THE MYSTERIOUS PROTÉGE

FIVE

“You can’t be serious Ryan!” Brody yelled, “you can’t just get me off the case, I win cases and I like high profile cases. This is my case,” He said then turned to look at me, “and no little girl who just graduated thinking she could come and make the world a better place is going to take it away from me.” He added vehemently.

“It’s already done Miller,” Ryan said as she looked around her desk oblivious at the enraged Brody, “and it’s not her fault Miller, this happened per the client’s request.”

Brody scoffed and stormed out of the office. I was about to leave, “Miss Summers?” Ryan called me.

I turned and looked at her, “Miller is right. This is a high-profile case and I will get another first chair for you.” She said.

“No please don’t. I’m sure I can handle this, just give me the chance to do it by myself? Please?” I pleaded.

Ryan was quiet for a while looking at me, she sighed, “okay then, you have the first day in court, which is tomorrow, to impress me. If I detect even the slightest mistake you’re off the case and you would be for a while.”

I smiled and clapped excitedly, but Ryan eyebrows creased and I adjusted myself accordingly, “I won’t let you down ma’am.” I said in a serious tone then left her office. I couldn’t believe that my first case was a high-profile case but Mr. Wright also had the best representation in the city, Kane Law Firm.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for Blossom Summers?” A man came up to me and asked.

“You found her.” I said as I turned to look at him.

He snickered, “You’re Blossom Summers?” He asked.

I didn’t bother to respond to that, I just looked at him with my hands folded, “Is there something I could help you with?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I’m Neil O’Brien Mr. Wright’s attorney.” Neil introduced himself and I started walking, he chased me down, “I wasn’t done.” He said.

“Then you should probably finish what you wanted to say.” I said as I kept walking. He came and stood in front of me.

“I’m trying to help you here, okay?” He said.

“Are you now?” I said sarcastically.

“Yes, I am. I want us to have to solve this out of court so you can have you and your client come to our offices, we’ll discuss it further.” He said handing me a card then he walked away. I have to admit it would be less messy to just have to solve this out of court but knowing Mr. Wright this was probably another attempt to squash Liane’s needs but it wouldn’t hurt to go and hear them out. I called Liane told her about the meeting but it would be up to her on whether or not she wants to make the deal or not. She did agree to go to the meeting but it felt as though she didn’t want to, I don’t know why she did. We met outside Kane Law Firm and she looked really nervous, “I haven’t seen my son to be ex husband in a while. I didn’t expect to see him until we got to court tomorrow.” She said as she adjusted her expensive blue suit.

“Try and stop fidgeting. If you fidget they’ll see it as a sign of weakness and they’ll destroy you.” I said as I tried to calm her down, “you have me here if you feel scared just reach out for me and I’ll help you calm down, okay?”

She nodded her head in agreement, she sighed, “let’s get this over and done with.” She said and we entered the building.

“Welcome to Kane Law firm, how may I assist you?” The pretty, young blonde on the reception said.

“We have a meeting with Neil O’Brien.” I said.

She looked through her computer then back at us, “he’ll be meeting you at the 7th floor conference room.” She said.

“Thank you.” I said and we headed to the elevator. We got there and we were shown to the conference room where, of course, Neil wasn’t there. I guess that’s something you learn, don’t be the first to arrive at the meeting and try to keep the other party on their toes. “You never told me what you want.” I said to Liane, “in the prenuptial agreement it says that whoever cheats loses everything, do you want to take away all his money?” I asked.

“No, but I want half of everything he owns. I don’t want him to be unable to help his other family.” Liane said and I thought he was too nice, I would have taken everything from the bastard after everything he put her through but I’m just the lawyer.

Neil finally walked in with Mr. Wright in tow, they both took a seat and they looked at us as though we were nothing. “My client is willing to come to a compromise, he’s willing to give your client 500 million dollars as divorce settlement if she agrees to sign the divorce papers right now.” Neil said.

I scoffed, “you can’t be serious, your client is worth at least twenty times as much as what you are offering. There is no deal.” I said sternly.

