Only You

Chapter Three

Michael
My eye twitches as I read over the case I've been on for the past three months. It's about this big time millionaire who beat his wife to half death. I'm defending his wife who's pleading that I take him of the streets. I'm doing my best but he's got a pretty good lawyer. My rival, Lance Gross.

I sigh and turn the packet over. I need some air. My office is on the top floor of the Harrison Law Firm in Atlanta. I get an amazing view of the city from here. My office phone rings. I roll my eyes and pick it up.

"Hello?"

My secretary, Catherine, says,"Your mother is here with Imani."

"My mother?" I ask then I gasp.

I just remembered that I promised to have lunch with them. I double check my calendar and it's right there in bold. How could I forget?

"Send them in." I say before hanging up.

A minute later, my mother walks into my office with Imani holding her hand. My mom is 62, but she looks very good for her age. She can be a bit much at times. Some would call her bougie. I would just call her being protective.

"You forgot, didn't you?" She asks.

"I did. I'm sorry, it's just that with this big case-"

Imani comes and sits in my lap. I nuzzle her neck and she giggles.

"It's fine. Let's just get you out of here so you can get some fresh air. This damn law firm is gonna drive you crazy." She says.

"Alright. Let me just grab my wallet." I say while standing up and putting Imani on the ground.

We walk out of the office building with me carrying Mani in my arms.

"She is too big for you to be carrying her, Michael." My mother nags.

"But she's my little girl." I reason as we walk down the street to the small French bistro.

The waitress seats up in a secluded area by the window. We order and the waitress goes off with our order.

"Have you been looking around lately?" My mother asks while peering at me.

"I've been online during my free times. I found this one black lady that I'm gonna interview in Thursday. Hopefully is goes well." I respond.

She nods her head approvingly. Imani begins to fidget around in her chair which begins to aggravate my mother.

"Sit still like a lady, Imani!" My mother barks.

Imani immediately stops and whimpers.

"Really ma?" I ask.

She can be a little tough on Imani sometimes. She's her only female grandchild. The other three are boys.

"Yes, Michael. You're not around to teach her manners and that babysitter of yours is obviously not doing her job. Someone has to teach her." She reasons.

I shake my head as Imani sniffles. I lean my head on the table and pat Imani's back.

"It's okay, baby."

Our food comes in another ten minutes and we dig in. I haven't been eating well lately so this meal is going down. My mom looks at me in disgust with her hazel eyes. I took my eyes from my father.

"Have you been eating lately? You're eating like a pig."

"I forget sometimes because of work." I shrug," I'll try to be better."

"You just need a woman in your house who's there to cook you proper meals." She says.

"Don't start, ma. I told you I'm not ready to date." I say as I wipe my mouth,

"When will you be? You're not getting any younger."

"When the times come. Plus, I'm so busy. I don't really have time....." I reply.

"Eboni wouldn't like to see this you. Busy and never making time for your child."

"Ugh. Mom, if you're here to make me feel bad, then you can just count this as our last lunch date. I just wanted to have a nice meal with my mother and daughter. Can we please do that?" I snap.

"Fine." She replies tightly.

I know she's mad, but she's been doing this for months now, and with all the stress, I can't deal with it anymore. Doesn't she think I know I don't spend enough time with my child?

I'm sensitive whenever someone brings up Eboni. I know it's been three years, but I haven't really been able to move on. I don't like when people ask me to either. My phone rings as we begin to wrap up our meal. My secretary.

"Your client is here for your 1:00." She says.

"I'll be there in like 5." I reply and then hang up.

I quickly get up and hug my daughter and mother good-bye.

"This was nice. We should do it again." I say quickly and walk out of the restaurant.

As I dial my secretary's number, I crash into someone causing my phone to fall on the concrete. This is not the time.

"Watch where you're going." I say annoyed.

"Sorry." The stranger says.

I only have enough time to glance at her before she quickly walks away. Weird how she's wearing a hoodie in 80 degree weather, but you never know what you'll find in Atlanta.

I reach my office just in time for the meeting.

"Ms. Kiles, come on in." I offer cordially.