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— Intentions —

4# - Expectedly Unexpected
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"I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary.
I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was."
— R. Riggs

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— U. Takumi

SILENCE STRETCHED ACROSS THE ROOM before I answered.

"I see... What else?"

"What else? Do you even know who you've offended?"

"Should I mind?"

"God, Takumi, the f'cking Walker Corporation filled a lawsuit against you!"

"Oh...?" A chuckle escaped my lips. "I guess that sub branch corporation was a pretty sensible issue to them, then." I noted with interest.

"Don't make it goddamn worse, please..." He said, a loud sigh reaching me through the speaker. I was about to mock him again but he didn't leave me the opportunity.

"You have an appointment tomorrow, first thing in the morning. The director already called the defence attorney. I'll send you the address by e-mail."

That, on the other hand, was nowhere near fun, though I should've had expected such an unfortunate outcome.

"It's starting to become bothersome now..." I grumbled. Maybe I was too easy-going on that matter. In fact, it could become hell of aggravating if I took it too lightly, right?

"Whatever it is, just get there before 9:30, or else I'll be the one dragging your ass to the meeting." He grunted with bitterness.

"A threat? How low and ineffective, Tora." I taunted but eventually conceded, as I exhaled. "Fine, I'll go," I muttered before hanging up.

The sound of my phone slamming against the table made me realize how tense I was.
More fazed than what I had expected, I took off the glasses I usually wore when working, as my fingertips slowly rubbed my eyelids with consternation.

Walker Corp. he said...

I fell back on the chair, my head facing the ceiling before exhaling heavily. This was definitely going to be troublesome.

—

— A. Misaki

I HAD LEFT THE HOUSE in order to stay closer to my workplace.

Mom had pushed me to move out when she noticed how exhausted I was, when I came back home. My job provided me enough to easily support my family but it was pretty much time consuming: the time I spent in public transportation required me to wake up in the dawn and return way past late hours. Though I didn't want to admit it, the coming and going was wearing me out.

Thanks to my relocating, my lifestyle got a lot healthier. Looking at the brighter side, even if leaving my mother left me homesick; I still enjoyed my work as a lawyer. And my younger sister by two years, Suzuna, who was studying at the university nearby, visited me every so often as she had a key to my apartment. I was glad to see her regularly and she said it was pretty convenient to come here whenever she had free time or needed to study. Not to complain, since I even got the occasional home cooked meal waiting for me at home.

Right now, I was having dinner in my dining room with Suzuna and Hinata, my childhood friend, also known as Suzuna's lover. We were chatting comfortably as the dinner went on. Maybe I should find it odd, seeing them together like this. I mean, my childhood friend and my sister? It was almost like seeing two of my siblings together. But I had to admit they were made for each other, and I couldn't help but support them wholeheartedly —though, if he ever hurt Suzuna... He'd certainly pay for it. With blood.

"So, onee-san, how is it going lately?" Suzuna asked between two bites of food.

"Calm... I'd say. Though it feels only temporary before I get to work on a killer case." I smirked, before stuffing a mouthful of pasta. Nero, my black cat, jumped onto the chair next to me, and curled into a ball as we kept talking.

"So you have free time then? Let's go to the market and refill your fridge then!" She grinned before adding, "It's always empty whenever I come to your apartment..."

"Only because you use up everything you see, Suzu," Hinata started to bicker with her. She squinted at the wide grin he gave her. Seriously, these two were so cute; it almost got me throwing up. My attention went to my cat and I soothingly fondled his fur, getting purrs of appreciation from him.

I came across this condo with the help of Satsuki. She had planned to buy this place for her nephew Aoi, but he just went his way and opted for sharing a room with one of his blogging friends, thus leaving such a great apartment empty. That was when I told her I would probably have to move into the city center and she made such an appealing deal that I could not refuse. I mean, it was a really nice place! On the 14th floor, open to sun exposure in the morning, immense glazed windows, great security, and the closest location to my workplace. Cherry on top, the rent she made me pay was little to nothing compared to what these apartment rent's should be.

