Note:
I have found a job so that will perhaps limit updating since I have like 4 WIPS. Does this mean that I am learning from my mistakes and not start on stories while the other ones aren't finished? No not at all, because I am aiming to write a Max Verstappen/Lando Norris fic soon (don't ask me why, I am weird like that).
I would love nothing more than to write continuously but that is not financially feasible yet not to worry I am not giving up on this story although I do have to come up with instances for them to encounter each other.
I struggled a bit with this chapter, initially it started with Kate and Anthony meeting at school but the conversation didn't seem to flow so I restarted and then joined the two 'halves' of the chapter together; fyi. Therefore it might seem a bit jumbled and I obviously have to do some editing later but not now.
Hope you guys enjoy..
p.s. Lady W is a synonym for you-know-who but I am not sure if in this story, we are talking about the same 'person' behind the title, not really sure I want to go into that either.
P.s.2. I MADE UP a University; just just humour me okay. Looking things up takes too much time.
"You're mentioned again."
"Mentioned where?".
"On the website of , the gossip site about London; remember? You have only been featured on it like five times now. Anyway, Lady W. writes that you were spotted with Sienna over the weekend and hints on a possible reconciliation"..
"How on earth would be she aware of that?" asked Anthony irritated.
"She has spies everywhere in this great city of ours" chuckled Colin.
"Regardless, I swear to God.. If they ever find out who the bloody hell she is; I am suing her."
"For what exactly?" Colin asked amusedly.
"For being a pain in my arse," Anthony replied with gritted teeth.
"So, are you two getting back together?".
"No. No not at all" but it didn't sound entirely convincing, he had to admit. He had agreed to meet with Sienna, at her request; and return their things to each other; something they had not yet gotten around to. Sienna had moved out quickly, but some things were still lying around, so he wanted to kill two birds with one stone; and hear her out and return her items. They had met a few days ago, in a new establishment; instead of their familiar restaurant. He had hoped it would be a short conversation; he didn't want to dredge up all kinds of things, but unfortunately it turned out differently.
Anthony had arrived earlier and had ordered a whiskey, even though it was a bit early for that, he thought. He was nervous... and had been all week, and he didn't know why.
Unfortunately, the whiskey didn't control his unfortunate disposition; not at all when she walked in wearing a red plaid chef's skirt with black tights around her shapely legs. The look was completed with a black blouse and black leather jacket and sported her usual beautiful brown curls.
Oh no, he thought. She was as beautiful as ever, and he was still attracted to her, he knew. Their eyes met and for a moment it was like before, that spark, that inevitable attraction.
She walked towards Anthony with nervous steps and stopped just before him.
"Hi."
"Hi" he greeted.
"Thank you for meeting me" she stated next, still timidly, her eyes examining his to find something, hope perhaps.
"You're welcome, please take a seat," his voice a tad shaken.
Damn, he had totally underestimated the situation. This was going to be a painful evening.. She took a seat, took off her jacket, took a deep breath, licked her lips, something she did when she felt uncomfortable; he knew.
"What would you like to drink?" Anthony asked her, beckoning the waiter... he already knew the answer... knew her favourite drink... It had always been the same.
"Vodka lime and soda, please."
"Would you like something to eat? I can ask for the menu" he asked her, but she shook her head no and yet somewhere he was relieved; because a dinner would make this meeting even longer and at the same time he was also disappointed because it would shorten their encounter.
Good God: He hated this... hated feeling this way; so fickle and doubtful because it was nothing to him. He prided himself in being a man of certainties; and that was why the end of the relationship with her had caused him so much pain. Anthony had counted on her, on his best friend, and the very two people he had cared about the most had been the ultimate betrayal and nothing had been certain since.
The waiter took her order and soon left them again and the two were alone, in quietness.
"So, how is your new job?" wanted Anthony to know to which she shot him a woeful look.
"That bad huh?" he smiled even though somewhere he didn't want to do that, but it happened. She nodded shyly.
"Nothing compares to performing with the band unfortunately... I miss the boys" she replied looking down and at him again.
