10: Dire accusations
1746 Words
*Luna*
I wake up finding out right away that Elias has in fact returned, because he is snoring loudly, beside me, smelling of alcohol and cigars... and something else I can't pinpoint, something metallic . I shake my head, wondering when those two came back.
I am about to go back to sleep, still being tired… But something catches my attention... There are people talking loudly outside on the pier and blue flashing lights. Getting out of bed I look out the window, seeing two police cars have stopped in front of the boat and Chris is talking to the officers.
"Elias ! Elias, wake up". I push him hard and he grunts. "Elias, do you have any idea why the cops are here ?"
He sits up, looking around, his eyes blinking. "f**k ! Are you sure ?" And first now I realise that his cheekbone is discoloured, he has dried blood under his nose and his lip is split.… that is what I smelled… blood.
"Yeah they are right outside, talking to Chris". I look at him, getting a very bad feeling. "What is happening Elias, what happened last night ?"
Jumping out of bed, he grabs his shirt off the floor, pulling it on. It is splattered in blood. "I don't have time to explain... Please trust me, whatever they say is not true. Just tell them you haven't seen me okay ? You don't know where I am".
I nod, I mean it is Elias … No matter how this looks, I trust him. He leans down kissing me and then he is gone, making me wonder what his plan is, but happy I can truly say that I have no idea where he is.
Pulling on my clothes I walk out of the room, seeing Aurora come out of the other room. She has clearly been crying a lot since we came back last evening, because her eyes are swollen and her skin is flushed.
I spot Nathan, he is rolled up on the couch sleeping and he looks even worse off than Elias. Sporting a big black eye and what could be a broken nose.
"Where is Elias ? What happened ?" Aurora is staring at Nathan and I see nothing but concern in her eyes.
But before I can answer Chris comes in, followed by the police. "Sorry girls, but these gentlemen are looking for Nathan and Elias".
"Elias isn't here... he never came home". I quickly say. I can't really hide Nathan, no matter how much I wish I could. "What happened Chris, why are they looking for them ?"
Chris shakes his head, he is usually a strong, but positive man, I have never seen him look like this before. "Sorry girls, but this is not good…as in not good at all. Your men have gotten themselves into a shitload of trouble".
Two officers walk over to the couch, harsly pulling Nathan onto his feet. It jolts Nathan from his sleep and he swings his arm, like in panic. "Let me go".
One of the cops hits him on the nose, and I am not sure whose scream is the worst… Nathan's or Aurora's.
"Do not fight us". The cop says and they grab Nathan again, drops of blood rolling from his nose to his lip and then going drip, drip, drip, down on his shirt.
Aurora is trying to get to him, but Chris is gently holding her back.
The one looking to be in charge steps in front of a confused looking Nathan. "Mr Hadley, you are under arrest. Where is Mr Leighton ?"
"What ? No.. why ?" Nathan is blinking rapidly, looking like he is not even completely sober yet. "We haven't done anything wrong.. we didn't..it was us..".
"Oh you know what you did to that girl". The officer spits at Nathan. "Now tell me where Your friend is".
Nathan is shaking his head and it looks like it hurts. "What girl ? I haven't done anything to any girl. No, you made a mistake here".
"The girl has named you as the man that r***d her, and several witnesses saw you leave the bar with her.. so no.. we have made no mistake. You are arrested for aggravated r**e and assault against both the girl and the men that tried to come to her help". The officer says harshly.
Aurora lets out a sob, clamping her hands over her mouth and Nathan tries to get to her, his voice begging. "Please let me talk to my wife, just for a moment...let me explain".
But the officers just harsly pull his hands on his back, handcuffing them there and the leader grabs his arm, pulling him along, making him stumble. "She is much better off without the likes of you".
"I am sorry darling". Nathan says softly as he is pulled past Aurora. "Please trust me, I didn't do that. You know me, love". His voice and eyes are desperate.
"I know Nathan, I know. We'll get to the bottom of this". She manages to get out and I pull her into me. Watching Nathan getting dragged to one of the cars and taken away.
