The Final Chapter: The Verdict

*Michael*

"You guys, the verdict is in."

The room was silent. Too silent.

"What?" Rose whispers.

"H-How? We just went to break not even two hours ago?! How can they get a verdict that quickly?" Bradley exclaims, making the guard jump.

Dalma, Curt, Bill, and myself are in shock, almost paralyzed. How could they make a decision that fast?

Rose on the other hand, was calm. She was still eating her salad. It was almost as if she didn't hear a word the guard just said.

"I'm just as shocked as you are." The guard puts his hands up. "You guys are due in an hour." He says, walking out the door.

"This is bullshit!" Bradley yells, slamming his fist on the table. "How can someone have a verdict in such a short amount of time?"

While Bradley yells at nothing, I look over to Rose, who still seems to be unbothered about what she was just told.

"Honey," Curt motions to her, "are you okay?"

Rose smiles, but it was a weird smile. Something I've never seen before. It was scary, to say the least.

"Daddy, I'm fine. Honestly! I'm fine." She exclaims, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "I'll be right back, I have to use the bathroom."

We all watch as Rose gets up and leaves, Dalma following her. We can hear Rose telling her mom that she's okay in the hallway.

Curt, Bradley, and myself all sigh. I look around the room thinking about what just happened within ten minutes. It was only a matter of time before we knew our fate, and only one of us seemed to be hopeful.

*Rose*

"Mami for the last time I am fine!" I yell from the bathroom stall. "Quit asking me if I'm okay." My mother wouldn't leave me alone and followed me everywhere. Like where am I going to go ? I can't even piss in peace.

"Mija I'm just trying to help that's all." My mom says in a soothing voice. "Your behavior is kinda weird, given the circumstances of what just happened."

I come out of the steal and wash my hands, looking at my mothers concerned face in the mirror. She was right, my behavior was strange. I would've been freaked the fuck out like everyone else but for some reason I wasn't.

I was calm, I think it's because of what just happened in the courtroom with Traci. Since she basically set herself up, it should be clear that I'm innocent in the embezzlement part. As for the belittling of my former employees, that was a different story.

My mom continues to speak as I walk through the doors, walking past all these scornful eyes. I was getting a little agitated until I saw a familiar face that I haven't seen in a while.

"Miss Rose!" Charles yells, skipping down the hallway to meet me.

"Charles! What are you doing here? Oh my God you brought Fiona!" I exclaim, seeing my beloved dog and butler here made me feel a little more comfortable.

"You know we couldn't just leave you here alone. We're here for you no matter what." Charles snaps his fingers and smiles. "I mean, where are we going to go if you're not here to boss us around?"

I chuckle, and give him a tight hug. "Oh Charles. I don't know what I would do without you. How could you still want to work with me after all I've done to you?"

"Honestly? You're the only one who seemed to care about me more than the other employees. Plus when the first scandal broke out and everyone ditched you, I didn't stay because I wanted money from you, I stayed because I felt like you needed a friend. And I knew you were going to be even more in a rage but I could handle it. As long as you were okay, I was okay."

I smile and scoop him up for a hug, he's tinier than me so I had to be careful not to break his back.

"Oh thank you for being here. And thank you," I bend over to my fluffy Pomeranian and kiss her nose, "for not hating mommy when she was a psycho bitch." I coo, and I hear my mom express her disgust.

"Yuck mija what the hell is that?"

"My dog Fiona. She's a Pomeranian."

"Ugh!" My mom walks past me and Charles and walks back to the break room. "All I know is that she better keep that pomegranate away from me. Dios miooooo."

I laugh and look over to Charles. "Well, I guess it's time to head back. Again, thank you so much for being here. It means the world to me."

"Anything for you Miss Rose. Don't worry, you'll get through this. I expect to be reporting for work first thing in the morning!" Charles quips, and I laugh, temporarily forgetting about the verdict.

••••••••••*Michael*

"Where is she? She's supposed to be here getting ready." Bradley bellows, taking another Xanax.

"She should be outside, she was playing with that pomagrammion or something." Dalma says, turning her nose up.

The door opens and Rose walks in, smiling to herself.

"Finally! She had arrived." Bradley sighs.

"Calm your dick I was only gone for ten minutes." Rose scoffs and sits next to me.

"Hey." I grab her hand, and she looks at me, still smiling.

"What's up?"

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Of course. But come here, I wanna talk to you before we go in." She motions me to walk over to the corner where we were away from everyone.

"Michael," she sighs, "all the bullshit that's happened in the past year has been a serious reality check. I was self centered, had no filter, and thought the world revolved around me. I meet you and you're the first person who's been able to stand up to me, and was willing to be my friend. After the first scandal, I was shocked as hell that you actually wanted to talk to me still. I wouldn't give you the time of day for nothing, and it took me awhile to realize how deeply in love I am with you. If it wasn't for you that night in the hotel God knows where I would be now. You're the reason why I'm staying strong for everyone. To be honest, I'm scared as shit. Im just smiling and what not because I'm trying to be positive. Im terrified about this verdict, it never dawned on me that I could actually go to jail, and for 20 years at that! I'm scared that if I'm found guilty, I'll never get to truly love you again. " Rose finishes, tears rolling down her cheeks.

