I stand there, observing her as she scans the room with her eyes, then turns her gaze to me questioningly.
“Are you planning to just stand there or…?” She says with a raised eyebrow.
I grin. “It’s nice to see you again too.”
She grunts. “Right, we’re here to exchange pleasntries, since I had the pleasure of meeting you in a hospital parking lot, and so now we’re practically best friends right?”
I chuckle, sitting down on one of the two couches placed by the small table at the side of my office, used only during informal meetings. I point to the other one. “Have a seat bestie.”
She scowls, but sits down anyway, carefully placing her files on the table.
“It was a pleasant surprise seeing you here is all.” She gives me a look.
“It can’t be that simple.”
I smile. “Nothing is that simple.”
“Then?”
I tilt my head to the side. “Then what?”
“Then why am I here?” She asks impatiently.
“So I can ask you why you’re working for Mr. Ahmed.”
Her lips twitch, but otherwise, her face remains expressionless. “So you do have an ulterior motive.”
I shrug. “You can’t blame me really. You don’t usually take such cases. One may wonder why you took this one.”
“You’ve certainly done your research.” She’s shocked. She hides it well, but her eyes betray her.
I lower my head in mock humbleness, earning a low, unladylike grunt from her. “It helps that you’re known as the most stupid AND impressive lawyer in this city.” She frowns. “Their words not mine.”
“Well, let’s just say it’s non of your buisness.” She says slowly.
I sit back in my chair. “Was he offering you a lot of money?”
Her gaze hardens. “If by that you mean he was offering me a fair sum to do my job, then yes.”
I nod. “How much?”
She leans in. “Mr. Malik, what exactly is your point?”
I match her piercing gaze. “Would you like something to drink?”
“I’d like you to answer me.” She snaps.
I lean in as well, our faces mere inches apart. “What do YOU think my point is?” I ask in a low voice.
She searches my gaze, lost in thought.
“If I had any idea, I wouldn’t be here.”
I lean back, not breaking eye contact. “Whatever sum he’s paying you, I’ll give you double of that.” I pause, assessing her face.
My intention was not to bribe her, but to make sure her boss heard of it.
I wanted that man to feel trapped.
All the better if his lawyer actually took the unintentional bait, although I would be disappointed if she did.
“Am I to actually believe you need to bribe me to win this case?”
I tilt my head to the side. “Do I not?”
She frowns. “Mr. Malik, are you testing me?”
“Now why would I do that?”
She shrugs. “I’m wondering the same thing.” She pauses. “You don’t need my labour Mr. Malik, and I certainly do not need your money. Whatever your reasons are then, I still find it very discriminating that you’d make such an offer.”
“Discriminating?” I ask quizzically.
“You did not try to bribe Mr. Ahmed’s last two lawyers, and since they were men, I can only assume you took me lightly since I’m a women.”
I blink. Now where did that come from?
I wasn’t trying to actually bribe her, let alone doing it because she’s a women.
“You misunderstood Mansha. That wasn’t my intention.” I pause. “And if you must know, Ahmed’s last two lawyers were too unworthy to bother with.”
“I didn’t realise we were on first name basis.” She says icily.
“Well, since I’ve met your family and you’ve met mine, it’s only fair.” I drawl.
She huffs.”Well, I’d rather we maintain a professional environment.”
I shrug. “As you wish.” I pause, then think of something and say. “Tell me, though, what made you assume I was being sexist?”
“Most men are. They take women like me lightly. They easily threaten and insult us, find it entertaining even, and never take us seriously. I’m used to them laughing on my face, ignoring my words, and thinking they can buy my morality with extra cash. ” She looks at me pointedly at the last part.
Ignoring the anger that burst inside me at the unfairness of all that she faced, I say, “Most women WOULD sell their morality for the extra money.”
At least in my experience they would.
“It’s a mentality like this that makes men like you feel superior to us. When really, you yourself would do anything for money.”
I frown. “I wouldn’t kill.”
She stares at me for a while, silent.
“Bold of you to assume I would, simply because I don’t have a penis.”
My eyes widen at her uncensored words, and a chuckle escapes me. “Whatever happened to maintaining a professional environment?” She doesn’t respond, just looking at me. “I personally think you have more balls then half the men I know.” I add a moment later.
Her lips twitch, curling up into a small smile. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I smile back.
We fall silent, both lost in thought, her looking out the floor to ceiling window, down at the passing traffic.
“Know that I didn’t do this because you’re a women.” I finally say.
I felt that I should clear up this misunderstanding, and soon.
She nods, but doesn’t say anything.