The Proposal Series

Chapter 3: Executive Lawyer

Tom was an average looking man. He was six feet tall with blue eyes and brown hair. His cheekbones were unimpressive, and when he smiled, you could tell he had a few teeth out of alignment. You would never know by looking at him that he had a six-pack under his shirt. But it was his mind more than anything else that would steal your heart. He was intelligent and cunning. He had a way with words. He was always capable of getting his way… and making you believe it had been your way the entire time.

Sara could tell that Jennifer was glancing back at her from the driver's seat. She hadn't yet started the car.

“Ms. Hopewell, Derek Walberg is the president of his own firm. He is a city icon. People travel far distances to meet with him. He is valuable because he offers solutions to the most complex of problems. He also treats his clients with respect, and this is one form of respect he chooses to show his clients. I did not mean to catch you off guard. If you are ready, we can make our way to his office," Jennifer explained.

Sara nodded towards Jennifer. Sara knew Derek had much to offer. She had done her research and seen the many reviews by people stating that he was able to do all. Sara allowed her thoughts to drift… and she realized she was surrounded by the most luxurious black leather.

Sara recalled previous conversations of people attesting to Mr. Walberg's expertise. She had been searching for a lawyer for weeks, even though she knew she should have started this search right after relocating a year earlier. She knew from her research that the only man who could possibly help her was Derek. Yet, the only reason she had chosen to meet with him was because she had heard he was able to do things for people, things that normal lawyers couldn't or wouldn't do.

“Ms. Hopewell, all of Mr. Walberg's clients are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before their initial meeting takes place. It would have been sent to you, but with the appointment being last minute we were a bit short on time. We have fifteen minutes before we arrive for your meeting. Please take your time and read it. When you are comfortable, please sign it and hand it back to me," Jennifer instructed.

Sara reached for the forms. At first, she had some feelings of doubt, but she quickly realized why this would make sense for her. If she signed a non-disclosure, this would not only apply to the information Derek would share with her but the information she would share with Derek. If she signed a non-disclosure, she couldn't get in trouble for what she planned to ask of Derek, and he couldn't get in trouble for saying yes.

“Thank you, Jennifer," Sara said kindly and began to scan the forms

Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement

This non-disclosure protects the client and the acting attorney.

All parties mutually agree to an oath of silence, regarding what is discussed and/or detailed, never relaying any information to the press or other unrelated parties.

Trust must be established between the parties. Any information that is communicated via telephone, text message, voice recording, or at an in-person meeting, will not be tape-recorded, video-taped or relayed in any way to any outside party.

Sara scanned the rest of the document and saw Derek's signature at the bottom. She noticed he had lovely penmanship. The way he created his W was almost as if he had made his own font of cursive writing. She stuck her hand into her bag, digging around searching for a pen. She brought the pen down onto the paper and signed the forms without a second thought.

As she looked up from the signed papers to the seat in front of her, she noticed that Derek had his name stitched in a cream thread on the back of the beautiful black leather driver's seat. For some reason, this fact annoyed Sara. She hated the idea of any man loving his name so much that he had to have it embroidered onto the world's finest leather. No man deserved that kind of recognition.

“Ms. Bing, I have the paperwork here signed for you," Sara said to Jennifer, passing the papers back.

“Thank you, Sara. When we arrive, I will accompany you to his office. He owns the entire penthouse suite floor of the building on Yonge and Lawrence. It is quite easy to get lost once you're up there, and every guest needs the passcode for the elevator," Jennifer said with a smile.

Sara knew lawyers didn't come cheap. But when she booked this initial meeting, the cost was only $250 for a half-hour. She had figured that a hot-shot lawyer like himself would be able to charge a lot more, and yet she had received a ride in a Rolls as part of the fee.

Sara stared out the window at the clouds, light blue mixed with gray hints in the sky. It had been unusually warm for a Spring day, and her short flowing red dress with her black high heels truly made a statement. Sara enjoyed fashion and when she had lost her ability to choose her own wardrobe, she had done everything she could once she was free to get it back. She hadn't necessarily wanted to draw attention to her attire, but she had to take these small acts of free will and utilize them, or else she feared she would go mad.

“We have arrived, Ms. Hopewell. The concierge will park the car for us," Jennifer said as she stepped out of the car.

Jennifer walked around the car to grab the door handle and open Sara's door for her. Sara was almost disappointed, having to leave the warm leather of the beautiful Rolls.

As she exited the car, she tilted her head to look straight up. She turned to look left and right, taking in her surroundings. She stood in front of one of the tallest buildings on the street. The penthouse suite was so far into the sky she was unable to make it out. The building was ritzy, located right beside some expensive designer shops. Sara was not surprised by these revelations at all. The rumors about the posh Mr. Walberg appeared to be true, and she hoped the rest of them proved true as well.

Sara and Jennifer walked towards the building and entered the large glass doors, which encompassed the entire front entrance. Directly inside the glass doors were the elevators off to the right, the front desk in the center, and the washrooms to the left. The foyer essentially took up the entire first floor, with comfortable couches and plush seats in every corner.

Jennifer was headed to the elevators, and Sara followed. She didn't much care for elevators, as they made her feel boxed in. She didn't like feeling as if she wasn't able to escape if the situation called for it. Another one of her anxieties.

As they both walked onto the elevator platform, Jennifer punched in a random code to a lockbox. The elevators began to ascend into the air, and Sara grabbed onto the metal bar as she squeezed it tightly.

“The appointment with Mr. Walberg will be exactly thirty minutes. I will be waiting for you outside of his office to take you back downstairs to the car to drop you off at home. If something changes, or if the meeting happens to run later, please give me a call," Jennifer said curtly.

Jennifer handed Sara a business card.

DEREK WALBERG – EXECUTIVE LAWYER

PERSONAL ASSISTANT: JENNIFER BING

416-789-0010

Sara chuckled, but mostly under her breath. Of course, Jennifer would have her own business card she thought. Courtesy of the pompous Derek Walberg, executive lawyer. Sara wondered how many lawyers in the Toronto area had a personal driver.

As the elevator reached the top floor and the doors swung open, Sara was greeted by servers offering her tea, coffee, or water. It was slightly overwhelming, and she politely declined. The first thing she saw was the view. At almost every angle of the office were huge windows. One could easily see the entire city. Sara was even able to see the water; although, on a less cloudy day, it would be even more noticeable.