The one where she's the prey

~Bella~

The stranger continued to stare at me. It was the most disconcerting thing ever!

He held my gaze squarely even when I caught him staring. He didn't seem to care!

His eyes were like bottomless pits, black as Ravens. It sucked me in. It trapped me. It consumed me.

I stared blankly like a prey hypnotized by the predator!

That was it! That was exactly it! I was trapped in his eyes.

I could almost swear I saw his eyes suddenly glow. But I blinked and it was gone. I must have imagined it.

I shifted uncomfortably but somehow, for some reason, I felt a delicious shiver of fear and anticipation.

My body actually shivered in response. What was happening to me!

There was another man next to him watching me just as intently but I didn't get the same feeling from him looking at me.

I looked back to the first man. He tilted his head slightly towards me and I heard him clearly say, "Carry on."

I jumped. It felt like the words had been spoken directly into my ears, clear and audible.

How was that possible? I'd been watching him closely and I didn't see his lips move at all.

Even if his lips had moved, he would have had to shout for me to hear him at this distance.

Yet, nobody else gave any indication that they'd heard anything.

Instead, they were all watching me expectantly... waiting for something. What?

Oh shit! I was supposed to be examining the witness!

I looked at Parker. He had a concerned look on his face.

I panicked. Did he notice the man and I staring at each other?

"Just close," he mouthed to me.

I breathed a sigh of relief. He'd mistaken my look of panic as being because I'd run out of questions.

I blushed. How stupid of me to be staring at another man when my husband was in the room!

But my relief was only momentary as I realized I'd just embarassed myself in front of everyone in the court room.

My face colored from embarrassment. I rushed through my closing statement.

"My Lord, I hope I've been able to show that our client actually made a report of the fault as he was supposed to and it was the higher ups who failed to take care of it. Thank you."

I hurried back to my seat, keeping my head down. I let my hair fall and form a curtain around my face so nobody would see my hot red cheeks.

I couldn't meet anyone's gaze! No way!

Once I sat down, Parker reached across the table and briefly squeezed my hand but then he had to step up to continue from where I'd stopped.

Tears welled up in my eyes again. I blinked them back.

I'd never been the smartest, even at law school but I knew I could so much better.

Especially now that I was married to an amazing lawyer like Parker, I HAD to do better!

'Never again! Never again would I let this happen. The next case will be better,' I promised myself.

I forced my head up and smiled as I watched Parker do his job amazingly well.

Soon the judge was closing. "This case is hereby adjoined by one week to the 24th day of this month."

He slammed the gavel on the table, signaling the end of the proceedings for that day.

"Court, rise!" The registrar ordered and we all rose as the jury filed out and the Judge followed through his side door.

The moment the door closed behind him, the courtroom burst into a flurry of activities and conversation.

I hurriedly stashed my notes into my briefcase. By the time I turned to face Parker and our client, they were already mid conversation.

Parker was saying "...so as you can see, things are looking good right now. Next week, you'll be called to the stand yourself so I'll have my secretary set up an appointment for you so we can prepare you ahead."

I jumped in. "As long as everything goes well next week, I think we can expect a favorable judgement."

Mr Benedict nodded gratefully. "Thank you, lawyer. I don't know much but I think you did a fantastic job today. And thank you too," he added for my benefit.

I smiled and nodded. "You're welcome," I said, even though in my head, I knew that it was Parker who'd done the bulk of the work.

All I'd done today was embarass myself.

We bid each other goodbye and he went on his way.

Parker moved closer to me and put his arms around my waist, drawing me closer.

I smiled and reached up to link my hand around his neck.

"Hello to you, my handsome, hotshot lawyer," I said, smiling.

He leaned down and kissed me. "Hello to you too, my beautiful, brilliant wife."

"You were spectacular today, as always! I was so proud!" I gushed. My cheeks were started to heat up again.

No matter how long I'd been married to this man, I could never get over him. Honestly, sometimes I still couldn't believe that he was my husband.

"You were great today too," he said sweetly.

I snorted disbelievingly.

"Take the PDA elsewhere," a voice said from right behind me.

I let go of Parker and turned around to see a familiar short, stocky man.

"Barrister Gale, how are you this fine day?"

"Not doing too well, actually." He sighed. He was on the opposing side on this case. "I knew it would turn out this way the moment I heard Parker was on prosecution."

I giggled. "What can I say? My husband is the best in the world." My chest swelled with pride. I rearranged Parker's suit and patted his chest.

Gale sighed. "You really have it all man. The brains, a successful practice and a loving wife. I'm jealous. Just go easy on us next week, okay?"

Parker laughed. "I can't promise anything but I'll try my best," he said teasingly.

Gale rolled his eyes. "I won't hold my breath. Anyway, I have to go now. My partner is waiting. See your around."

He waved jauntily and hurried to catch up with his partner who was already almost at door.

I linked hands with Parker and headed in the same direction.

A thought niggled at the back of mind, like I'd forgotten something. It took a few seconds to place it.

The thought jumped into my mind. The stranger from earlier who'd been staring at me.

I was so embarassed that I'd totally forgotten about him.

I looked over at the spot he'd been sitting in to see if he was still looking at me but my eyes met empty air.

I blinked in shock. He was gone!