The Business of Revenge

Just Barely Alive

"YOU'RE ALIVE!" I don't think there has ever been a day gone by since Tobias and I met that he hasn't shouted something absurd. But I loved that about him.

"No thanks to you," I teased, it was early morning, and there weren't many customers at the restaurant. It was more of a lunch and dinner venue anyways, so I thought I'd pop by to make sure that Tobias hadn't burnt the place down.

He grinned at me, leaning against the counter, "You want to know something awesome?"

"When have I ever been anyone to say no to awesomeness," I chided, and his smile just widened.

"I passed the LNAT, I'm officially going to go to law school, get that degree and kick some ass like you."

"That's amazing!" I gushed genuinely proud of him, this had been his dream forever, "But what do you mean like me, I'm not a lawyer."

"Yeah, but you're really great at breaking boundaries, you know women in business must be hard."

"Then what are you worried about?" The concern was fragrant in my voice, as his face fell dipping into a sheepish frown.

"I mean will they accept me; you know I'm not like most of the stoic unfeeling men that are lawyers. They are cut-throat and downright intimidating. I'm not like that, plus I'm gay, what if they don't want me to represent them? Or they don't take me seriously,"

"Hey, Tobias, it's ok, it's ok to be afraid. And sure, the world is a messed-up place, some people just don't get it and I'm not going to stand here and tell you it won't be hard because it will. But you're incredibly smart, well when you're away from the stove," he chuckled softly at my meagre attempt at humour, but I would do anything to erase those doubts, even if it was through the mean of a bad joke, "Anyone would be lucky to have you represent them, so don't doubt yourself. Trust me I doubt the whole lawyer world will shun you,"

"I don't know how you did it, you got back into the business world, I remember all your rants about how much you wanted to get back into that world. And now look at you, Drea."

"Hey, it was hard, and I'm glad I'm back as I am four years older than you. I would advise you to work hard now, put your all into it, and you will thank yourself later. My degree was awful. It was hard, but I kept at it, and it may have taken a while, but it paid off in the end."

I glanced at the time, "Oh hey Tobias, I'm so sorry I have to dash, or I might very much end up dead, you don't happen to have a coffee pot already boiled,"

"Of course, I do, what do you take me for Drea, I've already had three cups,"

"Three! Gosh Tobias you're going to give yourself caffeine poisoning."

"I don't think that's a thing," he scrunched up his face in laughter.

"Caffeine is a drug," and then in a feigned serious tone, "Don't do drugs kid,"

He laughed for a long time, taking the coffee pot and pouring it into a cup, "Sugar or cream with that?"

"Nope, my boss likes it black, black as the void in his heart,"

He raised a brow, "Now do you really think I was being delusional asking if you were alive?"

"When you put it that way," I called out halfway out of the door, "Have a good one Tobias and congrats again you're going to smash it,"

I think he responded with thanks, but I was already out of the door, rushing for the bus I knew was coming at this very moment, as its crescent red hood was gleaming at me. Mocking me for wearing a dress and heels this time instead of my pantsuit, which would have been easier to run in. I hadn't worn the pencil skirt yet, this was just one of those professional dresses, modest leading down to just below the knees, pitch black paired with a white blazer which was incredibly bold of me, especially as I was sprinting in heels, a cup of black coffee, and an empty stomach.