The Arrest

"Mr Ian Forde, can you please step away from Mrs Hart." A gallantly dressed female police officer commanded, her right hand firmly placed on her holster.

Due to the compromising scene of Ian towering over Lola and forcefully taking her phone, the female police officer wrongly assumed that the suspect was physically assaulting the complainant.

"What!" Ian's eyes widened in shock.

"She said step away from the victim." The female officer's partner barked in a fiercer voice.

"Victim!" Ian's jaw dropped.

"You heard them right, you heartless bastard." Lola spat out.

"Did you call the cops on me, Lola?" Ian clenched his fist, as he returned his dangerously vicious gaze to Lola.

"Move away from her now!" The female police officer, pulled out her weapon in readiness to discharge if the suspect refused to comply with her instructions.

"Whoa! Whoa!! Whoa!!! Take it easy now." Ian panicked, raising his left hand in the air. "There is no need for anyone to get excited. I haven't done anything wrong."

Dropping Lola's smartphone on the conference table, Ian took five steps backwards, both his hands in the air and his frosty gaze fixated on Lola.

"Good!" The female police officer gave her partner the go ahead sign to arrest and handcuff the suspect, while she moved closer to check the complainant.

"Don't touch me!" Ian barked at the male officer when the latter tried padding him for hidden weapons.

"What is my crime officers? Why am I being harassed in my own company?" Ian demanded in his usual arrogant and authoritative tone. He wasn't about to let the measly-looking cops handcuff him like a common criminal.

"You're being arrested for the case of rape and maliciously infecting Mrs Hart."

"Rape! Infection! Who? Her..." Ian pointed disdainfully at Lola, cracking up with laughter as if he just inhaled nitrous oxide.

"Mr Forde, comport yourself. We are not here to joke around. We are here on serious police business." The female officer warned sternly.

"Sure. I believe you're here for something serious." The humour slowly vanished from Ian's eyes.

"Now, you listen real good. You don't come uninvited to my company and arrest me like a nobody." Ian thundered, causing the male officer to shudder a bit.

"I know my right as a citizen of the State and I can charge you both to court for infringement on my right. I'm certain both your annual wages combined together, won't pay one quarter of the penalty fee."

The male police officer turned to his female partner as if to say, "Should I still proceed with the arrest?"

Sensing a slight hesitation in the officers, Ian continues with his mindless lecture.

"I am sure you are both aware of the Forde family name. We do not take likely with anyone who disrespects our good name. Except you have a warrant of arrest, I suggest you both get the hell out of my company. If you want an invitation, simply send your superiors to me."

The female officer snickered while producing a folded piece of document from her pant pocket.

"Mr Forde, I'm sorry to disappoint you. We are fully aware of who you are. Also, we do have a warrant for your arrest."

The female officer signalled her partner to come over to her and collect the warrant. Then the warrant was passed on to Ian for confirmation.

"I would like you to quietly follow us to the station. If you do not want the cuffs on, then you better remain silent and allow us to do our job. We can either do this the easy way or the hard way. It's all up to you."

Ian angrily collected the warrant of arrest from the male officer and scanned through it.

"Mrs Hart, did he touch you again? Did he hurt you?" The female cop asked softly while assessing Lola critically for any form of physical bruise.

"Not really..." Lola sniffed and wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks. "He only forced me into this chair and snatched my phone before you came in."

"Seriously, Lola! You really called the cops on me?!" Ian was beyond perplexed and furious. He rumpled the warrant and tossed it furiously on the floor.

"What were you expecting, you a**hole?" Lola retorted, resentment and rage dripping from her every word. "After all you did to me, you thought I was going to allow you to walk away freely? Not in your wildest sick dreams."

"Wow!" Ian chuckled bitterly. "After everything I've done for you and your pathetic loser of a husband, you dare call the cops on me?"

"Mr Forde, this is your second and final warning. Stop communicating with the victim. Anything you say henceforth or do, can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to have an attorney present during questioning. You also have the right to a single phone call."

"Spare me all that sentimental bullshit officer, I know my rights." Ian scoffed.

"Watch your language, Sir." The male officer bellowed at Ian for his disrespectful utterance towards his partner. "Irrespective of how rich and powerful you are, you do not speak in that manner to a lady. We could charge you for contempt of a police officer."

"Fine," Ian spoke through a clenched jaw. "If you don't mind, can I get in touch with my lawyer before we leave?"

"Sure, just one phone call." The male police officer gave a short reminder, his eyes brimming with satisfaction and victory.

As Ian was led away from his company by the male cop, closely followed by the female cop and Lola, words started flying around like wildfire.

-

-

An hour later, Ian, his lawyer, Lola and Brian were all seated before the chief of police due to the sensitivity of the case and the individual involved.

All the while, Ian's deadly gaze never left Lola. He was seated in a relaxed position at the far end of the table, away from the couple but his haunted gaze never shifted from them even for a second.

Even though his media and publicity personnel were managing the rippling effects of the arrest crisis, Ian wanted his pound of flesh for the humiliation. His pride had been trampled upon by Lola's audacity. And he wasn't about to let her go scot-free without further damaging her already battered reputation.