THE MYSTERIOUS PROTÉGE

SEVEN

Basil Kane

“What the hell was that?!” Mr. Wright asked fuming with anger aimed towards Neil, “I don’t even know why I’m wasting my breath on you.” He turned to me, “this is all your fault, I asked for the best and you saddled me with this i***t whose ass got kicked by someone who just left law school!” He yelled and it was starting to get us unnecessary attention in the courthouse.

I opened a room that was empty and I shoved him in there, “Neil is really good at his job, it’s your fault for giving us half-truths. We went there not fully prepared.” I said trying to maintain a calm posture. I had to admit I was impressed the way that young lady kicked Neil’s ass in that courtroom, it was hard to believe that was the first case she had ever worked.

“Why are you smiling? I just lost a case and that b***h made sure my wife got almost all of my money!” Mr. Wright yelled.

“At least you have another wife and family to run to, right?” I asked and he kept quiet. “Law is all about which side has the best lawyer who can spin around the words. Usually it’s us but this time it was them.”

“You,” Mr. Wright said pointing at me, “you’re going to be sorry. Mark my words.” He threatened.

I snickered, “Nelson you’re not in a position to make any threats. After you give your wife the money you owe her, you’d practically be broke. You do want to learn to be kind and maintain the few friends you have.” I said in a low tone.

He looked at me then groaned and stormed out of the room, I looked at Neil who just chuckled as he shook his head. “You should have probably gone easy on him.” Neil said as we left the room and before I could respond we bumped into Liane and her lawyer.

She looked at me then back at Neil, “No amount of motivation would make get over losing this case.” She said with a smirk.

Neil chuckled, “I guess I deserved that.” He said.

She smiled, her smile made me feel attracted to her in a way that confused me, in a way I didn’t feel even when I was with Leilani. “Basil Kane.” I said offering her my hand. She looked at it then at me, she smiled again and I felt as though I wanted to hug her, she took my hand and shook it.

“Nice to meet you Basil Kane.” She said then she looked at Neil to speak but I couldn’t hear what she was saying I was watching her, the way she moved so swiftly, her hair that was tied up in a high ponytail to expose her neck, the way her pink lips moved with each word she uttered.

“Are you done here babe?” Leilani asked as she grabbed my hand making me come back to reality.

I looked at her then turned to look at Neil and the lawyer who were looking at us, “yes we are. I was just waiting for Neil to stop flirting around with her.” I said making Neil hit my arm.

“The both of you should join us.” Leilani suggested.

“Uh… I don’t think that’s a good idea.” The lawyer said. I remember Neil telling me her name but I couldn’t recall it, but her name was like some flower it was suitable because she was indeed a flower.

“Don’t be silly, it is the best idea.” Leilani said. I really wanted her to accept Leilani’s offer so I’d be able to spend more time with her, learn more about her.

“I meant I have other things to take care of right now.” She clarified.

“No problem, I’m Leilani Larson by the way.”

“I’m Blossom Summers.”

That was her name.

“See you tonight?” Neil asked Blossom.

“Sure, why not. I do love food.” She said chuckling and then she walked away.

“Finally, you asked a girl out. I didn’t think you would after all this time.” Leilani said.

“I just never found the right lady, you know after my wife died and left me with a year-old daughter. I just wanted to make sure that the lady I date is the right one.” Neil said defensively, “and I really have a good feeling about Blossom.”

“She does seem, nice and hardworking. The kind of ladies you are into.” I said, “but wouldn’t it hurt your ego that she wiped the floor with you in that courtroom?” I added chuckling.

“That made her even more desirable, you have no idea.” Neil said with a smile that I hadn’t seen in his face in a while. But I kind of felt bad that him and I were attracted to the same girl, for the sake of our friendship I’d have to drop it.

“Of course, he does. He has me.” Leilani said and I looked at her and smiled but I knew meeting Blossom would make me not to see her in the same way ever again.

“I’d leave you two love birds to do whatever it is you’re going to do.” Neil said as he waved us goodbye and left me with Leilani.

