Chasing The Broken CEO

We took our one hour lunch after Jameson's first attempt to make Liese speak about what really happened. I sighed deeply, still feeling uncomfortable and affected. I stared at the food I ordered. It seemed that I lost my appetite as I still think about the tragedy Liese have encountered.

I normally eat my lunch alone at the cafe near our regional court. I leaned back on my chair and inhaled sharply. Even though I am just a normal legal stenographer who simply works my ass out as I crawl in the ladder of success that will lead me to have a better career, I still could not control my emotion whenever I get to witness a court hearing just like what I have been to a while ago. It gets into me immediately, making me feel so affected and emotional. I am neither a lawyer nor a judge but it gives me this kind of heavy feeling that I myself would like to resolve their issues at all costs.

I am soft-hearted, really.

"Coffee?" a familiar voice spoke from the side of my table.

I glanced up and saw Jameson standing up beside me while holding a tray which has two cups of coffee. Surprised by his presence, I was not able to greet him properly and just continued staring at him. He only smiled at me and then he sat on the available chair in front of me.

I cleared my throat and smiled back at him.

"You looked affected by this case again," he said as he put the coffee in front of me. He gave me a sympathetic smile.

I nodded slowly and sighed once again. I won't deny it, though. He knows me better than anyone at work. James had known me ever since I started working as a legal stenographer in our regional court. He got familiarized as to how I normally react whenever there is a heavy case like this.

Well, I can't help it. I am born human with a heart. I have no way to control my emotion and to feel sad whenever I hear a victim's story.

"I just got back from a long vacation leave. A rape case welcomed me and I found it too much to handle," I explained as a bitter smile escaped my lips. "I feel so much for Liese. I pitied her and I can't look in her eyes without feeling sad at all." I sipped on the coffee he gave me and then let its bitterness engulfed my mouth. "Thank you for this coffee though."

"I understand how you feel. If only I can be so picky when it comes to the cases I would be handling, but then I am a lawyer and I swore to help those who needs justice, Nathalie." He simply stated a fact that I am so aware of.

"I know, Jameson. It feels like I want to have another vacation leave after this day. This case is really too much to take in..." I breathed in heavily.

He chuckled and then shook his head abruptly. "The upper management won't let you file for a vacation leave again. You, silly! I also don't want Scarlett to be the stenographer for my cases and you know that. So, just work your ass off, alright?"

I laughed heartily. I glared at him maliciously. Scarlett was his ex-lover and whenever I am not around, she is the one taking in my place as a substitute and doing the job for Jameson's cases.

He was with her for a couple of days while I was doing the things I needed to do in my life- I mean, dealing with Evan.

"Why are you so uncomfortable with her? I know you still have feelings for her. You could have used the opportunity to get back with her!" I blurted out.

He shook his head once again. "Oh, no! You got to be kidding me, Nathalie! She is just a girl in my past and I don't feel anything for her at all. What we had was all in the past."

My lips protruded. Why is it not convincing, though? Sometimes, I just could not believe everything he says particularly if it has something to do with Scarlett. There were times I saw him gazing at her during some of the critical meetings in the court. That is why I feel that he hasn't moved on yet.

"Well, if you say so..." I muttered, unconvinced.

Jameson have opened up with me about the procedures he has to follow once Liese speaks up. I can see that he is trying to be so careful in this case compared to the ones he handled before primarily because they knew who the suspect was. It is a mayor and we both know that he's one of the powerful politicians in this region.

We stayed in the cafe for almost an hour and then after that we finally went back in the court. Jameson tried his best to talk to Liese again during the second half of the court meeting.

I could almost thank the heaven when she finally spoke up for the first time. I felt the fear and trauma in her voice as she tried to tell Jameson what truly happened, in full details. My hand can't even write a thing about it as the whole situation made my heart sank in pain. I just found myself crying while trying to write the truth she was revealing to us.

A few hours later, my work is done! I let out a huge sigh of relief as I started to fix my things and put all the documents inside my black attaché case. I went out of the office and inhaled the cold breeze of night air. The lamp post and the moon itself has made this night a little bit bright and lively. I ran my fingers through my brown hair and decided to take a short walk on the left alley before going home.

I checked my phone and read some of the text messages I received from Chandria.

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Chandria:

I missed you! Enjoy your first day at work!

Chandria:

Hey, Nathalie! How about we go to the bar this weekend? Deal?

Chandria:

Hey, why are you not replying on my text messages? L I am bored! Can you tell me how are things coming along between you and Evan? Spill some tea, missy!

I smiled upon reading her last text message. She's really insane! Simply because she is a freelance painter, she has all the time to nag me and do some questioning about what is happening in my life. I pouted my lips and decided that I will give her a call once I get home. I hid my mobile phone inside the pocket of my coat and continued walking around the alley.

This alley became my safest haven. Every day, there are people coming here and having a good time all because they can do a picnic on the wide Bermuda grass and can dine in at some great restaurants out here. There are street foods everywhere and there are bands playing a good song even at this hour.

I stopped walking and watch the band as they performed a good song. They are playing a country side song which makes my mind a little bit relaxed. After their all out performance, I decided to walk towards the cab terminal.

Due to the car accident I was involved to a couple of days ago, my father did not let me use my car anymore. He wanted Riley to fetch me whenever I go home however I wanted to be alone and clear my head a bit so I decided not to call him. I sat on the bench as I waited for the next cab. I observed the city lights and skyscrapers around this area and I could not help but to smile knowing this place is still lively despite the cruelty of the world.

I smiled with my own thought. What am I even thinking this time?

I was enjoying the moment being alone in the terminal when suddenly a black luxurious car stopped in front of me. I was going to ignore it however when its window slid down, I met Evan's piercing eyes immediately.

Surprised and confused at the same time, my eyes widened. I stood up and even narrowed my eyes to ensure that I am not hallucinating.

"Your father told me you didn't ask your bodyguard to fetch you here," he said and opened the door on the side while he's inside the car. "Please, get in."

It's been like three days since the last time I saw him. I feel like my emotion suddenly had a reset to default upon seeing his face. It's odd but I don't feel sad anymore. All I can feel is the little fear arising inside my chest, with a few questions as to why I am seeing him here.

"Are you here to drive me home?" I asked curiously.

He rolled his eyes.

Oh, yeah! He's not really an imagination! This is the real Evan Zendejas!

"You really can't tell the obvious, huh?" he said, mocking me.

I pouted my lips and surrendered. I walked towards his car and hopped inside the front seat... beside him.

I gasped sharply and cannot take my eyes off him when he buckled my seatbelt. Why is he getting a little bit of a good person these days?

Where's the cruel Zendejas?

I cleared my throat when I met his gaze once again.

My heart started to beat faster when he flashed his smile at me.