~ Matteo's POV ~

The day my trial finally started I was pulled out of bed early in the morning by one of the guards who was in charge of helping me get prepared for the trial.

This meant he had to make sure I looked as smart as I could and thankfully since Adrian had dropped off almost half wardrobe the other day I was sure I would look the part.

My brother was asked to bring one or two suits and a few shirts and ties as we didn't know how long the trial would last. So he brought seven suits all in different colours, many shirts and a number of different ties. According to him, it was innocent until proven guilty and the innocent had the right to choose from a selection of their own clothing.

He did have a good point.

Once I was dressed, I had breakfast which consisted of sludge, before I was put in a car with three guards who were going to accompany me to and from the court house for the duration of my trial. As you can imagine, if the trial started at 9am, I was up pretty early. Not that I could sleep much the night before anyway.

The drive to the court house lasted an hour and then I was made to wait in a back room for another half an hour before Adrian and Jordan came into the room.

"Matteo, oh my god. It's been so long since I've seen you." I couldn't help but smile when Jordan threw her arms around me in a hug. "I missed you Jordan."

"I missed you too. I'm so sorry I couldn't come to see you, there was always so much drama about who would be going and then I had the kids too and-"

I cut her off with a laugh as I shook my head pulling away from her.

"Jordan it's fine, don't worry about it. I was the one who asked for Gabby to come instead of anyone else so please don't feel bad." When I mentioned Gabriella her eyes flashed with some emotion which I couldn't quite pin point.

I didn't get the chance to even ask her about Gabby since Adrian decided to insert himself into the conversation before I could.

"How are you feeling about today?" I shook my head at him as he came closer, patting my shoulder as a greeting. "I couldn't sleep all night. I know today is just the opening statements but still, it could go bad."

"You already know Angelina is going to try and make you look guilty, but the fact is you're not. So all that our guys have to do is poke holes in her case and we're good to go."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at this, why is everyone so optimistic?

"That's not exactly true Adrian. In case you've forgotten, the evidence that I did this is pretty clear cut. They just don't know it's fake."

"Well, maybe by the time it's our turn to give our side after the prosecution puts their case forward, we might be able to prove its fake." I knew Jordan was just trying to make me feel better, but all her words did was worry me even more and I don't even think she realised it.

That day is only two days away, saying 'maybe' now isn't going to do much for my confidence.

"Where's Gabby? Why isn't she here?" Instead of replying to me Adrian turned to look at Jordan for an answer but she also looked unsure. Eventually though, when she realised Adrian wasn't going to say anything she spoke up.

"She said she wasn't feeling good this morning, but she is coming. She just couldn't be here to see you, right now."

Gabby promised she would come and see me before the trial started.

"Is she okay? What's wrong with her?" Jordan shook her head and she was about to say something but before she could the doors opened and both Adrian and Jordan were told to leave by the moody guard.

I only had to wait a few more minutes before I was taken into the large court room which pretty much resembled exactly what you would see on tv and in movies.

The first thing I did was look in the gallery to see if Gabby was there but when I saw Adrian and Jordan sitting with just my parents and Carlotta, I knew she wasn't.

I was told to sit next to my lawyers who looked extremely busy going through all their paper work. On the other side of the aisle, the prosecution team was also doing the same thing. My eyes landed on Angelina who was already looking at me, and she gave me a smirk when she saw me looking at her.

What I would give just to strangle her with my bare hands.

A few minutes later the guy at the front instructed everyone to stand for the judge to come in, before a middle aged brunette came out of the door labelled 'judges chambers' dressed in her black gown. She looked around the room before she mumbled for everyone to sit down as she took her seat too.

The first thing that stood out to me was the fact she looked moody as hell. Which to me, meant she was probably going to take whatever marital problems she might have been having out on me and sentence me for longer.

She started by going through some legal stuff I didn't understand before she outlined the case and then asked for the opening statement of the prosecution, also reminding Angelina to keep it short and to the point.

