Chesney was followed into the room by his associates whom seemed familiar with Azmir, too. Azmir finishes up his hellos to them and then proceeds to introduce me. “Chesney, as I'm sure you’ve figured out by now, this is the illustrious Rayna Brimm. A very special friend of mine.”
“I see. Are we using that title now?” Chesney taunts without a smile. He continues to study me for a moment, looking me from head to toe before exercising a wide contrived smile and announcing, “Ms. Brimm, I’m Edward Chesney of Chesney’s Law located in Glendora. I am A.D.’s—I mean, Mr. Jacobs’ attorney. I handle civil legal matters for him amongst other akin items,” he shoots out quickly and cunningly removes his smug smile. He gestures to my seat, “You may sit.”
I look at Azmir who was wearing an odd smile that didn’t quite register to me yet. But I had to motion to him regarding Chesney’s introduction by way of shooting him a look of bewilderment. Overall, his aura was weird. Azmir glanced at me for a brief moment before returning his attention to Chesney who had not stopped gaping at me, but diverting his sight down to his shoes now.
“Ms. Brimm, Mr. Jacobs here is not only one of my prize clients for...obvious reasons, but he’s also one of my favorites. Do you know why?” he poses a question.
I shift in my seat, growing uncomfortable and giving him a blank stare.
“I see. Well, it’s because he makes my life and therefore my job easy by doing one simple thing, which is keeping me informed—on everything!” He pauses before continuing. He’s now pacing the room from the opposite side of the conference table.
“You see, Mr. Jacobs is sure to share with me every detail of his life that can cause risk. Risk to his name, risk to his brand, risk to his reputation, and risk to his wealth. My job is to protect his wealth and I’m damn good at my job, Ms. Brimm,” he emphasizes the “m’s” in my name while towering over me, leaning on the other side of table.
I squint my eyes to chase off his very imposing gaze.
“I see,” Chesney continues. “Back to Mr. Jacobs and his skillful ability to disclose. Yes!” He tosses his long index finger in the air as if he’s just found his way back to his lecture. “He’s really good at divulging pertinent information. For instance, I know that you manage a physical therapy firm next door for Smith, Katz & Adams Sports Medicine Center. I know that you earn roughly $67-72,000 annually—which is grossly underpayment for the role you play, coincidentally...”
I dart my eyes to Azmir, wondering how did he know how much I’m paid. I’ve never shared that with Azmir, which I guess is why I had to calm myself. Azmir shrugged, gesturing that he was just as much surprised by this information as I was.
Chesney continued with his monologue, “Okay, enough about you. I know that during January of this year, Mr. Jacobs endowed you with an extensive Louis Vuitton luggage collection. I know that it was part of a ploy to get you to vacation with him in Mexico. Some expensive woo’ing in my opinion but...” He held his hands up, femininely, in defense. His inflections were killing me! “...every man goes about charming in his own way,” Chesney paused again, gauging my reaction before continuing. “Let’s see. I also know that you and my client now cohabitat and a little off my advisement,” he says and I narrow my eyebrows at his audacity.
“Oh, yeah!” he confirms, responding to my reaction. “If I had it my way you would have signed a cohabitation agreement, highlighting every agreed upon detail, down to bathroom usage, but...he denied my request—something he always does as it concerns you, Ms. Brimm,” Chesney informs me while giving Azmir a cold gaze.
“E,” Azmir warned.