"And you?... your work I mean?".
"Busy as ever" he replied to the point.
"I see" she answered, saddened that their conversation nowadays consisted of short sentences as they used to talk for hours before...
She had been so stupid to make her mistake. Something she still regretted every day, because she missed him, missed him terribly, but she knew that what she had done was unforgivable and that he would never forgive her... she hoped, however, that he would.
This rendezvous had given her a glimmer of it, but it had been so awkward that she didn't know what to do, other than apologise. But the silence, the awkwardness had overwhelmed her; and it felt tense to be around him and contradictory as she felt the same feelings coming up at the sight of him.
"How are your brothers and sisters?" she inquired with an genuine interest.
"Great" he answered. "Annoying and loud as always, how are your parents? Did Mark retire as your mother wanted him to?."
"He did finally so he is a lot much more home these days, much to mom's chagrin, which is weird she admits for she was the one that pressed the matter. However, she was used to him being away for most of the time for his job and she feels like he interferes too much with what is going on in the house and it annoys her. They were planning to go on a cruise but can't of course due.. to you know; the world falling apart this year."
"Ah.. What a pity. I knew they were looking forward to that."
"They were indeed" she replied and after that statement it felt like all conversational topics had dried up as they both failed to produce things to talk about without poking the elephant in the room.
But they had to address it, whether he wanted to or not.
"Um" he began after wat seemed to be an eternity of both trying to speak but being able to.
"I uhm... I have some of your things here" and he handed her a box with her things.
It was hard for him... seeing her disappointment and sadness; and he hated this, but it was her stuff; and having it in their, no now his home only brought back memories.
She reached for the box, opened it for a moment, and rummaged through it with her hands; and this seemed to be going well until she saw... a teddy bear... The teddy bear he had won for her during a visit to the Netherlands, their first trip together; and by chance ended up at a fair.
She picked up the teddy bear, looked at it and her eyes welled up with tears.
"I really messed up, didn't I?" she woefully stated, as tears now streamed down her cheeks, and she turned her gaze to him.
"Sienna, I get that you might feel regret and it pains me to see you like this but-".
"You will never forgive me won't you? And you're right... but I... Anthony: I miss you so much. I've missed you so much"...
"I'm so sorry. I would do anything to reverse what I did" she sobbed. The next moment she completely threw him off guard by reaching for his hand; and holding it tightly.
"I don't want to lose you. Please, Anthony" and she looked at him hopefully and their eyes locked, and it was tempting, so tempting to say "the hell with it", to lean forward and place his mouth on hers, to say that everything would be all right; but he couldn't.. So, he withdrew his hand... slowly.
"I can't do this.. I apologize" he spoke softly.
"I understand... It is better that I go."
She grabbed her purse and wanted to get her wallet to pay for her drink, but he gestured that it was not necessary. Then she stood up, put on her leather jacket, put her bag around her shoulder and then grabbed the box.
"Thank you..." Sienna shakily uttered.
"For what?" he asked a little confused.
"For agreeing to see me today and giving me my things back."
"Of course, I would.. Sienna: I would never deny you that" he remarked, and a jumble of emotions went through him. His heart screamed not to let her go, to stop her, against his better judgement but his head and pride decided against it.
"Bye Anthony".
He could see she was struggling again to hold back her tears.
"Bye... Sienna"...
She turned and walked away from him, but he spotted the teddy bear, on her chair and suspected she had forgotten it. He stood up and called after her, holding the bear in the air as she looked back at him.
"You keep it. You won him that day. Not me" and then she left.
Anthony sank back into his chair; looked at the bear staring at him on the table; leaned against the small vase with the rose. The stupid thing seemed to be laughing at him in some way. He sighed and ordered another whiskey.
"Why don't I believe you?" asked Colin.
"I don't know, and I don't care but whether you believe me or not, me and Sienna are not getting back together. At least... not now".
"Sorry to say, but good... and besides... it's not as if there are no other nice ladies in London".
Colin wasn't exactly being subtle here, but Anthony decided to play along anyway.
