Page 6 of Stella’s Manster

“Goodbye,” I say before pulling my hand away and rushing out of the house. Down the street and into my car, I take off toward the jail. As worried as I am about Darren, Batman lingers in the back of my mind.

Who are you, Batman? I hope we meet again someday.

Chapter Two: Ace

Why can’t I get you out of my mind, Catwoman? It’s been a week since I got to be in your presence. I want nothing more than to take you in my arms and hold you, inhale your scent… I’m craving you.

“What the hell is going on with you today?” my coworker, Rick, interjects as he strides through the door of my office. “You’ve been spacey all week. Are you alright, Ace?” His booming voice snaps me from my daydreaming and I scramble through my brain to find the right words to say.

“Uh, yeah,” I fire out a natural response. “I was just, uh,” I stall as my eyes scan my desk and land on a stack of papers. Picking up the papers, I straighten them against the desk and reply, “I was just getting the last case files ready.” I tuck the papers in my briefcase and stand up.

Rick looks me up and down suspiciously at first, but ultimately nods along with me.

“Okay then, it’s time,” he replies. “Let’s do this.”

I grab the handle of my briefcase firmly and Rick and I march through the courthouse together.

But still, Catwoman won’t leave my mind.

Even with her streaked eyeliner trickling from under her eye mask, and her damp dress, she still looked so beautiful. She cared so much about her brother, and my heart aches for her. I hope I’ll see her again, but I don’t even have her name or number. Not sure how that would be possible.

I may never see her again, and that pains me. As a lawyer, it’s not like I’ll have extra time to date around. I’m consumed by work every day. That’s why meeting her, felt like fate.

Just before we enter the courtroom, Rick places a hand on the door, holding it closed. “Come on, Ace. I need you on your A-game today in there and I can see something’s bothering you. Get it out of your system right here and now. Tell me what’s up, bud.”

He’s right, I’m distracted. Perhaps it would help to talk to someone.

Running a hand over my head, I sigh. “Fine, I met a woman at a party last week, and I can’t get her out of my mind. She’s stunning. Beautiful, caring, and sweet,” I tell him, gushing over this woman I hardly know. “There’s just something about her that captures me. I have to get to know her, but I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Hmm, I see,” Rick nods his head. “Well, what’s her name?”

“That’s the thing. I don’t know. She and I only had a few minutes together before she left,” I sigh, wishing I asked for her name at least.

Rick pats me on the back. “Soo… you’ve caught a case of love?” he chuckles at his lame attempt of a lawyer joke. “Maybe you’ll cross paths again somehow. If it’s meant to be, the universe always has a funny way of bringing two people back together.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

I take a deep breath and adjust my tie. I’ll let the universe handle this because right now, I have a case to win. Pushing open the door to the courtroom, Rick and I walk inside.

There’s an unusual amount of small chatter from the people among the benches today. I head over to my side of the room and take a seat, placing my briefcase on the table. Clicking it open, I keep my head down as I rummage around inside for my paperwork. The case seemed pretty clear and since it’s just the arraignment hearing, I expect to be in and out of here fairly fast.

“All rise,” the bailiff announces.

I look up from my paperwork and rise, drawing in one more long breath.

It’s showtime.

Taking a glance at the defendant, I see a tall, lanky man.

He looks familiar.

I narrow my eyes slightly and take in his features. There’s something about his shaved head that I remember.Where would I have seen someone like him?

Suddenly, a flash of someone behind him in the audience catches my eyes and my jaw nearly hits the floor.

“Catwoman?” I whisper to myself. I’d recognize her gorgeous eyes and long lashes anywhere. My mystery woman from the party sits on the edge of her seat behind the defendant and she’s staring straight into my eyes with a shocked expression plastered over her face.

Everything comes clear at this moment.

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