Failed One Night Stand With the Alpha

6. Lady Luck

Steps on how to lose your V-card- Johnny is a f.ucking d.ick! If I catch him today, I’m going to hang him by the balls and leak the pictures of him wearing adult diapers!

“In New York! Concrete jungles where dreams are made of. There’s nothing you can’t do, now you’re in New York!” I sing along to Alicia Key’s Empire State of mind, grooving and still trying to put on my lipstick.

“These streets will make you feel brand new! Big lights will inspire you! Let’s hear it for New York, New York- F.uck!” I scream, my lipstick extending to the corner of my face so I look like the joker.

Ironic when my friends call me Harlequin!

I glare at Leilani through the mirror before turning around.

“Why did you barge in like that?” I hiss at her.

She pouts at my temper and winces at the upturned stain of red dragging across my cheek.

“I was just excited,” she trails off as her eyes turn towards my music speakers.

“I cannot believe you’re listening to this song” she rolls her eyes, rushing towards the object of her offense to either change the song or just shut the damn thing off.

When she turns to glance at me, there is a victorious grin on her face.

Turns out she turned off my music.

“You b.itch” I snarl at her.

She makes a long face and pulls at my hands.

“But I’m tayaaaaad!”(Leilani’s way of saying she’s tired)

“You’ve been playing that song for ages. Most especially when you first moved here,” she wrinkled her nose with a tiny smirk.

“I couldn’t stand you listening to it all of the f.ucking time Gah! We get it miss, you’ve moved to New York, The City of Dreams”

I giggled haughtily at her as she forces me to sit across my vanity so she can rectify the mess on my face.

I hadn’t played that song in a long f.ucking while.

When I first moved here, I was so excited about the City of dreams and the prospects of fulfilling my dream on becoming a lawyer.

But like everyone else that moved here, I was in for a rude awakening. Clearly, I’d been watching too much of Legally Blonde.

It wasn’t just black and white like that, most especially when I lived in a predominantly white male society.

Over here, it wasn’t the easiest to land a job- most especially when there was heavy criticism against my nationality. It wasn’t just because of the color of my skin because if it was, I wouldn’t have a problem because my skin was the shade of a tan and I had dark blonde hair.

The problem was, Nigerians were labeled as scammers, pick pockets and so many other demeaning things in America and Countries in Europe.

It basically started when online scammers, whether African, American or Europeans started using the guise of ‘A Nigerian Prince’ to rip people off their money.

And of course, everyone is too short sighted to uncover the truth. It’s really hard to get a white collared job as a Nigerian.

Still, I worked hard for it. I was fortunate and privileged enough to get a head start because I graduated with a first class from an Ivy League university.

Despite all of my internships, My Law school was successful and I passed the Bar Examination with impressive grades.

The truth is I’m a nerd.

And technically, all my siblings are nerds even though they’re popular hot kids.

For some reason, we’re all insanely intelligent- even my dumb junior brother.

I’d avoided Calhoun & Dale Law firm because My friends were there and I didn’t want Johnny’s influence to get me higher up the ladder.

I worked as an intern in Sussex Law firm before I was retained as a clerk. According to my former boss, he was impressed by how professional I was without any supervision and encouraged me to write the bar examination so I could get my license and practice. I did all of that and got another promotion to Paralegal.

I truly idolized him until he started making advances towards me.

He was young, hot and wealthy but he was most definitely not considerate or respectful of my relationship with Victor.

When the inappropriate behavior was too much, I officially resigned- even when he was willing to make me an associate attorney.

Sadly, I’m too much of a push over sometimes and if it wasn’t for Johnny and Leilani finding out about his ill treatment to me, I wouldn’t have quit.

At the same time, Victor cheated on me and I lost my relationship.

It was like a double heart break. I’d really thought I could make partner in Sussex Law firm but all of my expectations were cut short. Moreover, I thought I was serious with Victor because I’d almost thought of introducing him to my dad.

