CHAPTER ONE ‘Research’

“What are you doing?”

Without glancing up from the file in my hands I said, “Research.”

A chuckle followed, “You're just an attorney, you don't have to do so much. You've been stalking your client for almost two weeks now.”

I frowned and glanced up to face an amused Lenoir, “It's called gathering information and facts.”

“Uh uh”

“Knowing my clients weaknesses, so whenever it's used in court against them I can easily counter it and win over the judge.”

“What if there's no evidence to prove your client's innocence.”

“If there isn't, you just have to make them up. Most of the court's evidence are always made up anyways.”

Lenoir sighed and walked closer towards me, his eyes looking through the file in my hands. I was about to shoo him off when I caught a whiff of familiar strawberry shampoo. 

“Lenoir!” I said while fighting the urge to kick him. He always uses my product whenever he runs out of his and he almost never replaces them. It was just so annoying. However before I could complain, he smiled at me, melting my heart. I mentally groaned, it was my fault for marrying him for his looks. “Could you please restock my shampoo, cream, conditioner, perfume and soap please? I've been secretly using yours for three days now and some of my co-workers are beginning to tell me that I smell like a woman.”

“Fuck off.” 

“Please, my love, you know how shy I am at getting my neccesities.” Just one look in his eyes and I gave in.

“Whatever, but there's a catch.” I said feigning annoyance. 

“You have to wash the dishes for a week.”

“Baby—”

“—Shut it,” I looked away from Lenoir's puppy eyes, “I already agreed to help buy your essentials, this is the least you could do.”

“B-b-but I'm the man of the house. You have to treat me like a king, not a slave.”

“Lenoir I know you're bothering me because you're bored but I'm really not in the mood. I really need to concentrate on work.”

He sighed, “We haven't seen each other for a week, don't you miss me?”

I ran my hand through my hair annoyedly. Why was he being so emotional tonight, “I know you've been busy—”

“—No I haven't.” he said with a small smile, “While I was chilling with my friends in Dubai last week, I called every single day to check up on you but you never once picked my calls. Even after I came back four days ago, I don't think you even noticed.”

Shit shit shit. Now that he mentioned it, I felt bad.

“I need your attention, Alvah.” He said, his hand caressing my head. “I need you right now.”

I nodded and placed the file on the table before getting up from the couch whilst facing Lenoir who still had his hands in my hair. “What do you want to do?”

“I want to eat chicken today for dinner and sleep.” 

“Okay.” I grabbed Lenoir's hands off my head and dragged him with me to the kitchen. 

We were running out of groceries. There wasn't soup or chicken either. My cheeks suddenly felt hot. I hadn't really been paying attention to the house..

“Lenoir..” I trailed off, “L-let's have chicken tommorow, we're out of chicken, turkey, and soup.” I slammed the freezer shut.

He huffed, “Hurry and make whatever you can, I'm starving.”

Immediately, I went to work. Slicing tomatoes, onions, and getting the other ingredients ready. Then I turned the gas on and started cooking.

Lenoir only sat at the counter and watched as I cooked. I guess he really wasn't feeling too good.

Normally, he'd make jokes and just find ways to annoy me but today, he was calmer than ever and a bit sensitive. It bothered me.

After I was done making the spaghetti, I served it to him and made him sit on the stool.

He sat quietly and ate the food without a word. After eating, he drank an entire glass of red wine before going to the bathroom to wash up and all I did was follow him around to ensure he didn't do anything stupid.

Whenever he gets into a trance like now, he tends to say weird things and act weird. Almost like, he was in a different world and it was always, scary.

“Can I sleep with you in your room tonight?” I asked.

He walked past me and laid on his back on his bed, his face looking towards the ceiling. I forced back a sigh and put the blanket around a shirtless Lenoir. The weather was somewhat chilly, it wouldn't be good if he caught a cold. 

I rid my slippers and walked towards his bed, sliding next to him but a little distant away from him. 

”No.” he whispered, his right hand clenched info a fist. I closed my eyes, the last time his hand was in a fist and I tried to comfort him.. he bit me that I wouldn't stop bleeding for a long time. But I couldn't stand watching him be like this without doing anything.

I wrapped my hand around his clenched fist and watch his face scrunch up, then all of a sudden tears started pouring from his eyes.

Then he aggressively grabbed my hand untill it was near his lips, then he bit hard on it untill It started bleeding.  

I bit my lips to avoid screaming. He only let go of my hand when he fell asleep. 

