Déja Vú

Chapter 29

Leora.

Sigh.

I lean into my chair,taking it all in....

I was free!!!

I felt like screaming,jumping and shouting all at the same time.

I was discharged and acquainted.

I closed my eyes as I remembered everything that happened in court yesterday.

How i held onto Ashton as the judge pronounced his verdict, as per the jury...

"Based on the evidence presented before this very court, we find the deffendant innocent of all charges brought against her and is therefore, discharged and accquainted"

I remembered being stunned and not speaking to anyone for the entire day,tears flowing freely from my eyes.

I was free,without reasonable doubt.

All my sacrifices,my tears, everything was not in vain.

It was finally over.

I was even advised to sue the prosecution for defamation of character.

But I was not interested in all that. I was free and that was all that mattered.

I was having dinner with Ashton... Well all of my family tonight and I was so excited.

In 48 hours since the courts verdict, Aiko sales had skyrocketed even more than the past month.

But I had decided to go back to Malibu for a couple of weeks,just to clear my head.

It had been a rough few months for me indeed.

"Shit" I pick up my phone and realise it is almost 7pm and I was supposed to be at the restaurant by that time.

I had been so caught up with all the work i had missed while on trial,that I lost track of time.

I throw my phone into my bag and pick up my tote bag,throwing some files I planned to review at home into them.

"Norah,I'm on my way to the restaurant now. Can you send me the documents on that collaboration deal with FAE and also the progress on the Malibu Warehouse??. And please dont forget to close early" I say in a little bit of a rush and I head towards the elevator.

"Sure thing ma'am and congratulations" She says and I smile. She had been loyal all this while.

They all had.

They even threw a small victory party for me this morning when I came to the office.

"Thank you Norah. I owe you lunch tommorow"

"I wont forget" She replies and I laugh.

I quickly get into my Range Rover-actually, Ashton's Range Rover.

The man had a knack for good cars,I had to give it to him. And he did not mind a bit,me driving any of them.

So I was sure as hell going to make use of the priviledge.

I drive to Carter's Hotel of course. We were having dinner in one of their many restaurants there.

I followed the directions Ashton had given to me and immediately the door opened,someone popped confetti.

"Congrats!!" Everyone yelled.

They were all here. Ashton, Ashlie,Ma,Father,Kathani, Leon,Londyn, Noah,Josiah, even my father-in-law Uncle Preston.

"And this is for the beautiful lady in Orange" Ashton hands me a large bouquet of white roses,making me smile.

I take a whiff and say "thank you".