Chapter 2

~~Oriana’s Pov~~

My feet tapped involuntarily on the floors, making a sharp annoying sound that was getting on my nerves but somehow I could not get myself to stop.

I walked to the waiting desk once more, “Excuse me,” I motioned to the tan middle aged man looking that couldn't seem to stop stealing glances at me every five minutes.

“Yes ma'am” he shone his yellow thirty sets at me, I almost gagged.

I slammed my ID down on the desk, “May I know why I've been waiting for a bail I posted for the past two hours? Standard procedure said forty five minutes to an hour did it not? Why am I not being attended to?”

My voice grew colder and harder the more I spoke, something I had learnt dealing with different kinds of clients in court.

His face paled, his gaze turned respectful “we'll get to you as soon as possible ma'am” he straightened his back, adopting a more respectful stance and tone.

I rolled my eyes, “you do just that. And I would like your Badge number too. You'll be hearing from me soon” so much for keeping a low profile.

His mouth opened, shock filtering across his pupils, obviously he hadn't expected me to take things far, well since I had already revealed my identity I might as well go all the way.

“Cassandra Williams, Now” I ordered, not giving him the chance to recover.

“Yes ma'am” he rushed, his tail between his legs.

Sigh.

I finally sat, it was the same experience everywhere I went, no one took a pretty faced blonde with full tits seriously until they were behind bars. This was no different.

The sound of metal clanking and footsteps drew me out of my thoughts, soon my Cassie came in view, “finally” I muttered.

He uncuffed her, “stay away from trouble miss” His tone was measured, gentle and professional, well it was too late any way.

“Yeah, yeah,” Cassie rolled her eyes, I could tell she was holding back a sharper retort. Classic Cassandra, she never learnt.

“Good.” I nodded, satisfied, then turned to the officer, “Officer Brad” I read his name tag, “Thank you. Expect to hear from my office for your hospitality” my voice was clipped,

His smile faltered, I could feel the fear in his eyes finally set, “I apologize sincerely for any inconvenience,” he said through gritted teeth.

“And I apologize for any future inconveniences.” I replied back unhesitatingly.

“And you” I pointed at Cassie, she dodged my eyes, lowering her eyes to the ground, a move she always pulled whenever she wanted to get away with something. “Follow.” I snapped and walked away without waiting for my response.

The sound of slow footsteps behind me accompanied the clanking of my heels, a wave of fresh morning air hit my face, it carried with it the scent of saltwater, algae, dust and that historic air of a crowded street. A far cry from the town where I came from, where everybody knew everybody.

I increased my pace, leaving Cassie to run after me, soon a hand tugged at the helm of my jacket, I ignored it, but insistent as ever it continued.

“What?” I snapped, stopping to finally face her

She raised her eyes pleadingly, eyes wet and puffy, tears already pooling at them, “I’m sorry” she sniffed.

“One hour, just one hour in Venice and you're already causing trouble?” I chided.

“He started it,” she mumbled.

“Stop fucking talking” I pinched my brows, sometimes I felt more like a mother than a friend.

She nodded,

“And stop looking at me like that. We both know you aren't even remorseful about your actions”

She pursed her lips, her body began trembling, like she was aggrieved, “if he hadn't taken my phone I wouldn't have reacted” she muttered under her breath.

“What have I told you about the law? Report to me or any other authority, who in their right senses fights with a police officer?”

I practically yelled, my head already aching from the stress, “you know what. I was the one that brought you with me to Venice, stay away from trouble Cassie. I just used two hours of my time to bail you out, I have a court case in a few and I can't concentrate if you keep getting yourself arrested”

“Sorry.” She mumbled, “He started it, I never look for trouble, doesn't mean I won't be ready if it comes searching for me”

I sighed, “This isn't the village Cass, I need you to remember that, this is the heart of it all. The heart of all the crimes, I can't protect you if you really keep this attitude up” my voice lowered.

Her expression turned serious, “I can protect myself” she scoffed.

“Says the girl who got chased by a chicken” I teased

“Chickens are different” her body shuddered.

“What will I do with you?” I eyed her.

Her arms wrapped around me, squeezing me tightly, “Uhh, get off of me”

“No. Not until you say you've forgiven me” she whined childishly.

“Okay. Okay. Get off me, you'll stain my outfit.” I groaned.

“Alright. Only because you're going to court and I don't want to dim your shine.” she smiled.

I chuckled, stopping in front of a court house, “And this is my final bus stop. Stay out of trouble. I'm serious, and get ready we're leaving tomorrow” I warned seriously.

“Whatever you say mum. Cross my heart,” she giggled. “Go crush those bastards,” she yelled.

“You got it best” I smiled and walked into the court house, head held high.

*****Evening Time*****

My shoulders ached, I walked out barefoot, holding my heels on my left hand. The moon hung low on the night sky, my mind wandered, I walked down the street.

The night light illuminated the streets, lost in thoughts I didn't realize when the crowd thinned, by the time I came to, I was already in an alley.

I spotted four silhouettes, standing in the shadows, and a fifth kneeling before them.

Bang.

The body of the fifth slumped, a scream tore through my lips, four pairs of eyes locked onto me.

“Get her” a cold voice said, my feet moved faster than I could think.

That was the last thing I remembered before everywhere blurred.