It's been two days since the scandal between Gerald and aunt Elsie happened, he has been locked up in the cell without knowing the reasons for it -he doubted if it's what happened that triggered his arrest.
He sat in the cell, his eyes fixed on the floor as different thoughts ran through his mind. He did not regret his actions but blamed himself greatly for letting his emotions get over him -he had successfully ruined everything for himself!
He's been stuck in the cell for two days with no way out, and he wondered if he's ever going to get out soon. He wasn't feeling any pity for himself, but towards Ciara -he wondered if she'll be okay under aunt Elsie's mercy, and her son too.
Gerald's heart was heavy as it clenched tightly in his chest. The monotony of the days seemed to stretch on for an eternity. He wasn't sure how much time is gone for the day -time seemed to stand still.
The sound of the door opening jolted him out of his stupor. He looked up to see the warder standing there, a strange look on his face.
"You've got a visitor, man!" The warder said, almost scowling down at Gerald. Gerald was taken aback by his words. No one had ever visited him before -and he is sure no one would. "And she didn't tell me her name either."
"She...？" Gerald asked with his left brows raised, still unable to fathom what the warder meant. The only one who could probably pay him a visit in such a state is Ciara, but she can't at the moment.
-except if Ciara's aunt would do it herself, definitely to come taunt him with her presence, maybe? Gerald's face squeezed in to a tight frown, staring blankly at the warder.
"Why is she here?" Gerald found himself asking the warder, who in return glared gravely at him.
"Why is she here?" The warder repeated his question, this time, scowling at him. "Are you asking me that question? How am I supposed to know, huh?"
But Gerald did not say a word in reply, he only shook his head as he averted his gaze back to the cold floor.
"Are you coming to see her or not?" The warder's voice snapped him out of his trance. He hesitated for a moment before nodding his head slowly in affirmation.
"I'll..."Gerald lazily replied.
"...take you to her." The warder finished his sentence, his expression unreadable. "Follow me."
Gerald got to his feet, his legs shaking slightly as he followed the warder out of the cell and down the corridor. His mind was racing, trying to figure out what was going on. Why would Ciara's aunt want to see him?
They stopped outside a small, nondescript room. The warder opened the door, gesturing for him to go in. He did so, and found himself face to face with the woman who had cunningly sent him into the hole he's currently in.
The woman in question was none otherthan aunt Elsie, Ciara's aunt -just has he had suspected. She was staring at him with a cold, calculating gaze, her lips set in a tight line. There was something about her that put him on edge, as if she was a predator about to pounce on her prey.
"I'm surprised to see you here, Mr. Gerald." She said, her voice cold and sharp. "But I'm sure you know why I'm here, don't you? I have a proposition for you."
Gerald wasn't surprised by her cold stare nor her nonchalant words, instead, he stared back at her, returning the same vibe too. "I've been waiting for you -you seem laterthan I expected." He spitefully told her. "Are you so scared that I'll do something again? Even in this hole I'm in?"
"Oh, Mr. Gerald." Aunt Elsie chuckled, wearing a smile that wasn't broad enough to reach her eyes. "You know very well that you're in no position to make threats, and you can only do next to nothing. But I'll overlook your attitude, this time."
Gerald doesn't seem moved. Yeah, she is right! He can't do anything because ofthe hole he's in, but he's not going to sit back and watch herwreak havoc -she has had enough already, he won't let more slide like this one!
"What do you want from me?" He asked her in a hoarse voice, staring coldly at her. "I'm sure you would never have brought yourself here, else I'm of use to you. Admit it, old hag, you still need something from me. Is that why you are keeping me here?"
She paused for a moment, letting the tension build in the room. In as much as he was right, she would rather not admit it! She wants to convince herself that she did not need him, but there are many things she needed that only Gerald knows about it -that was why she couldn't kick him away at first instance!
"As I was saying, I have a proposition for you -a good one at that. I'm willing to release you from your current..."She paused briefly as she gestured around the room. "...situation, in exchange for something from you."
Gerald narrowed his eyes at her, not liking where this was going. "And what exactly is that something?" He was tempted to ask, but he knows the woman before him better than anyone -the few days he's got to know her, he was able to read her real well.
"Cut the chase, old hag!" He countered in a sharp tone, wearing his usual facade of stoic expression. "You and I both know you don't bargain things. You go for what you want without bargaining for it, what's with your attitude this time?"
Aunt Elsie smiled broadly, she was right about him. Only someone like him will be needed -he had managed to read her perfectly without getting close to her. She was impressed, and that will only make her want him more.
"I don't bargain, yeah..."She said, admitting to his words. "But I'm ready to do so -if it'll please you..."