CHAPTER 4

“Are you fucking crazy?” I whisper yelled and he shrugged.

“Language Hayley,” his voice dripped with boredom, “You don’t get to where I am today without making tough choices. I don’t trust my lawyers, but I trust you.”

“You trust me now that you need me,” I scoffed, “I thought I was just a child.”

“You were never just a child,” his voice dropped to a whisper and I turned to him, “But you are my best friend’s child; are you going to help me or not?”

“I’ll get it done and bring it to your office.”

He nodded and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but at the last minute he shook his head, decided against it and walked out of the office.

I was left staring at the place he sat longer than I should have. Even when I started on his contract, I was still thinking about him.

All thoughts of Jake flew out of my head the moment my phone beeped with a reminder of a meeting.

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If there is one thing I hate more than stupid clients, it is stupid lawyers. The meeting was supposed to be held between all the lawyers my father works with and of course- my father. As I walked into the room, I caught a few disdainful eyes.

A few of the older men have made it clear that they don’t think I deserve to be here. They think I got to where I am because of daddy’s influence. I won’t disagree that my father helped a lot; but I am a damn good corporate lawyer and I will be damned if I allow any of them make me feel less than welcome.

The meeting lasted an hour and a half but if you asked me what was being talked about, I couldn’t tell you. It was basically just a pissing contest between the older lawyers.

Apparently, father was hearing some news about people treating other unfairly- basically adult bullying- and the older lawyers were trying their best to discredit the sources and make us, the younger ones look incapable and like snitches.

Finally, the meeting was over, and I was able to make my way to the lunch room for my break. I had picked a donut and was making a cup of iced coffee when someone stood by me.

I recognized him as Greg; one of the older lawyers. He pretended to be looking at the coffee cups but I knew he wanted to speak to me.

“You know,” he began, “You don’t have to cry to daddy about everything. You have to earn the right to be treated the way you want.”

“If you had half a brain cell then you would know that I don’t run crying to daddy about anything.” I said without looking up, “I can handle you and your insecurities and fragile masculinity on my worst day.”

I finally looked up at him and he had turned a deep red. I’ll have to admit, he looked cute. He reminded me of Anger from Inside Out.

“Don’t start fights you can’t finish Greg,” I gave him a small tap on the shoulder and stalked away.

I have had my fill of Greg for the day and he is welcome to file a complaint to my dad- which I know he will. It is his MO; he starts fights with people and whenever you put him in his place, he runs to my dad and plays the victim. Yet he has the audacity to call me a daddy’s girl.

I was making my way to the break room but I saw Charles at the door and I quickly turned around before he could see me and made my way back to my office.

The last thing I need to do right now is to deal with Charles and his incessant need to ask me out. I locked myself in my office and busied myself with Jake’s contract.

It isn’t as complex as one would think it is considering the fact that he is asking me to blackmail someone. I could finish it up tonight if I take my time, but I don’t want him to think I’m too desperate so I’ll finish it up tomorrow- it’s a Saturday and I don’t have to come in to work.

As soon as the clock hit 6, I was out of the office quicker than anyone could say my name. Charles tried to invite me for drinks with the other younger lawyers but I refused. I went once and all they did was bitch about work. I don’t want to talk about work when I’m out of the office. That defeats the entire purpose of going out.

My dad wasn’t home when I got there so I spent my day with Alana. I made spaghetti and meatballs while she gave me all the gossip that was happening with her grandchildren.

Her only daughter died a while back and apparently the grandchildren are all assholes. Every day there is one new problem or the other that they can’t seem to handle by themselves. Today, they are fighting over an old locket of their mum’s that they think is worth millions but in reality was gotten from a pawn shop.

She was right at the climax of the story when my dad walked into the kitchen. She went silent as he greeted her.

“Hayley,” he said and I turned to him, “Can I talk to you for a second?”