Well that certainly aged well.

But Like damn, where the hell are all the good men?

It was only recently that I got my life back on track- or at least I was trying to.

Johnny was still a little mad I snuck behind his back and applied for a job with Calhoun & Dale. I just didn’t want him worrying about me or influencing my employment decision.

Worst was, it was pretty difficult to get a recommendation letter from my previous work place when my boss was still mad about me resigning.

But eventually, he agreed. Coupled with the fact that I’d gathered so much experience from my internships, my other jobs and my assistance in winning very serious court cases, I was able to land a job as associate attorney.

If I managed to stay in that law firm for more than six years, I could make partner.

And I’ll be lying if I didn’t admit that was my goal.

“There you go. You’re so pretty!” My best friend croons, flicking my forehead.

I wince and hold it before glaring at her. She’s so toxic with the way she loves me.

“Don’t be so upset. Oh and you know what goes well with that red lipstick?” She winks naughtily.

But I’m slow and sadly, I don’t get why she’s in high spirits this early morning- at least not yet.

“Come on hermosa, don’t be slow,” she groans and rolls her eyes.

When I still don’t answer, she huffs in disappointment and resignation before answering.

“The red panties you wore on Saturday!”

My face pales and my eyes go so wide I’m scared they’d open up to my ears.

“What’s wrong?” She c.ocks her head at me.

“I forgot it at Soren’s!” I exclaim.

Ugh, just when I was most positive that I’d pushed Soren to the back of my mind, I’m harshly reminded by the fact that I forgot my panties at his place!

Dear Lady Luck, can you make him incinerate the damn thing?

“F.uck... oh my God it’s 7:30am I’m going to be late!” I scream, scrambling for my purse, my bag or whatever I want to be using.

I haven’t even loaded my books and stuff!

For crying out loud, how long have I been singing Empire State of mind???

“And Johnny!” I exclaim, picking up my phone to call him.

It doesn’t even go through.

“I’ve got to go Lele! I can’t be late on my first day!” I yell over my shoulder, one hand at my ear and the other swinging my bag over my shoulder.

“Have fun!”

I scoff and don’t answer. There’s absolutely no fun in a black and white Law Firm.

While I rush to the front desk to ask whether Johnny is still up or not, I use my phone to order an Uber just in case.

Luckily, I live in a busy area and Ubers are always within the vicinity. The Uber I’ve called is only Seven minutes away.

But when I think about the traffic, about the fact that Johnny is supposed to give me a f.ucking ride and I shouldn’t even be ordering one, my head is steaming and whistling like a goddamn kettle.

“He left thirty minutes ago,” the doorman informs me before I can even ask.

That’s when I realized I’ve been cursing Johnny’s name out loud.

“Thank you” I grin at him but even at that, he winces and retreats.

I can tell that the smile on my face is malicious. Oh you are so going to get it from me Johnny! You stupid prick!

*************

Act normal.

I inhale and exhale, gaze at the ginormous skyscraper standing in front of me and soon, I am walking. My eyes graze over the giant infrastructure that is all height, metal and glass. It’s so high that the giant tree of geometry feels like it touches the azure sky. Soon, I’m met with the giant glass doors lined with coffee brown mahogany wood.

The glasses are a light shade of coffee and across the glass written in bold gold is the name- CALHOUN & DALE.

One of the biggest law firms in Manhattan. It’s on par or at least, bigger than Sussex. All I know is the pay is better than Sussex. The owners of both law firms have a rivalry so technically, my joining Calhoun & Dale could be deemed as betrayal.

Still, I wasn’t going to sit around and care about silly, old and rich people fighting about what country they wanted to visit during the holidays. I needed a job and some money and loyalty didn’t matter to me when my boss was trying to get in my pants.

Seeing as I’m already Ten minutes late, I hurry into the building with the quest to find Tate and Johnny.

