Chapter 10: The new secretary, Judite Elliott

Narrated by Leo

Although my whole night was full of constant nightmares, waking up bewildered and going back to sleep, I even woke up in a good mood but very apprehensive, I try to let that feeling go and focus on this day, it will be wonderful to have a secretary to organize me again , help me. If she is all that she is said to be, she is a machine, an extremely intelligent and ruthless woman, it is said that she often made the judgments with Dr. Douglas, sitting next to her, and it was often she who ran the trial as lead attorney, with Dr. Douglas sitting and she up front talking. So she was much more than a secretary.

After taking a shower, I go to my closet and choose to wear a dark blue suit, a white shirt and to complete a maroon tie and black shoes. I spray my Giorgio Armani perfume on myself, my gold Rolex on my wrist, and I'm ready to face this new stage.

Before going to the office, I stop at a cafeteria to drink strong coffee and eat a mixed sandwich, I don't have my dear Louise there to bring me the snack I was used to.

Soon after, I get back in the car and arrive at the office, it's not even 8:15, her time is only at 9:00, so there's still time to prepare, to see how we're going to start. I have three cases to prepare, I take what I think is most important, a case of domestic violence, my client is a socialite very respected by the media and her followers, she has millions of them, and she accuses her ex-husband of beating her for years . The evidence is not deceiving, but he, being a deputy, complicates the situation, he is in a favorable position and has a lot of power, we'll see what this case turns out to be, he'll be the first case to talk to my new secretary.

There's a knock on my office door at 8:45, and Scott opens the door.

Scott - Can we? - He asks all smiling.

I get up immediately, I'm sure he's accompanied by the new secretary.

Leo - Sure, come in - I say nervously.

Scott - Dear partner, may I introduce you to your new secretary, Judite Elliott.

And when that woman enters my room, I'm out of breath, out of breath, I'm paralyzed, and I see on her face, the same surprise that I most certainly have in my face.

Scott - Enter Judith, there's no need to be afraid, he doesn't bite - looks at me amused - at least I hope, it's not Dr. Leonardo?

I come out of my trance and try to compose myself the best I can, the best I can.

Leo - Yes, of course - I say without any emotion.

I walk towards them and hold out my hand to her.

Leo - Judith Elliott, that's it, isn't it? - I ask to see her reaction.

Judith - Yes, that's it - she responds visibly nervous and extending her hand to greet me.

When our hands touch, it feels like an electric shock, which we quickly move away from.

Leo - Nice to meet you, Leonardo Hill - there was no need to introduce myself, but anyway.

Scott - Well, after the introductions, now it's up to you Leo - says Scott walking towards the door - I have a lot of work today and as much as I want to, I can't stay here in the conversation. Very welcome Judite, I hope you enjoy being here so much, that you don't want to go back to Dr. Douglas - leaves the room, laughing at his own joke, a real clown.

We were both there in a completely heavy atmosphere, I don't know what to say, I expected everything in life except her.

I resolve to break this funereal silence that is installed here between us.

Leo - Judith Elliott?? - I ask intrigued.

She senses my surprise at asking this question.

Judith - It's my middle name and my maiden mother's last name - she says awkwardly.

Leo - Hmm, I understand - I say, heading back to my table and sitting in my armchair, with my hand I motion for her to sit in the comfortable chair in front of me - please feel free.

Inside, I'm full of hate, but I'm not going to show it, that would be a glory for her, I'm going to show her that I'm over her, over everything she and her family put me through. I'm going to show that I'm superior to all of that, even if it's not entirely true.

Leo - Do you mind if I call you by your first name?

She looks at me suspiciously.

Evy - If you prefer it that way, no, I don't mind - she just says.

Leo - Okay, great then.

Evy - Leo…- she suddenly shuts up - I'm sorry Dr. Leonardo, but I don't think this arrangement to be his secretary is a good idea.

I just look at her without saying anything, I want to see what she's going to say.

Evy - I think it's going to be weird working together.

Leo - And why? You accepted!

Evy - Yes I accepted, but I didn't know who it was, I accepted out of courtesy to Dr. Douglas, a request from him, just for that.

Leo - Look Evy - I say coming forward - It's all right with me, you're a professional, I'm a professional, so I don't see what the problem is, you're here to do your job as my secretary, just that, nothing more.

She looks at me with those huge eyes she has. I get goosebumps with that penetrating look of hers, I look away and get up to hide my nervousness, I'm not going to give her that taste. Inside, I just want to run with her kicking, but I restrain myself, she's just my secretary and that's how I'm going to treat her, I'm a decent and respected lawyer in my environment, she's not a woman who in the past put me down that will bend me, that will take my focus, not really.

Leo - And then? - I ask looking out through the huge window - what do you say?

Evy is silent for a moment, possibly wondering how to respond.

Evy - Okay, I stay, but when Dr. Douglas come back, I'm leaving the same day.

I look at her blankly.

Leo - I wouldn't ask for another day either - I say dryly.