by Tiana Cole
Her curly black hair tumbled over her shoulders and framed her beautiful face enticingly. Her full lips were a feature that would drive any man crazy, as were her breasts that I only got a glimpse of thanks to her professional white blouse that revealed a hint of cleavage. The fact that I was just now noticing her was a testament to how overworked I’d been, and I found myself wondering if she was involved with anyone. My wheels turned as I looked her over, a plan beginning to form in my mind.
“I'm glad you corrected me, Jessica. I probably would have continued to call you Vanessa,” I replied apologetically. It seemed as if that were a big issue for her, as it looked like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She even flashed me a small smile, and I saw a dimple peek out on her right cheek.
“Well, it's okay now,” she blushed. “I'm glad we cleared that up.” She paused to clear her throat and continued on with business. “So, do you want to start working on our case so we can present it in front of a judge in a few days, or would you rather wait and do some more research?” she asked, and I could tell she was eager to leave my office.
“I need that information from Jason first. After that we can start building the case,” I replied. She nodded politely before she stood and turned to leave my office. She wore form-fitting slacks that flared out a little below the knee, and I could tell that her ass was every bit as nice as her breasts. I tried not to stare, since the last thing the firm needed was a sexual harassment suit.
If I had to pick a wife at first glance, I figured Jessica would be a fitting choice. I silently chastised myself for having not paid her enough attention over the weeks she'd worked for the firm, but I simply didn’t have the time, and she was too new to bring aboard the case I’d been working on. She did seem very quick, however, and was likely the only woman sharp enough to memorize all of the things needed to pass as my actual wife. At this point, restoring to marriage looked like the only option I had left.
As clever as I thought I was, I still managed to royally botch with the whole citizenship issue. It was an embarrassing mistake, and one I’d been keeping to myself. Even my partner, Nick Travellis, didn’t know my green card was expiring. With the firm making money hand over fist, its reputation now second to none, the last thing I needed was to be deported. It would cripple the company and hurt my partner, who happened to be a close friend, in the process. No, leaving the country was definitely something I couldn’t allow to happen.
I watched Jessica leave my office, then continued to study the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services questionnaire I’d managed to track down online. It was a detailed list of the things they’d ask should I submit a marriage license, with most of the them being rather banal, everyday questions about me that somebody I was intimately involved with would know the answers to.
There was a swift rap on my office door, and I quickly minimized the questionnaire on my computer screen. Nick Travellis came striding through the door with a grin spread across his face. He was born and bred to be a lawyer; his family was full of them, and in many ways he outshined each of them on both his mother and his father's side. Nick and I had met ten years ago on the Aegean island of Santorini when we were both twenty-six.
He was on vacation with his family, and I'd been celebrating there after completing my degree. After spending only a few days together, we forged a strong bond and he invited me back to the States where we eventually built our law firm in the bustling city.
Nick was as blond-haired and blue-eyed as they came. He always seemed to attract women, mostly because he had a pretty face and a charm that could sustain world peace if that's what he wanted. I admired his patience and understanding, which were two traits I happened to be lacking.
“We landed two big clients, my man,” he announced with a smile. “Add that to the surefire case you secured with Landon Corporation, and I'd say we're well on our way to being the best in the country. I can't tell you how annoying it is to simply be 'one of the best.'”
I returned his smile with sincerity. Nick was charming indeed, and we often had the same ambitions at heart. I simply didn't sugar coat my drive, whereas Nick valued the benefits of making a good impression.
“Oh, really? Do tell,” I prodded, leaning back in my chair as Nick paced around the seating area to the right of my desk. He often paced when he was excited about something, but I'd never called him out on this curious behavior.
“You know the leaders in toy manufacturing, Radco and Tall Tale?” he began. I nodded, and he eagerly continued with, “Well, they merged, much to the chagrin of their biggest competitor, Grow Bright, who are claiming they’re making a monopoly on the industry. The legal battle has barely started and already the media is all over it. Radco's previous set of lawyers made a huge mistake in drawing up certain contracts with Tall Tale, so you know who both companies called?” Nick looked over at me excitedly and I rolled my eyes at him in good humor.
“Yup, that's right!” he boasted. “They want us to redraw their merger contract. They also want us to defend them should Grow Bright make good on their threats to take them to court.”
“How did you manage to get that call?” I asked, slightly bewildered by this fruitful development. Nick was truly a miracle worker, and partnering with him had definitely been a wise choice. He smiled smugly and gestured towards the door.
“We did it,” he replied proudly. “We built up our reputation right where we want it! We're finally at the top, especially with your recent victory!”
I shared in Nick's enthusiasm, rising from my seat so he could pull me into a brief hug before clapping me on the shoulder.
“We just can't screw this up,” I cautioned, “and then we'll be at the top.”
“Yeah, I want to have a staff meeting so everyone is on the same page moving forward. We’re going to be crazy busy with these new clients, and we can't afford to make mistakes. I know I always lecture you on being an asshole, but our team might need some tough love this time. I need you to emphasis how important this.”
