MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE TEN: WELCOME ABOARD

He had no idea why he was summoned, he just sat there restless, looking at the man in front of him, he wasn't just a man, he was a legal legend. When he first mentioned his employment at Lawson and Associates, everyone rated him as the real MVP, it was huge because Joseph Lawson was a formidable lawyer who no one stood a chance with in court and there he was sitting right in front of him, he knew a day like that would come but he never believed it would come sooner. 

"So Mr Obieze, when did you start working with us?" he asked in a somewhat refined manner 

"Just yesterday, sir" he gulped hoping the feeling at the pit of his stomach would go away. 

"Yesterday? I saw your name come up on my log as a representing lawyer of Mr Biodun Bankole and you just started yesterday? Not only that, he was just worth about five million to the company, now he is worth more than 20. How did you get his contract to change?"

"I helped him get a patent for the prototype of an auto tractor he developed for Nelson Farms, that way they can't use them without his approval and also I threatened to take his merchandise elsewhere if he isn't given the lion share" he said 

The room became silent and he could feel the tension build up.a

"A patent? In a day?  Now I am intrigued. You see Mr Obieze, I never meet with new associates, there are a load of them here, not until like two years or more when they get their own clients. But you were able to do so in a day, not because you are smart or the best, but you established what people fail to see, trust. I don't care the method you used to get that patent, but you thought like a lawyer. We lawyers we do a lot, we leverage, we gamble, we see that line and we cross it just for our clients but when you do all that for selfish reasons then you loose yourself in the process. I hope you will keep doing what is right Mike, you remind me of myself before I started this firm" 

"Thank you sir, I am short of words, don't know what to say"

"Here" he opened his drawer and handed him a drink wrapped in a velvet cloth "that's a 1972 Bordeaux, use it an celebrate"

"Celebrate?" he took the drink from his hand surprised "I only got a client what he deserved, he should be the one celebrating"

"Not the client, I just promoted you to level three. You made history today Mike and I am impressed"

Mandy was doing some light reading in her office when Bello pushed the door and walked in.

"You should knock more often" she looked up at him

"Spare me that, you know why I am here. Why did you go and visit Mrs Ajah? You don't get a pass for being the boss' daughter, if you want a pass start behaving like an adult and not a brat!" he raved

"Watch your tone Barrington, I went to visit a friend, told you I know her"

"Lay off my case Lawson! If you can't stand the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen!"

"That's the problem, I've been in the kitchen for too long making appetizers when I can whip up a three course meal. You better guard that case like your life depends on it because soon the boss will see reasons why I should handle it. Now let the door hit you on your way out"

He chuckled and walked to the door, turned and looked at her.

"You don't have to always prove yourself to daddy you know, if you are good, he would recognize you. By the way your assistant just got moved to level three, better look for a new one because soon he would be in your level, maybe even partner. Sleep on that"

He walked out shutting the door hard behind him.

Peggy and Mike are in the board room, it's already dusk. He unwrapped the Bordeaux and poured it into the wine glass.
"So you are now in level three, impressive" she said
"Yes I am, what of you what's your level? I hope you don't mind me asking"
"Doesn't apply to me, I'm more like a paralegal, did law as a diploma"
"Wow, but you are still high, secretary to 'the' Joseph Lawson, it's a level everyone would want to be in"
He handed her a glass.
"Are you sure you want to share this drink with me? That's a quality wine, don't waste it."
"You made this possible, today I got a client, got promoted and my salary went up, it's all you Pegs"
"Cheers"
They clinch glasses and take a sip

"So what now Mike?"
"Well, I just have to keep doing what I do, and please next time you want to send me to someone like Rex, give me a heads up"
"Like you didn't have fun your royal highness" they laughed "You should have seen your eyes, how were you able to keep it together and get on a bus back?"
"Let's just say it wasn't my first time, second or third"
"We all have weird pasts huh? Don't worry, no one is a saint anyway. Let's make a toast, to always doing things the right way no matter the risk" she raised her glass
"No matter the risk, bottoms up!"

To be continued...

MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE NINE: PATENTING

"What took you so long clean shave?" Rex said to him as he sat on the chair.
"I had a moment with your brother, and don't call me that" he said
"So he got you to smoke that?  Damn! Now I owe him five bucks"
"Wait?  Did you set me up?"
"Didn't know you would fall for it, you are really desperate. Anyway here is your patent"

He pushed the piece of paper to him. He looked at it and was shocked to see an official signature on it.
"How did you get it approved this fast?" he asked
"They don't call me Rex the Best for no reason. Let's just say a lot of people owe me a lot of favors"

"Thank you Rex, you saved a life today"

They were already in the meeting room when Mike barged in, sitting in the room was Mandy, Biodun, and lawyers from Nelson Farms.

"Who is this?" the male lawyer said, Mike recognized him from the court room. 

"His my assistant, Mike where are the files?" Mandy said to him 

"I'm actually here with something better" he dropped the patent on the table. 

"That is the patent to Mr Bankole's auto tractor" he forwarded it to the lawyer. 

"What's the meaning of this?" he said as he passed it the other lawyer 

"It means I am not worth 40% after all"

Biodun smiled and gave him a thumbs up sign. Mandy just stared at him in disbelief. 

"So if you decide not to give my client 60% with additional rights we will simply take our business somewhere else, Paks and Sons, Tunji Farms, I researched on your competitors"

The lawyer whispered into the woman's ear and signed something on the paper. He handed the paper over to Mike. 

"Fine, you win this time Mr Bankole, but we agree on 55%"

"60 or nothing" Mike said 

"Okay, we will keep in touch"

They stood up and left the room. Mandy clapped repeatedly as she stood. 

"How did you think of a patent? Really brilliant of you"

"It's his prototype and someone cares if it was a time machine"

"Thank you Mike, you kept your word" they shook hands "Mandy I will like Mike to represent me from now on"

"Sure, he earned it. Bravo Magic Mike" she smiled and walked out of the room. He walked with Biodun out into the office lounge and Peggy stopped him on their way to the reception. 

"Mike, uhmm, Mr Lawson wants to see you in his office, now"

"Wait? What for?" his eyes widened in fear 

"How am I supposed to know? You are in deep trouble"

To be continued... 

MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE EIGHT: NOTHING BUT TROUBLE

Peggy retrieved the files from the receptionist table and made her way into the office lounge only to come face to face with Mandy. 

"Peggy,  I need the files on the last case Mr Lawson worked on, need to update something for him" she said
"Okay, I will check the inventory"

She tried to pass but she stood in front of her. 

"One more thing, have you by any chance seen Mike?  I asked an associate and he said he was last seen in your office"
"My office? Okay that was when he came to ask for something, can't even remember what it was, is there a problem?" she covered up wishing she hadn't done that.
"He has some documents that I need to be signed, and it's almost time for my meeting"
"I have no idea, maybe he went on court rounds or Mr Barrington called him"
"Why do I get this feeling that you I covering for him?" Mandy asked looking straight into her eyes for a sign or even a flicker but she was dealing with a pro.
"Me? Why should I? I barely even know the guy"

"If you find him, tell him to report to my office, immediately!"

She turned and walked straight into her office. Peggy retrieved her phone and dialed Mike's number. 

"I'm going to kill him" she said as soon as she heard the dial tone.

He wiped his eyes severally before he could make out where he was, it was Guciano's house, he almost thought he was halfway to the island. 

"Oh my God! I'm in deep trouble!"

He picked up his phone 

"Yoo Pegs, howdy?"

"Are you dumb or something? Tell me you are on the 12th floor"

"Nope, I'm still on the mainland" he sniffed

"You are an idiot! Do you realize that you could get in real trouble like get fired" she shouted and he could feel the shrillness of her voice pierce through his skull. 

"Calm down Peggy,  you are screaming! My head hurts" he rubbed his forehead 

"Get back here or don't blame me for what happens next"

She hung up 

"She always does that" he said to himself.

 He struggled to get up, throwing his bag over his shoulder. Guciano was snoring loudly on his sofa, he tapped him severally but he doesn't budge. 

"Guy, your door, I'm off" 

"No wahala" he continued sleeping as he left the house, shutting the door behind him. 

She handed him a cup of warm milk as he sat down on a chair in the office kitchen. 

"Thank you" he said as he took a sip

"Don't sip, drink it all up or you still will be super high" she said 

He took the cup to his mouth and swallowed up the contents in one gulp. Her face puckered and suddenly she busted out laughing. 

