You Owe Me Indictment

He stared at her for a while. It's enough for Prince to judge whether Aria can actually understand the details of his charge, and all in a while, did she ever think of the consequences of suing Bryce Fajardo? He is a prosecutor, and Prince knew Bryce wouldn't let the traces to be seen.

Prince blinked several times, knowing this would be hard to prove at when evidence isn't clear enough. Bryce has been an expert in his field along with other people in the office, and they have known the pros and the cons.

Evidences should be factual and scientific, as it is. Prince wouldn't allow Aria to bring up the trial without any empirical and tangible proof that she's been assaulted. Also, if Aria plead about the evidence on the hospital system, it would be hard not to look up and find her sick profile.

"I know now what to do, Prince, so you're here to just help me solidify the facts," Aria huffed.

He let go of the tension, and said, "Aria that would be…"

"Don't lend me money every month, based on the gardener's fee that I have." Aria's words were fast, and it froze Prince all the way. She didn't know what else to do or to even think, but this method, it would be faster.

Prince wouldn't think of anything but inflicting fear to Aria, that he's in the way a dominant one, but then, if we liked to play it simple, she may be fierce today. Prince doesn't know if he should play the innocent role that well or even the darkest gaze. If Aria thought that Bryce is a wicked person in this country, then…

Prince must be a knight in shining armor to her.

Which is good, the plan is working.

"Why? Are you going to use the pay for pressing charges to him?" Prince pretended to be innocent about what's to come. If Aria believed she can win the trial, she expected it that much. She doesn't have any idea about it at all. This must be the first time she's suing someone.

"If that's the only way I can do it, I'd be able to do it. I wanted to show Bryce that I can stand up on my own without him, and even though I'm pregnant, I wouldn't let him touch my womb ever again."

With Aria's behavior, she's not able to live up to her promise. She has a soft heart to someone she knew very well, the one who had been part of her life, and the influence Aria got from them. Bryce had stayed beside Aria when she has nothing… and it hugged her existence in every way.

"He's the father of your child, Aria. Knowing you in the first day I've seen, you wouldn't be able to control yourself from coming near him. From what I heard about your story, he has been a huge part of your life."

Prince had to contemplate and meet everyone if it was the right thing to do. If she's adamant about the suing case, Prince had no choice but to let the trial go. In that, he had to spend quite a lot to indict Bryce Fajardo in his seat.

He's the greatest asset for the plan now, and having it gone to the extent, is what Prince had intended to. Aria would turn away from Bryce, but cling onto Prince. She's going to hug Prince, but unknowingly acknowledge the knife he was holding… because she's too blinded in love.

"I don't care about Bryce being a part of my life. If he had done me wrong, I would gladly turn my heel around and walk out. Bryce doesn't have anything to do with me anymore. He didn't even… check my house if I'm there."

Aria turned her eyes downstairs, and stared at a specific pillar, wondering what Bryce was doing.

He must be longing for her touch. Aria would admit she was, too.

She missed those days when she had to cuddle around Bryce all day to radiate his warmth, when everything has been bad but he's assuring that everything would be alright. Aria missed those moments when he's soothing her hair, caressing her face, and kissing her lips.

Bryce doesn't have to say anything, but Aria felt the comfort right away.

"I would admit I missed him. Maybe, in another way when I don't think about the assault, but also, whenever I remember it, all those moments turned into drastic ones. That he's hugging me because he's been waiting for that day to kill me…"

It's too traumatic to even reminisce. Something in it would lead to birth of his nightmares.

"He's waiting for that day to slap me. He must be disgusted about my existence. Bryce hated me for being such a clingy woman who wouldn't let go even though she has been beaten. I feel like I lack something, that's why the screw got unbolted, and that he lost it."

Aria looked at Prince, trying not to get too emotional and cry in the middle of the sunrise.

He doesn't say anything. Prince doesn't get bothered by the time at all. He stayed still, letting the moments shed light. Aria's opening up, trusting him in a wink, as if it's a simple thing to do.

"I want to press charges for him to get me beaten that day we broke up. He did something to me that I literally and unknowingly despise his existence more than anything. More than the ones who abandoned me on the orphanage, more than the ones who insulted me as an orphan," Aria opened up.

For the first time, Prince doesn't know if he's getting struck inside his heart. Someone must have slipped his whole hand inside and squeezed his heart, because it was painful to watch Aria crying her eyes out.

"I was an orphan, and I thought Bryce could give me the love I longed for a father."

Aria croaked out. It led her tears to stream down her cheeks. Aria looked down, and gritted her teeth, controlling them, but she couldn't fight it anymore. Her lips trembled, and her knees have gone jelly. With one sob, Aria immediately knelt down, burying her eyes in her palms…

"Aria…"

… she's kneeling right in front of Prince.

Aria sobbed louder, weeping, and her shoulders shook vigorously. Prince blinked, didn't know what to do, or even to say. He stayed there, witnessing how a human broke out in tears, because…

It's the first time he have witnessed it, aside from his father.

"Aria…"

Prince tried to call out her name, but her sobs were the response.

He couldn't leave her there, and go to work like his usual routine. Prince had to calm her down to give her enough time to think about the charges. He looked up, puffed his cheeks, and bit his bottom lip. Prince knuckled his fists, remembering everything they had done for the past days.

They kissed, they touched. They even took off their shirts in the middle of the heat.

And now, Prince had no choice but to comfort her.

This is getting on his nerves.

"Aria, stop crying."

He hunkered down, draping his arms around her neck, and finally lean in to embrace her. Aria immediately reacted, right when she sniffed in his scent, and hugged him tightly around the waist.

Prince controlled his hands to push her away, to eradicate another person touching him, because it disgusted him too much. Surprisingly, Prince didn't do it with Aria. He patted her back, nodding, whispering, "Stop crying and we'll talk about it."