I grinned wide and let out a low chuckle. Nick rarely approved of my attitude, yet he was willing to turn a blind eye in this particular instance. I certainly had no problem whipping some of these lazy employees into shape, and was happy to oblige him.
“I only act like an asshole because I know these people are capable of performing better than they sometimes do,” I remarked. “I expect the best and that's all, Nick.”
He waved off my explanation as he retreated back towards the office door, still beaming from the impressive new business he'd brought in. He’d heard me defend my attitude dozens of times, and clearly wasn’t in the mood to hear it again.
“Yeah, yeah. Just don't fire anyone,” he laughed. “We’ll be meeting in the conference room in six minutes.”
He left my office and I used those six minutes to finish up the immigration questionnaire and send the answers to my printer. I hole punched the printouts, then compiled them neatly into a binder. After the meeting, I was going to call Jessica back and persuade her into taking the role of my makeshift love interest. Really it was a promotion, and there would be quite the nice bonus in store for her as well.
I exited my private lair just as everyone was migrating to the conference room. Our firm consisted of ten lawyers: Nick and myself, along with eight junior partners who often acted as our backing rather then actively representing alongside us in the courtroom. I'd chosen to use Jessica for the Landon Corporation case as an isolated occurrence since Nick had informed me that he was 'onto something.' I simply had no idea at the time that the 'something' he was onto would be so substantial.
I strode into the conference room and sat at the far end of the table, directly across from Nick who sat at the head of it. Our eight juniors settled into their seats, and Nick began by informing them of Radco and Tall Tale, our new clients.
“So, are we putting other cases or clients on hold to deal with the Radco situation?” a voice asked in puzzlement.
&
nbsp; It was who I considered to be our most incompetent lawyer who spoke the question. The man was a bumbling idiot, and I had no idea what my partner saw in him. Nick had hired him, and had refused to let him go despite my protests. Nick glanced at me, tacitly giving me permission to correct the confused imbecile.
“Why on Earth would we do that?” I scoffed. “Are you really so incapable of multitasking that you can't produce your absolute best just because we've acquired another big industry client?” The dolt sat frozen in the black leather chair and stared at me with wide doe eyes as I continued sternly, “This law firm doesn't have the room for stupid questions, and I don't have the patience for the idiots that speak them aloud.” I was heated now, the bewildered expression on his pudgy face adding to my irritation. “If even the slightest mistake arises on any of the cases we're working on, or with any of the clients we already represent, the person responsible for it will find themselves unemployed, am I understood?”
Having made my point, Nick cleared his throat before he resumed the briefing. I caught that Jason idiot whispering to Jessica, and they seemed too chummy to be discussing work.
“Excuse me, Jason?” I hissed. “You're just full of screw-ups today, aren't you? We're in the middle of a meeting, and you have something more important to discuss? Perhaps it's about your mishap this morning,” I reprimanded angrily. “Were you able to get me the simple case number I requested, or is everything so difficult for you that you can't even keep your mouth shut while someone else is speaking?”
The room went silent as I stared a hole in Jason's head, and he paled, mumbling some unintelligible apology. I gestured for Nick to continue and he did so, slowly, while giving me a look that implied he wanted me to take things down a notch for now. I was done giving my speech, but the least these people could do was display some common courtesy.
“So do we have any questions?” Nick asked, glancing around the table with a raised brow. Our team of eight looked at each other nervously and one brave soul, Jeannie, I believe her name was, warily raised her pen. Nick nodded in her direction for her to speak.
“For the few of us who don't have much to do, can we work with you and these new clients?”
I blinked at her in disbelief for a moment, wondering if she was being serious or attempting to be funny. Realizing she wasn’t joking, anger surged through me and I lashed out.
“You don't have much to do, Jeannie?” I snapped. “How about you do a better job with the work I do give you so you’ll receive more opportunities instead of having to correct everything you hand in,” I chided. “If you want more to do after that, you can help the girls out in reception, that way you'll never be bored again. Not even the damn receptionists would put you on the Radco team,” I scoffed.
There was nervous silence again until someone cleared their throat. I turned my head and was surprised to find Jessica leaning forward in her seat.
“Excuse me, Mr. Kosta,” she started, her face showing obvious agitation as she fought to maintain her composure. “I'd just like to comment that everyone here is sick and tired of your attitude and your verbal abuse. Maybe if you took the chip off your shoulder and saw past your own arrogance, you'd realize how many talented lawyers you have working for you. Your firm,” she paused to cast a quick glance at Nick, “with respect Mr. Travellis, would be nothing without us, and all I ask on behalf of my colleagues is that you show us the respect we've earned.”
Jessica's eyes had cut back to mine, her face twisted in a cold sneer. She was revved up, and her unexpected criticism of my demeanor had taken me aback. No one had ever stood up to me in my own office before, and this marked the second time she'd had to correct me that day.
The room, having fallen silent again, grew heavy with anticipation for what would come next. All eyes were on me, awaiting my reaction, but I kept myself calm as I slowly stood.
“If you'll follow me back to my office please, Ms. Rhodes,” I insisted, motioning towards the door.
