Chapter 7
I'm walking around when I find the cute little coffee shop on the Upper East Side. I step through the door and look around. "Can I help you?" An employee asks as she sees me looking around. I smile because I found my hot date already, "No, I'm good thanks." She smiles and walks away. I sneak up behind him and bend down to whisper in his ear, "Hello sexy." Armin jumps and he turns around. He sees me and his face explodes into a huge smile. "Eren!" Armin jumps and pulls me down into a big hug. "It's been too long." He whispers in my ear.
Two months too long. Armin moved to New York from LA in the summer to take over his long-lost father's multi-million dollar company, and it's been hard not seeing him around the office every day. I've missed him. He pulls away and I look at him. "Don't you look fantastic?" I tease. "All that hot sex agrees with you." The old Armin would have blushed, but now he's more confident. He winks, "Don't you know it." A waitress comes over to us and hands us a menu. We order our food and when the waitress is about to leave when Armin calls her. "And champagne mimosas too," I insist. "This is a celebration." I turn back to Armin, and I notice a diamond on his ring finger for the first time. "What the fuck?" I gasp. "Why didn't you say something?" He giggles. "I wanted to surprise you in person."
The waitress nods and turns to leave. "Let me see that rock." He holds out his hand and damn it looks fucken amazing. "Erwin knows what he's doing," I grin. "Treating my best friend right." "Yes he is, I cant believe it either I'm so happy Eren," Armin beams. "I know diamonds are more of a girl thing but I don't give a hit. I keep on thinking that this is a dream. I'm scared to wake up." "You deserve it Armin. You had a very crazy year and this," I point at his ring. "This is just the cherry on top. Well a sixteen carat cherry," I laugh. Armin smiles, "You'll fine someone too," Armin adds quickly. I shrug. "I'm not in a rush. After all now that you're no longer in the market someone's got to keep all the single men in New York City with some hope." Armin is about to say something when he sneezes. "Are you ok?" He waves his hand, "Yea, its just allergies. They act up sometimes." I open my briefcase to look for a tissue when my hand touches something smooth.
It's the gift I found in my apartment waiting for me when I came home last night. Normally I'll stay at hotels but this trip was last minute, I'm grateful that Armin offered me to use one of his rentals. I pull out some tissues and hand them over to him. He thanks me. "Did you tell anyone I was staying at your apartment?" Armin looks at me, "No, just Erwin and Jake. He dropped off the keys for me. Why?" I shake my head, "Oh nothing the place is amazing thanks," I pause. "Who's Jake? Already having someone on the side," I wiggle my eyebrows. Hoping to distract Armin from asking any questions. Armin laughs, "No, he's just second-in-command in the company." The waitress comes and brings us the food we ordered and walks away. "I should set you guys up," Armin's eyes light up.
"Is he hot? Single?" I ask. "Yes, you'd eat him alive," Armin laughs. I wink at him and grab the champagne. "Maybe he'd like it." We begin eating and we ask each other how are families are doing. I tell him that my mom is great and how now she doesn't have to work so hard. I tell him that she seems happier now. Seeing her happy makes me happy, she doesn't have to sacrifice herself to help me. I'm grateful that now I can treat her. "Thanks Armin." Armin looks at me confused, "Thanks to you my boss went to jail since he was trying to rob you out of your inheritance. So thanks to that now I have this big case that would have taken me years. This is my big break to make partner." I smile feeling excited. Armin smiles, "You deserve it Eren. That asshole did deserve to go to jail," he huffs. I laugh I really did missed Armin.
"The opposition's lawyers moved up the schedule. We were expecting them to keep delaying, but suddenly, they want to meet to discuss the settlement," I says worried. I am feeling a bit insecure. "Really? What do they want?" Armin asks. "Probably trying to scare us. Since they probably heard that my boss went to jail. They are trying to intimidate me." Armin laughs, "Then they haven't met you." I grin, "Amen to that," I pick up my glass. "A toast to us because we're taking over New York." We laugh and continue talking.
Armin insisted on paying but I told him not to worry that it was my treat. "It's the least I can do," I insist, passing the waitress my credit card before Armin can object. "Then let me take you for drinks tonight," Armin offers. "Erwin is out of town, and it will give us some time to hangout more and have boys night out," he wiggles his eyebrows. I laugh, "Perfect, Call me later?" "Will do." He says and leaves. I stay to review the case notes but I stop and look at yesterdays gift. The box is about the size of a hardcover book. It's wrapped in deep blue silk, tied with a gold silk ribbon. I shiver in excitement. At first I thought it was a gift from Armin, but as I grab the card and open it and read the words again:
Welcome to your wildest fantasy.
Are you ready to play?
I know it can't be my best friend who sent me this gift. My heart beats faster and I turn around and check if anyone looking, nobody's watching me, the people in the coffee shop could careless about my secret invitation. I feel excitement run through my body. I check the card but theirs no clues on the mysterious sender. I grab the key but it's not like any key I've seen before. It's Old-fashioned, gold, with a delicate chain threaded through the intricate swirls. It has tiny stones that sparkle in the sunlight. It can't be…. I secretly drag the edge against the base of my glass. It leaves a scratch. No way. These are real diamonds! My heart races as I carefully place the key back in the box and slide it back into my briefcase. I can't believe it. I don't even want to think how much it's worth, but it's got to be more than anything I've ever owned. Who would send such an extravagant gift like that? What does the invitation mean? My phone beeps; I look down and see it's the alarm I set earlier.
