151. How Does It Feel?

"Do you have anyone you'd like to contact?"

"My mother."

"We've tried her multiple times already so has your father with not success."

"Grandmama?"

"They are both either offline or not picking up. We've also received a report concerning a change of their residence. As per the findings, they probably moved the moment you were placed on remand."

"Seems I've been abandoned. They are the only people I can contact at the moment. Father was right about mother leaving someday."

"I'm sorry madam."

"What of the hotel? I haven't gotten word of it since our cases were taken over by someone else."

"The penthouse is considered a crime scene. Almost every item in there has been tagged and marked for evidence for later use in both your case and that of your father. They've also resumed collecting fingerprints, hairs and fibers the moment it was discovered your friend had gotten in there. Presently, even your brother can't access the penthouse however, the hotel is still open for operation among other businesses of your mother's side of the family."

"Their whereabouts are not a priority for now. Where does my brother live then? He can't go to the main house which I'm assuming is in a far much worse state after father opened his loud mouth to that traitor of a lawyer."

"He has also managed to hide himself well. Perhaps your former lawyer is helping him stay out of the public eye with reporters constantly on the lookout for any member of your family."

"I hadn't realized my case had been aired already."

"For now, no. It's you father's that attracting a lot of negative attention but seeming that he has worked with many charities, I'd say his public image is viewed half and half.

Subject to the case being taken over by another team, reinvestigations have completely began anew. Your father is upset of course however, he has chosen to cooperate with the team of prosecutors assigned to his case, yours being angled differently though I wouldn't advice that you keep your hopes up. You still face drug possession charges under section 42 of drug trafficking, illegal possession and association without proper license.

Additionally, you also face charges of attempted aggravated kidnapping. Before your previous lawyer turned on you, your charges were forced detainment against the victims will, use of fear through potential physical harm and forceful drugging without victims consent. Luckily, there is no proof that you sought to detain the victim forcefully or had nefarious intention such as obtaining ransom. The latter may be ruled out since the victim did loose the first case hence you are more likely to only face drug trafficking and drug possession charges.

As for your father's cases which keep pilling up, the prosecutors and other lawyers including myself are handling well his post conviction writs. The much evidence procured so far are from your former lawyer, most of which you had earlier given to her however, police have been involved too and that is why previous reports of abuse filed against him keep coming up. Nonetheless, since most were settled outside court through compensation, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. Regardless of how positive things may seem, we are exercising caution since prosecutors have exclusive power over both cases and are working hand in had with the police, advising them the way forward. Keep in mind their work can not be obstructed by any other authority which might serve as an advantage to both of your cases separately."

Mora smirked. "Just like father wanted."

"It won't be that easy."

"Preventing father from fleeing the country doesn't serve any purpose. This is his base for a hunt. He knows every rule of law like the back of his hand. I'd say he predicted this turn of events. I'm not sure if he is planning to abandon me or I had been used as a pawn all along."

Pulling a chair to sit in front of Mora, her legal advisor felt the need to assure her. "You are not entirely abandoned. There has been a frequent visitor asking after you almost everyday. Naturally, she wasn't allowed to meet you despite her being religiously adamant at wanting to have a word with you."

Mora seemed surprised. "She? You don't mean Elric's mother?"

"It's your friend Mijin."

"Oh really?" A nefarious frown formed on Mora's face. "Why wasn't I informed of this?"

"The prosecution doesn't believe it wise for you to receive visitors especially after you attacked your father."

"I'm cuffed as it is, who I'm I supposed to attack?"

"It does mention your visits are limited to one person, a limit extended to a legal advisor such as myself for only three visits per week."

"As my legal advisor, you need to up your game. Even I'm aware of my rights to a visitor aside from my lawyer every week, a video visit that shouldn't exceed ten minutes and a phone call for 100 minutes every fortnight."

"I understand, yet despite that knowledge, there is a promise you made me which you are yet to keep."

Mora let out a menacing laugher. "What a simpleton. You want me to do your work for you?" Dangling her cuffed wrists in the air, she asked mockingly. "Release me then I shall fulfill your wish to the latter. That's my only condition."

The man sighed at the impossible, averting his eyes to hide the realization that he had been fooled yet again. "She came today as well. She may still be waiting outside if she hasn't been sent on her way."

