by Emma Vikes
“Affirmative, Miss Vanessa. Good luck.”
“Damian? I love you.” I said.
“Just get your ass back here safely and tell me to my face.” He grunted.
I laughed and stepped out of the vehicle. Dylan already had the door open and was waiting for me.
“Welcome home my Queen.” He said as I walked through the door and into his house. Memories of the last time I was here began flashing through my mind.
“So! Mr. Collins Glendale. How are we going to do this?” I said out of the blues, turning to face him.
He had just shut the door, but his hands remained on the handle.
“Oh snap!” I heard someone say into my ear.
“What did you call me?”
“Collins Glendale. Isn’t that your name? Or perhaps I’m talking to wrong wuss?”
“How long have you known?” He asked in a low guttural voice with his back to me.
“Since last week.” I lied. “You see I kind of started getting worried about how fast you wanted this wedding, coupled with the fact that I practically knew nothing about you from before three months ago. So, I called a few friends in high places and you can imagine my shock when I found out that my fiancé has a wonderful rap sheet.” I snickered.
“And still you played along?” He asked.
“Oh yes. I wanted to believe it was all a lie and so I gave you the opportunity to come clean at the restaurant. But instead of confess, you were more interested in playing Casanova. So here we are.” I responded.
He began laughing.
“You must be the most stupid person alive. You found out about me and everything I’ve done and yet you walked into my house alone to rub it in my face? And you are supposed to be a smart ass attorney?” He laughed.
“Well remember when I went into the bathroom, I texted my friend Lisa and told her to start heading here in thirty minutes with the cops if she doesn’t hear from me. Who is stupid now?” I jeered.
“Oh honey. You still are. Thirty minutes is enough time for me to take care of you and clear out. You have no idea what you walked into. You had the opportunity and still you made the unwise decision to stay. All those women I conned, all the ones I killed, all these years staying away from the arms of the law, and you think you are smarter than everyone who has ever come for me?”
“That’s it. Get him confessing.” I heard Tara say into my ears.
“You must not have heard when I said the cops would be here in thirty minutes.” I gloated.
“And you must not have heard when I said I didn’t need thirty minutes to deal with you.” He laughed. “Oh, but I’m going to take this slow so I can enjoy this. First, I’d move you from here. Then I’d torture you to within an inch of your life. And just when you are about to give up, I’d make you sign everything you own over to me. When I’m done with you, even forensic scientists won’t be able to identify your remains.” He laughed in that same low guttural tone.
And then he moved in a flash, suddenly beside me as I gasped and knocked me unconscious.
CHAPTER 17
Damian
MONDAY MORNING ARRIVED with me sitting at my desk back in New York and smiling as memories of the weekend kept flashing by.
On my table was everything I needed to take down Mike’s clients and yet I was deciding on another resolution to the case.
I guess the outcome of our sting operation on Dylan was to blame for my good mood.
When he’d hit Vanessa, I’d jumped out of the car before Lisa could stop me. Fortunately, Detective Tara was also out of her car in an instant and succeeded in tackling me to the ground.
“Hold on for just a few minutes.” She persuaded me.
“But he’s going to kill her.” I protested as I tried to wriggle free.
“No, he won’t. He already said he wasn’t going to kill her there. Weren’t you listening? We go in now and all we have is his confession. But he comes out that door with her in a bag and we have extra counts to charge him with.” She countered.
And as predicted, Dylan had walked out with a huge sack which he had proceeded to dump in his trunk. By the time he shut the trunk, the whole escort was on him like stew on rice.
When we’d pulled Vanessa out of the trunk, she was already in the process of regaining consciousness.
“Don’t you ever do anything like this again.” I scolded as I washed her face with kisses.
“Did we get him?” She’d asked.
“Yes, we did, you crazy bastard.” I’d responded.
It had been the first time the insanely crafty Collins Glendale had been caught red-handed and the look on his face said it all, especially when he realised that Vanessa had played him all along and an actual recording of his confessions existed.
“Oh, you chose the wrong girl to mess with Casanova. I’m going to chew you in court.” Lisa had said as Dylan was being led away. I had simply been content to hug Vanessa.
And as if the good news wasn’t enough, Horacio had called later on in the day that he’d found something. Lisa, Vanessa and myself had looked into it and realised what the issue with Mike’s client was.
The company financials looked awry and they needed a heavy payday to get them out of the red. That was how Mike Duncan had gotten them to turn on Richer Corp.
All that was left now was for me to brandish everything I’d discovered in their face and threaten them into pulling their suit. It would be a big win for me and a huge disgrace for Mike Duncan; everything I’d wanted since this case had landed on my table.
However, something Vanessa had said when I was leaving had stuck till now.
“Imagine if one could use this to get these guys away from Mike Duncan. That would be a bigger embarrassment.” She’d joked and yet I was considering it this very moment.
“Eureka!” I exclaimed softly as the idea came to me.
