WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT WHEN CARMA'S INVOLVED?

SEIS

The water was gone, but my apartment was a wreck. Two of the men were about to put my furniture back, but I stopped them by telling them my husband would take care of it. I thanked them then handed over a check for their services. Yes, a check. Do not judge me, they already did. When they left, I plopped down on my soggy sofa.

“I thought you weren't married.” His voice practically had me jumping out of my skin.

“Jesus fcking Christ.” One of these days my heart really will make it to my throat and choke me to death.

“Did you lie to me?”

Did I lie to him? He’s got some fcking nerve to ask me that. Would it make sense for me to accept a self-invitation from my boss if I had a husband? It did not come out the way I meant it. I wanted to be alone and there is no faster way than to mention a husband to scatter unwanted men. Eventually, I got around to asking what he was doing at my place anyway.

Flashing his million-dollar smile, he said, “Would you believe a morning stroll?”

No, I did not believe he was out for a morning stroll. Alixxander picked a horrible day to want to be a jokester. Insisting he cut to the chase, he showed concern for my emergency, and figured he’d stop by in case there was something he could do to help. Welp, I let him know that I called him first but got his effervescent bride-to-be. She made it clear, I was not allowed to call him and that I was a slutbag. He grabbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes before profusely apologizing and telling me she must’ve deleted the call log.

After multiple eyerolls from Alixxander, I explained how gracious his father was for understanding my misfortune. Gesturing towards the room I set up as my office, it was as good a time as any to earn my paycheck. If you asked me what I was doing, I would’ve said not a fckin’ clue. It may only be work, but if she found out, I’d be included in the hell he lives with. I could do without that in my life.

Motioning me to lead the way, I headed into the room and straight for my waterproof safe. Any and all documents or items of importance were safely locked away there. Turning around with the file in my hands, Alixxander had his jacket and shoes off. I didn’t remember telling him to make himself at home. Pointing at me, I realized I was in a t-shirt and wet shorts, walking around in my bare feet. It was my house, but whatever. I thought he might be uncomfortable with my attire, so I trotted into my bedroom to change.

As time ticked by, Alixxander didn't act like the pansy he was last night. He was authoritative during phone calls he made and received. The extensive conversation we engaged in lent some insight into who he was as a confident individual and man. His vast knowledge, not only in this case, but in all his cases, was deep and well-informed. I thought he was slacking, but it seemed he was on it the entire time. Or maybe he was one of those people that waited ‘til the last possible second to bone up. He trusted his gut as a lawyer, but as a future groom, it led him astray.

“Work was fun.” I didn't know what else to say.

“When you are lonely, anything is fun.”

I never said I was lonely. My bad. He was talking about himself. Alixxander felt bad about himself because of her. My advice was to dump her sorry cheatin’ ass. Avoiding the subject, he wanted to know if I was going to stay in my apartment and enjoy my new skylight. Prolly not. There was a motel close to work I could stay at until the repairs were finished. As I was thinking about where to stay my phone blared my favorite Whitesnake song. Excusing myself to take the call, I explained to Mrs. Watson, the realtor, how the freak overnight heavy rain blew two holes in the roof and caused significant water damage to my place and possibly to the floor below.

Common sense told me that I didn’t need to be a general carpenter or roofing expert to know the damage was going to take more time to fix than I wanted to spare. Agreeing to stop by after her next appointment, I took a shot in the dark and asked if she had something similar. The owner of the building had other apartments available, and she gave me his number, so I could call him personally. I guaranteed I would and thanked her before ending the call.

With my hands clasped tightly around my phone, I walked into my home office. “So, I was thinking...” Alixxander was looking through the file.

“That I could call the owner of this place and find out if something similar is available?”

“No. Why would I.....”

Alixxander was stunned to learn Mrs. Watson basically ratted him out. He owned numerous properties around the city and beyond, and she bet there was another he would be willing to part with. He stammered to explain. I was under the impression he looked into my personnel file for my address. As if I wasn’t upset enough, he revealed his father didn’t furnish my apartment either. Everything in my apartment was picked out by Alixxander.

“Everything is ruined.”

His head bobbed in agreement. “I saw that when I arrived.”

“This is a bad omen. Oh, my Gawd. What if she finds out? What if she already knows and that is why she called me a slutbag?”

“A tad neurotic, are we?” Oooo. “I have no say over who buys my properties. All I do is accept or reject the offers.”

I thought fifty grand was cheap for a place that was once gorgeous. It could be again after a lot of work. Just when I thought Alixxander had no more secrets, he told me the contract was changed to one thousand dollars after his father reimbursed him. If that was the case, where the fck was my forty-nine thousand dollars? What kind of hell did I agree to be a part of?

Another pet peeve of mine is secrets. By the end of his explanation, I understood why. If any old or new hires found out about the perks I received, all hell would break loose. I couldn’t help but ask why I was so special. My career in Boston was just starting. In California I had some good wins, but nothing close to Román or mi padre. The case was not going to make or break my career. Alixxander answered. The answer ticked me off. His father overlooked mine and that was something he’s regretted since. Apparently, he thought I was the next best thing.

A little history about Padre. He started out as a defense attorney, like most of us, and that is where he made a name for himself. Like I said, it was all about the Benjamins for him. He never took a case he couldn't win and never took on a guilty client. He is now a prosecutor for the state of California and does not care about innocence or guilt. Do you know why he agreed to take the job? Money. He's the highest paid prosecutor in the state and his youngest daughter whooped his ass in court. The first huge case he lost, and it was to me. Savage & Sons believes in my talent and knows there’s more deeper within me. If that's not a reason to put my nose to the grindstone and prove I am better than Padre, I don't know what is. The firm has more confidence in me than my entire family could muster.

Getting over myself, I inquired about another affordable place. There were a few, and he offered to show them to me right away. I’m a responsible person and leaving two gaping holes in the roof is not responsible. He told me not to worry, he would take care of everything. There was no arguing with him. It was a done deal. What other choice did I have at that point? I accepted his offer to buy it back and agreed to ride with him to find me a new place.