Alex
I was preparing to go to Janet's office when my mother called me.
"Come sta il mio bambino?" [How is my baby doing?]
"I'm good, Mother. English, please." I requested.
I'm not bothered by speaking Italian with my mother, however I prefer English.
"I apologize. Alexandria, how did you get yourself into this mess, huh?"
"Mother, I did nothing wrong. I was with my friends and next thing you know, they are gone." I said. That's exactly when it hit me. I fell into tears realizing what had actually come from my lips. "I swear I had nothing to do with it."
"Piccola, va tutto bene. La gentile signora avvocato ti aiuterà." [Baby, it is okay. The kind lawyer lady will help you.]
"L'hai chiamata?" [Did you call her?] My mind has been racking with who called Janet to help me and why and how.
"I hope that is not a problem."
I sighed. "No, it's not. She's just a lot to deal with." I told her. "Thank you."
"Qualsiasi cosa per te amore mio. Ti chiamerò più tardi." [Anything for you my love. I will call you later.]
"Love you." I said before hearing her say the same.
I set my phone down and finished putting on my clothes. By the time I checked the time, I was running late and knew Janet was going to be on my ass.
Janet
I was twiddling my pen around my fingers when my door busted open, revealing Alexandria. She looked at me as she came to a stop in movement.
"Sit."
She closed the door and sat in front of me. I put my pen down and folded my hands. "Alexandria, you are going to be arrested in approximately an hour." I blatantly said.
"But I—"
"I worked something out with some folks, they are giving you bail and the trial is in 2 weeks. Bail is set at half a million, but that is covered so you are fine. However, you have 2 weeks to tell me about you, about that night, and help me help you. Alexandria, I am here to help you. Not argue with you. So, if you have any objections, or want to, as you said 'get in my ass' about something, speak now or forever hold your peace."
She remained silent, which I took for an agreement.
"Good. Lunch?" I offered.
She declined and asked me a question instead, "Who really called you to help me? My mother said it was her." She said.
"Because it was. Ms. Annalee Ricci is your mother."
"But she wouldn't."
"Turns out she would. So, anyway." I said wanting to change the topic. "If we aren't having lunch, then tell me about yourself. And no smart shit like yesterday."
"I grew up with my mother. Annalee Ricci. I know of my father, but my mother thought it was best he leave us out of his affairs. Jacques Alamillo."
I pretended to be shocked. "Your father is Jacques Alamillo? The multimillionaire, infamous druglord?"
"Billionaire, but yeah."
"Wait, if your mother's last name is Ricci, and your father's is Alamillo, where did Castillo come from?" I asked.
I had already known the answer to these questions. I knew damn near everything about her, but she has to believe that I am listening to her and think that I am interested.
"Castillo is my grandmother's maiden name. There was a time when my father took my mother somewhere in Guatemala, for reasons I don't know, but I was left with my grandmother and under her custody. Changed my last name to hers, also, Alamillo is a rare Spanish last name, I am very uninterested in everyone matching me and my father together then being scared of me for no reason."
There was a knock on the door and Gil appeared.
"We looked through the files, Jo. We have everything." He said. I looked between him and Alexandria.
"Are you two not going to greet each other?"
"Creature." Gil slyly said.
I watched as Alexandria's eyes bolden. She was about to attack, easy call. "Oh, bitch. Let me tell you someth—" She stood up and turned when I called her.
"Alexandria!"
Her jaw dropped. "Oh, I know you aren't yelling at me when this baboon looking mole rat just called me a creature? Are you serious?"
"Gil, out."
"Jo.."
"Out!" I repeated louder.
I heard him say something slick under his breath as he walked out. For second time today, I told Alexandria to have a seat. I came around the desk and sat in front of her.
"You have a temper." I stated. "A bad one."
"You and your people think y'all the shit."
True.
I shrugged. Checking the time, there was 20 minutes until the police promised they'd arrive.
"You have twenty minutes. I am going to meet you at the station when you get there and the bail will be posted, then I'll drive you home. Sounds good?"
She nodded, "He called you Jo.. where's that name from?" She asked.
"Janet Damita Jo Jackson. Jo is what my very close friends call me, amongst the other things."
"What are the other things?" She asked.
This woman has eighteen minutes before she is a charged murderer, and she is asking about my nicknames?
"Dunk, Booty, Damita, Mita, JJ, J, Jan, those are some."
"I like." She smirked. "Damita sounds fun to say. Can I call you that? Better than Janet."
I didn't know how to take that, but she can call me whatever she wants, as long as she is comfortable.
"Knock yourself out."
"Thanks for helping me, Damita."
"My pleasure." I smiled.
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