“Then 1 billion dollars if she signs the papers right now.” Neil said.

I scoffed and got up, “see you in court Mr. Wright.” I said as Liane also stood up beside me.

“No offense Miss Summers but this is your first rodeo but it isn’t mine.” Neil said.

“Yes, you are like too young to have any experience at all.” Mr. Wright chimed in, “Liane accept the offer and let’s get this over and done with.”

Liane was about to speak when I stopped her, “see you in court.” I said again but much slower this time to emphasize my point. We then left the conference room and walked to the elevator, when I looked up both Mr. Kane and Neil’s eyes were with me and I smirked at them as the elevator door closed. I sighed, “that was intense, I feel dizzy.” I said as I went to lean on the walls.

“I thought you handled it wonderfully. You nailed it perfectly.” Liane said trying to comfort me.

“I was trying to keep it together but I felt like the room was spinning under my feet. You on the other hand didn’t react when you saw your husband and that was really awesome of you.” I said with a smile. “If you are that calm in court tomorrow we’ll surely win this case.” I said just as the elevator doors opened. “You should go home and get ready for tomorrow. I’ll go back to the office and go through the case one more time for good measure.” I said and was about to walk away when Liane spoke up.

“You should really try and believe in yourself a little more Blossom.” She said, “I believe in you.” She added then she walked away.

It felt nice hearing those words from her because she was right I didn’t believe in myself in the slightest but I was hoping everything would play out nicely. I had an air tight case and winning this case would put my name on top which is what all lawyers want. I got to the office and went to my cubicle and went through the case files once again, I think I’ve been through these files a lot of times but now I think everything is fine.

“Another late night Blossom?” Allister, the mail delivery guy, asked.

“What time is it?” I asked looking at my watch.

“It’s a quarter to 8.” Allister said taking me by surprise.

I chuckled, “I didn’t know it was that late.” I said.

“I have a mail for you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the night.” Allister said and waved at me as he was walking away my phone rang, I was looking at the unmarked envelope with just my name on it. That wasn’t a good sign.

“Summers speaking.” I said as I answered the phone.

“You probably want to come and take her home.” The voice said on the other end of the line.

I sighed, “Robin, is she with you?” I asked.

“Yes, down at the holding cell offered her some coffee to help cool off the booze.” He said.

“Thank you, Robin. I’ll be right there.” I said. I didn’t really have time for this. Ever since Clover died my mother fell into depression and then the alcohol came in now I’m called at odd hours of the night to take her home but I didn’t expect today would be one of those nights. I packed the envelope in my bad and I went to the police station.

Robin was one of the officers who stayed with me when my sister died, assuring me how it wasn’t my fault that she died. He kind of become my friend after that, he wanted me to join the police department but I was more inclined to study law. “Where is she Robin?” I asked when I walked into the police station and saw him.

“Right this way.” He said as he walked and I followed him, “maybe you should check her into rehab or something.” Robin suggested.

“I tried and she kept checking herself out and would enter the first bar she found on her way out.” I said with a sigh.

“Mom let’s go.” I said when Robin opened the holding cell door. She walked towards me, she didn’t even seem to be grateful that I was here.

“I am hungry.” She said as she walked past me.

“We’ll get you food on the way home.” I said then turned to Robin, “you are a lifesaver, I don’t know what we’ll do without you.” I said.

“No problem. Think about what I said.” He said.

“I will.” I said as I followed my mother out. I drove her to get some take away food, I drove her home and prepared the food while she took a shower, she had her meal and when I tucked her in bed I could finally have some time to myself. I thought I might as well look at what was in the envelope while I have the time. I opened it and a picture came falling out of the envelope, I caught it before it could fall. ‘You’re welcome.’ It said on the back, when I turned it back it was a picture of Liane in a very compromising position with a man who wasn’t Mr. Wright.

“s**t!” I cursed. This can’t be happening a few hours before the trial, I grabbed my handbag and left. Liane had some explaining to do.