"Mijin?"

Looking back at Mora, he nodded his head, a feeling of excitement churning inside him upon seeing Mora's surprised look which to him, represented hope, the kind he'd been addictively clinging to.

"Then go get her!"

As soon as the man left, Mora began to feel perceive her anxiety flaring. She hated being alone for it was in great silence that she quietly bore the noisy chattering inside her head, which only amplified her anxiety more.

Despite that commotion in her mind, she put up a brave front. She was no weakling and she wasn't about to be one today. Shutting her eyes tightly, she blocked out the sound of slamming doors, the loud clicking of shoes and the noisy chattering of people laughing.

'Her smile soft, she thought to herself. 'It would be nice to see a new face. I wonder if she has delivered.'

"Mijin," Mora spoke when she finally set eyes on her nemesis, who sat in front of her, her look nonchalant. "How nice to finally see you."

"I wouldn't say the same about you." Mijin replied then scanned the room. There were three cameras facing them so clearly, their conversation was being monitored.

"I'm not going to hurt you and even if I wanted to , I couldn't with these cuffs on."

"Stop acting like we are friends."

"You hardly look like someone who has a child." Mora ignored Mijin's remark. "Did you settle for an abortion eventually?"

Pointing at Mora's lawyer, Mijin asked, "Why is he here?"

"Leave us be."

"If I leave, I'll have to bring one armed guard in so pick one."

"Find a way to stay outside. I don't care how you do it."

Hesitant, the man finally left after Mora threw him a piercing look and advised keeping the conversation for as short as ten minutes.

"I see you haven't changed at all, except now you're no longer pretentious and two faced but your true self."

Although Mora appeared pleased to see Mijin, her excitement did not extend to reach her eyes at all. "It's hard keeping up with what's happening outside when I'm cooped up in here. How is Yeon doing?"

Mijin scoffed, her eyes dropping to look at the cuffs on Mora's hands which she'd openly placed on the large table. "I want to be free from you and out of my head."

"You will never be free from me."

Locking eyes with Mora, Mijin spoke with conviction. "I warned you never to hurt my brother but you went ahead and did as you pleased. Were you trying to mock me?"

"Not everything is about you. Surely you must know already people will always choose your brother over you."

"Enough!"

Mora's lips spread so wide that her chin began to quiver. "What a temper you still posses."

"I had three men assembled in my home and when I looked at them, they seemed to be doing far much better than me including your dull-witted brother. Despite denying him my scent, he recovered yet here I am, torturing myself over what happened with memories of your laughter and you watching my humiliation for entertainment. Tell me why you did it Mora. You owe me closure."

"I owe you nothing. You on the other hand owe me the promise to have your little brother."

"Why?" Mijin whispered in desperation. "Why attack me like that?"

"Do you really want to know the truth?"

"Yes."

"You slept with evebody but me."

"What?"

"I told you before I wanted to try you too did I not?"

"I've always been with male partners. That's why I turned you down."

"Even so, if you were open as Elric was, would you have..."

"Never. I hated you. I hate you more even more now."

Mora laughed again. "You're a funny one aren't you? Do you honestly believe I wanted to sleep with you? Your brother, I've thought about many times. I enjoy watching him more above anything else. As for you, you have nothing that I fancy. Just like everyone else including my brother, your impulses are boredly normal, your responses predictable. I knew you'd come seeking for me, spouting some revenge. That's your type. Uninteresting and unsurprising. I simply did what I did because I was bored."

"Fuck." Mijin swore feeling defeated. "I'm not the same person you used to know. In the time I was pregnant I thought all about what I would do when I meet you. That thing tied me down and I'm kinda glad I had time to reflect on my life. You often said you were the smart one. Maybe it's true, maybe I'm not but one thing is certain. You'll never lay a had on Yeon ever again."

"You do know I'm going to get out of here. My father and I are simply trying to see who is the strongest of us two. This is a test that has nothing to do with you. If you wish to meddle, be my guest but I will warn you. Unlike me, my father acts as he thinks. Me on the other hand plans ahead just like I predicted you'd come to see me someday."

"You're letting out scent aren't you?"

"Ha!" Mora's eyes lit up. "I almost thought you wouldn't notice!"

