IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER - Season 9 Episode 67

Aria suddenly grabbed the policeman by the arm and asked, “When can I get out of here? I want to go out!”

She was very determined that she must go out. She couldn’t stay in the place anymore!

It took the policeman a few seconds before he replied, “I will notify you when results are out! As for whether you will get out of here, I am not sure and it will depend on the legal provisions.”

Saying that, the policeman pushed Aria in, locked the door and turned away. Standing in the corner, Aria was very frightened to see the other people in the room and didn’t dare to walk toward her bed.

“Come over! What are you afraid of?” A fierce and vicious woman shouted at her.

Frightened, Aria trembled at the thought of getting any closer to the woman. All her life, Aria was a free spirit, unrestrained, like a bird flying across the sky. But now she felt as if she was locked in a cage with her wings clipped. And in the cage were ferocious eagles all around her.

Aria’s reluctance to step forward only made matters worse. The threatening woman snapped. Like a rabid dog, she charged directly at Aria, clutching her by the hair and forcefully pulling her away. Out of panic and pain, Aria screamed, and frantically fought to break free from her assailant’s grip, but to no avail.

Coldly, the woman asked, “So? Are you afraid of us? Why should you be fear of us, only to bring yourself in here, without our invitation? Or better still, why don’t you find your way of escape and get the hell out of here, lady? If I were you, I’d do it faster than a scalded dog.”

Under unbearable pain, Aria took a squint at the woman and clenched her teeth. “I will certainly go out. I didn’t do anything wrong and I will not stay here!” she cried.

“Ahem, how funny! You didn’t do anything wrong?” The woman cleared her throat in derision and sneered, “I am afraid that you don’t shed tears until you see your own coffin. Let me tell you! You have rubbed Rebecca the wrong way, in addition to your heinous crimes. Don’t even think of escaping out of here. Ever!”

Aria’s eyes popped out, for fear and surprise to find herself surrounded by notorious women criminals. These were all hardened, merciless crooks. The kind who would kill just for kicks, if it suited their fancy.

“Newbie, watch your mouth when talking to us! In here, you’re on Rebecca’s turf, and you don’t have much of an option but to obey her orders. Or else, she’ll torment and make your life miserable.” Another woman suggested.

“No, please don’t!” Tears flooded Aria’s eyes at the harsh reality. She was still confused, not knowing what on earth was happening to her. “I don’t know her and I didn’t offend her. You must have mistaken me. I really don’t know her,” she pleaded.

‘These people are so horrible, ‘ she inwardly concluded, her eyes welling with fear, heart pounding in terror, even as she tried to explain herself.

Suddenly, another woman seized her by the collar, pulled her close and glared at her.

“Do you want to know the reason?” she asked with a smug.

Aria didn’t reply, but she couldn’t wait to know why they acted so wickedly toward her.

“Because you have snatched her man, and you must pay for it!” The woman explained, “Do you know what that’s gonna cost you? Now, you may as well forget about that man. You will never have the chance to see him again!”

It was until then that Aria realized all these had to do with Lawrence, since he was the only man she had relationship. So, was Rebecca also interested in Lawrence?

By the turn of events lately, Aria realized that everything was well orchestrated. Rebecca, pulling strings behind the curtains had arranged the part-time job for Aria. Under the pretext of the job, they had hatched a scheme to frame her with a crime in the line of duty, while she served Rebecca wine. That was quite an airtight trap. It would be difficult for Aria to wriggle her way out. With Rebecca’s popularity, everyone would take her side, which would only further complicate things for poor girl – Aria. ‘What should I do? Will my life be ruined just like that? Do I really have a chance of making it out of this place alive?’ Aria wondered, sliding into melancholy with every passing minute.

A shrill voice jerked her out of her reverie.

“Hit her hard!” the woman ordered.

Before she could know what was happening, fists and kicks flew from every side, raining on her like hailstones. The blows came so fast and hard, Aria could only block but a few, until she realized it was useless trying to defend. It was a spine-chilling experience as the ruthless gang of criminals tortured and tormented her. She felt as if she was a piece of meat on the chopping board, and she feared her fate was sealed, done and dusted. In this harrowing manner, she knew the hoodlums would trample her to death.

By that time, at the XS Hospital, Greg stood in the corridor, dialing Aria’s number time and again. But none of his relentless calls was answered.

Puzzled and confused, Greg muttered something. “Where did she go?” he wondered loudly, even though he was just alone. “It’s now several days since she last came to check on her mother. What could be the problem with her? Is she OK?” he continued with his monologue, beginning to feel very unsettled.

Unable to reach Aria by phone, Greg couldn’t find any other means of to contact her, so he helplessly gave up, wondering whether she tied up with something more urgent.

After leaving Kate’s ward, Greg walked into the elevator, intending to go back to his own office.

For a moment, he stood in the corner of the elevator, thankful that no one recognized him. Still disturbed by Aria’s mysterious absence, he badly needed solitude. But just that was not to be. Only a short while in the corner, he overheard two people engaged in chit-chat.

“Have you seen today’s news headlines? Rumor has it there’s a woman attempted to attack Rebecca, but was nabbed before she could actualize her plans. Currently, the culprit is being held at the police station.”

“Oh, yes, I heard it, and that woman really deserved it! Regardless of her reasons for hating Rebecca, she shouldn’t have pulled such a foolish move, especially in front of so many celebrities gracing the occasion. I heard that Rebecca’s fans descended on the woman with such a beating she was feared dead before the police intervened.”

“You are right! But even at the police station, I am afraid she might never find her way to freedom again.”

“For her poor judgment, she tried to bite more than she can chew. Didn’t she have an idea of how influential Rebecca is? That’s a mega superstar, with huge support from the JC Group. Although she no longer works under the JC Group label, she still is in the group’s good books, and her popularity only keeps growing. With that kind of fanatical fan-base, it’s a death-wish for anyone to think of attacking Rebecca at such an event!”

“That woman asked for trouble and got what she deserved!”

“Anyway, enough of that woman now! See, your aunt is still in the hospital, and you should be thinking about when she’ll be discharged. It costs an arm and a leg for a patient to stay here just for a day.

That should be our immediate worry at the moment, instead of wasting precious time on a random suicidal woman with the nerve to attack celebrities at public events.”

“You are absolutely right! Let’s go!” …