JAY'S POV — PRESENT DAY
The courtroom doors open, and the noise hits instantly—cameras flashing, reporters pushing forward, voices overlapping like a storm trying to swallow the moment whole.
"Ms. Mariano! Over here!"
"Your statement on the verdict—!"
"Was the outcome expected—?"
I don't stop walking.
My heels echo against the marble floor, steady, controlled, every step measured like the case I just won, and when I finally pause—just for a second—it's only enough to give them what they want, not what they're hoping for.
"The verdict speaks for itself," I say, voice calm, sharp, leaving no room for further questions. "Justice doesn't need commentary.Now move out of my way..."
And just like that—I'm done.No smile. No lingering talks. No vulnerability.
I turn and walk away, leaving the noise behind me like it never mattered in the first place.
The car door shuts, and silence replaces chaos.
"DO YOU EVEN REALIZE WHAT YOU JUST DID?!"
I blink once, slowly turning my head toward Jeremy, who looks like he's about five seconds away from combusting, his tablet already shoved halfway into my face.
"Look at this—look at this!" he insists, swiping aggressively. "Every major headline—your name is everywhere. 'Mariano Wins Landmark Case.' 'Undefeated Counsel Strikes Again.' You're trending in three countries, Jay!"
I lean back against the seat, glancing lazily at the screen before shrugging.
"It's just a case.Why is everyone overreacting over it"
He stares at me like I've personally offended him. "JUST a case? Jay Jay,That case could've destroyed reputations, companies—"
"And it didn't," I cut in simply, closing my eyes briefly. "Because I handled it."
There's a pause.
Then he exhales dramatically, dropping back into his seat. "You're absolutely impossible."
"I've been told."
The drive doesn't feel long or maybe I just stop paying attention because the moment the car slows—and I glance outside—I frown slightly.
"This isn't JM Firm."
Jeremy doesn't look at me. "Obviously Attorney..."
I straighten a little. "Then why are we here?"
"Percy called before," he says casually, like it's nothing, like it doesn't immediately shift something in my chest. "He wanted an emergency meeting it's something about the Mariano's London branch—legal complications with multiple companies. He wants you to take over."
I exhale quietly, already reaching out. "Oh okay,give me the iPad."
He hands it over without a word and just like that—the switch happens.
The noise fades. The exhaustion disappears.
Focus replaces everything.
My eyes scan through the files, fingers moving swiftly, mind already dissecting, analyzing, breaking things down before we even reach the building.
"Hmm," I murmur softly, more to myself than to him. "It's quite messy."
Jeremy smirks. "That's why they need you."
"But why aren't the companies names mentioned?? Who made such a rookie report?" I asked almost furious because who in my team can make such a basic mistake...
"This report was actually made by the London branch...so now you know what grave of a trouble the company is..."
Tss. Incompetent people especially attorneys are the one thing I hate the most....
The moment we step into Mariano Industries—the energy shifts.
"Good morning, Ms. Mariano."
"Morning, ma'am."
Some nod. Some step aside.Some—still bow slightly.
The conference room doors open—and there he is.
Percy and just like that—the armor cracks.
"Kuyaa!" I grin, the shift so immediate it almost feels like two different versions of me exist at once, my heels forgotten as I walk straight toward him and wrap my arms around him tightly.
He lets out a soft laugh, hugging me back just as easily. "Careful, Ms. Famous Lawyer," he teases. "You'll ruin your reputation of being the coldest baddest attorney in all of nyc...."
"Please, I built that reputation by hardwork and restraint," I shoot back, pulling away with a small smile. "I can afford to break it a little."
His eyes soften for a second before he ruffles my hair lightly. "Hahah very funny, anyways congratulations, Jay Jay. You did good."
"I know,so now let's clean up some London mess...shall we?" I grin.
But the moment we sit down—everything shifts again.The smile fades. The posture straightens.Work mode.
The screen lights up, connecting to the London legal team, faces appearing one by one, voices greeting, files opening, discussions starting immediately.
I listen.I don't interrupt at first.Just absorb.Patterns. Problems. Weaknesses.Then I speak—and the room listens.
"Start from the beginning," I say calmly, fingers tapping lightly against the table. "I want the exact legal complications—no summaries."
They comply.
Minutes pass.Maybe more and then—the file changes.
A list appears on the screen.
Partner companies. Opposing forces. Legal entanglements.
And my eyes stop.
Not visibly.Not enough for anyone else to notice.
