_Rex_

"Hello? Hey Dari. I need your help with a case."

Lillian was in trouble, in for something she didn't do. If she was to go for trial sooner or later, she needed the best lawyer.

~~~~~~

_Onmiscient POV_

Approximately two years earlier,
Excerpt from Chioma's life.

He watched her as she struggled to carry the two heavy baco bags that she held in both hands.

Laughing a little at how cute and vulnerable she looked as she cussed and tugged, he stepped out of the shadows to make his first move after weeks of observance.

"You look like you need help with that." He suggested.

"You think?" She replied snorting.

"Here, let me help. A beautiful lady like you shouldn't be carrying such heavy things alone." He said taking the heavier of the two bags.

"Aren't you a sweet talker and masochistic too?" She replied folding her hands across her chest, squeezing her almost non-existent breasts.

Hmm. Sassy and independent. Just as he had observed. She wasn't easy prey. Time, time would tame her.

"None." He replied shrugging. " I can't just stand and watch while you carry such heavy things. I believe that anything a man can do, a woman can do better, but you were struggling. It is the gentlemanly thing to do."

She laughed a little, showing off her chiseled, long, white, perfect teeth.

"Not only that, he lives in the 19th century too...well in that case, you've been my perfect gentleman for the day. Thanks." She said smugly.

Strike one. Done.

"It's nothing. Chioma right? Chioma Obiora?"

"Woah!. Guy, how do you know me? Have you been...like... stalking me?" She asked narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

If only she knew.

Laughing nervously, he replied "No, I came to see a friend here. We go to the same Uni. Yabatech. I'm a level higher than you, but you never fail to catch my eye."

"Ehehen? Oh really? Which Faculty and Department?"

She was wise. Really wise.

"Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of Fine and Applied Arts."

"So you draw?"

"Yeah. Paint mostly. Oils and gouache."

"I love art. Maybe I'll come see your work sometime."

"I'd like that."

They had gotten to her street. Her flat was around the corner, three houses and a shop down.

"I can take it from here. My house is not so far anymore."

He liked this girl.

"But I could carry it to your place. Won't it be heavy?"

"I'll manage."

"Okay, if you say so."

"Thank you err..."

"Deji. Call me Deji."

"Thanks Deji, I really appreciated your help."

"It was nothing. Umm... could this gentleman see this lady sometime?"

"Hmm.. I'll have to think about that Deji the gentleman. Until then, see you." She said waving him off.

She didn't round the corner until he was out of sight.

'She is perfect'. He thought.

~~~~~~

_Chidinma_

My lawyer was a lady of medium height, with a nice body size and figure, which she concealed with her pantsuit. She had a pretty face, with pink, small lips and almond shaped eyes. She had red glasses perched on the bridge of her nose, which contrasted with her fair complexion and black fat braids.

She could have made it as a model, but I guess law was her calling. She held what I assumed was my file. I had read a lot of criminal suspense to know that.

That's what my life felt like know. A novel.

After she had been introduced to me as one of the best lawyer in Lagos, she walked up to me and grinned, sticking out her hand for a shake.

She looked so young, about my age, but as I looked into the eyes behind the glasses, I saw wisdom and age.

I liked her already.

"Hello, my name is Darina. Darina Unabor, but you can call me Dari. I'm your criminal defense lawyer."

She said in a deep voice, completely different from her appearance. Taking her hand, I wanted to say my name in greeting, but she spoke again as soon as I opened my mouth.

"Chidinma Lillian Madu. I know, everything is here, in the file."

She seemed very smart and efficent.

Good.

"Who hired you?"

I had to ask, because I didn't bother to, and the police probably could not provide me with one that looked so good at first sight. She smiled, a teeth revealing smile.

"A certain Rex Oladeji."

I blushed. Rex. My heart squeezed a little as I remembered him, his genuine concern. He shouldn't have. Anyway, he promised to help me in any way he could. I guess this counted. An unwarranted smile crept up my face.

