Well, for the first time, I feel a sharp pang of sympathy for my client. As a lawyer, I’m supposed to remain impartial, but… this case is starting to feel personal. Two men against two vipers—his wife and this lawyer, whose teeth probably grow in double rows, every other one venomous. I’m even beginning to understand why my client got divorced and why Jack refuses to tie the knot. A few more encounters like this, and I’ll lose my optimism for good. Looking at women like her makes me want to scream, run, and never look back. My client is irritated by his wife, and I’m irritated by… her, this legally savvy serpent.
“My name is Alexa Young, for those who don’t know, and I’ll be representing Jacqueline. So, to spare your nerves, I suggest signing a settlement agreement.”
“How fascinating. By ‘settlement agreement,’ you mean my client should give up everything. That’s some harsh feminine logic. Are you proposing he’s left penniless and without even his underwear? Or will you take his last pair of socks too? By the way, for those who don’t know, I’m Michael Ross, and I won’t let Frank get swවින්. I won’t allow Frank to be swindled.”
“I hope you’re taking something to calm your nerves,” she smirks, clearly trying to throw me off balance.
“Sweet smiles don’t suit you, Ms. Young. Better not to smile at all—it scares people,” I reply with measured restraint, though I might actually need those calming pills soon.
“Of course, men have become so skittish these days,” she quips, my sarcasm seeming to energize her. In fact, I think it even lifts her mood—she’s practically glowing with delight.
“It’s tough for gold to hold up in a hostile environment. Men defend themselves however they can.”
For a full minute, she studies me with a surprised look, then bursts into laughter. She has a nice laugh, soft and rolling. And if I’m being unbiased, she’s quite attractive—beautiful, even, to my taste. Long, thick wheat-blonde hair, a figure with tempting curves, long legs, and those striking gray eyes on a symmetrical face. Then there’s the mole on her left temple and her elegant, slender fingers. She’s undoubtedly intelligent, brazen, and ambitious. And I get the distinct impression she’s a hardcore man-hater.
“Did you personally classify yourself as gold, or are you generalizing all men?”
“I only ever speak for myself. Since we have nothing more to discuss, I’ll see you in court,” I say, intending to confer with my client. I wait for the women to finally clear out, but it seems Alexa is enjoying our verbal sparring and has no intention of leaving. She likes having the last word.
“You’re going to lose this case, Mike. I always throw a lifeline before going on the offensive. You didn’t take it, so I’m going to sink you.”
“I suspect predators always feel happy falling asleep with that thought. Good luck, Ms. Young. Fighting against the stronger half of humanity must take immense dedication and endurance. I’ve heard you only represent women. I suppose you’re part of that feminist army that voted to relocate men to a reservation?”
“Yes, to a tiny island in the middle of the ocean,” she nods with a gleeful smile.
“Thank goodness not all women are so ruthless, so…”
“Careful with your words, colleague,” she warns. I’ve already figured out she’s impenetrable.
“Let’s go, Frank. We’ll take a walk and discuss a few details since the ladies have occupied the office,” I nod to my client, standing up. Meanwhile, Alexa doesn’t take her eyes off me. Why is she staring like that? Can’t she come up with another witty jab?
“All the best,” I say with a smile, catching her questioning look. I’m a polite guy, preferring to end the conversation on a neutral note before someone turns it into a spew of sarcasm. She doesn’t say another word, just keeps looking. Probably thinks that intense, piercing, meaningful stare is supposed to intimidate me. No, spitfire, I’m not scared. I’m not surprised that some lawyers drop cases when they find out who’s representing the other side. Now I’ll know too. Vipers, even very attractive ones, are best avoided. I love a challenge, sure, but not when someone’s trying to undermine my masculinity with barbs and haughty glares. If she doesn’t like me, so be it. I’m not about to prove I’m a good guy. Maybe she’s into women anyway.
“Mike, my wife is going to strip me bare,” Frank sighs. “She even hired a shark for a lawyer. Jacqueline won’t stop until she gets her revenge.”
