CHAPTER THIRTY NINE - OFFICER MILLS

COLE'S POV

The reporter tried to imply that the new Mrs. just came to assist and bribe the victim's family on behalf of Simmons because she was engaged to Kyle but with the people around her confirming that, this is who Ariana is and has been since she was a young girl, they tried to change their attack on her and instead congratulated her on her marriage to Mr Simmons.

Nodding graciously, "thank you for your well wishes" Arie started and I knew she was going to say it now. I'm not ready because dad would be held accountable for the deaths at the plant.

"I'm not married to Kyle Simmons" she started telling the reporters, while I held my breath.

Smiling, "just so everyone knows, Kyle Simmons and I are not even friends, but I do know for a fact that he's crazy about my father's stepdaughter, Antoinette... uh" she shakes her head, lost in thought, before shrugging and continues. "In fact they have been hooking up, so maybe they are the ones whose engaged" she finishes with a confident smirk.

My girl sent the message instantly to her father and Antoinette about us! Now everyone knows that she's married, they could not come up against her anymore for the money. Their tactics will change and Arie and I need to be prepared for them.

One of the reporter instead persisted on questioning her on her marriage and to whom she's married.

Her smile slowly disappears, as she lifts her hand and stare at her wedding band.

Lifting her head, staring into a camera, "today it's not about me and maybe I should have left my wedding ring at home, but then, my husband made me promise to never remove this ring nor to hide it." She spoke with boldness, her grandfather beaming behind her.

Turning, she looked around her with a smile, "today, we're just reaching out. My husband, my grandparents, my friends. This is what we're doing, reaching out to the community" as everyone around her starts clapping.

Yet, that one, same, persistent reporter continued to question her about her marriage.

"Sir, my husband and I have a ceremony planned and everything, so you'll see the pictures soon." Arie blushes.

"I would also like to add that I have been reading about the tragedy at Simtech and things sound too easy, too well planned, making it easy to framed someone. In fact, I've yet to see your report of the video footage of someone holding a bag with the same type of explosives used at the Simtech." Arie casually shrugs but realizes that she got everyone in front of her attentions.

Mr. Lawrence leans over to Arie whispering something to her and she nods.

Returning her attention to the the reporters, "okay, thank you all and I must take my leave. I've got to get home and start cooking dinner for my husband" she chuckles, glowing radiantly, waving her wedding band to the camera.

Arie hugs her grandmother's arm as another woman from one of the charities Arie supports, hugs her other arm as they walks away.

But, Arie's last statement left everyone, shouting out questions to her back, as they ran after her, but her grandfather's security escorted her out, until she was no more in view.

One reporter immediately took up where Arie left of,

"Did the newly married Ariana Lawrence just insinuate there's more going on here and it's being covered up. Who's covering up? What footage? Is Ariana saying that maybe, just maybe, they are looking at the wrong persons and ignoring the real criminals?" the reporter concluded.

"Your wife's got balls, I gotta admit it" officer Mills, walks into the room my father and I sat waiting for another evening of interrogation.

Shaking my head, I just smiled, as did dad, who still hasn't said anything about Arie's interview.

"So, why didn't your wife mention that she's married to you?" officer Mills used that to start his interrogation.

Instead of ignoring this question, I responded, this time.

"Her father, her stepmother and her stepsister disapproves of our relationship, so we eloped" I admitted, not missing the surprise that he was quick to coverup.

Adjusting himself more comfortably, "Antoinette Lawrence" officer Mills started "is the step daughter of the Lawrence's family?" he seemed surprised by this information.

I never heard what happened after the cops took Kyle and Antoinette away for questioning.

"What did you think?" I asked instead.

Looking between dad and myself, "she said that she's engaged to you." he informs us still surprised.

Not surprised by his answer, "I bought Ariana's engagement ring when I was twenty one, Antoinette and her mother separate us for a while, when Arie was done with college, we found our way back to each other and, well I didn't wait for formalities, we eloped without anyone knowing, until now.

"What about your relationship with Antoinette?" he asks again and I cooperated, because it seems significant to him.

Laughing humorously, "after she tried to breakup Ariana and I, the only times I ever saw her, was at social events, but she was always with my brother, who loves her deeply. Personally, even if she was the bitch breaking up Arie and I, I supported my brother's relationship with her" I related to him, noticing his bewildered expression.

"So it was always you and Ariana and your brother and her stepsister?" officer Mills tries to confirm again.

"Yes Sir." I answered, curious about his line of questioning.

Nodding in understanding, maybe we have a motive now" officer Mills said softly, speaking to himself.

I felt uneasy with this comment from him.

"Do you think your brother was jealous about , maybe Antoinette's feelings for you?" he asked me and I instantly realized what he was trying to do. Accuse my brother.

Shaking my head, not removing my eyes from his, "or, maybe, Antoinette was jealous of my feelings for Ariana" again, surprising him with my blunt response.