Fall and Rise

Chapter 21: Fight for Family

A/N: Hi, guys. Sorry for the delay. Enjoy reading this chapter.

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David stood in front of the mirror, cuffing his cufflinks. It seemed he was staring at his reflection but in reality, his mind was far away.

It was finally the day of the hearing at the court and to say he was not nervous was a big fat lie. Bad scenarios were racing in his mind despite his efforts to stop them. He was a nervous wreck for the first time and the feeling was suffocating him.

Putting both hands on the edge of the drawer with the mirror on top, he hung his head and took a few deep breaths. He closed his eyes tightly as his knuckles turned white from his tight grip on the drawer.

His heart was racing so hard and for the first time after so long years, he was feeling a panic attack approaching fast.

"David." 

It was her soft voice that blew the haze of his mind away and anchored him to his surroundings. His tense body relaxed instantly as she put her small hand on his back and gently rubbed small circles.

He raised his head and glanced at her. She smiled at him warmly. Her eyes were locked on his trying to appear calm but he could read her like an open book. Worry had made the ocean of her eyes stormy.

"Let me help you with your tie." stepping right in front of him as he stood straight, she brought the black material up and around his neck and began to create the knot. 

"You are a human." she started softly, not taking her eyes off his tie. "It's okay to feel this way. It's okay to be nervous, frightened."

She tightened the knot and looked up at him, her hands flat on his shirt-clad chest. He raised his hands and clasped hers tightly, seeking comfort.

He gulped, not embarrassed to show his feelings in his voice and face before her. "Do you think we will win?" 

Instead of answering, she pushed him gently and guided him to sit at the edge of his bed. Parting his legs, she stood between them and pulled his head to rest on her stomach. His arms instantly wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer and he let out a loud sigh.

"I'm sure you will win this case." she said, running her hand through his hair. "Whoever they are, whatever they are capable of doing, no matter how much money they have or how many puppets they have under their command ..."

She pushed his head back using both hands to be able to stare into his eyes. Her eyes were serious and firm. 

"They are no match for you." she stated firmly, causing a surge of confidence to flood David's veins. "You are smart, scratch that, you are a genius, the iceman of the business world; undefeatable, fierce, stubborn. Whatever the situation is you are able to find a solution for it. I know you can."

She paused and threw her arms in the air. "For goodness sake, David, you were able to start a new business that is flourishing greatly in only three months. You are earning thousands again in a matter of three months. That is saying something for itself about who you are, isn't it?"

He just stared up at her, feeling his back straightening again. 

She cupped his face using both hands and knelt in front of him. 

"That is why I'm sure you will win. even if you lose this court session, that is unlikely. " she said softly. "What I'm trying to say is that you will find another way to take back what is truly yours. I believe in you, David. You should believe in yourself as well."

Her gaze flickered between his eyes, wanting to be sure her message had been conveyed. "For once, I want you to be that cruel, unforgiving man." she whispered.