Chapter 5
1788 Vouchers
Monday whipped around before I felt like I had blinked. Why are the weekends always so short?
My eyes adjusted to the light of dawn a time I was become far to accustomed to for my liking. I took my time getting ready, I was begging to run out of clean clothes and would have to make a trip to the laundry mat sooner than later.
I pulled on a silk shirt and skirt, brushing my hair to make sure there were no knots. I played with the ends, I was going to need a haircut soon, I wonder if I can push that a little longer?

I applied some under eye concealer, a touch of powder and blush before taking a look at myself. It will have to do, I packed a few items into my handbag I’ll probably have to do a few touch ups later. I grabbed my purse, keys and phone. Which it seems I forgot to charge last night, perfect. Packing the charger as well, I pulled on my shoes and jacket.
Once in the office I headed straight to the kitchen to make myself and Jake a coffee. It’s the one task he no longer berates me for, so at least I do something right.

I was just frothing the milk when I heard the lift ding signaling his arrival, I had made sure all the lights were switched on including those in his office and placed his mail on his desk. On my desk I had some files I was in the process of checking.
‘Stephanie, come here,’ his tone was oddly pleasant for once, but I knew better than to trust it, probably something else he’s going to yell at me about or perhaps he got laid at the weekend and finally going to calm down. A pang of jealously

flittered through my body at the thought, why do I care he’s just my boss.
I came out of the kitchen bringing the two cups of coffee and heading into his office I’d just seen him disappear into. I hurried along not wanting to break whatever was causing his good mood.
‘Ah Stephanie, good weekend?’ he actually gave me a bright smile and my stomach fluttered. I was stunned momentarily speechless before his smile began to fall my brain functions -kicking into gear allowing me to nod my head in response.
‘Yes, and you Mr. Summers?’ I stuttered out placing his coffee down onto his desk, his hand brushed mine as he went to pick up his mug. My heart ski p ped a beat as our eyes locked and I was amazed with the clarity his bright blue eyes held. He cleared his throat, and I realized I hadn’t
moved transfixed by him that I only now realized how close we were standing.
I adverted my gaze down to break his eye contact only to realize I was staring at his cro tch a teasing bulge prominent behind his tailored dark grey suit trousers, I quickly stepped back turning around to hide the flush I was certain now coated my cheeks.
‘Yes, my weekend was good thank you Stephanie,’ I blinked I could have sworn he drawled out my name it lingered on his lips, his deep masculine voice making each syllable send tingles through me or maybe I imagined it as when I focused back on him, he was just watching me closely his lips pressed tightly together.
Chapter 5
11 as wouchers
‘There is an upcoming case I’m going to need your help on, there’s a lot of prep to do so clear your schedule you’ll be working longer hours the next few weeks,’ he stated, longer hours, I already do a 12-hour day, how much longer would that be? I might as well sleep here.
The idea crossed my mind, there are warm showers, coffee machine, food its secure, I basically open and close the office each day. It would also be free something I couldn’t turn. down right now. The only problem was how I would get in and out at the weekends there is security at the building. I was lost in thought coming around to the idea that living at my place of work was a smart decision when…
‘Stephanie is that a problem?’ his tone was sharp once more, well his good mood didn’t take long to wear off.
‘How much later will I be needed sir?’ I asked assuming my professional voice once more. He frowned folding his
muscular arms in front of his chest the suit fabric straining against him.

‘As long as is required,’ his eyes glinted and I swallowed, his normally large office seemed to feel incredibly small. His presence taking up the whole space, I took a sip of my coffee before nodding my head and walking towards the door to leave.
‘Where are you going?’ I turned confused we were done, and I needed to start on my tasks for the day. He beckons me over with his finger, a gesture I am starting to loath and points at the seat in front of his desk as I turn back to face him.
I step towards the chair taking my seat and trying not to

shuffle too much. Taking another sip of coffee, I looked up at him from under my lashes he’s watching me intently and I feel a shiver run down my spine. I’m very aware of his gaze I smooth my hair and skirt nervously to ease the tension I feel building in the room.
‘I need you to look through all the witness statements, recording anything that indicates the driver was intoxicated in anyway, we have managed to get his whereabouts from two hours before the crime and I’m hoping there is something in their that proves his guilt. If anything is suspicious is mentioned, I want you to do some further digging.’ He braces his hands on either side of the desk looking down at me, his strong domineering presence filling the room once more.
‘Was it a drunk driver?’ I ask my voice only a whisper, I can’t work on a case like what happened with my family. No one here knows my background and I can’t let them. It would be grounds for dismissal which I can’t have right now. Not every case is like this, Jake is a criminal lawyer, and he can. specialize in a host of cases. The odds of a drunk driver being something I’d have to work on was slim.
‘Yes, that’s what we need to prove, our client called last night after the death of her boyfriend was confirmed in the hospital and she wants to up the charges from man slau ghter to murder. Which we can only justify if he was under the influence behind the wheel, the opposing lawyer is going to play this off as a seizer, some act of Go d that resulted in him losing control of the vehicle,’
My world was spinning I felt my heart stop with each word he said, is that what happened in my parents and Jess’s case,

