Bella PoV
"la giuria emetterà il verdetto dopo la pausa."
[Translation: the jury will release the verdict after the break.]
Everyone stood up as the judge and jury left. I immediately take that as my cue and left from the back door without getting noticed. Today was the last trial for Pearl's case and till then they didn't have enough evidence to prove that Pearl was not guilty.
I dialled crimson Scarlett number.
"Meet me at the back in five minutes." I spoke and she hummed before cutting the call. I cautiously took step making sure no cameras got my face or I don't bump into any of them. They all were in the courtroom except for Grace and papa— am supposed to call Stefan papa?
I'm still calling him papa even after what he said to me. He didn't believe me when I was telling the truth. Nevertheless it's not the right time to think about the past. He made his choice and it's about time I made mine.
After thinking hard for two days I come to the decision. I may hate Pearl, heck I don't even want to be in the same place as him but I can't deny the fact that even after what he did to me, I can't forget the times he made me happy. He saved me from the auction, he saved me from stripping even though I didn't hate that job but still. He bought me so many things when I didn't ask for it. He's the reason I don't have nightmares. He was there when I was telling him about my past. He stayed, even though it was just for a short period of time. He was there for me at every step. The time we spend together meant so much to me. His touches, his kisses, the way he looked at me—I loved everything.
I loved him.
And I know a part of me still feels for him. I don't want to feel anything for him but I can't help when I looked at him sitting emotionless in the courtroom. He didn't said a word when the jury and the counselor were accusing him. I didn't understand why he was doing that. The Pearl I knew would have killed everyone who disrespect him but he stayed silent.
But I'm not going to.
I'm not going to let him suicide. The court break is only for half and hour and I have to do something before they release their final verdict. I can't let him die. He's going to be father for fuck sake. I can't let a child grow up without a father. If Pearl can't think of anything then I have to take this in my own hands.
And after lot of debates I have two theories.
Either I abduct Pearl without getting anyone notice or threaten the judge. The later one sounds more good as I'm still not ready to let them know that I'm alive. Threatening a person who happens to works for government is hard but it's the only way.
I felt a hand covered my mouth and pushed me. I was about to twist his hand but then I saw the person.
"It's me." Crimson Scarlett said keeping her fingers on her lips.
I glared at her and she immediately removed her hand.
"Don't do that next time." I said and she nodded. She was wearing a black outfit and sneakers. Her red hair pulled up in a ponytail. She did a smoky eyes making her look bold.
"Let's go. We don't have time." I said and we both kicked the door opened barging inside. There was one camera in the hallway that she already took care of.
As expected, that old was was sitting on his chair smoking. But immediately startled when we bursted the door. He was about to call someone when Crimson Scarlett pull out her gun pointing at him. I took the phone from him and closed the door sitting infront of me.
He eyes went to her then at me.
"W-who..are y-you?" He stuttered making me roll my eyes at him. Fucking pathetic.
"I would love to chit chat with you but you see I'm running out of time." I said making a bored face.
He was shaking in fear seeing her holding gun at him.
Who the hell made him the judge?
"What d-do you w-want?"
"Ah! Finally." I said crossing my hands together and looked at him with a smirk.
"You're going to convince the juries that Pearl Salvatore is innocent."
"What?" He raised an eyebrow suddenly.
"He's a criminal. He killed all those innocent people and our late prime minister." He argued. I sighed. He's getting on my nerves.
"You'll do as I say or—"
"Or what young lady?" He suddenly stood up. All the fear gone from his face.
"I knew Pearl Salvatore will not go down without a fight. I thought he was going to send one of his men but you're— woman."
That was it.
I pulled out my gun and shoved it right into his mouth making him fall on his chair.
"It's Ms Costello for you."
"Do you want to know what this woman can do?" I said gritting my teeth. He shook his head.
"I want the all charges removed from him till tomorrow." I said and and take a step back.
"You know who I am? You're messing with the law and very powerful people." He said sitting properly glaring at us.
"If you don't do what I just said, then you won't get to see the next sunrise." I yelled giving him one last look.
