THE DOWN FALL CHAPTER 37- THE DOWNFALL LARRY N I kept tapping my foot on the ground , trying to be patient even though it was running thin . I kept checking my watch , waiting for my lawyer to show up . He's late but he's supposed to be the professional one in this case . What a waste of time . If he doesn't show up , I'm going to have to give this case to someone who can handle it . A waiter approached me , a smile on his face . " Hello sir , do you want anything ? " He inquired . I answered , " Coffee . Black coffee . " walk He nodded in response and walked ahead , leaving the room . I checked my watch over and over again , hoping he'd show up on time . The waiter soon arrived with my coffee soon after . I wasted no time in taking a sip , letting out a sigh after the satisfying taste of the coffee . I've always liked coffee and the way it just soothes me . " Aren't you an impatient being ? " I looked up and saw that it was none other than my lawyer - Davidson . He's been my friend since my university days , so he's able to get away with banters like this . I rolled my eyes at his statement . " You're late , " I stated the obvious . " You said you'd be here by four pm . But this is four thirty and you call yourself a renowned lawyer ? " He scoffed . " Can you stop asking things literally ? I had something to take care of real quick at the firm . But you're right- It doesn't excuse my tardiness . Please , forgive me . " I sighed in defeat . " Can you just take a care seat instead so we can get this over with ? I don't have all dates after all . " He smirked . " Given your situation , shouldn't you use all the time trying to clean up the mess you made ? " My jaw clenched . " I didn't make this mess . It was Brandy and you all know that because I explained it to you . " ad to He shrugged . " Why are you with her anyways ? Maya was perfect but as usual , you had to be a dick and ruin everything . " Then it dawned on me . I realized why he was giving me the cold shoulder and putting up an attitude . He wasn't happy about my divorce . " You know it was just a contracted marriage . Don't act surprised that we aren't together anymore . It wasn't meant to last in the first place , " I explained . He frowned . " Are you still going with that ? You can't see the tension between you both then you must be really blind , Larry . " I took another sip of my coffee , letting the bitterness sit on my tongue before swallowing . My mind was already racing ahead , thinking about the next step . This suspension wasn't the end of me . Not even close . " So , " Davidson said , leaning back in his chair like he had all the time in the world . " What's the plan , Larry ? Do you want to cry about it or fix it ? " I shot him a glare . " You think I called you here to cry ? " He smirked . " I don't know . You've been looking like a kicked puppy for the last thirty minutes . " I ignored that . " I want my name cleared . I want my position back . And I want Marvin ruined . " Davidson tilted his head , his smile fading just a little . " You sure you want to make this about revenge ? Because that's a fast 1/2 THE DOWN FALL +25 BONUS road to losing more than you already have . " " I'm already at the bottom , " I said flatly . " The only way left is up . And Marvin ... he thinks he's smart . He thinks he's won . But he has no idea who he's messing with . " Davidson sighed and pulled a folder out of his bag . " Alright . I've been going through your case . We can appeal the suspension , but it's going to take time . The board isn't friendly toward you right now . " " I don't care how long it takes , " I replied . " I'll wait . But in the meantime , I'm going to make sure Marvin regrets humiliating me . " He gave me a long look , like he was trying to figure out if I was serious . " You're really set on this , huh ? " " More than ever . " We spent another hour going over documents , my mind half on the papers and half on how I was going to get back at Marvin . The more Davidson talked about " process " and " patience , " the more I thought about taking a faster route - even if it wasn't exactly clean . By the time Davidson left , the sky outside was already dark . I stayed in the café for a while , nursing what was now a cold coffee , until I finally went home . The moment I stepped into the living room , Brandy was there , curled up on the couch with a blanket . She looked up at me with red eyes , like she'd been crying . " You were gone all day , " she said quietly . " Where were you ? " I didn't answer right away . I took off my coat , hung it up , and walked past her toward the kitchen . I needed another drink . " I was meeting Davidson , " I said finally , pouring myself a glass of whiskey . " Planning my comeback . " Her voice got sharper . " Comeback ? Larry ... can't you just let this go ? Please ? For me ? For the baby ? " I turned around slowly , holding the glass . " Don't start with that again . " " I'm serious ! " she said , standing now . " You've lost enough . If you keep going after Marvin , it's going to destroy you completely . " Yh My jaw tightened . " Don't talk to me about that baby again . " Her face crumpled like I'd slapped her . " Larry ... " " I mean it , Brandy . " I took a sip of my drink , not breaking eye contact . " You think I'm just going to sit here and do nothing ? No. I'm not built like that . " She shook her head , tears spilling down her cheeks . " You've changed . I don't even recognize you anymore . " I didn't respond . I walked past her , into my office , and closed the door behind me . For a long time , I just sat there at my desk , staring at nothing . My fingers drummed on the wood . My thoughts were sharp , buzzing . If I couldn't win this the clean way ... then maybe I didn't need to win clean at all . I pulled my phone from my pocket and scrolled through my contacts until I found the name I was looking for . Someone I hadn't spoken to in years . Someone who owed me a favor . I pressed " Call " and waited . When the voice answered on the other end , I leaned back in my chair and said , " I need something done . And I don't care how . " 2/2 THE VISIT THE VISIT