During her testimony, Pandora earned that she was also known as Brownie. As she continued through the questions she was asked, Pandora had to bite her lip to stop the sobs from coming out.
She told the court how she was paid to pretend to be Pandora. It was one thing to hear how she pretended to be her, but then she told the court how Derrik had sex with her several times inside Pandora’s home. She talked about being in Pandora’s bed, and it just about broke her. For the first time since all of it had started, Pandora was grateful that she had sold her home.
“We have one more witness, Your Honor,” the District Attorney said and with a nod, the Bailiff walked out. “We call Hannah Song to the stand.”
Pandora looked over to see a girl who looked like a teenager walking in with her head down. She was sworn in but her head remained down.
“Can you tell the court your age?” the District Attorney asked.
“Nineteen, she answered quietly, so the Bailiff adjusted the microphone in front of the girl.
“Where do you work?” he asked her. She named a strip club and Pandora swallowed, feeling this girl was far too young to be working in a strip club. “What was your stage name there?”
“Tinker Bell,” she responded, sounding ashamed, which made Pandora’s heart break for her.
“Do you know Mr. Preston?” the District Attorney questioned.
“Yes,” she replied.
“How did you meet him?”
“He was one of my clients. He was my first client actually.”
She felt her mouth drop open as she looked at the little girl and then at Derrik who seemed to be smirking in pride. Pandora shook her head as her eyes went back to Hannah, who gave the court in detail what Derrik said to her the night he had sex with her. They‘ also had to hear how badly he treated her.
The things she talked about shocked Pandora. It was as if she really didn’t know Derrik, not one bit. Her eyes turned toward Derrik’s mother, who appeared to be trying to stare Hannah down with a look of hate and disgust on her face.
Pandora was happy when the judge decided to end the day, leaving the defense to start fresh the next.
“How could he do that?” she asked as soon as they were in the car. She’s clearly just a kid. I mean, she’s an adult, but she’s the size of a young girl, and… how could he do that to her?” she asked, looking between Benjamin and Ron. She frowned when Ron appeared to have a strange look on his face.
“What?” she asked.
“That was Hannah Song…” Ron commented and she just kept looking at him. “Her father is in county jail.
She looked away from him to Benjamin, who was shocked. “Daniel Song’s kid?” he asked.
Yep, Ron stated, still with a humorous look on his face.
Benjamin barked out a laugh. “Oh, holy fuck, I wish I could be inside the jail to see Derrik’s face when he finds out who her dad is.”
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Chapter 115
She looked between them both, feeling upset that they were dismissing what Derrik did to that girl who seemed so innocent, yet clearly broken, “This is not funy,” she hissed at them.
“You’re right; it is not funny what happened to her. She is sadly trying to stay afloat in the hardships of her environment. Love, if I heard right, she lives with her grandmother who has dementia and can’t work anymore.”
Pandora shook her head, hating that the girl was selling her body because the fucked up economy made it so hard for people in families like hers. “Okay, well that’s only more reason for you not to be laughing about any of this,” she told them.
“My turn, Ron interjected. “Her father was in the news a few months ago, and he beat up a few doctors, and then took on ten cops.”
She tilted her head and then nodded. “Yeah, I know the name. He wasn’t happy about his mother’s treatment…” She trailed off as her mouth dropped open. “Shit, isn’t he really scary and would rather kill someone first and ask questions later?”
Ron bobbed his head. “Yep, and I do think he’s going to go ape when he finds out about Derrik and his little girl.”
“That may be so, but she sounds as if she went through a lot,” she whispered, still worrying about the girl.
“Yeah, don’t worry. We’ll get her sorted,” Ron announced and she just stared at him. “I may not be able to give her a job–well not for now–but I know people who can. His father is a doctor and we can help her through him.”
She turned to Benjamin and he nodded. She just hummed, still not liking that she was hurt by Derrik in the first place.
…..
“You okay, love?” Benjamin asked as he hugged her.
“I’m fine,” she told him.
“You’re washing the dishes by hand; you are not fine,” he replied.
She looked at him before sighing. “Benjamin, I’ve known him most of my life. I knew he had his moments, but…” she trailed off, not knowing how to put it into words. “I know that girl consented, but still it felt and sounded as if he raped her.”
.Benjamin let out a soft breath as he pulled her into his arms. “It felt that way for me, too. Baby, you have to have faith that he will
pay for what he did to you, to that girl, and to everyone that he has hurt.”
“But that won’t change what he did, and what she has to go through and remember, forever. I could see it in her eyes–the want and need to erase it from her mind–but it’s there and it will also be a part of her for life.”
“I know, but with some help and guidance, we can hope she will become a stronger person. This does not have to digtate the rest of her life. She can and will overcome what she has gone through, not just with Derrik but also with the strip club.
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