"Oh, really? Like whom?" he asked in an innocent tone.
"You know who I am talking about."
"Ah piss off Colin... I told you and Mum, and Benedict to stop with this nonsense"..
"Oh, come on... even you have to admit that they are both nice, intelligent and attractive ladies and-".
"Both?" Anthony interrupted.
"You once mentioned you'd rather date Edwina than Kate. Remember?".
"And you took that seriously?" rebutted Anthony.
"Oh... So, you like Kate more?" Colin teased.
"Okay. I'm going to end this conversation. Have a wonderful day Colin" and he hung up, just hearing his younger brother burst into laughter.
One of these days Anthony was going to kill him.
If he thought his Monday morning wasn't going bad enough; soon things got worse when his secretary put through a call he didn't want to receive. It was an employee of the student faculty of his alma mater once more, asking him to be a guest lecturer. He had politely declined before but the lady in question was relentless; and kept reaching out to him until he had ordered his secretary to screen calls, which she had failed to do so this time.
"In short. We would love you as an alumni to give our students a glimpse into the life of a solicitor and what awaits them," remarked the charming sounding woman on the phone.
"I understand that; but I am quite preoccupied at the moment and-" but the woman had no interest in that statement and just interrupted.
"Especially now that you are working on such a big case as the Elston one. I am sure you can tell us something about that".
"No, I can't. I'm not allowed to comment on the proceedings, and I do not have time to..-".
" I'm sure you can spare us an hour of your time for us since we are your alma mater. Also, our students would be delighted to get a lecture by a successful figure in the field " the woman who had introduced as Louise; switched tactics and decided to go ahead with flattery. Anthony pondered for a few moments, then sighed before giving in.
"When is it again?".
Although he did not see it, he knew that Louise was smiling; and that she was enjoying her triumph.
"Tuesday, October 26th at 12:00; I will write you a mail with the details shortly. Thank you kindly for your time for now Mr Bridgerton."
Kate Sheffield was weakhearted. Yes, she was. The very thing she despised so much in herself she had become.
She had run, like a coward, after that awful party at Colin's where she had behaved abominably; and she could not forget the incident. She had made a complete fool out of herself; and she was ashamed of herself. Kate had reacted on impulse, as she often did, drawing her conclusions too hastily. He had been right and had had no qualms about reining this in, and so all she could do was to leave; to do everything to avoid running into him again. And fortunately, that chance would be small... since she had every intention of not seeing him again.
She had worked the night prior and was exhausted when her shift was over so had no trouble falling immediately asleep as soon as she hit her bed, but she was woken up; from a restless dream in which she was swimming alone in the ocean and looked grumpily at the culprit for waking her up; her phone
"This better be good or I'll kill you when you get home" Kate spoke, still a little sleepy and disoriented.
"Kate! Sorry to wake you but I forgot my school ID!."
"Yes and?" asked the eldest Sheffield chagrined.
"My exams start this week and I need the card because it's being checked but so it's still at home and I won't make it back in time if I travel home now..."
"For fucks sake, Edwina How many times do we have to tell you not to be so forgetful?" Kate reprimanded.
"Yes. Yes... I know, I promise improvement.. one day. Look, will you, please bring it to me? Please... Otherwise I'll have to retake the exam and I can't until March. Please, I'll do your laundry for a week".
"Fine. Where is it?"
"On the bedside table in my room."
"Alright, I will be on my way, but I will hold you to doing my laundry for a week".
"I will, please just hurry."
Kate grumbled and got out of bed.
It was a grey autumn morning when Anthony arrived at Northridge University and quite cold too, something he hated. Cold, rain, snow, he didn't like any of it and had made up his mind that when he retired he would leave the UK immediately to spend the last years of his life with a cocktail and (nice young lady). For now, he wrapped his coat around him and walked quickly inside. Once inside, he paused and looked around at the crowd of students rushing to lectures.
Not long ago, he had been one of those students; he realised. He had enjoyed this school, made a whole score of friends, visited one party after another on the days when he didn't have to study hard and before he knew it he was in his final year.
