Chapter 4: Advice

Calian's mind refused to focus on the TV. He still needed to make a decision by the next day, which was to be a Wednesday. He low-key needed some comfort coupled with advice and he knew the best person to get it from. He muted the show, took his phone, and dialed.

"Hello, Dad," he said when his father picked up the call.

"Hello there, Son. How are you today?" came his father's ever-cheerful voice.

"I'm not good at all," Calian replied sullenly.

"What's wrong? Is it about the lawyer?" Mr. Woods asked.

"Yes, it's about the lawyer. I haven't found a good one yet," he lamented. Saying it out loud showed him just how much trouble he was in if he didn't hurry.

"What about the one I suggested to you? Cassidy, I think that's her name," his dad asked. "Don't you want to give her a chance?"

Calian snorted. "I already gave her one long ago," he muttered in response.

"Repeat that. What do you mean?"

Calian sighed. "You remember Cassidy Chase? My ex-girlfriend from my first college? She's the same girl, apparently," he told his dad.

Mr. Woods sighed. "I see. Well, you'll have to put all that behind you and work with her."

Calian couldn't believe his ears. "What? Why would you say a thing like that?"

"Because it's the truth," his dad said calmly.

"What truth? You remember what this girl put me through just because I decides to hide my identity. You clearly remember that it was so bad, you had to transfer me to another school," Calian cried.

"Yes, Son. I remember all these things but it doesn't change the fact that we have no choice but to hire her," Mr. Woods maintained.

"Why? Just tell me why."

"Good. That's what I've been waiting to hear." His father cleared his throat. "Calian my boy, I've always told you not to mix business with personal life. Yes, this girl broke your heart into micro bits but you need to see the bigger picture here."

Mentally exhausted, Calian asked, "So what's the bigger picture and how does she fit in it?"

"Someone sued you and you have no lawyer. I believe you sought other options and they all don't seem like the right choice. Is that so?"

"Yes."

Mr. Woods continued. "That's it! You need help that she can render and unfortunately for you, she's the best in Newfoundland at the moment from what I've gathered."

"I know she's one of the best but why are you exaggerating?" Calian snapped, pissed at his dad for praising her.

"I'm giving you the facts, Son. From what I gathered, she was working under someone for a long time and he was fond of hiding her. She never got the praise for the cases she won, but the firm did and whenever her boss was asked to show them the particular lawyer, he either refused or gave the credit to someone else."

Calian was getting interested. "Go on," he said.

"Yes, so it was recently - just a month or two ago - that she quit from there and started her own firm. The few people she's worked with since then sing her praise. She might not be popular, but she's making waves and she knows what she's doing. I want you to win this case, Son."

Calian sighed. The pressure was back on his shoulders. "So in essence, you're saying I must hire her," he concluded.

"Well, I would have offered the family lawyer if you hadn't sworn to never work with him again," Mr. Woods said. His tone showed that he was trying not to laugh.

Calian hissed. "I don't know how you lot cope with that man."

"He is not the bone of contention right now. Will you do as I've suggested or not?" Mr. Woods asked him in a more serious tone.

"I'll think about all that you've said. I'll make a decision by tomorrow," Calian replied.

"I hope that decision will be for the best, Son."

"Yeah, me too. By the way, could you ask your friends to send details of the work she's done for them? It'll help me in deciding," Calian requested.

"Of course. I'll send them to you once they agree to it," his father said. "By the way, your mother wants to visit you sometime soon."

His mind became worried. "Why? Is everything alright?" he asked rapidly.

Mr. Woods burst into laughter. "The way you worry can be funny at times. Yes, everything is fine with her. She just wants to see you and be sure that you're alright. You haven't come home in a while and she's been complaining that you don't call as frequently either," Mr. Woods explained.

Calian let out a breath. "Tell her to come if she wants to do that so badly. I'll call her tomorrow when I'm back from work."

"I'll relay the message."

"Thanks, Dad. I've heard what you've said and I'll think about it. I'll call you tomorrow to tell you my decision," Calian assured him.

"I'll be looking forward to your call. And don't forget Son, I'm proud of you," Mr. Woods said before hanging up.

"Thanks, Dad."

It was established that the TV was doing nothing for him so he turned it off and called Evan.

"It's 8 pm," was the first thing Evan said when he picked up the call.

"Yes. Is there anything wrong with that?" Calian asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Why are you still awake? You should have slept since 7 pm or a little after that," Evan said with worry. "Are you thinking again?"

'Just how much does this man know about me?' Calian wondered. Indeed, he was feeling sleepy but sleep was far from him at the moment.

"Sorry if I disappointed you. No, I'm not thinking. I called you because you and I have work to do," Calian told him.

"Shoot."

"I'll send you some stuff to read soon. Once you're done, you tell me what you think and I'll make my verdict."