"Seems like someone is a little fond oo."

Darina said snapping me back to the present. I smiled. How she managed to stay so jovial while she jugded all those criminal cases was beyond me.

Taking the seat on the opposite side of the table and bringing it to my side, she sat, keeping her files on the table. Adjusting her glasses, she said,

"So..tell me everything."

I did, careful to omit all my findings and investigating. I wasn't ready to open that up to anyone. Rex, had found out mistakenly. He was the only one who knew.

When I was done, she looked at me straight in the eyes and smiled, putting her hand on mine.

"You left something out Dinma."

"I didn't." I replied, brows furrowed in confusion.

I was taken aback. How could she tell? I had just been through an officer of the law and I'm sure he didn't suspect a thing, but she could?

"Yes, you did. But you don't have to tell me, I already know."

"Know what?"

I asked, resorting to playing dumb.

"That, you are investigating the case on your own of course."

"How did you..."

"Well, I didn't study psychology for six years for nothing, and well, Rex told me."

Way to go Rex. Now two people I liked and admired knew. Too much risks. Luckily, we were in the hallway. No cameras, no recorders. I just shrugged.

"I don't just feel like the authorities are completely up to it you know? And now, they have just confirmed my suspicions by doing this to me."

She nodded thoughtfully.

"I know it isn't you, that's why I took the case from Rex."

"How do you two know each other?"I asked out of sheer curiosity.

"I handled a case for him once, a few years back, some shady shit. Nothing much really."

I noticed something off about her demeanor, but I chose to ignore it. That would be something I'd pursue another day.

"So, what do I do?"

Suddenly she turned serious. Now this was the part that resembles the lawyer I was told about.

"You answered all the questions the investigator threw your way just fine. He doesn't suspect a thing. I'm going to be your lawyer at the arraignment at the magistrate court. The arraignment is supposed to be next tomorrow. You are to be held for 36 hours since you supposedly committed a felony. This gives your family time to grant bail if they can afford it. It's usually very expensive. Then, you can be released and your court date could be moved from either three weeks to two months later."

I nodded processing it all. "So, does that mean I will be free to go in the meantime?"

"No and yes. If you are released on bail, you will be allowed to go home until your hearing, but you might have certain conditions to abide such as; living at a location other than your place, reporting anything that happens to you to the authorities, handing in your passports and identification cards so that you cannot leave the country, and you might not be able to contact certain people such as family and friends, if the authorities deem you a threat to them."

I sighed.

"That doesn't help much."

"No it doesn't. You may have to discontinue whatever investigation you are doing." She suggested carefully.

"No." It was slowly becoming my favorite word.

"I can't. I don't know if this might sound crazy to you, but I feel like I have to do this, on my own."

She nodded looking at me, understanding.

"I understand. I can't force you to, but I can tell you what the right step is to take. But if you the feel the need to do this, then you have to find a way to do it so that you won't be caught, or you won't give off any wrong vibes."

"Okay." I nodded.

"Can..can I have a phone call? I want to talk to my parents, they..they need to know where I am, know that I'm okay." I said suddenly turning very emotional.

"The officers said tommorow you will be allowed to make calls. But as for your parents awareness about your situation, I think Rex has got that covered."

I nodded silently. Thank God for Rex. God really knew how to lead people back into your life just when you needed them.

"Thank you, Darina."

She smiled at me, switching back to her jovial mood.

"Don't thank me yet, a lot still has to be done. I just hope you find what you are looking for."

I nodded. She got up and packed her files. Before she left, she squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

I followed the officer to the room that they had prepared for me to stay until decisions has been made. I looked into the room in despair.

I was going to spend a night in jail, or maybe more. A whole me. This room was really dampening my spirits.

I laid on the rickety bed, a tear popping out of my eye. I stared at the ceiling.

Getting out of the bed, I knelt down beside it and said a little prayer to my Father in heaven, for his strength and guidance.

~~~~~~

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Smart and bubbly.

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