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

DIECIOCHO

During my first and very short vacation with the nasty ladies from the office, I unregrettfully decided to keep my distance. Mainly because they talked about Alixxander and how he fcked them raw. It was pathetic how each of them prayed to be his baby momma. But, according to those hoes, I didn't have to worry because I wasn't his type. Gee, where had I heard that before? Oh ya, directly from the horse’s mouth right before I let him do things no one had done to me before.

Their gossip knew no bounds. Evan soon became the topic. Apparently, he also stuck it to the women in the office and continued to do so. While the ladies were comparing the two, I wondered why men like to share? That had me scratching my head because I assumed he was still flogging Alixxander's wife. With a mouthful of wine, I was told to give Evan a call for an enjoyable time. Being caught off guard, two of them were showered when my lips were unable to remain sealed.

Had I told them my first preference was women, God only knew what they would’ve said and to whom. It was after that I avoided gathering with them. Granted, meals were eaten together. That's when we discussed our adventures of the day. Honestly, I was itching to return to work.

Home at last, I unpacked and then hit the grocery store to restock my fridge. While in the frozen food section, someone rudely crashed their cart into mine. That someone was a hot brunette with a killer bod. She apologized and yelled at the young girl with her. I knew it wasn’t the child’s fault. Right there in the ice cream aisle she asked me out to dinner and a movie. There were no takers for my company, so plans were made for the next night.

My date went surprisingly well. So well, in fact, I whistled as I entered work. Nothing was going to ruin my high. That’s what I thought until I saw Román pacing in front of the receptionist’s desk. He rushed to my side as I tried to pass. Turned out he was awaiting my arrival. An urgent case needed his best lawyer. Yep, he was referring to me. After two cases? Sure, it sounded suspicious. I asked why he couldn’t handle it and was told my instincts and sleuthing skills were cleverly used in my cases. I had reservations, but my job is to represent anyone that I’m told to. Unless there is good reason for me to refuse or resign from a case.

I dove elbow deep into the file the second I sat down. Being back was refreshing. Even if it lasted all of two seconds. My closed door swung in without a knock. The man that haunted my dreams and aroused me all at the same time walked in.

“You really need to learn how to knock.” It’s not what I would have loved to have said, but people were walking by. Swearing at the boss was a no-no.

“What I need is your help.”

“The kind of help you need.... I'm not qualified to dish out.” And I went back to the work at hand.

“Actually, you are.” Sweet hell. I figured it ought to be good. “I'm hiring you as my divorce attorney.” My head snapped up.

I’m not the biggest believer in marriage, but I told him to give it a chance. A divorce after six months of marriage? Come on. Alixxander walked around my desk, got on his knees, clasped his hands together, and begged me to be his attorney. Taking into consideration the things we had done. It was not a wise idea for legal and moral reasons. Still, the torment in his eyes tugged at my heart strings. The least I could do was lend a friendly ear. Blind trust was something we shared. He knew not a single word would leave my office. Fck, nothing we did left this office building. Well, his deposit. But that was it.

His floozy of a wife was still cheating. No surprise there. You cannot turn a hoe into a housewife. Her constant cheating before they wed would show a pattern and easily prove her continuation. My fingers went numb. The pen I held hit my desk, bounced, and then rolled before falling to the carpeted floor. The news of Carma’s pregnancy had me sick to my stomach. How could he do that to himself? I remember him telling me she wanted to use a surrogate. Breakfast was seconds away from being regurgitated, but I forced it down. I was too dumbstruck to ask follow-up questions.

“I swear to you, we didn't have intercourse.”

I wanted to burst out in tears. Why? He wasn’t mine. Never had been. He apologized to me, which made me feel worse. The bimbo claimed they locked their downstairs parts on their wedding night. Alixxander said he didn't believe it. But because of his drunken stupor there was uncertainty. I didn’t care if there was a chance, I didn’t believe it. If they had, her cheating would’ve stopped, that’s for fcking sure.

I struggled for air when asking how far into the pregnancy she was. He didn't know because he didn't ask. I’d never met a lawyer that asked so few questions. Given the timeline and how long they’ve been married, she should have been six months along. Of course, that’s only if they did in fact consummate their marriage, and he was the donor.

Removing a piece of paper from his pocket, he handed it to me and said, “This is my baby.” I couldn’t kill the part of him that genuinely believed with my opinion.

“After the way you treated me, why should I help you?” It wasn’t meant to be mean. I wanted an honest answer.

“I'm sorry. I just. I.... I. Will you handle my divorce?”

“I will think about it.”

