Emile's POV:

My mouth dropped open. 

I looked back at Roman, not sure if we had heard the same thing until I saw how shocked his expression was. Sending him an unsure glance, I flicked my eyes at the door. He nodded back, his hands squeezing into tight fists.

"Is he really..." I mouthed, eyes wide. 

Roman shrugged. "It might be a bluff with a friend meant to scare us," he whispered back. "But I don't know. He's definitely low enough to--"

The door began creaking open. 

Immediately, I pressed my hand over his mouth and dragged him around the corner. I might have been short, but I wasn't weak, and Roman was pretty light for his size. I stopped behind a large potted plant, with tropical pink flowers popping from every angle. 

We watched as Andy stormed out, looking disgusted and frustrated. "I can't get anything done with you useless bitches!" he growled, flinging a clipboard at the ground. "I don't want or need to sign some fucking piece of paper!"

He turned around, looking at his reluctant accomplice. "Andy, please, calm down," the judge sighed. 

Roman let out a gasp under his breath, making me clap a hand over his mouth again. 

"Shut up," I hissed under a whisper, my brain whirling and spinning. It felt like a thousand bees were trapped inside of my mind, buzzing at me to solve this mystery. 

The judge folded her arms. "If we're going to get you out of this, I'm going to need time. And I still haven't been told what you're doing with your friends."

"That's none of your business," Andy huffed. "Just do what I tell you to and I'll pay you well, alright you useless thing?"

She looked hurt but didn't speak up. So different from the cold-eyed, sharp woman I had seen at the podium. 

Roman seemed empathetic. "I feel bad for her," he hissed at me. "Having to deal with that scum bastard."

I nodded, an amused smile appearing on my face. "I wonder what his friend is doing, too," I murmured back. It was so confusing right now, I just wanted to focus on one thing at a time, but that seemed impossible. 

There's a trial going on. This abusive ass is still not in prison. We have no chance of winning this trial if Andy is really bribing the jury. I still need to help everyone as a therapist.

But how? How can I do that?

I tried to think, tried to focus so hard that I didn't even notice the judge leaving the hallway, her heels clacking and echoing on the glossy floor. Immediately after she was out of earshot, Andy took out his phone. It had a semi-transparent, blue-and-purple phone case and looked pretty new. 

He dialed a number and put it to his ear. 

"Hey, Trixie," he purred slowly, his voice syrupy and sweet, practically dripping with honey.

I shivered. 

He coughed a little, clearing his throat. "Are you done? With you-know-what."

A pause. "Of course I'm alone," he sighed, exasperated. "But I'm still not going to say what it is, there are security cameras here."

Rolling his eyes, he waited a little while as the person on the other side-- Trixie, was it?-- talked. "No? Why haven't you?" he asked, anger creeping into his tone. "It's easy. I know, I know."

Another stop. Andy leaned against the wall. "You know, babe, that's a pretty good idea," he laughed. "But we'll need more time for that. He's here, so we'll have to wait, alright? You can do it in a little bit."

Do what?

I peeked around the leaves, trying not to rustle them. 

Andy chuckled again. "And you remember the plan if anyone sees? Good."

He cracked his knuckles, smirking. "Yup, sure. I'll see you in a bit if all goes well."

And with that, he slipped the phone back into his pocket and began to walk away, down the hallway. His walk was confident, as if he was completely sure he owned the world. It made me sick. 

Once I was sure he was gone, I released the breath of air I had been holding in. 

This spying session was supposed to answer my questions, not create more for me. And yet that was exactly what it had done. 

I wasn't sure what to think. 

Roman took a deep sigh and exhaled, stretching his back like a cat. "Well that was confusing," he muttered. "What is you-know-what?"

"Not something good, I suppose," I replied, standing up and biting my lip. "Well, we'd better get something from the vending machine and go so the others aren't suspicious."

The redhead nodded, propping himself up with the plant. "Sure. You want anything?"

After thinking about it for a bit, I shook my head. "You know what, I'm not really hungry right now."

Roman scuffed his shoe against the floor. "Understandable."

---

I joined the others in the courtyard, hopping on the round stones covering the courtyard. Trying to relax, I stretched and plopped next to Remy and Daryn. 

Remy smiled at me, the smile warm and comforting. 

I couldn't stop myself from grinning back and let my head flop onto his shoulder, leaning into him. "You're doing a good job," I murmured, my eyes flicking up to meet his. 

He tilted his head, allowing a short laugh. "I wasn't quite aware of that, but continue. I love compliments."

Closing my eyes, I felt a flutter of birds stir inside me. "Alright, you narcissist."

"Hey, I'm not a narcissist," he protested, looking at me with wounded eyes. 

I smiled. "This-- the whole trial-- it can't be easy. I can't imagine doing this myself." The birds spread their wings and jumped into flight. 

Soon after I spoke, I felt something close around my hand. Looking down, I noticed Remy had slipped his hand over mine, our fingers tangling snugly around each other. 

I moved closer, smiling again and sighing happily. 

A moment of silence passed, before Daryn clapped her hands together, making me jump. "Well! I'll leave you two to be all gooey and lovey-dovey, and I'll go off and do something else. Have fun!" She smirked, waving good-bye, and stood up. 

"You-- you have it wrong," I protested, blinking rapidly. "That's not--"

Virgil laughed. "Does she, though?" he called teasingly. 

Daryn smiled. "Ooh, I think I'll go talk with that guy. He seems interesting." And with that, she flounced off to sit by Virgil. 

Me and Remy looked at each other, blushing. Then I looked away. "I can-- I can move if you want," I offered, reaching to untangle our fingers. 

"No, don't," Remy said, quietly. He squeezed my hand gently, making me pause. "You're... comforting." He looked away, embarrassed. 

I could have died right there. 

But I didn't, and laughed instead, giving his hand a soft squeeze back. "You're pretty nice yourself, Remy."

"Lovebirds~," Roman called smugly. 

Remy hissed. "Shut your fucking mouth or so help me."

Some wholesome Remile content to help out ya'll's soul

Love you guys!!