It is nearly 6:30 at night and I have been at the office since 7 working on a critical case. I am exhausted but I still have at least another hour until I'm at a good stopping point. I combed my fingers through my long reddish brown hair and gathered all the strands to put it up in a ponytail. By now most of the office had cleared out so I kicked off my black louboutins and unbuttoned my vest before turning back to my computer. If I could I would change out of my very fitted just above the knee pencil skirt and heavily pressed soft white button down into comfy jeans and a T-shirt. Working in a larger firm in New York had its perks but dues were definitely paid, I saw more of my office than my upper west side apartment, my closet has more skirts than jeans and my social life was basically non existent. I have worked hard to be were I was at in my life and the rest would fall into place eventually, right?
I had just finished rolling up my sleeves and mustered up the determination I needed to get through the rest of the evening when my phone vibrated on my desk.
"Ugh what the hell does he want?" I said seeing the name pop up on my iPhone.
"Are you still in your office?"
"Dammit! I really don't have the patience to deal with him today." I said as I typed a response back.
"Actually I'm just about to head out the door."
"I'm in the lobby and on my way up."
"Shit!" I scurried to button my vest back up and slip back into my shoes without falling over myself. My hair was just going to have to stay in its pony tail and my sleeves would have to stay rolled up because having them both down with creases would be worse.
My back was still to the door when I heard the tap on the door frame. I quickly spun around to find a beautiful man in a suit that did him no justice, too bad we were always arguing against each other in court because now every time is see him I get this instant dislike for the man.
"Eric, what can I do for you?" Gesturing for him to have a seat in one of the chairs in front of my desk before walking back around to sit in my own chair.
"Rhiannon, your here a little late." He walk to my desk and propped himself on the corner. He gave me this half smile that let me know he was up to no good.
"Eric you know I'm always here this late so again what do you need?"
He handed me a file, "We need to make a deal."
"Really!?! Now why would I let my client make a deal with you."
"Because if you don't I'm going to tear her apart in court and take her for all she's worth." And I know he would have fun doing it too.
"If your so confident why are you cutting a deal?"
"Rhiannon just look at the damn file and talk to your client it's a good deal. I know you don't care for me but contrary to what you think I do have your clients best interest in mind."
"Fine Eric I will look at it, anything else?" I asked standing up.
"No, I look forward to hearing from you in the morning." He stood up and turned to leave. He stopped just outside the door and turned back to look at me, "You know the guy in court isn't the only side of me." With that he smiled and continued making his way out of the office.
"What the hell was that!?! I asked aloud as I grabbed the file off my desk and slouched back in my chair. He had really thrown me through a loop with his "nicer" side but I not convinced he was doing it to just benefit my client. He had to have something up his sleeve. I glanced over his offer and to my surprise it was a great offer.
"Dammit!" I picked up the phone to call my client.
After easily convincing my client to take the offer I decided to get it over with and call Eric to let him he had won the case. I really hate loosing but it peeved me even more when I lost to him. He is a cocky son a bitch and loves to rub a win in my face. It unless I wanted to loose my client and my self a good chunk of money this was our best option.
"Rhiannon, calling me so soon? Does that mean your client is taking my offer?"
"I will have the signed paperwork sent to you in the morning."
"Great! Any chance your going to hand deliver them to me?"
"Why would I do that? I'm far too busy to play games with you Eric."
"I'm not playing games with you Rhiannon, it was nice seeing you this evening out of our usual war zone. We should grab a drink to celebrate the closing of another case.
Normally I would have shot him down so quickly his head would spin but this time something was different. Maybe I feel like I owe him one for giving my client an out and ripping her a new one in court. Whatever the reason I still went against my gut instinct and asked where he wanted to meet.