“Let’s be straight, Frank. You’re well aware of every clause in that interesting prenup of yours. I’ve studied it too. Thoroughly. With a magnifying glass, reading between the lines. It’s written in black and white that if you cheat, your wife has the right to file for divorce and claim all the marital assets. True or not?”
“True,” he sighs even heavier, the poor guy.
“Then tell me, what were you expecting? Why the hell did you cheat and jump into bed with someone else? Craving a thrill?”
“Tenderness. You’ve seen what she’s like.”
“Alright. I’ll try to find something to latch onto, Frank. A lot depends on the judge hearing our case. If it’s a… woman, you get it, right? They’ve got this damn female solidarity, and any man who cheats on his wife deserves to burn in hell. Preliminary hearing in ten days. We’ll stay in touch.”
I check the hearing schedule and realize I won’t get a chance to talk to Mom today. It’s too early to head home since Jack’s there. I’m worried he might come up with some crazy idea—trouble and wild messes seem to follow me only when I’m with him. Self-preservation and my liver are telling me to steer clear of that devil for a while.
I head downstairs, step outside, and smile at the bright sunlight, squinting. I take a few deep breaths of exhaust-laden air and cross to the other side of the street. I recently found a little café I like here. I’ll order something to eat, sit for a bit, and think over Frank’s case.
I’ve just taken my first sip of life-giving coffee when, out of nowhere, Alexa plops down at my table across from me. Damn it!
“Decided to finish me off, Ms. Young? Thought you hadn’t bitten hard enough? …I’m actually busy.”
“Busy with what, exactly? I can keep you company and grab a slice of pie too. I feel like we didn’t finish our conversation. And I also think you’re not a dumb guy, so if…”
“So if you push hard enough, I’ll cave? Some new kind of feminine martial art? I’m flattered you’ve noticed glimmers of my intelligence, Ms. Young, but we’ve got nothing to discuss. My client isn’t agreeing to give up the assets accumulated over the years. We’re insisting on half.”
“Well, that’s bold. He breached the contract…”
“The contract was poorly drafted. If one spouse cheats, both are at fault. It means their relationship went wrong somewhere—they missed something important, let resentments build up, and so on,” I say, chewing with a dead-serious expression, making it clear I’m not in the mood to tolerate her presence.
“You really think that?” she asks, raising her eyebrows as if I’ve just said something hilariously absurd. Really, as if a man could say anything sensible. I tilt my head, smile, and stare intently into the smoky ash of her captivating predator eyes.
“Yep, I’m that naive. I take it we’ve moved from the case to personal territory? Well, personally, I’d want my partner to let me know if she notices a crack in our relationship. Not nag me every day over nothing, like some do, but when her heart—or mine—starts to cool. Because love doesn’t just vanish. It can be saved if you put in the effort.”
“So, you’re not just a pretty face and a nice guy—you’re a romantic philosopher too!”
“And some consider that a flaw,” I smirk, standing up from the table. Nowhere is safe. I guess I’m her designated target today, someone she’s decided to test with her irony and superiority.
“Why? I think there’s something to it.”
“Seriously? Too bad you don’t like men.”
“I do. But only a select few,” she says, her lips curling into a daring smile, her eyes dancing with a wild, challenging spark.
“I’ll go cry over not making the cut.”
“I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Mike.”
“Is that a threat or a compliment?”
When thoughts overwhelm me, when I’m unsettled, I dive headfirst into work, staying up nights building a defense strategy. For me, it’s therapeutic, just like solitude at the lake is for my dad, or club-hopping and questionable flings are for Jack. Work invigorates me, though it’s probably my stubbornness that really fuels me. Winning a case becomes a matter of principle—proving to myself I can triumph and rub it in my opponent’s face. It’s not just the plaintiff and defendant facing off; their lawyers are pitted against each other too. The more cases you win, the more successful you are, the more interesting cases you get, and the wealthier you become. No matter how you spin it, fees play a big role. I don’t turn down money, especially when it’s honestly earned.
