Text Messages

'You need to come back now.' Kanalaa read the message and the other messages that implies the same. She blocked the number before deleting it.

The messages have been coming often times ever since she passed the bar exam. She knows who were they from but refuses to acknowledge it. No one can dictate her.

Kanalaa has been in deep thoughts these few days caused by different factors, be it the rumors about her which she doesn't mind at all now but still affected her, the messages that she's been receiving, and of all things, the cases they were losing.

The law firm have been losing cases consistently which never happened before. They do lose case but not as often as this time. Everyone have been stressed out especially the senior lawyers who have been in the industry for too long now. On the other side of the coin, the pressure have been placed on the junior lawyers which including Kanalaa because the supplementals and their intellect are crucial to each cases. Aside from having their own cases to handle, they have to give hand to the senior lawyers. And with the issues going on, Alistair and Kanalaa decided that instead of working side by side, Kanalaa supported the other lawyers in line with Alistair – she has to even if she dont want to. Fortunately, she liked it as it only teaches her different approach to the cases.

Alistair reached out, gently touching Kanalaa's hand resting on the table to draw her attention. "Love, are you listening?" He looked at him with concern, his brow furrowed.

Kanalaa blinked, pulling himself from his thoughts. "I'm sorry. What is it?" She met his gaze, trying to mask her distraction with a smile.

"You've been in deep thoughts lately. Are you okay?" Alistair's voice was soft as cloud, his eyes searching his for any sign of distress.

"Yes, maybe I just over exhaust myself at work." Kanalaa sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "What were you saying?" She continues trying to divert his attention.

Alistair gave a reassuring squeeze on her hand. "Then, let's go with our trip. Let's make it earlier." His lips forming a comforting smile.

"We can't do that." Kanalaa's tone was regretful, her expression apologetic. "There's a lot of work, love. How can we just leave them behind?" She uttered worriedly.

"Here I thought I'm the workaholic one without knowing you are more of yourself." Alistair's voice was teasing, her eyes dancing with amusement. "I'll take care of it okay? I'll make sure that work won't follow us on our trip."

Kanalaa sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Alright, I will do the same." She squeezed his hand back, silently grateful for his understanding.

...

The lovers are now laying in bed, Alistair sleeping and Kanalaa staring on the ceiling. She's been thinking how can she say her worries to Alistair. How could she tell him that she needed to leave and move out soon? Her company needs her. Apparently, Alistair doesn't know how huge her company is. All he knows is that she runs her business with the help of some people that's why she's still staying on his company trying to gain experience.

Feeling unease, Kanalaa went out of the bed and went to the other bedroom where her laptop lies, it is the laptop that she uses to oversee the company. She knows she won't be able to sleep tonight that's why instead of idling, she started to read the data sent to her by her secretary. She reads them thoroughly, the financial reports especially. She need not to worry that much about her company because she knows that someone competent is handling it.

She scans every documents sent to her and see no anomalies. Everything is in their place, if there is, there's an increase to their company worth. She sees no problem. With that, she turned it off then turned on the other laptop, there it contains the documents of her current work. She started scanning them and writing defense and solutions, not forgetting to note important details that could turnover their case.

Kanalaa have been unease with the occurence of event lately. She doesn't want to think that their loses were intentionally. Despite not wanting to doubt her own colleagues, she can't help but conduct her own investigation. Later, she will find it out and it will help her to feel settled.

Kanalaa jumped from her sit when a pair arms wrapped around her shoulders, the smell of sandalwood calmed her.

"What are you doing here this late night?" Alistair whispered out with his bedroom voice.

"I can't sleep so I did some work." Kanalaa replied calmly.

Alistair dipped his head on Kanalaa's neck. It felt tingly as his breathe brushes her bare skin but instead of pulling away, she tilted her head a bit more to give him comfort. Feathery kisses were left on her neck leaving her throat dry and lips parted. Alistair lips traveled to her jaw up to Kanalaa's lips. With ease, Kanalaa turned around so they can be in comfort.

