Client Confidentiality

(1) Carlie

I push through the barrier, showing my ID card to Hank, our security guard. He nods at me, smiling widely as I pass him on my way to the lifts. 

I call for it and wait impatiently, my mind swarming with the list of tasks I need to complete today. 

I file into the lift with a group of other professionals. There's a mutual undiscussed agreement to not stare whilst in a lift. For me it's easy.

I'm too busy to stare. 

As soon as it reaches my floor, I am striding towards my office, the sound of my heels a loud announcement of my arrival against the polished marble floor. 

I place my laptop bag on my desk and shut my door, relaxing at the sight of my overly-tidy desk. 

Who said OCD was a bad thing?

Before I can start the horrible task of checking my emails, I grab my coffee mug and head to the kitchen. It's the same mug I was given by a partner of my firm when I qualified as a solicitor a few years ago. 

Yes, Lawyers can be superstitious, too. 

Instead of coffee, I survive off regular influxes of tea. If I could have it in an IV, I would. 

By arrived at 8am every day, I manage to avoid any niceties with other people until about 9am. It's a luxury I pride myself in. The idea of being able to set up my day in pure peace gives me a level of joy inexplicable to many. 

I walk back and shut the door behind me, going to sit behind the glass desk. My office is large enough for a desk, bookcase, sofa and two armchairs for clients to sit in. 

It's so nice to be able to shut my door if I don't want to speak to anyone. 

Which I never do. 

I take a sip of my tea and plug in my laptop, turning it on and logging in. 

After going through the long list of emails I had received over the weekend, I compile a list of tasks and highlight them into categories of urgency. I then make a list of tasks my paralegal can assist me with, making sure that I add a note of encouragement for her at the bottom of the page. 

I check over my calendar and groan when I see an appointment whereby I will be joint fee-earner with Liam. 

We have a complicated history. One that started in secret office hook-ups and has evolved into him being an arrogant asshole that loves to take credit. 

He even would take credit for my orgasms. 

Safe to say, we don't sleep together anymore. 

I ended it as soon as he started to get too cocky, which is too much of a turn-off for me. 

At least the meeting isn't until 2pm, and I can prep for the meeting in the hour before. 

As I type on my computer, responding to the most urgent emails, people start to trickle into the office, creating a buzz of small talk about weekends and families. 

I don't have weekends. 

Or a family. 

My work and the gym are my only things. 

Unfortunately, others are luckier, meaning the work I always take home with me over the weekend isn't sent until Monday morning, therefore ensuring other people's work-life balance.

At exactly 9am, my assistant, Hannah, knocks on my door and offers another cup of tea, which I accept gratefully after having just finished my first. I return to finish my current task before turning my attention to Hannah who returns with a notepad and pen so we can discuss my week. 

"Have you seen your meeting with Liam?" she winces at the sound of his name from her mouth, sharing my disdain of the man. 

"I know," I roll my eyes and groan, "No doubt I'll be doing all the work for him to pretend he did, again."

She giggles at me, scribbling down on her notepad something that probably is along the lines of 'get Carlie a truck load of paracetamol to load up on after the meeting.'

We discuss the next few days and come to a mutual agreement to go for a team lunch on Friday after Hannah checks everyone's schedule. 

Being a boss of my own team at such a young age has its perks, such as a company credit card that I can use for team lunches each week. 

After discussing everything, Hannah leaves me and I carry on with my work. 

I spend the majority of the morning creating an settlement agreement which. my client has demanded I do, but I know full well will be rejected without a second thought by the other side. 

Oh well, I love court. 

The only reminder I get of the time of day is when Hannah knocks on my door with my usual salad box in her hand. 

As usual, I eat it quickly whilst my head is buried in work, before fielding a few calls from impatient clients. I listen to their rants over the same thing they always talk about, but smile to myself as I rack up their bill. 

I finish off the settlement agreement and send it to the client for approval before checking the time to see it's half past one. 

Time to prep. 

Hannah sends me the file for my meeting over and I scan for the client's name.

Zachary Ashford, Elijah Ashford  & Callum Ashford.

My eyes widen as I re-read their names, checking it's actually them. 

The Ashford Brothers. 

Shit. 

First chapter published... OMG!!

Fun fact, I wrote a story called 'Client Confidentiality' a few years ago but never published as I wasn't confident enough. 

This one is entirely different but even better. 

Hope you enjoyed... Opinions?

Love u all <3

Thanks of reading <3