29.

the bad boy captured

AS AKARI STOOD outside Ethan's office, her heart hammered in her chest with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Ethan had texted her earlier to come quickly to the office. She feared what news Ethan had to deliver, worried that it might bring more pain and uncertainty into their already tumultuous lives.

Fleur sensed Akari's trepidation and placed a gentle hand on her arm, offering a reassuring smile. "Whatever it is, Akari, we'll face it together," she said, her voice calm and steady. "We've come this far, and we won't let anything stand in the way."

Akari nodded, drawing strength from Fleur's words and the unwavering support she offered. With a deep breath, she pushed open the door to Ethan's office, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead.

Akari and Fleur entered Ethan's office with a sense of urgency, their brows furrowed with concern as they noticed his stressed demeanor. The rain pelted against the windows, a reflection of the turmoil raging within them. Akari's heart ached with the absence of Julian, her thoughts consumed by the fear of what lay ahead.

"Ethan, what's going on?" Akari asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. Fleur nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring Akari's concern.

Ethan closed the door behind them, his features set in determination. "I've called this meeting because there have been some significant developments in Julian's case," he explained, his voice laden with urgency. "Several individuals have reached out to me, expressing their desire to aid Julian in his legal battle."

Akari's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Julian's name, a surge of hope mingling with the despair that threatened to overwhelm her. "Who are these people?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Akari's heart clenched at the mention of Julian's name, a flood of emotions crashing over her like a tidal wave. The weight of his absence bore down on her, the ache of longing gnawing at her soul. She couldn't bear the thought of Julian languishing behind bars, his innocence overshadowed by false accusations and deceit.

As Ethan hesitated, Akari's anxiety intensified, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty. She felt as though she were teetering on the edge of a precipice, her entire world hanging in the balance. Every fiber of her being yearned for Julian's freedom, for the chance to prove his innocence and reclaim their shattered lives.

"Are you familiar with the car repair shop on Elmwood Avenue?" Ethan inquired, his gaze shifting between Akari and Fleur. Akari nodded in acknowledgment. "And the boxing ring on Main Street?" Ethan continued, prompting Akari to confirm her knowledge of the location.

"Yeah, Julian used to frequent those places," Akari began, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "But what does that have to do with the current situation?" Her brows furrowed with confusion as she awaited Ethan's explanation, her mind racing with possibilities.

"So," Ethan paused. "Pete is one of the mechanics that works in the repair shop and Hank is the owner of the boxing ring," Ethan breathed out.

As Ethan spoke, Akari's thoughts raced back to the times Julian had mentioned Pete and Hank in passing, recounting anecdotes from his days at the car repair shop and the boxing ring.

Akari murmured, her voice tinged with realization. "Julian used to mention about Pete and Hank in his stories."

"Do they have something to say? If they were close to Julian, their testimony holds significant weight," Fleur observed, her mind already strategizing how to leverage this information in Julian's defense.

"Well, what do they have to say?"

"Pete, the mechanic, has some compelling evidence to support Julian's innocence," Ethan began, his voice brimming with urgency. "His friend works as one of the security guards at the Jones mansion."

Akari's eyes widened in astonishment. "That's incredible," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "If we can corroborate their testimony, it could be a game-changer for Julian's case."

Fleur nodded in agreement, her expression one of cautious optimism. "Indeed," she agreed, her mind already racing with the possibilities. "But we must ensure that Pete's friend's account is credible and verifiable."

Ethan continued, his voice steady as he relayed Hank's account. "Hank, the owner of the boxing ring, revealed that Alexander frequents the gym there every weekend," he explained. "He overheard a conversation in which Alexander discussed blaming Julian for something with another individual."

A surge of determination coursed through Akari as she processed the new information. "So, there's a chance that Alexander may have been plotting against Julian all along," she mused, her voice tinged with resolve. "We need to act fast to secure that CCTV footage and any other evidence Hank can provide."

Fleur's gaze hardened with determination. "Agreed," she affirmed, her tone resolute.

"He's on it right now," Ethan said.

Just then, the door burst open, a person entered the office with an air of authority, his presence commanding attention. His stern expression conveyed the gravity of the situation as he approached Ethan with purpose. In his outstretched hand, he held a pendrive, a tangible symbol of the evidence he had gathered.

"It's all in here," He declared firmly, his voice resonating with conviction. "Publish it, hand it over to the police, do whatever you want with it, but the evidence is solid."

"Thank you, Hank," Ethan's gratitude was palpable as he accepted the pendrive from him, offering a heartfelt thanks in return. The tall man nodded in acknowledgment, his demeanor reflecting a sense of duty fulfilled.

As Hank turned to leave, Akari seized the opportunity to express her gratitude. "Thank you," she said earnestly, her voice filled with emotion. "For helping."

Hank's stern facade softened slightly as he regarded Akari, his gruff exterior giving way to a hint of warmth. "Julian's a good kid," he remarked, his tone rough but sincere. "That's why there are good people around him, wanting to help him." With a final nod of reassurance, he exited the office, leaving behind a renewed sense of hope and determination.

"We got this," Fleur smiled.

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AFTER SECURING A copy of the evidence on Ethan's laptop, they wasted no time in heading to the police station to deliver it to the chief officer responsible for Julian's case. As they entered the station, a sense of urgency hung in the air, fueling their determination to see justice served.

