CHAPTER 2

(Laya P.O.V)

 Sam never interruptes me, when I talk to him I feel as if I'm talking to myself whether as a friend or as a doctor. He gives me words that I need not the one I want to hear and that's what I love in him, I have benifit from his prudent advice. 

 "Sam, there is something I want to share it with you, but as a friend." I say when he stops his mini-disc. He gives me that look to continue. "I start to see dreams every night but I can't figure it out." I stop waiting him ta say something.

"You can't figure what?" He asks.

"The dreams are approximately the same but it's strange."

 "What do you mean by strange?"

 "When I have that dream, I wake up in the same our 03:10 am."

 "And I can guess that, it is different from your past, right?" He says.

 "No relationship........Except...."

 "All ears" He encourages me to continue.

 "The night is so stormy, I was chasing somebody in black wearing a hat. After keeping running, the guy suddenly fall down, he didn't make a move and I didn't help him I just pass by and continue not running but walking as slow as a turtle than I lost. Somebody was holding me tight when I find myself on the edge of a clif...then I fall from it but the bracelet I was wearing left with the guy." 

 "Have you seen their faces?"

 "No, I haven't" I lies but as soon as he gives me the look you are hiding something from me I continue saying, " I saw the face of the one who tries to catch my hand and I don't know him at all."

 "I see... Listen to me Laya, whatever you are planning stop it." He says.

 "What do you mean?" I ask innocently.

 "You know what I mean...We all go through pain in our life, but the way we respond to that pain is our choice... Lyly don't do things that you'll regret later, no dark paths in your life for your Nana' sake, you are destroying yourself." He demands. Sorry Sam no way to stepping back.... too late for that. 

 After leaving his office, I try to recall what he has said to me all the way. I must try and succeed; I can do it and do it well. It is the only what I can do better, PLAYING MY CELLO.

 “Later.” I say to Nana

  “May God preserves you darling. See you later.” She replies and I climb out the car.

  My office is far from my house, it takes 1hour. I work as a lawyer with some lawyers; novice, experienced and successful ones in their domain. Mr. Eric Finn, the old hand and the successful one in his job, is the owner of the office. He has a great team and I'm proud to be among the team. It was my dream to be one of his learners and among his chosen team, I have to admit that wasn't easy to be where I'm now. I spent days and nights studying, I took advantages of every opportunity that came to me, the first step I took to reach what I want. Mr. Eric Finn never lose any case during his career, he is so clever, good observer and strict no mistake is allowed to be committed as long as belonging to this team and working in this office.

 The receptionist, Kate, is not here as well as Mr. Eric. I head to my office, taking and revising a file of one of our clients. After few minutes, I feel the urge to drink coffee, I get up to make a cup for me and Mr. Eric comes in “Good morning Laya, Emma doesn’t come?”

 “Good morning Mr. Eric. She has courts today till the evening.” I reply.

 “Oh; I see." then he leaves.

 Oh I forget about it, what can I do? I’ve to call Nana, she always saves my life.

  “Hello Nana.”

  “Are you Ok Laya?”

  “Yes, I’m just calling you ‘cause I didn’t buy anything for Mr. and Mrs. Hanna, and I can’t do that. I don’t actually know what to buy besides I’m busy. Can you do that for me?”   

  “I’ll see what can I do.”

  “Thanks, have a good day.” I say and hang up.

  I reread the file. It is very complicated case comparing to the first one I had. It is my second case I’ve to defend, I hope I can do something. It is very important to me to get it ‘cause I have to improve myself. Before I start proceeding further, Mr. Eric re-enters.

 "Laya, here the case that you are going to work on it." He demands

 " But Mr. Eric, I already have one." I say showing him the file I have.

 " I know, this file no longer for you, it's for Mr. Duck, you have to work on that one, it is different and.... challenging. you're going to learn a lot". He says putting the yellow file in front of me.

 I couldn't help but I ask him, he never changes his mind before, well as long as I know him. "But why ? and why me?" giving him a confused look.

 "As I remember, once, you have said that your goal is being like me, in the same position and in the same path... your ambition is one of the reasons that you are here.... So, I think, you'll give every opportunity to prove me that." I feel like he is challenging me.

 " What if I didn't succeed, what is going to happen then?" I am not sure if I want to hear the answer or not.