Quickly, I punched in some numbers on my phone’s calculator to verify my line of reasoning, before gathering all the files and heading for Charlotte’s office.
I was barely through the door when I began telling her what I’d found and the solution I’d come up with.
“Wow!” She exclaimed. “And you are sure this would work?” She asked.
“As long as Richer Corp backs it 100%” I responded.
“Let’s go talk to Richer Corp then.” She said as she stood up from her seat.
One hour later and we were talking with the board members of Richer Corp. It didn’t take much to persuade them with the facts, as they also were going to be affected if Mike’s clients went out of business. Armed with a deal for Mike’s clients and with Richer Corp’s backing, Charlotte and I, as well as a Richer Corp representative, headed to the headquarters of Mike’s clients.
It didn’t take much to get their attention as we made quite the entrance. We were seated in a conference for a few minutes before the Managing Director himself walked in.
“I’m told you have something for me.” The man said as he took his seat.
“Yes. A solution to your financial and legal woes all in one deal.” I responded.
“Financial woes? We are a multinational Mr. Marshall. We don’t have financial woes.” He’d responded trying to bluff.
“Time is off the essence sir, so how about we cut to the chase. You were ill advised by your lawyer to go after Richer Corp in a bid to cover up for your dwindling finances. However, I’ve convinced Richer Corp as their attorney that it is in their best interest to extend a line of credit to you for upwards of six months after delivery of goods. They can afford the line of credit. That way you would have enough cash to keep this place afloat and still be able to pay Richer Corp once you’ve sold your airplanes. It takes a heavy part of the financial burden off your firm’s shoulders, if you don’t have to pay Richer Corp immediately, don’t you think so?”
“Richer Corp is really agreeing to this?” The Managing Director asked, directing his question to the Richer Corp rep.
“Yes, we ar
e.” The rep responded.
“And all that you are asking for is that we drop the suit and go along?” He asked me.
“Well dropping the suit and agreeing to the deal works out for you, so that’s not what I’m asking. You would actually have no option than to take the deal, as it’s the best you gonna get. What I’m asking however is that you make us your attorneys as Richer Corp did. Look at the deal I brokered for you as an enemy. Imagine what I can do as a friend and partner?” I pitched.
Ten minutes later, we walked out of the conference room only to meet Mike Duncan at the reception.
“What the f...”
“No time for chitchat legend.” I said in jest cutting him off mid-sentence. “I’ve got some papers to file on behalf of my new client.” I finished as I continued to walk out of the building.
The look on his face was epic.
“You silenced the great Mike Duncan?” Charlotte whispered beside me.
“I’m afraid he didn’t have much of a voice in the first place.” I mocked back causing us both to erupt in laughter.
As we walked back into the office, we were directed to a conference room, where the Managing Partners and other top echelon staff were gathered in celebration.
“Congratulations Damian. You have now been made a Senior Partner at this firm.” They announced.
Not only had I won the firm a case, I’d also managed to bag a big corporation as a new client. Charlotte had called ahead with the news apparently and there was no use holding out on the promotion any longer.
“We are now equals.” Charlotte whispered.
“You deserve it.” They all said as they congratulated me and directed me to my new corner office.
My cubicle and Junior Partner days were finally over.
Long after the celebration had subsided, I still sat in my new office, staring out the window at the New York skyline. My phone began ringing and I picked it up.
“Hey stranger.” I said as soon as I picked the call.
“Hey handsome.” Vanessa responded.
“I wanted to call you, but I’ve just been dazed. I just got promoted to Senior Partner.”
“I know.” She answered, startling me.
“Wait! How do you know?” I asked.
“Come on baby. The legal blogosphere is awash with the news. Everyone knows about your promotion and how you played Mike Duncan.” She chuckled.
“I guess good news travels fast.” I laughed.
“That it certainly does.” She responded, her tone making me feel like she was up to something.
“What are you up to woman?”
“Turn around and see.” She snickered.
I swivelled in my chair instantly to see Vanessa through my glass doors, standing with Charlotte and my new paralegal.
“What the hell.” I swore as I stood to my feet and made a beeline for them.
“What are you doing here?” I said when I arrived.
“I came to celebrate with my man. Is that a crime?” She laughed. “Can I take you out to lunch Mr Hotshot Senior Partner?”
“I’m at work silly.” I chuckled.
“Oh please! You are a Senior Partner now Damian. You can come and go as you please.” Charlotte interjected.
“Oh, it’s like that?” I asked with a chuckle.
“Yes, it’s like that.” She responded laughing.
“In that case Miss Vanessa, I would very much like to join you for lunch. I’d like you to know that my taste is quite expensive and all, seeing as I’m a Senior Partner at a law firm.”
“Good thing I earn a Senior Partner salary.” She responded, making her hand into a hook and inviting me to slip mine in.
“You sure are a case.” I laughed.
“I love you honey.” She responded as we walked away towards the elevator, leaving Charlotte and the other lady behind.
EPILOGUE
Vanessa
Three Months Later...
