All For Love (Urban Fiction) Part 5

Chapter 34 Maliah

Maliah

"He's cute, huh?" Tiffany asked bumping shoulder to shoulder with me while eyeing the tall chocolate officer from across the room.  We were attending the Annual Summer Conference, which was open to prosecuting attorneys and law enforcement. It was important to show my face and network as much as possible if I wanted you to become a partner at the firm, or possibly open my own practice.

"In a short and thick kind of way. I mean, if you're into teacups, then go for it." A chuckle escaped my lips before I could clearly finish my statement and Tiffany joined.

"Girl, you're too much! But hey, more for me then. I know you have your hands full with Jaheel. Yea, I saw the way you looked at him that day in the office. How are things going with him?"

"What do you mean?" I peeped around to make sure no one had heard her. I didn't know what she meant by that and didn't want to self incriminate myself. "I've already closed his case, why are you asking that? It wasn't anything beyond that business. Did anyone mention anything?"

"Relax, I just remember him bringing roses to your office so I thought that you two may have... you know, hit it off. If you didn't, then let him know that you have a friend that's interested. But, look who's coming."

I sighed at her joking interest in Jahleel as Tiffany's eyes narrowed on Rachael Donavan heading our way. I've known Rachael for a long time, even before Lucas and I were married, they always worked closely together, as both detective and prosecutor over many cases through the years. I wondered if they had ever had a fling, but honestly Rachael acted like she had a bigger dick than Lucas. Her stride was long and hard as she made her way to us like she owned the building with her badge and gun on full display. She was tall, blonde, and her face was plastic surgeried to perfection. But I knew the real her, manipulative and power-hungry. She'd do another to get ahead, even using Lucas. I faked a smile as she approached. "Maliah, I know that's not you girl?" Her voiced irritated me internally, it was laced with forced AAVE as she pulled me in for a tight hug and stepped back to look me over. I didn't understand why Rachael felt the need to put on this I'm one of y'all persona because she worked so closely with so many minorities. She honestly stuck out like a sore thumb to me, and I personally felt that she joined the force to underhandedly lock up black men, despite how hard she pretended to be down with us, through her many interracial relationships. "Did you lose weight girl? You look great!"

"Rachael, how are you? I didn't lose weight actually."

"It must be the hair then! Something is different girl."

God, if she calls me girl one more time, I'm gonna pull my hair out. Her hands were resting on her hips while her smile revealed all of her teeth, staring at me like I was a bag of money.

"Same hair, this is my post divorce glow, girl."

"That Lucas, he doesn't realize you were the best thing for him. How have you been? I haven't seen you much since the divorce. Are you back on the market?"

Rachael was prying and I was the last person who would give her any information, especially about something as private as my divorce. "I'm taking my time. That's not something I want to discuss right now, it's really...  personal. How has work been for you?" I changed the topic, not wanting to continue where this conversation was headed. It felt like a slight dig at me, but I didn't want to confuse my bias with her just being curious. I mean, she was close to Lucas and could have honestly wanted to know how my mental state was but it wasn't the time or place.

"Work has been, work.. Lucas and I have been busy working on this big case, a well-known drug trafficker... Marcus Campbell. We have a few key witnesses and even-"