 "Then, ...." He says the word hanging in the air " I trust you, You're going to make it" and then he leaves without answering my question.

 It is time to leave the office. Mr. Eric still in his office, and Emma doesn’t come.

 I take my cello and leave my bedroom, Nana was surprised “Are you going like that?” raising her forefinger in the air ushering my clothes. I’m wearing black jeans and black silk blouse.

 “Yeah!!” I say, "Is there any problem?"

 “I know you’re not interested at all, but at least try to dress something more adequate, you know it is a party, should I remind you?” she says and I know what she means.

 “Nana, please. Don’t start.”

 “No…. come.” She leads me to my bedroom, opening the closet and after a moment she selects a long black silk dress, Nana had it to me last year as my birthday gift, not mentioning that my first time I’m going to wear a dress and attend a party. “You’ll look queen in it, try it.” She says as she winks and then she leaves the room before saying anything. 

 As I finish, Nana stares at me, and then says; “Now, it is perfect.” When she dresses me a locket. It is so beautiful; it is hard to say whether is made of white gold or platinum with diamonds cover the heart. It is designed artfully.

 “This is your locket’s mother, she bought it from France for you, when you had eleven.” I know she gave it to me for my birthday, but she hadn’t a chance to give it to me.    

“And why you give it to me now?” I question her.

 “You may find your crash there, who knows?" 

 "Nana…"

"I'm kidding, I... I think it is time to have it…. You look like her, so beautiful darling.”

I want to open it to see what it contains, pictures of whom? But I couldn’t, something stops me. Do I really want to know?  If I find his picture what would be my reaction? I don’t know and I don’t want to know. “Have you opened it?” I question her.

  “No.”

 “Emm, thanks.”

"Wait a minute, I'll be back." Nana says before she leaves. Is she crying? but why? 

We leave the house head to Selena's family’s home.

It's cold outside and wearing that dress make it colder, I hope it wont rain this night “Did you like it?” Nana says and her eyes on the road.

 I turn to her “what?”

 “The present that I brought it.”

 “No I didn’t open it… I trust you.”

 “I know Lyly. You should see it maybe you don’t not like it?”

 “First, it is not for me. Like it or not is not necessary. Second, I think it is too late to change it in case I don’t. And third, I can guess what you brought, a painting I think and you are good in it.”

 “Oh, yeah! I believe you will be a successful lawyer.” She utters proudly.

 “It is not something demanding a hard work. I guess from its shape.”

 “You are a good examiner honey, aren't you? and you...”

 “Ok, who is the painter?” I interrupt her, because she may deviate from our conversation to another topic I don’t want to talk about.

 “Florence D’elle."         

 “I see.” She loves painting and know so many painters; international, local or even beginners, it's the best place where she can get herself into.

  As we reach the Family place, I clamber out, taking the painting and my Cello. “Thank you again, grandma.” And I give her a smile.

  “Grandma! What is this new accent?” She doesn’t like me using this name, because she thinks that it gives a big distance to us, thus we cannot communicate as friends, that in case I communicate with her about myself.

  “Sorry, Nana.” The smile doesn’t leave my lips.

  “See you at …”

  “Ten or eleven, may be?”

  “Okay, just call me or message me. Enjoy yourself.” She returns the smile and blows me a kiss. “I’ll pray for you darling.” I stand there watching her driving away.

 In my right hand, I carry the gift and the left one, there is my cello, it is really big and heavy. I stop to take a rest and it is a chance to stand watching the house from the out side. I take a long deep breath before the entrance, hopping that everything will be better. I wish she had come with me. It is as if I have an operation that my life lays on whether to die or back to life. I am afraid, anxious and nervous. Now, I really need the luck more than anyone and anytime before. Please God be with me and guide me, please God be with me and give me the strength.

   As I utter the last word, I feel that someone is standing behind me, but I didn’t turn around. Oh! Shit was he listening? I hope not. After few minutes he says, “like a schoolgirl praying before exams?!” 

 “Do your parents tell you to not eavesdropping on others! And I guess that you are old enough to teach that to your kids.” I say.

 " And grumpy one!" This time I turn and give him shut that mouth glare.

  “Can I help you, ma’am?” he finishes.