I narrowed my eyes at Angelina when she stood up, once again smirking in my direction before she went around her desk over to the jury who had just come in a few minutes ago.

Before she started her statement, the sound of the door at the back of the room opening and closing caught my attention. I turned around just in time to see Gabby come in to the court room. I couldn't help but frown when I saw the tired bags under her eyes and her not usually messy hair.

One thing about her being a hairdresser is that even if she was having a bad day she would have a way to quickly fix her hair. So this was definitely unusual for her.

Gabby quickly came and sat down on the first row in the gallery which was the closest to me, but when I turned around to look at her she didn't look back. Instead she turned her attention to Angelina who had just started the opening statement for the prosecution.

"Throughout the duration of this trial you will be presented with evidence that will undoubtedly prove that Matteo De Mancuso has knowingly committed tax fraud. I will present numerous witnesses and factual evidence which will show that he has defrauded not just the city of Milan, but Italy as a nation."

I wanted to roll my eyes or slouch back in my chair in annoyance at the way she dragged this whole thing out, but I couldn't since the eyes of all twelve jurors were focused on me.

"Every single citizen in this country is obliged to pay tax, we do it so that the country we live in and the facilities we use can run on a daily basis. We have earned our right to live as free citizens and to enjoy what this beautiful country has to offer. On the other hand, Mr De Mancuso has shown that he would rather hoard his money and not pay the legal tax requirements that everyone else is paying. For this reason, I leave it to you, as a fair and honourable jury, to see that Matteo De Mancuso should be held accountable for all the years he has used and abused this country without playing his own part. Thank you."

God she's a bitch.

When she took her seat, the judge turned her attention towards my two lawyers. I watched as my lawyer, Lazzero, in the first chair stood up and went over to the jury.

"As Angelina quite rightly said, it is a duty on every citizen in this country to pay tax. Matteo De Mancuso has pleaded innocent to the charges of tax fraud and over the next few days, even the next few weeks if need be, I will do my absolute best to prove to you that he is telling the truth. It is very easy to look at manipulated numbers and call it evidence, when in reality it is not so simple. In this country we believe in innocent until proven guilty and everyone here has the right to an equal and fair trial. So I ask, please observe the next few days with an open mind so that an innocent man isn't put in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Thank you."

That's it? He's not going to say that every thing she said is bullshit?

"Thank you. This trial will recommence at 9am tomorrow morning where we will begin with the prosecution's case." With that the judge banged her gavel before she stood up and left the court room. Just as I stood up to turn around and speak to Gabby, the same guards from the prison took hold of my arms and directed me out of the court room.

I didn't even get to see her once.

Instead we just left the courthouse almost immediately after the court session ended and we went back to the damn prison again. After another hour long drive I finally made it back to my prison cell after I changed out of my suit.

"You look like you want to kill someone and then yourself. Was it that bad?" I rolled my eyes at Adamo's greeting as I sat back down on my bed. "It was fine."

"Why lie though?" This time I turned to look at Luca who was busy reading a magazine on his bed instead of looking at us.

"Do you want me to hit you? Because I will." When I said this Luca turned his head in my direction and gave me a small smirk. "Do it. I bet I could get you on your ass any day."

We both knew this was untrue since he was an 18 year old baby and I was a well trained, muscular 28 year old.

"Shut up Luca. So what happened?" I let out a sigh when Adamo spoke again as I lay back on my bed. "It was just opening statements Adamo. Nothing happened."

"So why the glum face?"

Do either of these idiots ever shut up?

"I didn't get to see my girlfriend." When I said this I heard Adamo laugh while Luca just went back to reading his magazine. It's because he's probably still a virgin, so he doesn't understand what it's like to love someone.

"Don't worry bro, you'll be out soon and then you can see her as much as you want." I narrowed my eyes at Adamo when he wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively, before I eventually just shook my head.