I grab her face and wipe the tears away. "You listen here Rosalinda. You need to stop thinking about going to jail, because you're not. You proved the judge about Traci lying, there's some proof of you not signing some papers. You're a free woman. You just have to believe in yourself that you're not guilty, because tomorrow, you'll be waking up to me and we can start our lives together. And even on the very slim chance that you are found guilty, I'll always love you no matter what. I don't think I could ever love someone as much as I love you. You're my everything baby." I kiss her cheeks, and she smiles.

"God what did I do to deserve you? You're the greatest person on the planet." Rose whispers.

I kiss her forehead and hold her for a few moments, and then the guard comes in to tell us that it's time.

"You guys ready?" Bradley says.

We all nod and walk out the door. Rose goes and gives her mom and dad hugs and kisses, and gives me a big kiss on the cheeks.

"You got this babe." I whisper.

"I know." She says, and walks down the hallway with Bradley.

Dalma, Curt, and myself walk with the guard inside the courtroom and we sit down.

"Isn't this sad?" A woman in a big, black hat says to me. "It's even more sad for me since we used to be friends, Rose and I of course."

I nod my head. "Yeah it is sad. You used to be a friend of Rose?"

"Yeah, we still are friends but we just drifted off." The lady takes off her sunglasses and looks at me.

"I'm Lisa Marie Presley. Nice to meet you." She smiles, extending her hand out.

•••••••••••*Rose*

"Remember, think positive. We got this." Bradley whispers in my ear as we walk into the courtroom. I look around and notice the mystery woman again. She was sitting next to Michael and talking to him. I still couldn't get my finger on who she looked like, since she put her sunglasses on when we walked in.

I notice that my mom is looking at her and giving her the death stare for talking to Michael, and she finally shut her mouth.

Judge Preston comes up to the bench and we stand, waiting to be told to sit down.

"You may be seated." Judge Preston says, shuffling some papers. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury I understand you all have reached a verdict, the verdict form has been handed to the bailiff." He turns to the bailiff and motions him to come forward.

"Thank you bailiff." He looks over the paper once again.

The silent room was filled with anticipation and the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. It seemed as if everyone was holding their breath.

One of the jury men stand up, and begins reading.

"The state of Florida and Georgia versus Rosalinda De La Fuente verdict, count one, mistreatment of employees and taking back money." He flips the paper and my heart rate starts going up.

This is it.

"We the jury find the defendant, not guilty on count one."

I hear the people in the back give sighs of relief behind me, and I was still holding my breath.

One count down, two more to go. It's already looking like I'm a free woman.

"The state of Florida versus Rosalinda De La Fuente verdict, count two, embezzlement of 1.5 million dollars, 200,000 dollars in damages and fraud. "

I take another deep breath, and look down.

"We the jury find the defendant, guilty, on embezzlement and fraud."

My heart stopped. I couldn't hear anything. All the blood rushed out of my body.

I'm guilty ?

I hear my mom scream a little and Michael calming her down before they throw her out. I couldn't turn around to look at them. I was too ashamed. I have no feeling in my body as they read the third and final verdict.

"The state of Georgia versus Rosalinda De La Fuente verdict, count three, embezzlement of 1.5 million dollars and 150,000 dollars in damages and fraud. We the jury find the defendant..."

I finally have the strength to look over to Michael and my family, tears streaming from my eyes as they say the final verdict.

"Guilty, on embezzlement and fraud."

It was as if everything was in slow motion. Bradley and Detective Jameson putting their head on the table, my mom fainting in my fathers arms, my father holding back tears, everyone in the room whispering and in shock, and then there's Michael. Frozen. He just kept starting into space. His facial expression emotionless.

When he finally regained some sort of movement his eyes locked with mine. I open my mouth and try to say something, but nothing comes out.

"Miss De La Fuente," Judge Preston's voice booms, "I hear by sentence you to 35 years in federal prison. Bailiff, take the defendant into custody, where she will be charged for two counts of embezzlement and fraud."

35 years?!

Everything started speeding up again, people are yelling, Jameson and Bradley are up in arms over the bogus prison sentence we just heard.

I don't realize I'm being escorted out until they open the side door, and I turn and give one last look at my family, and while everyone's standing up and leaving, my father is carrying out my mom, who's still passed out. Michael is still sitting there, staring at the floor. As I'm about to walk out the door I notice the mystery woman once again, and she's consoling Michael, hugging him and making him stand up. She takes off her hat and sunglasses and I gasp when I realize it was Lisa Marie.

She notices me looking at her and smirks, walking out of the courtroom with her hand on Michaels back. I get out the courtroom and get handcuffed, and I can hear all of the paparazzi and media reporters on the other side of the door.

"Take her to the cruiser, and I'll deal with the media." Bradley orders, and looks at me. "I'm going to get you out of this. I promise."