I can’t get Alexa out of my head. She clearly wants to pin me down in the courtroom, and I can’t let her win. Not because she’s a woman, but because of her infuriating personality. I’m not sure I could handle the triumph in her eyes—it’d be too humiliating.
“Mike, hey! I’m ready to help you today,” Viola, an assistant to one of the partners, calls out, jogging down the hallway after me.
“Thanks, but I’ve got Pete.”
“That’s the thing—Pete can’t. He’s a bit under the weather, so he’ll be out for a few days,” she says, batting her eyes and adjusting her glasses, putting on an innocent air.
“How interesting. And why couldn’t my assistant pick up the phone and tell me himself? Is he on his deathbed? Why am I only hearing this from you now?” I snap, raising my voice. I’m not in the mood to accommodate anyone today, to be the kind, understanding Samaritan.
“Because he’s my boyfriend.”
“That’s not an explanation, and it’s definitely not an excuse! Tell your sweetheart he’s fired!” I slam the door in her face. Hmm, why am I so on edge? Could it be the drop of venom on the tip of the barb Ms. Young stabbed me with? Since meeting her, I’ve been beside myself, ready to tear into anything.
“Can I get you coffee or some donuts?” You’ve got to know Viola—she doesn’t give up easily. Her psyche is incredibly flexible, a rare specimen. It’s impossible to rattle her.
“I want you out of my sight for the rest of the day. And I want you to post a listing that a young, promising lawyer needs a responsible assistant!”
“I’ve already called Pete. He’s on his way.”
“Why? I guess I wasn’t clear. He’s fired, Viola,” I grind my teeth in response, unnerved that she’s entered my office and closed the door behind her.
“But you’re not a mean guy, Mike. Everyone in the firm knows you’ve got a big heart.”
“Don’t start with the flattery! I’m not in the mood today!”
“You need to lift your spirits ASAP,” she says casually, this persistent fly settling across from my desk. “If you weren’t so principled and picky…”
“Are you trying to make me jump out the window?” I shoot her a pointed look, trying not to be rude, but women are such unpredictable creatures that I’m already feeling queasy.
“A guy like you needs a good woman,” she says, adjusting her glasses again and giving me a look like she’s some seasoned healer for emotional wounds. “Bad moods are cured by feminine tenderness.”
“I’m not so sure. What if I feel better after throttling you? Tell me, Viola, since when are we close friends? I’m a well-mannered guy, sure, but there’s a limit. Please leave my office while I can still control my words.”
“We all have off days. I want to tell you about my cousin. More specifically, how she met her true love. I promise, you’ll like it. And it’ll come in handy!”
“So I’ve got two options: play dead or listen to you. God, what did I do to deserve this?” Then a thought hits me, one that makes me willing to endure Viola. “Alright, I’ll hear your enlightening story, but afterward, you’ll tell me everything you know about the lawyer Alexa Young. Gabriel’s faced off with her in court plenty of times—I’m sure you’ve compiled your own dossier on her.”
“Deal,” Viola beams. If there’s one thing she loves, it’s gossip. I can’t help but recall Jack’s words about women being weapons of mass destruction. “So, my cousin Chloe couldn’t find anyone decent for the longest time—just kept running into jerks. Don’t smirk like that, Mike, just listen. Someone suggested she sign up on a dating site called ‘Seventh Heaven.’ Every Friday, the site organizes blind dates in real life in almost every city. In Boston, it happens at a small jazz lovers’ club called ‘Golden Saxophone,’ I think. I assure you, normal people go there, folks who want real relationships. That’s where she met her Brian, and now they’re both on cloud nine. Wedding’s in a week. Why don’t you give it a shot, since you refuse to notice the secretaries and assistants who’ve got crushes on you? So many girls flirt with you, but you stubbornly ignore them.”
