Arin

The turnaround events from Roger's case weren't good. We all dived in headstrong but emerged as if we were the ones who did the crime. But the worst of the lot was the media scrutiny we underwent. Though Roger's attempt to get Brandon's past and the truth about his mother to the tabloids was successful, even we bore the brunt of a double edge sword. Unprotected, the press feasted on our private lives too like scavengers on a carcass.

Everything that we tried during the past few months all went in vain. Luck had given up its blessings on us and whatever strategy we had at getting Brandon to admit he was a bad father and an ex-CEO, backfire. Like a boomerang, whatever we threw returned to us, faster than we expected and with a more lethal force.

At this session of the court, Roger didn't look up at all. The defeat in his form and figure was highly obvious. His shoulders dropped from their usual stance and his sunken eyes were the reflection of sleepless nights where he ended up tossing and turning on the bed. Before Roger could move to his place with the lawyers, my hand coiled around his, pulling him away from them.

"You want to say something babydoll?" he asked, eyes glistening with hope.

"I...l don't..." words were to be pulled out for their reluctance to emerge like a shy kid at a party. Unable to meet his gaze, my vision lingered on the worn-down marble flooring. "What I want to say is that don't get your hopes high. It's..."

Roger tipping my chin up. "Don't worry. I know when I am about to lose. But I have you and that's all I ever wanted."

He trotted away, leaving me in the aftermath of his fake console. I knew deep down, Roger loved the company and even the thought of leaving it for Brandon to take over was killing him. Only now, was he preparing to do so in reality.

Falling back in my seat, I looked around for Dad and Malcom who were missing from the arena. With the judge walking in, the audience rose from their position. Moments later, the bloodbath of verbal arguments and pieces of evidence to malign character began, yet again.

It wasn't the first time this was happening and it wouldn't be the last. Over the past few months, this was the usual character assassination, we all witnessed. Only a deviation from the same route would catch us by surprise. Those moments were only a few.

Xavier walked in, from a corner of the room and dropped beside me. He looked tired, just like me who pulled an all-nighter to ensure no stones were unturned in our last attempt. My elbow nudged him. "Where were you?"

He shrugged and his hand gestured a cigarette to his lip but I knew him long enough to know when he was lying. True to his form, upon my head tilt for the truth, he winked like it wasn't a big deal to miss the merged company's decision day.

"You are such a bad liar," I said to him, ignoring his face.

He chuckled softly into his hand and leaned forward, sighing. "Any progress from the usual?"

My side nod answered. Spoken words in the court were less with the verbal arguments ahead of us, loud enough to distract anyone who spoke.

"I don't know what we'll do now, Xav. Brandon's lawyer is reeling Roger like he's the culprit."

With his hand clutched over mine, Xavier looked forward. "Things have a way of working out, darling."

My eyes rolled on the insides. "How? Please explain."

After a brief pause, Xavier fished his phone and tapped over his keypads, swishing a text. The whole process was so fast that I wasn't sure who the addressee was. The gavel banged, pulling us out from our discussion to look over at Brandon's lawyer who scanned some documents in his hands. He stood stuttering in his words, before tossing a look at Roger and his crew.

"What's happening? Did we miss something?" I asked no nobody in particular. My eyes blinked constantly, heartbeats paced up. Something happened. Something major.

My mind rattled questions about Brandon's stuttering attorney. What happened to the man who seemed to take shots after shots with his words at Roger? Was he having a stroke?

The gavel banged again, silencing the mutterings of the courtroom. I looked over to Xavier who sat in place, arms coiled over his chest and a sly smirk on his face as if there wasn't anything different about the situation now than a while back.

Clutching his hand, I squeezed the life out of his digits in a hope of getting him to confess. "Tell me what it is? You know something, don't you?"

Xavier pointed to the judge who banged his gavel harder to silence the crowd. His stern, hardened voice was scolding all who talked. The room fell back to its former state, yet a few backgrounds mutterings were ignored by the judge who turned pages after pages, reading something.

My mouth dried and I straightened to look over people's heads, right into the war zone. I knew something big had occurred. Something that changed the smug expressions of Brandon's attorney to falter.

When the gavel banged again and the judge's head tossed up, the entire room stood still as if his gaze held us all in a state of trance. Drawing a deep breath, the judge narrowed his gaze towards both parties sitting in front.

"In the light of the new events, I am dismissing this case. Roger Murphy shall remain the CEO of Murphy enterprises."

Many of Murphy's employees stood from their chairs and clapped, holding onto each other with the wave of congratulations running wild in the wind. Our team couldn't believe those words either. I remained glued to my seat, unable to process the words I heard. My ears still drummed the judge's heavy words. The case was dismissed.

