Chapter 4
Annie: (Looking confused) That's ….creepy. And l don't even use shampoo, my hair's naturally like this(she said boastfully as she caressed her hair, making Han-na give her a strange look)
***********
Robert:(In his office, busy sorting through some documents when the telephone rings. He quickly picks it up, holding it between his shoulder and ear as he continues working) Hello?
Maya: Hello,sir. Mr. Martins is here to see you.
Robert: Let him in. (He says, then sets the phone down. A few minutes later, there's a gentle knock on her door) Come in. (He calls out, expecting the door to open)
Martins: (He slightly opens the door, peeking his head through with a grin) Hey, big brother( He jokes before stepping fully inside and closing the door behind him)
Robert: (Smiling) Welcome, little brother. (He says, still focused on his paperwork)
Martins: As usual always busy. ( He shakes his head and drop onto the couch) You really should give yourself a break sometimes.
Robert: If I stop working, where would the money come from? Your Eminence Club? ( They both laugh)
Martins: What's that supposed to mean? Of course, it could provide more than enough for you and family,you never know, Anyway, you got to stop whatever you're doing for while cos l have something important to discuss with you.
Robert: What's that? ( He asked looking curious as he stepped away from his desk and sat on the couch opposite Martins)
Martins: You've probably heard about Evercrest Corporation Construction Lawsuit case that has been going viral online now?(he said as he pulled out a file of documents from his suitcase and handed it over to Robert)
Robert: Yeah, the Construction Workers sued the company for Forced Labor and Wage theft,so what's about it?(he asked as he took the file from him)
Martins: So the CEO of the company wants us to take over the case for him especially you,he wants you to be his lawyer.
Robert: Mmm, Why me? ( he asked while flipping through the documents)
Martin: Of course ,because you're a well-known lawyer. Everybody wants you to handle their cases. But he said the real reason he wants you as his lawyer is because of how you handled and won the Stearling & Co. case.
Robert: I appreciate him acknowledging my work,( he said, pausing as he put the documents down and looked at Martins) But you know he's in the wrong, he made the construction workers sign a contract workers sign a contract knowing it would benefit the company, paid them half, and knowing fully well that they're illiterate and wouldn't understand it. That's pure exploitation.
Martins: You think l didn't know all this? C'mon, you know it our job to defend our clients regardless of which side they are. Besides, he said the construction workers were fully told all that written in the contract before they signed it, you know how people are they greedy the moment they hear an huge amount of money, and now they're only suing him 'cause they want more money. From my perceptive they're only greedy.
Robert: That's from your perceptive, but from mine l don't think the workers were told what was in the contract and they would choose to sign it. So I don't think I'd take over the case (he said as he handed the documents to Martins)
Martins : I knew what you'd say( he said pushing the documents back to Robert) Robert, I want you to go over the documents well, this case going to be huge for us.
Robert: (Sighs) Martins.(he said giving Martins side look)Anyway, how did you get to meet the CEO?
Martins: You kow, through the Eminence Club he's also a member of the club, you see this why I've always told you to join the club so you meet up with people like Mr. Hartely (he said with his legs crossed)
Robert: I see, that he's name( he said as he stood uo heading to his desk)
Martins: Yeah, How's Rose and my Niece's doing?
Robert: Selfish Jerk, after discussing what more important to you then you remembered l had family(he said, as he drew he chair and sat on it)
Martins: (Smiles) Hey, don't make it sound that way, I'd be coming over to your place this weekend I've got some gifts for my lovely Niece's. Tell them that. (Roberts nods his head as he continues with his work) I've got to start leaving( he glances at his wrist watch and stood up) Take care
Robert: And you too( he said without raising up his head, then Martins left)
**********
Annie:(Streches her both hands up) Finally! It Lunch time,(she muttered as she watched Han-na leave the classroom) What a nerd!, Oh! Ms.Jess told me to come to her office(she stood up, left the classroom, and wandered the hallway, trying to find the office) Gosh, where is this woman's office? Maybe I should just ask someone…(she muttered, walking toward a girl who happened to be passing by) Hey, please do you know where the 11th grade class teacher's office is? (she asked politely)
Julia(smirks) Didn't they give you the school manual? Stop bothering people with your dumb questions( she shot Annie a glare and brushed past her,deliberately bumping her shoulder)
Annie: (stunned) Wow! If l had the manual, do you think I'd still be asking?! (she yelled in the direction Betty disappeared to) Why are there so many bitches in this school? They're all nutjobs (she grumbled angrily) And to think Ms. Jess even told me l could use the elevator to get to her office… (Still annoyed, she headed to the elevator and pressed the button. When the doors slid open, she walked in, feeling the stares of students watching her)
*****
Jack: (Phone rings. He picks it up and places it on his right ear) Yeah? What's up, dude?
