Ruined (completed) ✔️

9.

Beep, Beep, beep. The alarm goes off waking me up and I reach across the bed, turning the alarm off.

Casey opens her eyes and looks at me. "Morning," she whispers, slightly sounding off. "I have to leave for Paris tonight. After you fell asleep last night I got a message about extra jobs over there and I didn't want to turn them down."

Running my hand across her cheek I whisper. "That's fine. Are you going to be back before I leave for my reunion?"

"Yes, I'll be back for that. Then I'm off to Spain for a couple of weeks and before we know it we'll both be back home from our month of being apart." She leans on her elbows and moves closer to me. Placing her lips on mine. She kisses me like we're going to be away from each other for a long.

Ding.

Pushing Casey away from me I say. "I need to check my phone." I grab the phone and see a message from one of the partners. "Dean wants me in the office in half an hour. I think he's going to announce who the next partner will be."

I hope it's me. Luck needs to be on my side. I've brought in several high profile clients through the door recently and it's bringing the company more money.

The Whitehall family is one of my biggest clients. They own several buildings through the city including the one where my office is housed.

Chad has an unfair dismissal case opening up and he's asked for the best to join him in the settlement, but I don't think he should pay the person off because there is a reason for why that person was let go.

Climbing out of bed I walk to the closet and pull my suit of the closet. I place it on the bed before going to the bathroom to have a quick shower. I turn the shower on and step in. Quickly I wash my hair and body before turning the water off and stepping out of the shower.

Wrapping a towel around my body I exit the bathroom and get changed into my clothes. After getting dressed I grab a nutrient bar from the cupboard and walk out of the place I share with Casey.

Before I close the door Casey yells. "I love you, Austin. Have a good day at work."

Looking back at her I say. "You, too, Baby. Have a safe flight." I close the door and head over to the stairs. I jog down to the basement and get into the car. I reverse the car out of my parking spot and head towards the exit.

When I get to the exit I wait for the boom gate to open before I turn to the right and head in the direction of the office. On the way to the office, I pull my phone out of my pocket and call Alex.

It rings a couple of times before he answers.

Alex: Hello, this is Alex.

Me: Hey, Alex. It's Austin. Just a question do you have a place that's opening up over the summer for people to check out?

Alex: I might. What would you need a place for when you have a perfectly good one with that woman you're living with?

Me: There's this woman back home that I want to make fall in love with me and I want her to believe everything I'm selling. Including a house that I could fake buy.

Alex: I'll look through the listings I have and let you know the address. Is there a date you want me to book in?

Me: For now, no. Just look at the listings and get back to me asap?

Alex: Okay, I'll give you a call tonight.

Me: Great, talk to you then.

Hanging up the phone I weave through the traffic as I get closer to the office. Once the building is in view I turn into the parking garage and park close to the main door to the building. I step out of the car and grab my briefcase.

"Hey, Austin," Sylvia says, stepping beside me. "Do you know why the partner needs us in the office earlier than expected?"

"No, but we're about to find out." I press the button for the elevator and the door opens shortly after. Holding the door open I wait for Sylvia to enter first.

"Thanks." She pulls her compact mirror out of her purse and looks at her reflection. Licking her lips she says. "Do you think they'll have coffee in the room? I missed my caffeinated beverage because of this meeting."

Shaking my head I say. "I'm not sure. I skipped mine too. All I could get for breakfast was a nutrient bar and I hate those fucking things. My fiance has substituted proper food for that garbage. When we finish work today I'm stocking the cupboards, fridge and freezer with foods I like."

"Why doesn't she eat proper food?"

"She's a model and wants the camera to take great shots of her. She hates having flaws appear on camera, but things will change if she decides to have kids. Then her body will change for the pregnancy. I'd still think she's beautiful."

A smile spreads across her face. "She's a lucky woman to have you."

No, she's not. I don't think I deserve her because we're both not being honest with each other. We're together because we are broken and haven't healed from the people that hurt us the most and the way we're moving through it is by having sex and making sure that we don't let history repeat itself.

The door opens and we step out of the elevator. We follow the sounds of voices coming from the conference room. I open the door and let Sylvia walk in before me.

Dean is standing at the head of the table and he looks around the room at us. "Now, that everyone is here I want to say 'thanks,' for coming in early this morning. The reason why we're here today is to find out who is going to be a partner." His eyes roam across the room and then settles on mine. He opens the envelope. Clearing his throat he says. "Clara,"

That's supposed to be my job. Why's she getting it and not me?

Everyone congratulates her, but me.

Walking over to Dean I say. "What am I doing wrong? I keep getting passed over for the job."

Grabbing my arm he pulls me out the door. Lowering his voice he says. "The other partners want you to show more interest in the job. You're one of the best Lawyer's we have here, but you've also been messing up a couple of cases for us. Taking a month off for the reunion will be the perfect time for you to get your head back in the game and show everyone what you're capable of doing. I know you're dedicated to this job and you remind me of the person I was when I first became a Lawyer. Get in there and congratulate the newest partner."