"Just be quiet."

"Oh, don't be like that baby. You're going to miss me when I'm gone, you should treasure what little time we have left together my dear." I heard Luca laugh at what Adamo said and I couldn't help but smile too.

"Stop doing that. You've got a girlfriend and so do I, you're not gay."

"No matter who I'm with, I will always love you Matteo. Don't ever doubt that." This time I lifted my head to look at him and he was already busy smirking at me. "You're such an idiot."

"Have you decided what you're going to do about that poker game?" Both Adamo and Luca looked at me as soon as Luca mentioned that stupid poker game which had been on my mind over the last few days.

"Technically my trial should end on Thursday if the prosecution finishes their side tomorrow and the defence finishes on Wednesday. So, either I get out on Thursday or I stay and then I have to make a decision on Friday."

"I'm getting out on Wednesday." I glanced over at Adamo who gave me a small smile in return. I knew he was happy to be leaving, anyone would be, but he was also my friend and I usually went to him for advice if I needed it.

"I know and I'm happy for you. Don't worry about this Adamo, this is my mess. Not yours."

"You've been like my brother in here, even if it's only been a few weeks, of course I'm going to worry." Instead of saying anything else I just nodded in his direction and we left that part of the conversation there. There was nothing else that needed to be said between us.

"I'm going to miss you, both of you." This time it was Luca who was speaking and I felt that same pang of guilt that I always felt whenever I remembered that even after Adamo leaves and maybe me too, he would still be here. Maybe he'll be here for up to another year.

"You can appeal to be moved Luca or even for probation. You've been here for a year, you don't have to stay here anymore." When I said this Luca just shook his head at me.

"Which lawyer is going to take my case? I can't afford one Matteo. Anyway, it's not that easy, no judge is going to take my case lightly; it was theft."

"You were only stealing to feed your family Luca, people understand that." I nodded my head in agreement with Adamo before I spoke. "I'll pay for your lawyers. I'll do my best to help you Luca."

When I said this he gave me a grateful smile, nodding his head in appreciation.

I meant that when I said it. Luca was only 18, he didn't deserve to be in here and especially not alone. I made that my promise to him that day, that even if I didn't get out, once my trial was over I would make sure he had a more than decent lawyer who would help him to get out of here.

~ Gabriella's POV ~

I promised him I would come and see him before his trial started, but I couldn't.

Everything that morning went wrong. For the whole night I couldn't sleep and then an hour before my alarm went off I managed to fall asleep. Then I woke up and almost instantly I had to run to the bathroom thanks to my morning sickness. That didn't calm down for ages and then I had to take a shower and get ready. Then I went out to the car and realised I'd forgot to fill Mr Skittles bowl so I had to go back inside.

Then after that, I was stuck in traffic on the way to the court house and by the time I got there I couldn't actually find a space to park. Then I had to walk really fast to the court house the whole time feeling like absolute death since I had no sleep and no food to give me energy because I didn't have time for breakfast.

And if none of that was bad enough, I had to be that person who walks in late.

Once the court session was over I was hoping to see Matteo but I was told I wasn't allowed and that he'd already been taken back to the prison. So I went home and waited for him to call me while I just rested and tried to recover from the awful night and morning that I had. But he never did call me, for the first day that he'd been in prison he didn't call.

So I went to bed feeling sad, guilty and very stuffy from all the crying I did during the evening when I realised he wasn't going to call me.

Thankfully the next day I had myself together (on some level) and I did manage to get up early enough to deal with the morning sickness and then have some toast and water after I filled Mr Skittles bowl. Then I managed to get to the court house early enough to see Matteo.

Today was going to be different since it was the second day of the trial and therefore the prosecution's turn to put their case forward. That meant it could go on all day with only a few breaks for lunch and stuff.

"You can come in now." My attention was taken away from my thoughts about the trial when a guard opened the door to the room I was told Matteo was in. He stepped aside allowing me to go inside before he closed the door, and presumably he was waiting outside.