Tate, to hug her and ask her to show me around and Johnny, to spank his Damn head until it was lose in the screws.

I walk into the building and make a straight line for the elevator.

Soon, I’m entering the junior/ Senior associates attorney floor.

It’s absolutely beautiful. Small vibrant bulbs line and illuminate the ceiling while still casting its bright hue against the floors. The floors are polished to perfection so much so they even reflect the lights of the ceiling.

Coffee brown mahogany lined with glass. These two components make up the dividing walls of the offices in this floor. There’s still slight banter amongst the lawyers even though they are settled down in their office spaces and working. I gather it’s because they just got to work.

The air is surprisingly cool and friendly as everyone seems familiar with themselves but they still manage an air of professionalism.

As soon as I’m walking down the length of the hallway, The once buzzing and busy office area is absolutely silent.

I frown, inhale and walk off with my head held high and my heels clicking against the floor.

Whenever I’m around Lawyers, my alter ego is immediately put in place.

They’re very vicious bastards that love to pick on other people’s weaknesses.

All I’d have to do is make the deadly mistake of looking unsure and scared and for the rest of my time here, they are going to see it fit to trample upon me.

I made the mistake while in Law School. I won’t repeat that again.

“A Sussex,” a whisper travels through the ventilated air and kisses my ear.

I know they are waiting for a reaction.

A smirk spreads across my lips as I round a corner and keep walking, not hesitating even once.

I’m not surprised that they are aware I left Sussex to join Calhoun & Dale.

I shuffle around in my small purse and produce my keys.

“Hey,” a voice suddenly calls out.

A gasp parts from my lips and The keys fall to the floor unceremoniously. Before I can bend to pick the keys up, a hand is extending and doing the job for me.

His blue eyes meet mine before the keys fall back into my palm.

“Sorry for the intrusion,” a grin spreads across his lips.

“Thanks,” I decide to ignore him and open the doors to my office.

It’s perfect, way better than the cramped up cubicle I used to spend all my time in at Sussex.

Fortunately for me, I’m one of the lucky lawyers that get a view of the neighboring skyscrapers standing against the blue beyond.

See through glass and mahogany wood barricades my office from the next.

There’s a mahogany desk with a decent lamp on it and two chairs in the front and one at the back.

There’s also a coffee colored booth lining across the walls and corners of the office room.

It’s not big and it’s nowhere near small so I deem it as perfect.

“I’m Daniel Bryson, by the way,”

As soon as I drop my bag on the table, I turn around to look at the guy that helped me get my keys.

I thought he saw himself out.

“I’m-“

“Miss Jones” he cuts me off, inviting himself into my new office.

“Everyone knows you already. You were a Sussex, no?”

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose to keep my annoyance at bay.

I knew for a fact he was one of the gossips watching me when I came in and he’s the only gossip bold enough to confront me.

“I interned and worked a little at Sussex. It’s funny how they never considered me as one of them and yet here I am, labeled as a Sussex in another turf” I offer him the tiniest icy smile I can muster.

The friendly smile on his face falters and he gulps before scratching the back of his head.

“I’m not trying to offend you, if that’s what you think”

“Then please Do me a favor, Calhoun & Dale,” I remarked bitterly.

“Where’s Johnny?” I press further.

A wave of puzzlement caresses his features.

“Johnny?” He repeats, furrowing his eyebrows.

“There is no Johnny in All of Calhoun & Dale”

“Hold on,” I press my fingers to my temples.

“Jonathan Duke”

“Ah,” his expression brightens.

“He’s two floors above us. Non equity partner, no?”

I nod in confirmation.

“I appreciate your assistance. Excuse me,” I walked directly out of the office.

I feel bad for snapping at Daniel but at the moment, I am in a horribly terrible mood thanks to Johnny Dearest. Worse, I completely skipped breakfast and my coffee. Unfortunately, I cannot function without coffee in the morning.