"What?" he asked confused 

"What exactly were you thinking? Smoking weed with Guciano"

"He wouldn't let me leave until I do it, I'm this close to get that patent don't want to mess it all up"

"A simple no would have sufficed, it's not like he would put a gun to your head"

"I was desperate, I am desperate. I hate when I give people my word and I fail"

"What exactly do you have to prove? This seems personal to you"

"I..." he is interrupted as his phone rang "Hold that thought, hello"

"Hi Mike, it's Biodun, I'm in the board room with Mandy and they are seriously badgering me about the files, you said you would fix it, where are you?"

"She said noon, and it's" he looked at his watch "past noon! Just hang on I'm on my way, trust me" he hung up "I got to go get the patent I'm super late" he rushed off

"Wait, you don't have it yet? What have you been doing... " she called out after him but he was already out the door.

To be continued... 

MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE SEVEN: ROAD TRIP

Rex the Best wasn't who Mike thought of him to be, he was a reggae looking boy bent over a game of spider solitaire when he found his way to his table. 

"Ehmm" he coughed lightly enough to catch his attention. 

"Be with you in a second, need to crush the computer" he said still playing 

"Isn't it working hours and too early to play that?"

"Even the boss knows I multitask so he doesn't interfere" he shouted in glee as he won the game "Now how may I help you, Mr clean shave"

"Seriously why does everyone say that, here"

 He gave him the folded piece of paper. He reads it and chuckled

"The Benin witch strikes again. So Peggy wants me to whip up a patent for you? The question is what do I get in return?"

He swerved on the chair biting on his pencil.

"I thought that was stated in the paper?"

"You didn't read it?" he nodded "Wow she has that effect on everyone. You see what was in the paper was that I help as a favor I owe her,  but in other to,  you have to help me,  that's how it goes, an eye for an eye"

"So what should I do, I'm desperate and I need the patent before noon"

"You will get it once you do a simple delivery for me.  Just a simple trip to the mainland"

"The mainland? There could be traffic or worse a grid lock!  How am I supposed to be back before noon?"

"I don't care!  You could borrow Peggy's broom and fly with it" he looked at him with mouth agape "All I am saying is, figure it out"

"Fine, let me have whatever it is" he opened up his top drawer, retrieved an envelope and handed it over to him. 

"The address is at the back"

He rushed out of the room without looking back hoping and praying that he would be able to catch the next bus. 

It took forever to pass the third mainland bridge and finally the bus was on the mainland swerving from side to side. He phone rang and he picked it to answer the unknown caller. 

"Hello"

"Mike, did he help you?"

"Peggy? How did you get my number?" he asked 

"I have your portfolio stupid! So did he help?"

"Almost"

"What does that mean,  did he help or not?"

"He sent me on a road trip to make a delivery"

"Where? "

"Somewhere in Oshodi"

"That warri fool did not just send you to the mainland! I will kill him" her voice pierced through from the other end. 

"I'm already on a BRT not like I can fly with your broom like he suggested"

"Get back here as soon as possible,  I will not cover for you"

"I was just about to ask that"

"Hell to the NO!  figure it out yourself" she hung up before he could even get to plead

"I'm in deep trouble, who send me?"

He finally arrived his destination, it was an irregular four storey that looked like it was about to hit the ground. He ascended a flight of stairs to the top floor and knocked repeatedly on the door. A tall muscular man opened up wearing just his jeans, smoking heavily.

"Who you dey find?" he said in pidgin with a deep voice.

"Eehhh,  Uhmmm,  I'm looking for Guciano, Rex sent me to give this to him" he stuttered as he passed down the envelope. 

'Hmm" he opened it and looked at the contents "So you dey work with my brother?"

"U hmm,  something like that, can I go now? "

"Chill first, I no dey chop human being so no fear,  how you go enter my cabal comot you no go sniff small, enter make I tear you one wrap"

"I don't smoke during work hours" he said not sure if it was convincing enough 

"No be cigar na, just small weed no one go notice. Or you wan make we get problem?" he blew the smoke on his face 

"Okay, just one, and I'm off"

He entered the house ignoring his conscience as it screamed loudly at him, but desperate times indeed calls for desperate measures.

