madson has to say, nothing more, nothing less." One of the lawyers explains to me. Tall, corpulent, young, brown hair. He smiled at me as he hands me a folder. 

I opened it and saw that it was perfectly classified. Every piece of evidence, every document, what I had to explain. The only sure thing I had was that it was going to be a long day.

We arrived at the courts where they had to put up fences and police to control the masses of journalists waiting anxiously outside. I watch them through the window. Thousands of cameras, microphones and signs.

A man opened the door and my mother got out first, then me and then the rest of the lawyers. The journalists began to scream like animals as they fired their flashes and waved their microphones.

"The lawyers will talk to the press. You just limit yourself to saying hello and walking towards the entrance." My mother whispered in my ear.

 It was clear that she had everything perfectly calculated. I nodded and started walking next to her.