Fred: What's up?! Jack, why weren't you picking my calls? I called like a dying man!
Jack: My phone was on vibration
Fred: Why on vibration??
Jack: Because l didn't want disturbance
Fred: Jack! Why are you like this? Even to your bestfriend! I was worried sick! (He sounds like he's about to start crying)
Jack: Lower your voice. Don't break my eardrum. I've picked now.
Fred: You know what? Forget it. I wasn't worried about you. I called because of your Mom. She's the one l care about, okay?
Jack: Hmm. Then l can hang up now since you can call my mom directly,(He moves the phone to hang up)
Fred : WAIT! Hold on! Rude human being! Anyway… how's your mom? Is she okay?
Jack: Yeah, she's fine. (He glances at his mom sitting on the hospital bed, completely focused on her laptop) And honestly, no one needs to be worried, She's perfectly okay, (he added sarcastically)
Fred: Who would believe you? Even if someone is dying beside you, you'd still say they're fine .Anyway, I've got gist for you.
Jack: ( sighs) What now?( he said, obviously not interested)
Fred: There's a new transfer student in school. I haven't seen her yet, you know I've been busy with training.
Jack: Then how do you know? (He passed a bottle of water to his mom, she took it without looking away from her laptop screen)
Fred: Because it's the biggest news in school right now. And l heard she's hot (he said excitedly)
Jack: Hmm, I see. So l guess you guys will soon start your childish plan of trying to get ris of her.
Fred: What do you mean "you guys"? They're the ones who do that, not me. I just watch,it's kinda fun.
Jack: Are you done with your gist? I have something to do.
Fred: So boring. I still don't know how we're even friends( he said irritably)
Jack: I ask myself that everyday.
Ferd: Are you coming to school tomorrow?
Jack: Probably. Since my mom doesn't need anyone, I guess l can show my face.
Fred: Good. Tell my little cutie l said hi ( he hands up immediately)
Jack: Who the hall is his little cutie? (He stuffs his phone in his pocket and faces his mom) Mom, you're supposed to be resting, not working.
Ella: Son, I told you, I'm fine. I'm tired of lying down. And I overheard you telling your friends you might go to school tomorrow because l don't need anyone,I never needed anyone to take care of me, you chose to stay and skip school. And you must go to school tomorrow (she commanded)
Jack: Alright, alright (he said, trying to dodge the topic) Mom, I hope you're working on suing Dad.
Ella: Jackson, C'mon. We can't sue your father.
Jack: What do you mean we can't? Don't tell me you're letting this go again.(He raised his voice without realizing it, then quickly lowered it)
Ella: Jackson… do you think suing him will stop him?
Jack: Then let's do whatever it takes to put him in jail
Ella: He's still your father
Jack: Please don't call that son of a bitch my father, he said angrily.
( The door opened and a small boy ran in, rushing straight to Ella for a hug)
Ella: Hey sweetheart, why are you crying? Mommy's okay(she pulled back to look at his face, wiping his tears gently)
Daniel: (sobbing) Did Dad do this to you again?
Jack: Who else would? (he muttered, looking away)
Ella: Jack ( she warned sharply)
Daniel: Are you okay now?
Ella: Of course I am, I've even started working (she said pointing at her Laptop)
Daniel: Working? You shouldn't be working, Hey! (He turned to face Jack) Why are you letting her work? You should've stopped her! (he bursted into tears again)
Jack: (scoffs) Are you seriously blaming me? (he asked, pointing at himself)
Ella: Daniel, that's enough. No more crying, (she said firmly) You're not baby anymore, and nothing happened to me that should make you cry. I'm working because I'm fine. Alright?