and act of Go d. The words sounded familiar I zoned out a lot of the trial overwhelmed with everything that happened. Is that how that ba st ard only got 10 days jail time.
‘Stephanie, are you listening!’ Jake snapped his fingers in front of my face jolting me from my thoughts. I nodded picking up my coffee and downing it.
‘Of course, where are the witness statements?’ he pointed to the two large file boxes sat on the table behind him.
‘Well get to it then!’ I got up looking at the two large boxes, I went to lift one to take it to my desk.
‘You can work in here,’ Jake stated matter of factly I took a seat in the leather chair, placing my mug on the coaster I got to work taking out all the documents and began reading through each one, I was completely focused in reading through all the statements, character references, images from the CCTV footage, when I looked up stretching out my neck and shoulders I looked out the window and it was dark
outside.
‘Come Stephanie take a break I’ve ordered Chinese food,’ his deep voice echoed in the room it was the first sound I’d registered in hours. I stood up my legs aching from being sat in one position too long, my throat felt dry as I stretched my limbs out.
I headed back to the kitchen to make another coffee whilst the machine did its thing I headed to the ladies. I touched up my make up after splashing my face with some cold water to help me feel refreshed my eyes were sore from staring at all the papers.

I brought my coffee heading back to the office when I heard my phone ring, the office was empty once more, just the two of us remained so it much have been after 6pm.
The call dropped before I could pick it up and my stomach sank when I saw the 12 missed calls from the rehab facility my sister was staying in. I quickly called them back ignoring the multiple voicemail messages that had come through to my phone.
Jessica please be okay!
‘Good evening The Tree Rest Rehab Centre Chloe speaking. how may I help you?’ the soothing tone of the receptionist filtered through the call and my panic started to rise, please be okay.
‘Hi Chloe, Stephanie I’m calling about Jessica Bridges I
received a missed call,’ I tried to hide the panic in my voice I bit my nail as I waited for an update or whatever the reason was for their call.
‘Yes, Stephanie the doctor wanted to speak to you, it seems Jessica has developed sepsis and will need a blood
transfusion, we completed this this afternoon and put her on a course of antibiotics as this was an extra treatment there is an additional cost of £7500 how would you like to pay for this?’
‘Is my sister, okay?’ she was fine only yesterday how could this have happened.
‘Yes, Stephanie she is doing well she’s just sleeping it off, we did make several attempts to inform you and keep you updated,’ she added, and I cringed inside feeling guilty.

‘I saw I only just got access to my phone, do you know what caused this she seemed fine yesterday,’
‘The doctor hasn’t left any message regarding that, now the matter of the bill?’ she inquires, I take a calming breath at least Jess is okay she really needs to have this surgery.
‘Stephanie, you’re on the clock!’ Jake stood in the doorway summoning me back in.
‘Sorry, I’ll call you later to sort that, if you can add it to my payment plan then please do otherwise I’ll pay it another day, I need to go back to work thank you bye,’ I hung up without giving her a chance to protest, Jake actually helped me dodge a bullet for that one.
I headed back in the smell of Chinese food wafting in the room my stomach rumbled I realized I was starving, Jake cracked a smirk as I eyed the feast that sat on his desk.
He handed me a box of chicken noodles, the heat from the box warming my hands, his hand brushed my arm as he went and picked up a fork for me. I was not the best with chop sticks not wanting to make a mess a fork was definitely easier. He pulled the chair from his desk back for me. ushering me to sit down and I did. Did he have a lobotomy over the weekend, he was bringing me drinks, food and holding a chair out for me.
I sat down tucking in the food was delicious and honestly even if it wasn’t I was too hungry to care otherwise. he took his seat across the desk from me handing some prawn cra ckers a smirk on his face as I grabbed a large handful. In truth this is probably the largest meal I’ve had in days. I

swallowed slowing down I was still at work and needed to make the right impression.
We finished eating I felt so full my stomach hurt but at the same time it was a contented feeling one I was rarely used to these days. Jake walked around his desk I went to get up to go back to work when he leaned down towards me our noses almost touching when his thumb came up and wiped the corned of my lips before he sucked his thumb into his mouth.