"It's this late already?" Suzuna exclaimed, checking her wrist watch though she was in the middle of fighting —or flirting— with Hinata. "We have to go, onee-san." She spoke as they gathered their belongings that were lying here and there. Opening the front door, she gazed at me and prompted, "Leftover is in the fridge. Don't forget to heat it before eating, nee-san!"

Seeing them out to the door, Nero was quick on his feet trailing behind me. They hastily announced their goodbyes before leaving.

"Say hello to mom for me, Suzuna!" I shouted over their shoulders.

They both turned their heads back to me, stopping before both answering with the brightest smiles I had ever seen.

"Sure, Misaki," their voices soothingly vowed. Nero purred his goodbyes before he settled against my feet, rubbing his head against my ankle with affection.

Still, I paid no attention to him as I watched the couple step away. They took the sharp turn around the corridor and disappeared into the corner without another glance.

And I was glad they didn't. Else, they would have caught the heartbroken smile that lingered on my face.

—

I woke up the next morning at the usual time. My life's routine was not as off-putting as one would think. Actually, I loved working with people, listening to them confide in me their history, and defending them to the best of my ability. So far, I had been active in every case I took part in, and I felt like I had discovered so many things.

The first thing was that appearance should never be trusted. It's not because a nineteen year-old teen comes to seek help from you that you are going to work on a pregnancy case, a child beating injury or even stalking issues. She could be a murderer or a kidnapper, as much as... She could've had come to you only because her brother told her she was overweight. Teens were just that weird.

So the second point would be to not expect anything.
In fact, most people live through first impressions and society assumptions. I'm not asking you to trust someone you would not want to, or follow the first stranger into his house. I'm just stating that being biased before even considering the individual could possibly make you suffer great losses in life. Just stay neutral to anything until you discover enough to make a sound opinion out of it.

And for safety, here is my final and third point. Always stay on your guard.
Choose wisely who you are confiding to, and don't get attached too fast. I learnt that the hard way when I began to establish friendly relations with my clients. That was just to forbid.

Many of them would only get close to you for your position, and then start to mix personal feelings with professional behavior. Starting with small favors, they would just become bolder and then say, "You are my friend right? Help me out," right out front. They would even try to get into your pants, only to have something to threaten you with in the near future. So yes, no more mixing or getting close to clients if they cannot separate business from personal. I'd rather stay strictly professional.

Before I left home, I filled up my cat's water and food as I eyed him walk towards me in a drowsy fashion.

"I'm going, Nero," I said, putting on my heels as I bent down to gently pat his head. He answered back with his characteristic sleepy-Nero morning meow before I locked the door.

It was already past nine when, my ritual mocha coffee in hand, I made my way to my office before setting down my coffee on top of my shared desk. I was about to switch on my PC, but a piece of paper that was stuck onto my computer's screen drew my attention. It read:

Meet 9:30, room CF3
New client, Data in the blue folder
DO NOT BE LATE

Sweet, I had time...not?! My eyes widened as I checked the clock hanging on the wall.

9:27am.

I could make it. I flew to the door, my heels thumping into the wooden floor as I flung the door open. My mind still had the composure to grab the blue folder before I rushed to the meeting room. I stilled in front of the door of the third conference room after my pretty much unlady-like race. Drawing a deep breath in order to cool down, I hastily brushed the several strands of hair that escaped from my ponytail behind my ear and smoothed my pencil skirt.

I knocked on the door, lightly but distinctly. I was not late. I was not.

Hearing no answer, I pushed the door open and made my way in, my legs still wobbly and my heart pounding onto my chest.

Bright sunlight shone right into my eyes as I entered the room. Semi-blinded, I closed the door behind me, well aware that my client's gaze was on me. He was pretty tall. Before I even fully looked up at him, I introduced myself, my hand outstretched for a handshake.

"I am Ayuzawa, Ayuzawa Misaki." I smiled as I scrolled up to my new client's face.

And then, in the blinding light, I think my jaw almost hung open as my eyes came upon a familiar face.
A face I had come across too often, lately.

—

Author note: WHO?! - who could that be, I wonder ~ *drumrolls*