Legally Bound: Pregnant with my Rival's Baby

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The champagne fizzed in my glass, bubbles rising to the surface like my barely contained excitement. The conference room at Zhang & Associates had transformed into an impromptu celebration arena, the usually austere space now filled with the chatter and laughter of my colleagues.

"To Sophia Chen," Marcus Zhang's voice boomed over the din, "and her brilliant maneuvering in court today. You've given us a fighting chance against Hawthorne and his corporate giants."

A chorus of cheers erupted, and I felt a flush of pride color my cheeks. I raised my glass, trying to maintain a semblance of professional modesty even as triumph surged through me.

"Thank you, everyone," I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. "But this is just the beginning. We've got a long fight ahead of us."

As the crowd dispersed into smaller groups, Marcus made his way over to me, his eyes twinkling with approval. "You did good today, Sophia. You had Hawthorne on the ropes."

I smirked, recalling Derek's frustrated expression as Judge Blackwood had ruled in our favor. "He underestimated me. They all did."

Marcus nodded, his expression turning serious. "That's not a mistake they'll make twice. Hawthorne's going to come at us with everything he's got now."

"Let him try," I said, perhaps a bit too confidently. The champagne was making me bold. "I'm ready for whatever he throws at me."

"I hope so," Marcus replied, a hint of concern in his voice. "Because I just got word from the court. They've scheduled the first mediation session for next week. Three full days of negotiations with Hawthorne's team."

The news hit me like a bucket of ice water, instantly sobering me up. Three days. With Derek. In close quarters. My heart rate picked up, and I wasn't sure if it was from dread or... anticipation?

"That's... soon," I managed, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Is that going to be a problem? I know you and Hawthorne have a... contentious relationship."

I straightened my spine, pushing down the conflicting emotions roiling in my gut. "Not at all. I can handle Derek Hawthorne."

Even as I said the words, I wasn't sure if I believed them. Could I handle three days of Derek's intense grey eyes, his infuriating smirk, his razor-sharp wit? The memory of our last encounter flashed through my mind - his breath hot against my ear, his body close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him. I suppressed a shiver.

"Good," Marcus was saying, pulling me back to the present. "Because I need you at the top of your game. This mediation could make or break our case."

I nodded, forcing a confident smile. "Don't worry, Marcus. I won't let you down."

As Marcus moved away to mingle with other colleagues, I found myself drifting towards the floor-to-ceiling windows. The New York skyline sprawled before me, a glittering testament to ambition and power. Somewhere out there, Derek Hawthorne was probably plotting his next move.

Almost without conscious thought, I pulled out my phone. My fingers hovered over the keypad for a moment before I typed out a message:

"Hope you're not drowning your sorrows too much, Hawthorne. Save some fight for mediation. - SC"

I hit send before I could second-guess myself, then immediately regretted it. What was I doing? This wasn't a game. This was my career, my chance to prove myself against one of the top firms in the city. I couldn't afford to let Derek Hawthorne get under my skin like this.

My phone buzzed with a reply almost immediately:

"Worry about yourself, Chen. You'll need all the prep you can get. See you in the ring."

I stared at the message, a mix of emotions swirling through me. Anger at his arrogance. Admiration for his quick wit. And something else, something that made my pulse quicken and my mouth go dry.

"Sophia?" A voice behind me made me jump. I turned to see Lily, one of the junior associates, looking at me curiously. "Are you okay? You look a bit flushed."

I quickly pocketed my phone, plastering on a smile. "I'm fine. Just the champagne, I think."

Lily nodded, though she didn't look entirely convinced. "Well, a bunch of us are heading out for drinks to continue the celebration. Want to join?"

I hesitated, tempted by the idea of losing myself in the jubilant atmosphere for a few more hours. But the weight of the upcoming mediation pressed down on me.

"Thanks, but I should probably head home," I said. "I've got a lot of prep work to do for next week."

Lily's eyes widened. "Oh, right. Three days of mediation with Hawthorne. Rather you than me!"

I forced a laugh. "It'll be fine. I can handle Derek Hawthorne."

As I gathered my things and said my goodbyes, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was trying to convince myself as much as anyone else. The elevator ride down to the lobby felt interminable, my mind racing with thoughts of the coming week.

The cool night air hit me as I stepped out onto the street, a welcome respite from the stuffiness of the office. I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. It was just mediation. Just three days of intense negotiations with the most infuriating, challenging, maddeningly attractive opponent I'd ever faced.

No big deal, right?

I hailed a cab, giving the driver my address. As we weaved through the late-night traffic, I found myself staring out the window, my mind drifting back to the courtroom. To Derek's intense gaze, the way his voice dropped to a low rumble when he was making a point, the subtle flex of his jaw when he was frustrated.

Stop it, Sophia, I chided myself. This is exactly the kind of distraction you can't afford.

But even as I tried to redirect my thoughts to case strategy, I couldn't shake the memory of our last encounter. The heat of his body, so close to mine. The hint of challenge in his eyes. The way his words sent shivers down my spine, despite my best efforts to resist.

By the time I reached my apartment, I was a mess of conflicting emotions. Triumph from the day's victory warred with anxiety about the coming mediation. Professional determination clashed with a completely inappropriate attraction to my opponent.

I kicked off my heels as soon as I was through the door, padding barefoot to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine. As I sipped it, I caught sight of my reflection in the window. I looked flushed, my eyes bright with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

"Get it together, Chen," I muttered to myself. "It's just Derek Hawthorne. You've faced him before. You can do this."

But even as I said the words, I knew this was different. This wasn't just another courtroom showdown. This was three days of close proximity, of intense negotiation, of trying to outmaneuver each other at every turn.

I grabbed my laptop, determined to bury myself in case prep. But as I settled onto the couch, my phone buzzed again. Another message from Derek:

"Better bring your A-game next week, Chen. I won't go easy on you just because you got lucky today."

I stared at the message, feeling that now-familiar mix of irritation and excitement. Before I could stop myself, I typed out a reply:

"Luck had nothing to do with it, Hawthorne. But don't worry, I'll try not to embarrass you too badly in front of your team."

I hit send, then immediately tossed my phone aside, as if putting physical distance between myself and the device could somehow negate what I'd just done.

What was wrong with me? This wasn't like me at all. I didn't engage in playful banter with opposing counsel. I didn't let myself get distracted by piercing grey eyes and infuriating smirks. I was Sophia Chen, rising star of Zhang & Associates, known for my laser focus and unshakeable determination.

And yet here I was, trading barbs with Derek Hawthorne like we were in some kind of screwball comedy rather than embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle.

I took a large gulp of wine, then turned resolutely to my laptop. No more distractions. No more thoughts of Derek Hawthorne and his stupidly attractive... everything. I had work to do.

As I immersed myself in legal precedents and negotiation strategies, I made a silent vow. I would win this case. I would prove to everyone - Marcus, the firm, and especially Derek Hawthorne - that I was the best damn lawyer in this city. And if that meant going head-to-head with the most infuriating, brilliant, maddeningly attractive man I'd ever met... well, so be it.

Game on, indeed.