To his dismay, Mia had arrived at the office first. He shrugged off his coat as he passed the receptionist's desk.
"Hey there, Margaret. How's she floating?"
"Oh, Mr. Armando! Good morning! You seem to be in an especially cheerful mood today," she winked.
Margaret was Mr. Grossberg's wife, a kindly middle-aged woman with salt and pepper hair and sparkling blue eyes. Though she was now slightly plump and beginning to wrinkle, Diego thought she would have at one time been quite a catch.
"Ha…! This woman knows me."
"Is it…today?" she asked in hushed tones, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she leaned closer.
Diego grinned broadly, slapping the desk with his empty hand.
"That it is…but don't let anything on. You know Mia. She's a sharp little cookie."
Margaret nodded, shuffling a pile of papers into an orderly stack. Diego looked cautiously both ways before producing the ring from his pocket. It was a white gold band twisting around an array of garnets and diamonds, both his and Mia's birthstones. Margaret gaped, stifling a small gasp as she leaned in to examine the delicate ring, her eyes wide with merriment.
"I'm sure she'll love it. It's a beautiful ring, Diego! You're a man of taste. She'll be beside herself, especially with the trip you've been planning. It will be beautiful, oh! I wish I could be there to see her face light up!" She sighed, a wistful smile on her thin pink lips. "But, we'll catch up more on this later. Marvin would like a word with you about your client today. I believe he's at the coffee machine."
"Good man, Marvin. Beat me to my favorite spot. I'll be back before the end of the day to discuss some of the closing details. See you, Margaret."
With that, he turned down the narrow corridor towards the small kitchenette and lounge. Marvin Grossberg stood hunched over the small coffee maker, shaking the cheap plastic machine with frustrated vigor. He reminded Diego of a small fat rodent. The analogy made Diego smile inwardly.
The young attorney sauntered up behind his superior, slapping the large man center on his protruding buttocks without missing a stride.
"Marvin! Good morning! How are the hemorrhoids fairing?"
Marvin Grossberg jumped in surprise, his black eyes wide with shock.
"D…Diego? Wh…what in the world was that all about, young man?!" he sputtered, his face mottled red with both anger and shock.
"Ah, what's the matter with a morning spank between two old friends?"
Marvin eyed him suspiciously, turning back to his steaming mug of black Folgers. He emptied a packet of sugar into the cup's oily depths and took a short, measured sip. He sighed, shaking his head as he leaned his girth against the small counter.
"Diego…there's something I've been meaning to ask you," he began. "Now, I don't want you to think ill of me for asking nor do I want you to feel as though this is an insult. You see, it's been weighing heavily on my mind of late…and I just haven't had the courage to ask." He paused, his eyes filled with brevity as he raised them to meet Diego's gaze. "Are you…I mean to say…well…are you gay?"
Diego uproarious laughter filled the tiny room. He bent in two, gripping a knee as he fought an urge to fall to the floor. This was the first time anyone had proposed such an outlandish perception—and to his face at that! He straightened after he'd finished expressing his amusement, wiping the mirth from his brown eyes.
"I assure you, Marvin, I'm quite the opposite. I have only ever been attracted to women. In fact, I'm planning on proposing to one tonight."
Marvin's eyes bulged in surprise.
"But…but I was almost sure you were—well, who is the lucky lady? Do I know her? Diego, she'd better be a woman of worth, otherwise I will most certainly disapprove and—"
Diego interrupted him.
"It's Mia, my old friend." He sighed contentedly. "I'm going to ask her tonight over dinner. You wondered why I wanted the next day off, didn't you? I wouldn't just leave in the middle of an investigation on a whim. I'm a better man than that. I hope you've noticed by now."
Marvin chuckled, wagging his finger mischievously at Diego.
"Oh, you sly dog! All this time…and to think I didn't even notice! Mia's always been one for secrets. Ah well, found out I have! And to think, you two will soon be engaged. What a smart match! My two best defense attorneys, married. What a thought that is…what a thought indeed."
Diego filled his cup, taking a long swig. His face screwed up in distaste as he downed the first mouthful.
"Marvin, what is this trash doing in my hand? It's sewage, absolutely terrible!" He took another drink, shaking his head.
"Well, if you think it's so disgusting, why keep drinking it?!"
Diego smiled.
"Though distasteful, it's a shame to waste any bean, no matter the condition of the roast. I'll drink this coffee to the last drop. It's a bitter cup we drink, life. No matter what's brewed, we take what we're served. We can only move on to the next cup once the one in front of us is completely empty."
Marvin rolled his eyes, turning to refill his mug.
