Hello and happy Tuesday! Thank you to everyone still interested in this story. It means so much to me and I love you all.
Guest: Yes! And, thank you so much!
Guest: Yeah, kind of. Thank you and here it is!
Don't-Stop-Believin: Kind of and me too! Thank you and here it is!
HaleySmith: Thank you and you're welcome!
Enjoy!
On the drive home, Ally couldn't help but hum and sing along to the song on the radio she didn't even know. That's how good her mood was. Tonight had been nice, eye-opening and maybe the push she needed to take Austin's advice and start making this place her home. She wasn't going to dive right in just yet, but it never hurts to think about the possibility.
She saw the light on from her front window as she pulled into the garage and mentally braced herself for the 'Trish Storm' that would happen as soon as she entered the house. Grabbing her purse and taking a deep breath, Ally opens the door to hear the faint sound of singing and could only imagine what was happening.
Making her way further inside the house, she rounds the corner to see Trish laying on the sofa in the family room and watching Pitch Perfect. The soft clink of her keys on the table alerted Trish of her presence as the movie is suddenly paused and Trish is sitting up and staring at her. No one speaks for the first few minutes as Trish scans Ally up-and-down and then glances at the wall clock to see it after 11:15. "So, how'd it go?" She wonders curiously.
"It went well. I actually had a great time," Ally smiles, stepping out of her shoes and taking off her cardigan.
"That's good. And I'm guessing it was strictly business because you're home a little early," Trish starts off before smirking, "Unless you didn't go to dinner and had some alone time."
"Thank you and oh my gosh Trish," Ally shrieks in shock and embarrassment. "For the last time, it was strictly business. We went to an Italian Restaurant in Rockville, away from here. And even if this were a 'date', I wouldn't sleep with him or anyone on the first date. You know I'm not that kind of person."
"Sorry and okay," Trish gives in, throwing her hands up in the air in surrender. "I know that Ally, trust me. But, letting loose and having a good time isn't a bad thing. You're young, beautiful and sweet. Why not have a little fun? Besides, we're not getting any younger and I know for a fact that some guys would be more than willing to help you out."
"Oh my God!" Ally screams, picking up her shoes. "We are so done with this conversation. Good night Trish."
Trish watches her friend walk up the stairs and doesn't know what to do. Okay, so maybe she crossed the line, but she did have a valid point. Ally needs to get back out there before she gives up on love completely and ends up alone. Even with Ally's troubled past, she deserved to be happy. Hell, everyone deserves a little happiness in their lives. Quickly turning off the movie and lights in the room, Trish went to her room, ready to start planning on how to get Ally back out there.
OoOoOoOo
The fresh smell of coffee fills the air, waking Ally up from her slumber and starting her day. Grabbing her robe, she walks downstairs to see Trish in the kitchen and cooking breakfast. Confused and surprised, Ally makes her way to the center island and takes a seat. "Good morning Ally," Trish cheers a second later.
"Morning Trish. What's all this?" Ally asks as a cup of coffee is placed in front of her.
"This is my apology. I shouldn't have said what I did last night," Trish starts off, going back to the food on the stove. "But, I also meant what I said about you putting yourself back out there. I know-,"
"Don't say it," Ally warns, cutting Trish off.
"I know. I wasn't going to," Trish promises, turning back around to look at Ally. "And like I said before, I know you've been hurt before but not everyone is like douche-face. This is your new start. Go out and have a drink, make new friends and most importantly, live your life the way you want to live it. Don't wrap yourself up in your work and hide from the real world, okay? Just be Ally."
Ally can't help the tears that are forming in her eyes as she gets out of her seat and hugs her friend. "Thank you, for everything Trish," Ally whispers, giving Trish a small smile. "I promise to be me."
"Good. That's all I ask," Trish nods happy. "Now eat it. We got a busy day had of us," as an omelet and toast was placed by Ally's coffee cup.
Within the hour, the two take off to work, Ally heading to the office with Trish to the courthouse as their jobs always keep them on their toes.
OoOoOoOo
The quiet does good for Ally as she replies back to a few clients, reads her upcoming cases and is allowed to really process her conversation with. Trish. Like she told Austin, she needed the change. So, why wasn't she embracing it? Was she really that terrified of history repeating itself? Or, was she so scarred that she was afraid to open up? All of these different scenarios played throughout her mind and as she was pinpointing her exact issues, her phone rings, interrupting her thoughts. Which was a good thing because she couldn't spend all day thinking this over. "Hello, Dawson and DeLaRosa law firm," Ally greets.