The police start turning the yacht upside down, looking for Elias, but he is gone.. however he managed that.
I am crossing my arms on my chest, staring at the one in charge. "And what is it you want to charge Elias with ?"
"Mr Leighton is being charged with assault with intent to kill and second degree murder". He says coldly. "He is a very dangerous man, sweetie, so if you know where he is you better tell me".
I shake my head… almost laughing. "I have no idea whatsoever.. As I said he never came home. But I know Elias, he isn't dangerous and I don't believe he has killed someone. If he has been in a fight it has been to protect himself or someone else".
"The young woman's brother and a couple of friends tried to contain Mr Hadley till we could get there. Mr Leighton attacked them, one is in the hospital and one is dead, believe me, he is dangerous". The officer says.
"Yeah and I am the cookie monster". I say sarcastically. "Not buying it, Sorry. If Elias did that he had a very good reason. And I am willing to bet you anything that Nathan hasn't r***d that girl, I doubt he has touched her at all".
He has the audacity to roll his eyes at me, mumbling something about gullible women. I am just about to give him a piece of my mind when Chris shows up, clamping a hand over my mouth. "Officer, I think you have looked everywhere twice, and Mr Leighton is clearly not here. So maybe you could let these poor women have a bit of peace now".
Finally the police leave, after telling us to contact them if Elias shows up and putting some kind of lock on the yacht so we can't leave. Chris goes into town to try and find out what is happening and I make tea, trying to comfort Aurora.
She has been crying non-stop since they took Nathan, mumbling that she doesn't believe it, that Nathan would never do that. And I keep telling her that we all know that and it has to be some kind of mistake.
Suddenly she looks up at me, her eyes red and puffy. "Did he do it ? Not the r**e, but did he cheat on me ? Did he sleep with that woman ?"
"Nathan loves you". I can't imagine Nathan doing that, but I fear he has done something to be submitted to these accusations. By God I hope he didn't.
I finally manage to get her to take a sleeping pill, and get her into bed, where she falls asleep almost immediately, totally exhausted. Chris is still in town, Elias is still missing and Enrique is getting the yacht back in order after the police raid.
Pacing back and forth waiting for Chris to return, I am about to go crazy, wondering what really happened last night. Suddenly there is a sound behind me and I whip around to find a dripping wet Elias standing there. He looks nervously at me. "Hello love".
"Elias !" I almost yell, throwing myself into his arms, kissing his face. He just holds me close, his chest heaving. "Oh God you are okay. Where have you been ?"
"It's better if you don't know, in case I have to hide there again". He kisses my forehead. "Could you please whip up some food, I am absolutely starving. I'll just go put on some clean clothes, then I will try to explain what happened.. I think I owe you that".
I nod and he gently puts me down, disappearing into the room. Seconds later I hear the water running. I quickly whip up some tomato soup and a plate of grilled cheese sandwiches. My heart is pounding away, scared for what he has to tell.
"It smells divine, darling". He sighs, as he walks back into the kitchen, looking almost like himself, except for the bruising on his face. He leans in kissing me softly, before sitting down.
I let him eat for a bit in silence, he looks like a man who hasn't eaten for a week. Suddenly he looks up. "I am so sorry they took Nathan. I had no idea they would take him. I thought they were just here for me.. had I known I wouldn't have run".
"They are charging him with aggravated r**e and assault. Seriously Elias what happened ?" I stare at him, hoping he can bring some sanity to this madness.
"What !?" He looks absolutely floored. "No... I mean I thought they came regarding the fight. r**e ?! For God's sake, Nathan would never r**e anyone… so that's why they attacked him, she claimed it was r**e". He is shaking his head in disbelief.
I feel my stomach churn and bile rise in my throat. "Elias, did Nathan have s*x with that woman ? Not r**e, but did he cheat on Aurora ?"
"It's.. I probably shouldn't... I mean... s**t". He rubs his temple, looking frustrated.
"Elias ! Did Nathan cheat ?"
He breathes in, then he looks up at me. "I honestly wish I could say no…But I can't, not without lying. He…".
- Writer