"You never cease to surprise me with your ridiculous analogies, Diego. I hope Mia's able to put up with it as well as I do—Lord knows she'll have her patience cut out for her in more ways than one! But, that's enough for now. I'm sure you're interested in the investigation of Ms. Hawthorne. As you know, she was involved in that incident a few months ago."
"Yes," he growled, skimming the dark oily surface of his drink with the tip of his finger. "That incident. The woman's a snake of the worst kind—and hiding in a Kitten's clothing at that. Her pretty face hides a rotten core."
"Let's continue this conversation in my office. I have some paperwork I want you to take with as well as some questions I'd like you to ask."
Marvin waddled briskly down the red-carpeted hall entering a small corner room to the left. The leather groaned as he seated himself in the plush chair poised regally behind an expensive mahogany work desk. Diego, though he was in Marvin Grossberg's office often enough, admired the library of old law books nestled in the wall behind the desk, distracting himself from the white elephant in the room—an enormous, rather hideously executed painting of a farmer. Grossberg had an affectation of surrounding himself with symbols of wealth. However, it would have been in bad taste to leave the office looking plain simply for the sake of business—their clientele were always pandering after illusions of grandeur.
He seated himself adjacent to Mr. Grossberg on the leather couch, resting his cup of coffee on a knee as his eyes lazily paced the width of the room.
"Well, we both well know this young lady and her involvement in past crimes," Marvin began, "But what I don't understand is why she so suddenly contacted us—namely you—to speak with. I know Mia left a large impression on her after February's trial. And Mia's not an easy nut to crack. You're my best attorney and the only one I'd consider trusting with this beside myself. Regardless, I don't like it. I don't like it one bit. This little lady is dangerous to say the least and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Those who get in her way are quickly disposed of. Be on your guard, Diego. This investigation of yours—private though it may be—seems fishy to me.
Diego nodded, studying a loose string on his trouser pants.
"I know this woman is a criminal through and through. But, I want to hear her out first. I don't understand why she'd contact us so suddenly, especially me. I agree, the circumstances are strange—but I think she could end up being a valuable piece to the puzzle. That case left a bad taste in my mouth. Even more so since Mia refuses to take the stand again. I'll get to the bottom of this, whether or not it isn't pretty—Lord knows, that little Jezebel is far from dainty, though her outer appearance may allude to it. Perhaps her guilt has finally overcome her. I refuse to let her slip through my grasp again, especially on my own terms. After what she did to her father, her sister—and to Mia; it makes my blood boil. I'll meet with her and I'll glean what I can; but I assure you, it will be enough.
"Alright, Diego. Just watch your back, son. This belle has a bite to her. I know your motivations span beyond your own curiosity, especially now that I know the true nature between your relationship with Ms. Fey. Anger isn't the right way about such a delicate situation. The one with the coolest head will win this tête-à-tête."
Marvin curled his graying moustache with the tip of his right index finger as he traced the grain of the wood on his desk.
"Anyway," he sighed, "since you're so determined to do this—and I very well know how you are when you're determined—there's a few things I want you to go over with Dahlia. See if you can't bridle a bit of information out of her. You'll be at the courthouse so I expect things to go pretty smoothly between you. I highly doubt it, but she may have had a change of heart and is ready to admit to what happened in the past. Though she's been officially declared innocent of her sister's murder, she may just need to share her tale with someone in the law to get it off her chest. Either way, if she decides to strike again, we'll have started building our case.
"Do you think I'm some rookie? Ha…! Maybe there is something left for you to learn of me yet my friend. I'll have that woman eating out of my hand. I have a way with little kitties, even the wild ones. I'll be back with half a case before your hemorrhoids can spit," he smirked over the rim of his cup as he rose to depart.
Retrieving Ms. Hawthorne's case files from Marvin's desk, he offered his superior a mock salute, and then strode out of the office.
"I didn't know hemorrhoids could spit," Marvin muttered abashedly as he resumed his work.
"What a joke," Diego thought to himself as he left Marvin's office. "Me? Unprepared? Ha…! I always play it safe. He should know better than to doubt me."
As he sulked over Marvin's supposed discredit, he turned his brooding thoughts to Mia. She was his stalemate, the cure to his mental blockage. He stopped at the doorway to their shared office, watching intently as her fingers danced over the computer keyboard. The tapping of the keys softly brought him back to awareness. Pushing his personal matters aside he watched Mia work. It was therapeutic.
He loved the way she sat to straight in her chair, so attentive and involved in the task at hand. When she was focused—which was almost always—she had a fierceness about her, a resolve that revealed her strength in character and sharp wit. He grinned broadly, reminded once again why he had been so attracted to her in the first place. That fire had never ceased to amaze him, be it in the courtroom, or in bedroom. Rapping lightly against the doorpost, he announced his presence.
