Pain And Pleasure 18+✓

Fifty-eight

The attorney meets me at a restaurant in town. Dressed smartly in a black suit, he shakes my hand and I beckon him to sit down. He's a brown-haired Caucasian with a pointed nose and a bit of facial hair. He pulls a seat while placing his leather briefcase on the table.

Since last night I've been doing nothing but pruning my curiosity. So here I am, ready to unravel the mystery that had me rather restless for several reasons. As the waitress stops by to inquire about our order, I see the attorney taking a blue folder from his briefcase.

I order a lemonade as he chooses coffee. My stomach is misbehaving today and my chest feels somehow stuffy. It's not quite a good day.

"So," I start, two or three minutes later. He gazes at me. "Who is your client again? You mentioned Mister Castle but I happen to know two of them so far. I'd appreciate it if you'd be more specific about the name, please."

"Adrian Castle. I suppose you know him, right?" he asks curiously.

A flip in my heart doesn't go unnoticed. Of course, it's him.

"Yeah," I reply, and I can't say I'm that surprised. "But is he okay?" I ask immediately, for these kinds of events always happen after a tragedy.

God forbid.

The attorney frowns a bit, gauging my facial expressions as though he's searching for some answers. "It's to my best knowledge that he's completely okay, Miss Lincoln," he answers.

Some relief washes over me, and I'm not sure why I got momentarily worried about his well-being.

"Call me Ara, please," I correct him. "Well, what kind of documents am I supposed to sign and why?" I demand.

From what I'm aware of, Adrian and I have no any sort of unfinished business whatsoever. We owe each other nothing in and out of the scope of business we allegedly had. So what's up now? I'm curious.

While laying the papers properly on the table, the attorney says, "It's property documents. He purchased a house several weeks ago and the deed needs your signature so we can finally complete the ownership transfer and notarize it."

I pull back and snap, "Hold on a second! What exactly are you talking about? The house, the deed—what's going on?"

I mean, yeah I know that he bought that Lakehouse but what does it have to do with my signature? Or is it another house that I'm not aware of?

"What I mean is that he purchased a house under your name, Ara, and for it to be legally yours, you ought to sign the deed and other ownership documents," he tells me calmly as if he's talking to a simpleton. "Do you get me now?"

I'm shocked. My eyes freeze as I don't know how to react to this news that I barely expected. He bought me a house? Why?

"Surprise, isn't it? Man, he's got standards and I love delivering the intended surprise," the attorney rumbles on his own, skimming through his documents as if he's proofreading something.

My breath turns unsorted the more I try to take in everything I've just heard. Surprising me is Typical Adrian Castle. He always knows exactly how to mess with my head even when I'm positive I'm past that stage.

A house is another form of investment, he told me this when I questioned him about the sudden house purchase that had me rather intrigued. So it was a lie, wasn't it? He didn't buy it for himself.

"Where is the house located?" I ask Attorney Mendez, desperately trying to fit the puzzle pieces together.

"Henderson Lake. If you want, I can personally take you there right after this meeting," he answers.