Chapter 221: Something about Ronan

In a corridor of a daycare, a woman and man were standing next to each other, talking. Although it looked like a harmless conversation between the two, apparently, the woman found it getting weirder and weirder.

"With the other staff members?" Amber did not recall her colleagues informing her about a meetup for staff during lunch.

Ronan quickly corrected her. "No, it's just for the two of us!"

Amber's eyes widened once more. "What?"

Ronan smiled. "Yes, is there a problem?" he asked.

Amber could feel black lines coming down her forehead as she stared at the man in front of her, looking confused. "I definitely have a problem with that, Mr. Paccito. I'm very sorry if you may find this offensive. But regardless of just having lunch with each other professionally, this is a small town and people talk. I'm an engaged woman, soon to be married to the one I love and I do not want to have people talking behind my back about me having lunch with another man," she said firmly.

The man was silent for a few moments before saying out loud, "I'm impressed, Ms. Keene. But I just have to warn you that not every employer would care about your words, be that as it may."

Amber nodded. "I know. But I'm trying to be honest here, Mr. Paccito. I'm sorry if I'm being disrespectful as that was not my intention. And I'm sorry if I'm being presumptuous but I have to be careful with my actions as my status as an engaged woman," she said as she bowed her head down.

Ronan looked down at her bowed head and sighed inwardly. Seems like he has to try harder. Out loud, he said, "It's fine. I'm just asking. If you're not comfortable with this, we can bring along the other staff. But perhaps, another time?"

Amber looked up and nodded.

After a moment of silence, Amber quietly excused herself, saying that she has a class to monitor and teach. Ronan nodded, giving her permission.

Watching her go inside the room, Ronan stood outside, his eyes still on the door as he stared off-space. Soon after, he walked away, heading towards his office.

-----

Erick was in the office filing room where he was looking for files that were related to a case that Murray was currently working on. He has been in the room for hours, even missing lunch because of it.

One of the legal assistants was so surprised to see still working hard in his research that he came up to Erick many times to check whether he was fine or not.

Erick kept waving him away, saying that he was fine. The reason as to why he was so absorbed in his work was because Murray had given him an opportunity to lead a case if this case was a success. It was his chance to get something good in his CV before doing his bar examinations.

He was looking through the files when he noticed an abnormality in one of the folders inside the file cabinet. He took it out carefully from the cabinet and read the name of the file, 'Ronan Paccito'.

He frowned. The name sounded familiar. But he couldn't put a finger to it. He turned the folder, assessing the thickness and thought it was weird that it was quite thick.

Usually this means that the man was involved in a lot of things happening in town but usually was protected by law.

Inwardly shrugging to himself, he placed the file back to its original location and resumed his research. He didn't dare look into the contents lest it might cost him his job. He did not have the permission to peek inside and the legal assistants would be aware that someone had looked inside by the little disturbance he had caused to the papers if he had done so.

A couple of hours, looking fatigued from reading the file documents and without having lunch, Erick sat down inside Murray's office, waiting for the latter to speak. Murray was leaning against his seat, the reports in both of his hands as he skimmed through.

Moments later, Murray placed down the paper and looked at the nervous Erick, sitting in front of him. He then said, "Great job. This is the information that I'm looking for. Perhaps you can join me at the courtroom to observe the session?"

Erick's eyes widened. He then grinned widely, looking excited. "Sure, I'll be there!" He stopped. "What time should we meet up?" he asked.

The two of them stood up together. Murray then walked over to him, placing a hand on Erick's shoulder and said, "Let's meet up at the courthouse at 7:30 in the morning. We'll be meeting the client first before the session starts at 8 o'clock."

Erick looked surprised when he heard the time and then thought that it was normal since lawyers usually do need time to be prepared before going to 'war'. It seems like he won't be able to send Amber to work tomorrow. Thinking that, he felt dejected and a bit frustrated. Further thinking that the guy who owned the daycare where she worked might be lurking around.

Unfortunately, he had suppressed his urges to bash that man down and hoped that Amber wouldn't get so close to him.

Which he felt reassured when he got home and Amber had told him all about what had happened with the man. She told him about how he approached her, asking whether she would go to lunch with him. Alone.

At first, Erick felt furious when he heard her and was about to run out of the house to look for him and bashed him down. If it wasn't for Amber's threat of leaving the house and staying at her parents' house if he went there, he would have really gone there.

He finally calmed down when Amber told him the words she had told the man.

It was then realization dawned on him. He turned to her and asked, "What was his name again?"

"Ronan Paccito," Amber replied, looking confused. "Why? I thought I'd mentioned his name before."

Erick shook his head. Wasn't that the name that he had saw in the filing room?