The Mistress Chapter 1

[News]

Friday, July 30th, 2024

Announcer: News broke when Ohio business man, Samuel Evans, was said to be having an affair with housecleaner, Mercedes Jones. The affair was said to be an on-going thing for a year and 5 months before wife, Quinn Fabray-Evans daughter of Mayor Russell Fabray and Lady Judith Fabray. It's also been said that the mistress was involved as an associate in the Lima Bank Spree. Weeks ago lawyers from both parties spoke here's what was said.

(Camera switches to a Latina, mid 30's wearing a pinstripe suit, standing next to a beaming blond)

Mercedes Lawyer: My client is on strict orders to not speak to anyone involving the case. What will say is that our client is very remorseful and on several occasions apologized. She has asked that we do not bring her family into the case. The past few months have been stressful and tiring. As for the Lima Bank Spree we will not discuss that due to the fact that this is not the issue. From Pierce and Lopez Law Firm we say thank you for your time.

(Camera switches to a Caucasian man, mid 30's, wearing a black suit)

Evans-Fabray Lawyer: Hello. As of now we can only say that time will tell. Until all information is brought forward we have decided to not cast judgment. When the trial begins on Monday all will be said. From Hudson Law Firm we say thank you.

(Camera switches back to announcer)

Announcer: As you can see from the interviews both lawyers seem quite confident, also we must point out and make aware that in the state of Ohio there is not only a 50,000 dollar fine for adultery but a 5-10 year sentence. With that I sign off. I'm Rachel Berry. Goodnight Ohio.

[Trial] – Mercedes P.O.V

Evans Fabray Lawyer: We'd like to call Mercedes Jones to the stand.

As I walk up to there I feel eyes. In their minds I'm a home-wrecker, nothing more than a cheap whore who maids during the day and messes with married men at night. I'm more than that in my eyes. I'm a woman just like Mrs. Evans and no one cares that I was oblivious to the fact that Sam was married. Taking a deep breath I put my hand on the book, say what I am supposed to repeat and listen. Holding back tears with a struggle I began answering questions.

Evans Fabray Lawyer: State your name.

Mercedes Gabrielle Jones.

Evans Fabray Lawyer: Miss Jones. On August 11th, 2023 you began working at Lima Hilton as a housecleaner. Am I correct?

"Yes sir."

Evans Fabray Lawyer: I took a look at the files that we were given from the Lima Hilton. These files say that as a housecleaner you make 12 dollars an hour. You worked nights from 9p.m to . Meaning you worked for 7 hours a night. Meaning you made $588 dollars a week. That's not a lot when you have to support 2 other people.

Mercedes Lawyer: Objection we clearly asked that our client's family were not to be brought into this.

Judge: Objection denied it supports evidence. Counsel Continue.

Evans Fabray Lawyer: Miss Jones state to the jury who you're supporting.

"I support my older sisters two kids after she and her husband passed away in a car accident."

Evans Fabray Lawyer: So in your head you felt as though Samuel Evans was your way out.

"No that's not true. "

Evans Fabray Lawyer: So if that's not it, tell us what made you go after him? Tell the jury and I exactly how you two became acquainted.

"In August I began working the night shifts at the hotel. That night in particular my manager made a huge deal of me treating this customer extra special. Bring all of his favorite drinks; bring in extra toiletries, things like that. Later that night Sam asked if I could bring him a few towels the shift before had forgot to stock them. I told him yes of course but that I had to wait until after my shift because I was working alone had to finish a few floors before I clocked out. The next morning at around 5:15 I came back up to Sam's room to drop off the towels. He told me to come in and I did. When I walked in he was in the shower and asked if I could bring them in. I went in and gave them to him. As I left to leave he asked if I would like to grab a coffee. I said yes and we went. That's all."

When I'm finished speaking I look around the room. First at Quinn, on her face is plastered a smirk that clearly says that she's satisfied by everything around her. She's wearing a black lace Chanel dress, her hairs pulled back into a bun, her Jungle red nails are tight around her Michael Kors sequenced clutch as if I'm going to grab it and run, her shoes are in black point toe Jimmy Choo heels. She looks at me as if she's laughing on the inside because she knows that I can't have what is rightfully hers. I look over at my families faces, theirs are all a mix between support and shame. Then, I look over to Sam he looks up at me with eyes that say I'm sorry and composure that say I'm ashamed for dragging you threw this.

Evans Fabray Lawyer: Miss Jones, you say he asked you to grab a coffee. Where were the kids?

"At my mother's, they get ready for school there."

Evans Fabray Lawyer: I only have one last question for you.

I nod.

Evans Fabray Lawyer: Do you consider yourself a mistress?

That was a question that I wasn't ready for. I know technically that's what I would be called but doesn't that mean I knew he was married. Yeah, well I didn't I was never told that he was. Never saw a ring, never saw pictures.

"I consider myself a woman without knowledge of his personal life."

Evans Fabray Lawyer: Judge Cohen Chang, that is all.

Judge: For today court is dismissed.

Walking past Sam and his wife sucked. There was no better word. It just plainly sucked. All the people in town began to treat me like dirt for something I had no knowledge of. It sucked.

It was half past 9 when I made it home. Or what looked like shreds of my home. There were plants thrown everywhere, windows smashed through, door kicked through, grass burnt to ash , and everything else tp'd but what stuck out most was the big red A on my garage.