To be continued... 

MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE SIX; RESCUE MISSION

He was very sure he set the alarm to 6:00am and was surprised that he tossed for some minutes but still it didn't ring. He was really exhausted from surfing the internet and reading a bunch of books for an idea he could use to help Biodun. Suddenly he decided to check his clock, it was 7:06am.

"Holy shit!"
He exclaimed as he sprang up from the bed.
 "I am definitely late in law time"

He rushed into the office possibly avoiding Mr Barrington or anyone that would query him for his lateness. He needed to work on Biodun's case before Mandy discovered that the files were not on her table and as he feared she stood at the door her expression motionless and stern.

"Why didn't I see the files on my table?" she raved
"Good morning" he greeted as he thought of what to say.
"Keep that to yourself!" she barked to his amazement.
"Uhmm I'm still working on it"
"What does that mean? I gave you a simple task, get him to sign the documents and return it to me! I should have just done it myself!" she cursed
"He declined and I don't blame him for doing so" he said and she snorted
"This is the real world and no one cares if he invented a time machine! That offer is the best he can get whether he likes it or not. For the last time I need those files before noon, whatever tricks you have up your sleeves, pull them out and get him to sign the damn thing!"

She brushed past him and stormed down the corridor to her office.

He entered the cubicle and set his things on his table. He sat down for a while, there has to be someone who would help him with his plan before noon. Of course! Why didn't he think of her? He flung his suitcase over his shoulder and rushed out of the room.

Peggy was busy working on her computer when he walked up to her.

"Hi Peggy" he flashed a smile at her "You look really pretty today"
"Cut the crap,  what do you want?" she looked up at him
"Why do you think I want something? Can't I just compliment a coworker?" he played dumb
"No you can't. In this place, everyone wants something from someone, what's your angle?"
"Okay you got me. I need to file for a patent, how do I go about it?" he asked
"A patent? Those things take like two days, three tops"
"But I need one today before noon" he said disappointed
"I also need a Ferrari before Christmas, we can't always get what we want can we?" she continued with her work
"Please, I know you can help me, please" he pleaded
"Just because you are good looking with a Banky W shave, you think you can bat you eyes and I would help?" he looked straight into her eyes making sure he didn't break contact. "Fine I would help" she tore out a piece of paper and scribbled down something before handing it to him.
"Go down to the 12th floor, that's the Tech department, ask for Rex the Best, give that note to him. Don't peep at it!  He would know who it came from and by the way, don't breathe a word of this to anyone, ever!"
"Thank you Pegs,  I owe you big time!" he rushed out in excitement
"Don't even think about it, you can't pay up" she called out after him

To be continued...

MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE FIVE; A LONG DAY

He sighed deeply as he packed up his suitcase,  it had really been tiresome first day and he could not wait to get home, take a long shower and hop into bed.  He walked to the elevator,  pressed the button and waited.  After some minutes the bell chimed and the door slid open,  he got in and pressed button one and as they door slid close Mandy stepped in.

"Didn't expect to find you here Magic Mike" she joked

"Are you going to keep calling me That? Do I have a say or I'm I supposed to just go with the flow? " he asked

"Of course you have a say,  you are a lawyer" 

"Well I object!" he exclaimed and she laughed wildly

"So, how was your first day? "

"It was a perfect blend of tiring, exhausting and exhilarating I must say. I barely sat down at my desk for a second"  he groaned 

"Welcome to Lawson and Associates,  trust me it will get worse.  I hope you left the files signed by Mr Bankole on my table,  I will attend to it early in the morning and by the way,  don't wear all your primary colors to work, ever"
The door opened and she walked out without giving him the chance to utter a word.

Bello walked into the office bar only to find Joseph drowning his sorrows with a glass of scotch.

"Isn't it too early for happy hour?" he said as he poured himself a desired amount into his glass. 

"I am thinking,  it helps me think" he said in his defense

"Cheers to that"
They click their glass and he sat down to enjoy the liquor 

"What's on your mind?" Bello asked him

"The minister wants me to represent him in court and he is not taking no for an answer"  he said

"You mean the same minister that looted billions in government?" he nods "what is in it for you?" 

"30% of the loot plus the commissioning of a new plot for Lawson and Associates,  Abuja branch"

"Now I get why you need to think. Has he even considered that you might lose the case?"