When I first stepped inside he had his head in his hands and at the sound of my footsteps he looked up at me. I watched as he stared at me for a moment before he stood up and came over to me, making sure to keep a small distance between us.

"Are you okay? Jordan said you weren't feeling good yesterday." I nodded my head a little as I put my purse down on the table, internally cringing when the metal chain on my purse hit the table loudly. I was never the smoothest person around.

"I'm okay, I just had a migraine yesterday when I woke up." As I finished speaking I turned back to face him just in time to see him shake his head at me. "You're not telling me the truth. I can tell something is wrong Gabriella, you look exhausted and pale and just...different."

His words for some reason just hit a nerve and before I could even think about it, I'd already reacted in a much harsher way than I ever intended to.

"Well what do you expect Matteo? We're not standing in your kitchen right now having this conversation over coffee, we're in a damn courthouse waiting for your trial to start."

He stared at me for a moment when I said this and I almost instantly knew he wasn't happy. It wasn't what I said though, it was the tone I used.

"I'm sorry." I took a step closer to him and when he didn't react I stepped closer to him again. I tilted my head to the side as I stared at him waiting for him to make some sort of reaction. Eventually after a while he cracked a small smile when I was just there staring at him.

Instead of saying anything else, he just closed the gap between us and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into him. We stood there for a moment in each other's arms for quite a while.

Even though we were standing in a waiting room of sorts and we were just about to start his trial, it was still perfect. Just by being with him alone in a room for the first time in almost a month it felt like all the stress and the pressure and the sadness that I'd felt had just melted away and I was back with the reason it all began.

"I love you Gabby." When I stayed silent after he said this, Matteo pulled away from me slightly to look at me and as soon as he saw the tears in my eyes a concerned frown formed on his face.

"Why are you crying? What's wrong Gabby?" The soft tone that he used filled with care and love only made me feel even worse as my tears began to fall. I buried my face in his chest again while he spoke to me, trying to calm me down and also trying to understand why I was so upset.

"Gabby look at me, just talk to me. Tell me what's wrong." Matteo rubbed my back soothingly for a moment before he pulled away so that he could make eye contact with me. The longer I looked at him, the more I felt the need to tell him what was going.

I needed to tell him. He needed to know.

"Matteo, I need to tell you something." When I said this he brought his face closer to mine, giving me a small smile. "You can tell me anything baby. Just say it."

Even though I wanted it to be better than this, I wanted to be at home when I told him, I couldn't keep it from him any longer. I needed to tell someone, and the only person I wanted to tell was him.

"I'm-"

Just as I was about to say it, literally within the same second, the door opened behind us. Matteo looked over my head at whoever was now in the room while I just closed my eyes and rested my forehead against his chest again. I think he could either sense my frustration or he was annoyed too because he just mumbled a 'hello' when two sets of footsteps came into the room.

It was silent for a moment before he eventually started conversing with Adrian and Jordan who's voices I recognised as soon as they started speaking. Instead of speaking to them I just stayed in Matteo's arms not that he seemed to mind since he had a tight grip on me anyway.

They spoke for a few minutes before eventually the guard came back in and asked us to leave so that the trial could begin. When he did this, both Jordan and Adrian left as I stepped out of Matteo's arms.

"I'll talk to you later baby." I nodded my head and leaned up to kiss him quickly, well aware of the guard who was still standing by the door waiting for me to leave.

When I stepped outside, Jordan was waiting there for me giving me a small sheepish smile. "Sorry if we interrupted anything Gabby."

"It's okay, don't worry about it." I forced a smile onto my face as we walked to the court room together. Adrian was way ahead of us but he stopped outside the door instead of going in, most likely he was just waiting for Jordan.

"Are you okay?"

Actually I'm getting a little tired of people asking that.

"Yes, I'm fine Jordan." Once again I forced a