Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
It was my turn to frown. “Is that right?”
“But a week is better than nothing.” He tipped his hat to me, saying, “Have a good day, and I’m glad to see you were able to get a workout in.”
Laughing, I said, “So am I, Charles. And congrats again, Grampa.”
Once I got into my apartment, the first thing I did was call the owner of the condo building I lived in. I didn’t like to wear my lawyer hat outside of the office, but when I did, I could lawyer the shit out of things.
By the time we got off the phone call, Charles was cleared to take his full three weeks, and the policy of one-week-at-a-time vacation was being removed.
I checked my phone to see my father had called once and my mother had called three times, in addition to the countless emails that were awaiting my attention. It wasn’t even seven in the morning yet. Deciding to ignore her voicemail—as well as those emails—for now, I headed into my bathroom and turned on the shower.
After showering and shaving, I reluctantly grabbed my phone and started for the kitchen. As I waited for my smoothie to mix, I listened to the three voicemails from my mother, all of them telling me to call her as soon as possible. My father had also called while I was in the shower, asking me to call my mother. Unlike most kids who probably have their parents’ numbers stored as Mom and Dad, I had Lacy and Doug. It didn’t feel right to have anything else.
I pulled up my emails and didn’t see anything pressing, so I wasn’t sure what was going on that she needed to speak to me at the crack ass of dawn. It could all wait until I got to the office.
I poured my smoothie into an insulated cup, grabbed my briefcase, and headed to the subway. It was the same routine I had been doing for the last seven years: wake up, work out if I was lucky, shower, drink a smoothie, and head into the office. Stay until well past sundown, grab takeout, and maybe go on a date if I even had time to meet anyone who didn’t work at the law firm.
Once on the subway, I took out my phone and called my mother.
“Kian, I’ve been trying to reach you all morning.”
Sighing inwardly, I replied, “Considering it isn’t even nine in the morning yet, I hardly think you can say that.”
“Don’t get smart with me; I’ve already had to deal with your brother.”
“Oh, lucky him.”
“I need you to come to my office when you arrive.”
“Sorry, Mom, no can do. I’ve got a conference call with Parker Construction and their lawyers to see if we can settle.”
“You’re settling? Do the families know?”
I rolled my eyes. After years of proving to my mother and father that I had what it takes to be a good lawyer, they still questioned my every move. There was a reason my sister only lasted two years and decided to return to school to get a different degree. And when my younger brother chose not to follow in the footsteps of his parents, older sister, and brother, my father practically told him not to bother coming home for the holidays. He had taken it literally. I wasn’t sure when was the last time I saw my baby brother. He had gotten a degree in structural engineering and worked for a company that sent him all over the place. Last I heard from him, he was in England.
“Of course, they know; they’re the ones who asked to settle. They’re tired of the games and just want this to end.”
“But if we go to court, we could potentially get millions of dollars for them. That’s more money for everyone.”
“That still doesn’t bring back their loved ones.”
“That’s true, but the money will improve their lives, not to mention the payout for the firm. You’re one of our top billers, Kian. Don’t start going soft on me now.”
Clearing my throat, I replied, “It was more about holding the company accountable, Mom.”
She tsked. “When will you be in the office?”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Be sure to stop by my office. That isn’t a request.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The call ended, and I closed my eyes and dropped my head against the subway’s seat.
“Hate your job?”
The voice startled me, and I turned to see an older man sitting beside me.
“Something like that. Doesn’t help my parents are my boss.”
He laughed. “Let me guess, you’re a lawyer.”
I raised a brow. “The only way you would know was if you were one as well.”
“Thirty years, corporate law. My first few years I was driven and on my way to becoming a partner.”
“I feel like a but is coming.”
“One day, I woke up and decided I was tired of getting up, grabbing a muffin and coffee on the way to the office, eating at my desk, and getting home around ten at night. Rinse and repeat. Day after day.”