In between

Chapter 16: Torn

Francine has been anxious for a long time on how she would tell Tony that she wouldn't be able to represent him. She was just pacing the grounds of her office. What would she say? "Tony, I won't be able to represent you", no, too forward.

"Tony, I want to tell you this. Don't expect me to represent you,"she stopped"isn't that too rude? maybe I shouldn't put his name in the sentence.”

“ I can't represent you. No,no, no, too formal."and she ran to her seat.

"Hmmmm,"she sighed."I'm very sorry, something came up. I would have love to represent you but I've a very important meeting. No,"she shouted,"too polite and apologetic.”  Another law of lying is if you're making too much explanations, you are telling lies and that was too explanatory.

Her intercom rang and she checked the time,1:30pm. Wow, the guy is a very punctual guy, she thought.

"Hello Tola,is he around?”

“ No it's your florist,"she drawled making it plain to Francine that she understands exactly what's going through her mind.

"Send her in.”

The florist knocked and was replied with a come in.

She entered and greeted Francine who replied in monotones angry that it wasn't Tony.

"I brought the flowers landscape design that you told me to bring."

"Ok, let me see what you have to there,"and they continued talking about how she wants the garden to look. Any mistake was corrected and they were haggling the price when her intercom rang again. Could it be him? she thought before picking but didn't ask.

"The Tony is here o," Tola said.

Should she ask him in or not. She decided not to ask him in. “Tell him to wait in the hall. I'd come and see him when I'm through with my florist."

“ So I shouldn't ask him in when your florist leave."Francine could visualize her asking that with a raised eyebrow.

“ Yes now or are you deaf.”

"Sorry o,"she said before dropping the receiver.

Then she turned to the florist after dropping her receiver and they agreed on a price before she left. She straightened her clothes before also leaving. It has been long since she'd this kind of nervousness, she didn't even really have it with Williams. It was arguments and arguments all through so she was confident around him.She got to the hall and his smile melted her heart.

"Hi, Barr. Francine.”

Oh God, how would I break this poor boy's heart?out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tola sneaking glances at them while pretending to work. Maybe meeting in this place isn't such a good idea after all.

“Hi Tony, how are you doing?”she shaked his hand.

“very well and you.”

“good.”

“ I'm wondering barrister,why you said we should stay here.”

“ Nothing,”she replied hastily, “ It's just more comfortable to hash things out here.”

I thought I wanted to tell him I'm not representing him any longer,why am I now saying another thing? she asked herself horrified.

“Tola pass me a jotter and a biro please,”

Tola brought it and muttered,“ A lawyer without writing materials."before going back to her desk.

Francine just sighed,“ so Tony, you are sure nobody saw you stabbing her?” she's decided not to stop representing him after all can't Williams himself stop.