"Bello,  with my level of integrity,  backing him up alone simply means that he will walk plus he wants me to pull a few strings" he said 

"And are the puppets ready for a puppeteer?"

"There is always a puppeteer,  just a different show"

"To be honest, the deal is really tempting. What does your heart say?"

"I wish it could speak for itself, right now it is radio silent"

He watched the scene of the night sky from the foot of the stairs and imagined how peaceful and serene it looked. He knew he had to do the right thing, he must do the right thing. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed a number. After several beeps of the dial tone the line picked up at the other end. 

"Hello"

"Hello Biodun, it's Mike.  I have thought about what you said and I have a plan, trust me you will get more than just 40%"

He hung up and slipped back his phone into his pocket. He dusted his suit as he stood and walked down to the gate then he turned back to take one final glance at the building.

Maybe it changed people, he thought maybe all that power corrupted them, maybe they all believed they were there to help people and in the end they dropped their cause at the gate. Definitely not him and whatever went wrong in the first place, he will fix it.

To be continued 

MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE FOUR; PICKING SIDES

He pondered on why she sent for him, it was quite odd that on his first day he barely settled in rather he was dragged from one office to the other. She was busy working on the computer when he stepped in.

"Sit down Magic Mike" she commanded and he scurried to the chair.

He looked round the office, it was feminine with red walls, red car, red walls maybe red was her favorite color he thought.

"So what did Bello want?" She asked 

"Uhmmm he just suggested a lot of things to me, he didn't ask for anything just that I come to work 8:00am law time" he said

"Oh, he used that phrase on you, typical. I didn't call you here for gossip, I have two  10:00am appointments clashing and I need you to handle one for me, the Nelson Farms case, make sure you seal the deal I need that case off my back A.S.A.P." she grunted

"Why? What's wrong with the case?" He queried

"A new case just came in, Ajah case and it's keeping me from it"

He looked at her perplexed

"Ajah case is a murder trial, Chief Benson Ajah, his wife is on trial for his murder" she explained

"Yes I heard about it, poor man, so I guess the firm is defending the dead man"

"No we are defending the wife"

"But she killed him..."

"Innocent until proven guilty, you should know that, now take this" she handed over a bunch of files "Go to board room 4, meet with Mr Bankole and get him to sign the files, you may go now" she continued with her work. 

He looked at the files confused and looked back at her

"How am I supposed to get him to sign it?"

"You are still here..."

"Sorry"

He leaves.

Mr Bankole was already in the board room waiting anxiously and when Mike came in he was surprised. He expected a man, a bit elderly but all he met was a young boy not more than 22. He stood abruptly on seeing Mike.

"Hi I'm Obieze Mike, Mandy's assistant" he said as they shook hands

"I'm Biodun Bankole, I was supposed to meet Mandy is everything okay? I really need to be back in school for lectures" he said agitated

"Wow you are a student? Which school, department and level?"

 Mike asked as they sat down

"University of Lagos, final year mechanical engineering" 

"I'm really impressed, I've been hearing Mr Bankole and I expected someone older"

"Well there is one, my father" he joked and they laughed

"She gave me the files" he handed it over.

He flipped through the pages and suddenly his countenance dropped

"It says here I have to settle for 40-60, I'm sorry but I can't" he tossed the files on the table

"Why? It's a good deal than the 20-80 you initially signed up for"

"I never did" 

"But it is in the contract..."

"Can I call you Mike? I believe you are new to this business and haven't been bought yet by money" 

"I don't know what that means but go on"

"I invented the prototype in my 300 level, Nelson Farms came with a lot of fake promises and sugar coated deals, opportunities like this hardly come in a country like ours so I took it and now they are trying to rob me of my handiwork. I can't be given 40% of my own invention" he stood "Tell Mandy we don't have a deal and Mike, I hope this place doesn't change you, I've seen what power does to people and it is tempting. My number is referenced in the file call me when they have a better offer"

He leaves the board room to the awe of Mike who wasn't sure whether to applaud for his guts or whine for not sealing the deal.

To be continued 

MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE THREE; GRAND WELCOME

Peggy was already waiting in the reception as soon as they stepped out of the elevator.

