THE REMORSEFUL BILLIONAIRE

“Test positive for drugs,” I thundered furiously. ” How?” I demanded furiously, but the detectives turned deaf ears, and I was handcuffed before leading me out of the room to a cell where I would be spending the night.

“Mr. Nathan, you will be staying here for the night here. That’s the bathroom,” the detective said and pointed towards a door. “Dinner will be served soon, and feel free to ask for anything else you might need,” he added before walking out of the room and locking the door from outside.

Once inside, I scrutinised my surroundings and noticed that the place wasn’t that bad after all. The cell was a modest room, clean and sparsely furnished with a small bed at a corner. It also has a dim light and a small window for ventilation.

Knowing fully well that I was supposed to be sharing a dirty and overcrowded room with dozens of others, if not for the special privileges I was granted due to my father’s affluence and influence. I sank on the bare floor with my hand buried in my head, reminiscing over how my life has been disrupted in the past few hours. My mind drifted off to Judith and the kids; I could remember the joy I felt when I thought of seeing them a few hours ago.

She must have learnt of my predicament by now since the media involvement. It is certain all of London already knows. I couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment she must have felt. I was just starting to get closer with the kids, and then this happened again, stripping off the moment of peace and joy I had wanted.

The sudden unlocking of the door drew me out of my thoughts as the detective returned with a well-packed dinner and other necessities. I opened the food, and it was a well-prepared meal from a popular restaurant, but I didn’t have the appetite to eat.

Still seated with my mind a whirlwind of emotions, I eventually fell into a fitful sleep. I woke up a few hours later, and sleep eluded me. It was the toughest and longest night of my life, as I was restless and overwhelmed with worry and sadness. Sometimes I paced around the small room, and sometimes I closed my eyes in futile attempts to rest, only to wake up suddenly some minutes later.

Finally, it was morning, and a detective came around to escort me back to the interrogation room. I was asked some questions, which I answered confidently and explained everything that transpired from the phone call to the hotel room.

Despite my explanations, the detective expressions showed that they weren’t convinced. I was then shown a file where she claimed that I assaulted her brutally, accompanied by a medical report that showed that she needed up to four weeks to heal from the vaginal bruises inflicted on her.

I was dumbfounded by this concrete evidence put in front of me, even when I had no idea of her claims. I thought that was all, not knowing it just started when footage was played. The footage revealed me engaging in a brutal assault, ripping off her underwear and pinning her to the bed, ignoring her refusal and screams for help. I eventually overpowered her and committed the grievous act.

If not for the image of my face that was clearly shown in the video, I would have denied that I was the one. The figure in the video looked like that of a beast devouring its prey.

“With a few thousand euros, I could have any woman I desire in London, so why would I choose to assault one?” I asked the detective, and he ignored me. It was a bit upsetting that he kept disregarding my questions, but that was the least of my worries, and at this moment I needed more allies, not foes.

I was asked about the drugs, and I denied it vehemently, even when the results and search say otherwise. I requested to see Catherine if she could repeat all the allegations to my face, but I was denied that, citing that she was still in the hospital recuperating.

“Mr Nathan. I advised you to get in contact with your legal team, as you will be charged to court. The public is highly sentimental about this case as the media already give them the leverage of knowing, and their attention has been piqued,” he advised and walked out of the room.

My lawyers arrived soon after and asked me the same questions, of which I answered absentmindedly. They watched the footage repeatedly while I was still thinking of the possible ways I could save myself.

“Maybe he was drugged,” the youngest of the lawyers interjected. At that moment I looked up at him, my interest piqued.

“Drugged? Why did you think that?” The senior lawyer inquired, his curiosity evident.

“I could recall a similar case from law school,” the young lawyer explained in a calm and resolute tone. “It was a case where drugs are used to trigger one’s sexual desires and the person would be sexually aroused without awareness. In the absence of a willing sex partner, he might resort to assaulting someone, entirely unaware of their actions.” He added, brilliantly.

At that moment, it all made sense, and a flicker of hope was revived within me. The last thing I remembered was drinking a glass of wine, and shortly after I was sexually aroused, then I woke up some minutes later, but in my case I knew we had sex, but I was unable to control my desire at that moment. I just wanted to have sex with her; nothing else mattered.

“Oh, Evan. I’m so proud of you,” the senior lawyer commended him, his voice filled with admiration. “I knew you were a good investment when I hired you immediately after law school. You’ve never disappointed me,” he added again, smiling and evidently relieved as he patted the young lad on the back.

“Mr. Nathan, I believe you have been drugged. The challenge now is how to prove it and get the exact time you were drugged so that we can prove it’s not just coincidental,” the senior lawyer said.

“And sir,” the youngest lawyer interjected, raising a finger to speak. “Where is the rest of the footage?” They can’t just bring in an incomplete video and expect us to acknowledge it as evidence. The lady in question should be interrogated again. They were lovers at some point; then why would he choose to assault her when they have been previously entangled?” He inquired and the other lawyers nodded in agreement.

“Clearly there are several loopholes in this case that the police must uncover, and one may just discover that Mr. Nathan is a victim,” the second lawyer added.

“Yes, Evan. Exactly,” the senior lawyer exclaimed and let out a small laugh. I looked at their faces and saw a surge of relief on it as they all smiled that they were making progress, finally being able to avoid my father’s wrath.

“First, let’s go back to the hotel where it all began,” the senior lawyer instructed, and they all closed their briefcases.

“Mr Nathan. We will return tomorrow or next, before court proceedings. We hope to gather concrete evidence to prove your innocence,” he added, as they walked out of the room as confidently as ever.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As they departed, I felt a revived hope within me as the smile that I had lost for several days flashed on my face, rekindling the strength that I had once lost.