" Seems you don't know who I am ", he blurted.
He scoffed then continued.
"  I am here on behalf of Fabian, clear now? " , he asked his brows twitched upwards.
She slowly and carefully dropped back the telephone.
Why did Fabian send someone? To threaten her or harm her?
She felt a shiver rolled down to her spine, he would not dare.
She tried to maintain a calm face , not wanting to show out her fears.
" So?", She said trying to act nonchalant as ever.
" Today is the last hearing right? I am certain you received our little gift.", He asked .
She frowned slightly, what gift?
" The documents? You gat them right?" He asked clearing the air.
Then , realization dawned on her. Fabian sent those documents to her?
He intentionally made her got tangled in this.
" With that look on your face, I'm sure you have it ", he said smiling.
Arianna felt her heart raced , he isn't here to harm her.. 
He is here to cut a deal.
" By now , I think you should know why I am here", 
" What do you think you are playing at? ", She blurted, her leg shaking.
" You are smart, you should have known by now ". He said ," or should I make it more clearer ?",
Arianna kept muted.
" Fine then, I will "
" You know what that documents is all about right? But you know what, submitting that in court won't just make Fabian go to prison but you will be going down as well together with your husband.
Do you think the worked will trust you again after finding out? Arianna Rodriguez husband part of a mafia syndicate , no one will believe you weren't involved as well. And meaning your well built career will be going down the drain as well.",
He smirked.
Arianna hand balled into a fist, her lips quivered in fear.
" It's a simple task Arianna, you started this and you should end this yourself. And everyone will be safe and then life will go on.", 
" You and Fabian have hone crazy", she blurted.
He laughed at her words.
"Choose Mrs Rodriguez", the fat bellied face man said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Your husband or your career",he added and then stood up abruptly.
He adjusted his fine looking expensive suit, before facing her again.
"You're a very smart woman Arianna,I know you will choose on these wisely",he said with a tick on his skull.
Witha spurious smirk on his lips he added lastly before walking out of the office
"I hope to hear from you soon Barrister Arianna Rodriguez"
With that he walked out of her office , closing the door.
Arianna held her table for support, her head spinning.
A terrible headache slamming her head making her go dizzy and nauseous , she felt that strong urge to throw up.
Almost immediately her door opened, this time it is Shirley.
Just then she felt that strong pull of lump in her throat, making her to took to her heels to the restroom inside her office.
She almost threw up her lungs , her body dripping of sweat.
Shirley ran to her in the restroom,.
" What's wrong? ",She asked fearfully, on seeing her throwing up badly she moved closer to help out by patting on her back.
" Are you okay Ari", she asked again worriedly, after she has calmed down .
She helped her back to the office, holding unto her arm to support her weak legs and made her sit in the chair.
" Are you sick?" Shirley asked again, her tone tint with worry.
Arianna thought, is she sick?
Fir the past few days now she hasn't been feeling too energized, she feels weak almost everytime.
Her appetite gone, and most times she always wake up nauseous and grumpy.
Maybe because of what is happening in her life recently.
Instead of her to say something, she saw herself bursting into tears.
" Aria", Shirley called worriedly, fear also evident in her tone.
She closed the gap between them and engulfed her friend in a comforting hug.
Arianna cried and bawled helplessly in her friend's arms, pouring out all of her fears, pain and insecurities .
Shirley helped her in calming down , before saying anything.
" Are you okay? Can you do this today?", She asked referring to the session she has later in the day.
Arianna nod her head ," I can , I will", 
Shirley sighed,. " What is going on with you Ari, I haven't seen you breakdown like this ever", 
Arianna swallowed a lump full of saliva before speaking, " it's over Shirley, I ruined everything", she said her voice breaking at the edge 
The strong urge to cry was there , but she refrained herself.
She can't keep on bawling like a child  she has to stay strong no matter what.
" What do you mean? I don't understand. Talk to me Ari", Shirley said desperately.
Worried on What could have made her friend down as this?
Arianna took a deep breath before explaining everything to her.
She really need to speak her heart out to someone.
Throughout her narration, Shirley's expression changed from shock to suprise to sympathy.
She was shocked .
She heaved trying to comprehend all what she just heard, 
" What do you plan on doing now friend?", She asked utterly speechless.
Arianna shrugged," I am confused Shirley, but I know something for sure. I am not ready to lose my husband. I can take anything else but I just can't live without him", she said .
" Then are you exposing that in court?", 
Arianna paused for a while before speaking.
" I can't say. I haven't decided yet ", 
Shirley sighed and took her friend's hands into hers 
" I will support you Aria, just know that. No matter the decision you choose to take, I will support you. I've gat you "she reassured.
Arianna smiled wryly, .
Just then her phone beeped loudly, a messaged came through her phone.
Reluctantly, she picked it up m
Her expression changed in seeing it was a message from her husband .
She swiftly open up the message to read the content.
Right then, she knew she won't be able to do much today in court.
He seems to have made up his mind already.
She just hope she will be fine after all of this, she hopes so.
© Adira H.