The Allure of Wealth

Patrick's POV

I had always wanted a good life for Suzy, the love of my life. I only wanted to provide the best for her. How did things turn out this way?

I became so distracted by making money that I didn't know I was pushing away the very person that mattered most to me.

I often hung out with my new friends, and I must confess, they badly influenced my life. When I started hanging out with them at the bar, I became so careless and made the terrible mistake of sleeping with Rose, the bartender.

Who sent those pictures to Susan? I couldn't even remember when they were taken. Was it Rose who planned all this? For what purpose exactly? If she wanted money, why didn't she come to me for that?

I felt so terrible that Susan had to leave me. I deserved it, though, because I betrayed her trust.

I sat on the floor, thinking about my mistakes. Shortly after, there was a loud knock on the front door.

The knock came again, louder and more urgent. Who could that be? I hesitated for a moment before making my way to the door.

As I opened the door, two detectives, one male and one female, flashed their badges at me.

"Patrick Gale"? They asked.

"Yes, that's me. Is there a problem, officers?" I asked nervously.

"You are under arrest, Mr. Gale, for drug trafficking and also for the murder of your partner, Mr. Daniel Smith."

My face was drained of color, shock and disbelief washed over me.

"What? No, that can't be... I have no idea about any of these!" I stammered.

"Save it for your statement, Mr. Gale. We have evidence linking you to the crime scene. you need to come with us."

And just like that, I was arrested by the police. I spent two days in the station until Sebastian, my friend and lawyer, who was out of town, finally came to see me.

"Patrick, how are you holding up?"

"I am just tired and confused, Sebastian."

 What exactly is going on?" I asked. The police had arrested me but just kept me locked up without even questioning me.

"I just spoke with the prosecutor. The evidence they have against you is strong. They found your fingerprints at the crime scene, and you happen to be the last number Daniel dialed before he died," Sebastian said.

I knew I was guilty of drug trafficking. It was the easiest job Daniel introduced to me, and it paid the bills really well. So, why would I want to hurt him?

"I would never harm Daniel or Sebastian. We were friends! We only talked briefly on the phone that night, and that was it. I was with Rose, the bartender, on the day of the incident. She can testify to that!"

"I am sorry, but Rose is nowhere to be found. The police went to the bar to search for her after you told them you were with her at the time Daniel died, but unfortunately, she disappeared without a trace."

What exactly was going on? How could Rose suddenly disappear? Is this some kind of conspiracy?

"But I didn't do it! I am innocent, Sebastian," I said, hoping that he would believe me.

"I believe you, Patrick, but the evidence they have gathered is compelling. We will fight this in court, but for now, you must prepare yourself for the possibility of remaining in prison until the trial," Sebastian painfully said.

"But why did you decide to engage yourself in drug trafficking, Patrick? This is unlike you to engage in illegal activities," he suddenly asked.

My thoughts wandered off as I recalled and narrated a painful memory that got me entangled in this lifestyle that ruined my life.

"There was a day Suzy got so sick that we had no money to pay for her hospital bills. I felt so useless that I couldn't take good care of her. I went to Daniel, who lent me the money to pay for the hospital bills."

"I lost my job and asked Daniel to help me since he seemed to be living in affluence. He introduced me to the business of selling drugs, and It was paying the bills pretty well. I gradually succumbed to the temptation of living a fun and enjoyable life."

"Why didn't you come to me? You know I will always help!" Sebastian said.

Sebastian and I became close friends when I met him at a cafe where I did a part-time job years ago. He looked distressed and devastated, and I felt the urge to ask him what was wrong.

He confided in me how he was struggling to pay for his school fees. I offered him my salary I received that day, and he was so grateful to me.

He has been my and Susan's close friend ever since and has never hesitated to help whenever I needed him.

"You were out of the country, and I couldn't keep disturbing you for everything; you have done more than enough for me, Sebastian," I said.

Sebastian sighed and said, "Susan needs to hear all these, you need to speak with her. she will understand the intentions behind your actions and will forgive you."

"It won't change the fact that she caught me in bed with Rose. That was my own selfish desire, and besides, I wouldn't want to drag her into this mess, she deserves better."

What would Suzy say if she heard all these? She would definitely be disappointed in me. I hid this part of my life from her because I knew she would never agree to it.

"What about Suzy? How is she doing?" I asked Sebastian. I knew Suzy was going to her late grandparent's home to think about our marriage, and I sent Sebastian to check up on her.

Sebastian looked at me in a weird way and reluctantly told me the worst news of my life.