The laws of love, lust, and lies

CHAPTER SEVEN

DOMINIC

The moment I heard that silly saleswoman was treating Alice as if she were some kind of criminal , my blood started to boil almost instantly and I practically ran to the damn store where I had left her earlier; I was about to go somewhere else with her , but I didn't want to give that people the satisfaction or be left with the impression that she really had no way to pay for their shitty products.

So I did what any petty person would have done in my place: I bought her a pair of each of the shoes she tried on , and even though she basically begged me with her eyes not to , I had to prove a point , and It was totally worth it by the time I went over to pay and the fool who tried to kick Alice out of the store almost had a heart attack when I got the full bill and I pulled out my black credit card to pay , while the boy who served us was smiling from ear to ear and it was quite clear that he was doing the math in his head to find out how much commission he was going to receive for this.

Alice was quiet most of the time and just stood behind me , staring at her feet and twisting her fingers in discomfort , and I find it amazing that I can read her emotions clearly on her face as if I had known her from all my life , even though this is the second time I have met her , it is clear that she feels uncomfortable and her furtive glances towards the people around us are a direct indicator that she is afraid of being classified as a gold digger.

" What else do you need for the office? " I ask her when we leave the horrible store that I will never return to in my life.

" I think we have already bought more than enough , in fact , I think we may have overdone it a bit, " she tells me with a concerned tone that I find cute for some reason.

Cute? Did I really just think that she has a cute tone of voice? Never in my life have I described anything as cute , God , this is getting out of hand.

Alice changes her handbag from one arm to the other in a nervous gesture , and I can't help but notice that it's peeled off at the corners and that one of the strips is patched up , so without thinking twice , I turn to the right and lead her to another store where they sell handbags , while Alice walks quickly behind me trying to keep up with me and arguing that she doesn't need any more stuff.

" That bag you are carrying is falling apart , I don't want all the contents of your bag to spill out in front of some important client, " I tell her in a severe tone , and she blushes visibly as she examines her bag and chews on the inside of her cheek; I know I shouldn't have been so harsh about the way I talk to her , but I really hope that this stupid feeling I get every time I look at her goes away if I treat her the same or worse than other people.

“ Okay , but could we please find a non - designer store? I don't want to go around my neighborhood carrying one of those bags , it's like carrying a giant sign that says ‘Mug me' on my forehead in neon letters, ” she tells me with a determined expression , and I frown upon hearing her description of the neighborhood she lives in.

Great , now I have one more concern to add to the list of things that have started to matter to me since she walked through my office door: her safety.

" What kind of neighborhood do you live in? " I ask her , but instead of answering , she points to a store that sells a wide variety of leather products and exclaims:

" I think that store is perfect! " as she heads over there, leaving me standing in the hallway of the mall , wondering where the hell she lives and making a mental note to look up that information on her resume as soon as I get back to the office.

Once we are in the store , I understand that although it is not a luxurious brand , the bags seem of good quality and since they cost about ten times less than what they would cost in the first store I wanted to enter , I insist on Alice that at least we buy one of each color , to which she flatly refuses , saying that if we continue like this she is going to have to work for me until she dies to be able to pay for what we bought today , and that statement did not sit well with me , but I can't decipher whether it is the fact that she finds it so terrible to have to work with me for so long or to know that it is not in her plans to work for me for a considerable amount of time.

And without being able to contain myself any longer , I ask her: " And how long do you plan to work at the firm? "

“ Well , for as long as you guys want to hire me as an assistant , that is , at least until I get my law degree and pass the bar exam , after that … well , I haven't planned any further , but I suppose that if the firm wants to hire me as a lawyer I would be more than happy , and if not , then I suppose I will have to look for work elsewhere or perhaps open my own firm , I don't know yet , first I have to finish my degree and if I keep shopping this , I will never be able to pay my tuition, ” she answers me almost immediately , and I am surprised when a smile spreads across my face.

I didn't really remember that Alice is studying law and that one day she will have to stop being my assistant , but that thought is no longer so gloomy when I compare it with the possibility that she will become my colleague one day; And now that I think about it , maybe it would be good if I not only gave her the tasks of a common assistant , I should try to teach her something about the profession so that she has a better chance of becoming a good enough lawyer to be considered as a new asset within the firm.

Which will not be easy , because we take very seriously those whom we hire as auxiliary lawyers , staff lawyers , and much more with partners , we receive hundreds of applications every year from highly experienced lawyers and also recent graduates, requesting to be part of the firm , but an application is rarely accepted , and when we do it is because that person demonstrated exceptional capabilities , not for nothing do we hold the title of being one of the best law firms in the country, and if Alice could be part of it in the future , it would be more than perfect.

" I think we already have all the necessary items, " she tells me , pulling me out of my thoughts.

" Oh okay , so I think it is time to get something to eat , I am starving, " I tell her , and she pales looking at her watch.

" It is not necessary Mr. Pemberton , I will eat something at home, " she tells me with a tight smile , and when I look at the clock , I notice that it is already close to eight at night , well , time does fly by when you are not working.

" Don't worry about the time , this counts as overtime for your p*****t, " I tell her , and she looks even more uncomfortable.

" Oh no , it is not for that , in fact , I wouldn't mind if you decided not to count this day as work , it's just that it is a bit late and I have already made you lost a lot of time , I don't want to bother you anymore, " she tells me , and I frown.

" Alice , you are not bothering me , oh well , now you are doing it because I am quite hungry and I do not want to waste any more time here arguing if we go for something to eat or not, " I say in a severe tone, and I see how she gulps in fear , but finally nods in agreement.

" There is a food court on the top floor, " she suggests , and I laugh making her tilt her head with a confused expression.

“ I would rather go to a real restaurant, ” I explain , and she nods , but she still doesn't seem very convinced to go with me , and on the way , I see her out of the corner of my eye taping on her phone with a worried expression.

Who the hell does she text so much to? Could it be that she has a boyfriend?