I get up and head out. If only those assholes from high school could see me now. I worked hard juggling two jobs to pay my way through college and law school, and pulling all-nighters to keep up my grades. I worked like a dog, but it's all worth it. I'm lead counsel on my first big case, and who knows what might happen if I prove myself and get that win. I hail a passing cab. I'm Eren Jaeger and I'm ready for anything to come my way. I arrive with some time to spare. My opponent has a whole building that belongs to them. It's a classy brownstone and it has a brass sign on the door. Survey Corps. Obviously the location screams 'money'. I walk through the lobby and it's bright with wooden floors. I look around and I see designer furniture and people walking around with designer suits. I start to feel nervous but I shake my head to get rid of any negative thoughts.
I walk up to the receptionist who is behind a solid marble desk. He has flawless cheekbones and he looks like he's part of an art exhibit. "HI," I smile. "Eren Jaeger, here for the B&R Video meeting. He rises and walks down the hallway. Confused I look at him and I see he's waiting for me. I walk towards him. "I like your suit," he doesn't respond and pushes the elevator button. I walk in and he selects the floor and the elevator closes. Damn all business here.
Once I'm out the elevator I see my client, Bertolt Hoover. He's waiting for me and I can see he's nervous by the way his knee is bouncing. He looks up and relief washes his face. He stands up "You're here!" "Hey," I smile. "You look good. I believe this is the first time I haven't seen you in a hoodie and jeans," I tease him trying to make him relax. He's wearing a navy button up shirt with black slacks. He smiles, "I'm happy its you that will take care of my case and not your jackass boss." I laugh, "Yea, I know you're nervous but trust me I know this case inside out," I assure him.
"There's something else. This showed up at my hotel this morning," he says, pulling out an envelope from his satchel. "What does it mean?" I grab the papers from him and look them over. It's a summons for a lawsuit, demanding Bertolt to drop his case. "They're just trying to intimidate you. Don't worry. These are normal scare tactics," I explain. "But they say I could be responsible for a liable and irritant lawsuit," Bertolt looks terrified. "I can't afford to pay that kind of money." "They know that's why they filed this lawsuit. A big case like this has a lot at stake. So we shouldn't be surprised if they play dirty." 'A lot' is an understatement. Bertolt invented a computer application called B&R Video.
I'm not really into technology, but basically it's a new YouTube that could transform the Internet – and make its inventors overnight billionaires. Bertolt developed it with his college roommate, Reiner Braun. Now this is where it gets messy. Six months ago, they had a huge fight about the future of the company. Reiner walked out with his laptop and the backup drives and with a half finished code. He went to go get some funding and claimed it was his idea. So that's why Bertolt is suing Reiner and the company for theft. I'm determined to win this case and make him get credit for all his hard work and the share of the profit once the app launches.
Bert sighs, "I just want what's mine," he says nervously. " I spent two years working on that program and now he's taking credit for it." "Don't worry. They know we have a strong case that's why they are resorting to these cheap tactics." "There's something else." Bert frowns he looks around. He lowers his head so the receptionist can't listen in. "I overheard two guys in the bathroom talking. Survey Corps. CEO has flown in just for this meeting." "You mean the silent partner?" I ask, surprised. I've been researching Survey Corps for months, but I still don't know who's backing up Reiner. We have documents signed by this silent partner but his signature is so unreadable. I guess the ghost is coming out of hiding.
An assistant appears and leads us to the boardroom. Fuck, I thought the decor in the lobby was meant to impress, this room is designed to intimidate. The walls are a dark crimson and the table is chrome with a glass top. There is a wall full of windows that lets you see the amazing view of the city. I notice that they are six other attorneys on the other side of the table. "Welcome. Please take your seats." I see Reiner sitting among the other attorneys. The seat at the head of the table is empty. I look around and I see a man standing by the window. He's short and broad-shouldered with black hair styled in an undercut. His back is facing the room and I know who it is. He must be the silent partner.
"Good morning, everyone," I say, walking forward. I take the empty seat at the head of the table across from the other attorneys and look around. "My name is Eren Jaeger, and I'm representing Bertolt Hoover. Shall we get started?" I look at them and they look at me surprised. I've shocked them. Good. I look around. Reiner is still lounging with an arrogant smirk on his face. "Wagner," I say coolly, recognizing one of the lawyers across from me. He scoffs back. Charming as ever. He was a few years ahead of me at Stanford Law, and rumor has it that his parents bought his acceptance letter with a donation to the alumni fund. I pull out my case files and give them all a big smile to show them I'm not intimidated. "Shall we start?" I repeat.
The answer comes from the man at the window. "Of course, Mr. Jaeger. Let's get down to business." Chills roll down my spine. I catch my breath, feeling a sick twist in my stomach.
No. It can't be. I know that voice, the deep tone and the French accent. But I don't believe it's true, not until he turns around and I see his gorgeous face—the face that has haunted my dreams for the last three years. Levi Ackerman, my best friend even before Armin and for one of the most amazing night and the most mind-blowing sex of my life.