Asshat Lawyer
I still need more time.
I didnothingwrong.
If Luce doesn’t want to hear me out, and if he doesn’t believe me, then those are his decisions, but there’s only a short window of time before I close myself off to him, because how is that fair? As a lawyer, he should know someone is innocent until provenguilty. Yes, that might be a complete cliché. But it’s a factual cliché nonetheless, and I deserve the respect to be heard.
Javier blindsided us both. Everything he told me I believed sincerely. I always seek the best in people and am willing to give the benefit of the doubt.
Or at least I have been. I’m not sure if I’ll continue to have that same sentiment after how broken this entire situation has left me.
Needing to get out of the house, I call my driver and ask him to meet me out front, then I send a text to Vinnie and Cecilia.
I’m headed to fifth. Anyone feel like shopping?
I set my phone down and pull my favorite lipstick out of my clutch, applying it in front of the entryway mirror. Weaving my fingers through my hair at my scalp, I fluff it to give myself a little more volume, then pinch my cheeks to reapply some color to them. While I’m doing this, a few text messages come through, so I swipe my phone from where I placed it and read through them.
Vinnie
Sure, dinner after?
Vinnie
I’m starving.
Cecilia
Let me grab a cab. Be there shortly.
Of course to dinner, duh. Text me when you guys get there and I’ll let you know where I’m at. I’m starting at Cartier.
Cecilia
Shopping for anything special?
Myself.
Fifteen minutes later, my driver is smiling at me through the rearview mirror as he guides us through New York traffic to get me to Fifth Avenue.
“Miss Lancaster, how have you been? It feels like you haven’t needed my services lately. I’m always here when you need me,” my driver, Darrin, engages me in conversation over the soft music from the radio.
“I’ve been okay. I appreciate your willingness to always be there. Things have been busy, and frankly, I’ve been finding myself grabbing a quick cab instead of bothering you. You know me, never quite certain where the wind will blow me, and when.”
He chuckles and clicks his turn signal on as he pulls alongside the curb, just shy of Cartier. “Never a bother. Would you like me to pick you up at a certain time?”
“No, but if you’ll remain on standby, the girls and I will grab dinner in a couple of hours, and depending on where we go, we might need a ride.”
“It would be my pleasure. Enjoy shopping, Miss Lancaster.”
“Thank you, Darrin.” I wave to him as I get out from the back seat.
The doorman at Cartier opens the thick glass door when he sees me coming, giving me a curt nod as a greeting while I offer a warm smile. Breezing past him, I enter one of the most beautiful stores.
It’s busy for a Thursday afternoon, mostly men looking at engagement rings, and my heart aches as I think about the ring I’m still wearing on a chain. It sits between my breasts, close to my heart, and I can’t bring myself to take it off.
The salespeople leave me be as I stroll around the store, my fingers lightly brushing against the pristine glass countertops showcasing the gorgeous jewelry displayed safely within its confines. When I make it to the section where I know they put the new arrivals, a diamond choker catches my eye, and I stop to look at it.
“We just got this in,” a sales attendant steps closer to the counter, addressing me in a sugary, sweet voice. She’s younger than I am and has a vibrant smile. “I was eyeing it myself earlier, too.”
