Explain Yourself.

ANTONIO

"So explain yourself," I said as we finished ordering our lunch, normally I would send Sophie to get me my normal lunch but something about this girl made me want to get out of the office, but it's also to make Wood think I'm interested in her.

She was quite intelligent, the way she told me off about the case made me want to snap but all I could do was tell her she's looking at two different cases, she seemed more interested in the double homicide and honestly, I am too.

"Basically what it says is that Jonah stabbed Marlon and Marcia, his best friend's because they had a huge argument about the sudden relationship the deceased had, mind you Marcia was always Jonah's crush so I guess you could understand the argument part.

What I do not understand is how he could kill them when he has hemophobia meaning that he can not stand to be near blood, the smell of blood and just a teeny tiny drop is able to make him pass out immediately! So I don't think he did it," She shrugged, finishing off her statement. I stared at her for some time and she cleared her throat, "Do I have something on my face?" I couldn't help but grin at her.

"No. I was just thinking of how much of an amazing lawyer you could become. You have valid points, but phobias are things a person could overcome, so how would you explain that in court?" I challenged her and she seemed deep in thought.

"Gimme a minute," She mumbled skimming through the file, "Ahah! Jonah had had this phobia ever since he was a kid after he witnessed his mother being slaughtered by his own father, hmm poor kid. And according to his psychology records, which he has been attending since he was nine, he's never been able to get over his phobia and it's quite impossible, it also says that he was a happy person without any anger issues, just a fear of blood," She said and took a sip of her chocolate milkshake.

"But he could've been easily angered by what happened."

"Or he could've pretended to be happy for them and went to cool off and some crazy ex of Marlon or enemy came and slaughtered the MMs knowing of Jonah's condition to pass out, he or she waited until Jonah came back and saw the blood and passed out planting the evidence on him. Easy," She popped a chip into her mouth and carried on reading.

"How would you prove that?" She let go of the file, rolling her eyes at me, she seems to have a tendency of doing that and I have a sudden urge to punish her for it. Wait, what?

"Honestly, for a lawyer, you seem to be an idiot. Investigate about their private lives, not only what has been provided to you. There's always more to see than what is being shown," She closed the file and looked at me.

"Wise words. And I already did all that you talked about, there's no one." 

"Look deeper, there's always someone,” She took a bite of her burger and moaned, "This is really good." 

"It's not ladylike to speak with food in your mouth."

"What's that? Sounds fancy," She asked looking confused and then barked out laughing, "Sorry, I don't know anything about being ladylike. I had no mother to teach me."

"How do you have so much knowledge of cases?" I've been meaning to ask since the office.

"Oh uhm. Dad was a lawyer, so yeah," She looked out the window.

"How'd he end up broke?" I had to ask.

"A woman or should I say 'lady'. Excuse me," She got up and walked away in the direction of the toilet.

I really wonder what happened to her, she's honestly a beautiful young girl, bubbly and smart but broken. Just like how you were...and I find her funny.

She came back and slumped on her seat, sighing, "Are we going back to your office or can we go home?" 

"I still have work to do, but I guess I could finish it off at home. Let's go," I paid the bills and got up with her trailing behind me to the car.

We drove home and she was silent the whole way looking out the window. Once we reached the house she released a silent 'wow'.

I parked my car in the garage and got out. I was heading inside the house when I noticed she wasn't following me, I turned around and saw her admiring my baby.

"Are you fixing it?" She asked as she lifted the cloth I covered it with.

"Yes."

"What did you do to him?" She asked as she looked in the hood and touched a few things.

"Her, and don't touch her."

She raised her hands and smirked, "Hey I was just trying to help her. But it's cool."

"What do you know about cars?" I asked her, why does it seem as if she's skilled in almost everything?''

"A lot, probably more than you do but it doesn't matter. Show me to my room please?" She got into the house and stood waiting for me. I walked upstairs and the first door I saw, I opened it.

"It hasn't been used. I'll bring you clean sheets," She nodded her head and looked at the room. It was clean but just not used by anyone because I don't have guests or any family. I brought her sheets and she thanked me. 

I walked into my room and took a shower letting the hot water soothe my tense body. I really don't know why Wood has decided to come back now, and why he thinks I owe him. It doesn't make any sense to me at all, but I have to think of a plan before he attacks and finds me unprepared.

Wood is an idiot, but he can be smart when he's focused. I get out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist, heading downstairs where I hear two sets of voices and laughter, an incredible smell whiffs my way and my stomach growls.

"Hey man. Did you forget about tonight?" My friend Charles asked me, I met him when I first arrived in this city and we sort of kicked it off. He's a cool guy and laid back, "Oh Lord you did, didn't you?"

"Sorry man, today just got really hectic and it might've slipped my mind. Let me go get dressed," I heard Lotus mutter a ‘Thank God’. I pretended as if she wasn't gawking at my torso.

Once I finished dressing, I went back downstairs to find Charles still flirting with Lotus, she looked up at me and swatted his arm after he whispered something in her ear.

"You guys want to eat before you leave?" She asked and we both nodded, she dished up for us and sat on the other side of the table looking at us.

"Why aren't you eating?" I asked her suspiciously.

"Relax Antonio, I'm not trying to poison you or anything. I had cooked enough for two but Charlie came over," I raised my eyebrow at her.

"Charlie?"

"Yeah! I think Charlie is cuter than Charles," She giggled while walking to the fridge to take out a bottle of water for herself. Once we were done eating she took our dishes and washed them, dried and packed them. She's really taking this seriously.

"Well, we are going out. Don't open the door for anybody else," I told her, grabbing my keys, she nodded her head and closed the door behind us.

I grabbed Charles by his neck and slammed him into the closest wall.

"Stay away from her! She's way too young for you," I growled looking at him.

"And you're not too old for her?" He choked back and I tightened my hold around his neck

"Just stay the fuck away from her. Understand?" 

"Yes sir!" I let go of his neck and he wheezes, "Oh I'm excited to see where all of this goes." He chuckled and I glared at him making him laugh harder, "I'm just joking mate! No hard feelings?" 

"Your British accent fucking annoys me!" I walked away unlocking the car.

"Oh, I love you too, my Italian prince." He got in the car and I drove away from the house going to the playhouse.