E I G H T
>>November 12th, 2017<<
>Manhattan, New York<
"Tighten your tie," Lana says between her teeth, her leather briefcase is hanging by her side, the papers inside held together by a small clip. She didn't have the notes she needed, Lana didn't even have the client she needed to win a case this like. If Lana managed to pull this off, by God she'd be history.
Perhaps that's why she chose this case in particular.
Louis does as told, his eyes are clear and docile. He hadn't a bit of alcohol in the past forty-eight hours crunching non-stop for today. How to sit, how to address anyone who spoke to you, what to say if spoken too, how not to speak every time you are spoken too; and the hardest rule of all: There was to be no sort of contact with Mr. Styles through the day at all.
Lana is the most intense when she stressed how even looks can, and would, be used against him. "You're not the good guy here, Mr. Tomlinson." Lana states her eyebrows creased with worry, "That's what they think, isn't it?" Louis returns his voice barely marking a whisper, "That's what we have to change their mind about." Lana rephrases her voice giving Louis a tad of reassurance that nothing was started then, things would change. Whether for the better or worse, well Lana truly didn't know.
When the black range rover stopped in front of the courthouse steps, Louis was the last one out following Lana up the twenty (he counted) concrete steps, Lana's loud heels being the only sound in his ears as he managed to block out most of the paparazzi. Their loud fucking cameras, and drooling questions; Louis had always wondered why they ask so many when in the end they'd make up their own answer.
He assumes it's that way for everyone at some point. With all the questions in the world, so little of time to answer them all; you'd have to guess on some and fill in the blank for the rest.
His earthy eyes remain downcast, he's breathing is slow as Lana's hand moves to the small of his back, "right this way Mr. Tomlinson." She mumbles to him only gesturing for the man to enter the side of the courtroom through a small door.
Louis lets his eyes flicker to the wooden table he'd be sitting at, in front of each of the two chairs is a glass (empty for the time being) and two pieces of paper. Louis guesses they're for notes, more or less for Lana and not Louis. What would he need the notes for? Something to read in Prison, he bitterly thinks taking the seat on the left.
Lana slides her chair in all the way, her back achingly straight. She wears a navy-blue skirt, white button up with nude heels. An outfit she had picked out for weeks, basing it off most of the winning woman's lawyer cases. Half of her wardrobe was based off Hillary Clinton anyway, all of these successful business women excelling in their career; Lana not too far behind them.
Glancing at Louis, Lana hums catching his attention as she sits her briefcase on the table top clicking it open, "Here." She states handing Louis a sheet of paper she'd printed out the night before, "We're reading opening statements, this is mine for you. I don't want any facial expressions that read surprised or upset, it's important you remain emotionless."
"But the news shows always say how bad that looks- "
"Looking upset will you're showing signs of guilt, I'd rather have News stations calling you Kristen Stewart than a rapist." Louis nods scanning the sheet of paper, Lana's words cutting and deep. It does justice in painting Louis in a little better light.
"W-where will Harry sit?"
"From now on we refer to him as Bob, okay? You don't want that bitch," Lana stops pointing her eyes to the stenographer (court reporter), "Over there to pick up on your lip reading and write it down." Chewing his bottom lip, Louis again settles for a nod, Lana glancing behind her shoulder, "He'll be coming in through those doors, he'll sit in the same spot you are, but you two won't be looking at each other. It'd be just as bad for him if he looked at you, Mr. Parker should know that." Lana adds praying that the man didn't have anything up his sleeve. She had worked with the asshole in the past knowing how he handles his clients (not very professionally) and learned to either step out of his way or becoming full force when remaining in his way. Few Lawyers have called him short of Ruthless to win a case. But Lana liked a challenge.
-Bailey Press-