He walked towards the Law School and had to go outside to one of the other buildings as the department had been relocated; he now saw. This was different in his student days, but he had seen that the university had grown a lot and that there was a lot of construction.
He had to walk a bit; to his annoyance; in the cold, and this made it even worse, and the temperature seemed to have dropped even more. The Faculty of Law was just around the corner, he read on the board, but then he felt someone's gaze burn on him and Anthony looked in the direction he thought it was coming from...
She had turned around quickly but he had seen her just in time. Anthony had to smile. She obviously didn't want to talk to him and was already walking away but he couldn't help teasing her.
"Kate... Hi" he called after her.
Anthony saw her hesitating... whether to walk back or continue; pretending she hadn't heard.
"Kate!" he called out again and this time she obviously realised that there was no escape from him. She took a deep breath and then turned to him as he walked towards her with a slight smirk.
They approached each other quickly and were soon standing still in front of each other.
"Oh hello... Thought that I recognized you, how have you been?"
"Hello Anthony; good and you?" she murmured with a slight blush on her face. Aww. He'd almost feel sorry for her... almost...
"What a coincidence...again that I find you out of the blue", Anthony said with a grin.
"Indeed, but perhaps, it is not really a coincidence though" she retorted a tad shyly.
"How so?" Anthony asked with curiosity..
"This is Edwina's school..." she argued weakly.
Ah yes, that was correct it was indeed Edwina's university; he remembered now for he had seen it mentioned on her LinkedIn.
"And?" he asked with a curious grin; very innocently.
"Well... just that. This is Edwina's school and she wanted me to drop something off for her".
That one week of doing laundry was going to be two; she was going to make sure of that.
"But still... The chances of us running into each other at this big school are slim" he argued still holding that amused look of his and she felt like smacking it off but of course she didn't.. She was a doctor; one who healed people and didn't hurt them... even if they did deserve it because he seemed to be intensely enjoying the fact that he had run into her.
"Slim but not impossible" she replied firmly.
"That might be true but what are the odds? First I run into you at the cinema; and um I've done my research. There are no less than 10 cinemas in London, and we happen to run into each other in just the one and now here... It seems like the universe is trying to tell us something".
Her pulse quickened on hearing this sentence and she had to swallow a lump in her throat, yet she did her best to appear uninterested.
"I wouldn't know what that could be."
"You wouldn't? Really?" he asked with a cheeky smile as he cocked his head to the left and took a step forward. She pretended that his proximity didn't bother her and rolled her eyes but inwardly felt a little taken back by his sudden presence near her.
"What are you doing here?" Kate asked hoping to change the topic of conversation.
"I'm a guest speaker today at the Law Faculty."
"You?" she asked him in astonishment e, and he didn't know whether to be offended or to laugh because it was clear she didn't think much of him.
"Yes.. Thank you for your vote of confidence. If you must know; I went to school here as well and they asked me to talk a bit about the life of a practicing lawyer and I happen to be rather good at my job." To that she gave him a doubtful look and he couldn't help but respond to it.
"I AM" he exclaimed a tad indignantly.
"Of course, you are. Well then, I better not keep you further. Good luck with the lecture; it was nice to see -".
"I still have time..." he interrupted her, and he had for he had mistakenly thought the lecture was at eleven not twelve but he was already at the college campus so there was no use going back now.
"We can get a cup of coffee... if you want... or are you busy?".
The question was unexpected; the effect of it; palpable as she suddenly felt flushed once more and h remained silent as if she needed to process what he had just requested.
"Hello... Earth to Kate?" he chuckled when she didn't answer after a few moments.
"Sorry... um... coffee did you say?" she asked still taken back.
"I did but cappuccino is also allowed, if you prefer that more" Anthony added with a grin.
"That is kind of but maybe another time. I have to go" she answered, hoping he would buy the lie because she didn't provide a reason for where she was going to. He didn't.
"Oh. Where to? To work?"