We won.

Mrs. Rose, who sat behind me, embraced me while I felt the air escape from my lungs. I was still in shock to process the information. Only when she jerked my limp body, did I felt a semblance of connection to reality. "We won Arin. We won!"

My state of being was unexplainable. Pinpricks ran over my skin instead of goosebumps. My head floated in what felt like invisible liquid, still rationalizing what happened. Knowing well, our chances of losing were high, I stood still like a tree, unable to move or process the decision. Xavier moved over to Roger, doing their round of hugs and handshakes. When both of them turned to me at the same time, all I could do was reveal my set of teeth. I seemed to have forgotten how to smile.

While Roger mirrored my expression of shock and surprise, Xavier rendered a tight nod. Upon approaching them, Roger pulled me into his chest, muttering words, none of which were registered in my mind. My focus was on Xavier, my thoughts went over every single detail and pinged back to the time he sent the text and the decision was made.

"I'll talk to you in a moment." Placing my hand over Roger's chest, I moved a step back. He held me closer like he wasn't fine with letting me go so soon.

"If you want time to process what happened then I've news for you. Even I need to do the same."

Somehow, I was sure that he was as much in dark as me. "Don't you think it's a little convenient to just win? Just like that, Brandon decided to withdraw the case which for years, he tried making." My arms fluttered in the air, my head swung in its axis, trying to make a point.

With my lingering question, Roger's eyes widened. He took me to a side, away from our lawyers, all of whom were clearly in a mood for celebration

"I had my doubts but I thought it was the way we were fighting. The way we presented our arguments." Running his hand over the back of his neck before loosening his toe, he looked over to the now empty place. "You think someone or something made this happen?"

I nodded vigorously. "Yes indeed. I think Xavier knows something. I don't know how but it's my gut feeling."

Peering through the place, we registered Xavier's absence. Before we could walk out, our lawyers got hold of Roger to verify their media statements. Those words that they will tell the outside world. Hand in hand, Roger and I walked behind the team that would go down in history as the dream team that successfully made a huge tug of war between a father and son go away.

The camera flashes and microphones pointed in our directions were first addressed by the team of lawyers. They took all questions upon them, answering with patience and understanding. Only when the last of the questions were placed, the ones about how do we feel about the victory did Roger step ahead.

His hand remained intertwined with mine. Even amidst all the troubles and heartbreak, I had a man who loved me dearly, with a passion I had always hoped and dreamt of. Giving his hand a little squeeze, I saw Roger's side look on me. One that confirmed that I was due for my punishment.

"I'm really happy with the outcome. Our team of lawyers did well with their arguments and evidence. Most importantly, I am glad to still have the reins of my company."

The message was short and sweet. It was a perfect wrap up to the years of struggle and days of sleeplessness that held Roger under its hold. Although neither the media nor the people would ever know of the real struggles of him as a kid, his trust issues and the losses he faced since childhood, they were blessed to witness a man who after all this, emerged stronger.

With our security directing us towards the parked array of cars, we both descended the stairs of the courthouse. Both our heads turned one last time to see the place where a few months ago, we both stood like two nervous balls, praying for a win. Today, those prayers materialized.

The press continued to question us upon our descent. Many were the repeat of, "what plans next" or "when will we get married?" for which Roger turned and smiled.

"Don't worry about that. You'll all be invited." He gestured to everyone, making them laugh.

Before we could launch inside the car, a particular question stood out. "Ms. Oswald, will you and Xavier take over now that your father had resigned as the CEO?"

My steps halted at the question, head tilted to the man who held the microphone and a smirk on his face. With phones chiming on every other hand, the questions seemed to grow louder. Inside the car, the driver pulled up the windows but the muffled words and the screen taps were still audible.

"Arin, do you know the reason for your father's resignation?"

~

Wanderers

These are the last few chapters of the book. Yes, sadly the story of Arin and Roger is coming to an end..

As much as I am sad about their departure, I am glad for having every one of my reader who read and commented on this book and made me feel as if I was a star writer. I loved the way you all appreciated Arin's development and eyerolled at Roger's stupidity and tossed words of appreciation when the got together.

They'll love for you to check out my other work too * wink wink*

St
Paint me saved is a romance novel with fluff, banter and two protagonists whom you'd love for their affection and care for each other. Its angst, its crazy on emotions and its love, so do check it out.

Hope you all would give it a chance too, like all other work of mine :)

See you on the other side of another page of another book..

Love

S