"Let's go back to the bed," she whispered breathelessly.

...

A knocked on the door disturbed Alistair's work. He moved his gaze from the computer screen to the door and saw the peeking Kanalaa with a radiant smile.

"Good morning. I hope you're not busy," she said raising her brows.

She stayed outside with just her head through the space of opened door. It made Alistair chuckled and motioned her to come inside of the office.

"No, what is it?" He said gently, a tone that only comes out when he's speaking to his girlfriend.

He put down the pen he was holding and gave his full attention to Kanalaa. Truth is, he doesn't have any time to spare but this is Kanalaa who asked him. Anytime he his willing to drop everything for her.

Kanalaa went to Alistair table beside his chair and leaned on the table, just enough for her wight to be supported. "I feel restless because of the cases we've been losing the these past couple of months. So, I'm wondering if you could give me some assistance with my investigation?"

Kanalaa walked over to Alistair's table and gracefully slid into the seat beside him. Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on the table, her weight delicately supported by her arms as she looked at Alistair. "I feel restless because of the cases we've been losing these past couple of months. So, I'm wondering if you could give me some assistance with my investigation?" She gestured with her hands, emphasizing her concern.

"You are investigating?" Alistair raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Yup, why not?" Kanalaa replied confidently, raising her brow. "It bothers me so much knowing I partook in those cases. I supplemented the defense; therefore, I am confident the defense won't falter. I highly believe in my capabilities." She bit her thumb nail, thinking.

"And, don't you find it? Your statistics ever since you practiced law, have they been this low?" She added with suspicion on her tone.

"You're saying there's a foul play?" Alistair leaned back slightly, his expression turned serious. He, too, have been thinking about it. He thought this is just not heir season but still doubting it.

"Pretty much," Kanalaa nodded.

"But I can't prove it without evidence. Given the fact that you own this firm, you should be alarmed." She leaned in closer, her eyes searching his face for a reaction.

"So, it wasn't just me and Pierre," Alistair mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"We knew something was wrong. Pierre started an investigation that no one knows about, but he still can't pinpoint it. I've been rushing my work to lend him a hand, but there's just too much to handle these days." He sighed, pinching the bridge between his eyes.

"It's okay, I will be the one to help Pierre," Kanalaa reassured him, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Assist me with what I need. Right now, I need access and permission to search the computers of Attorneys Riles and Curtis."

Alistair gave her questioning stare that Kanalaa immediately understood.

"Well, both of them were included in all the cases that we lost," Kanalaa pointed out.

"They were just junior lawyers, I can smell the motive and it's pretty stinky." Kanalaa added, insunuating an assumption.

"Just like our assumption," Alistair agreed, nodding in agreement.

"How about you hand it to the department and let them do the investigation? You can't just simply involve yourself in this kind of thing, Kanalaa," Alistair cautioned. He reached for Kanalaa's thigh and looked up to her hoping she'll agree.

"Come on, I've handled far more dangerous cases," Kanalaa insisted.

"This is nothing but a piece of cake. If you don't want to, I can always ask Pierre for help. After all, he's your business partner."

"I don't like how you involve yourself in this kind of stuff," Alistair admitted, his hands clenching slightly.

"Pierre and I have been moving. And I just want you to rest, okay? I hate seeing you space out because of work. You weren't able to go hang out with your friends."

"Love, it's my choice, okay?" Kanalaa responded, her hands reaching out to touch his gently. "I–"

"I saw your friends' messages," Alistair interrupted, his hands folding across his chest. "You at least need to see them from time to time."

"I do go out with you and your friends," Kanalaa protested, her hands gesturing defensively.

"That's different, Kanalaa," Alistair insisted, shaking his head.

"Alright, I'll go out with them. But let me do my job here first, okay?" Kanalaa sighed, her hands dropping to her lap. "Give me access. You sit tight here and I'll update you with the investigation. From there, you and Pierre can do the rest of the work. How's that sound?" She looked at him expectantly, her hands folded in her lap.