"And I think this will help you make quick decision." I said and crimson Scarlett pulled out her phone showing him a video of him and his secret girlfriend in a hotel.
I knew this bastard was not going to listen to us easily, so I asked crimson scarlet to dig information about the judge and imagine my surprise when I got to know that he has an affair.
"Do you want me to send this to your wife?" I asked pouting. He wiped the sweats from his face as the color drained from his face.
"I-I will do i-it."
I smirked.
Mission accomplished!
.
.
.
.
"Why did you lie to me?" She whispered looking at me with tears in her eyes.
"Lie? I'm not lying, love. I love you, I truly do." I said I walked towards her but she backed away until her back hit the wall. Her soft sniffs turned into quite sobs. I took her hand in mine.
"You lied to me." She kept on repeating. Her body shook as she cried.
"What are you talking about?" I asked confused.
"You promised me you would protect me, why didn't you?" She looked at me.
I stood there watching her. Her pained expression made me wanting to hold her. She's right. I promised to protect her but I didn't. I failed her.
"You left me. You left me Pearl when I needed you the most. You let me get punished for something I never did. " She yelled looking at me with anger.
I shockingly stared at her but the look in her eyes made me take a step back. She simply stared at me. No sight of emotion or pain but a blank expression.
And then she walked away.
"Bella, love please. Don't go. I love you, Bella." I pleaded falling on my knees but she kept walking.
"Pearl!"
"Bella, please stop."
"Pearl! Wake up it's just a dream."
My eyes shot open and I looked around frantically with my heart thumping faster. I looked at Damon who had worried expression on his face but I ignored him like usual. I sighed and slumped back on the couch closing my eyes.
It's the 13th time.
I keep having these same dreams but the only difference is that we were in different clothes and place other than that she leave me every fucking time and I couldn't do anything to stop her.
"Here, drink this." I heard his deep grunt but still kept my eyes close.
When I didn't said something he left closing the door behind him. Few minutes later, I heard the door opened and someone walked in.
"Mr Salvatore." I opened my as I saw my lawyer standing infront of me with pity in his eyes. On his side Damon was there watching me.
"What is it?" I asked my voice low.
"It's time." He said and I looked at him then at Damon.
"The judge has the verdict." Damon said and I nodded before getting up.
I looked around the office room where I have been for an hour.
"Let's finish this." I said and began to walk but Damon stopped me.
"We still have time, Pearl. Just say the word and we can fix this." He said but I chuckled shaking my head.
"Yes, Mr Salvatore. If you agree, I can propose a strategy in the court. You have resources we can turn this case down." My lawyer Mr Miller said.
"Thank you Mr Miller but I'm not backing down from my word." I said and he nodded.
"It's not the right thing, man. You're on a suicide mission." He said with hint of anger.
I looked at my lawyer and he nodded in understanding and left from there leaving us alone.
"For the first time in my life, I feel like this is the right thing to do." I said looking at him in the eye. "And besides I can't let them hurt you or any of my family."
"They only agreed to leave you and our men if I turn myself in. I have to do this. Someone have to take the blame." I said.
"You yourself know that what happened that day wasn't your fault. It was all Dimitri." He said frustrated and punched the wall in anger.
"Just tell me and I'd bring best of best lawyer from all across the globe. You know you can get out of this situation in a minute. 'There's no power in this world who can lock The Pearl Salvatore in a cell', this was your exact word man. What changed?" He yelled. I could see how hard he was trying to control.
"You know what. Don't say anything. Just finish this." I said and walked away to the door but to stop at his next word.
"You know that they will sentence you to death." He said with pain in his voice.
I sighed and opened the door,
"I was death the moment she left me." I said and walked away.
.
.
I step inside the courtroom with my hand cuffed and two cops walking side by side with me. I look to my left and saw Steve and George who nodded at me. Melissa and Emily were also there. Emily was trying to hold off a crying Mel. Antonio was sitting beside Elena. Grace was with my father still in the hospital.
I raise my hand so they can remove the cuffs. I took my seat beside the judge who for a reason look at me intently. Ignoring him, I look at the woman who was standing in the middle of a courtroom and has a envelope in her hand. Probably the verdict.
