The Sinner's Plea (John Seed FanFiction)

SIX

Wringing your hands anxiously, you glance at the clock for the third time in the past minute. You're awaiting your boss' arrival, rather impatiently.

You took the weekend to think about John's offer, consulting your best friend, Valerie, on what answer you should give him. You recount the memory in case your decision falters when John lays those deep, convincing eyes on you.

"I don't know, hun. This all seems like another test of your character, or whatever he calls it," Valerie shrugs after she takes a sip of decaffeinated coffee from her second cup of the night. You sit across from her at the quiet French café that was your signature spot together since you met her in law school almost seven years ago.

"Right?!" You gawk back at her, picking aimlessly at the piece of blueberry cobbler the two of you were sharing with your fork, "These fucking tests are going to put me in a mental institution, Val."

"Nah," Valerie shakes her head, her forehead crinkling the way it usually does when she frowns, "He knows you're aware of them now. He's got to be playing at an angle."

You pause to think, pursing your lips. Your fingers circle around the smooth rim of your coffee mug rhythmically, and you allow yourself to be optimistic, "...But what if it's not?"

Your best friend narrows her eyes at you, "What do you mean?" You shrug innocently, avoiding her gaze, "I mean, what if he really likes me?"

"Evie," she scolds, signaling that your positive thinking wasn't appreciated. "I know, I know," you wave your hand at her dismissively, "Too hopeful. He's just so... genuine."

"He's a lawyer," Valerie cuts her eyes at you again, stabbing the pie with her fork and shoving it into her mouth as she spoke, "Being genuine is his job."

You nodded subconsciously as you remembered her words, taking a deep breath to try and stop your uncontrollably shaking hands.

John usually strolled into the firm at seven o'clock, but he was unusually late this morning. A thought crossed your mind that maybe he was doing this to antagonize you, because waiting to give him your answer was worse than finally doing it.

The ding of the elevator made you jump in your chair, and you strained to keep your eyes away from who arrived as you typed a fake sentence into your keyboard to appear busy.

"Good morning, Angela," John's soothing and deep voice was plagued by a touch of raspiness from sleep, him not having his cup of coffee yet. She was standing behind her desk with a polite smile, nodding in greeting before leaning over to hand him the steaming mug he seemed to desperately need.

"Ah, thank you," he takes the cup gratefully, turning around to show you a smile. "Good morning, Eve," John subtly sends you a wink, disappearing into his office before you had the chance to return the greeting.

You smooth your hair down against your scalp and check if your bun is secure before standing from your swivel chair. Taking a deep breath, you turn the doorknob and enter his office.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to come and see me," John suppresses a smug grin as he sets the coffee mug on the corner of his desk after taking a small sip.

You approach the desk slowly, feeling your knees tremble as you took each step. "Was I early or late to your expectations?" You tried to laugh, but it came out as more of an exasperated breath.