Chapter Four

Past

Kevin and Molly entered the large room full of decorations, their jaws dropped and eyes widened. "Surprise!! Happy birthday Molly!". Everyone there shouted in sync, beaming with smiles. "Tha-thank you" she managed through the tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. Kevin got closer and wrapped her in a hug and tried to wipe her tears away. She looked at Huggins from the distance and ran to him. She hugged him and said, " thanks dad".

For a minute, Huggins was taken aback. She never ever called him that. He was over the moon. He genuflected and embraced the cute little 8-year old bundle. "Look here dear, I'm glad you're happy. Your parents, they asked me to do all this. They have a lot of network problems where they are. That's why they don't call often. It took quite some serious tree climbing to get to me to plan this for you. They asked me to get a gift for you dear, I hope you like it."

" They did this?" " yes but not without my help. And almost everyone here has a gift for you." "Silly me. And there I was, thinking they just dumped me here" she said and laughed through the tears. She took Kevin's arm and explored the place and the expensive decorations. As the two kids wowed and marvelled, the adults chatted and ate.

" It's time for gift unboxing dear" Huggins said to the duo who made their way toward him immediately. "I guess we'll save mom and dad's for the last right" he said to Molly and she nodded.

After several thank you gestures, she was finally down to that of her parents.

She unboxed the little box sitting on the table and inside it was a very pretty heart shaped locket. A paper in the box said open and she did just that.

Opening it, she saw a picture of she and her parents on one half of the heart. Seeing them again made her miss them so bad and she almost broke down, but knowing they still cared kinda strengthened her. She was just about to put the necklace on when Kevin spoke up. "Hold on Mol" he said and she stopped. He run to the car and came back with a photo in hands. It was a picture of he and Molly. Surprisingly, it was the exact size it needed to be to fit into the locket. He opened the locket and fixed the picture. He smiled uncontrollably as hooked the necklace over his best friend's neck. "It really looks beautiful on you dear." Huggins said. Molly hugs Kevin. "Happy birthday once again Mol" he said and fresh tears rolled down Molly's cheeks.

This was the best birthday ever. "Thanks a lot ..umm.. dad" she said to Huggins as he drove them back home.

Present

Mckenzie helps Molly out of the car and they intertwine their fingers as they enter the office. "Good morning sir" , an employee says, approaching the duo. "Good morning" the two respond at the same time. Molly giggles and Mckenzie shakes his head. The employee rolls her eyes at the two. *who the heck does she think she is. I've been here for so many years but I have never been spared even a glance. What does he even see in her? * she thinks as Molly snaps her out of her thoughts. "May!May!" Molly shouts. May shrugs and look at Mckenzie, completely ignoring Molly.

"Sir, there's a new case concerning Mr. Pedro Alejandro and his wife's divorce. Also, the appeal we sent has finally been accepted to look into those two cases you asked for." "Thanks." Mckenzie says and walks ahead leaving Molly and May behind. "Okaay, I'd be going too" Molly says as she hurries off after she had had enough of the glares May shot at her. "Damn, if looks could kill, I'd be six feet deep by now" Molly mumbles as she enters the office and sees Mckenzie sitting in the office and staring in one of the drawers with a weird expression on his face. He looked like he was sad but happy, it wasn't really clear.

* Finally. I have the chance to get justice for them.* he thinks and a smile crawls over his lips. Molly clears her throat as she enters his office, making her presence known. "Umm won't you give me the files for the cases May talked about earlier to study them and work on them?" " Oh right." He says and and takes the file pertaining Pedro's case and hands it to her. " Uugh, what of the rest....two?" She says and he closes the drawer immediately and locks it up. " well I'm working on that case alone." " But I'm your personal assistant. You're supposed to discuss cases with me and how we approach the investigations. Whether to get detectives or go do it ourselves. What's it about these cases anyway? It's not like me helping you out will prolong solving it." She rattles time Mckenzie. " You're not getting involved and that's that. Stay in your limits."

"Whatever" she says and leaves with Pedro's file and pauses at the door way. " Can I solve this case, my way? And alone? Like I fancy divorce cases. Please?" She says and he nods.

* At least it'll keeps her occupied while I dive into these.* he thinks and gets to work.

She enters her office and begins working on the file. "Well, this is weird, the divorce is obviously gonna go through but her conditions are sheesh. I need to talk to our client. Let me see, perhaps I could get his contact. Aha! Mr. Pedro. Nice" she lowkey speaks to herself and dials his number into her working phone. She sends him a text.

The siren blurs for lunch. Damn, she's hungry. She looks over at Mckenzie and he doesn't even flinch. He looks so engrossed in what he's working on. She goes over to his side of the office. " what are we working on here ." She says and shuts the laptop immediately. " I told you to keep your hands off this case didn't I?" He says. Anger evident in his tone. " Relax, I was just joking. Let's go grab some lunch" "I don't want to. You can go if you want to." "Excuse me? I'm your girlfriend. You shouldn't be declining my lunch offers." " Yes, you're my fake girlfriend." He says back making quote signs with his finger as he says the word fake and smirks.

Molly didn't know why she felt kinda hurt when he did that. She brushed it off quickly. She just thought he needed a break so that's what she's going to do. "if you don't come with me, I'll take the files." She threatens. " Oh really? And how are you planning on doing that?" He asks, furrowing a brow.

She moves closer to him and turns his chair to fade her. She holds the arms of the seat and bend close to his face. Mckenzie freezes as his stomach twitches at how she's close to him. He could feel her breath on he's cheek as he stared into her pretty bright blue eyes. She gets closer and he now feels her breath on his neck. She whispers into his ear. "I know where the keys to the drawer are and..... I'm gonna get it and take them." "What?" "Yeah it's in your breast pocket dear." She says and immediately attacks his pocket. But come on, he was faster. He took out the key before she could reach it. She attempts to snatch it and he raises his hand. Okay now he's got her. He was taller and now the hand was over his head, how was she supposed to get the keys. She jumps lamely as she tries to get her hands on the keys. " I don't want to go for any f***ing lunch with you. Is it that difficult to understand?" He shouts and storms into the restroom. * What did I ever do? Geez I only wanted to help. * she thinks and walks off to get her rumbling stomach some food.

Mckenzie looks himself in the mirror. *what was the need to fume up. She was just being kind. It was just lunch. No..... I don't care about her or her thoughts. She deserves it. What is wrong with me? I don't usually care about anyone's feelings anymore. But... I don't know, I kinda hate it when she's the one I scold. (He pauses and sighs deeply) No I'm overthinking this. I'm Mckenzie and I don't care about nobody and that's not going to change.* he thinks and splashed water over his face

#sally