"Unlike your lawyer, I took inhibitors so do not be mistaken that I'm as gullible as your lawyer."

Mora giggled, switching her personality to a friend one. "I can only commend you for your preparedness however, I advice that you go home and rethink this little revenge of yours."

"I know where your stuff is. All the things you've kept of Yeon for his scent which you use like some fap material..."

Unimpressed, Mora asked. "So what?"

"I can get you Yeon's blood if you like it so much."

Suddenly, Mora's face grew sinister.

"You like that don't you?"

"State your purpose for coming here."

"You are sick. I'm disgusted by you and your need for my little brother's blood. Earlier, you told me he was your weakness therefore, today, I came prepared to give you what you've been craving for the most. Eugene!" Mijin called out and Mora's legal advisor walked in.

"What is going on?"

"I bet you didn't know his name was Eugene either, yet you promised to give him your imprint." Looking at the man, Mijin said. "She will never do that so don't expect it."

"You are my family's lawyer! Explain to me why you are conniving with the enemy!"

"Is it already in effect?"

"Yes."

"What is going on here?" Mora seemed to panic.

"Two things. One, your admirer here offered me a helping hand after I promised to get you out of here... Through a stretcher of course and secondly, it appears my charm still works just as fine at luring men even after you made me feel dirty. I didn't even have to sleep with him. The moment we spoke of your freedom, he agreed immediately."

"You're playing a dangerous game Mijin."

"Go to hell Mora. I hope you get to see the news of your house burning once your heat dies down."

"What?"

"I already knew you were never going to give me closure but one thing was certain. That look you have on now, realizing I'd outwitted you is enough to satisfy me for a while."

"Careful Mijin. You scanned the room so you know we are being watched."

"No one knows she came here. How do you think I left you two alone knowingly putting myself in trouble?"

Mora appeared even more confused. "What are you talking about? The cameras..."

"You have a five minute window period so you have to leave now Mijin."

"It wasn't easy getting Yeon's stuff but you have to make sure you keep your word Eugene or I will expose you for what its worth."

"Hey...!" Mora shouted then gripped her chest. "What was that?"

"Your heat. You've never experienced one so you wouldn't know." Mijin replied.

"What did you do to me? When...?!"

"That's the same drug you gave me, my brother and Hajin except I had it made tenfold in concentrate. It creates a heightened sense of smell giving you temporary hyperemia. You and your father need to learn one thing, a promise given should be delivered, that is how you cover up secrets and make allies."

Mora's breathing was growing short for she appeared to be running out of breath yet still struggled to speak as she fought on, but then began perceiving scents, more scents that it became intoxicating to take them all in. "Stop..."

Leaning forward towards her, Mijin coaxed. "Beg me to call for help just as I begged you that day."

Her hands clinging to her chest, Mora felt like she were having a heart attack. "What... have you ...done to me..."

"You think you were the only with access to the illegal drugs? Your very own father used Eugene to run his errands just as you did. He aided me in everything and I have kept my promise to him."

Standing up, Mijin dressed the man who's face seemed flushed from Mora's scent. "Only imprint and nothing more. I'm not like her so I won't sit by and watch."

"If you leave, I might end up doing more than that. Her scent has always chanted me."

"Are you that stupid or do you want to rot in prison with her? Your only leverage is her scent affected you because she went into heat! All blame befalls her for not taking her inhibitors provided for by inmates! What is wrong with you?"

Looking at Mora, Mijin added, "Bite her and call for help immediately. I'm leaving..."

Mijin hadn't anticipated the forceful shove from Eugene that by the time she'd managed to rise from the floor after falling, Eugene had already bitten Mora at the nape of her neck.

"H-Help..! Someone..!" Mijin rose up and opened the door, screaming at the top of her lungs. She felt frightened and hated that she couldn't stomach whatever just happened.

"I'm feeling nauseated!" She yelled but more to herself as memories of the night Mora had forcefully forced her brother on her came back, flooding her mind and a sense of relief washed over her the moment she heard footsteps of someone running approach closer and the moment she spotted them, she pointed at the room she'd just come from.

"Fuck...!" Mijin wept. "I shouldn't have stopped him... I should have ironed her just as she ruined me..."