"Er no", she replied awkwardly and oh my god... Why hadn't she lied? Idiot, Kate. Idiot. If she couldn't weasel herself out of this she was going to be stuck here, with him, and she didn't want to be because seeing him reminded her of her atrocious behaviour at Colin's party.
"And you're not waiting for Edwina?" he asked her.
"No." She wouldn't be waiting for Edwina for she had exams all throughout the day.
"Do you have an appointment that you have to get to?
"Not really but-".
"Listen" he interrupted.
"After the scolding you gave at Colin's party, you can treat me to a-". He didn't finish his sentence because he immediately saw that she was embarrassed.
"I mean to say... it's just coffee. I have time, you have time.. so.."
She nodded and meekly followed him inside. The café was full of students gulping down copious amounts of coffee and staring at their books with strained faces or discussing the test they had just taken. Every now and then, they would hear a painfully uttered "oh no; I've blown it" or something similar.
A small table by the window; just became vacant; for the students who had been sitting there were just getting up, much to Kate's annoyance as she would have liked to point out that there was no room. They removed their coats and sat down opposite each other.
"So, how have you been?" Anthony inquired.
"Great. You?".
"Also good, thank you."
"How is Colin?".
"Fine. No more foolishness thank God, but you would have known about that." replied to Anthony.
She looked at him with a frown not exactly comprehending what he meant with that statement.
"Then he would have been in your hospital, I mean," he countered with a smile, and by golly, what a beautiful smile the man had and what a looker he was, as always. This time he had dressed casually with a beige suede jacket, a white shirt and faded-looking but expensive light-coloured jeans with a black belt. Everything matched, and he also had his hair immaculately done, as if every strand of hair were carefully coiffed into place.
"Oh, right but I wouldn't now about every patient who is admitted to the hospital".
"Yeah I get that... I was only joking" he grinned.
"Oh yeah sure" she replied and then she blushed; to her annoyance because she felt foolish. When she had the courage to look at Anthony again he was looking at her in an amused fashion.
"What?" she asked a tad sharp if she were honest.
"Nothing."
"No what is it?."
"Nothing, really; it's just a little amusing to me".
"What is?" she asked a little embarrassed for she had no idea what could be so delightful to him now.
"You don't feel comfortable around me do you?" he accused.
Her mouth almost fell open in surprise as she was not expecting him to blurt this out like this. Granted he had a point yet still.
"That's not true..." she weakly counter argued.
"It is."
"It is not. And even if it were the truth, this is not becoming of a gentleman to tell me this".
"I didn't know you considered me as such?"
"No but it is common courtesy to not point.. things that might be embarrassing for someone and-."
"Would you like me to?" he interrupted.
"What?."
"Would you like me to behave like a gentleman towards you, I mean.?" he asked a little cheekily and this time her mouth did fell open for there was a mischievous inclination to what he had just dared to say to her.
"Yes... No.. I don't mean so much to me as to any woman.. or anyone" she sputtered.
"Okay. Then I hereby apologise, respectfully and ruefully" and he stated this with a faux contrite gaze, but his eyes sparkled with enjoyment. It was clear.. he liked toying with her.
She was about to tell him where he could shove his apology into but the waitress, a young voluptuous blonde came and asked them what they wanted to drink. They gave their order, a cappuccino for Kate, no she didn't want to eat anything she answered Anthony's question and a double espresso for Anthony.
"You know what... I'll have a cheesecake with that. Two pieces please," he ordered, glancing at Kate, who seemed to want to protest but gave up quickly when she saw his determined look.
The waitress took their orders and Anthony watched her as she did so until he realised with whom he was currently here and turned to face her.
She seemed to look at him with irritation but, to his relief, didn't comment. Kate didn't feel compelled to say anything, yet she did find his behaviour quite rude and a sting of something... certainly not jealousy though. went through her. Their coffee and cakes arrived, which gave her an excuse to occupy herself with something else and inwardly once more blasted Edwina for being a forgetful twit.
"How is work?" he asked after taking a bite of his cheesecake.
"Busy" she answered curtly.
"I can imagine; has been a rough two years for people like you working in hospitals.