Poor man was much more beaten down from the first time I had met him. Didn’t I say their relationship was going to end dreadfully? With his head hanging low, he left my office. Alixxander will be fine, eventually. In the meantime, I needed to think long and hard about me being the best candidate to represent him.

My new case involved an underage girl and a detective. After reviewing the complaint, I understood why it was so urgent. There was a slight problem. The prosecutor, Mr. Washington, refused to press charges against the detective. Claimed the man was doing his civilian duty. The duty he was doing was of the illegal type.

Speaking of Mr. Washington, a letter from his office landed on my desk. No further filings against Mr. Carmichael were going to take place due to lack of evidence. Too little, too late. We moved forward with the case against the city. I named everyone involved, including Mr. Washington and Ms. Hightower.

While Mr. Carmichael is important, the new case was going to be rough. Thankfully, I’d never had a case with such devastation to a child. Deep within me there was fear. Fear for the child. Fear that I would be unable to help the family. Why? Because of Mr. Washington. The young girl told her parents after the third assault. Subsequently, a r*pe kit was done. Semen was found. The detective, with the help of Mr. Washington, was fighting the court order for a DNA swab.

Many in the law profession find it commendable and rewarding to work side by side with the different agencies and levels that are sworn to protect. We are human. It's natural to make mistakes. An adult, man or woman, should not engage in any type of s*x act with a minor period. Laws exist to protect children from predators for a reason. Cop or no cop, he deserved to be treated like any other that faced such an accusation.

The chime of a new email was the break I needed. If only it were a break. Throwing myself back in the chair, I couldn’t understand the sudden urgency of Román wanting to see me. Did Alixxander say something to him? Co-workers from each floor stared as I climbed the stairs to the big man's office. I mean, they stopped what they were doing and stared like I was wearing their clothes. Did everyone know I was being called to the dean's office? If so, one of them could’ve clued me in on the trap I was walking into. Román’s assistant told me to head in.

Opening the door felt like I was opening Pandora's box. “Miss Sanchez, please, have a seat.”

“If I may, Mr. Savage, did I do something wrong? I finished going over the file you handed me and was about to.....” He waved to stop me.

“On the contrary. My son must get divorced. He mentioned he was going to ask you to represent him. Has he asked?”

A nervous ha-ha slipped out. “I don't believe I am the right person for the job.”

He was surprised I felt that way. A father-son secret Román disclosed was that I was the only woman besides Alixxander's mother and sister he trusted. Along with that came Carma’s backstory. She came into the world of fame because a horny photographer found her anorexic ass. I knew she was older than Alixxander, but eleven years older. Apparently, his infatuation was that great, he would beat off to her magazine photos. I know. TMI. TMI. Something was definitely wrong with the Savage family and their sharing of personal details. Román and I agreed that Carma Whitlock is trailer trash and no good for Alixxander. I was positive the child wasn’t his. Although so was everyone else.

“I am tough on him because I love him. That harlot doesn't deserve to call herself a Savage for a second time.” If the child was his, and they got divorced, his bank account was going to be savagely slaughtered.

“While I understand your frustration with the unfortunate situation, I don't think I'm the woman for the job.”

“You should be my daughter-in-law. The woman carrying his offspring.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don't be coy. I know what my son looks like when he has an infatuation. I noticed the sideways glances, the blank stares, the way he watches your lips move when you talk. You, Miss Sanchez, bring out the best in my son, whether you know it or not.”

“WOOOO boy. Mr. Savage, I am attracted to women.” No need to come out and say I already fcked your son. Twice.

“Maybe you weren't being coy. I do apologize for my bluntness. If you decide to take my son's hand and lead him through the dark tunnel that is divorce, I will be eternally grateful. My entire family will thank you. Anything you want or need to fix this for him, I will give it to you. Money is no object. While there are some great divorce attorneys working for me, they will not procure the same results as you. I am offering to quadruple what I pay them. Please.”

“Well. I, uh. Urm, that is too generous of an offer. You've given me so much already.”

“I'd sign over every dime if you saved my son from spiraling into a place he won't be able to come back from.” That told me he’s had problems in the past and didn’t handle them all that well.

“The things we do for the people we love.” I paced for a few moments while I seriously thought about it. “I'll take care of him. Don't you worry.” No sooner did I say I would do it before Román came over and embraced me.

“Take the rest of the day off. Work from home. Whatever you need to do. My assistant will email some things that have been collected on the harlot.” It's great knowing I wasn't the only one that couldn't stand to call her by her name. Even if it was for varied reasons.