“It’s a principle—I don’t date at work. Thanks for the concern, I’ve listened, now give me the info on Ms. Young. I’ve got to face her in court, so I’d like to know everything.”
“She’s thirty, hasn’t lost a case in the past year, and only represents women. Behind her back, they call her a shark. Smart, ambitious, and rumor has it she’s about to be offered a senior partner position at Bauman & Gross. Male lawyers quietly hate her with respect, so I feel for you already. She’s got a boyfriend…”
“Really? I was somehow convinced she preferred women in her personal life too.”
“No, from what I know, Alexa’s dating a surgeon named Mason Lee. She lost her parents early, grew up in foster care, and doesn’t keep in touch with that family anymore. I’ve heard—but it’s unconfirmed—that as a teenager, Alexa Young was a victim of assault. She’s a very complex person. Even though she takes on cases defending women, women find it hard to connect with her too. That’s all I’ve got, unless you’re curious about her favorite perfume.”
“Thanks, Viola, that’s enough for me. I’ve got to be in court in two hours, so I won’t need your help today. You can focus on your boss’s tasks.”
“So you’re not firing Pete?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Because if you don’t want everyone finding out that Judge Jenkins is your mom…” Viola shakes her head. There it is, the true female nature—even an innocent chick can bare her teeth.
“Friendly blackmail? So you’ve dug up a detailed file on me too? Well, for my part, I’m not breaking any laws, and I’m not afraid of gossip behind my back. I believe in myself, know I’m not dumb, and sometimes, I’m downright impressive,” I smile, relieved that this thorn in my side is finally leaving my office. Only after the door closes behind her do I exhale, mentally shedding my Superman cape and rubbing my temples. The hardest part of this job is dealing with people while staying balanced.
“Why’s the pretty boy looking so gloomy today?” a familiar, ironic voice reaches me, making me turn around. I’m just coming back from a hearing I’d long planned to attend—I’m still learning from the best, so I often observe colleagues in court.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Young,” I reply coolly, showing no interest in a ‘pleasant chat.’
“Mind grabbing a coffee with me?” But she’s clearly set on latching onto me again.
“And if I say I do mind, will you drag me by force?”
“Do I annoy you, or are you scared of me, Mike?” she steps closer. Too close for my liking. Too bad I didn’t ask Viola about Alexa’s perfume, but I definitely don’t like this sharp scent.
I give her a careful once-over, raise an eyebrow with one of my ‘unbearable’ smirks, and peer deeper into those smoky, smiling feminine eyes. Only after a deliberate pause do I lean in almost too close and reply:
“What if it’s neither? What are you after, Ms. Young—befriending me or intimidating me? For instance, I’d prefer we keep a professional distance,” I say, not breaking eye contact, catching every flicker of emotion. And I’ll be damned if I’m wrong, but my words have struck a chord, and at the same time, her interest in me has spiked several notches.
Go figure with women—treat them kindly, and they try to belittle you; push them away, and they want to possess you.
“The more I talk to you, the more I think about you. And since I can’t seem to intimidate you or make you my friend, can I ask for your professional advice?”
“From me, specifically?” I can smirk in all sorts of ways—right now, it’s mocking. She’ll learn not to mess with me.
“Yes, from you. I’d like to discuss your law firm. It’s the most reputable in Boston. I’m considering talking to your senior partners and carving out a spot for myself at ‘Sons of Themis.’ Who would you recommend I approach first?” she smiles with an open challenge. A little more of this, and I’ll have a breakdown—this woman is lethal to me.
“No. …No one. Why not drop the idea?”
“Because I’m a very determined and ambitious woman, Mike,” she says, pulling a cute face, the predator.
I’ll lose it if she manages to get a position at our firm. Is she doing this on purpose? Maybe she just wants to rile me up?
“Good luck. Sorry, but I’m in a rush,” I say, careful not to show I’m panicking. I won’t give her that satisfaction. Though, truth be told, I’m totally panicking!