In the chief officer Jacob's office, Ethan, Akari, and the officer sat down to discuss the newfound evidence. Jacob, a stern yet attentive figure, wasted no time in reviewing the contents of the pendrive, his expression shifting from skepticism to intrigue as he absorbed the information presented to him.

The pen drive contained a video revealing Alexander's sinister intentions, depicting him discussing the drug trade with one of his men. In the footage, he coldly instructed his accomplice to drug William before Julian's visit, anticipating a confrontation. "This is my chance," Alexander declared, his voice dripping with malice, "to ensure William's demise and pin it on Julian."

As the chief officer watched the video, a grim expression settled over his face. The gravity of the situation was undeniable. It was clear that Alexander had orchestrated a sinister plot to frame Julian for a crime he didn't commit.

Ethan, Akari, and the officer exchanged solemn glances, the weight of the evidence sinking in. It was a chilling revelation, but it also provided a crucial breakthrough in Julian's case. Now armed with concrete proof of Alexander's malevolent intentions, they were one step closer to clearing Julian's name and bringing his true assailant to justice.

"This is substantial," the chief officer remarked, his voice reflecting a hint of surprise. "If what's on this pendrive checks out, it could change the course of Julian's case entirely."

Ethan nodded, his eyes alight with determination. "We've done everything in our power to gather this evidence," he affirmed, his tone resolute. "Now it's up to you to ensure that justice is served."

Akari, her heart pounding with anticipation, leaned forward in her seat. "Please," she implored, her voice tinged with desperation. "You have to do everything you can to help Julian. He's innocent."

Officer Jacobs nodded solemnly, his gaze meeting Akari's with a sense of understanding. "I understand your concern, Akari," he replied, his voice calm yet compassionate. "Rest assured, we will spare no effort in ensuring that Julian receives a fair trial and that justice is served."

Ethan and Akari stepped out of the room, the weight of the conversation still lingering in the air. They let out a sigh of relief and hoped for the best.

"I need to see him," Akari said. Ethan nodded. "Should I—"

"No, it's okay. You should go," Akari interrupted, her determination unwavering. "I can see him alone."

"Alright, I will text you," Ethan nodded, offering a reassuring hug and left.

Akari approached the front desk of the police station, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation. "Excuse me," she addressed the officer on duty, her voice trembling slightly. "I'd like to see Julian Jones, please."

The officer regarded her with a sympathetic expression, nodding in understanding. "I'll check with the duty sergeant," he replied, before disappearing into the back office.

After a few moments of anxious waiting, the officer returned with a nod. "You can see him now," he informed her, gesturing towards the holding cells.

With a mixture of relief and apprehension, Akari followed the officer to the area where Julian was being held, her mind racing with thoughts of what she would say to him.

As Akari laid eyes on Julian, her heart swelled with a mixture of relief and anguish. It had been two long days since she last saw him, and the toll of his ordeal was evident in the weariness etched on his face. Despite his fatigue, his eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope as he turned to meet her gaze.

Without a moment's hesitation, Akari rushed to the bars separating them, her hands reaching out instinctively towards him. "Julian," she breathed, her voice trembling with emotion.

Julian's weary expression softened as he saw her approach, a flicker of warmth igniting in his eyes. "Akari," he murmured, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and longing.

For a moment, they simply stood there, their hands pressed against the cold metal bars, drawing comfort from each other's presence amidst the starkness of the jail cell.

Julian reached out between the bars, his fingers gently cupping her cheeks. Despite the cold metal separating them, his touch conveyed a warmth that transcended the confines of their surroundings. Locking eyes with her, he wordlessly conveyed a silent reassurance, his touch a tangible reminder of their unwavering bond amidst the turmoil surrounding them.

With a tender smile, Julian reassured Akari, his voice filled with sincerity. "Hey, don't worry about me. I'll be fine," he said softly, his eyes reflecting a sense of unwavering confidence.

"Besides, I hear orange jumpsuits are all the rage this season," he quipped, a hint of humor lacing his words.

Akari couldn't help but laugh at his lighthearted comment, the sound ringing out in the somber atmosphere of the jail cell. "Shut up, don't say that," Akari slapped his hand on her cheek. "Don't even joke about that,"

Julian chuckled at Akari's playful reprimand, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Alright, alright, no more jokes about fashion trends in prison," he conceded, his tone gentle as he reached out to gently caress her cheek. "I promise."

Akari's expression softened as she met his gaze, her heart heavy with worry yet buoyed by the warmth of his touch. "I just hate seeing you like this," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Locked up in here, when you should be out here, living your life."

Julian's expression softened with understanding as he leaned closer to the bars, his gaze unwavering. "Hey, as long as I know you're fine, I can handle anything," he assured her, his voice filled with unwavering determination. "I love you,"

"I love you too," Akari kissed his palm. "You will be out soon,"

Julian's smile widened at Akari's words, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes. "I know," he replied, his voice laced with confidence. "And when I'm out, I promise to take you on the most amazing date ever."

Akari couldn't help but laugh at his playful optimism, her heart swelling with love for him. "I'll hold you to that," she teased, her voice tinged with affection.

A stern voice echoed from behind, breaking the tender moment between her and Julian. "Time's up," the guard announced, his tone brusque and commanding.

With a final exchange of reassuring smiles, Akari reluctantly released Julian's hand, knowing that their time together was limited. But as she turned to leave, a sense of determination filled her, fueled by the promise of their love and the hope of a brighter future ahead.

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Awwww. 😭😭😭 my heart hurts for them. 😭😭😭 I can't wait for him to get out of there. 😢💔💔