"Hi, is this Miss. Dawson?" The person asked.
"Yes it is. How can I be of assistance? Ally questions.
"I need your help. I am asking you to be my lawyer," the person says immediately.
"Okay. But before we get started, I would like to meet in person so we can discuss your case," Ally continues, pulling out her calendar.
"I can meet you in ten minutes. If that's okay with you," the person replies without hesitation as Ally hears a lot of noise in the background.
"That's not a problem. I'll see you soon," Ally agrees.
"Thank you so much," the person sighs with relief before they hang up.
Ally pulls out a new case file, getting ready for her guest as this would be a good distraction.
In Less than ten minutes, the office door opens with a ding, signaling a new arrival and as Ally looks up from her work, she sees a young woman, no older than twenty standing and there looking nervous. "Hello," Ally welcomes, breaking the ice.
"Hi," the girl nods. "You're Ally Dawson?"
"Yes I am and you are?" Ally inquires.
"Goldie Foster. How old are you?" Goldie probes bluntly with a stern stare.
"I'm 26 and how old are you?" Ally counters.
"Wow, you're younger than I thought," Goldie remarks. "But, I heard you do a kick ass job so I guess I'm not too worried. And I'm on 21.
"Well, um, thank you and yes, you don't have to worry. I am committed to this job and I'll do all I can to win your case. And okay, but you seem a little young to be needing a lawyer. Do you mind telling me what's going on? Ally pushes.
"Everything I say is confidential, right?" Goldie continues.
"Yes," Ally promises. "Privacy is the number one rule in this office."
"Okay," Goldie accepts before deep breath and telling Ally everything. "So, I work for Bass' Bankers Investment and I think they're pocketing clients' money."
Ally stares wide eyes Goldie, stunned and at a loss of words. But, she keep her composure and responds, "Why do you think that?"
"Because, I've got hundreds of calls over the past two weeks from clients who tell me that their statements are incorrect and they question the added new tax that now appears monthly," Goldie explains.
Ally writes everything down and studies Goldie's demeanor, trying to read her body language before concluding that this may be a real situation. "Okay Goldie, I see your case and though this is something serious, there's nothing I can do for you right now," Ally expresses sympathetically.
"What? Why?" Goldie snaps.
"Because, taking on an investment group without any real hard evidence is asking for an ugly fight and hard battle. I know you're doing the right thing. You want to help yourself and the clients, but I can't get a real case with just your word. And, would you do you want to put your name down on this? Because if you do, your job will most likely be in jeopardy," Ally answers with a serious tone.
Goldie listens to everything Ally says and contemplates her options. Of course she wants to do the right thing, but Ally does have a point. Everything she knows has just been shared through word-of-mouth and voiced concerns and she also knows her boss would end this with the snap of a finger.
The office is filed with silence as Ally states at Goldie, who is staring out the window with a determined look in her eyes. "If I can get some clients down here and get them to tell you their stories, would that be a better start to this case?" Goldie suggest.
"Um, yeah. That would be a start. The more information we have, the better we can build this case," Ally mentions.
"Okay, I'll see what I can do," Goldie agrees.
"Okay. And Goldie, you need to be very careful on how you approach this. You can't do anything illegal or plan something on your own, understood?" Ally warns her.
"Yes, of course," Goldie nods. "I'll just carry on like I normally do."
"Good. And I wish you luck," ally finishes with a small smile.
"Thank you," Goldie smiles back and then gets up to leave the office.
As Ally watches Goldie leave, she only hopes nothing bad comes from this because they are skating on thin ice.
OoOoOoOo
By mid-afternoon, Ally was prepping for a case when her phone rings, breaking her thoughts again. "Hello, Dawson and DeLaRosa a law firm." Ally greets.
"Hey Ally, it's Austin," the familiar voice answers.
"Hi, Austin, what can I do for you?" Ally questions, leaning back in her chair.
"Wow, are you always this formal?" Austin chuckles. "And, I wondering if you were tomorrow night for dinner?"
"Sorry, habit. And, I am free," ally responds softy.
"It's fine, I find it cute," Austin compliments. "And great! Meet me at Maria's pizzeria at seven?"
"Okay, I'll see you there," Ally agrees.
"Sounds good. Have a good day, Ally," Austin finishes.
"You too, Austin," Ally smiles as they hang up.
So, maybe what Austin and Trish suggested wasn't such a terrible idea or even that hard to do. Here she is, putting herself out there, going out with Austin, again and she actually happy about it. Maybe things are turning around for.
