His Tainted Soul

CHAPTER 1

Chapter One

{Parris' POV}

"And can you tell me where you are at the exact time when the accident happened?" I asked, looking at the man sitting in front of me. Raymond Holland. One of the two suspects who raped my client Jeremiah Black. He has dirty blonde hair and grey eyes. Tanned skin and slightly muscular body. Six feet tall, a famous football player, and 26-years-old. The other one is Dan Gibson, also a famous football player with dark hair, pitch-black eyes, olive skin, and six feet tall, also a 26-years-old. So, they are both obviously handsome, popular, and rich. But that won't stop me from putting them in jail. Justice is not only for rich people. Everyone deserves to have justice, and that's what I'm doing.

"March 15, 2019, at 11:30 pm, I was asleep at my house when the accident happened. I didn't even know that –"

"Stop, that's all I asked. No need to add more into the story." I look at the white folder in my hand and look at the next question that I prepared. I exhaled and looked him dead in the eyes. "And why are you at your house? I thought it's your team's championship party and you're telling me that you're asleep at home?" He blinks and leans closer to the microphone while looking at his friend – Dan Gibson –

"I-I… yes I couldn't come because my left knee was injured and the doctor advised that I should rest." His chest is heaving up and down and I noticed the sweat that's forming on his forehead. He's nervous. I internally smirk. Just deny all you can, boy. Because once I trapped you with your lies, you're dead meat.

"Can you show us the medical record?" His eyes widened.

"Objection your honor!" His lawyer – Stanley Thomas – stood up and looked at the judge – Hon. Maria Monte with wide eyes.

"Objection sustained." Judge Monte said in a serious but calm voice. Stanley's shoulder sagged in defeat and he looked at me with hidden angry eyes. The judge looked at me. "Please proceed, Ms. Åkerström," I nod with a solemn expression.

"Thank you, your honor," I said and looked at Mr. Holland who was now sitting pale. Then, at my client, Jeremiah who is sitting behind me without any expression on her face. She's still in trauma because of what happened to her but she's recovering. Therapy session, supporting family, and a winning case. That's what keeps her going. She locked her gaze with me and I saw the slight twitch of her lips. She knows what I'm thinking. I sighed and looked at Mr. Holland again.

It's time.

"Well, it looks like your lawyer did not prepare your medical record… too bad," I whispered the last part, then I grabbed the small remote in my pocket and looked at him with my eyes sparkling evilly. His eyes instantly darted on the remote in my hand but I ignored him and looked at the big screen that's placed on the side of Hon. Maria Monte. "Exhibit A," I pressed the red button and a picture of him with his teammates popped on the screen. Multiple gasps escape from the people's mouths. I look at the second suspect – Dan Gibson who looks paler than Mr. Holland.

"Well, what do you call this picture, then?" I asked, He did not answer and just looked at the screen. I shrugged and looked at Hon. Maria Monte. "Your honor, the picture on the screen happened on March 15, 2019, at exactly 11:20 pm, sixteen minutes before the incident happened. Mr. Holland and Mr. Gibson was in the picture and the background clearly shows that they are at a party, looking very drunk. No injury insight and very present." Hon. Maria Monte entwined her fingers and looked at Mr. Holland who I think is not breathing anymore.

"So, you lied about your injury and also attended the party. Do you have something to say about the photo?" We all waited for him to say something but he just stayed quiet. I look at Stanley who doesn't know what to say. "Very well then,"

_______________

"See you in the next trial," I said with a serious expression while looking at the three men, standing a few meters away from me. But none of them say anything. Serves you right!

"Let's go, Parris," I heard Axel speaking behind me. I just gave him a nod and was about to turn around when one of the guys spoke.

"Wait!" I turned to Raymond with a raised eyebrow. He looked around the court and when he's satisfied, he walked closer to me. "Be our lawyer." He stated simply. I noticed Stanley's eyes widened but he did not say anything and just glared at me. I'm not entirely surprised by this. It happens to me most of the time.

"I apologize Mr. Holland, but I'm already hired by Ms. Black." His jaw ticked.

"I'll triple the price she gave you. Just be our lawyer." I grit my teeth and look at him dead in the eye. "Look, if that's not enough with you or if that's not what you want… we could give you more. Something hot." He smirks and leans his face closer to my face. "Just be our lawyer." He whispered. Oh, this little piece of s**t! Breath, Parris, breath. You don't want to get charged by punching a scumbag like him. I raised my hands and gently fixed his tie. The way his eyes blink is enough to tell me that he believes that I agree. I internally scoff at that thought. You wish! Then, I lean my face closer to his left ear.

"You know, Mr. Holland –"

"Raymond is fine, baby," Suddenly, something flashed in my head, making me stop. Baby. That endearment. I close my eyes when a scene voice replayed in my head but it quickly fades just as fast as it came.

