Razbliuto: the sentimental feeling you have about someone you once loved but no longer do.
Phoenix awoke to the feeling of an unfamiliar body pressing against his back, and an arm around his waist. He turned over to see an unknown face grinning at him.
"Morning babe," the man said, running his fingers through Phoenix' brown spikes. "Last night was great."
Phoenix gazed at the man for a short moment, before removing the intrusive hand.
"Out," he said to the stranger.
The man looked taken aback. "But bab-"
"Get out," Phoenix cut him off.
With a scowl on his face, the man climbed out of Phoenix' bed and dressed himself.
Phoenix sat up in bed, rubbed his eyes, and watched the stranger.
"What's your name?" he asked.
The man looked at Phoenix with an amused expression.
"You kick me out of your house, without even a good morning first, and then you ask my name," the man laughed quietly, pushing his long black hair back in order to see. "I see you're unbelievable outside the bed, too."
"Right," said Phoenix, "out."
O
Phoenix strolled into Wright & Co. Law Offices wearing his blue suit, his bag slung over his shoulder, and two coffees in hand. He was greeted at the door by a bundle of hyperactivity sporting a top knot.
"Nick, my man!" she reached her greedy claws out towards him. "Thank you for the coffee!"
Phoenix moved the two cups out of her reach, and proceeded into the building.
"No, Maya, these are for me. Lord knows I need them."
She pouted and followed him, "Up all night again?"
Phoenix sipped his coffee and sat down at his desk, "Something like that. So what's new for today?"
Maya sat down across from him, and put her green binder on the desk, "Well, that new prosecutor, you know him, Tat L. Tale, is accusing you of forging evidence…"
"Why, of course."
"Your mother called and wants you to come in for Christmas..."
"Lovely."
"And lastly, a man is accused of shooting his fiancée and wants you to defend him!"
"Fun," Phoenix buried his face in his hands.
Maya closed her binder and stood up, "Up, up, up. We have to get to the crime scene."
Phoenix sighed but stood anyway. He needed this case if he was going to keep the lights on at his apartment for another month.
"So where is the crime scene?" Phoenix asked his coworker.
"Washington Plaza," she replied, "right up the hill from Mercy Hospital."
Phoenix stopped for a moment and looked at the woman.
"What is it?" she asked, noticing his unnerving stare.
"Washington Plaza…"
"Yes?"
"It's…?
"It's what Nick? You're freaking me out!"
"It's on the richer side of town, that's all."
She watched him with a suspicious look on her face, "Yeah, you have to make a whole hell of a lot to live there. Certainly wouldn't be able to afford it on my salary."
"Yeah, mine either, Maya," Phoenix responded.
Maya smiled at him and turned around. "Kidding, Nick, I'm just kidding."
With that, she grabbed the keys from the desk and headed outside.
O
As they approached the all too familiar building, Phoenix shoved the memories hurdling in to the back of his mind and tried to focus on the case.
Name: Nadia Gilbert
Age: 24
Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the head
Time of death: Approx. 10:30 pm
The main suspect was her fiancé, Brian Goldsmith. He claimed to be driving home from work at the time of the murder.
"She lived on the twenty second floor," Maya told him as they walked out of the parking garage.
"Shit," Phoenix responded, "she must have been rich as hell. The higher you live the more you pay."
"Actually, she was only a student," Maya informed him, "Her parents were paying for this place while she was in school. She went to Point Park University. I think they were paying for that too."
"What do the parents do?" Phoenix asked as they went through the revolving doors and past the front desk, towards the marble elevator lobby.
Maya pressed the button for the 22nd floor and leaned against the railing, "The dad's a plastic surgeon and the mom travels."
Phoenix nodded and waited for the ding that signaled that they were on the necessary floor.
When the doors opened, they were greeted by a familiar face.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Maya asked, gaping at the man in front of her.
"I thould be athking YOU that quethtion!"
Phoenix stuck his hand out and put a fake smile on his face. "Hello Tat, good to see you again."
The man adjusted his green collar and sneered at Phoenix' outstretched hand. "With I could thay the thame. I know why you two are here, and I don't approve. You won't ruin thith cathe for me. Altho, it'th Mithter Tale to you."
"Right," Phoenix scratched the back of his head, "we'll just be going then."
"Hell no!" Maya yelled, "We're looking at this crime scene RIGHT NOW!"
"Not if I have anything to thay about it!"
"Well you can THAY all you want! We're still going!"
Phoenix stepped in between the two people, "How about we all just calm down. Tat, I mean, Mr. Tale, we'll leave. Maya, we will come back tomorrow."
He pulled Maya back next to him, and pushed the button that would take them down to the lobby. Leaning his head against the wall of the elevator, he closed his eyes.
"I don't know why you listen to that asshole," he heard Maya mumble before a ding sounded throughout the small space.
O
Phoenix awoke to the feeling of his lover pressing against his back and his arms around his waist. He turned over to see the man's gentle smile and warm eyes.
"Good morning, beautiful," the man said as he stroked Phoenix' brown spikes. "Are you hungry?"
Phoenix gazed at the man, completely contented, before nuzzling gently into chest.
"Food," he whined.
The man chuckled, "What are you hungry for?"
"Food," he jokingly answered, a small smile gracing his lips.
The other man sighed with mock annoyance and climbed out of the bed they shared.
Phoenix sat up in bed, stretched, and watched the other man pull his pants on.
"Will you make me eggs?" he asked.
"Not only will I make you eggs, I will also make you pancakes and bacon," the man smiled as he pulled his shirt on, "and not to forget your coffee; two sugars two creams."
"Right," Phoenix smiled, "you're the best."