Chapter 29: Chapter 29

I woke up to the sound of a loud banging on my apartment door. I turn to look at the Alarm clock on my bedside table. It read 2:17 am. Who the hell is brave enough to come to someone's home so late in the night?

I closed my eyes in hopes that the banging stops, it didn't.

Whoever it was is going get me in trouble with the apartment supervisor tomorrow.

"I'm coming," I shouted as loud as I could. I slowly pushed myself off the bed. I wrapped a rope that was laying a chair around my body and started making my way to the door.

As the door opened and revealed who it was, I rolled my eyes, why am I not at least a bit surprised?

Because Iris has done this about a hundred times before, maybe I was hoping this time it would be someone else.

She pushed her way past me, "Were you sleeping?"

I rolled my eyes and close the door. She knew well enough that I was sleeping.

"Too bad." Rojo came over to her and lingered at her foot. "Hey, Rojo. Sorry for waking you and your little one up but your momma has been a mean lil bitch to my future cousin in law." Iris took a seat on the couch then pats Rojo's head.

Rojo growled then went back over to her bed.

I sighed and waked over to the single sofa and sat down. "Are you gonna tell me why you're here or are you just going insult me in front of my dogs?

"I love you too best friend, It's good to see, how have you been?" Her sarcastic tone ran in the air.

I rolled my eyes again. I am not and will never be the type of person who loves waking up in the middle of the night. It just wasn't my thing or anybody else's for the matter.

"It's good to see. How have you been? Now can you please tell me why you're here at 2 am in the morning?"

"Oh, yes. I am here because a little birdy told me you broke up with Seth freaking good-looking Parker."

I rolled my eyes, did she really just say that? "Has Brandon every heard you referring to his cousin a good-looking?"

She shrugged, "It's not like I'd be lying. Now tell Momma what happen?"

I sighed, "It's simple. We could never work, I'm a Defence Lawyer and He's a DA."

"Bullshit! I heard that Gideon was the one who told you to break it off. When I see that old hag again." She said with a scowl.

"Don't call him that. He's a good man."

"A good man doesn't tell a woman to break up with a man who makes her happy." She looked me in the eyes and gave me a sad smile. "Seth made you happy. You make him happy. Yes, you guys are on the opposite side of the courtroom but that doesn't mean you have to let business get in the way of pleasure and happiness."

I sighed, "It's complicated."

"How is it complicated?" she asked.

"Many ways."

Iris shook her head, "Remember the last time you guys broke things off, you both were miserably and angry, just like right now. I can't get you to go anywhere with me because you're afraid you'll see him and he ain't coming now where with us because he thinks you'll be with us. Now I'm stuck with Brandon, not that I mind but I want my best friend with me when I go to clubs. I'm just coming from a club right now and you know what I did the whole time there? I drank apple vodka while a listen to Brandon and one of his friends talk about business. It wasn't pleasant at all. I think I drank a lil bit too much."

I could tell she drank a lot tonight. She only ever came banging at my door in the middle of the night when she's drunk.

"Where's Brandon?"

"Oh, he left with the Uber guy. Do you see why I was banging so loud? I have nowhere else to go." She yawned and stretched her hands, "I'm tired."

I yawned after her, "I am tired too. I have to be in court tomorrow. So you see why I need my sleep?

She shook her head. "How long has it been since you've seen him?"

"Nine days."

Iris giggled, "You are so counting the days."

"No, I am not." I lied. I was counting the days. I just can't understand why I miss him so much. The guy came back in life just two minutes ago and now I just can't get out of my mind.

"You lying lil.." she belched and then laugh. I frown, the liquor was kicking in now.

"Why did Brandon leave you here?"

"Oh.." she paused to think, "I told him I want to spend my night with my bestest friend in the world and I don't think he can handle hang over me."

"No one can handle hang over you, Iris." She giggled then yawned. "I'm so sleepy." She lifted her foot and placed it on the rest of the couch.

I stood up from my sofa and went over to her, "Come on, let's get you to the bedroom."

"The bedroom." She giggled again.

I shook my head and smile, "You know what? I really don't want to wake up to you vomiting all over me, guestroom for you." I pulled her up from the couch and pulls her toward the rooms.

"Why am I seeing two of everything?"

"That's because you're drunk."

She laughed, "Oh, yea. I forgot."

I laughed, poor thing. I pushed opened the door to my guest room then pulled her in with me. She walked over to the bed and sat down. I walked over to her and bent down to talk off her heels.

"You're a good friend." She said.

