Conflict of Interest

Chapter 3

A/N ; I could really use a vote or a comment. I hope you guys like where the story is going so far. If you comment please leave a suggestion on where you would like to see the story headed. I have big things planned for this story! I hope you guys enjoy reading this and tell your friends about the story too! Thanks ilyasm.

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I nodded and observed his appearance as he sat down. He was wearing black dress pants and light blue cotton dress shirt. His black dress shoes were shined to perfection as was his hair. Dark hair sprinkled the lower half of his face and he gave me a heartwarming smile before asking me what my mine was.

"Estelle. Yours?" I smiled back.

"Giovanni. You come here often?" He said gesturing to the old diner. I could detect an accent, possibly Italian.

"Once in a while, yeah. I work nearby and I come to grab a bite when the office feels too stuffy. The food here is amazing."

"Yeah I know. I love the bacon double cheeseburger and the killer key lime pie."

As if on cue the waitress comes by with my meal and sets it directly in front of me. My mouth starts to water and my stomach let's out a little grumble and I forget the handsome guy next to me. The food looks magnificent. The crisp golden brown buns look baked to perfection. The tomatoes are a vibrant red and the lettuce looks nice and crunchy. The fries look so crispy and I couldn't help but dip in the ruby red ketchup and pop it in my mouth.

"I guess by what you ordered you think the same too." He laughed lightly.

"Yeah, " I nodded. "this is my favorite dish here."

"I'll have the same as her with a glass of orange juice please." He addressed the waitress who nodded and scribbled down his order and gave it to the chef.

"So Giovanni, what do you do?" I asked trying to make conversation.

"I uh, I run a business. It's my fathers but he's getting old so I do what he can't. You?"

"I'm a lawyer. Sort of boring." I said lamely.

He laughed and asked " what kind of lawyer?"

"Criminal lawyer."

The conversation continued after that, even when the waitress brought Giovanni his food he barely paid attention to it. We had a lot in common and he was so sweet and funny. 

We talked some more before we were interrupted by Giovanni's phone ringing.

''Excuse me one moment.'' he looked at the screen and took popped a fry into his mouth before giving me an apologetic smile and walked away.

I took the opportunity to take a few bites from my delicious burger and took a sip from my drink. I looked over to where Giovanni was standing and he looked really mad. Really mad but hot. He was in profile and the veins in his neck were popping out. He looked furious. It seemed as if he was trying hard not to scream into the phone and trying to not knock down everything in his path. I turned back to my plate as I didn't want to be caught staring and finished my meal and paid. As I was walking to the exit I heard Giovanni call my name.

''Estelle, wait!'' he told the person on the phone he'll call them them back and ran to meet me at the door.

''I was um, wondering if I could, uh have your number? I don't mean to sound weird or anything, and I'm not like a stalker or whatever but I had such a nice time talking to you and I-''

I cut him off with a wave of my hand.

''Sure, it's no problem. I liked talking to you too. Just let me get a pen.''

I fished out a pen from my black leather purse and grabbed a napkin from the napkin holder and quickly scribbled down my name and number.

I handed it to him with a small smile.

''Well, I have to head back to the courthouse now.'' I turned to leave but he gently grabbed my arm.

''Um wait, what time should I call you?'' 

''I leave work late so around 9 if that's fine.''

''Okay, have a nice day Estelle.''

I grinned. ''Have a nice day Giovanni.'' 

I walked out out of the dinner into the cool air and quickly walked to the courthouse. I went to my office and sat down realizing that the whole time I was supposed to be reviewing case files at the diner, I was talking to Giovanni. Now I would have to spend extra time at the office. 

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I finished working around 7:30 and went home. Claire and I had plans tonight to go to an art gallery her friend was opening. She claimed that I didn't get around too much and pratically forced me to go.

''Claireeeee, I'm homeeeeee!'' I yelled.

''I'm in my room! Get ready for the gallery!'' 

I walked went to my room and stripped down and took a nice hot shower, relieving my muscles of the tension I had gathered working. I grabbed my lavender body wash and soaped my whole entire body with it andbegan rinsing off. Once I had rinsed off I got my shampoo and carefully washed my hair making sure to get every spot. I rinsed off my hair and then carefully stepped out the shower onto the matt and grabbed a towel for my soaking body and another one for my hair. I tiptoed out of my bathroom into my bedroom and began drying my body. Once I dried my body I looked for something to wear.

I stepped into my walk-in closet and looked at all the dresses. I really needed to get out and shop more.  I decided to pick a navy blue dress that reached a couple inches above my knee. The top of it was lacy and so was the back of it. It was skin tight and held onto all my curves. I dropped it on my bed and grabbed black heels. Now all I needed was to do my makeup and that was Claire's department.

(LINK TO THE DRESS ; http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=dress_night-out&ProductID=2000090843&VariantID=  )

''Claire! Come here, I need my makeup done.'' 

Almost instantly she waltzed into the room with that huge makeup bag of hers. She got to work rapidly taking our mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, eyeshadow and blush and applying it artisticly on my pale skin. Once she was done she let me see, and I have to say I looked pretty damn good.

Claire applied a light pink lipstick onto my lips and chestnut blush to make my cheeks appear rosy. The eyeliner brought my eyes and made by green eyes pop out.

''I did good, huh?'' Claire proudly boasts.

''Yeah, yeah, yeah whatever. Now can you please do my hair.''

''Be right back!'' she dashed out of the room and while she was gone trying to find whatever gadget she could  I took the towel off my head and slipped into my dress. 

''Woah, there Estelle. You look so pretty!'' she appeared shocked.

''Well don't sound so surprised! Just come do my hair.'' 

After Claire was done curlying my hair she went a and slipped on her one shoulder bright yellow dress and I grabbed my black sparkly clutch and we called a taxi and went to the gallery.

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We arrived at the gallery around 8:45 and it was pretty crowded. The paintings were beautiful and full of bright and vivid colors. As I walked around the gallery I saw a table full of food and then realized that I hadn't eaten since the diner. I walked over to the table and grabbed a plate, filling it up with sandwiches, chicken, and a donut. I grabbed a small water bottle and weaved my way through the crowd to find a table and chair to sit and eat.

I found a small table in the back and sat down and began devouring my food. While taking the last bite from my sandwich I noticed a person standing right above me. I looked up and saw a familiar face with dark hair sprinkling his chin.

''Hello, Estelle. May I have a seat?'' he gestured to the empty chair next to mine.

I nodded and replied, ''of course Giovanni. It'll be my pleasure.''