Daniel: Alright…(sniffs)
Ella: Come sit here (she shifted to make space beside her) How was school today?
Daniel: It was great!( he said with a grin) Mom, guess what? A girl in my class asked me out today,(he bragged proudly)
Ella: Really? (her eyes widened) Of course! My son is very handsome, what girl wouldn't like you?
Jack: (scoffs) I bet she's blind (he said just annoy him)
Daniel: Mom! You heard Jack!
Ella: Ignore him. Jack stop it (she said, turning to him as he stood up)
Jack: I'll be outside(he said and left the room)
(He climbed up to the hospital rooftop, staring at the sky for a moment before pulling out his phone. He searches for the best lawyer, A name pops up Dawson, Robert Dawson. He clicked it, and a profile appeared he reads the bio silently: A brilliant Lawyer never lost a case. Inherited the Dawson Law Firm after his father, Michael Dawson, who died in a car accident…) Robert Dawson (he muttered to himself)
******
Han-na: Ms. Jess, here's the list of students joining the competition,(she said, handing over a long sheet of paper)
Ms. Jess: Thank you Ji Han-na, (she replied taking the list and placing it on her desk) Is Jack absent again today?
Han-na: Yes, I tried calling him, but he didn't pick up.
Ms. Jess: Alright, I'll reach out to him myself.
Ms. Morgan: (sitting at the desk beside Ms. Jess) Well done, Class President. Keeping an eye on your classmates must be a lot of work.
Han-na: Thank you (she said, her expression unreadable. She turned to leave just as Annie gently pushed the door open. Han-na walked past her without even glancing her way, while Annie watched her silently as she passed)
Ms. Jess: (smiles) Hey Annie, you're here for your things?(she asked as she packed the uniform ,laptop and an access card on her desk and handed it to Annie)
Annie: Yes( she replied as she collecting her things from Ms.Jess)
Ms. Jess: And here's the school manual.(she placed it on top of the items Annie was holding) It'll help you get familiar with the school. If you need any help or have questions, just come see me, okay?
Annie: Alright, ma'am (she turned to leave the office just as Mr. Zach walked in)
Mr. Zach: Isn't that the new transfer student?
Ms.Morgan: Yes, that's her. The school's going to be in chaos soon.(she signed)
Mr. Zach: I really don't get why this school keeps admitting students who will just leave in the end.( he dropped a book onto his desk to the right of Ms. Morgan)
Ms. Jess: I have a feeling she's going to be different from the others.(she scanned Annie's profile documents)
Ms. Morgan: I really hope so… and to make things worse, she's in 11th grade that horrible class.
Mr. Zach: I know right? (he rubbed the back of his neck) Teaching them is always a headache, not to mention being their classroom teacher. Ms. Jess really has her work cut out for her.
Ms. Jess: "Her work cut out for her? (she dropped Annie's profile documents onto her desk) I think otherwise. They're just kids like any others, and not as horrible as you think, (she stood up and left the office)
Ms. Morgan: (Shaking her head pityingly) Of course she wouldn't admit it.
Mr. Zach: That's her problem, as long as I'm not their classroom teacher. (He pulled his chair and sat down)
(Annie stepped out of Ms. Jess office, still admiring her new uniform and the items she'd been given. She was so focused on everything in her hands that she didin't immediately notice someone standing in her way,she walked forward only to stop abruptly when something blocked her path. Thinking it was just someone passing by, she casually moved to the side to pass, but the person shifted too, blocking her. Confused she finally lifted her head and her breath caught. A tall guy with striking green eyes, his dark, wavy hair fell perfectly across his forehead, his cheekbones were high and defined giving him that model kind of attractiveness stood infront of her, staring directly at her as if he had all the time In the world. She tried to step around him once more, but he mirrored her move perfectly, like he was doing it on purpose.)
Annie: Excuse me, you're standing in my way (she snapped, giving him a sharp look, but the boy didn't move. He kept staring at her with a small, annoying, amused smile tugging at his lips…... To be Continued.
Angel 🤍