Fate's Unwritten Path

Chapter Nineteen

It was three weeks later, and the pressure was mounting. Only one week left until the big trial, and I was running on fumes. Despite the stress, I had found a small comfort in my morning routine. Standing in line at the coffee cart in the lobby, I inhaled the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, trying to shake off the lingering exhaustion.

As I reached for my coffee, I felt someone lightly bump into me. Turning around, I saw Hannah, my new boss, smiling brightly. She'd been with the firm for three weeks now, and in that short time, she'd proven to be not only competent but also incredibly kind. She had this warmth about her that made everyone feel at ease.

"Morning, Sasha! I didn't mean to bump into you," Hannah said, her smile widening.

"No worries, Hannah. How's everything going?" I asked, returning her smile.

"Good! Busy, but good," she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "How about you? You've got that big trial coming up soon, right?"

"Yeah, it's been a lot," I admitted. "But I think we're in a good place. Just trying to get through this last week."

"You're going to do great, I'm sure of it," Hannah said encouragingly. "Hey, what are you up to tonight? Any plans?"

"I was thinking of calling up some friends to hang out for drinks. You should come—it'll be fun to unwind a bit," I offered, hoping she'd say yes. I liked Hannah, and she seemed like someone who could fit right into my friend group.

"That sounds perfect! I could definitely use a night out. Count me in," she replied, her eyes lighting up.

"Great! I'll text you the details," I said, feeling a bit more excited about the evening now that Hannah would be joining.

We grabbed our coffees and headed back to our respective offices, but the moment I stepped into mine, my mood shifted. Mr. Caldwell, the client for the big case, was sitting at my desk. He didn't acknowledge me when I walked in, his attention fixed on some papers spread out before him.

"Mr. Caldwell," I greeted him with a polite smile. "I wasn't expecting you. Is there something you need?"

He finally looked up, his eyes cold and calculating. "Ms. Sasha, I wanted to check on the progress. It's crucial that everything goes smoothly. No mistakes."

"Of course," I replied, trying to keep my tone professional. I walked him through the latest developments, outlining the strategies and preparations we had in place. As I spoke, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that his gaze was too intense, almost as if he was scrutinizing me rather than the case details.

When I finished, he stood, straightening his jacket. "I trust you'll handle this with the utmost care. After all, a lot is riding on this... for both of us."

I nodded, maintaining my composure. "You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Caldwell. We're on top of everything."

He paused at the door, turning to look at me with a smile that sent a chill down my spine. "Good. I wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen."

With that, he left, leaving me standing in the middle of my office, the unsettling weight of his words lingering in the air. Something about him felt wrong, but I pushed the thought aside. I had a job to do, and I couldn't let my personal feelings get in the way.

I shook off the unease and quickly gathered my things. It was time to meet Hannah in the lobby and head out for a much-needed night with friends. As I made my way through the building, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. I was looking forward to unwinding and forgetting about work for a few hours.

When I met Hannah in the lobby, she was all smiles, clearly excited for the evening. We walked out together, chatting about our plans and the places we liked to go in the city. As we stepped into the cool evening air, I glanced back once, my eyes scanning the crowd. I noticed Ryan, one of Lucas's men, blending in with the people around us, his gaze steady as he watched over me. It was a strange comfort knowing he was there, keeping an eye on things.

The night out with friends was exactly what I needed. We laughed, shared stories, and drank just enough to feel the stress of the week melt away. Hannah fit right in, her easygoing nature making her a hit with everyone. It was nice to see her relax and enjoy herself too. For a few hours, I was just Sasha, not the lawyer with the massive case looming over her.

When it was finally time to head back, I felt a warm buzz from the wine and the good company. As we walked back to the penthouse, I felt lighter, and more at ease. When we arrived, Lucas was sitting on the couch, the news on the TV, and both dogs, Daisy and Scooby, curled up at his feet. He looked up as I walked in, his eyes meeting mine.

"Good night?" he asked, his tone casual but with an underlying concern.

"Yeah," I replied, smiling as I kicked off my shoes. "It was really nice to unwind."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before turning back to the TV. "Good. You needed it."

I glanced down at the dogs, who were both snuggled up together and then back at Lucas. There was something comforting about coming home to this. Something that made the long days and the stressful cases just a little bit easier to bear.

With a tired but content sigh, I headed to my room, Scooby trailing behind me. As I lay down in bed, I couldn't help but think about how different things had become in such a short time. And how, despite everything, I felt... safe.

Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was something more. Either way, I drifted off to sleep with a small smile on my face, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.