I didn't give her time to respond, only to react, as I turned and abruptly stormed from the conference room to my office. Once there, I held my door open for her as she blew by me, then closed and locked it behind us.
“I know you're probably going to fire me, Mr. Kosta, but honestly what I said needed to be heard,” she defended. “You treat everyone as if they're lesser beings than you, and it's abhorrent. If you're going to fire me, then I'd have to say it's at least better than putting up with your piss-poor attitude and horrible treatment for another day,” she finished.
I had to be impressed. There she was; not very tall, but sexy as hell, and putting her neck on the chopping block for her coworkers. She had guts, and that was undeniably admirable as well as attractive. I smiled and walked around my desk to pick up the binder I’d assembled before the meeting.
“Are you laughing at me, Mr. Kosta?” a flustered Jessica asked incredulously.
“I'm afraid I am,” my smile widened and I nodded. “That's twice now you've had to set me straight in the same day. It’s honestly a bit refreshing…” My eyes discreetly roamed her body as she stood near my desk, and I gestured for her to take a seat at one of the chairs positioned in front of it.
She cautiously lowered herself into one with a look of confusion on her face. “I'm not usually challenged by people, let alone women,” I admitted. Jessica's face turned into a question mark, baffled by the direction the conversation had turned.
“I don't…I'm sorry, are you…what are you saying?” she stammered, unsure of my intent.
I studied her light brown gaze, her eyes almost golden in color. She was remarkably beautiful, yet had managed to fly under my radar for weeks thanks to the arduous case I’d been handling. This bright, fiery woman had been under my nose the entire time, and it was clear I hadn’t made a good impression on her.
“I'm saying you interest me,” I explained with a smile. “I also have to confess that I’ve been a bit aloof lately. I’m sure you heard about the case I won recently?”
“Of course,” she replied, her face still painted with uncertainty.
“I spent five years deeply embroiled in that case. It was a huge victory, but it took a lot out of me. I’ve been so overwhelmed, I suppose I’ve been a bit on edge. I also haven’t been as attentive around the office as I should be,” I explained.
“I understand,” she replied, though I suspected she’d just said it to be polite.
“I’ve also managed to get myself into a bit of a bind,” I divulged with a sigh. “And that’s why I’d like to propose something,” I continued as I sank into my high-back leather office chair and folded my hands across my lap.
Jessica's eyes widened, and I could see the thoughts racing through her mind. She looked befuddled and slightly panicked, still unsure of where this was headed.
“Are you hitting on me?” she asked nervously, her eyes studying me intently. “Are you going to ask me on a date or something?”
“No, no, nothing like that,” I assured her. “Well, maybe a little like that. Just hear me out. What I’m about to tell you can’t be repeated, though. Understood?”
“Yes,” she answered with a nod.
“I’m serious. This stays between us,” I reiterated with a stern look.
“Okay, okay, I get it,” she huffed. “Just come out with it.”
“I’ll put this plainly,” I began, pausing to let out a lengthy sigh. “As you may or may not know, I'm here from Greece on a ten-year green card and it’s expiring soon. Unless I acquire citizenship somehow, I’m going to be deported and I can’t have that.”
“I see…” she replied, clearly confused as to why I was telling her this.
“I should have applied to become a citizen long ago, but I didn't. Stupid, I know,” I went on. “Maybe I'm not as smart as everyone thinks. Either way, I'm in a pinch.”
“What are you trying to say?” she asked.
“I need to get married,” I blurted. “It looks like that’s the only way I can s
tay here in the States now.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say,” she said, shaking her head apologetically. “I’m sorry?”
“I don’t think you understand what I’m getting at,” I told her with an arched eyebrow. “I need to get married,” I repeated, this time pointing at her.
“You…want to marry me?” she gasped, her jaw dropping as she looked at me with shock.
“Given that we work together, you’d make the best choice,” I shrugged. “I’ve been too busy to have a social life, so it wouldn’t be very believable if I picked some random woman off the street and tried to pass her off as my wife. Immigration wouldn’t buy that for a second. You, on the other hand, would make a bit more sense. It would be easy to see an interoffice romance blossoming between us and—”
“Ha!” she interrupted with a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, a bit annoyed by her look of amusement.
“No offense, but it’s definitely not easy for me to see an interoffice romance ‘blossoming between us,’” she scoffed.
“Why’s that?” I scowled incredulously.
“Are you being serious right now?” she fired back.
“Yes…” I replied, failing to see why the idea was so outlandish.
“Because you’re a complete ass, that’s why,” she laughed.
“Okay, I’ll give you that,” I conceded, “but hear me out.” She sat back in her seat and crossed her arms, amusement still lingering on her face. “Look, I can’t be deported right now. It would ruin this company. When I first came here ten years ago, I honestly didn’t expect the firm to take off like it has. This place is a powerhouse, and it needs me.”
“I think Mr. Travellis can do just fine without you,” she argued.
“Nick’s great,” I agreed, “but he doesn’t have my experience. Plus the negative publicity of my deportation would kill the reputation we’ve built. The place would sink, and all of you would sink with it.”