Chapter 4 Flirting
1074 Words
"Nicole, sweetheart, long time no see."
The moment Ben's slightly teasing voice echoed through the cell block, the place erupted into chaos.
Some inmates widened their eyes, admiring Nicole, the beautiful prison guard, with a hint of flirtation. Others began whistling maliciously, their sharp whistles piercing everyone's ears. Even more people joined in the commotion, letting out bizarre screams and uncontrollable laughter filled with mockery and sarcasm.
Nicole felt the heat rise to her face in an instant, her anger blazing like wildfire inside her chest. 'That damn murderer!' She shot Ben with a glare so intense that it seemed like it could slice him to pieces.
The other guards, alerted by the commotion, rushed in, ready for action. Batons in hand, they barked orders at the inmates. "Quiet down! Shut it! Shut up!"
Their voices thundered through the prison, and soon the rowdy inmates fell silent.
Several guards quickly restrained Ben, dragging him away to solitary confinement.
But Ben didn't resist, maintaining a nonchalant and indifferent demeanor as if this were all part of a game. Before he was taken out of sight, he even winked at Nicole with an amused smirk.
As a result of the disturbance, Ben was sent to solitary for reflection. Naturally, the task of bringing him water and food fell to Nicole. She knew her colleagues had planned this deliberately, giving her a chance to deal with Ben.
Nicole approached the door to a solitary tray in hand. The door stood like a cold, impenetrable wall, with only a small iron slot connecting the two worlds.
Taking a deep breath, Nicole tried to calm her simmering anger. She opened the lower window and placed the tray on the floor rather than inside the slot.
Her voice was cold and distant like it was carried on the wind from some frozen tundra. "Water. That's all you get today."
But Ben wasn't about to let this opportunity to talk to Nicole slip away.
"Nicole, don't be so cold. Chat with me for a bit." His voice came from the other side of the door, smooth and chill, carrying a magnetic charm that seemed to seep through the iron door, trying to reach some deep corner of Nicole's heart.
She frowned, unwilling to engage, but Ben continued speaking, determined to grab her attention. "I was just so happy to see you again. I couldn't help but call out."
Nicole snorted, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "You'd better behave yourself, or you'll regret it. And from now on, call me Ms. Keen, prisoner 79328."
Ben glanced down at the number printed on his prison uniform, but instead of feeling offended, he smiled. "Funny how that cold number sounds kind of sexy coming from you. I know you're still mad at me. I'm sorry, really, but I just couldn't resist. It's been so long since I last saw you," Ben said, his tone laced with a mix of frustration and a hint of petulance, like a neglected pet longing for its owner's affection.
"And you did leave the water a bit far away, didn't you?"
"Do you really think I'd believe in a murder like you, 79328?" Nicole's voice carried a hint of sarcasm, though she couldn't help but glance down at the tray. 'He was right. It is a little far from the slot.'
Sighing inwardly, she stepped forward and pushed the tray halfway through the slot. Just then, Ben swiftly reached out and grabbed her wrist!
Nicole was startled, struggling hard. "Let go of me! Ben Trias, you shameless bastard!"
But Ben held firm, not letting go. "Wow, you sure remember my name well, sweetheart."
He even moved the tray aside and lay down on the floor, pressing his face close to the slot and flashing a triumphant smile at Nicole. "Don't get so worked up, honey."
Nicole's anger flared as she glared at him, realizing she couldn't break free, her eyes blazing. "79328, if you don't let go right now, you're getting tased!"
But Ben didn't budge. Instead, he gently pressed her hand against his cheek, his eyes gleaming with mischief. His tone was playfully submissive. "If it's you, I wouldn't mind a shock. We can call it a little fun between us."
For a moment, Nicole was at a loss for words, caught off guard by his brazenness.
If she tased him now, it would only confirm his insinuations about them having some kind of twisted relationship, and he would probably push even further next time. If she called for backup and her colleagues saw them like this, it wouldn't be long before the entire prison was buzzing with rumors of a secret fling between her and Ben.
Nicole's mind raced, her anger mounting, but she took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. 'I can't lose my cool now.' She then snapped, "What do you want, Ben?"
He smiled his grip on her wrist still firm. "I just wanted to spend a little more time with you."
Nicole scoffed, trying to yank her hand free. "79328, you're serving a second-degree murder sentence. You know how long that is? You'll be in here for at least twenty years."
At that moment, she heard the distant sound of guards approaching on their rounds.
Ben's expression shifted slightly, his brow quirking in disappointment. "Alright, sweetheart, I'll let you off today."
He gave her hand a brief, almost mocking kiss before releasing her wrist. "After all, I've got twenty years to keep you company."
Nicole yanked her hand back as if she'd been burned, quickly shutting the slot and practically storming away.
Back in the locker room, her mind was still racing. She turned on the faucet, letting cold water run over her hands, but no amount of scrubbing seemed to erase the sensation of Ben's lips on her skin.
'That bastard even licked me!' She fumed, swearing silently that she would never let him get the upper hand again.
As Nicole stepped out of the locker room, she overheard a couple of guards talking as they walked by.
"The tension around here is off the charts," one of them muttered, shaking his head. "These inmates are getting more restless."
"You noticed too? I thought it was just me. We better keep a close eye on things," the other replied, adjusting his walkie-talkie as they continued their patrol.
Nicole tightened her grip on her baton and headed back towards the cells.
- Writer
