Unexpectedly Expecting the Sheik's Baby - Elizabeth Lennox Page 0,45
never wanted to deal with that kind of pain and humiliation again?
“Outstanding efforts,” Mr. Hanover read, picking up a piece of paper from his desk and read it aloud. “Savvy legal advice, in-depth knowledge of international business rules…” he glanced up at Cassy. “He was impressed, whatever you did for him,” he explained. “I received this letter last Friday evening when, apparently, you were on your way home from Zurich. I’d thought you’d be there for one day, maybe two. But the guy must have had some complicated transactions going on for you to be there for three whole days.” He leaned forward, his eyes changing from stern to curious. “What’s he really like?” he asked with a conspiratorial tone of voice.
Cassy’s mouth fell open. Unfortunately, Mr. Hanover seemed to be waiting for more than just a stupefied look.
“He said that about me?” she asked, stunned. She should be flattered. Or just relieved! But the letter felt like an easy way to ease the man’s guilt for the way he’d dumped her without anything other than a note before he’d disappeared.
Mr. Hanover laughed, clapping his hands as if he were about to count a pile of money. “Hell yes! In fact, this letter was sent directly to the head of the firm! I just got wind of this last night. They’re singing your praises. So, what’s the guy like? We didn’t really get a chance to talk with him much during the trade negotiations.”
Cassy shook her head, avoiding eye contact because she just couldn’t deal with what she’d done. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hanover. I don’t really know him,” she told him honestly. They might have had some great conversations and laughed, joked around. But she would have sworn that he was just as invested in their short relationship as she’d been. Obviously, she’d misread Nasir. “He’s as much a mystery to me as he is to you.”
Mr. Hanover looked disappointed, but shrugged it off. “I guess maybe you’ll get to know him better if he ever needs more legal advice, eh?” he joked.
Cassy forced a smile, but she secretly prayed that she wouldn’t ever have a reason to see him again. She still hadn’t read his note, unable to read the inevitable, “It was fun, but now it’s over,” message. He’d probably used classier words, but she’d bet that was the gist of the message and she just…couldn’t handle it.
“The letter is very kind,” she replied, clasping her hands in front of her. “He didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate him taking the time.” Although, he probably just told an aide to send the letter, Cassy thought with a vicious tug at those old wounds.
“Well, whatever, the partners are proud of you. So…” he shrugged, “get back to work. I’m sure there are plenty of issues that you need to deal with.”
Cassy stifled the groan, but turned and walked out of his office. Mr. Hanover was right, she had a great deal of work to get done and she wasn’t exactly sure how to get it all finished. Walking back to her desk, she took a moment to stare at the stacks of case files. “Well, better get to it,” she muttered to herself. Sitting down, she took the file at the top and, head bent, dove into the first of the pending litigations. It was after midnight when she finished writing up the brief and she leaned back in her chair, sighing with relief. Of course, there would be more work tomorrow, she thought with increasing resentment.
“Where was the fun?” she asked herself as she packed up her bag and walked out. She’d driven into the office today, knowing that she’d need to work late. Cassy didn’t like riding the subway at night, and her eyes hurt from focusing on her computer screen for so long. As she made her way home, she wondered if this was her life. If she was destined to work nineteen or more hours of every day working on legal issues.
Right at this moment, it didn’t feel as if it was the life she’d wanted for herself.
Chapter 8
Over the next month, she pushed herself harder than she ever had. She worked sixteen to eighteen hour days, grabbed all the cases she could manage, and barely ate. She lost weight, but didn’t care. As long as she could lose herself in the complexities of her work, that was all she needed.
After a month of self-abuse, Naya and Ella had had enough. Cassy had