I smile at Mr. Gills as he congratulates me.
"Karishma, I knew that you could pull this off. I'm so happy that we made you partner, you're going to bring in a lot of money in this company." Gideon raised his glass.
"Cheers to that." I toast and laugh. "I won't disappoint you, Uncle Gideon." Gideon Gills is like a second father to me, he was my father's best friend. When I was young he told me and my brother, Kyle about his cases and he used to talk about all the money he made with his cases and how he exciting his job was and it got to me. I didn't want to be a surgeon like my father or a doctor like my mother. I wanted the life of a lawyer, lots of money and long vacations. That was what attracted me to the career at first but when I went to college I realize that law was more about helping people than the money and I fell in love with that.
"I know you won't." he agrees. "As a matter of fact, why don't you take the rest of the day off."
"No, I can't. I have Jeff's case Tuesday and I need to get working on it." I reasoned.
Gideon pats my shoulders, "No, dearie. Tomorrow is a next day. Take the day off, It's on me. Go enjoy yourself."
"There is not much to enjoy at 11:00 am in the morning."
"Go home to your pups. By the way, Macy and I are still going to adopt one when they get a little older." Macy is Gideon's wife of thirty years. Macy is as sweet as her husband.
I laugh then nod. "Okay, I will go home."
"Perfect! Enjoy the rest of your day." He wishes as he walks to my office door.
"You too, Uncle Gideon. Tell Auntie Macy Hi for me."
"I will." He said before he exits.
I smile and take a sip of the champagne that Gideon brought to my office. I didn't think I would win the case especially since I knew he did steal the money but I just the jury believed my witness and evidence. The job of an attorney wouldn't be easy for a person who lived their life morally right, there were too much at stake. As the saying goes, "As lie as a lawyer." I'm proud to say that I do lie in court but what else can I do; my goal was to win a case. Help my client get out of the situation. When I just started out It bothered my conscience but as the years pass I get used to it. If I don't do it, then someone will.
I take up my keys and my bag and exit my office. "Clear my schedule for today. Email the information that you got on Mr. Jeff to me." I smile to my paralegal, Claire. "Enjoy the rest of your day, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thank you, Kari. I hope you enjoy day as well."
"I'll try my best." I wink then walk to the elevator.
When I open my door my Beagle, Rojo was there waiting for me. She jumps on me, I smile. I place my keys on the stand and bend to pick her up.
"How did you know I was coming home early today?" she growls.
I pat her head, "It's okay. I know, I know. How are my pups?" she barks, and I laugh.
I love animals, ever since my dad bought me a Golden Retriever when I was eight, there was nothing that brought me more happiness.
I placed Rojo on the ground and she run to her bed where the puppies were. They attack their mother as she lays down.
I smile, I walk over to my couch and take a seat. I reach for my home phone, I dial Iris's number.
"Hey, Kari. What's up?"
"I'm okay, bored. I was thinking we could go out tonight."
She didn't respond immediately. "Oh, honey. I can't, Date night."
I sigh and laugh. "I should have known. Every night is date night with you two."
"No, it's just because last night he came late, and he wanted to make up by bringing me out."
"Brandon is so sweet."
"Yes, he is. You need to find yourself a Brandon." She pauses, "Not a Brandon, you need a Seth."
I laugh. "No, I don't need a Seth."
"You need to stop denying the chemistry that's there."
"More like tension."
"No, no. There is only tension on your part. Didn't you see the way he was looking at you?"
"No, I was too busy congratulating you to realize."
"What happened when you guys were in High School?"
I hesitated before telling her. "On the last day of school, his cousin kept a party and I went, long story short, I ended up in his room for fifteen minutes making out with him, after that, I saw him at graduation and never again until yesterday."
"Wow, I hear wedding bells."
"Really? Did Brandon propose?" I joked.
"Girl, you know I'm not talking about me. I want you to give Seth a chance, he's a nice guy."
"We're not from the same crowd."
"Opposites attract."
"Yeah and that also causes heartbreaks."
"Not again with that. Richard is an asshole. You didn't deserve him anyway."
"It's not even just about Richard." I have been over Richard the same time I broke up with him. I could never love a man after he cheated on me right in front of my nose. I didn't even love him. I just liked him a lot and to be honest, I knew the relationship wasn't going to last.
"Then what is it about?" she reasoned.
"I guess, I'm just not cut out for all that love thing. I've never been in love. I love but have never been in love, if you get what I'm saying."
"You're twenty-five and you've already met the love for your life."
