With Love, Étienne | ✓

Chapter Thirty

THE TRIAL WAS ONLY AROUND THE CORNER.

The days were slowly closing in on the both of us. Nerves were building around all of us and none of us knew what to expect.  There was an increasing feeling of fear of losing this case and it was beginning to take a toll on both Louella and I. Her eyes were lined with dark bags -- too scared to fall asleep without envisioning Milo walking free. Jut the thought had a violent shiver ripping through me and goose-bumps rose on my arms. His parents had lawyered him up and he was ready to face the world with a smile of innocence. It was sickening, on the one hand, that someone would go to such extreme lengths to hide their past and not feel any kind of remorse for putting the person they claimed they loved in, in pain. 

But, no matter how much I wanted to not think about it, Milo would be on the other side of the court and we would be forced to look at his twisted, dark eyes once again. We would have to listen to his lies while he convinced everyone he was a great man, who had done no wrong. . . and in his twisted mind, he hadn't. From the countless interactions I had with him, he seemed to have convinced himself that he was the victim in the situation, not Louella. 

Peeking a glance at Louella, she looked like a ghost. She was slowly losing herself with every passing day and it was beginning to worry me. She had retreated back inside of herself, just when I had gotten her back. Her lips were chapped and pressed firmly into a tight line while she gazed off at the side, a distant look forming in her eyes. It was something she did often now. She would simply stare out of the window, getting lost in her thoughts. But, that was what worried me the most. I didn't know what kind of thoughts she was having and I didn't want to leave her alone with them either.

A small, purple bag was hidden behind me and nerves swallowed me whole. I fiddled with my fingers, weaving them in and out of each other. I had been wracking my brain for days, trying to figure out something that would cheer her up. Louella wasn't a particularly material person and she wasn't interested in a lot of the things that were popular. I shifted my weight from one leg to the other and I finally built up the courage to mutter a few words.

"Um, Lou?"

At the sound of my voice, she turned to face me. The usual sparkle in her eyes had dimmed but she still managed to plaster a smile on her face.

"Hm?"

"I have something for you here," I blurted and all-but thrust the paper bag in her face. She jerked back in surprise and blinked in rapid succession -- confusion clouding her features. My heart was thundering in my chest; I wasn't sure if she would like what I got her or not. I didn't want to simply buy the first thing I came across, however. I wanted it to be special, something she could look at and instantly think of me. 

"What's this?" she asked, her voice soft.

"I wanted to get you something special," I murmured, "You know I'm not the greatest at gifts or anything, so if you don't like it, it's okay. I can take it back and see if I can pick something that you'll like more. Well actually, I don't know if I can take it back. I'm pretty sure they said it's non-refundable. But, if not, I'll get you something else anyway because you deserve the best in the world and I want to be able to give you that, you know? It took me hours to get my hands on this though. Did you know some girls were animals when it comes to shopping? I swear, they can be ruthless. Some were full-on prepared to fight me if there was only one of the item left in stock. I was kind of scared, if I'm being honest --"

I trailed off when I noticed Louella was staring at me with a wide smile. She tilted her head to the side and my cheeks heated up to the point where I knew my entire face was red. I tried to angle my head away from her gaze, but I could still feel it on me. The effect she had on me was frustratingly sweet. I loved it, but hated it at the same time. I wouldn't hesitate in saying she had the power to bring anyone to their knees with a single glance. She didn't even seem to realize her effect on others which made it all-the-more powerful.