With long strides thanks to my long legs, I’m already standing in the elevator and getting ready to give Johnny absolute hell. Soon, I’m in Johnny’s floor if hopefully, Daniel wasn’t sabotaging me.

It’s the same interior design with the associate’s floor except there’s less glass walls and fewer offices.

I turn towards The Receptionist’s desk and the occupant glances up at me before her eyes widen.

What? Why is everyone giving me a strange look in this Firm?

But as soon as her eyes widen, she schools her features into a cool and calm exterior.

“Good morning Ma’am, how may I help you?”

“Where’s Johnny- Mr Duke’s office?” I amend, flashing her a strained smile.

“Did you book an appointment with him?”

I cannot believe the amount of respect that i.diot garners in a law firm as serious as this one.

“He’s my acquaintance” I deadpanned.

“I don’t believe I need to book an appointment to meet him”

However, Receptionist dearest wasn’t buying my story.

“Look-“

“S.hit!” I hear a sharp hiss not too far away from me.

I know damn well that’s Johnny’s voice!

Growling, I whip so fast I hear a crack from my neck and start rushing down the hall.

The fact that Johnny sees me and still has the audacity to try and run is pissing me off!

“Oh no you don’t!” I snarl, reaching towards him and grabbing his hand.

I know I’m causing a scene but thankfully, the lawyers present are zero to none.

“Johnny!” I glower at him.

“Cleo,” he holds on to my hand, eyes begging.

“You need to leave. You can’t be here right now,”

“What do you mean?” I frown at him.

His eyes darken with what I presume to be fear and suddenly, I’m confused.

“You’ve been avoiding me! I knew damn well you were when Lele invited you to have some tortillas and you declined”

“Baby,” he grins at me, the grin he spots on when he knows he’s in trouble.

“I’m sorry. But I was pretty hungover”

“That’s a lie. You’ve never been hungover in your entire life!” I point out immediately.

“Look,” he swallows.

“Hali, baby,” he stresses, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s true, I’ve been avoiding you and I’m sorry, but I kind of freaked out”

“But why would you?” I frown in confusion, gazing into his face for an explanation.

“You need to come to my office. I can’t say it out loud,” he looks around before tugging on my hand.

“But it’s not even that deep! And I’ve got work to do so if you want to talk to me you’re going to have to wait until break-“

“Hali” Johnny pauses, turning towards me.

“You can’t be here, in the hallway, not right now. You’re going to run into him” a tone of urgency seeps into his tone.

“Run into who?” I query, utterly baffled.

“Can you just do as I say?” He’s obviously panicking and it makes me freak out because well, Johnny never panics.

“I don’t understand what’s going on. Meanwhile I can’t dally around here because I’ve got work-“

“Hali, do you realize how serious the situation is? You f.ucked your own boss!” He whisper shouts, rattling my shoulders.

“What?” My eyes widen.

“F.ucked? I certainly didn’t-“

“Duke,” a baritone voice rumbles from behind us.

My entire body tingles until I feel like Johnny’s hand is burning me.

I hate that the voice is somewhat recognizable when it shouldn’t even be.

Tingles in the form of vines crawl up my spine until the hair around the nape of my neck is standing on it’s very tip. Please tell me it’s just my imagination.

“What are you doing?” He asks.

The horror on Johnny’s face is undeniable and absolutely comical as he glances over my shoulder and looks up.

Johnny is tall and if he looks up, then that person is colossal.

“Hali, please don’t look behind-“

My neck is faster than the speed of Johnny’s mouth.

As soon as I find the object of Johnny’s concern, my eyes widen and my jaw Drops before rolling to the floor. I blink repeatedly, hoping to Lady Luck that my vision is playing games with me.

But he’s so close. I can even smell his cologne and taste his addictive smell on my tongue. Except I shouldn’t, not when I royally f.ucked up.

Not when he’s Soren.

Lady Luck, you dirty little b.itch, you better be joking!