Page 18 of Lost Room Lawyer
How can I say no?
“I’d be happy to come,” I answered with a reassuring tone. “I’m the intern. What am I good for if not this?”
Hector laughed with relief and started the car. “Okay, then… I’ll take you home. Where do you live?”
The mood had noticeably relaxed, and as I entered my address into Google Maps on my cellphone—since I had no idea how we would get from here to there—Hector drove back across the gravel driveway onto the street. On the way, he explained what we were looking for in St. Moritz, or rather what we hoped to find.
“Is this where you live?” he asked, stopping in front of my apartment building.
“Yes, on the third floor, with Dominic, my poker buddy.”
“Mick Jagger?”
“Exactly.” I was surprised that he remembered Dominic’s poker name. And even more surprised when Hector gave me a beautiful smile.
Shit, maybe I should just stay home.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be ready.” I gathered my things and got out of the car.
“Have a good evening!”
“You too.”
I waved as Hector drove off. For a moment, I stood in front of the building, reflecting on my first two weeks as an intern.
Hector had introduced me to the cases on my first day, but after that, we hadn’t had much contact. Maybe he had been too busy, but I was convinced he was deliberately trying to avoid me.
And suddenly, we are heading to St. Moritz together.
Shit.
Secretly, I could barely wait to spend time with him, because every damn time I looked at him, I felt warmth building up in my core. On the other hand, I was fully aware of the fact that I was his intern. I was subordinate to him. He was my boss. My mentor. And our contract was for a year!
Oh God! This can’t end well.
In the apartment, I kicked off my shoes, hung up my coat, and grabbed a glass of water in the kitchen. Walking down the corridor, I went into my room and called my mother.
“Nicola! What a surprise!” my mother greeted me.
“Hi! How are you?”
“All good. And you? What’s up? It’s an unusual time for you to call. Are you already off for the weekend? A bit early, isn’t it?”
“Yeah… uh… Looks like I can’t come over on Sunday. Sorry.”
“Oh, what’s the matter?”
I hesitated for a moment, but I knew it was pointless to keep it a secret. She would find out sooner or later anyway. The biggest bombshell had already dropped.
“Hector wants me to go to St. Moritz with him tomorrow. For work.”
“Well, if it’s for work.”
I rolled my eyes at her ambiguous tone and sighed.
“Nicola,” my mother said suspiciously. “Do you have a thing for this man?”
