Author: RedJoan

Downing Abbey – Chapter 2

(Lucas)

‘You won’t believe what Garrett has been up to,’ Jillian said. I shook my head when I heard that name. Garrett. Not dad. Never dad. In fact, I don’t even remember the last time any of us called him anything but his first name. All things considered, it beats what we want to call him: Pain in the ass.

Mondays usually began with three coffees sugared to give a toddler pre-diabetes, but I haven’t had the time to eat my melting scone, much less go for coffee. Where the fuck is that office assistant? It’s not even lunchtime yet but I’ve already watched one client rip journalist asshole on national television while forty-five minutes was devoted playing therapist to another on his fourth failed marriage. This shit wasn’t Law and Order.

‘Nothing surprises me anymore about him, but try me,’ I sighed. I notice the mountain of files Simco is trying to drown me in at the corner of my desk, and it looks like Chinese takeout in the office at midnight.

Again. Read more »

Downing Abbey – Chapter 1

(Abigail)

If I had known there’d be eight inches of hot lawyer inside of me before the end of the week, I’d have asked to take Monday off. Instead of making that call, I’m about to walk into a law firm. But first, some context explaining why I’m buried six-feet under a mountain of crap. Gender equality is a fantasy, just like karma.

There I am, two weeks ago. I’m doing my deep breathing after washing off the last of my smudged mascara and runny nose. The right amount of pride and stubbornness held my chin up and rolled my shoulders back as I splashed cold water over my face. I was sure as shit not letting that asshole see that he got to me. Tears were normal, but what happened that day in the store manager’s office was not.

It felt innocent at first – smiles and laughs and an open air for discussion. But big flapping red flags should have been raised when he said, ‘let’s lock the door while we discuss salary.’ Intuition, you have failed me. Read more »