"And please, baby, I want to see you when I get home tonight."

My eyes snapped open and I roughly pushed him away with all the emotions draining from my face. I don't know why I suddenly felt so mad when he called me baby but one thing is I know. I don't want it coming from his mouth. It disgusts me. It's so wrong. Very wrong. I clench my jaw and look at him coldly.

"I am not interested and think wisely before bribing a lawyer in court." Shock is written on his face and I think I hurt his pride because of the way his eyes blaze with fury. "Good luck. You'll definitely need it." Then I walked away with Axel beside me. I look at him and ask. "Where's Jeremiah?"

"She's with Lynne. She's driving Jeremiah home." Worry etched into my face as we walked out of the courthouse.

"Is she okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, she's fine." I waited for him to say more but we're already inside of his car and he's now staring it but he still doesn't say anything. I rolled my eyes. Typical Axel.

You see, Axel here is what people like to call, a man with a few words. He's the kind of guy that gives people the badass and mysterious vibe. He doesn't talk a lot, obviously, but when he speaks, everybody listens because he only speaks when he knows it's necessary. So all the things that came out of his mouth are important, I think. Oh, and did I mention that he is also a detective? Well, he is. And he's also working with me and Lynne – who's also a detective – to find evidence about Jeremiah's case.

Speaking of which, Jeremiah was raped at a championship party that she's invited. It's not a surprise considering that she's a blogger who happens to have fifteen million followers on i********: and 10.3 million subscribers on her YouTube account. So, in short, Jeremiah Black is very popular, and also with her long wavy platinum blonde hair, bright light brown eyes, tall and fit body, it's not hard for men to be attracted to her. But that's not an excuse for them to sexually harass her.

I looked outside the window and noticed where we were heading. I turned to him with questioning eyes. "Are we heading to my new house? No, wrong question. How did you know the address that I moved in?" He briefly glanced at me before turning back his attention on the road.

"I'm a detective." Is all he said. I sighed and just shook my head at him. He's not going to change. Well, at least he's talking to me. Every woman that I know tried a lot of times to get his attention but he never paid them any. Yep, Axel is very attractive and downright handsome. Not to mention that he's very smart and strong. With his black tousled hair, green eyes, tall figure, and slightly tanned skin. He could make any girl swoon. He's also in his late twenties. We met three years ago, when he was assigned by his chief to help my client – at that time – to find evidence and investigate the case. And the rest is history.

The car stopped in front of a two-story house. It looks bigger than the house I stayed in before. I opened the door and got out. Woah, this place looks hideous and all the houses are big. In fact, they are not houses anymore, they're mansions. I looked back at my new house but something caught my attention. It's the mansion next to mine. Five-story mansion. Luxurious and modern is an understatement to describe the mansion. It's the biggest one of all the houses and mansions in this villa. The owner of that mansion must be really, really rich. Oh, I have a very wealthy neighbor. I wonder who the owner is.

"Hermione!" I immediately grimace and look at the woman who called me. It's Katheryn Hart, my best friend. She'll be living with me because we're both lawyers and best of friends so we thought that it's good to stay at the same house.

"Oh, don't call me that," I scowled but when she noticed Axel who was standing on the other side of the car, she immediately ignored me and turned to him.

"Oh, detective Axel, I didn't notice you there. Hi." She said, smiling shyly but I know better. Katheryn Hart is anything but shy. Axel ignores her and looks at me.

"I'm leaving. See you." He said gruffly. I smiled and nodded, watching as he entered the car and drove away.

"Gosh, he's so handsome. I really like him." She swooned and I could almost see two hearts in her eyes.

"Oh, stop it, Kath." She rolled her eyes and looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"How's it?" I shrugged and made my way inside the house with her in tow.

"It's good. We are way too ahead of them." She chuckled and patted my shoulder.

"As always, Parris. As always. I'm not really surprised that the other lawyers there are envious of you." I look at her, slightly wide eyes.

"Don't tell me that you're envious of me as well. I swear Kath if you are –"

"Of course not. In fact, I'm very proud of you. It does not matter for me if you always win the cases that you have because as long as you fight for those who need justice, it's fine with me." She smiles at me. "Friends don't drag you down – they lift you up, Parris." I rolled my eyes but I could feel my heart melting at her words.

"Oh, shut it, Kath. Don't go mushy on me now." She laughed and flopped on the white couch.

"I'm always mushy, Parris."

"Whatever. Anyway, I'm going upstairs. I'm so worn out because of today. I'll rest, probably 'til the morning, so don't wake me up for dinner. I already ate with Axel."

"Okay, sweet dreams, Miss Attorney!" She yelled and I just shook my head and headed upstairs. The voice earlier suddenly came into my mind, making me a little confused. But something in my chest ached painfully and I felt longing towards the voice. I sighed and shook my head to clear my mind.