Free Almost Perfect: A BWWM Billionaire Single Parent Romance by BWWM Club, Alia Thomas

much to Richard’s frustration. There
would be no sleep without release and for the first time in a long
while, Richard was forced to take himself in hand.

Chapter 7
    The
attorneys for the injured woman were coming in today. At 8 am two
short, unrefined gentlemen walked into the office of Kimberly Walsh
and in minutes, left a bitter taste in her mouth. Money hounds by
nature, they had simply picked up the scent of money and their client
was the poor uninformed individual chosen for their prey.
    Mr.
Lawrence was bald, wormy looking and poorly spoken. His words came
out in short bursts similar to a stammer and determining what he
meant to say was a challenge. The other gentleman didn’t offer
much by way of interpretation as she simply nodded and echoed the
last words of his comrade.
    “ Mrs.
Thomas has been significantly affected by the negligence of your
client and we will be asking for no less than five hundred thousand
dollars in damages. Personal and financial loss will also be
considered on the final tally of what we feel she is rightfully
owed.”
    Before
Kimberly could retort to the ridiculous allegations and settlement
proposal, Richard burst in without knocking and promptly took a seat
on Kimberly’s side of the desk. Though a gentleman, Richard had
little patience for people who sought to take advantage of others
-regardless of social and financial status.
    His
tirade was loud and getting louder when a vibrating sound on the desk
drew everyone’s attention. Rejecting the call and silencing the
phone Kimberly nodded for Richard to continue. In less than 15
seconds it began to ring again and this time Kimberly took note of
the phone number. Aunt Audrey never called during the day when she
was at work and Kimberly had already made her weekly phone call.
    Excusing
herself, Kimberly left the men on a verge of explosion and stepped
into the hallway and swiped the screen to the right.
    “ Hi
Auntie, what’s up?”
    There
was no immediate response from the other end of the line only sobs.
    “ Auntie,
why are you crying? What’s wrong?”
    Fear
pricked the back of her throat and the tips of her ears grew hot as
the voice on the other end of the phone spoke.
    “ This
is Maya. My mom just passed.”
    “ What
are you talking about? I spoke to her just a few days ago and she was
fine! Are you sure?”
    “ It
was lung cancer Kimberly. She didn’t want me to tell you, but
it’s been a while now. She went into the hospital last night
but they called an hour ago to say she wasn’t looking good. I
am here now. She died in my arms.”
    Kimberly
had no idea she was screaming. The frantic footsteps on the floor
soon reached her side and Richard joined her on the floor where she
sat, cell phone tossed aside.
    “ Kimberly!
What’s wrong? Kimberly talk to me. What’s happening?”
    The
tears and screaming continued there on the floor of her new
workplace, and one by one coworkers gathered, concern on the faces of
the men, tears in the eyes of the women. The two lawyers emerged from
the office.
    “ Mr.
Damask, are we going to be continuing this meeting today?”
    Richard
addressed his answer to Kimberly’s secretary who was trying to
feed her a glass of water.
    “ Call
security and get these two fucking idiots out of here. NOW!”
    The
lawyers never waited for their personal escort out of building. They
were at the exit in a matter of minutes. After ten minutes if weeping
and wailing, Kimberly allowed Richard to help her to her feet.
Trembling with tear stained cheeks, she looked into his worried eyes
and said. “My aunt is dead Richard… she’s dead. Oh
my God, Richard, she’s dead.”
    Addressing
the concerned crowd, he issued a directive. “Please leave us
alone. We need some privacy.”
    Feet
shuffled and papers were taken to other work spaces in compliance
with the boss’s orders. Before the hall was completely empty,
Richard pulled a sobbing Kimberly to his chest and stroked her hair
in an effort to calm her.