C'mere (Paul Banks fanfic)

The Meeting

Rhiannon's heartbeat sped up as Paul walked into the salon on June 13th with dark grey track pants, trainers and a big NYU hoodie. His clothes may have looked relaxed, but he certainly didn't. He walked quickly and only smiled when their gazes met. Wilson had agreed to meet them in one of the private salons in Baczkowski and Yeatts.

Ever so naturally, he leant to kiss her cheek and sat by her. He smelt great, as always. She beamed at him.

- Ready?

He shrugged and took a sip of the water glass in front of him. 

- As much as one can be in such a situation.

- If everything goes according to plan, this whole thing will all be forgotten by tonight...

Paul smirked, but immediately frowned.

- I won't get to see you anymore, then?

Rhi smiled, but didn't comment. A tall, dark man had entered the salon, walking with an air of sufficiency towards them. Rhi tried very hard not to grimace, but he would not have noticed anyway, his eyes were fixated on Paul. A shadow passed on the latter's eyes.

- Miss. - The man murmured as a greeting.

- Mr. Wilson.

He sat down and leant over the table, making the chair screech against the marble floor. Rhi was annoyed, but kept a straight face as she handed him a sheet of paper.

- We're glad you could make it. - She started. - Let's get to the point, then. That's a list of the songs that were released in the commemorative version of the album and I want you to mark the ones you allegedly participated in.

- Allegedly? - He mimicked with a sceptical look. - Let me set one thing straight here, miss. I am done with having my rights violated by this jerk here. - He talked to Paul next. - Do you think making brit women talk down to me will dissuade me from fucking you up?

Paul shook his head and started tapping his fingertips against the table. Rhi could sense he was doing his best effort not to stand up and slap Wilson in the face. She was proud of him. She herself wanted kick this disagreeable man.

- Our intention is precisely that your rights are not violated, Mr. Wilson.

He smirked unpleasantly.

- Oh really, is that so, Paul? 

- Of course it is, Aiden. - Paul replied in a neutral tone.

- Were you thinking of my rights when you fucked my wife?

Rhi looked confounded at Paul, whose face was that of bewilderment itself.

- What the hell are you on about? - He asked, horrified.

- Oh you know damn well what I'm talking about, go give that fake fucking innocent face to some other idiot. She told me OK? I know everything. - His face had become red with anger.

Paul glared at Rhi as if Wilson had been speaking in Klingon.

- There's nothing to know, Aiden, I have never laid a hand on Julie. Is that what this is all about? - Paul inquired, unconvinced.

- Oh it damn is part of it, but not all of it. You know what, miss? Maybe we can reach an agreement, ya let me whip this fucker's arse here and we can forget about the songs...

He made a gesture to stand up, but Rhi quickly got up and put a hand on his chest. Paul didn't bat an eyelid.

- Nobody's whipping anybody's arse in my building. - She said, sternly. - Calm down or I'll call security. Whatever personal issues you have against my client should be left out of today's subject, since they are completely unrelated.

- Yeah, I can't sue him for fucking my wife, but I can for stealing my songs, and that's exactly what I'm doing. - He stood up, slamming the table and started walking away.

- Mr. Wilson! - Rhi called.

- See you at court! - He shouted before closing the door noisily.

Rhi raised her eyebrows. This had gone nothing like she had expected. Paul sat still, dumbfounded and immersed in his own thoughts.

- Paul, you should've told me about his wife, that's a strong motive for him to be doing what he's doing.

He looked at her, furrowing his forehead.

- I have never slept with that woman. Jesus! I haven't even thought about it, Rhi! I respect him, he is... was my friend. I would never do that. I had no idea he was under that impression and that was why he was doing this... Really, I don't know what to say...

Rhi scratched the side of her head. She always did this when she was upset. 

- Rhi, if you're going to believe just one thing I say, let this be it. - He insisted.

She nodded absent-mindedly so Paul craned his neck to look for her gaze. She stared at him for a second.

- Yes, I believe you... - She assured him, before turning to the papers in front of her.

- Excellent, this is a subject I'd much rather not discuss.

- Nobody's asking you to... - She snapped without thinking. She immediately regretted it. She closed her eyes and shook her head. That was so unprofessional sounding. Was she JEALOUS? - Listen, sorry. This all was very... abrupt and I am as perplexed as you are. I only have the obligation to be aware of the things that regard this case, I'm not here to meddle in your life...

He didn't seem angry at her. He looked fascinated even.

- Rhi, I know. 

She started scriblling everything that had happened as he drank more water.

- We're definitely going to court now. - She announced.

- That's what I gathered... - He answered, sadly. 

- You don't need to worry. Wilson's volubilty can only play against him in court. You'll be fine.

He bit his lips, nodding slowly. Rhi felt a pinch of guilt. She had no right to be mad at her client if he had banged some woman. She was getting paid good money to get him out of any trouble he may have gotten into and that was about it.

She hesitantly put her hand on his.

- Don't be so upset. We're going to win this case as soon as possible. I promise. 

He slowly turned his hand to take hers and caressed her with his thumb.

- I know, Rhi. I just wish this would have been finished by summer. The only upside is that I get to see you for some months still.

Rhi blushed, withdrew her hand and flashed her engagement ring at him as a warning. He smiled for the first time since Wilson had arrived.

- I know. - He mouthed.