Husbands by agreement

The crossroads.

"Welcome, Officer Francheski." The officer's voice echoes, my heart pounds and my eyes keep meeting Anthony Nasser's.

I can't believe I'm in this situation. I need to know what happened, whether it was an accident or a premeditated act.

"I have been waiting a long time for the order to talk to the victim and the person involved. We are very confused about what happened. It was a severe blow that the lady received. It is a miracle of Allah that she is alive and did not lose her baby. I just looked at the badge. The officer is an authoritative man, and I see Anthony pale.

"Are my test results too serious, is the surgery a risk, could my son be affected?" I ask immediately, I can't help but be worried and frightened by this chaos in the process.

"Don't worry, your son will not be affected. His legs and mobility will, however, we have the best specialists to be able to commit that after his rest, everything will be excellent". The doctor reassures me and I see the officer purse his lips, he is an intimidating man.

"I will be brief; I am waiting for a complete medical report. However, according to the distance in which Miss Hernandez was hit by Mr. Nasser's car, they rule a lack of prudence on the part of the gentleman, for which, the gentleman will be arrested. We are not talking about an amount, I think I have been clear, he has committed a crime, a crime that is payable with jail". The officer adds with pleasure, as if each of his words brings him inner joy.

"Would that happen if Ms. Hernandez completely lost the ability to walk, would it not?" asks Anthony Nasser, horrified. I can smell his fear.

"If confirmed, it would be irreparable damage to you and would have criminal consequences, in addition to awaiting other results, therefore I recommend that you do not leave the city." The officer replies in a rough manner.

"Mr. Officer, I have no plans to leave town. My only concern at this time is that Miss Hernandez recovers. Do you have parents, Miss, or a companion?" Anthony Nasser asks me without meeting my eyes.

"I... I am alone in the city." I say at length.

"Then everything will depend on you, Miss Hernandez. It will be my pleasure to take care of you and keep you informed about your case. You are a very beautiful woman and it is an honor to have you in our country. I am sure you will be successful. The officer bursts in gracefully, having noticed, of course, that I am a Latin American woman.

"I am a Colombian journalist from an important television station. However, I would appreciate it if you would not inform the company of my current situation. I need to meditate on how to deal with it. Could you leave me alone with Mr. Nasser to talk about a fair arrangement for both of us? I ask the policeman directly and with complete levity.

The nervousness I feel cannot be explained in a single word. I have a plan, a damned dangerous one, but despite the circumstances it is still a promising one.

I'm not going to stand in the middle of all the bickering that's going on in my life and pretend that I'm some damsel in distress that needs to be rescued. That's not me, that's not the phrase that represents me.

My parents raised me to be a professional. I was lucky enough to come to this country, I fell in love and failed myself, and now I have the fruit of my passion in my womb as a reminder of a latent threat. Freddy Nasser.

The younger brother, his main rival for their father's love and respect, is at my mercy, and of course I'm going to take advantage of it.

"Officer, may I speak with the young lady alone?" asks Anthony into the awkward silence that fills the room.

"Are you sure you want to stay with this man, without the doctor and without me?" the officer interjects, looking incredulous.

"That's right." I reply dryly.

"Justice cannot be bought with money, nor can conscience. In this country, you don't let a crime go unpunished just because you're afraid of the guy's last name; in this country, we're fair with our migrants." The officer adds insistently, while the doctor, for the umpteenth time, takes the pressure off me and hurries out of the office.

"I'm well aware of that, don't worry." I add calmly and the officer slowly leaves the room.

Anthony Nasser gives me a sidelong glance, looking for a hint that something is bothering me. Meanwhile, I do my best to remain calm, as if this man's overwhelming sensuality doesn't stir every sensitive fiber in my body.

"Miss Hernandez, I don't want to go to jail." Anthony bursts in without giving me a chance to start our conversation, his face flushed and his hands beginning to touch mine.

"He hit me for speeding, for not looking at the light." I nod my head and release my hand from his grip, I can't show weakness if I want him to accept my proposal.

"The truth is that I'm very sorry... I've had a very bad day, a family problem... My father wants me to go to Bogota, hoping that I'll become a man. He doesn't think I'm respectable because he's found out that my passion is acting, even though he owns a television station". Anthony spits and his voice cracks at the last sentence.

"The truth is, I'm really sorry."

"Julieta, please. I can... I can help you with whatever you need, but drop the charges against me, say you went through... Please... My life, my future and my peace of mind will be severely affected if they put me in jail." Anthony whispers to me and pulls his face closer to mine, closer than he should.

"Let's get married. That's all I need at this time in my life, no explanations, just do as I say. I promise you that I will not harm you, nor do I have any bad intentions, just follow me, and I assure you that I will drop every single charge that would be brought against you, and I will make sure that I give a convincing note that will not affect your reputation and judgment." I offer with simplicity and in a loud voice.

Anthony looks at me dumbfounded; he cannot understand me.

Nevertheless, I have given him only one choice.

Our fates will depend on his decision.

Will I become the wife of my beloved's brother?

Will that be enough to humiliate Freddy and put an end to his arrogance?