SUMMARY: Lian Zhao has spent a majority of her life toiling towards the 'American Dream'. With perfect grades and one of the best LSAT scores ever reported, she was able to open her own law firm by 26 and have it among the most respected firms by 30. Life was good for Lian; she had everything she ever dreamed of and could possibly ever want. That was, until the new hire at her practice caught her eye and suddenly she can't get him out of her mind.
"We need to ensure the Expert Witness is willing to disclose everything with regards to this case; if they don't, we might not win." The words were directed to Lian, but she wasn't necessarily listening to the concerns of her fellow co-worker. The Expert Witness wouldn't have been hired for the case if Lian didn't think they could answer a few simple questions, giving all the answers needed to win the case. Instead, her dark hues gaze fell upon the computer screen in front of her; eyes scanning the email she received from the receptionist. "Are you even listening?"
"To your whining? Not necessarily. This article about the Kardashian's is far more interesting than your concerns," she answered, nodding toward the bright screen. Clinton Barton rolled his eyes, blowing out a breath of frustration as his boss smiled innocently toward him. "Come on, Barton. There's a reason why I'm Senior Partner at this firm, and there's a reason why I make as much money as I do; I'm good at my job," Lian spoke with emphasis. "The Expert Witness will be the tool we need to convince the jury our client is innocent, and when that happens and all the news stations report on the victorious win, be sure to smile brightly next to me."
Sending a wink his way, Clint couldn't help himself but smile at the brunette's smug attitude. He knew she was right; she always was. Lian had that upstanding reputation winning 97% of the cases she took on – it was the reason why he liked working with her, along with everyone else at the firm.
It was a small firm; about ten attorneys with an equal number of secretaries, four paralegals and two receptionists. Small, however, is known widely throughout the state of New York. Everyone wanted to be represented by Zhao, Stark and Rhodes at Law, LLC, and almost everyone was represented, provided the case would be a slam dunk; they weren't idiots to take any and all cases. And in the event a case took a turn for the worst, the attorneys knew the protocol; drop the client and wash their hands of the case before moving on to the next one. Sure, it was dirty, but they knew how to play the game.
"If that is everything, Clint, I have a meeting with the new associate attorney."
"New attorney?" he questioned, his brow arching from the news.
"Yes. We've been having a substantial amount of new cases coming in and I figured I'd have an associate come in to help us." Clint narrowed his eyes at Lian as he rose to his feet, his hands finding his hips. "What's the matter? Worried you'll no longer be the favorite?" the woman joked with a smile.
"On that note." Barton turned on his heel, leaving her office with a wave.
Dialing the receptionist's number, Lian instructed them to escort the new attorney to her office. Sitting with her back straight, she laid out his information on the desk in front of her, his resume along with his volunteer information and work history. He had a clean slate from what she could tell and she felt he would be a good fit with the office. A little older, as he had gotten his law degree later than the rest of the associates due to being part of the military, he had an impressive resume and volunteer record.
Hearing the knock at the door brought her attention forward, smiling as the receptionist entered the office, their new employee walking behind her, standing taller.
"James," Lian greeted, getting to her feet. James Buchanan Barnes offered a smile, extending his hand for the woman to shake. "It's a pleasure to have you on board. Please sit." Obeying, the man undid the button on his jacket as he took a seat in the chair Barton had once occupied.
"It's a pleasure to be here, Ms. Zhao."
"Please, call me Lian," she corrected him as she held up her hand. "We only use last names here if we're reprimanding someone."
"Does it happen often?"
"Not at all. I can guarantee you'll find a home here with our firm; I ensure those we hire understand the people here are like family away from our own and should be treated as such. But like real families, there might be a quarrel here or there, nothing that can't be resolved." Barnes smiled and nodded at her words, his body language conveying his excitement. "As I have mentioned in your previous interview, I am quite impressed with your resume and find you will be a positive addition to our firm. If your probation period goes well, you might find a more permanent position; if you're willing to accept. Of course, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."
"Understood."
"Are there any questions you might have before I show you to your new office?"
He did. Barnes asked a few questions about his paperwork regarding his new address, asking how his mentor would be, and a few other questions Lian was happy to answer. When he was done, she gathered her things and headed for the door, beckoning for him to follow.
Lian started down the hall and introduced him to each of his new co-workers as they passed by each office and/or cubicle. Stopping at Steve Rogers' office, the woman noticed Barnes' body language shift.
"Do you happen to know Steve?" she questioned, her hand sinking into her blazer pocket.
"Yeah, we served together back when he was in the military."
"Interesting."
Keeping on with the tour, the two ended at his office which resided on the other side of the building. It wasn't as big of an office as the other attorneys in the firm, but it was big enough for James to be comfortable with the amount of work he will be receiving. "You are welcome to make this office your own; add plants, plaques, your diploma by chance. As soon as you're settled in, I will have Attorney Clint Barton come over as he will be your mentor."
"Thank you, Lian, for this opportunity. I promise I won't let you down."
"Oh, I have a feeling you wouldn't allow it." Sending him a wink, the woman turned on her heel and headed toward her office to continue the work needed for the hearing the following day.
Walking into the bar, Lian was used to eyes following wherever she moved. The attorney was known in New York because of her profession, but it also helped to be rather attractive in the eyes of many. Of course, she would never get used to the attention but still chose to ignore it even when she settled into a seat away from the bar, her eyes landing on the book she had brought along. It went without reason why Lian enjoyed being surrounded by blurred faces in a loud environment the night before a big case, but it soothed her mind; knowing she was just another face in a crowded room. Most of the time the eyes landing on her would end once she found a secluded spot, not worrying about a soul making their way to her, interrupting her unusual reading in a bass filled room. However, this night was different.
Sitting with her cocktail in hand, glasses on and book on her lap, Lian realized a voice had been directed to her. "I noticed your drink was getting a little low so I took the liberty of bringing you another Grey Goose martini."
Looking up to the unfamiliar face, Lian offered a pitiful smile; he had gotten the drink order wrong. "Thank you." The woman took the drink from him, setting it on the end table next to the couch she was on.
"I couldn't help but notice, you look a lot like my next girlfriend." It was brazen of the man to do. He was attractive with a jawline for days, what looked to be a military buzz cut, 'hipster' glasses and an outfit Lian just knew he had changed a few times before settling on it. He also appeared much younger than what she normally went for, which only turned her off on him even more.
"What's your name?" she asked politely, sliding off her glasses.
"They call me Buzz," he asked with a smirk.
"And you can't get them to stop?" she asked playfully, trying to let the man down easy. He laughed. "Listen, Buzz, I understand the level of courage it takes to walk across a crowded room and try to generate a relationship out of thin air, so don't take the following to heart."
"You have beautiful eyes," he interrupted, almost as if he wasn't listening to a word she was saying.
"Thank you; try to listen," she told him, resisting an eye roll. "This is no reflection on you; I'm just not interested. But thank you for the compliment of coming over here."
"You're welcome." He nodded and almost turned as if to leave before he stopped. "Do you like Cuban food?"
This time the woman rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh of frustration. "That seriously wasn't code for 'I wish you'd try harder'," she informed him with a rough nod.
"Are you always so shut down and afraid?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "That the right man might make you feel..."
"Like a natural woman?" A hand landed on Buzz's shoulder and Lian's dark hues followed, seeing the very familiar face of James Barnes. "Sorry, I'm late, honey, I couldn't get a cab. How was the meeting?"
"Well, there was a beginning, a middle... and an end." Her harsh glare landed on Buzz. "Nice to meet you, Buzz."
The man rose to his feet, mumbling something before heading off to join the group of friends he had entered the bar with. Lian was thankful to be left alone by the skeevy idiot, but was surprised to see Barnes pick up the drink on the end table, giving it to a waitress to take back. He had a bit of a smooth air to him - something she hadn't picked up at the office.
"On the one hand, it is very difficult for a man to even speak to someone who looks like you, let alone someone with your status," he began, taking a seat in the chair across from her. "But, on the other hand, should that be your problem?" He was still wearing his navy-blue suit, white shirt and black tie he had worn to work that morning, giving Lian the impression he had gone straight to the bar after work.
"So, life's kind of hard all around, huh?" she answered with a nod, putting her glasses back on.
"Not if you pay attention," he replied, causing the woman's brow to arch. "I mean, you're sending all the right signals - no earrings, heels under two inches, your hair is pulled back, you're wearing reading glasses keeping yourself occupied with a book, drinking an Apple martini, which means you're preparing for a hell of a week." Lian listened intently, setting her hand down onto the closed book on her lap. "And if that wasn't clear enough, there's always the "fuck off" sign that you have stamped on your forehead."
She laughed at this, once again removing her glasses from the bridge of her nose, her eyes peering through her lashes. There was something about the new hire she knew stuck out, but this was on a whole different level.
"You speak like you have experience."
He offered a shrug, getting to his feet. Buttoning his suit jacket, James offered a nod. "Guess that'll be for another night. Have a good evening. I'll see you in the morning."
As he walked off, Lian watched him, noticing he had a strut.
"Excuse me." Turning to the voice, a waitress came over with a new Apple martini. "From the gentleman who just left." Happily taking the glass from her, Lian turned her head to find Barnes, but he was gone.
"Uh-oh," she mumbled before taking a sip from the drink.
