Holy moly, I haven't posted in over a year so I'm guessing this'll get zero interest. I'm just no good at finishing projects these days so I will make myself finish this, even if it fails to get even 1 more review. For myself, dang it.
- Chapter four -
Whining About Wine
And suddenly I'm back in the office and my only thought is of how in the Holy Mother's name I'm going to get all this work done. It's barely eleven in the morning and yet it feels as though I've done a full days work. Probably because I got up at five this morning and started work within the hour.
I'm distracted by my paperwork when the phone rings. I answer it promptly. Too promptly, perhaps. I worry the other person will be alarmed at such a quick answer.
"Apollo Justice speaking. That is, Khura'in law offices?" I say of this too fast.
"Hm, you might want to work on that greeting. We'd never settle for that here," the voice that answers is the amused and ever so slightly mocking voice of Mr. Wright.
"Still getting used to it," I admit. This isn't exactly how I'd have liked my first conversation since I left to go.
"How're things, Apollo?" he asks me. His tone is casual, but I can tell this call has an agenda.
"Fine!" I answer, "there's a lot to do, but I'm trying my best to get through it all. What about you?"
"Not bad, not bad," he replies, "Athena's actually out on a case right now."
"Oh? Is Trucy there?"
"She's gone with Athena. I actually encouraged her to go along," he takes a big pause and I wait for him to fill the silence, knowing that he will eventually. "I think she's having a hard time adjusting to you not being here, Apollo."
Mr. Wright doesn't sound angry, exactly. It's more that his has subtle threat to it. It's the voice of a father whose daughter you've upset.
I feel my stomach drop, the sudden guilt weighing heavily upon me.
"I'm sorry." I say, "I don't have an excuse. I'm busy, but I could have called in the evening…" I trail off.
"Go on," Mr. Wright prompts.
"Honestly? I just - I just didn't want to bother anyone," I say, "I'm glad you called."
"Apollo, I'm not going to think any less of you for missing home or calling the office sometimes, if that's what you're worried about. Striking off on your own doesn't mean you have to leave everything behind."
I'm left fiddling with the corner of a file, bending the corner over slightly and then undoing the crease, wondering how Mr. Wright managed to read me like a book, even over the phone.
"I know," I lie, "but it's good to hear you say that. I'll call more often from now on. In fact, I'll call back later to chat to Trucy and Athena."
"That's what I hoped you'd say," he replies, "are you making friends?" his asks, his tone casual again.
I shrug, even though he can't see me, "Datz has been helping out. Nahyuta and I are on good terms again, when he isn't being a total wine snob."
"You do have awful taste in wine," Mr. Wright concedes, matter of factly.
Well you'd know all about wine, wouldn't you? I retort, but not out loud.
"Whatever," I reply rolling my eyes, "I'm settling in fine really. I went to a dinner party at the Palace last night."
"Well goodness, you've gone up in this world, haven't you?" he jokes. "Yeah, Maya told me she went to thing at the Palace and you were there."
I feel my face grow warm and I'm suddenly very glad this is a phone conversation and not face to face, "she did? Did she say anything else about it? Did she say anything about me?"
Mr Wright pauses, "uh, no. Not really...why did you get really drunk and do something embarrassing? Was it a repeat of the Christmas party 2015?" he chortles.
"Uh, maybe." I concede, deciding that Mr Wright's assumption is far less embarrassing than the thought of his reaction to the news that I had the audacity to ask his former assistant out on a date. "Look, I've got to go. I've got a lot of work to do. But I promise I'll ring Trucy later. Heck, better yet, maybe I'll video-call her?"
"I think she'd really like that, Apollo. I'll let you get on with your work now then, speak to you soon."
He hangs up.