I looked over to his now peaceful face and kissed his forehead. 

“I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.” I said before sliding out of the bed. 

Then I grabbed his phone which was on the nightstand with my good hand and unlocked his phone. I looked through his messages and I found something interesting from his co-worker, Adams.

‘I found someone that looks exactly like your mother like you asked and she's the same age as your mother's but she lives in Dubai.’

I clicked on the images attached and I almost screamed. T-this woman looked exactly like Lenoir's mother. Except the hair length— It was shorter than Lenoir mother's used to be. 

No wonder he called severally while he was in Dubai. I sighed. This was wrong. How could Adams torture Lenoir this way? He knew damn well that Lenoir's mother was dead. What was the use searching for someone that looked exactly like her?

I went to my room to clean up my bleeding hands, then I bandaged it and copied Adam's number into my phone. Then I tiptoed to Lenoir's room and put his phone on his nightstand. I glanced at his peaceful face and panicked when I saw a blood stain on his lips.

That wasn't good. He would feel really bad in the morning if he knew..

So I did what a reasonable person would do, I went to grab a tissue and wiped it off his face. Afterwards, I disposed of it and went to the living room to continue what I was doing before he interupted.

Jacob Santiago Alabaster. To be sentenced to prison for the murder of his older brother. He'd passed through the seven stages already.

Investigation.

Charging.

Initial Hearing/Arraignment.

Discovery.

Plea Bargaining.

Preliminary Hearing.

Pre-Trial Motions.

Then he'd been granted bail untill Trial which would take place tommorow. Looking at the court, Jacob wasn't in a favourable condition but he had the support of the people and that gave him a little edge in court because there were more than enough witnesses to testify on how killing was out of his character.

If only the prosecutor would stop being so dramatic in court while showing elaborate evidences to the judge that wasn't related to the case..

There was no problem. I could do this. I had worked really hard to gather evidences in favour of my client so he should be set free tommorow. 

I watched my phone ring. Amanda. An acquaintance and a paralegal, she helps me conduct interviews with my client, locate witnesses, draft legal documents and the others.

“Hello?” I said after answering the call.

“The bastard contacted the housekeeper that worked for Jacob Santiago Alabaster's older brother before he died. I think she was present on the day of the murder.”

I smirked, “Mr Frank does know how to do his job well. Don't worry about it, I'll handle it.”

“B-but she's a lay witness, the most important witness in court. Whatever she says turn the case around. Definitely not in your favour.”

“I understand.” I cut the call and glanced at the time on my phone. 5:30am.

I'd been up all night and i felt tired. I rushed to my room and freshened up. When it was 6am, i left the house and hurried to the nearest mall. I bought all of Lenoir's essentials and a few of mine for replace.

While paying for the stuffs over the counter, I noticed a newspaper of Arizona daily star in the woman's hand. 

The newspaper was from three weeks ago and I was pretty sure mine and Jacob's name was on it. After paying, I put the stuff in my car and proceeded to a grocery store. By the time, it was nearly 7am. I shopped eggs, chicken, turkey, flour, milk, butter, cheese and every thing else I could lay my hands on. Then I drove back home.

Lenoir was right on the front porch waving happily at me.

I scowled but let him carry some of the bags Inside. When we were finally done, lifting things, I collaspped into a couch and closed my eyes while trying to catch my breath.

“Oh no, Alvah, you look tired. Well then.. I'll get going.” Lenoir grabbed the new Clive Christian ‘ X ‘ Perfume Spray I got him and sprayed it all over his body. Even his hair. I chuckled at that and watched him pace around before running to his room.

Then he came out with his briefcase and smirked. 

“I'll get going then. See you tomorrow.”

“Y-you aren't coming home tonight?”

“No.” he adjusted his tie and said, “I might not be in a position to answer your calls either but it's all good. I'll be alright.”

“Okay. Just so you know, I can forgive anything except cheating.” 

Lenoir chuckled, “Alvah—”

“Cheat on me and I swear I'll shoot you Lenoir, I'm an attorney, you know what I'm capable of.” 

Lenoir dropped his briefcase on the ground and walked towards me, “I won't be messing around all night.” He leaned towards me and cupped my cheeks, “I wouldn't dare, especially when my wife has a gun.”

Then he squeezed my cheeks and ran off before I could hit him. I patted my now aching cheeks and Lenoir stuck a tongue out as he took his briefcase and ran out the door.

I smiled and passed out on the couch.