Charlie was finishing up in the office. She put back some files in Maxine's cabinet, stacked a few pending materials on her desk for the next Monday. It was Friday, she was relieved she didn't have to work on assignments afterward.
Sometimes she would stay
The last thing he remembered about being at the party was a blur. He remembered being surrounded by faces from the silver screen, magazine covers, glamorous ads, and the red carpet. Most of them didn't know who he was, but they seemed to like what they saw, offering him all sorts of favors in exchange for something in return.
Gastonburry had changed a lot in the course of 20 years. It had always been a city of students, some of the oldest schools were still standing strong, giving the best education in the country. One of them was University of Gastonburry where she was an alma mater alongside Bill and Malcolm.
"Ms. Ludlow ... can I talk to you for a moment?" Professor Winthrop called after class.She stayed behind until everyone left the classroom.
"You're saying somebody recorded what happened in that room that night?" Tommy demanded an explanation."Mm ... hmm ..." Amber nodded while sucking on her lollipop.
She had been married to Bill for 5 years when she started to notice the signs. Charlene was barely 3 years old, Bill's career was climbing fast as a lawyer. He spent 10 to 12 hours at work while she drowned in house chores, caring for a toddler by herself. He always came home late, she was drained of energy by the time he arrived.
"Okay ... are you guys ready?" Brad asked the three boys and two girls of his Goldstone Night Film team.Charlie was one of them. They gathered on the side of Goldstone Avenue at their designated meeting point. All six of them were Arch Film Institute stud
Amber Stewart took a seat in the middle of a restaurant full of people. She wore a casual outfit, covered with a denim jacket, a black cap on her head to hide who she was. Even so, she stood out among the diners who were mostly Asian immigrants who lived in the area.
He woke up in a blur. There was movement around him. There was music, he stared at the ceiling, he didn't recognize it. The music wasn't loud enough to bury the sighs, people moaning around him. His head was heavy, his arms and legs didn't seem to respond to his brain telling them to move.
He poured the Hennessy into the sifter, just enough. Slipped the glass between his fingers and swirled to inhale the evaporating aroma from the swish. He sipped on his favorite cognac, let it stay in his mouth for a fraction of a second before swallowing it. He loved the after taste.
It's been over a week since her divorce was final. She could still remember Bill's expression when he left the court room. Broken, lost, remorseful. He told her he was sorry. His apology came too late. If she hadn't done what she did, it wouldn't have come at all. He agreed on the alimony, and the financial support for their two daughters. They agreed that Bill should keep the house, Catherine had no intention to go back to Bluebridge. It was a long couple of months of divorce court.
They were playing the premiere of The Night Film project in campus. First year of college was almost over. It was a success among the students, they loved it. Brad's project became an instant hit, many of the students inquired to be part of their next project. The team was growing.
It was 10 o'clock in the morning the next day. Charlie was having breakfast with Tommy and Jeremy at The Deuce. They haven't done that in awhile. Amber's funeral was still a hot topic on the news. It made the front page of The Goldstone Daily newspaper. Maxine's grieving face when she delivered her eulogy was plastered all over the news instead of Amber's.
Dinner at Maxine was quiet. He wouldn't have been there if Maxine didn't insist that he came back with her and Deeta after the funeral. Her eulogy about how wonderful her relationship was with Amber, both personally and professionally, had diminished any appetite he had left for food.
One week. Who the hell is this Malcolm Blackwell?That was the first thing she tried to find out as soon as he left her office. She couldn't find anything other than the fact he was a well known, credible, highest paid lawyer in Goldstone. He's clean. If h
"I'm here to see Maxine Roberts," Malcolm said to the receptionist."Do you have an appointment, Sir?"
She couldn't stop thinking about what he said. She literally freaked out after he told her about the tape and excused herself in a haste before he could say anything else. She went straight to work and had a hard time concentrating on anything.Maxine's of
"Miss Ludlow ... can I see you in my office?"It was the first time she had seen Brad after the incident. He never asked to go to his office before. She looked at him in silence, her heart was beating faster but she kept her composure. She nodded. After ev