Filthy Boss

I took another bite of my sandwich. “Fine.”

The next day, I trudged to my physics class, first thing on a Monday morning. It sucked. I had a shift at the library later that day though, so at least I would get all my homework done before I had to go home that night. It would give Alexis and I a chance to just hang out; she hadn't really spoken to me since our discussion the day before. Deep down I knew she was right; I did have trust issues, thanks Mom. But, at the same time, I felt like she didn't understand what had really happened. Hudson had treated me like I was someone special, and that had blown up in my face. I hadn't done anything to deserve the way that he treated me. But another part of me knew that I just needed to accept that. Because I was a call girl, and that's just what we did.

I sat in physics class, taking notes on my laptop, when an e-mail came in.

I need to see you.- H

How did he even get my e-mail? He certainly didn't have my phone number. Come to think of it, I didn't know how he found my apartment either. He probably had his detective friend look me up. Just another favor. The professor was droning on and on about acceleration, so I decided to send him an e-mail back. I chewed on a pen while I thought of something meaningful to say.

That's not possible.

I pressed send and didn't expect a response, but just a couple minutes later, I had another new e-mail.

Did you get the flowers?

I typed back, yes.

But you still don't accept my apology?

You can’t apologize for who you are. I expected too much.

No, you expect exactly what you should.

I sighed and closed my laptop, even though there was still twenty minutes left of class. I just couldn't focus anymore, and I didn't know what to say back to him. He clearly didn't understand what it meant to hurt someone the way that he had hurt me. As soon as the professor dismissed us, I grabbed my things, and was the first one out the door. I ran through the campus to get to the library on time.

I logged in and went up to the second floor to find a quiet place to work. I had the library pager; if someone needed help, I would get a buzz. I opened my physics book, and realized I still had no idea what I was doing. Apparently, I should have listened during the acceleration speech. I looked at my phone instead of opening my notes on my laptop. I didn’t want to give myself the opportunity to check my email. Alexis had texted me.

When are you coming home?

My shift ends at six.

You are right about Hudson. Cops were here. You're getting a subpoena.

Shit.

I couldn’t focus during the rest of the shift, and hardly got any work done. I rushed home to find out everything Alexis knew. She was eating some dinner and sitting on the couch watching reality TV. But as soon as I walked in, she shut it off. “I'm so sorry. You were totally right about Hudson. The cops came here and were looking for you; they had a warrant. They went through stuff in your room.”

Luckily, I knew there was nothing that could incriminate me. I mean I had nothing to do with the judge's death. How could anyone think that I would do something like that?

“They were in my room?” Regardless of the fact that I knew they wouldn’t find anything, I still felt violated.

She just nodded. “I'm so sorry, Calla. What are you going to do?”

I thought about Monique's business card sitting in my bedside table. I wondered if they had taken it. I walked into my room, expecting a mess, and found it in the same condition that I left it. It didn't look like they'd gone through anything. I opened the drawer, and looked inside the journal that I'd been keeping the business card and my cash in. It was still there, right in the front. “I guess I call my lawyer.”

Alexis chewed on her lower lip while standing in the doorway. “What do you think is going to happen?”

“I don't really know. But I sure as hell hope Monique has some sort of plan.”

Alexis sat on the edge of my bed as I dialed Monique's number. She wasn't trying to be nosey, she was there for support. I sighed as I sat down next to her.

“I heard you're getting a subpoena.”

I closed my eyes. “I figured someone would've told you. What the hell? I thought I was in the clear!”

She paused and then said, “Somebody tipped them off. There's definitely some shady shit going on here. But you're expected to be in court on Wednesday morning.”

“But I haven't even received the paperwork yet. And how am I supposed to get out of class?”