"Hi Mandy, Mike Mr Barrington wants you in his office right now" she said

"Uh... Me? Why? What did I do?" He said both scared and confused

"Apparently, you have not been inducted into the firm properly so let's go"

"Tro-u-ble" Mandy said in a sing-song voice as she left.

He followed her to an office with the words 'Bello Barrington, Senior Partner' written boldly on the door. She knocked twice, waited for a while before she pushed the door open and nudged him to go in. He walked into the airy room and felt a cold shiver run down his spine for the first time as the door shut.

Bello was a mean looking man in his late forties that wore a pair of glasses. He stood close to his desk working attentively on his iPad without even looking up to acknowledge his presence. Mike stood aimlessly for seconds not sure of what to say or do.

"You may sit"

He pointed at the red cushion as he sat on the office chair. Mike sat on the soft cushion with his hands gripping his thighs firmly.

"So Mr..."

"Mike, Obieze Mike" he said

"Right, I was told you went on court rounds with Miss Lawson, before anything is done in this office all level one associates report to me first, didn't Peggy tell you?"

"No she didn't, I barely got settled in before I left for court rounds, my personal items are still on my desk"

"Now you know and I won't say in case of next time because you are already employed. I will tell you some dos and donts particularly donts of this firm, what time did you come to work today?"

"Uhmm, 7:30am"

"You were late"

"No... I wasn't" he said confused "the appointment letter said 8:00am"

"That's just law time" he implied

"I don't understand sir"

"When we say African time it means you come an hour later but in law time you come an hour earlier. You are supposed to be here by 7:00am sharp every week day and ..." He is interrupted by the ringing of the telephone.

"Excuse me" he picked up the receiver "Hello, right now... Okay... I'm on my way" he dropped the receiver

"Well Mr Mark..."

"It is Mike" he corrected

"Right, we will continue this later"

He entered into the managing partner's office to meet Mandy twirling on the chair with her legs crossed and Joseph Lawson on his chair with his face meaning business as usual. He sat on the chair next to Mandy.

"Bello where are we on the Stellar case?" Joseph asked

"Done and dusted, I will send you a follow up later"

"Mandy what of the case with Nelson Farms?"

"The judge said Mr Bankole should settle so I have a meeting with him by 10am"

"Okay, send me a follow up when you are done. We have a new case, Mr Ajah Benson of Benson Motors died recently, it was suspected to be heart failure but the autopsy conducted revealed he was poisoned. High levels of Valium was found in his blood, suspect is his wife and she has been reprimanded. This case is the city against Mrs Ajah and we are not for the city but Mrs Ajah"

"Do you mean Victoria Ajah, his second wife?" Mandy inquired

"Yes, the young wife"

"You have the wrong murderer, she is innocent. Victoria can be a gold digger but certainly not a killer"

"You'd be surprised how money changes people" Bello remarked sarcastically

"No not Victoria, we went to Law school together"

"Mandy this is not for you to play jury, worry about the case with Nelson farms, Bello is handling this case. Bello you can pick any associate you want to work with, the goal is to get Mrs Ajah a lesser penalty or possibly prove that she is innocent"

"But Dad, I can handle this, why Bello all the time?" She sulked

"That's not for you to decide, my decision is final, now off you go"

They both exit the office.

"Don't sweat it Mandy, this is for the big guns, you are obviously still shooting darts" Bello mocked as soon as they were out and she winked rudely at him.

To be continued..

MANDY'S LAW: EPISODE TWO; ROOKIE II

He placed the box of files which contained some personal items and stationeries on the desk and tried to arrange them when he felt a soft pat on his back.

"Hi roomy"

He turned to see a beautiful dark skinned girl looking at him. Her well defined curves fit perfectly into her red blouse and brown skirt and her facial features made him quiver. He wasn't used to the attention from the opposite sex.

"Sorry you really scared me"

He fumbled for the files in the box and continued with the arrangement, she walked over and sat across the table.

"Are you shy?" 

She stared at him with her chin resting on her palm.

"No I'm not, I didn't expect a girl like you to be sharing a desk with me"

"Awww you think I'm cute"

"No!"

She raised her brows 

"Yes of course you are v--er-y cute" he stuttered, he looked up to see her smiling

"What?"

