Chapter 6 : Keep It Professional

*Adrian*

I had to keep it professional, no matter what. I had dangerous thoughts about corrupting her body in so many ways. It was dangerously exciting to know she would be under my thumb and, perhaps later, after the case was over and won, she could also be in my bed.

As I left Amelia standing in the corridor, my spine prickled with awareness of her eyes on my back. The faint scent of her lavender perfume lingered in the air, and I struggled to keep my focus on the case at hand.

Even though I knew I couldn't let my guard down around her, every step away from her felt like a loss. Her stunning beauty had already set me on a dangerous course, but I refused to let it cloud my judgment any further.

"Adrian?" Evelyn asked, jarring me from my thoughts rather abruptly.

"Yes, Evelyn?" I asked as if I hadn't just been staring blankly at the ancient marble floors of my office.

She stood and walked around the reception desk, straightening her pale yellow skirt as she walked, "I don't mean to overstep, but I'm confused. Why are you letting her be involved in the preparations of the case? You've called this your Magnum Opus for so long, and I'm surprised you're letting a witness know intimate details of the proceedings. That seems risky, and that's unlike you."

I stepped closer to the window and looked out at the city skyline, a foreboding settling in my gut as I thought of what was ahead. We were on a collision course with destiny it seemed, for better or worse.

I sighed and ran my hands through my hair, "You're right, Evelyn. I know how risky this is, but there's something about her. There's a tenacity in her that makes me nervous to leave her out of it. At least if she's working with me, I can watch her closely and keep her from unraveling everything."

Evelyn nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation, "I see. Just be careful, Adrian. You're playing a dangerous game, and I worry about what it would do to you if the case fell through."

Her warning was not lost on me, and I knew that I needed to tread carefully. But there was a fire inside me that burned too hot to ignore. I needed to see this case through, no matter the cost. And if Amelia was the key to unlocking the truth, then I had to take that risk.

"I understand, Evelyn. Thank you for your concern. I'm going to need you to clear my schedule for the rest of the day. I need some time to prepare," I said firmly, my voice ringing out through the room with a tone that left no room for argument.

She nodded in agreement and quickly began sorting through the papers on her desk, her hands moving deftly. She scribbled notes on a few of the pages before erasing them with a frustrated sigh. I watched as she moved from one task to another, my shoulders relaxing slightly with each motion. The sound of pencils scratching against paper was comforting- a reminder that I had someone like her in my life.

Evelyn had become more than just an assistant to me over the years. She had a sharp wit and keen intuition, which made her a valuable asset in my professional life, but it was her unwavering loyalty and friendship that I valued most. Even when I put up my walls, she managed to break through with her caring words and gestures. She was the only person who had glimpsed the vulnerable side of me, and I felt immensely grateful for that.

Though fiercely loyal, Evelyn became increasingly concerned about my descent into darkness as this case dragged on. She always seemed to sense when I was pushing myself too hard or going down a dangerous path, even before I noticed it myself. Despite her misgivings about Amelia's involvement in all of this, I knew she wouldn't try to dissuade me from pursuing what I believed was right. Instead, she'd keep her distance, ready to help me clean up a mess if it came to that.

With one final nod, she finished up and looked at me expectantly, all her tasks complete. "Thank you," I said simply before turning away from the window and walking towards the door with purposeful strides.

The marble clicked beneath my feet as I stepped into my office, my mind buzzing with anxious energy. I had a lot of work ahead of me if I wanted to make sure that Amelia was prepared to testify against MID. So far, she had been working with a lawyer’s mindset, but being a key witness in the lawsuit was an entirely different ballgame.

They’d know that she was the reason charges were being brought up, and that would make her a target. I needed to make sure she knew the risks and was prepared for the potential dangers. I was used to the intricacies of the dark underbelly of the law, but Amelia seemed to walk in the light, never veering into what could be viewed as unethical or immoral.

I worked through Amelia's case files for an hour straight, eager to understand every detail and nuance. Notes and evidence filled the pages - some of them pointing clearly at MID's knowledge of negligence, and some still unclear or unexplained. It was critical that I didn't miss even the slightest detail no matter how insignificant it may have seemed. Every piece of information could be vital in helping us discover the truth and see justice served.

As I scoured through her case folders, historical records, witness statements, and police reports, Amelia's story slowly began to take shape in my mind. She had been in her second year of law school when her mother passed, and that loss motivated her to become the lawyer she is.

She had started researching MID a week after her mother was buried, and she made sure to have an autopsy done so there was a record of the abnormally fast tumor growth. Even as a student, her attention to detail had been impeccable.

