Versailles Series Book 9: The Lawyer [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 4

H E R A

I looked up from my monitor when Damon knocked on my door. He leaned on the frosted glass wall of my office. He was dressed up in his usual black suit, light blue shirt, navy blue necktie, black slacks, and his expensive Italian leather shoes. He was smiling at me even if I looked like I came from a funeral with my usual unsmiling lips and dead eyes.

"Good morning. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed?" His teasing tone made me wonder if he was eating sunshine for breakfast to have this energy.

"No. This is my normal morning." I said flatly. I know it's his way of making me smile which he fails to do so each time. But it's Damon, he doesn't give up that easily.

"Okay...anyways. We have new people who came in."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Are we expanding?"

He chuckled. "I am thinking. Our backlogs are increasing and clients are pouring in. We could use some hands."

"Okay."

"We have new associates and paralegals. I came here to fetch you. Come, I'll introduce you."

I tried to fight off a scowl before standing up. I am not a fan of unnecessary interactions. I told Damon that but seems like he doesn't categorize this as 'unnecessary interaction' and came to drag me out of the cave which is my office.

"Try to smile, Hera. Don't scare them off."

I crossed my arms on my chest. "If they can't survive me, they won't survive courtrooms."

He grinned. "A valid point. But try to put on a smile, will you?"

"Since when did I smile?"

"Right," he muttered as if instantly remembering that I don't — well, not as often.

We went to our biggest conference room. We have this large room, two medium-sized rooms, and five smaller rooms for consultations. Damon and I are the only senior partners in the firm. We have six other associates, four paralegals, and some admin staff.

Five pairs of eyes darted towards us. I see a familiar face. Cath is Damon's secretary. She was the only one who stayed just because she didn't have any sexual intentions towards Damon. She likes women too. She can be his wingman if he wants to. The other four people are not familiar to me. They look pretty young. Maybe in their early to mid-twenties. They were smiling at me brightly like the business suits they were wearing. Each is in a different pastel shade. It's like pastel-ized rainbow. Ugh. Are they gonna wear this everyday?

"Ah...bagay nga talaga sila Miss Cath. Hindi po ba talaga sila mag-jowa?"

Napakamot na lang sa batok si Damon habang nanatiling naka-krus ang mga kamay ko sa dibdib ko.

"Hindi. Pero bagay sila ano?" Natatawang sabi ni Cath. Kung hindi lang magaling ito sa trabaho ay matagal ko ng inirekomenda kay Damon na alisin ito dahil sa pagka-tsismosa nito. "O, attorney, hindi mo ako pwedeng kasuhan kasi hindi ko sinabing mag-on kayo."

"Fine," sabi ko.

"Guys, pakilala kayo," sabi ni Cath sa mga ito.

The lady with the short bob and purple suit smiled and waved. "Ako po si Irene. Paralegal po ako."

Sumunod naman ang naka-puting lalaki na katabi nito. "I'm Quinn. Paralegal din po ako." Kinindatan nito si Damon na napatulala rito. "Single din po ako, Attorney Olivares." Okay...maybe he isn't a guy.

Nasamid pa si Cath sa tubig na iniinom nito. Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Damon na napailing na lang. There's a hint of color on his cheeks that usually happen whenever someone is crushing on him.