Silence lingered in the air. It didn't look like he had any more words to say cause he kept staring at my audacious eyes. Surprisingly, I was undaunted by his looks.

His staring wide eyes made me determined to get my wine factory back and prove that I could get justice without begging for his help.

But just then, it occurred to me that I didn't really know how to go about this, my dad had said there was no way to get the factory back, of course, he had already used a sum of the money gotten from his big sale. Mr Smith doesn't care how I feel, besides, I haven't gotten full control of the factory, so I didn't have a say.

But I wasn't going to back down and let Jameson, my arch enemy, get away with my factory. I was certain there could still be a way to get Jameson in a hot chase, and I was ready to find that.

Although I didn't expect Mr Smith to be my solicitor, I needed him to at least refer me to his jury friends or help with any legal advice.

From his looks, I'm sure he didn't feel a thing when he agreed to the idea of selling off the company without informing me, just because I had not taken full control of the production.

Since I didn't know whom else to meet, I managed to act humble.

He was already stacking up some files on his table when I broke the long silence and asked “Could you refer me to any attorney”.

“You should get an attorney yourself, not a referral from anyone”, he sighed.

“You really are not going to refer me to any attorney friend of yours Mr Smith”, I called out, maintaining a calm demeanor.

“I can't Miss Jefferson”, he replied, "I can't refer you to anyone”.

I knew he responded out of anger rather than being truthful. It really didn't deter me, I simply asked further.

“Why can't you Mr Smith?”

“Because I'd already told you there is nothing to be done Miss Jefferson”.

He didn't look at me this time but concentrated on the files he kept arranging but wasn't aligning.

“You had a boyfriend who is an attorney, you could ask him for legal advice”, he scoffed and smirked mischievously.

“You mean my Edwards Crawford, my ex”.

“That's him, Miss Jefferson”, he jeered, “He is an attorney also and has won a couple of cases, you could ask him to win your factory back to you”.

I could feel the spite in his tone even if he was annoyingly calm. I couldn't help but feel awfully frustrated.

I sat still, unwilling to leave. I thought he would soften up after a while and offer me some help, but I soon realized his mind was made up.

“It seems you do not have any other business to discuss, you should take your leave”, and commanded and stood to his feet.

When he noticed I didn't lift a limb but sat still he added “I would be leaving the office right about now, you should get going”.

I gave a mock smile and stood up, angry but helpless. I grabbed my car keys from the table and walked out of his office without saying a word.

I felt a bit relieved but couldn't let go of the fact that my reason for coming to his Office wasn't resolved.

I took relief in stepping out of his cowardly presence and walked to the elevator, filled with excitement that I had a heart, unlike Mr Smith who was a coward that can not confront Mr Jameson Irish, because he is from a wealthy family.

I hopped into the elevator and alighted at the last floor. I walked straight to the entrance and then out of the building to the car park.

I hopped into my car with my eyes red, determined to get a solution.

I then leaned my head on the head rest, pondering deeply. Do I really have to meet Edward?.

I and Edward were once lovers but broke up two years back. We had to break up since I wasn't the kinda crazy bitch girlfriend he wants.

I was less extroverted and business minded, so I didn't have the time to hang-out all over Texas.

Although he is an attorney his other nature is to wine and dine and since I couldn't fit into his clique, he had to call off the relationship.

We stayed together in a four room duplex which I paid for. On such an evening, he returned home from work, took his bath and walked into the living room where I sat, watching Netflix. He then said,

“Zina, actually I'm fed up with this diplomatic relationship, we should go our separate ways”.

“Don't try to wrap your head around me, just focus on making money as you've wanted and let's part ways”.

“Is that what you want”? I managed to ask, he responded saying, "Yes, Zina, you shouldn't be with someone like me that loves to play around”.

He had been acting weird lately, avoiding communicating with me, so I expected nothing less of what he said. I maintained composure as I knew it was better than seeing him bring another lady to the house, which I knew he would do, but just needed to be free from my radar.

I gave a mock smile and then said “Okay”. He smiled and walked up to me, hugged me and then said “I'll surely miss you my Zina, but I can't cope with your rigid lifestyle”.

I didn't respond but smiled and then pulled out of his grip, feeling suffocated from his hug, although he smelt of lavender and chamomile.

He left that evening to where only he knows but before he left we had a sex spree filled with groanings. Looking into each other's eyes like we were on a revenge for causing each other so much pain.

And that was whom Mr Smith suggested I get legal help and advice from.

My heart raced, my legs trembled even as I sat in the car, as I thought of meeting Jameson again, my sworn enemy.