A very interesting mind, and a sharp focus on what is right in front of her. I would love to have her beg for me as I bend her over my desk and play with her until she screams my name. Focus, Adrian. Stop getting distracted!

After nearly two hours of careful analysis, all of my notes were in order and ready for action. With one last glance at the papers laid neatly on my desk, I stood up and entered the reception area, "Amelia is quite the lawyer, I have to admit," I told Evelyn.

Evelyn regarded me with a peculiar look and asked, "Really? What makes you say that?"

I filled her in on her mother's death and what followed, "The autopsy records from her mother and Amelia's eye for detail are remarkable. Every single piece of evidence has been carefully examined and documented, and she wasn't even out of law school at the time. She made sure she had the tumor growth rate notes from her mother's main oncologist, Dr. Sullivan, as well as the dosage of medicine that was being administered."

Evelyn was still looking at me with an emotion I hadn't ever seen before, so I asked her, "What?"

She shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, "It's nothing. I've just never heard you compliment someone so many times in a row. You've worked with some of the best lawyers in Washington D.C., and you've never sung their praises like this. It's just odd coming from you."

I scowled at her insinuation, and responded, "I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but any passion you sense is coming from the case and isn't directed at Amelia Hartley. I'm just glad she was as thorough as she was, or we wouldn't have the evidence."

Evelyn looked as if she was going to roll her eyes but stopped herself, "And I'm sure you haven't noticed how breathtakingly pretty Amelia is, right?"

I sighed in exasperation, annoyed by her presumption, "That's completely irrelevant, Evelyn. Even if she was the most beautiful woman in the world, it wouldn't affect how I approach this case," I retorted, hoping to end the conversation.

Evelyn simply shrugged and went back to her work, seemingly unconvinced by my response. I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration at her insistence on bringing up irrelevant details. I returned to my desk and grabbed my briefcase and my keys, then walked back into the reception area and said, "I'm leaving for the day. I have someone to meet."

As I walked down the hall toward the exit, my thoughts drifted back to Amelia. Despite my best efforts, my mind couldn't help but wander to her. I tried to push her image out of my mind, but her striking hazel eyes seemed to haunt my every thought. I shook my head, exasperated. This was not how I usually behaved, and I didn't understand why I couldn't seem to get her out of my mind.

It could've been that her body was incredible; her curves accentuated perfectly in the tight dress pants and blazer she wore for work. Her skin had a smooth, olive complexion, and her hair cascaded down her back in waves of gorgeous brown locks that shimmered when she moved. I couldn't help but admire how her ass looked yesterday when she walked out of my office. She had a certain confidence about her – a sexy swagger that made my stomach tighten.

It wasn't until I reached my car that I finally snapped out of my reverie and drove away, determined to push all thoughts of Amelia Hartley from my mind.

I drove to the restaurant where I was meeting my private investigator, intent on focusing on business matters.

As I walked into the restaurant, I noticed it was already filling up, which annoyed me. It was usually slow at this time of day, and that, plus the excellent food, was why I chose this restaurant for sensitive meetings.

The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with its dark hardwood floors and deep red wallpaper that seemed to make the room glow. The lights were dimmed just enough to create a romantic setting, while soft music played in the background. A fireplace in the corner emitted a pleasant warmth, while candles on each table flickered and cast shadows around the room.

The waiters were dressed in white uniforms and greeted each guest by name as they arrived. The menu had an impressive selection of seafood dishes from all around the world, adding to the exotic ambiance of the place.

I made my way to the host's stand and said, "Chase, party of two."

The host smiled and gestured to the corner of the room, "Your guest hasn't arrived yet. Right this way, sir."

I followed him over to the table and settled into the plush, cushioned chair. As I waited, my mind foraged through the mental pictures I had taken of Amelia's notes today, searching for anything I may have missed as I read them.

The waiter approached me and asked, "Good afternoon, sir. Would you like to order a drink while you wait?"

I looked up at the waiter and tried to ignore the persistent thoughts of Amelia that threatened to overshadow my focus. "Yes, I'll have a whiskey neat please," I replied.

The waiter nodded and marched away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I glanced at my watch and saw that the investigator I was meeting was already 5 minutes late.

I felt a slight tinge of annoyance rise within me. There was nothing that I hated more than my time being wasted. I could be doing more important things, and my blood ran hot as the minutes continued to tick away. I'd have to make sure to remind him of the importance of punctuality in business matters the next time we met – if there was a next time.