I held no emotion on my face as I was taken outside of the building, a few paparazzi were able to catch me getting in the car.

"Left leg first, then right leg." The officer says.

"I'm not 12 years old, I know how to get in a car." I hiss.

"Don't test me. I will make this ride hell." The officer threatens.

"My life is already hell." I murmur, and he shuts the door in my face.

20 minutes later we end up in the front of the federal prison, and I'm taken into the holding cell.

"Please strip off all metal and jewelry from your body." The lady says from behind the plastic window.

I take off my earrings, belt buckle, necklaces, and bracelets and place them in the bucket. I look at the the ring Michael gave me for the final time and take it off, a tear coming down my face.

I never got to say goodbye to him. Or even I love you.

"Do you have any piercings on your body?" The lady asks.

"Um, I have a navel piercing and nipple rings." I say tirelessly.

"Please remove your clothing in the bathroom next to you," she says, and slides two plastic bags across the window panel, "and place them in this bag, and take off all piercings and place them in this little bag." She hands me another bag with orange prison clothes and tells me to put them on.

I get the handcuffs taken off of me and I walk into the bathroom, sighing to myself.

To think I was so damn positive about being not guilty... And why the fuck was Lisa Marie there. Knowing I hate her, trying to console my man?

Those were the only thoughts going through my head as I stripped off my clothes and removed my jewelry. I frowned when I took off my nipple jewelry, my prized possessions that I love so much, and slipped on the new uniform that I would be wearing for the next 35 years.

I exit out of the bathroom and a female guard comes and takes me to get my mugshot and my fingerprints done, then I'm taken into some sort of holding cell. I've been waiting for about ten minutes before somebody came in.

She was a tall, intimidating woman who meant business. As soon as she sat down she cut right to the chase.

"Hello, I'm C.O Brown and I'm going to be your probation officer for the time being. Seeing that you're someone of a higher status, it's going to be tough out there for you. So for your safety and others you will be placed in a separate cell for the next few days. When it comes to eating, showering, and chores you have no choice but to interact with the other women. Fighting is not allowed and visitation will be in effect for you within two weeks. You will wake up at 5 am everyday and have breakfast at 5:30. After breakfast you can take your showers and get ready for your daily chores. On Monday's, Wednesday's, Friday's, and Sunday's you will be working in the library stocking books and checking out books. Tuesday's, Thursday's, and Saturday's you'll be out in the yard either gardening or cleaning. 11:30 is lunch time and it ends at 12:15. 2:00 is when you'll meet with me for a daily check up and 4:00 is dinner time. You'll want to make sure you eat the food here the first couple of weeks you're here because your commission check will not be posted right away, as it takes a while to process. From 5 pm to 6pm you work your last shift and from 6pm to 9pm you'll have your free time, where you do whatever you please, but make sure you shower and get ready for bed in that time frame since 9:30 is lights out. You understand all of that?"

I nod my head, even though I wasn't paying attention. I haven't been paying attention to anything since the verdict was read. I feel like I've left my body, no soul, no emotion, no meaning to anything at all.

"Alright. You have your first hearing for parole three years from now." Brown says, closing up her binder. "So I'd say in January 1992."

She exits the cell and a guard comes up and takes me out the hallway. I see a bunch of inmates looking out the plexiglass window, gasping at the sight of me.

"O look what we have here! The big, bad bitch Rose is in jail!" Someone yells, throwing insults towards me.

More people yell through the window and threaten me as I walk down the hallway, to my solitary confinement.

"This is where you'll be for the rest of the night." The guard says, opening a single cell for me. "You'll be assigned a cell mate within a week. It's almost time for dinner so be ready to go downstairs."

"What if I'm not hungry?" I whisper, looking at the stone walls.

"Then you don't eat." He simply says, and walks out the cell, the gates closing behind him.

I didn't eat at all that night. I didn't sleep that night either. My hell was being in here for the rest of my life. For the next year I wouldn't speak to anyone, I got into a fight almost every other day, the only thing that was keeping me sane was the visits from my mother, father, and Michael.

Michael visited me everyday. Always bringing me something for my commission, whether it was money, or books. He brought me "Flowers in the attic", my all time favorite book, so I can escape into a different world whenever I had the chance.

Bradley and Michael seem extra determined to get me out of here as soon as possible, but as the time went by, my hopes went to hell.

I was lost in this world that I once dominated, that I thought was mine. Only to have it crumble within months. My name gets dragged through the mud everyday.

It was a never ending nightmare. One I hope I will end soon.

-------------Crying because the book is over :( are you guys shocked about this ending? I know I am. I bet you're wondering how Michael truly feels about this whole thing. You find out ;)

Thank you so much for reading this story! I guess I should tell you guys the name of book two now huh?

It's going to be called, 'Heart On The Line.' Sounds familiar huh?

It'll be out May 4, 2016. With more twists and turns and drama than ever before! Don't worry, it's only going to be a months wait :)

I love you dearly, Angii <3