Chapter 2 -

Naomi suddenly stopped moving the papers and just stared straight into his dark, brown eyes. She really didn’t care about what he had to say, this meeting was solely about his case and she’d like to keep it that way. “Can I meet with you briefly on Friday? I need to discuss the court date if that’s okay with you.”

“I’ll adjust my schedule, so that I can have a drink of coffee with you after the meeting.” He smiled cheekily, shuffling to comfort on the office chair. “I’m trying to make up for the chip on your shoulder.”

“I’m going to be a bit busy. I have some unfinished papers I need to sort out for a friend of mine after our session, his name is Steve…it so happens that I’ll be meeting with him on Friday”

In suddenness, Naomi’s office door opened, Grace peeking inside. “Boss just to inform you that the office will be closed on Friday, so please don’t accept or book any appointments for Friday, okay?”

If Naomi could shove her shoe in her secretary’s mouth, she would.

“Are you sure because remember we have Steve’s file to sort out?” Her words were drawled deliberately as she tried to give Grace signals with her eyes.

“Who’s Steve?”

“Her friend apparently.” Daniel popped in.

“Is he new? Because I have never heard you talk about a friend named Steve before. Am I missing something Boss?”

Naomi’s face twisted into disappointment as she gave up. “Never mind Steve Grace, don’t you have a job to do?”

“No, boss, I’m through with everything you assigned me.” Replied Grace. “As a matter of fact I am about to take my lunch break. Mr. Ferguson, before I take my leave, would you like a cup of coffee?”

“I have someone to meet in the next thirty minutes, so no.” He adjusted the tie around his neck, eyes wandering over to the lady in front of him. “But I’m wondering if Naomi has anything else to say to me.”

“No appointments can be booked on Friday, so I’ll try to book another date when we are both free.” She murmured.

“You already have my number just text me whenever you’re ready. Enjoy the rest of your day ladies, bye for now.” He rose to his feet, but before leaving, he squinted at Naomi. “And please don’t have me waiting, okay?”

“You might have to wait, I’m a busy woman. But I will see how my day goes if anything is possible.”

“Alright, but don’t try to make up another friend.”

“Bye Daniel.” Naomi waved, wanting him to go straight through the door.

Grace looked at her boss, thinking: Does Mr. Ferguson have an idea what he’s getting himself into? It was obvious he was going after her boss, and knowing the type of person her boss was, she’d advise him not to. But was it all any of her business?

Moving aside as Mr. Ferguson passed through the door, she rose an eyebrow at Naomi. “I’m about to have lunch, is there anything I could get you before leaving?”

“No thanks, but I would like all the files for the next case to be on the desk by 3pm sharp.”

“Okay Boss.”

Bam! The door closed behind Grace, and Naomi was left alone in her office wholeheartedly wondering who Mr. Ferguson really thought he was...

Thinking back to his previous words...

‘And please don’t have me waiting.’

She couldn’t help but think he was too brazen, He was obviously a man more free than the sea and wilder than an animal. He flirted a lot, and it could be that he had done the same thing with Mr. William’s wife.

Naomi grabbed at the cup of coffee her secretary made for her, the harsh drag spilling the dark liquid on the papers she had on her desk.

Oh Damn! Why now?

She was already bothered by the man and now even his papers were bothering her...

What a God awful da—!

Naomi’s thoughts froze when ‘Frenz’; her ringtone blared at the entrance of her ears and her eyes drifted down to the phone on her desk. She analysed the caller ID, no doubt recognizing the fact that it was the same unsaved number that had called her earlier this morning; Mr. Ferguson.

She swiped the phone, declining the call.

Why was he calling her? He just left...

Her office phone rings and this time, Naomi had no other choice but to pick up.

“Hello...good morning, this is Naomi Burray from Stubb—”

“Boss it’s Grace, Mr. Ferguson is asking if you’re in the office.”

“Please tell him I’m not.”

“But I already told him you are.”

“Tell him I’m in a meeting with another client.”

Her eyes flickered to the door, attentively glaring at it. What a tormented man...

“Okay Boss.”

Grace sighed breathlessly, taking Mr. Ferguson’s call off of hold. “Mr. Ferguson I-I am sorry to say but she’s already in a meeting with another client.”

The man huffed, obviously not believing her lie. “With surety? Or is that what she told you to say?”

“W-With surety...”

“Okay, inform her that I’ll be giving her a call later on in the evening and tell her to pick up this time too.”

“Alright sir, enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Thanks, and same to you.”

Grace hung up the phone, exhaling a breath of relief as she continued on her way up the stairs, only to realize that Noami was standing at the very top of it, staring down inside of her poignant eyes.

“To tell him I was in a meeting took you that long?

What does he even want?”

“He didn’t say much, just that he will be giving you a call later this evening”.

Without even waiting until she was finished, Naomi walked her way back down the hall and Grace couldn’t help but wonder when she’d change and loosen up.

Naomi slammed her office door behind her,

All sorts of negative thoughts running through her head.

Does he know she can sue him….?

Does he even realize she’s working on his case?

What was he really up to?

Trying to relax her mind, she sat down in her chair, stretching her legs. She wished she could place it on top of the desk, but she was a lady and on top of that, she was wearing a dress.

Going through the files on her desk, she tried to recollect information about the case she had next week. It was frustrating, especially since she was having a slight headache, wouldn’t it be best to just take a day off?

Her handbag all packed, desk spick and span, down the stairs she went. “Grace I am heading home, whenever you’re finish, just close up for me please.”

Grace turned to her Boss, “Is everything ok?”

“Just having a headache”.

“Okay, I will call when I’m leaving. Hope you feel much better when you’re home.”

“Thanks.” Wanting to leave, Noami replied.

As she slightly turned the key inside the car, her phone rings...

Mr. Ferguson again..

Sighing, she picked up. “Hello.”

Her voice was harsh, it was obvious she didn’t want to talk and yet Daniel replied with a bubbly. “Hi, Ms. Burray. Ready to talk now?”

“What can I do for you Mr. Daniel?”

“It’s concerning the case...I just remembered, I have a video, I would like you to see. Is it possible to meet for coffee tomorrow?”

Naomi ignored her moodiness and responded to him in her business tone. “Okay, what time?”

“What about 1pm or probably 2?”

“I’ll be there.”

“I’ll text you the name of the place as well as the address.”

He hung up, and not a moment after the phone beeped with a text message from him.

“’Beauty and Essex

1615 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028.

Please don’t be late and remember you will get to see who’s telling the truth. Me or Mr. Williams...

I speak facts, not bavardage. But then again, you’re my lawyer, you’re inclined to believe me.”

Naomi rolled her eyes...this man really wanted her to lose it, didn’t he?