A few months later, Ricardo was taken before the court in chains around both his hands and legs, and all eyes were immediately drawn to him the instant he stepped foot into the courtroom.He took a quick look around the court to make a mental note of everyone who was present. He noticed Ellen's parents and siblings on one side of the court and immediately turned his gaze away from them to avoid looking at them.He had made up his mind to never see them again after the incident because he had no idea what to say to them, especially Ellen's mother.Ellen's mother had gone to the police station on numerous occasions to speak with him, but Ricardo had politely declined each and every time by failing to appear in person.He looked to the other side of the court and saw his family sitting there. Susan, his father, and his stepmother were all seated together. Susan waved at him with a reassuring grin, and he attempted to reciprocate, but he couldn't, so he turned away f

On the following morning, Lisa was greeted by the smells of fried rice and crispy chicken. Ricardo was holding a platter of fried rice and chicken and a bottle of soda as she sluggishly rose up on the bed and stretched herself. Her jaw dropped wide in surprise as her eyes landed on the smiling Ricardo holding the tray and soda bottle."Good morning, love," Ricardo said as he placed the breakfast in front of her. "How was your night?"Lisa's face was flushed with confusion as she gazed at Ricardo. This beautiful and handsome man with blue eyes was beaming at her in place of the Ricardo she met that night at the club."What are you doing?" She asked."I'm bringing you breakfast in bed." He replied as he sat on the edge of the bed, facing her."But, you've never done anything like that before.""Well, I'm doing it right now." Shrugging his shoulders and chewing his bottom lip, he muttered. "You said that you trusted me and that you loved me." He added in a

Three months laterAfter working overtime that evening, she flagged down a cab and drove to the club where they had met for the first time because Ricardo had instructed her to do so.She walked into the club, which was strangely empty, and thought about why he wanted them to meet there.Knowing there had to be a legitimate reason for the club being deserted at this hour of the night, she walked into the club and soon noticed Ricardo seated alone at a table.She flashed a bright smile at him and took a few steps forward.Even after three months of dating, she couldn't believe that the cold knight she had met only a few weeks ago could also be a cute boyfriend who lavished her with affection, clothing, and food - you name it."Ric," she began as she drew out the second chair and sat down. "You're looking far too good right now. What's going on here?" She continued, her gaze drawn to Ricardo's white tuxedo and new haircut."I've been here waiting for

"Fuck!" As the attacker rode away on a motorcycle, Ricardo swore in frustration.He slowly turned around and limped back to their room to see how Lisa was doing. As he entered the room, he turned on the light, and what he saw caused him to fall to his knees in dread and shock."Lisa," he called as he crawled to meet the bleeding figure on his bed, tears welling up in his eyes and his heart hammering so loudly that he was afraid it might stop operating at any moment."No! Lisa, no! No!" He crawled over to her and began tapping her on the shoulder to get her to wake up. He examined her wounded tummy, noting that she had been stabbed at least once before he awoke."Aaahhhhhhhh!" He yelled bitterly as he placed his still-good hand on her tummy. "No." He muttered, shaking his head in denial, as he stared at Lisa's almost-dead figure. History couldn't really be repeating itself, could it?"911." He murmured as the number popped into his head and he sprung to his feet and da

Ricardo hailed a cab and made his way to the local police station. The police were taken aback when they saw him, but they sent him to the interrogation room, not as a suspect but as a witness. A few hours later, after answering all of their questions and without leaving any stone unturned, he walked out the door of the police station and headed straight to his apartment, which was cordoned off by yellow police tapes.He stepped into their bedroom, avoided glancing at their bed, and then picked up his phone and debit card before walking to his garage.He slipped into one of his cars and sped out, all the while dialing a phone number."Hello." Into the phone, a feminine voice said."I'm Ricardo." He stated, his voice as icy as ever.For a few seconds, there was a long, awkward pause before the feminine voice replied. "Yes?""Your friend is sick. She's at a hospital." He answered."What have you done to her?" The feminine voice asked, her loathing fo