"Yea, well love come with time."
"Maybe my soul mate is riding on a turtle or a snail or maybe got lost."
Iris laughs, "Yea, but while he takes forever to come, have some fun."
"Have some fun" I reiterated. I really need to have some fun.
"Yes, and you can start with Seth."
I laugh, "No, I'm not going there."
"You might just like what you get."
"Or I might not." I crackle.
"Nothing tried, nothing done."
I shrug, "Anyways, I'm going to leave you back to your work. Enjoy your date night, love you, Bye."
"Love you too, bye."
I hang up the phone and look up at my ceiling.
Boredom.
That was the only thing I didn't like about being single, I didn't have anyone around. I always by myself or with my dog.
I turn my head to the dog bed, Rojo was sleeping while her puppies were sucking on her nipples. I might just take her out for a walk later. But for now, I'll just get some sleep.
................
"Hey, beautiful." I turn around ready to make a smart comment but the face I saw stopped me.
"So, you're stalking me now?" annoyed, I roll my eyes at him.
Seth placed his hand on the counter, "Me, never. I just happen to like this club."
"Or so you come to clubs on Thursday nights."
"Well, the last time I checked the club is open every night and not limited to you." Great comeback asshole.
I smile, "Have a great night." I turn on my stool to face the opposite direction with my back facing him.
I took a sip of my drink and then felt a presence beside me and I turn to look. "You don't give up do you," I stated.
"No, I don't. You look like you need some company" He mocked.
"Well, I don't." I reach for my purse in my bag and took out $35 dollars. "Hey, Steve, here's my bill. Keep the change." I smile as I place the money on the counter of the bartender to take it up. I turn back to my unwanted stalker. "I'm going home."
"To an empty bed?"
"No to my dog and her puppies."
"So much better company than talking to me, I guess."
"Oh, yeah. So much better."
He shakes his head.
"You have a great night," I said standing up from the stool.
"How can I when you're not coming home with me?" he smirks.
"If you look around there are many single, desperate woman ready to take your offer." This club was one of the local clubs were single persons meet other single persons, or even married persons to hook up with. I don't come to this club to get hooked up with someone, I just really liked the customer service and it was safe.
"I don't want a single, desperate woman."
"Well lucky for you, they are married women here as well."
He laughs, "You're funny. I like you."
"That's sad cause I don't like you.'
He stood up from his stool and touch my shoulder. "Oh, but you will."
I laugh cynically, "Oh yeah right."
"Enjoy your night, sweetheart." He says as he walks away.
I shake my head and pick up my bag. I quickly walk to the exit.
But you will
I laugh as I remember his words. How egotistical of him to say!
In High School we were never friends, in fact, we never spoke to each other. He was too popular for my crowd and the two paths just never met until the last night. I remember that day like it yesterday.
"Kari, it's your turn to spin the bottle," Mitch said.
All eyes were on me as I took the bottle for Anna, the girl who was sitting next to me. I lift my head and looked around the circle, I spot Ethan and I started to smile in my mind. Ethan Dove was the guy that I wanted, the guy I had a huge crush on. Ethan was the captain of the Math's team and the editor of the school newspaper. He was the smart, handsome nerd and I liked him. I had like him ever since we became Bio labs partners. He never picked up all my signs, but I didn't expect better for a nerd.
I point the end of the bottle on Ethan then quickly spin it before anyone would notice.
While the bottle spin everyone was shouting, "Kari, Kari, Kari." But all I could think about was Ethan.
In my mind I was praying for the bottle to land on him, even had my fingers crossed.
When the bottle started to slow down everyone quite up so the could focus their full attention on the bottle.
At first, I taught it stopped on Harvey, but I put a sigh of relief when it continued to spin. I spin around a few time until it stops in the direction of Ethan. I started jumping in my mind but then everyone started shouting Seth's name. I look up in the direction of the bottle. It did stop in the direction of Ethan, but I didn't stop on him, it stopped on the person beside up. Seth freaking Parker.
Fuck you Gods, I said in my mind.
It would take was a little more breeze and bomb I'm kissing Ethan but no, I had to just had to get the person next to him.
I look up at Seth as I see him standing, it was also my cue to stand. I got up and flash a fake smile to the persons that were watching.
"So, you know the rule, fifteen minutes in the closet. Must have evidence of makeout."
I nod my head and look at Seth. He reached out his hands for me to take and I accept.
"I have a room here, so we can go in there instead, the closet is not too comfortable."
Next thing I know, I'm following him up the stairs.