CHAPTER 5

“Evan, who did you say this man was and what exactly did he want?” 

“Well, he wants a top lawyer to handle his company's legal affairs and also be his lawyer. Other details will be discussed in the meeting.”

Didn't he have a lawyer for all that before? Why did he want me? 

Anyway, I'd turned down at least five job offers just yesterday. 

My price has risen. I'd only accepted this when I heard how much he was offering. 

These days, money is needed. I'd spend a lot trying to get this degree and become who I am. That should be enough compensation. 

I needed to give my son the best live possible and make sure that never suffered a bit. 

We stopped in front of the company and I looked out, not being able to see the top of the tall building from the car. 

“This is it? Who exactly are we seeing?” 

That question was answered by the name of the company that I saw. 

Quieten and Co. 

“Is this a joke, Evan? You brought me to him?"

My breathing was rapid now. 

“No, it's not him. It's someone else." 

I frowned. I'd never been mad at Evan before. 

“What the hell are you talking about?"

“It’s not him, madam. I assure you. I wouldn't bring you to him. It's someone else.”

“Bullshit." 

I walked back to the car and opened the door but he shut it. 

“It’s his stepbrother. Jacob Quieten.”

That was a lie. He didn't have any siblings as far as I knew. Not like we were close enough for him to tell me, anyway. 

“They aren't close or in touch. They hate each other."

Why would he want me to work for him then?

I decided to go and hear him out. So Javon had a stepbrother. From what I could see, he was doing well for himself. 

Seemed like success ran in the family. Why were they enstranged then? 

”My boss will be with you shortly, ma'am.” A lady told me as she showed me to the conference room. 

He had better. I had just been on the longest flight of my life and I was exhausted 

Jacob Quieten. What are your plans? 

The door swung open and my jaw dropped. 

A tall built man walked in, clad in a dark blue suit, his hair pushed back away from his face.

He made eye contact with me and smiled lightly and he stood in front of me, the smell of his cologne filling my nostrils. There was barely any difference between him and Javon. They both looked alike asides the goatee that Jacob was sporting 

He stretched out his hand. 

“Mrs Quieten, I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long.” 

My mood changed and I took his hand and stood up. Mrs Quieten? So much for first impressions. 

“It’s Miss Everly and no, you didn't.”

He pursed his lips. 

“ My apologies. I’ll get down to the business of the day. I assume Mr Carter here has told you some of the details.” 

Evan barely told me anything. 

“I’ll need to know why you want me, Mr Quinten.”

“Please, call me Jacob."

No way. We were not going to become friends all of a sudden. 

“I’m sure you already have a lawyer for all your needs, Mr Quinten.”

He laughed. 

“Very well then, you caught me. I called you here for another reason. Mr Carter, would you excuse us?”

I gave Evan a small nod before he left the room. 

“I need your help in bringing Javon down."

It was my turn to laugh. 

“What did you say?” 

“I said I need your help in bringing Javon down and I know you're the perfect person for the job.”

Well, this was interesting. 

“Why me? Why did you choose me?" 

He stood up from his seat. 

“Because you're the only person on earth that hates him as much as I do.

That was not true. He was an asshole to everyone. 

“You seem to know an awful lot about me, Mr Quinten. It's almost like you've done your own research."

I knew he had, I just needed more time to read him. 

He chuckled and pointed his finger at me. 

“Now, I see what he saw in you. It marvels me, the way you see through people. I've been following your work for a while. You're good." 

That was the plan and it has worked. 

“Why should I work with you? I mean, I could easily get what I want by myself.”

He placed his hand on the table in front of me and looked me in the eye. He was handsome, I had to give him that. But not as handsome as his brother. 

“Because we can bring Javon to the ground. You want that, don't you? Do you want to see him beg for mercy? I can make that happen. We can make that happen. I have resources at my disposal and it will be a walk in the park.” 

His eyes held a familiar emotion. Hatred. Deep hatred. 

What did Javon do to make him hate him so much? I mean, Javon could be an asshole most times. 

He stretched out his hand. 

“Just take my hand and sign these papers.”

As he dropped the file in front of me, I considered it. Everything I've done was to make Javon pay and now, I had someone who wanted to help me fulfill that. 

What could go wrong? As much as I tried to shut it out, the tiny voice in my head telling me to stop got louder and louder but I didn't stop. 

I picked up the pen and signed the papers. 

“There.” 

He looked at the paper and smiled at my signature. 

Yes

“Miss Everly, welcome to the best decision you have ever made.”

Why then was there a part of me that told me I had just made the worst decision?