"It has been" she replied but gave no further explanation and obviously didn't wish to elaborate.
Hell: it was so hard to have a conversation with her, Anthony thought. He was beginning to regret that he had ever invited her but on the other hand, for reasons unknown to him, he had wanted to prolong the meeting and he didn't quite know why.
He did notice a difference between Kate and Edwina, even though he had only known both sisters for a short while. ... The latter was casual and spontaneous and Kate well... was anything but that... Reserved, a tad reclusive. He wondered how many boyfriends she'd had in her life; and then he wondered why he wondered... It was none of Anthony's business and yet he was curious and wished to investigate further, against his better judgment.
"I imagine you making long days and not having many days off. Is it true though that most of the time people end up being romantically involved with their co-workers because it is easier that way and your schedules are similar?."
This was an odd thing to ask so suddenly, but it was true; every day there were rumours flying around about who was dating who in hospital. One of the doctors was famous for dating the newest additions to the crew.
"Some of them do yeah" she answered truthfully.
"I see, so does your boyfriend work at the hospital too?" he wanted to know.
Her reaction to this inquiry was immediate as she frowned and blinked in confusion.
"I don't have a boyfriend" she replied gruffly; thinking this question was even more strange.
"Oh, sorry I didn't know. " .
It was strange perhaps but this statement from him evoked irritation in her for it felt as if he was mocking her and feeling sorry for her.
"What are you apologising for exactly? Me not having a boyfriend and feeling pity for me or asking something you should not have." she sneered and at this point Anthony was the one getting annoyed because he didn't appreciate the snippy tone.
"I have no clue anymore to be honest now you mention it. I don't understand how you misconstrued this but of course you are prone to misconstruing situations, but I was only making conversation."
The audacity, Kate thought, referencing their horrible encounter at his brother's party.
"Whether you wanted to make 'conversation' as you call it, it doesn't mean it is any of your business," she snapped.
That was true, Anthony had to give that to her, but he was too stubborn to admit it; and also.. in a way he enjoyed this kind of sparring sessions with her. It was invigorating to say the least.
"I wouldn't have asked if I had known you would get so upset about this."
Oh my God. If he was going to continue she was going to send him to her hospital personally.
"I am not upset! You.. you.. It is.. because.. because.. I am a professional. I don't date my co-workers."
Thankfully, her brain did manage to find a reason somehow and she was
"Alright. Well, allow me then to apologize for what is the second time in ten minutes" he sighed but he then didn't follow up with the apology and she gazed at him sternly.
"My apologies. Sorry" he stated with an indiscernible expression on his face; perhaps a mix of genuine remorse.. and something else she couldn't decipher.
She nodded briefly and then, with a head that felt like a red beet, focused on her cheesecake, which she quickly consumed. Then she quickly finished her cappuccino.
"Would you like another one?" he asked her, but she shook her head.
"Okay... Well, I'll be heading to the faculty anyway," he mentioned and then turned to the waitress, shot her a friendly look, perhaps too friendly, and asked for the bill. When it arrived, Kate grabbed her purse and wallet and pulled them open.
Kate wanted to put the full amount on the table and almost succeeded, until a strong hand stopped her in the process, actively holding her hand. The sudden movement made her jolt upwards, and caused her to look right at Anthony, something she did not want to do.
Their eyes locked... and she watched him, and he proceed do the same to her. He watched as her lips slowly opened and her breathing quickened. She in turn watched him swallow a lump in his throat. How he had the urge to say something; just like at Colin's party when his hands had found hers again but had given up at the last moment.
She also saw how he pulled himself together quickly; how his vulnerable look soon hardened, and he regained his usual arrogant demeanour.
"My treat. I was only joking when I stated that you were buying me coffee" he smirked.
She withdrew her hand and then took some money out of her wallet.
"No thanks. I'll pay for myself" she stated, and she put the money on the table, and he didn't argue with her this time.
They both stood up, Kate first, then Anthony.
"Well then... it was nice to see you" the latter remarked.
