Lauren pushed her way through the big glass doors. Her eyes darted all over the place. Her stomach was doing somersaults as she made her way toward her office. Marta was waiting for her inside, “You’re late. Darla is waiting.”
Lauren pushed past Marta and hung up her coat, “Yes. I know. Thank you, Marta. You are ever so helpful.” She forced a smile at Marta grabbed her tablet and headed directly to Darla’s office.
Darla’s office was huge, probably too big for what she needed but it was impressive. It was a mix of old hardwood that screamed, ‘I’m a lawyer!’ with a touch of high femininity in the fabric textures of the chairs, drapes and carpet. One would think a politician’s wife decorated the office.
Darla was on the phone yes’ing whoever was on the other end of the line. When Lauren entered, Darla turned to face her and motioned for Lauren to sit. Lauren took note of her facial expression. It wasn’t kind, nor angry. Yet, Lauren had no idea of what to expect from this meeting. She took the time to study Darla, her appearance, her mannerisms, even her tone of voice as she spoke to the person on the phone.
Darla was wearing a beautiful ultramarine blue dress. The color was hot this season. Lauren had seen it everywhere – it was the “power” color of choice amongst the white-collared world. The dress was form fitting. It hugged every curve of Darla’s Old Hollywood body. Her legs were sheathed in a sheer stocking, with the seam up the center of the back of her shapely legs. Her legs were not as long as Lauren’s and for the first time, Lauren noticed Darla’s ankles, they were a little on the thick side, but not quite ‘cankles’. Lauren smiled thinking of the perfect Darla Lovell with cankles.
As Darla hung up the phone, she took a seat behind her massive mahogany desk. “Well that was Judge Rei. He’s prepared to review a new appeal on the Jasper Conner case.” She folded her long, well-manicured fingers and rested on them on the black leather blotter of the desk.
Lauren offered very little expression in response, “That’s good news.” She answered flatly and tapped her tablet to turn it on, “I suppose you’ll want me to prepare the brief?”
Darla frowned. She knew Lauren was playing passive, “Lauren, listen. You hold a great deal of promise and talent. I’m sorry for what our client, Whitey Smith, put you through yesterday. It was completely unacceptable behavior. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to be removed from the case entirely, and I wouldn’t hold it against you.”
Lauren smiled to Darla and spoke softly, “Oh no, Mrs. Lovell. I wouldn’t dream of it. I mean, yes, that was my first simulated kidnapping but it taught me something about myself and I understand that Mr. Smith is a bit on the eccentric side.” She smiled and prepared to take notes, “So when will you need the brief by? Will tomorrow do?” Lauren looked at Darla anticipating her response.
While Lauren maintained an expression of all business, her mind was racing. So, Darla you whore, how long have you been fucking my fiance? Bet you strap it on for him. He’s such a prick, the next time you fuck him in the ass, please give him one good thrust for me.
Darla stared at Lauren trying to access her body language. For all intents and purposes, Lauren appeared unfazed. Darla inhaled and held her breath a moment. As she was about to open her mouth, Lauren interrupted her, “Oh! You are not wearing that beautiful ring! The sapphire one!” Lauren looked from Darla’s hand to her face, “Did you lose it?”
Darla immediately touched the finger that was missing the ring, “Oh! You know I don’t remember the last time I wore it. Isn’t that funny? I must have left it home on my bathroom sink …” She paused realizing where she left her ring … yes it was on a sink but not her own. Then she forced a smile toward Lauren’s expressionless face, “You know, Lauren, maybe you should take the day off.”
Lauren didn’t smile. In fact, her eyes were in a dead, cold stare. “I’d much rather work, Darla. In fact, I was hoping to visit Whitey Smith. I have some questions regarding the ring he gave you – the one you lost.” It could have been a completely stupid move, but Lauren went for it. She was done with the charade.
Darla narrowed her eyes at Lauren, the cobra inside of her about to emerge spitting venom. She leaned forward on the desk and pressed her palms down hard on the blotter, “You listen to me. You stay away from Whitey Smith. You stay away from Jasper Conner and you will put your head down and remember who you are dealing with. I’m not a first year, Lauren. I know exactly how to ruin your life before the day is over.” She snapped her fingers in Lauren’s face.
Lauren surprisingly didn’t blink. Instead, she pulled out her cell phone and sent Darla a photo via text. “I’m going to take a wild guess, Ms. Lovell. I’m going to take a wild guess that Whitey Smith gave you that ring.” Darla’s phone beeped with a text alert. Lauren continued, “I’m going to guess he won’t be happy to know I found it in my bathroom. However do you find time to slum it with my fiancé?”
Darla didn’t bother to look at her phone, steam emitting from her ears, yet her face was smooth as stone.
Lauren continued, “I’m not sure what thrill Peter gives you. I’d put my money on your need for some connections to Triumph Tower. In fact, the only thing I haven’t figured out yet is if you fuck Peter for your sake or Whitey’s.” Then Lauren stood up and held her hand up, “No matter. I’ll get my answers tonight and after I get my answers, Peter will be of no more use to either of us.” She turned to go, confident that she was fired, even still, she would quit if she wasn’t.
Darla watched Lauren head for the door, “Oh, Lauren …” She called after her.
Lauren stopped and looked back at Darla.
“You’re right about one thing. Peter will no longer be of use to either of us. Leave your keys with Marta. You’re finished and I’ll be sure to give Jasper your regards.”
The door slammed behind Lauren as she walked out. The force caused a small camel statue on Darla’s shelf to fall and smash to the floor.