The Clash, Book One

Chapter 20: Wake Up Call, Part B

As Alena began walking back to her apartment, she readjusted her bag on her shoulder. She then began to think about the latest development in her already-insane life.

Alena was positive that she had regained Victoria's trust following the garden situation. After all, as far as her boss knew, all Alena was guilty of was being a good friend.

But now this? What possible explanation could Victoria have for keeping an acquisition from her employee? An employee who worked directly with her?

No doubt that Belfry would have a reasonable explanation when Alena confronted her. If Alena confronted her - at this point, the blonde wasn't even sure what the hell to even do anymore.

She sighed before she heard someone calling her name. She turned around to see Ja...Nick walking toward her.

She managed a small smile as he approached. He then told her, "I thought I recognized that long blonde hair," as he smiled back at her.

Despite herself, Alena chuckled before she pointed out, "I seriously doubt that I'm the only blonde woman you know."

"Well, no. But you're the only one I'd want to talk to," Nick told her with a shrug.

Alena couldn't help but smile at that before she told him, "Looks like you were right. We did run into each other again - I'm just glad I didn't collide with you this time."

Nick laughed at that - as Alena struggled to hold in her emotions - before he assured her, "Like I told you yesterday, it's really okay. It could have happened to anyone."

Alena sighed before she resigned, "I guess you're right." She then ran her fingers through her hair and spoke, "And I suppose that it could be worse."

Nick couldn't help but chuckle at her words. He then told her, "You know, there are worse things than running into a beautiful woman."

Alena found herself blushing. Goodness knows why - he was her true love and the father of her children - and she tried in vain to hide the color rising to her cheeks. She then asked him, "You think I'm beautiful?"

"It's hard not to notice. I'm certain I would remember if I had seen you around here before, but yesterday was the first time," Nick replied, a smile snaking its way across his features.

Alena couldn't help but smile back before she explained, "That may be because I've only recently moved here - just a few months back."

Understanding dawned across Nick's face as he spoke, "That does make sense. I've been slammed with a case for the last three months - I just closed it yesterday."

"Case?" the blonde questioned as she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"Uh, yeah. I'm a lawyer," Nick explained as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

A sheepish smile made its way on Alena's face as she surmised, "I probably would have picked up on that if I hadn't been staring at you."

She then took a breath and observed, "But that does explain the three-piece suit."

Nick chuckled before he spoke, "I guess it would." He then inclined his head toward the blonde and perceived, "I can't imagine that Victoria Belfry would be in favor of casual Fridays."

Alena glanced down at her jeans, t-shirt, and Converse sneakers before she looked up and stated, "So her reputation precedes her."

She then moved her hair behind her shoulders and covered, "It isn't as bad as you would think. I'm pretty content there. And to clarify things, I took the day off to run some errands."