I smiled, "So are you."

"You're my best friend."

I smiled, "You're my best friend too. Now it's nap time. Brandon will pick you up tomorrow morning."

"I love Brandon,"

I heart swelled, then I said, "He loves you too."

She smiled, "I know." She yawns then look up at me, "Goodnight best friend."

"Goodnight best friend." I pulled the blanket over her body and tug her in. When she closed her eyes I smiled, it means she was close to sleeping. I walked over back to the door then stopped when she called my name.

"Yes, Iris?"

"Please go and see Seth. He misses you."

I remained silent then close the door behind me.

I missed him too.

"Hey, Claire. I'm heading out for a few minutes." I offered a small smile as I walked pass her desk. Claire seemed happier these days, I asked her why and she didn't me. I have been so consumed with the Seth situation that I haven't noticed the happiness of the people around me.

Maybe this meeting will leave me happy.

After all, my ex just called saying he needed my help.

What has Richard gotten himself in now?

As I waited patiently for the elevator, I started thinking about the million reasons why Richard would want my help and how happy I'll be when I tell him no. What he did the night of the restaurant was terrible and it told me everything I needed to know about the man I was sleeping with, the man I was dating for a year.

If he could cheat on me in a restaurant while I'm there I said a lot about his personality. There can be no comparison to him and Seth. Seth knew what he wanted, and he went after it. He was a two-timer, in fact, he told me who much he valued his relationships. Richard didn't value me at all. I was just a successful lawyer girlfriend you can show your friends and your parents, nothing else. Still a girl to be cheating on. Seth wasn't afraid to be with me in public, that was my downfall. I wanted to stay in all the time but who can blame me, have you seen his face? Seth had a great personality, friendly and generous, he loved animals. Richard hated Rojo and he pretended to like people in front their faces but behind them, he'd talk smash. I just didn't realize all this until the moment he cheated on me.

I should have seen the signs. There were obvious. I might have just liked the idea of having a boyfriend compared to being single.

Maybe I was a little jealous of Iris and I didn't want to seem like a complete loser. I didn't want to be the only single one.

Or maybe it was just peer pressure.

Since Iris practically pushed the fact that I'm single in my face and that I needed a man.

And then I got one. One that was great, funny, charming and everything else yet the only thing I wanted was to put my job first.

So big of me.

I balanced my bag on my shoulder as I walked over to Richard's table. He smiled when she saw me and told me to sit.

"How are you, Karishma?"

I rolled my eyes, "Cut the formalities, I know you want something so speak."

He smiled, "You know me so well."

"Yet, I couldn't tell you were cheating on me."

"Karry, Karry. Don't be like that." He asserted.

"It's Karishma for you, or better yet Ms. Jones." I wasn't in the playing thing with him, not today.

"Alright, alright." He paused and took a deep breath. "Someone's trying to frame me." He was looking me straight in the eye. His cocky behavior now gone, replaced with a serious yet afraid look.

"Go on."

"I was arrested two days ago for embezzlement." He lifted his hands, "before you say anything. I didn't so it. I never stole any money from my clients before, in fact, I've never stolen before. You've got to help me." Richard could easily classify as a major dickhead, but he was right. He wasn't a thief and it wasn't because he was too rich for it or because he wasn't grown that way, it was because he didn't have the guts that it took to do something like that. Richard even through his bravado look was a chicken, afraid of anything that was too serious, like stealing or relationships.

"And you want me to help you, why?" I questioned. Richard knew I hated his guts. Why would he even come to me?

"Well for three reasons, one, the firm I'm working with won't let their lawyer represent me, in fact, I'm on suspension, two, I know you are good with these things, you have a team of people willing to help you win a case and three I trust you. I know what I did to you was wrong and I know you probably still haven't forgiven me but I'm sorry and I hope that you'll put it passed us and take me on as your client." Richard had never been the one to pled to anyone for anything. He acted like he knew everything, and this was a change. This Richard was vulnerable Richard and he's afraid to go to prison.

I thought about his words for a while then asked, "How much did you pay for your bail?"

"Three Hundred and seventy-three thousand dollars." He answered but his face held the question 'why the hell is she asking me this?'

"Hmm.."He was a complete jerk when we dated but we had our share of good times. Maybe helping him wouldn't be so bad. Maybe helping him would gain me a few hundred thousand in the process, after all, I deserve it after what he did.

I pushed my left hand in his direction. "I'll be your lawyer, I'll help you win this case.

He smiled, "I know you will.", "I know you will."