***All characters depicted herein are of age, 18 years old at least, and some of what you read may be distressing. Any acts of violence should not be recreated in any way in real life. Stay safe!***
Inside a courtroom, where Irvine White, 58, has stood trial for sexual assault against Tiffany Bright, 21, the Judge presiding over proceedings has reached a decision on sentencing, decreeing, "In regard to the defendant, Mister Irvine White, determining the correct sentence for the offence of sexual assault against the plaintiff, Miss Tiffany Bright, has been decided on the following factors: that psychological harm was caused by the incident to the plaintiff as evidenced in the reports from a licensed counsellor and therapist, that the incident was recorded by security cameras at the premises, showing strong violence towards the plaintiff, showing significant threat and touching of the genitalia in a violating manner decided as seen to be without consent through review of the footage by jury, that as a person in authority over the plaintiff you abused your position of power and the trust between you from that.
"Given your aggressiveness and non-compliance during and since the incident up to now, it is considered by me that any argument for mitigating factors to reduce a sentence based on good character with no prior convictions on record or supposed remorse the defendant has, which has not been displayed during proceedings, are negated. So, for the safety of yourself and members of the public, I am going to give a custodial sentence of six years imprisonment. If good behaviour can be proven during this period, an appeal may be made where your sentence will be reviewed."
The bailiffs with Irvine escort him from the courtroom, and Valentina Cortes, 30, gathers her belongings and leaves the courtroom with a stern look on her face; a mixture of upset and anger bubbling beneath the surface of her skin.
In a waiting room down the hall from the courtroom, Valentina enters to see Tiffany anxiously awaiting news, and Valentina reports, "He has been given six years in prison, with the chance to appeal if he can prove good behaviour. Congratulations."
Tiffany doesn't smile, or show any real sign of happiness or elation at the news, instead having a realisation of remorse, and a churning sickness swirling around her stomach, because of what they have done sending this man to prison; a man close to her friend's family. Her lip trembles and she clasps a hand to her mouth as she feels the reality that she has destroyed a man's life and career.
Valentina approaches Tiffany, and places her arms on her shoulders, and says, "No need for tears. For what that man did to you, there should be no tears. You have done nothing wrong. The only wrongs are his," and she pulls Tiffany in for a hug, and Tiffany slides her arms around Valentina's back, as she says, "He chose to do what he did, knowing what he wanted, and now he is getting exactly what he deserves. Now, you can live free of this, and move on to get what you deserve."
Tiffany, snuggled in the comfort of Valentina's chest, says, "Thank you, Tina. I appreciate everything you have done for me."
Tina plays with Tiffany's hair, stroking it gently with the back of her hand, and Tiffany looks up at her face, then Tina suddenly kisses her passionately, with all the fire of her desire. It is inappropriate for her to be with a client in such a manner, but the case is over, right? So, it is okay. As long as they are alone, everything will be fine, or at least Tina tells herself, feeling the thrill of thinking about being caught.
Tiffany enjoys the taste of Tina's lips as they kiss, but she comes to a realisation of what she is doing and breaks herself free from Tina's embrace. With a disgusted look, she shakes as she says to the lawyer, "No. We are not doing this. My body is for my boyfriend to use, and no one else. People need to learn to keep their hands to themselves," and she storms out of the waiting room.
Tina calls after her, "No, please? I'm sorry," but the young women is long gone, rushing down the corridor to leave the courthouse. Alone once again, Tina feels an emptiness swell strongly within her, like a tidal wave rising high up above her with a frightening groan, threatening to engulf her in her entirety, to be lost in the deep ocean of her emotions.
Her face blank, and her eyes heavy, Tina walks out of the waiting room, leaving the door open as she leaves, and she makes her way out of the courthouse and to her car. She places her things on the passenger seat, and sits in the driver's seat, facing all the other parked cars across from her in bays side by side, and she turns her head to see the bays either side of her empty, making her feel even more disconnected from the world.
Tina stares at her handbag, and she fishes in it for her phone, looking at recent calls, seeing an incoming call at the top of the list from Melissa Fisher that she had yesterday. She presses the screen of the smartphone, and calls Luke Bailey, next on her list with multiple failed outgoing calls. The phone rings, and rings, and rings, the tone dull and almost patronising in her ear, mocking her.
The call rings out, for what feels like forever, and just as Tina thinks about hanging up, she hears an answer, "Bailey."
Luke, 28, has answered. Tina bursts into a flood of tears, crying loudly, and Luke says in her ear, "Tina. Don't worry. I am coming to you. You should be at the courthouse. Stay there in the lobby and I will be there as soon as I can."
Tina hears Luke stay on the line with her as he rushes to his car and starts the ignition, making his way to her as he promised. She stays sat there still in her car, unable to move, and unable to speak, as the minutes drift by, with the sounds of Luke driving in her ear. Her face soaked with tears and her throat choking with soreness.
The minutes pass, and Luke tells Tina, "I'm here. I'm coming to you. Stay with me."
Tina lets Luke know, "I'm in the car. Bay near the courthouse entrance."
Luke says, "I see you," and he runs to the car and opens the door. Tina swings her legs out and throws her arms around Luke as he squats down beside her. He comfortingly strokes her hair with the palm of his hand, and he says, "I'm here."
Tina looks into Luke's eyes, and says, "No one loves me. I'm all alone, and I'm scared."