But inside?
Something stills.
*Watson Enterprises..
*R×E Firm.
*Braselton Corporation.
*Willow Industries.
The names sit there like ghosts from a life I buried seven years ago.
Keifer.Rory. Edrix.David.
All of them—connected.
All of them—involved together!!!?.
I don't react.I don't even blink longer than necessary because I trained myself for this.
Because emotions don't get a seat at this table.
"Continue," I say, voice steady, like nothing just shifted inside me.
The discussion goes on.Detailed. Complex and I handle it the way I handle everything else—logically, precisely, without hesitation.
"Prepare the legal counter-drafts," I instruct. "We'll approach this from a contractual breach angle first—then escalate if necessary."
"Understood, ma'am."
"We'll update you within the next cycle."
The call ends.
Then I looked towards my team"Okay,so we'll leave tomorrow morning,your flight tickets will be booked by the firm just be in time tomorrow this will be a week's trip so plan accordingly."
I looked around and then continued,"And Jeremy and Carrie I want you two to prepare documents as we discussed by tomorrow morning...if any complications contact me immediately,we can't have anymore details as we speak....you may all leave now...."
The chairs scrape softly against the floor as people begin to stand, files gathered, voices lowering into quiet side conversations before fading out completely.
One by one—they leave.
Until it's almost empty.
Jeremy lingers.
Of course he does.
He leans slightly against the table, arms crossed, watching me a little too closely, like he's trying to read something I'm not giving him.
"You good?" he asks finally, voice quieter now, stripped of the earlier chaos.
I don't look up immediately, flipping a page in the file like it matters more than the question.
"Yeah," I answer simply.
A pause.
He doesn't move.
"You sure?" he presses gently. "Because those names—"
"I said I'm fine, Jeremy," I cut in, not sharp—but firm enough to end it.
He studies me for a second longer.
Then sighs lightly, pushing himself off the table. "Alright geez..ill prepare documents by tomorrow morning but don't you dare disappear on me."
"I won't."
"Good," he mutters, grabbing his tablet before heading toward the door.
It clicks shut behind him.
And just like that—It's quiet again.
I don't realize Percy has been watching me the entire time until—
"You sure about this?"
I glance up.
He's leaning back in his chair now, arms folded, expression no longer teasing—just… concerned.
"I'm sorry baby sistah,if I had known beforehand," he continues, voice softer, "I wouldn't have put this on your table."
There's something in his tone that almost makes me smile.
"It's alright," I say calmly, closing the file and setting it down neatly. "It's not your fault,I'll handle everything...."
My gaze flicks briefly to the screen—now dark.
"The London team, however…" I exhale sharply through my nose, irritation finally slipping through. "They're going to hear a lot from me. That report was embarrassing."
Percy huffs out a small laugh, shaking his head. "now that's the attorney sistah I know...."
I lean back slightly, rolling my shoulder once. "Incompetence is one thing. Legal negligence? I don't tolerate that."
"I know you don't," he nods, then his expression shifts again, more serious this time. "But if you're going—you take care of yourself. No overworking. No skipping meals. No pulling all-nighters like you used to."
I raise a brow. "You sound like a doctor."
"I sound like someone who's seen what happens when you don't listen," he counters quietly.
That lands.
I don't argue.
"Fine," I mutter. "I'll behave."
"Good," he says, satisfied. "The jet will be ready in the morning. You and Jeremy can take that—I'll arrange the rest of the team separately."
"Alright."
The tension breaks just enough.
I stand, walking around the table and toward him—and without thinking too much about it, I lean down and hug him again.
"Thanks, Kuya," I murmur softly.
His hand comes up to pat my head lightly. "Anytime baby sistah."
I pull back, already turning toward the door—
"Jay."
I pause, glancing over my shoulder.
Percy's expression is different now.
Knowing.
"Dr. Hayes will be waiting for you tonight," he says pointedly. "You have a session today. Don't even think about skipping."
I make a face instantly. "Seriously? Today?"
"Yes. Today."
I sigh dramatically, rolling my eyes as I reach for the door handle. "Yeah, yeah… I'll go."
"Jay—"
"I said I'll go! Geez stop torturing me..." I shoot back, already stepping out.
The door closes behind me.And for a second—Just a second—The hallway feels quieter than it should but my heart a full bloom in the season....
"I don't need therapy tonight… I need something steady—something strong enough to quiet the chaos in my chest…"