OoOoOoOo
Just before five, Trish comes running in the office and goes straight to her desk. Ally watches in confusion and worry as Trish is turning on her computer and skimming through the files on her desk. Ally studies her actions and knows court didn't go too well today. And that, makes for one unpleasant evening.
Minutes later, once Trish has seemed to calm down, Ally decides to talk to her. "Is everything okay, Trish?" She asks gently.
"No, everything is not okay. This is bullshit and I hate that Trent guy," Trish growls.
"Sorry. What happened?" Ally wonders, getting up from her chair and making her way to Trish's desk.
"The trial was going fine until the last second when that son of a bitch asshole brings out new evidence. I didn't know about it nor did our client. So now, I have until tomorrow morning, 9 AM to get more information on this new evidence and see how reliable it is. Our PI is going to hate us," Trish answers, looking at her computer and then down at the file.
"Let me help you and we'll figure something out," Ally offers.
"Thanks Ally. You're a lifesaver," Trish sighs in relief as the two to go straight to work.
But the time they finally get everything they need, it's well after 2 AM. "Damn Trent," Trish grumbles, packing up her stuff. "He's cutting into my sleep and we all know I need my sleep!"
"I know," Ally yawns. "Let me drive home so you can get some rest."
Trish doesn't fight it as she makes her way outside as Ally locks up. I'm ten minutes, they're home and couldn't care less about sleeping in their work clothes as the moment they enter their rooms, they crash.
OoOoOoOo
By 8 o'clock Ally is up and about, getting breakfast ready as Trish stomps into the kitchen. "I'm going to cream his ass today," she declares, munching on her toast.
"Good. He deserves it," Ally agrees, knowing Trish won't let this go without a fight.
Trish drops Ally off at the office and then speeds down the street to the courthouse as she was a woman on a mission. Ally was finishing up some last-minute preps for her trial tomorrow when the phone rang, interrupting her really good closing argument. "Hello, Dawson and DeLaRosa law," she states.
"Hello, I need to speak with Miss. Ally Dawson," the replies.
"I'm Ally Dawson? What can I do for you?" she wonders.
"I'm calling in regards to the Bass case," the person answers curtly.
"Oh, okay. But there's not a case yet. I need solid evidence of any wrongdoing," Ally explains.
"I have something. Can we meet today?" The person continues.
"Yes, of course," Ally affirms.
"Thank you. I'll see you later Miss. Dawson," the person finishes before hanging up.
Ally was confused on what was happening but it never hurts to help someone out.
OoOoOoOo
For the rest of the afternoon, Ally finished all preparations for her upcoming case, met a new client regarding the Bass case and got a lot more information than she expected. Trish returned in very thrilled mood later in the evening and after the two caught up on the trial, ally realized she was running late for meeting Austin. Quickly making her way to the pizzeria and rushing inside, she spots the blonde hair almost immediately. "I'm so sorry I'm late," Ally apologizes as she takes her seat across from Austin.
"It's not a problem. I'm just glad you're here. Rough day at the office?" Austin wonders.
"Yeah, you can say that," Ally nods. "My partner got bamboozled yesterday in court so we had a lot of work and research to do last night. And then, I'm kind of getting a new case, but it's tricky."
"Damn, sorry. I hate when that happens. Who was the jerk that pulled that move?" Austin inquires with a raised eyebrow.
"Right? It's the absolute worst. The name's Trent. I don't know his last name, but-,"
"Oh, I hate that guy," Austin interrupts Ally. "We don't get along at all and every time we go against each other in court it's like World War Four."
"I see. Well, at least you and Trish will get along just fine", Ally teases.
"I'm sure we will," Austin grins as they continue small talk and ordering a few pizzas.
Once things calm down, Austin looks at Ally, enchanted by her enthusiasm and knows she's truly something else. "So, not that I don't like hanging out with you, because I do. But, what's up?" Ally bluntly asks.
"Well Miss. Dawson, I see you like getting right to the point. I like it and thanks for the compliment. For one. I like hanging out with you too and the reason I asked you to dinner was because I wanted to see you again and you're the only person I could think of when it came to this," Austin responds.
Ally sees nothing but seriousness in his eyes and though she's flattered he thought of her, she knows she's stepping into something that could be very dangerous. But, as soon as the thought comes, it goes and she doesn't need to think twice. "You're too sweet Mr. Moon. And okay, what's your situation?" Ally retorts as Austin just smirks.
Oh yes, this is definitely trouble but the way she's feeling right now is all the confidence she needs. Or, so she thought.
And, there you go folks. Please R&R and let me know what you think.
Thanks and until next time,
Missy xx