"Ho ricevuto una nota che il giudice è arrivato a un verdetto." The counselor spoke.
[I have received a note that the judge has arrived at a verdict."]
I heard the murmured started. I look at Mel who was a crying mess. I just nodded at her trying to assure everything is gonna be fine. But even the dumbest person in this room can tell that nothing is going to be alright. After years of the trial for the Italian don finally they found me.
From the corner of my eyes I saw damon took a seat beside Emily. My focused changed to the woman who was clearing her throat to silence everyone.
"presso la suprema corte di cassazione....stato contro il verdetto di Pearl Salvatore" she read looking down at the paper.
[In the supreme court of cassation... state versus Pearl Salvatore]
I sighed.
This is it.
This is the end of Pearl Salvatore. And for a some reason I'm okay with it.
I look at everyone one last time. Damon was already looking at me with pleading eyes but I smile assuring him. George and Steve has a guilty face but I let them see through my eyes. I smiled at Antonio and Elena receiving a nod from Antonio. Elena looked at me with tears but I smiled. Atlast, I look at Emily and Mel. Even though after everything Emily stayed by our side and for that I'm great full. I nodded at her and she smiled in return.
"I'm sorry." I mouthed to Melissa who shake her head in denial, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"su diversi capi di omicidio di massa in primo grado."
[On several counts of drug and weapons dealing in first degree.]
I hold my breath.
"l'imputato è dichiarato non colpevole." The councilor announced.
[The defendant is found not guilty.]
A gasp escaped my mouth as I stared at the woman in shock. I look at Damon who has same expression as me. The courtroom once again filled with murmurs. What the hell is happening? I was guilty. Why did they're saying otherwise?
"su diversi capi di omicidio di massa in primo grado" she read.
[On several counts of mass murder in first degree.]
There was a pin drop silence as everyone waited for her to continue.
"l'imputato viene trovato......"
[The defendant is found....]
"....non colpevole."
[Not guilty.]
I looked at her shock as I didn't know how to respond. Everyone stood up including myself with a frown on my face. Melissa was grinning looking at me but I couldn't form a smile. I look at Damon who shake his head in confusion but I know he's dancing inside.
I was confused, shocked, mad and other emotions I couldn't figure out. This wasn't supposed to happen. They had all the prove against me and Dmitri had made sure I suffered till my last breath that's why he already told the president about my identity.
I fixed my suit and step walking towards my family. Melissa ran towards me and hug tightly.
"It's okay. I'm okay." I said caressing her hair as she cried in my arms.
"I can't lose you Pearl. I can't lose anymore of my family." She cried looking at me and I nodded kissing her forehead.
"I thought it was over." Elena said wiping her tears as she hugged me.
"Me too." I said and smiled.
One by one everyone hugged me.
"How the hell they let you leave, I mean no offense but the case was not in our hand." Steve said and I looked at Damon.
"Hey, don't look at me like that. I didn't do anything after you said that this is what you wanted." He said surrendering.
"Then who did this? Who wants to save you?" Elena asked as we walked out of the courtroom. George talked something on his phone and few minutes later few of my men walked in nodding their head at me.
Damon said something to them and they nodded running inside.
"So, is that mean you're coming home?" Emily asked and I nodded smilingly.
"Good. Grace would be thrilled to see you." Antonio said.
"Steve, I want you take everyone home. I have some unfinished business." I said nodding at him.
"Where are you going?" Elena asked.
"I need some answers." I said nodding at them and they left with Steve leaving me, Damon, Antonio and George.
"Do you know who's behind this?" I asked looking at all of them. They shake their head in denial.
"Boss." One of my men said walking towards us.
"We had a conversation with the judge." He continued.
"He said that someone threatened him to announce the verdict in your favour." He said and I look at him confused.
"Who?" Damon asked.
"He doesn't said much just a name..." Jay, my head security said and I frowned at him.
"Miss Costello."
.
.
.
.
.
I'm tired!
How's the task going?
Did u guys come up with a scene?
What do you think will happen in the next chapter?
All thoughts are welcomed in the comment section. Do vote for the chapter.
Sarah