"I would have loved to be your roomy, but I'm not, trust me you don't want to know who stays here" she stood immediately  "I am Mandy Lawson, senior associate and you are?"

"Obieze Mike, excuse me, your last name Lawson as in the firm, Lawson and Associates" 

"Yup I'm also the boss' daughter"

They walked out of the building to a red Audi parked in the compound. His phone beeped and he checked only to see a message from MTN, he sighed and pressed the lock button.

"So like doctors, we make court rounds and this is one of them, get in" 

She opened the door and turned to him.

"You mean into the car?" He said confused

"No into into the bus, yes into the car let's go"

He hurried to the passengers side and got in. She started the ignition and sped out into the road.

The court room was already packed to the brim when they came in. She walked straight to the front and he followed not sure of what was going on. The judge raised her head and looked at her with a straight face.

"You are late!" She said 

"I know Judge Tolu and I'm sorry" she motioned him to sit on the defense side as she walked up to meet the judge

"Mandy you always do this, I said 8:00am"

"It's 8:04 and I'm not saying I am right, just saying it won't happen again" 

"You said that the last time..."

"I mean it this time"

"Okay you may go, let's begin" she hits the gavel as she walked back with a wide grin on her face

"Case 11045 Bankole vs Nelson Farms defense council?"

"I am" Mandy said as she stood

"Opposing council?" 

"I am" a sturdy man in a dark grey suit stood "and this is my client" he pointed at a middle aged man beside him

"Is that your client?" Judge Tolu pointed at Mike

"No my assistant, we are standing in for my client"

"Okay, so what is the hold up?"

"The young man in question is trying to breach the usual agreement of a 20-80 settlement when he developed the prototype for an automatic tractor" the opposing lawyer said 

"Is it signed?" 

"Yes" 

He goes over and presents a paper to the Judge, she looked at it and gave it back to him

"Mandy?"

"We are working on it, but I believe that a 20-80 settlement is too poor considering my client made their job easier"

"But he knew before he signed it" he barked

"He didn't and you know that..."

"That's enough! Go over the initial contract and get him to settle for something else, that's all I can say, next case" she hits the gavel 

They packed up their suitcase to leave the court room

"That was fast, I thought these things take time" Mike said to her

"This is hearing court dummy, let's go we have work to do"

To be continued

Mandy's Law: Episode One; Rookie

Well hello there! Lover of great stories and all things fabulous! It's me your one and only Lasgidi watchdog 'The Reine'. 

Let's have a toast to the good life and all the best things yet to come, all the hidden blessings and all the acknowledged favors.

Now verily, verily, verily I say unto you, there lies a sixteen feet tower in Victoria Island that everyone 'skedaddles' past every working day. Now on the sixteenth floor of this tower are a team of fighters, the best in their game, a Soviet Union of lawyers who battle tooth and nail for Justice and to keep their clients well pleased... Want to know more? Then allow me to take you on a simple journey into their world which started when a promising young man was employed......

He stood paranoid with a wobbly feet as the elevator ascended slowly to the sixteenth floor with his feet taping rhythmically on the marbled floor.

"I should have worn the grey suit, who wears a blue suit on the first day" he cursed repeatedly under his breath and adjusted his black brief case swung over his left shoulder.

Soon the bell chimed and the door swung open ushering him into the luxuriously painted and artistically furnished reception with the bold words 'Lawson and Associates' in red calligraphy.

 The reception was unusually empty and he walked straight into the office lounge only to meet her waiting, dressed exquisitely like one in the wrong place but the file on her hand gave her away.

"Hi my name is Peggy Ovrie, secretary to the Managing Partner" 

"Hi I am Obieze Mike" 

He extended his hand hoping for a warm welcome hand shake but she turned to lead the way.

"I know, I called to validate your employment, the office is empty because all associates are in briefing with Mr Bello Barrington PS. Never step on his toes I talk fast so try to catch up" 

She breathed the words out fast and he thought she could pass as a rapper because she was on a roll with a punch line.

They moved round the the office as she showed him the basic rooms like the  managers office, senior partners office, the associate office, media room, bar, board rooms, kitchen and the convenience with the final stop in his cubicle.

"Comfy huh? Try to settle in and by the way beginners luck" 

She sashayed out of the cubicle with him still lost in the sprawling office space.

To be continued...