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Lower Floor Chapter 10
EMILIANAI arrived at work twenty minutes late, and the secretaries watched me, amused and puzzled because punctuality was not one of my traits. The weekly meeting we had among all the senior lawyers at the firm was about to start, and if I didn't hurry, Alejandro Cagliari would not hesitate to reprimand me in front of everyone.The conference room was at the end of the hallway, and on my way there, a tall, slender brunette joined me, looking at me with amusement since we were both running late. Miranda Smith had been working with us for three years, the least experienced in the business. I had recruited her myself after being a guest at her graduation thesis defense."They're going to kill us," she said, juggling the various folders she had with her. "Alejandro doesn't handle waiting well."I furrowed my brow. "Neither do I," I muttered under my breath. I had never been known among my colleagues as a sociable and charismatic person, quite the opposite, actually."Which reminds me...
Lower Floor Chapter 11
AMANDAI finished talking to my grandmother, and our conversation allowed me to relax and see things more clearly. Of course, the first thing she did was offer once again that I could come live with her whenever I wanted. I had lost count of how many times I had declined her offer. I cherished my independence, and as much as I loved my nonna, I wasn't willing to give it up for anything or anyone. We hung up after she insisted on me calling Emiliana. I didn't tell her much about Emiliana, just that she was a lawyer and lived one floor below mine.I turned my phone in my hand a couple of times, pondering if it was a good idea. I hated how my mind overanalyzed decisions, but it was even worse to make a decision and then realize all the things that could go wrong. I got up from my chair and started walking around the apartment. Maybe she was busy and couldn't answer my call."But wasn't it her who asked you to call her?"To hell with this! I was being irrational. Emiliana wouldn't have of
Lower Floor Chapter 12
EMILIANAI wasn't a believer, but something must have possessed me to insist that Amanda stay. Since she walked through the restaurant's door, I couldn't take my eyes off her; there was something captivating about the way she moved.I felt satisfied when I received her call. For a moment, I thought she wouldn't reach out. It had been challenging to keep her out of my thoughts while I worked, although the new case I had on my hands made it easier.I eventually gave in to my father's scheming. As much as I detested his interference in my career, I wasn't foolish enough to reject an opportunity, especially when it was handed to me on a silver platter. It wouldn't speak well of my lawyering skills.Alexander handed me the file the police had managed to put together so far. If there was one thing I had learned from having my father as a mentor, it was how to find loose ends and, once they were secure, start pulling until you reached the truth. And this case was full of them, so many that i
Lower Floor Chapter 13
AMANDAThe last time I had a lesbian crisis was when I was in the third year of high school. I had gone out with some friends to a bar, and I ended up kissing a stranger. To understand the context, you should know that at that time, I didn't even know how to define myself. I wasn't sure if I liked women or men.Add to that a really conservative family and the fear that someone I knew would see me and tell my parents. From experience, I was aware that nothing good would come of it.The next day, my friends told me what had happened, although they didn't make a big deal out of it because, according to them, it was just a kiss to "strengthen our friendship." I remember that I never thanked anything as much as the fact that heterosexuals followed any fashion that added experiences to their daily lives.We left it at that, and the topic was never touched again. Ten years later, it still tormented me. Right now, my immediate problem was something else, and it had a name and surname: Emilian
Lower Floor Chapter 14
EMILIANAThe Baseli house was an hour outside of Rome. I had to get up earlier than usual to avoid the traffic jam on the highway. I was born and raised in Palermo, but when I was ten, my mom was offered her dream job as an economist at a company that specialized in textile exports.Of course, my dad and I supported her. We weren't the most affectionate family, but we showed our love through actions rather than words. Despite the complicated relationship my dad and I had, it was entirely different with my mom for both of us.My father literally saw through his wife's eyes, and although he didn't like to show affection in public, I was aware during my childhood of how much he loved both of us.It was fortunate for me because I was genuinely repellent to displays of affection. I detested excessive cuddling and felt like vomiting every time I heard couples using ridiculous nicknames. When they started with that sappiness, I knew it would last a long time, and it didn't surprise me. No sa
Lower Floor Chapter 15
EMILIANAThe Baseli house was an hour outside of Rome. I had to get up earlier than usual to avoid the traffic jam on the highway. I was born and raised in Palermo, but when I was ten, my mom was offered her dream job as an economist at a company that specialized in textile exports.Of course, my dad and I supported her. We weren't the most affectionate family, but we showed our love through actions rather than words. Despite the complicated relationship my dad and I had, it was entirely different with my mom for both of us.My father literally saw through his wife's eyes, and although he didn't like to show affection in public, I was aware during my childhood of how much he loved both of us.It was fortunate for me because I was genuinely repellent to displays of affection. I detested excessive cuddling and felt like vomiting every time I heard couples using ridiculous nicknames. When they started with that sappiness, I knew it would last a long time, and it didn't surprise me. No sa
Lower Floor Chapter 1
Amanda"The words flowed from her lips, illuminating her radiant gaze, showing him that there was no beauty more ethereal than that emanating from her pale face. Then he took her in his arms, their foreheads touching, thinking that if this was a sin, he would gladly burn in the flames of hell.""Luminous gaze?"I let out a scoff and tore the page from the notebook, crumpling it into a ball and leaving it on the floor, where a small mountain of paper was starting to accumulate. I searched for a new page and began writing again.I was one of those people who needed to put their ideas on paper for them to take shape. If I tried to do it on the computer, I'd draw a blank. I hadn't even written three lines when a shrill sound startled me, causing me to draw a huge line across the page, ruining it completely.I dropped the notebook onto the table, frustrated and angry."Again? This is the third time this week," I thought, exasperated.Almost instinctively, I got up from the chair in front o
Lower Floor Chapter 2
EMILIANAThe trial was about to conclude, and I couldn't have been more pleased with how I had conducted it. I was confident that the judge would rule in our favor. I turned my gaze to find Mrs. María Contreras, my current client, with a worried expression. I discreetly reached out and squeezed her hand to provide some support.We all stood up as the highest authority in the room exited through a door in one corner of the courtroom. He gestured for us to sit down again."After hearing both parties, I am ready to give my verdict. However, I want to hear the closing arguments. So, Attorney Basile, you have the floor," he indicated with a wrist motion.I stood up and moved closer to the podium. Normally, we didn't need to do this; I could have spoken from the desk. However, I felt more comfortable and in control of the situation this way."Until the child reaches the age of majority, the child has the right to be supported by their parents," I pointed out that point succinctly since it h