Chapter 6:

Kat POV:

Hearing loud voices, I slowly open my eyes and am in a bed, with my foot raised and wrapped in bandages. I wince when I try to move it but my focus is shifted to the voices once again when I lift myself from the bed and start limping down the stairs.

"Penelope, you know better than anyone that horse reacts badly to thunder, you should've stopped once you saw the weather change! You can be lucky Kat didn't get hurt worse than she was, what were you thinking!" I assume they're scolding Pen for what happened as I heard my name and Iris sounds upset. As I turn the corner into the living room, all eyes land on me and Mr Drakos rushes to me and goes to pick me up but that would just make me feel worse, so I motion to him that I'm fine. Penelope looks at the ground; sniffling and I walk towards her, lifting her chin up

"Hey Pen, I'm fine...it was my choice to climb on the horse and no one could have expected the weather to change so suddenly" I wipe the tears from her cheeks "I. am. Fine. It's just a little bruise that will heal soon, luckily I've got enough cushion to break my fall" I laugh and she giggles slightly but looks at me

"Kat, I'm so sorry..." she hugs me and I squeeze her tight, rubbing her head repeating 'it's okay, honey' over and over until she finally calms down. I insisted that we still travel tonight as Pen had a big day on Monday and I had some work to do before going into the office on Monday. I thanked Iris and John with Iris making me promise to come back. Once in the car, Mr Drakos is a bit cold towards Pen as she talks to him but he only gives one-word answers. Pen and I are sitting at the back so I've got enough space to prop my leg up slightly I look at her questioningly and she whispers to me

"Apollo really gave it to me after you fainted...he's never scolded me so harshly before so I think he might still be upset" deciding that everyone had already made her feel bad enough, I start speaking to her about her new school and find out its only about ten minutes away from the firm. Halfway through the ride, she falls asleep and I place her head on my lap. Mr Drakos looks in the rear mirror "is she not hurting your leg?" I shake my head as I continue to play with her hair.

As we near my house, I decide to speak up for Pen's sake "Mr Drakos...it wasn't Penelops's fault, she was very vigilant and checked everything before I got on. Her heart was in the right place and she just wanted to give me an experience, which I still enjoyed. She's only 17, don't be too hard on her" I finished just as we neared my house. He helped me out of the car and up the few stairs that led to the apartment building door. There was an empty silence as though he wanted to say something and I was tired "Goodnight Mr Drakos" I turned to enter the building "Goodnight Ms Ellis".

After a short shower, my phone dinged and I saw an unknown number. Opening the message, my heart did a weird flutter

'Ms Ellis, take the next few days off to recover and I'll see you in two weeks. Regards Mr Drakos'

So this is what it feels like if he had texted me that next morning...

Wait, what? A few weeks?! I couldn't afford all those leave days being taken, so I messaged him back.

'Mr Drakos, I will be in on Tuesday, one day will be enough. Thank you. Ms Ellis' my phone immediately rings. Why is he calling me?

"Mr Drak-"

"Ms Ellis, you will not come into work for the next two weeks, as per the doctors' orders"

"But the new client-"

"Will be handled by me. I've already filed your leave" shit

"But Mr Drakos-"

"If I see you on Tuesday you will be fired Ms Ellis" dang did he have to be so drastic about it?

"Mr Drakos, I-"

"Very well. Goodnight Ms Ellis" he ends the call. Urghhh what am I supposed to do now? Well, he already filed my leave days so there's no choice there. Guess I'll just have to heal quicker so I can get back to work sooner... I head to the kitchen in search of an ice pack and open Netflix.

---------------------

One week later, I am back comfortably on my feet and getting ready for work, guess that extra exercise therapy worked. I can feel my ankle is almost fully back to normal, just 2 more weeks of flat shoes, and icing the foot and I'll be as good as new. Walking into work on Monday felt good. I sent HR an email to let them know I'm back so I'm not using the full two weeks and at 10 am, there is a scheduled meeting with the new clients and my suspicion of them being a mafia family is slowly being confirmed, as today because the meeting was in our offices, there were guys in black lining up the whole hallway up to the elevator. I hear a voice inside already and as I open the door, Mr Drakos looks at me surprised "Ms Ellis, are you not on leave?" I walk over to the older man sitting at the table and reach out my hand

"Mr Lopez, a pleasure to meet you" he kisses my hand "the pleasure is mine Ms...?"

"Ms Ellis sir, I'll be the paralegal in charge of your business" he smiles at me and motions for me to sit down across from Mr Drakos. We discuss what his business entails and what the risks are, one of Mr Lopez's men brings a contract for me to sign and Mr Drakos gives the go-ahead with Mr Lopez in so many words saying they are the mafia and everything needs to be kept discreet as enemies use their business against them and everyone's lives are at stake if anything goes sideways. I knew what I was signing myself up for when I took this case on so I signed and after about an hour of discussion, we ended the meeting with the next appointment being at their house over dinner. We walk Mr Lopez to the elevator when he turns around and looks at me "Ms Ellis, by the way, if you're single, I've got a son who got his looks from his father" he winks at me and I blush.

"See you all next week" Stacey scoffs; I forgot she was even here, as Mr Drakos needed another lawyer to be present to take notes. I won't lie, it felt good that Mr Lopez addressed me instead of the model-thin pretty blonde, but no doubt when his son sees us both, he'll flee to Stacey, but still, that felt good. The moment the elevator leaves our floor, Stacey flirts with Mr Drakos and I head to my office to finish some much-needed work and to escape the scolding that I will most likely get as I feel eyes burning into my back.

