LUCY
As I stepped out of the courtroom, the warm afternoon air hit my face. The noise of cars passing and people talking felt like background music to my thoughts. Another case closed, another win in my record. But for some reason, this one didn't feel like the others.
Before I could even walk down the steps properly, Lorenzo's assistant caught up with me. He was that polite, smart-looking man who always dressed like he belonged at some expensive party.
"Miss Parker," he said warmly, stopping in front of me. With all due respect, he said. "Thank you for today. Truly, I believed in you from the start, and you didn't disappoint us."
I gave a small smile. "I was only doing my job."
He nodded, his smile softening. "I know. Still… thank you. You gave us more than just legal help, you gave us justice."
I didn't know what to say to that, so I just nodded again. I wasn't the kind of person who loved extra praise. Doing the right thing was enough for me.
"Sadly," he added with a small sigh, "our business agreement ends here."
"Good," I replied quietly. "Not to be rude, but I don't like seeing people like you around here too often. It usually means trouble."
He chuckled lightly. "You're not wrong."
After a moment of silence, he spoke again. "There's a small celebration tonight. Nothing too loud, just a way to thank you properly. We would like you to join us."
I shook my head without thinking twice. "No, thank you. Like I said, I was only doing my job. I don't work for praises or parties."
He raised a brow, a little surprised, but he respected my answer. "Fair enough," he said.
Out of curiosity, my eyes scanned the parking lot, and that's when I saw Lorenzo. He was already seated in the backseat of his car. From the outside, he looked like a shadow behind dark glass.
I crossed my arms. "Is he always like that?"
The assistant followed my gaze, and then he laughed, shaking his head. "Honestly, this version of him… the quiet, cold, polite man you see, it's the better one."
I frowned a bit. "Better one?"
"Yes," he said simply, with a slight grin. "There's another side of him I don't think you'd like to meet. It's better like this."
I stayed quiet. That only made me more curious, but I wasn't foolish enough to ask further. Lorenzo already gave me strange energy, a mix of power and danger. I didn't need to add more to it.
Just then, the assistant's phone buzzed. He checked it, and as he read the message, his lips curved into a knowing smile.
"What?" I asked carefully.
He looked up at me, amused. "That was from Mr. Carcaterra."
I rolled my eyes. "What now?"
"He said," the assistant chuckled as he read the words again "Tell her she's attending that celebration. That's not a request."
I stared at him. "What does that mean?"
"It means," the assistant said gently, "he doesn't take no for an answer."
I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "Well, too bad. He might get away with a lot of things in life, but not this. I said I'm not going."
"You haven't met him fully yet," the assistant replied quietly. "Let's just say… when he wants something, he gets it."
I didn't know whether to be annoyed or amused. Maybe both. "Is that supposed to scare me?"
The assistant smiled wider, almost proud of his boss. "No. It's just a friendly warning."
By the time evening came, I knew I had no choice but to go.
I picked up my phone and called Mr. Clarke.
"Sir," I said the moment he answered, "I got an invitation to a celebration… from the client's side."
"Mr. Carcaterra?" he asked.
"Yes. According to his assistant, he said it's not a request."
There was a short pause before he spoke. "I think you should go."
I blinked. "What? Why?"
"Lucy… you don't know what's ahead of you," he said calmly. "Some invitations are not just about celebrations. Sometimes, they're connections, or even future partnerships. Just go. Behave well. Watch, and listen."
That last part made me uneasy. "Watch, and listen." Like I was being sent into something deeper?
"Alright," I finally said.
But as soon as I hung up, a new problem hit me: what was I going to wear?
Looking through my wardrobe was like walking through a courtroom. All that filled in it were black skirts, white shirts, formal trousers, blazers. Everything screamed "office." Nothing screamed "party."
With a frustrated sigh, I opened my phone and searched for quick deliveries. I wasn't a fan of online shopping, but tonight wasn't about what I liked, it was about survival.
Thankfully, one beautiful but simple dress arrived about an hour later. It was a deep navy blue, sleeveless, with a soft flowing skirt that reached below my knees.
By the time I finished getting dressed, I barely recognized myself in the mirror. I didn't even have to add makeup, yet, I could feel my outer self screaming... beauty!
Is this really me? I thought.
I didn't have time to overthink it. My phone buzzed again, it was the assistant. "There's a car waiting for you at the junction."
I grabbed my purse, locked my door, and made my way to the car.
The drive to Lorenzo's mansion felt long, even though it wasn't so far like I expected. My head spun with countless thoughts. Why was I even here? What exactly were they celebrating? Winning a case they should never have been dragged into in the first place?
When we finally arrived, I was… speechless.
His house wasn't just a house, it was a mansion, a heaven on earth. Expensive cars parked like decoration pieces. Security guards dressed in black standing at every corner. Guests filled the place already, laughing, holding wine glasses, acting like they belonged in some movie scene I wasn't invited to.
"What did they call this party again?" I tried to remember. Celebration of victory? A thank-you party? Right now, it just felt like showing off.
I stepped out of the car, and almost immediately, a waiter approached me with a tray of wine. I took a glass but didn't drink, not yet. I needed my full senses for this evening.
I walked further in, feeling like a stranger in my own city.
Then I heard a familiar voice. "Miss Parker!"
Lorenzo's assistant. He waved, coming toward me with that same friendly smile. "I was just about to call you," he said happily. "You look… wow. You clean up nice."
"Thanks," I replied with a tired smile. "What exactly is going on here?"
"Oh," he said, lowering his voice, "a little victory, a little show-off, you know how it goes."
I didn't know how it went, but I nodded anyway.
"Anyway," he added quickly, "I came to tel
l you, Mr. Carcaterra wants to see you privately."
I froze slightly. "Privately?"
He nodded. "Yes. He's in his study."