“You do remember that we have that meeting with the guy who was to invest in my company, right?” Leilani asked.

“Yes, I remember.” I said adjusting my suit as we entered the car.

“And you wore that tie?” She asked looking at my tie in disgust. “I think I was prepared for this.” She added as she looked inside her handbag and brought out 3 different ties.

“You think I have a bad taste in ties?” I asked.

“No, you have good taste but matching them is where you draw the line.” She said laughing. “This one would go much better with the suit.” She said as she helped me take off my tie and she tied the one she picked, I didn’t mind really. It was her meeting she knew what kind of people she was expecting to meet and what they wanted.

We got there and the investors were already waiting, “Mr. Kane, I didn’t know you’d be joining us.” One of the investors said.

“Why would you think I would be supporting my girlfriend in her business venture?” I asked as I took a seat.

“That’s not… I mean…” He stammered but one of the investors placed their hand on top of theirs and he stopped talking.

“What my colleague meant was that we’re familiar with your capacity as a lawyer so we were wondering why Miss. Larson would require legal representation.” She explained.

Leilani chuckled, “no, Basil is here as my partner. Not as a lawyer.” She clarified.

“Now that’s cleared up let’s begin.” The man said as they introduced themselves but I zoned out, I was trying not to think of Blossom but she would keep creeping back into my mind, her long brown hair, her small oval face, her heart shaped lips and her body that is fit but also sexy. I snapped myself out of it just in time to hear what was being said.

“…we’d also like to get a 5% share of the company.” The man said.

“Why would you want a 5% share of the company?” I asked as I sat up.

“To ensure we have enough say in the company and what happens around it.” The man explained.

“I believe you’d have the same opportunity even when you have a 2 or 3% share in the company. You want to earn a bigger share of the profits when Leilani who is doing most of the leg work.” I said looking at the man in the eye.

“I thought you said he’s here as your partner and not as the legal advisor.” The man said looking at Leilani.

“I’m a lawyer by profession and if I hear something that doesn’t profit my lady, I will speak up.” I said before Leilani could have spoken, “beside she would have brought me the contract before she signed it and I would have had the same sentiment then. Now why don’t we just save everyone some time and make the changes right now.”

The man looked at the lady at the and they had a little discussion in whispers then he looked at me, “4%.” He said.

“3.5, that’s the highest I’ll go.” I countered.

“Deal.” The lady said and they made that change on the contract. The meeting didn’t go on longer than that now that they knew I was paying attention to what they were saying.

When they left Leilani shrieked and kissed me, “I knew it would be a great idea to bring you here. You really showed them not to mess with me.” Leilani said.

“That’s why you wanted me here?” I asked confused, “that’s cheeky of you.” I said then I hugged her. “We should go out and celebrate.” I said.

“I’m thinking some club or something.” Leilani suggested.

“It’s not even evening yet Leilani, relax with the clubbing.” I said.

She was about to answer when my phone rang, “today is my day, I’m sure one day without you in the office it’s not going to crash and burn.” Leilani said as she tried to seduce me into not picking the call.

“Stop that baby, it could be something important.” I said as I tried to get my phone out of my pocket.

“It’s always something important with you.” She whined like a small child. I didn’t really have the time to deal with her tantrums, so I picked the call and ignore her.

“What’s up Neil?” I asked when I picked the call.

“We have a problem.” He said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“We have someone here who wants representation against one of our client’s son. She’s saying that he r***d her.” Neil explained.

“Which client are we talking about?” I asked as I felt the dread of the name that would come out of Neil’s mouth as all out clients were powerful people.

“Alexander Bennet.” Neil said.

“You mean the one that runs almost half of the country’s oil supply? That Alexander Bennet?” I asked just to make sure that I heard it right.

“The one and only.” Neil said with a sigh.

“We do have a problem.” I said as I could imagine the backlash that was about to ensue considering the lady wasn’t the first to come forward and accuse Bennet’s son of r**e.