"Likewise. Bye, good luck with your lecture." she answered curtly with fire in her eyes, which was still smouldering though the intensity of it had lessened somewhat. Then she walked away from him and again he couldn't help but look at her.
Kate had got into her car and flung her bag at the passenger seat.
The arrogant... arrogant...ooorrrrh. She didn't know why but she suddenly felt furious and no, that had nothing to do with the fact that he wanted to tell her something and swallowed it at the last moment.
Absolutely not. She was tired of his taunting way; that was all. How dare he ask her if she had a boyfriend or not, he knew she didn't have one. And how dare he, just like that, make fun of her. Unexpectedly? And out of what context? Why was he curious anyway? The more she thought about it, the more she was convinced that Anthony Bridgerton knew she didn't have a boyfriend but was deliberately asking her to rub it in. Her mind told her this was not true, but her anger told her otherwise.
And then there were the mixed signals that he was giving; practically flirting with the waitress and then holding her hand for minutes, in fact it was only a few seconds.
It was obvious.
Anthony Bridgerton was toying with her.
Well, not anymore.
Before she knew it, she had got out of her car and gone back to the law school where she asked at the desk where the guest lecturer was going to speak.
Anthony had told her briefly about his student days here, his employer, about him and what working as a lawyer was like in practice. His audience had listened patiently; much to his surprise and he was nearing the end of his 'speech'.
There was only one more round of questions to go and then he would go home but back to his office.
"Are there any more questions?" he asked. A few people raised their hands and Anthony meekly answered their questions, one of them about how much he earned to which the audience laughed.
"It is true that a lawyer earns well; however, there are also many hours of work in return; so, it is logical that there is a financial justification for that.. Um, we have time for one more question yet."
The room was poorly lit, so he could not see exactly who was being handed the microphone until the last moment and whose face was lit by the sudden gleaming spotlight.
"Hi. I was wondering. How do you buy off your conscience knowing that you represent the municipality that dumped toxic substances into a river, so toxic that residents can get cancer from it?".
His breathing stopped or so it seemed, and he was visibly taken back by her presence.
"Kate... I thought you had left...".
"If I may ask a follow up. how do you sleep at night?"
"Um, Miss..." spoke a female voice suddenly. "I don't know if the purpose of this lecture is to interrogate Mr. Bridgerton."
"I understand your point but nevertheless, I would like to know Mr. Bridgerton's position on this and I think I am not the only one who would like to know" Kate argued and looked around the room.
There was some murmuring in the room and eventually most people agreed with her as they shouted, 'answer her question'.
"Mr. Bridgerton, you may choose to respond or not" suggested the same female voice that had spoken earlier.
Anthony paused for a long moment before speaking, looking sharply at Kate.
"You are referencing an ongoing case that I am not at liberty to comment on. But as a solicitor.. I do what my client asks for, to defend him or her; regardless of the accusations they may face and mind I remind you that nothing is proven or set in stone until the judges reach their verdict. However, it might be true that not everyone is innocent but that is the nature of the profession and something any law student takes in account before starting the course or else all of you wouldn't be here, am I wrong?" he argued.
Kate wanted to reply to his statement, but the female host spoke quickly, thanking Anthony for his time and saying that they had come to the end of the lecture.
There was applause and then the crowd left, including Kate. She walked out, intending to head back to the car park until...
Someone had grabbed her and turned her around in one smooth move and before she knew it she was staring into the angry eyes of Anthony Bridgerton who now held her with both hands, pressing firmly on her forearms.
"What the hell was that for Kate?" he asked angrily looking directly at her.
She seemed dumbfounded and nothing managed to come out of her mouth.
"Well? Tell me" he asked; now in a softer tone and looking a little less angry; his eyes searching hers and... and there was that moment again between them, that feeling that was inescapable but also impossible to grasp.
They were still gazing at each other; locked in an embrace when a voice broke the spell; suddenly.
"Um. Guys... What's going on here?".
Both looked towards the direction where the sound came from and saw Edwina standing there; with a slightly worried stare at first, followed by a curious, almost bemused expression.