Chapter 6

Leila POV

After getting an update text from Marshall saying Monica was doing ok and was back at home and that she was taking two weeks off, I took it upon myself to message her in hopes of checking in on her myself.

After handing everything over to her lawyer and finished on my end of the investigation, she had promptly kicked Jake out of the house and was proceeding with the divorce, at his expense of course.

So I now found myself standing in the doorway of Monica's modern style home, with a bottle of champagne.

She had invited me over for lunch and drinks around the pool, not something I normally do with client's but Monica insisted, and I was always keen to drink and celebrate where we cheers the fact, that like always, men ain't shit.

Plus it was a rather heated day in Detroit, where the sun was actually showing itself don't was going to take full advantage of it.

"Hi, come in" She said upon opening the door, standing aside so I can walk past.

"Thanks for inviting me" I said, as she closed the door, then gesturing for me to follow her through her house.

"Well, it's the least I can do, thank you for checking in on me" She said with a warm smile as we got to the kitchen island bench, where foods were laid out, and we sat down "Marshall mentioned that you asked for an update before you got in contact, that was sweet of you, since you didn't have too"

She poured us two drinks.

"You don't have to really, it is just something I felt I needed to do you know... given the circumstances, I felt awful" I said reaching for a glass "How is it going"

"Well, as you can see I kicked him out, Marshall gave me two weeks off to work through weeks, the first week was tough, but this week I'm feeling... well, I don't know, I loved that man, and now I'm left feeling inadequate"

"I can understand why, you're not alone though, if you would like to talk to other women in the same situation I'm happy to get in touch with some and pass on their number" I then pulled out my friend "My friend can help, her mother actually went through it when we were younger"

"That would be great thankyou"

"So two weeks off huh? I got the vibe you're quite close with Marshall"

"You'd be correct to assume, I've been working closely with him since 2008, at the start of his recovery"

"So he's always been an asshole?"

"He's not an asshole, he's just reserved" She chuckled "He is an amazing boss though"

I look out through the windows of her kitchen to see an amazing view of her pool area.

"Wanna take our drinks and jump in? Weathers perfect, better take advantage before the clouds come back"

I nodded with a smile "Most definitely.

———

Marshall POV

I pulled up in Monica's driveway, I was on my way back from catching up with Hailie, and though I'd just drop in, it wasn't unusual.

I ring the doorbell and knock but still no answer, I look to see her car in the driveway.

I mean she isn't the type of person to do anything crazy so I didn't want to assume the worst.

But let's be honest here.

I'm a fucking head case and I'll always assume the worst first.

I look around and eye the back gate, and walk around the side.

I can hear music, so I unlatch the gate and walk around to the pool area, I can start to hear I'm Bad by LL Cool J playing from the speakers.

I look down on one of the sunbeds to see a Naughty By Nature T-shirt on it with a handbag.

I froze as I came into view of Leila climbing out of the pool, bikini-clad, water dripping down her body.

Jesus fucking Christ.

My head was about to explode already.

I tore my eyes away long enough to see Monica walking towards me.

"Marshall, what are you doing here?" she said with a smile and have me a hug.

"Came to check in on yo-, what's she doing here?"

She looked back at Leila who was walking over to us.

"Oh I invited her over for some lunch and drinks, Leila you remember Marshall?"

"Ofcouse" She said, standing with her hands on her hips, lips in a sly smirk "I never forget a good impression"

I tried my hardest not to let my eyes wander and show weakness but I failed badly.

My eyes ran up and down her body, catching a glimpse of something else unexpected.

"Marshall" Monica's voice came, barely shaking my shock as I stared at Leila, finally turning to her "I've got some paperwork inside for you while you're here, so I don't have to come in the office until I'm due back"

"I- um Sure, let's go" I said nodding .

The universe is fucking with me.

The universe is fucking with me.

The universe is fucking with me.

"Marshall"

I snapped my eyes to Monica who was standing , holding the document for me "Did you even hear me?"

No, I'm pretty sure I'm having a mental break or that sub I ate for lunch was laced with hallucinogens"

"Yeah sorry, I was thinking about shit Hailie told me"

"Oh no, is she okay?"

She's fucking fine.

I think I'm having a stroke.

"Yeah, just shook I guess" I said walking back to the pool area with Monica.

I got the full view of it this time, Leila was standing, pulling the Naughty by nature T-shirt on, the top of her legs in clear full show, it was staring right back at me.

The Infinite tattoo.

I wouldn't normally care.

All bitches have tattoos these days.

But this, it just happened to be the Infinite title, written the same as my first album.

I shook my head and looked at it again.

Nope, it's real.

Why the fuck would she have that?

I was officially rattled out my damn mind.

And hot under the collar aside every fucking else.

The music was getting to me and the fucking T-shirt.

THAT tattooed on her body.

This bitch was crazier than I thought.

She has to be a fan to have that.

"I'll uh... see you lat-" I started to say, backing out of the pool area towards the way I came in, only tripping backward over one of the other sun lounges behind me, landing on my back, both women looking at me.

"You ok?" Monica said coming over to me as I scrambled to get up.

"Yeah I'm goo-"

"Hes's okay Monica" Leila deadpanned, now standing fully clothed next to her, staring back at me "Superman just tripped over his cape"

Fuck.

I waved them off and jogged to my car, once I got inside, I slammed my head against the steering wheel.