Interrogation 3

"Hahahaha...you must be joking.'

Brian narrowed and stony glare pinned Ian on his seat.

"I sent this harlot..." Brian pointed to his wife, who was still on her knees, her left eye swollen from the earlier slap and her nose dripping with little blood. "...to your office with the sum of 1.4 million dollars to refund your bloody loan. So don't you dare come here and act all righteous, you useless bastard? You didn't do me any favour."

"Oh really?!" Ian's let out a scornful chuckle.

"Oh God..." Lola felt all her internal organs collapse a second time. She lowered her aching head as she pondered on the perfect excuse to give. She had no plans of dragging her bestie into the ongoing mess.

"Now you listen, you worthless nincompoop." Ian's deep seethed voice reverberated in the room. "I am not a hungry man neither am I a beggar like you and your wretched family. I'm also not the type of man to go back on his word. What I gave to your wife was a gift and not a loan. I never received any payments from her or you and I don't intend to. I would say it's rather unfortunate that your naive wife went through all of this stress for a worthless imbecile like you."

Brian balled his fist, ready to punch a hole through Ian's face.

"Mr Hart!" The chief of police's threatening voice forced Brian to channel his frustration to his sobbing wife.

"You never gave him back the money?!" Brian thundered, the bulging veins on his face almost popping from so much pressure.

"I...I...I...I" Lola could barely make a statement in her distorted state. She feared that Brian was going to hit her again. So she braced herself for another impact.

Like an insane man who had just skipped his medication for two days, Brian started laughing hysterically while clapping his hands and cheering weirdly.

Just when the chief of police was about to dial the psychiatric clinic thinking the sick husband had lost his mind, Brian's laughter ceased. The earlier humour was replaced with a scowl.

"Do you know what, I'm no longer surprised. If I was told right now that you've slept with half of the men in this City, I won't be surprised."

"No..." Lola shook her head but that didn't stop her husband from spewing venomous words.

"Yes. I'm not just married to a barren woman but a liar, a manipulator, a cheat and a conniving prostitute."

"Hah..." Lola cupped her quivering lips with both hands.

"You are a rotten egg, Lola and you do not deserve to bear my name. My mother and sister were right to antagonize you all this while. They knew you were a fake. I was blinded by the love I had for you. But it's over now. We are done."

"Please... please...I'm sorry..." Lola cried harder.

"Chief, please... Can we all know what the result is?" Ian asked, visibly appalled by the ongoing drama. "I do not have the whole day to spend here. I have other important engagements.

"Certainly!"

The chief of police tore open the envelope and read out the HIV status of the two male suspects.

"Mr Brian Hart, HIV status; negative. Mr Ian Forde, HIV status; negative."

"No...no...no...he infected me." Lola pointed her trembling finger at Ian.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Hart but the result says otherwise."

"The result is wrong...you have to do it again. He infected me. I swear!" Lola pleaded.

"Mrs Hart, this test was conducted twice to ensure there were no errors. It's obvious that neither of these gentlemen is responsible for your viral infection."

"No... he infected me. The result is false." Lola remained in denial.

"Chief, can I please request that this case be dropped." Brian's raspy tone was deep and resolute. "I can now attest to the fact that my promiscuous wife has been sleeping with other men aside from her boss. I do not want to be called to the station again for this issue and I don't want my family name tainted."

"No...no..." Lola stood up on her trembling feet and dashed over to her husband.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Brian barks at his wife, stopping her cold.

Turning to the chief of police as her final beacon of hope, Lola ran over to him and fell at his feet.

"Please sir, don't close the case. Grant me justice. Save my marriage. I beg you in the name of God. Help me. You are my only hope. Help me plead with my husband. I swear, I didn't cheat on him. I was drugged and had no clue of what I was doing. I'm telling the truth."

The chief of police let out a long sigh. A part of him wanted to believe Lola. But the other parts which had fresh memories of his wife's affair, wanted to crucify Lola.

Taking in a deep breath, the chief declared.

"Case dismissed."

"No..." Lola's screaming trailed as Brian stormed out of the office, closely followed by a secretly bruised Ian and his pompous lawyer.

********

Six days after the fiasco at the police station, Jamal and his loving family were able to assist Lola recover slowly from her miserable state.

Thanks to an anonymous donor who funded Jamal's bank account with the sum of one million dollars, Jamal happily closed his coffee shop temporarily to take care of Lola. He was also able to fund all the necessary expensive medication for his future mother-in-law.

Like a withered plant that had survived the harshest winter season, Lola bloomed under the intense love and nurturing in Jamal's home. She was no longer looking sickly and pale like before. All her facial blemishes and scar had all disappeared all thanks to nurse Maureen's herbal expertise.

Unlike the Hart family members who were always draining Lola with their endless lists of wants, Jamal's family were caring, considerate, compassionate and supportive. They never for once stigmatized her due to her HIV status. Instead, they showered her with affection until her constant crying became a thing of the past.

Ellen was able to talk Lola out of having an abortion when the latter made known her intention.

Jamal on the other hand promised to help Lola unravel the misery behind her infection and pregnancy.

Chelsea was rarely seen around Lola due to her very busy work schedule. She would occasionally call to check up on Lola while encouraging her not to lose faith. Try

On that faithful Saturday morning, being a weekend, Jamal, Lola and Maureen set out on a discovery journey to De Lamont hotel, to find out what really went down on the day Lola was drugged and abused.

The trio drove down the busy road of Westler City, enjoying some good country music vibes.

Then out of the blue, Maureen came up with a note worthy idea.