Chapter 66

In fear of saying the wrong thing, Mia kept silent as Gabriel shuffled her into his car. Harvey’s cryptic words last night had made perfect sense to her when she’d opened her door not ten minutes ago to find Gabriel slumped against the frame.
His nose was bandaged while underneath his eyes were discoloured and swollen. A broken nose he’d said. One that he got by tripping over something last night while making his way back to his room. Mia had offered her condolences but said nothing more. Her mind reeled, wanting to know what had happened for such a spectacle to unfold between these two men. From her years with Gabriel, he’d never had any dealings with Harvey, they weren’t friends, associates or acquaintances and yet they had incalculable distaste for each other.

The entire situation made her uneasy. It couldn’t be a coincidence, could it? What were the odds of Gabriel actually telling the truth? Slim, she had to admit. Mia gazed at him, his eyes focused on the road ahead of him.
Harvey did radiate an aura of endangerment. She was certain not much people got in way for that very reason but to see a clear and blatant show of that side of him. She still barely believed he actually did it.

“We can head straight home and you should get some rest, I’ll get Amiyah myself.” Mia offered and he nodded his agreement. Satisfied, Mia turned her attention out the window. The blurring scenery a preclude to her being transported back to last night when Harvey declared he’d get her out of the marriage on account of his love for her.

“Harvey, I can’t say those words back to you.” She’d whispered, her knees growing limp at the sound of the words escaping his lips. It was lucky she was already sitting or else she would have tumbled to the floor. There was something so fanciful having this man saying those three words to her.

“I am not asking for it back.” He’d grabbed her shoulders and kneaded them in his palms. “Me loving you is not contingent on you feeling the same.” He’d assured her, his face dangerously close to hers; she could feel the wave of his breath against her eyelashes.
Harvey knew Mia’s feelings for him and as much as she preferred to have it under lock and key, her eyes revealed everything. No one had ever looked at him the way she did, the only other place he’d seen such devotion was in his parents eyes. It wasn’t the same intensity, how could it be? Brad and Angela had decades to refine their love and relationship and Harvey had no doubt that in time, they, themselves could have a connection that strong.

“I am scared I am not worth your involvement, I can’t promise anything to you.” Mia’s eyes were locked on his lips.

“I just want to help you, I want nothing in return.” He told her again; on the off chance that Mia didn’t want him anymore Harvey knew he would never change his decision. “Even if you ghost me or decide to run off to another country, I won’t regret it.” He was adamantly clear.

“Are you giving me ideas?” Mia teased, her lips parting slightly as her head cocked closer to his. Harvey chuckled at her impatience, “I’d probably even help you pack.” He responded taking her mouth with his own and pushing her body flat down onto the bed. He was done talking; he needed to feel her body against his. Mia didn’t complain she’d been waiting for him to touch every part of her; it was the only time she felt at peace.

***

“Please send in my 2 o’ clock appointment.” Nylah spoke into the speaker and disconnecting from the line. It was ten past the hour but she was extraordinarily busy today, court deadlines for an upcoming trial was fast approaching and she was barely finished with trial bundles.
She heard her door open, but she didn’t look up, if she did, she’d lose her concentration and she just had one final reminder to set.

“Ms. Raya Lockwood, please have a seat. I apologise for the delay in seeing you this evening.” Nylah muttered her formalities disingenuously.

“That’s quite all right.” A male voice echoed throughout the room instigating a curious head tilt from Nylah. She gazed at the source of the voice.
What in the Devil’s name was Harvey Regal doing in her office? He’d often made it a point to stay away this firms’ representation. They were never considered competent or moral enough for him. In Nylah’s perception, morality didn’t win cases or pay the bills.

“Am I missing something?” She said instantly, scratching her head in utter bewilderment. Wasn’t her 2 o’ clock appointment a female? She certainly didn’t see Harvey Regal’s name on her schedule and she was certain he’d be considered a high priority client…too high for her to deal with.

“Where is Raya Lockwood?” she added almost seamlessly.

“Right here.” A voice sang before the female stepped out from behind Harvey’s broad shoulders with a glowing smile.

