Defending Alice

A flash fiction

"Sir? Who would you like to visit?" a guard blocked me as I entered the prison.

"I'm a lawyer and here to talk to my client. Alice Mercado," I said as I showed my business card. He
immediately unlocked the gate and led me to a room.

I heard the door opening as I looked up to check who it was and saw a woman. A woman around her 20s
wears a typical orange shirt made for prisoners.

"Hi," she greeted me with a smile on her face. "Long time no see," she added as she sat in the chair in
front of me. The guards left to give us privacy about our conversation.

I looked at her; no emotions could be seen on my face.

"Yeah, long time no see, and I don't expect to see you here after eight years," I said as I looked at her.
She still looks beautiful as ever; no, she seems more attractive even though she looks stressed, because
of the case, I believe.

"Yeah, I'm sorry. Expect the unexpected," she joked, but it didn't make me laugh.

"I have no time for jokes," I said as I opened my notebook. She cleared her throat and stood still.

"I'm sorry," she said and smiled. She is still the same; her voice and personality never changed; that's
why I fell in love with her. I didn't give up on her to see her in this situation, and I didn't agree to break
up for her to be my client; not to file a case, but to defend her in the trial.

"So... where should we start?" she asked.

"Why did you choose me to be your lawyer?" Her best friend, Agatha, is a lawyer. I know she is more
capable of helping her than me.

She laughed. "Agatha’s busy. Her wedding is coming. I don't want to be a burden to her," she said as she
played with her hands—the same habit.

"I'm sure she won't mind. What kind of friend would allow her friend to be in prison knowing she's
capable of defending you?"

"You really have a lot to say in these kinds of things. You're an outstanding lawyer,"

"Rebutting your statements doesn't mean I'm a great lawyer, Mrs. Mercado."

"But you have won many cases. You made it," she said smilingly, looking like a proud mother. I rolled my
eyes.

"And please," she continued. "Don't call me Mrs. Mercado. Who would call me that after what
happened? Just call me Ali, just like before," she added. I sighed.

"Let's get to work. What happened?" I asked. "Alice, you are charged with murder. All pieces of evidence
point to you as a primary suspect. What happened? Tell me everything from the start. Details by
details."
She took a deep breath. "My marriage with Ivan was arranged. I know it's too late to tell you this, but I
really did love you, Beau. I just needed to lie because I know you won't agree if I tell you the real
reason." she stated as she looked into my eyes.

"Beau, let's end this." I looked at her when she said that. It just came from nowhere.

"Why?" I asked. We didn't fight this week. We never had a fight that led to breaking up. If there is, I will
always understand her. I will always lower my pride for her. That's how much I love her.

"I don't love you anymore... I'm with someone else, Beau," she said. I looked into her eyes, hoping she
was joking, but all I could see were her tired eyes. Is she tired of loving me?

"Is it really?" I asked, suppressing my emotions. I don't want to cry in front of her, but... Who cares
about my pride? I don't want to lose her... Heck, I could kneel in front of her to beg her to love me again.
But I'm not selfish; she looks like she's barely living. I don't want to be a burden to her.

"Do you love him?" I asked. She could not stand it; she cried in front of me. A cry I would never want to
hear again. A cry that hurts me more than it hurts her.

"So much," she said between her sobs. I tapped my foot, a habit whenever I could not handle my
emotions. I want to cry too... But am I going to be happy knowing she's not pleased to be with me? I
don't want to be selfish...

"Okay. Let's break up." I agreed, and she cried more. I handed her a tissue to wipe the tears from her
beautiful face. She's so pretty, even when crying. I'll miss that.

"Don't cry. I won't be able to leave you if you continue crying like that," I said in humor, thinking it could
make the atmosphere lighter.

"Make sure you'll be happy, okay?" I said as she nodded. "Tell him, the moment he made you cry; I'll get
you from him. I'll make you proud, Ali," I continued while she still nodded, tears escaping her eyes.

"I love you so much. 'Til we see each other," I kissed her forehead as I left the table. I could not suppress
my emotions. I broke down the moment I stepped inside my car.

"I'm sorry, Beau." I got back to reality when I heard her voice again. Past scenarios began to invade my
mind, I forgot that I was here for work, not to recall what happened.

"Past is past, Alice. I'm here for work. Continue your narration," I said without looking at her.

"After few months of breaking up with you, I married Ivan. He was kind at first but abusive. Until he
decided to take a vacation from work with me. I thought it was a peace offering from all the abuse he
has given me, but no." she paused for a while, so I looked at her... only to see tears running down her
cheeks and trembling hands on the table.

"Hey, are you alright?" and she nodded. "Alright, what happened next?"

"He raped me.”