I WOKE UP IN DAMIAN’S arms the morning of what should have been my wedding day to Dylan and smiled.
Not only had things turned around in three months, but I was also practically living the dream.
Lisa had secured the guilty conviction against Dylan, work was great, and most of all, I was in a wonderful relationship with my best friend and the love of my life.
In three months, living in two cities and all, we’d settled into a routine that ensured we were always together on the weekends. Since both cities were just a little over two hours apart, we spent the weekends together, alternating between both cities.
Last weekend, I’d flown into New York on Friday and gotten back to Chicago on Monday. This weekend, Damian had come in on Friday as well and was going to be around till Monday morning as usual, where I would proceed to drop him at the airport before heading to the office.
‘Everything was perfect.’ I thought as I lay in bed smiling.
Soon enough though, Damian began to stir and I knew he was going to be awake soon. I decided to sneak out of bed and go make us breakfast downstairs. I had barely been downstairs for up to ten minutes when he sauntered into the kitchen behind me.
“Morning beautiful.” He said groggily as he walked to the fridge to get himself some orange juice.
“You’re already stuffing your mouth this early?” I joked.
“Well, I can’t technically stuff my mouth with Orange juice you know. Plus aren’t you the one who is preparing something that would still end up stuffing my mouth?” He argued.
“And who says I’m making breakfast for you.” I joked again.
“Girl! Don’t play with me.” He protested, causing me to erupt in laughter.
“You know I’m joking baby. Why else would I be down here if not preparing something for my man.” I said as I walked over to where he was sitting and sat astride on his laps facing him.
I planted a kiss on his lips before he could begin to protest.
“Don’t let that burn oh.” He cried as soon as his lips regained their freedom.
I laughed as I returned to the cooker and began stirring.
“I’ve got some good news for you though.” I said with my back to him.
“Shoot!” He responded before gulping down another glass of orange juice.
“Lisa and Terry have invited us for dinner tonight.”
“And how is that good news?” He moaned causing me to laugh.
Even though he was now my boyfriend, Damian was still and would forever be Damian. He was the outgoing type to go to clubs and bars and not the type to go to another couple’s home for couple’s dinner. I expected his protests, but I knew he was going to eventually agree to go just to make me happy; and having Damian and Lisa bonding made me happy in more ways than I could think of.
“Stop being a big baby. You’d like it.” I scolded.
“And where would their kids be?” He asked.
“At a sleepover, so we have them all to ourselves.” I responded.
“Ewww!” He exclaimed, bringing laughter to my lips yet again.
“Well, I’ve got some good news as well. Some real good news this time and not that fake shit you were peddling.”
“What is it?” I asked chuckling.
“Well, I wanted to land before I told you this. But Riley Stanton is opening an office in Chicago.”
“What!” I exclaimed, turning to face him.
“Hold on. I’m not done.” He exclaimed. “Now naturally, a Managing Partner is meant to head the new branch while two Senior Partners from head office will assist her. With Charlotte’s promotion to Managing Partner, she’s also been put in charge of the Chicago office. And guess who’s going to be amongst the Senior Partners she chose to assist her? Yours truly.” He announced.
I squealed in delight and ran into his arms again and began smothering him with kisses.
“You are moving to Chicago. Yippeee!” I said in between kisses as he struggled to free himself from my onslaught.
“The food!” He screame
d finally, causing me to rush back to the cooker amidst laughter.
“So!” He said.
“So what?” I responded with my back to him yet again.
“Will you marry me?”
I turned to see him still sitting on the stool in the same position I left him.
“Boy would you stop playing?” I laughed. “Funny enough I was supposed to be getting married today. Whew! That would have been something. Anyways you asking me to marry you and you ain’t coming correct? Even Dylan had the decency to give me a ring, punk.”
“And did you think I wasn’t going to do this right?” He responded. His tone had changed and that was what caused me to look back.
He was now on his knees and a ring had materialized in his hands.
“Vanessa, would you marry me?” He repeated his question.
My eyes misted over as I responded.
“Yes, yes, I would marry you.” I responded even as the tears began to flow.
He was up on his feet and in front of me in two long strides. He placed the ring on my finger, lifted my head and kissed me.
“I love you baby.” He said.
“I love you too.” I responded, before his lips claimed mine once more.
THE END
Book 4: Too Bad... I Screwed It
Description
I HAVE A DECLARATION – My life sucks.
Yes, you heard me right.
My marriage has crashed, I am jobless and kind of clueless what I am going to do to get myself back in the right track.
But miracle happens, right?
Just when I thought there is no hope to put the pieces of my life back, I meet Mike Gordon.
Mike Gordon is the General Manager of Alpha Consults and my new boss.
Well, I call him as Mr. Perfectionist.
His impeccable work ethics, relentless efforts and in-depth knowledge in the field of business helped him rise up the corporate ladder quicker than any of his peers.
And don’t even ask me how jaw-dropping and drool-worthy look he has.