“I am surprised my name didn’t raise any red flags, here I thought I was reputable.” Raya said in dismay, batting her eyelashes sombrely. Nylah peered with mounting confusion as Harvey shot Raya a disapproving glance.

“Is this really the time for your ego to be bruised?” He questioned, ignoring Nylah’s stunned demeanour.

“Is there ever really a right time?” Raya retorted and when he just shook his head she turned her attention back to Nylah.

“Mind if we take you up on your offer to sit?” She questioned, Nylah gestured towards the seats in front of her desk and waited for them to occupy it.

“I must confess I am a bit taken aback by your presence here.” She’d directed the comment to Harvey which resulted in Raya rolling her eyes. Not that anyone noticed; very typical for Raya’s presence to be undermined when in Harvey’s company.

“I am here because I understand you were retained by a Mia Evan’s recently.” He leaned back into the chair and waited for her response. A conglomeration of emotions flickered across her face.
She gazed at Raya now, “Mia Evans?” Nylah parroted, her eyebrows rising with an obvious question. “I don’t understand how you are related to someone else’s matter?”

“Mrs. Evans is an acquaintance of ours.” Raya responded cryptically.

“I highly doubt that,” Nylah was becoming defensive. There had to be a correlation to Gabriel. Mia was nobody; it was unlikely she had ties to Harvey Regal. Nylah did, however, remember that Harvey and Gabriel’s families were old foes. “Who are you?” Nylah followed up to Raya. Raya’s friendly features dropped and she narrowed her eyes.

“You really do not know who I am?” Raya probed, finding it difficult to believe. She’d been a part of numerous high profile trials, she would have thought that an attorney attached to such a prominent firm would have known of her reputation by name at least.
Nylah’s superiors had recognised Raya immediately during their meeting earlier this morning and yet their junior had no clue.

“She’s part of my legal team.” Harvey interjected casually and Raya peered at Nylah unemotively. She was often very pleasant to her fellow attorneys but whenever anyone treated her with the slightest disdain her mood switched. She no longer had the desire to play nice.
Nylah straightened in her seat and held her head high. “Any information about a client is privileged.” She said defensively.

“As you know, privilege can be waved under certain circumstances.” Raya countered.

“I fail to see any of those circumstances arising.” Nylah shot back and Raya smiled sardonically sitting up in her seat.

“Considering the fact that you do not usually follow legal etiquette, I think we can decide on our own terms whether privilege is waved or not.” Raya offered but Nylah shook her head in the negative.

“That’s not likely, I am afraid I must ask you to leave.” She pushed back on her chair and rose to her feet.

“Not likely, I suggest you sit back down.” Raya advised calmly adding on a corresponding hand gesture.

“I do not think it’s wise of you to disrespect me in my own office.” Nylah didn’t obey, her eyes flaring.

“You have not been very wise yourself, have you?” Raya scoffed, accepting an appreciative gaze from Harvey.

“My attorney informs me that you acting on behalf of Mia, rendering her advice on her potential divorce present itself as an ethical issue.” He began, trying to recall the conversation he’d had with Raya and his team earlier on the potential actions that could be taken.

“How so?” Nylah hissed through clenched teeth, glaring at them both.

“Because that husband she wants to divorce keeps this firm on retainer, doesn’t he? Not to mention the fact that you are sleeping with him.” Harvey chuckled, the entire situation funny now that he spoke the words out loud, “I believe that’s a conflict of interest issue under your code of ethics.” He looked to Raya, “Did I get that right.”
She nodded with an appreciative glance, “In simple terms, yes.” She turned her attention back to Nylah. “You also used your position of power to mislead someone who had put their trust in you to help them; we both know the disciplinary committee takes an attorney’s duty to their clients very seriously.” Raya warned her. As an attorney, any of their indiscretions towards a client could cause them to be disbarred.

“Not to mention, we had a little talk with your superiors and it’s clear they have no intention of defending your actions as those of the company’s” Harvey added on.

“What do you want?” Nylah sank back down into her seat. She was ready to co-operate. She couldn’t lose her job over Gabriel Evans.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Harvey pulled at the tie around his neck and smiled.