Under My Skin

10 | ruin your reputation

Chapter ten:

He sauntered into the building, shoulders rigidly arched back, broad reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, and a caramel latte clasped tightly in his hand. He offered all his colleagues a warm welcome as he entered. Still, his primary focus was getting into his office as soon as possible.

For only mere moments ago, he'd been informed by security that a certain Mr Patel was awaiting him in his office.

To anyone in the law industry, Mr Patel was a huge name and certainly not someone you'd want to keep waiting for you. Any interaction with the London-renowned lawyer was sure to boost your standing. Mr Patel was the first port-of-call for most high-profile cases, and the man had yet to lose a single case.

Rocco internally shuddered as he recalled his last interaction with the older man at an international conference. He'd cowered and stuttered as the man had spoken to him for the first time. Mr Patel had been in disbelief at the younger man's lack of social skills, as though he was shocked he'd even made it into law school. He was surprised that the man was showing any interest in him now.

Rocco had been surprised that Mr Patel hadn't emailed him in advance to arrange a meeting but, it was well known that lawyers often worked in mysterious ways.

Rocco gingerly pushed open the tall mahogany door, an awkward creaking noise echoing across the room. Rocco noticed the office chair had been swivelled away from the entrance to face the open windows.

"Hello there, Mr Patel. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I was only informed that you would be here this morning, actually." Rocco laughed awkwardly as he completed his sentence.

"Hello, Rocco." The chair swerved toward Rocco in a single, swift motion, only stopping once the man had placed his feet solid on the ground. The shock was evident on Rocco's face as he came face-to-face with none other than Blaine. His face scrunching closed in disbelief, his eyes bulged open, his nostrils flaring.

The young man in front of him was donning a navy-blue suit, the soft creases visible along the seams.

"Who on earth are you? You're not Mr Patel," Rocco replied, stating the obvious.

"No, I'm not." Blaine replied, standing up from the chair, squaring up towards Rocco, towering over the shorter man. "But I'm still someone with the power to ruin your little reputation."

Rocco let out a loud and a rather obnoxious guffaw. "Who the hell do you think you are? And more important, do you have any idea who I am to be throwing around silly little threats like that?"

Blaine offered a small gleeful knowing smile, realising last night's extensive research would finally be worth it. "Rocco Bayes." He coughed, preparing himself. "Born July nineteen eighty-eight to single mother, Irene Bayes. Youngest of four children. Had a rather difficult impoverished childhood. Nonetheless, went on to graduate with Honours from the University of Cambridge. Fresh out of a seven-year-long relationship presumed to have ended due to cheating allegations — on your part, of course." He completed his well-memorised speech before adding. "Would you like me to continue? I'm just starting to get to the juicy part."

"What? How?" Rocco spluttered out the words, bewildered. "You know what, I don't even care. Just get out of my sight. I haven't got time to be dealing with children. Just get out now before I call security."

"I really would refrain from doing that if I was you," Blaine clicked his tongue slightly, the all-knowing smirk reappearing.

"You're a silly school kid, probably barely out of college. Do you think you can do some quick search on LinkedIn or FaceBook and use it to threaten me?" Rocco bit back, but the subtle quiver of his bottom lip gave away his true feelings. "What exactly is it that you want? Is it money? Did mummy not give you enough pocket money this week?" Rocco began reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.