Mia's eyes darted up from the monitor. She smiled modestly.
"Can I help you, sir?"
"Yes, but not here and not now, little kitty," he smirked.
"Diego," she said tensely, her eyes flashing a warning. "This is hardly the place, may I remind you? You and I are co-workers and hardly involved in an office romance. Can it now or risk the consequences."
"Raaaawnr, this tabby's got a bite," he growled playfully, slinking up to her desk with a hitch in his step. He moved slowly behind her, sweeping the brown wave of her hair aside and stooping to graze the nape of her neck with his lips. She shuddered gently as he breathed along her hairline, planting a gentle kiss behind her left ear.
"Now you can't tell me you don't like that," he whispered, amazed she had let him offend her personal space so utterly.
And as quickly as it had come, it ended. She turned and slapped him full across the face, her mouth set in an angry line. He stumbled back—stunned—with a shocked grin. He shook his head slowly, letting out a hoot of amazement.
"You'll get us both fired, you idiot! Don't you understand the repercussions of your actions? What if someone had walked by? We'd both be out of a job," she hissed, her eyes seething.
"Take it easy, Kitten! You took out your claws before I had a chance to speak!"
"You weren't doing a whole lot of speaking with those lips of yours. In fact—"
He cut in suddenly.
"Calm down. I've already spoken to Marvin, Mia. It's okay. He's fine with our dating as long as we keep it appropriate, and I hardly see a kiss as high treason. Besides, can you blame me? You've got me fired up, little lady—especially after your little stunt this morning."
Mia's temper cooled considerably at this. She turned with a nearly inaudible sigh, drooping into her open palm as she mulled over this revelation. Her body seemed to sag and tense all at once, as though she were unsure whether or not to be relieved or somehow worried. Diego decided to play it safe and stand a few feet back. She'd made it clear she'd needed her space.
"I'm…I'm sorry, Diego. I guess there's been a lot on my mind today. That girl—ugh. This is such a mess! You know how I feel about Dahlia. And I hate how you're going alone—I don't see why you won't let me come with you! I'm just as capable as—"
"You're not, Mia. The past is still too fresh in your mind. And let's face it, that case six months ago left you disconcerted to say the least. You've only just started to put this behind you; this isn't the time to bring it back around."
"I know," she admonished, "I just…I just want this. I'm so nervous right now, who knows what she's going to say? I know you can take care of yourself, I just don't trust her."
Diego smiled softly, touching her cheek with his free hand.
"That's not the first time I've heard that today Kitten, believe me. It's all going to be fine, you'll see. Besides, now that our relationship's been made public, it's okay for me to do this..."
He stepped in close, touching his lips tentatively to hers, allowing her to control their kiss. It began soft and slow but became increasingly passionate. His heart thudded loudly in his ears as he felt heat rise to his skin. He cradled her head with one hand, leaning into the warmth of her face. But she broke off the connection then, sensing the limit to his control.
"You're so cliché," she said, rolling her eyes as she turned back to her desk. "Not to mention such a man. And that isn't meant as flattery."
"That's what you like about me, don't forget it," he smiled, moving towards the open door.
"What am I going to do with you? You're going to be the death of me," Mia sighed.
"Me? I could never capably kill such a wonderful woman," he retorted. He then waved his free hand, winking slyly.
"See you later, Kitten. I shouldn't be gone for long. Then we can pick up where we left off in this lovely 'conversation' perhaps over a nice glass of champagne."
"Goodbye Diego, I'll be on the edge of my seat until the moment you return," she said sarcastically. He, however, dissected a hint of seriousness to her tone that could only serve to ascertain her doubt.
After a quick refill at the coffee machine and another foul face at the first sip, Diego left the building, his black coat and briefcase tossed archaically over one shoulder. He swung the keys for his Honda absentmindedly around one finger, the rest of his hand occupied by its stand-by cup of joe.
Turning the ignition and signaling onto 6th Avenue towards the courthouse, it hadn't occurred to him that he hadn't told Mia how much he loved her before parting ways. Then again, not even Diego Armando could have guessed what lay in wait disguised as a crimson-tress angel.
He quite blindly and naively drove straight into Dahlia Hawthorne's coolly laid trap, not a thought of doubt in his mind.
A/N: Not so happy with Chapter Two--I'm sure I'll rework it later. Hope you're enjoying so far! Please critique--every time you leave a critique, Godot smiles. (Which may not be such a good thing, as his smiles likely are instant death to innocent kittens, no pun intended.) ;D
I'll be starting Chapter Three on the morrow. Please catalog your thoughts! 8D
Song for this chapter: Cake - Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps