"All warfare is based on deception."

My office was unusually packed with unusual people. It was only Tuesday. On a day like this I'd see three or four clients and a couple walk ins but today the office was packed. I couldn't wait to sit for lunch.

If I didn't have to pay my bills every month, I would have stayed home and never put clothes on.

Toph had managed to stalk Jet's wife to death on social media to the point where she found out she goes to the Whole Foods right around the corner from my office everyday for a Quinoa salad.

I couldn't deny myself this opportunity right? I had to know who Jet chose to spend the rest of his life with. Who he ultimately decided to have kids with. Who he… cheated with me on.

I knew of her. She was Onji Song. She feed African children, fought live tigers, raised millions for the less fortunate and still managed to look incredibly gorgeous. She was literally Wonder Woman. Large ringlets of black hair, with hude hazel doe eyes. She was petite and only 5"3.

You aren't going to go. Just be done with Jet. Doing this is stupid and toxic Katara. You don't need to do this to prove something.

Ultimately, I'm an idiot who must live for drama. Next thing I knew I was browsing the various pretentious types of cheese then I saw her. Burnt Sienna never looked so beautiful on a woman. With black hair of wool and her head held high, she waltzed on with an effortless saunter. The clicking of her heels added rhythm to the soft classical music that played onward without pause. Her eyes scanned the room with determination in search of someone when her eyes met mine she smiled. So beautiful it was like the stars themselves, decided to rest behind the soft cushion of her lips.

"Any of these cheeses good? Roquefort? I mean come on what happened to American cheese? Am I right?" I snorted as I attempted to make awkward small talk. I was such a fucking clown. She was perfect and beautiful and I was dorky, trying to talk about cheese or whatever adults talk about.

"Yea, I know. My kids love basic things like American. I try to buy different things like olives and its World War 3 suddenly. But Roquefort is pretty good with a cheese plate." Her eyes narrowed and she stared at me for a second, as if something was familiar about me. "Hey you're a lawyer right? I think I saw you speaking at one of the women's conferences right? You do a lot of good work."

Basic. I was basic compared to her. I was the American cheese on the cheese plate that no one wanted. She was complimenting me out of pity. According to Facebook she had raised over a quarter of a billion to end world hunger. Even Mother Teresa looked basic compared to her.

I remember now. Last October, I went to a Women's Conference in Quebec. It was powerful women discussing women's issues and what we personally could do to make an impact. I talked about the casual sexism I experienced as a female lawyer, which led to a discussion about women being paid less for more work. Jet's wife seemed interested but she faded into the background when the work conversation really kicked off. I remember her giving a speech about female sex slaves and girls being snatched all over the country. It was moving and she was poised the entire time. Although she had a small frame, her words were rich and stuck to your soul.

Now before me she looked mousey. Still beautiful but so small and docile. Her black curls thrown into a messy bun on her head, which complemented her white t-shirt and blue jeans. She looked positively normal and insignificant, yet I was intimidated. This was the woman that made a life with Jet, the man who I thought I would marry one day.

"Oh thanks. I never take a case I can't win." I smiled as genuinely as possible.

"God, I wished I could've made a difference like being a lawyer, but kids you know." She floated down the aisle looking at the dried beans.

She literally is a saint and she complains about making a difference. Geez. Modest, much.

"You make a difference. You raise tons of money for charity." I blurted it out. What happened to being a random stranger chatting about cheese, Katara! She wasn't supposed to know I knew her.

"Hmmm did you google me orrrrr. Something tells me you didn't just bump into to me to talk about food"

"I try to keep up with notable women in this town. You are certainly one of them. After the women's conference in Quebec, I looked you up."

"Oh okay. Forgive me, I don't quite remember your name."

"It's Katara. Nice seeing you again."

"Yes, nice. I'll see you around." She walks towards to check out line.

My heart drops into my stomach. It felt like my throat was so narrow that I was breathing through a straw. Why had I come here? What was I doing?

"Wait!" She turns around quickly as sweat forms on my brow. "I, I um know your husband." I could barely get the words out. They came out as a soft whisper.

I could see her nostrils flare. Her chest poked out a little more. No longer did she have a sweet and inviting appearance. She was now a Momma Bear ready to pounce and protect her cubs.

"Who are you? You know my husband from where?" She stared deep into my eyes making it clear that she was serious and was not about to play games about an answer.

"I, I'm sorry I have to go." I ran so fast out of the Whole Food and into my car. Once I pulled into the parking lot of my firm, my chest was so tight.

My eyes drip with tears. My walls, the walls that hold me up, make me strong just... collapse. Moment by moment, they fall. Salty drops fall from my chin, drenching my shirt. Perhaps these tears will help wash the blood out. I press my head against the wall... baby blue, so innocent... I am anything but innocent. I'm trembling. I can't-can't stop. Even as I press my hand against the wall it shakes, it trembles. It's raw, everything, raw tears, raw emotions. I can't stop... I can't stop. Why can I not stop crying?

~/~

Mirrors always told the truth. My reflection spoke back to me and the words were too much to bare. My mascara had smeared all over my cheeks and my eyes were swollen and red. I was in the business of finding the truth and equality for my clients, yet I couldn't be further from being truthful with myself. Does the truth imprison us or does it set us free?

It damn sure hurt. It stung like someone pricking my heart with a needle. I was a homewrecker and I went with the intention to hurt her. I was the other woman. How dare I try to hurt her anymore than Jet already had.

I leave the bathroom stall and splash cold water on my face. I re-apply my mascara and attempt to piece myself back together.

I had loved a stranger for two years. I apply my red lipstick and glide it over my lips.

I was going to be stupid and alone. I dust the concealer over my puffy eyes.

His wife knew who I was and could come right now and slash my tires. I blend the foundation under eyes.

My phone vibrates, I look down at it and see his name. A reminder that I had been played and would inevitably die alone with pint of ice cream in my casket. I wasn't going to answer because I deserve better than him and I was a strong woman or whatever bullshit women say in movies to pep them up.

Adults do things that they don't want to do because they have responsibilities. I needed to get out there and build cases for my clients. I may be sad and single but I was also successful and sumptuous. At least, I looked great even if I felt otherwise.

My desk was flooded with cases, files, and my phone had 5 missed calls. I got to work on the first case, hoping to be productive. I left my laptop in my car in a rush. What case was I going to craft without it?

I hurry outside so quickly I miss the curb to step into the parking lot and fall. The heel of my shoe snaps right off. Right now I was as steady and focused as a baby taking its first steps. I pick myself off the ground and dust myself off as my feet still shake from the now uneven height of my shoes. As I wobbled trying to balance on one foot to get my shoe off, a familiar face appeared.

He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks. I guess he must get used to that, the sudden pause in a person's natural expression when I looked his way followed by overcompensating with a nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. Of course the blush that accompanied it was a dead give-away. It didn't help that he was so modest with it, it made the girls fall for him all the more. He knew he was attractive, that much I knew from observation. The way he waltz into my office expecting me to represent him told a lot too.

"You okay?" Zuko said shooting a kind smirk at me.

"Fine. My shoe just broke. I just need to get something. I'm fine."

"Here. Lean on me until you get what you need. No need take your shoes off on the dirty ground." He ropes his arm around me to help me balance and make my way to the care.

"You just love popping up. What are you here for?" We were three feet away from my car now. I could smell the sweet musk of his cologne.

Zuko said, "Actually, I came to kill two birds. I wanted to drop off the case request form and to meet with my sister."

Sister?

My eyes could pop out of my head as I say, "Your sister works here? As a lawyer?"

I know for a fact Azula was the daughter of Ozai Ember. He was as unethical and seedy as any business man could ever get. That means Zuko is suing a very powerful man with money longer than The Great Wall of China.

"Yeah, Azula. She actually told me you're a pretty good lawyer. She saw me after I left your office."

I nearly gasp, "Azula, the DRAGON lady is your SISTER?"

"I know she's a little crazy, but yea she is." We stop in front of my red Mercedes Benz and I unlock the trunk. "This all you? Wow. Nice."

I pop the trunk and switch out my shoes for a pair of flats, I keep drunken nights at the bar. I grab my laptop bag with my computer as well."

"Thanks." We stare at each other awkwardly in silence. The way his lips lifted upward. The way his one dimple crinkles. The way his teeth are perfectly aligned. The warm glow his smile gives. His smile is a ray of sunshine, and I am a sunburn.

Words left me. His golden eyes spoke of pain, joy, happiness, and something that he was holding back. If he was my client, I would need to know everything. That's just how I worked. I can't help if he isn't honest with me. Even still, I'm not sure I could take on Ember's council, no matter how air tight a case I could make. Money talks way more than even the most sound legal representation. Although a case like this one could get me promoted to partner quicker than I could blink if I do well.

Zuko scratches his head. He succumbs to the silence and says, "So I wanted to give this to you directly. I really need a good lawyer. Heard you were one of the best. I just really need help." He handed the one sheet of paper to me that was folded neatly inside an envelope.

I clear my throat and say, "I'll review your case file and my secretary will give you a call if I decide to take it. I have some cases and a few other clients to see today. I'll review this as soon as I can."

"Um…" He scratches his head again. "Okay…Good seeing you again. Seems like I'm always helping you. I hope this time you'll help me." He showed his teeth one more time before heading down the parking lot, probably to meet Azula.

When someone smiled at me it was like for a split second everything stopped and their smile pierced through all the bad in my life and all was well again. I felt warmth in my belly. It was something about seeing another person smile that made me want to smile too. When I looked at Zuko, a man who had a father that was virtually the anti-Christ who he now needed to sue for whatever god awful thing, all my problem melted away. If Zuko could smile, so could I despite me stalking my ex-boyfriend's wife today like a creep and a broken shoe.

I get back to my office and settle down with my laptop finally ready to work. I stare at the crisp white envelope, now sitting on the corner of my desk. I pick it up admiring the soft curves of Zuko's handwriting. My name written with delicate and soft rounds on the "A" and neatly straight lines for the "T". Even the "K" was so straight the lines formed perfect 45 degree angles. Even though, I was no forensic handwriting analyst, I picked up a few tricks from using a few as witnesses on cases. Your handwriting tells a story. As a lawyer my job was to analyze every detail to make a compelling case. From the looks of it, Zuko is calculated and takes his time to be perfect. He didn't rush writing my name and the deep black ink left an impression in the paper. He's very tense due to pressing the pen so hard. What was he so tense about and why did he want to appear so perfect?

I could not wait to look at his case.

~/~

"You sure I can't live off of wine?" I asked inhaling a handful of popcorn then chasing it with two large gulps of red wine.

Toph and I were sprawled on the couch eating popcorn and wine, very Olivia Pope like of us. The day I get to toss all my bras and never wear them again will be the day I rejoice. I tossed the bra and my shoes as soon as I got in and changed into a tank top and pajama pants.

"I'm pretty sure most adults don't have diets of fermented grape juice, Kat! But tonight we dine in wine!" She tops off her glass, polishing off the bottle. "This is good shit too. I don't usually like red wine."

"My dad gave it to me when I graduate law school. What a better time to crack the bottle open!" I felt butterflies in my stomach and a little warmth radiating from my chest. "Toph, I think I might be drunk."

"We did just dust off an entire bottle of expensive French wine that's been aging for years in your kitchen." Toph jumps up and grabs a second bottle from the table. "More for me. Besides we have to celebrate you addressing Jet's wife about him being a dirty dog."

I grab the bottle and add more into my glass. I needed another drink just for remembering how stupid I was.

"I'm glad you told her the truth. I wonder what marital issues they were having for him to step out. She looks like a boring lay like she just lays there like a corpse."

"Toph! I don't want to imagine my boyfriend with his wife!"

"Oh, your boyfriend! Katara he is MARRIED. He is not your boyfriend. You better not go back to him!"

"I won't. I promise. He's just been blowing up my phone all day. His wife must have went home and chewed him a new one. He's pathetic. I'm focusing on work for now. I got this kind of risky case."

"Drama? Is it Azula? Did you steal the ice queen's case?"

"No, actually he's interesting. He saw me piss drunk at the bar and I gave him my business card with my cell phone number scribbled on it like an idiot. He needs legal defense."

"Interestingggg? Interesting enough to bone?" Her voice got higher when she said interesting as she drew out the word to mock me. "Your entire face lit up when you started talking."

"What! He's my client, well potential client. I don't know if I'll take it. The case could be risky, but if successful it'll let me be first in the running for partner."

"Take the case! It's a no brainer. You need more risk in your life. You work extremely hard. If you even for a second doubt that you'll win this case, stop it. You're a bomb lawyer. You DESERVE to be partner."

I gulp more wine, hoping I would believe her words. The two most powerful words in the English language are "I believe". I hang onto them and in a split second the words become more than I could ever imagine. Maybe I could win for Zuko. Maybe I could win for myself.

~/~

Hours later, Toph and I were passed out on the couch. I try to stumble my way to the bedroom to sleep comfortable and avoid a crick in my neck. On the way there, I missed calls and messages.

7 missed calls and so many messages:

I miss you baby.

I'm done with her. I only want you.

She put me out of the house. Please let me come over. I need you right now.

I love you so much. You mean everything to me.

Let me back in. I can make you feel amazing. Remember those night we had?

I was still a little drunk but I knew he was full of shit. I lay in the middle of my huge king bed alone and feel the cold set in. I close my messenger app and suddenly felt a jolt of inspiration. Who was I feeling sorry for myself for one more minute! I am not alone - I have solitude, peace and time to heal. I take my adversity and I make it my advantage.

30 was coming and I needed to embrace that maybe I couldn't have it all right now. I couldn't have romance, but I surely could make the best of my career.

I open my email and begin crafting an email:

Hello,

As a representative of Water Tribe, law firm I have reviewed your case and would be happy to provide you with legal council. Attached is a sheet with my retainer and fee for service prices. Please call my secretary to set up a meeting so we can go over the information more thoroughly.

Best,

Katara

This was possibly the biggest jump I could ever make in my career. I was at the cliff and I jumped, hoping to land safely.

My phone vibrates again:

I need to see you right now. It's important. I'm hurt and I need help. Please.

Another cliff lay in front of me. The phone stares at me and I stare back at phone.

I'm hurt bad. I need the hospital. I'm at the Waterfront Hotel. I've been attacked. I'm bleeding.

The thing about jumping was that you feel weightless going down, but once you hit the bottom reality comes crashing.

Author's Note: It's been a while. I'm back after a long year of internship in grad school. What do yall think will happen next? What do you want to see in the story?