-------------------------------------

A few hours later, there's a knock on my door "Come in!"

I look up and Penelope's head peeps from the open door, I smile at her and gesture her in "Pen!" she immediately comes toward me and we hug before she takes a seat on the opposite end of my table, I ask her how her first few days are at campus and we spend about half an hour chatting about her studies when Stacey walks into my office and in that squeaky fake voice of hers

"Penelope!" oh, my ears... cue the automatic eye-roll and the laughter that comes from my lips as I see Penelope feels the same way as she widens her eyes at me as if to say 'Oh, god, not this' but Stacey walks over and awkwardly hugs Penelope

"Hi, Stacey"

"How is university Penelope?" Penelope sighs; I knew I liked this kid, well-woman, she is an adult, but you know what I mean.

"Fine" another moment of uncomfortable silence but I was so happy for Mr Drakos' interruption at that moment, damn since when did my office become the gathering spot...

"Ms Ellis" I greet him before viciously getting back to typing on my laptop, sorting emails, gathering information and appointments as they continue talking before I hear someone say my name

"Ms Ellis....Ms Ellis" Mr Drakos is standing in front of my desk now and I look up into those gorgeous aqua eyes- no, Kat! Get your shit together. I cough to gather my thoughts

"Yes, sir?" Penelope interjects before he can respond

"Apo wants to take us to lunch" huh? US? Who, me? wait- what?

"Excuse me, I, sorry what?" Mr Drakos sighs and rubs his forehead, great now I'm probably a nuisance to him...

Stacey pipes up and I catch a moment of her looking at Pen...was that annoyance? This bitch-

"I want to celebrate Penelope's first week at university at her favourite place, and-" Penelope grabs my arm and hooks her arm with mine while walking out of the office

"But I said I wouldn't go unless you came" well she practically has me out of the office already, but I turn back to quickly grab my jacket and purse and off we go in the most awkward car ride to the nearest Italian restaurant, although Pen and I were chatting the whole way, Mr Aqua eyes just staring out of the window while Stacey tries to make conversation to which he answered ever so curtly.

We arrive at a cozy looking Italian restaurant, the waiter taking us all outside. The veranda is beautifully decorated with vines, leaves and flowers with barrels all over. When the waiter comes to take our order, Mr Drakos and Stacey order a glass of wine but I order a coke as I still have work to do and alcohol either makes me a hoe, say things without thinking or tired and on a good day, all three so that's a skip from me. Pen orders a Nutella milkshake and when it arrives I ooh but Stacey glares at the milkshake as though it's done something wrong to her but then it all makes sense as she orders a salad, a fucking salad at an Italian restaurant but I brought my own wallet honey so I ordered a large alfredo and Pen a pizza, we want to try both so we worked out our order to share, and Mr Drakos ordered the house special Italian dish.

When the food came, Pen and I snapped a few pics, Mr Drakos looking at us with intrigue and I took a few pictures of Pen, when Stacey and her boring ass salad couldn't resist but make a dig at my weight halfway through the meal as Pen and I were enjoying ourselves, often including Mr Drakos in the conversation as he would ask Penelope about her studies and living on campus. The pasta sauce must have gone on my cheek as almost as if naturally, Mr Drakos' hand reaches towards my cheek and wipes it off. I freeze and feel my face blush as Pen gives us the knowing side-eye and giggles, and our eyes meet briefly, but I catch Stacey's death stare and look down at my plate, when suddenly

"Ms Ellis, I hope you won't only feed Penelope carbs, as she has an image to uphold and we don't want her looking like.....being overweight...you understand yes?"

"Stacey....." Mr Drakos starts but I want to leave as I could feel her bad energy this whole meal and those sharp eyes staring at me throughout the meal. I've had enough, I don't need this shit. I can see Penelope fuming and she goes to open her mouth but I place my hand on hers and shake my head, it's not worth making a scene in her favourite place so I put my fork down, take my last sip and stand

"Kat" Penelope goes to stand but I motion for her to sit and smile at her, signalling that I'm okay.

"Thank you for the meal, please excuse me I've got lots of work to do" I don't know why this affected me like this, usually it doesn't but I guess having the reason I had to leave that morning highlighted in front of Mr Drakos made it worse, so before the tears could fall, I head to the counter, thank the owner and server, pay for my meal and for a special dessert to be sent over to Pen.

A few hours later, just before closing time, there is a knock at my door "Come in" Mr Drakos walks in and places money on my desk. I look at him confused

"for your meal and the dessert you sent Pen" I slide it over back towards him and look him in the eye

"I wanted to pay for my meal and I wanted to do something special for Pen, so I will not accept this" I continue clicking away on my keyboard when I hear him sigh

"Ms Ellis...about Stacey-" I stopped him right there,

"No, we are not doing that right now. Please leave my office, Mr Drakos"

"Katherine-" he's even apologizing for her now?

"Please" I feel the tears sting again "Leave" as he leaves I feel stray tears fall down my cheeks, luckily most of the employees have left already so I make my way to the bathroom, wipe my eyes and try and gain composure when I walk out and knock into a wall. Arms are wrapped around me to keep me from falling but when I look into those Aqua eyes, I stumble out of his arms and try to walk past him with my head down, but he's already seen as he grabs my arm and turns me around

"Katherine, why are your eyes red?" why does he look so worried? He brings his hand up towards my face and gently wipes over a stray tear, looking into my eyes when I hear the cause of my mess

"Apollo!" I definitely don't want to see that bitch right now. I pull away from his hold

"Better not keep her waiting. Evening Mr Drakos." He opens his mouth to say something but I dash away too quickly to even hear what he had to say.