SETTING THE STAGE.

                                        

                                              

A light knock echoed through the door as Arianna Rodriguez, her glasses perched on her nose, sifted through the scattered documents on her desk.
"Come in," she called out, lifting her head to see her visitor.
"Collins!" she exclaimed in surprise as a man in his early thirties entered, a warm grin playing on his lips and a blue envelope in his left hand.
"Barrister Rodriguez," he greeted jovially, offering a handshake.
"You didn't mention you were coming. Sit down," Arianna said, offering him a chair after their brief handshake.
"I wanted to surprise you. How's work going?
She gave a slight shrug, then removed her glasses, placing them carefully in their case. "Awesome and...as usual, stressful...very demanding," Arianna replied, turning to face him fully.
Collins nodded firmly, a small smile on his face. "That's great. How's Richard? I saw him at the mall a few days ago."
"He's fine. What brings you here?" she asked, and he chuckled softly.
"Easy, woman, I've barely settled in," he joked, eliciting a hearty laugh from her.
"I know you, Collins. You don't just drop by unless you have something for me, so spill it," she urged.
Collins laughed, extending the blue envelope. "Here, take a look."
Arianna glanced between him and the envelope before taking it. Unwrapping the paper, she revealed a stack of files and began to examine them slowly.
 Her eyes widened as she went through the contents.
"Wh... Collins?" she whispered, disbelief coloring her tone.
"That should be enough, right?" he shrugged, and she smiled.
"Enough? It's more than enough!" she exclaimed, her face beaming with pride and a sense of accomplishment.
 "But..." she trailed off, placing a single document she had been studying on the table, her expression turning serious.
Collins' eyebrows twitched upwards questioningly. "What?" he queried, but she shook her head.
"Never mind," she dismissed the question.
"Arianna, you can tell me..."
"It's okay, Collins. I'll forward this to the Corruption and Crimes Agency. Don't worry, I'll handle the rest.
 Thanks for your help. It's been invaluable," she said.
Collins simply nodded, standing up abruptly. Arianna looked up at him.
"Going?" she asked, and he gave a curt nod with a faint smile.
"I have an important appointment," he muttered.
"Ohhh..." she drawled.
"So... I'll be on my way," he announced, adjusting his jacket. "I wish you the best with the case. Keep striving, Barrister Arianna Rodriguez," he said calmly before turning towards the door.
The way he phrased those words sent a shiver of unease through Arianna. They sounded like a farewell.
"Collins," she called, making him stop. Rising to her feet, she took long strides towards him, standing face-to-face.
"What... what was that?" she asked, a slight tremor in her voice.
Collins avoided her gaze and sighed. Then, understanding dawned on Arianna.
"Wait... you really are moving to Europe?" she blurted out.
Caught off guard, Collins lowered his gaze with another sigh.
"Are you?" she asked again, her voice firm.
He swallowed hard. "Yes," he replied, his voice low.
Arianna's throat tightened. "So, you haven't changed your mind? Have you?"
Collins offered a wry smile, his eyes fixed on the floor. "It has to be done."
Arianna rolled her eyes with a sigh. Collins had been a constant presence, from their college days until now. As a prosecutor, he had always gone the extra mile to assist her.
"Collins..." she trailed off, unsure how to express her feelings. She would undoubtedly feel his absence.
"Aria, it's just America I'm leaving, not the world... not you," he said gently, a reassuring smile gracing his lips.
Arianna sighed. She loathed goodbyes. Especially with someone she cherished.
"I'll still be with you, even thousands of miles away... I've got you," he said comfortingly. With those words, Arianna wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Thank you for standing by me, for everything... Thanks for all you do, Collins," she whispered softly in his ear.
Collins chuckled, returning the hug. After a few moments, they disengaged.
"And don't hesitate to win this case. Show them... the world... how amazing you are," he encouraged. Arianna beamed, her lips curving into a bright smile.
"And you too, Collins."
He smiled back, glancing at his watch. It was time for him to leave. "I've got to go. See ya," he said, heading towards the door and out of the office.
Arianna smiled sadly. Collins' absence would undoubtedly leave a void. With a long sigh, she returned to her chair. Her gaze fell upon the spread of documents, and a smirk touched her lips.
"Senator Fabian," she whispered, a sly smile playing on her face. Picking up her phone, she dialed her assistant, Samantha.
"Samantha," she said as soon as the call connected. "Schedule a meeting for me with the Minister."
"Minister?" A clearly confused Samantha asked.
"Yes, the Minister for Crime," Arianna clarified before ending the call.
A triumphant smile lingered on her face. What was more satisfying than bringing criminals to justice?
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
This case would undoubtedly be a long and challenging battle, but Arianna Rodriguez was more than ready.
© Adira H.