97. Lawyer Up 👩‍⚖️

Zack and I didn't talk for long. He ended up getting a call that sounded like it wasn't going to be a short one. He told me we would talk later. I left his presence trying to settle my brain on all that he had told me.

On the way back to my bedroom, my choreographer Kenneth sent me a text that we'll be rehearsing for the New Year's Eve party performance tomorrow. I messaged him back.

Me: Sounds good. What time?

Kenneth: 10 a.m. we'll keep it simple since the performance is close and not anything that important

Oh, if only he knew.

Me: Cool! I'll see you tomorrow morning

I stood in front of my bedroom window, overlooking the pool. Maybe I should take a dip in the jacuzzi. Nah, maybe some other time. I'll just take a shower.

After my shower, I went downstairs to the kitchen to see what I could put together. It's crazy how I could've just ordered food through a delivery app, but now that Maximo and Bridgette are gone and I'm hungry, I needed to eat now. I ended up making a turkey sandwich with some sliced fruit on the side. I took a seat and ate at the kitchen table.

A few minutes later, Cathy spoke before I saw her. "Well, I guess I can't avoid you all the time."

I turned around to see her smiling. "Oh, hi. I can go to my room if you want me to."

Cathy stopped at the table and rested her arms on the chair next to me. "Stay. We should talk, anyway. What are you eating?" She asked me.

I looked at my plate. "What I could find. Turkey, mayo, mustard, tomato, lettuce, and guacamole which I would've never put on my sandwich back home, but it's really good. This guac has a little kick to it. And there's a container full of sliced fruit in the fridge. I just put some in a bowl."

"And you're drinking water?" Cathy pointed at my water bottle.

I nodded my head.

"Well, at least you're sticking to your diet."

I shook my head, "Not really. This is just what I could find."

"You did say that." Cathy pulled the chair out and took a seat. "Don't mind me. Eat your food."

"Were you going to the kitchen?" I asked her.

Cathy replied, "No. I saw you were in here and decided to speak."

I nodded my head.

"What are you working on these days or are you on a break?" She asked me.

I thought before saying, "The break part is out of the question. It's just work-working... and suff."

Cathy arched her brow.

"By the way, Happy Birthday! I didn't see you, but I wanted to tell you that."

"Thank you."

I smirked. This is like my second time talking to this woman with more than a greeting. We don't have that type of relationship to where I feel comfortable enough to have a genuine conversation.

After another bite of my sandwich, I said, "This is really good."

Cathy stared at me like she was scanning my brain for answers.

I looked down at my plate to avoid eye contact.

"Maybe it's a good thing I decided to speak. Is there something going on between you and Zeke... or Zack? I know my sons. They're not always the nicest or most respectful. It's easy to quarrel with them."

"No." I shook my head. "I mean..." Then, I thought what's the harm in telling her the truth. "It's Ricky."

Cathy stated, "Ricky Santana better not be who you're talking about."

I looked up to see the most unpleasant look on her face. "What did he do... to you?" She asked me.

I put down my sandwich. "He threatened to shelf my album if I didn't perform at his New Year's Eve party."

Cathy took a deep breath. "Did you tell Zeke?"

Why does everyone think Zeke is going to do anything? "No, because Zeke looks at Ricky like a... like a leader, his mentor. Someone who paved the way for him. When my song got stolen and when Anaya talked down on me, Zeke had nothing bad to say about Ricky. To paraphrase, Zeke told me that it's about working through it, because that situation is gonna lead to a bigger opportunity, and I'll get thick skin by ignoring people who just want to control other people. Telling Zeke would be a waste of time, Mrs. Rivers. I just have to figure out what I'm gonna do on my own." The blood through my veins was pumping.

Cathy pointed at me. "I'll tell you what you're going to do. One, you're not going to perform at that party. Two, you're going to sue him for threatening you. And three, I'm going to strangle my son."

"I can't sue him. He's untouchable."

Cathy stood up. "To a certain extinct. Zell dealt with Ricky before and it wasn't easy, but Zell eventually got the upper hand. Yes, Ricky holds a lot of cards. He'd probably expect you to sue him, but it's the way you go about it." Cathy stated, "I won't bring this up to my husband or my son, but I'm here if you need me."

"I appreciate it, Mrs. Rivers."

"Don't take all day eating. You should contact your lawyer as soon as possible."

Lightbulb moment.

"Mrs. Rivers, you're amazing." I quickly stood up and grabbed my bowl and water bottle before leaving the table.

Cathy said, "I want to see you more often, young lady. Let me know how it goes."

"I will!" I ran to my bedroom.

Why didn't I think of that to begin with? I was so caught up in my emotions... Uggghh!

I immediately called Rochelle.

"Happy Holidays, Jamie! How's everything going?" She inquired.

I paced the floor as I rambled, "First, I hope you've been well. Secondly, everything is going... rampant, haywire, crazy, and all of that." I went straight into telling her how everything's going.

Rochelle followed with, "Shout out to Zeke's mother for telling you to call your lawyer. Unfortunately, if we did sue Ricky for this, it would be your word against his. Unless you have concrete evidence like a recording or a video of him taking your hat off and making that threat or even had a witness. We could definitely sue him. For now, we're able to move forward with suing RiSe Records for criminal copyright infringement which more than likely will settle out of court."

"I'm not ready for that, yet," I admitted. "What do you think about what Zack told me?"

"If Zack can get Jasmine Jayleiona Saner to confess her involvement with the Santanas and the shady business practices that they colluded together, then I'll take it on, but I have to be honest. I doubt this lost woman will show up and testify."

This is not what I thought Rochelle would say. "So then... what should I do about the New Year's Eve party?" I plopped down on my bed.

"Perform and give a good show."

My brows merged. "Do nothing?"

"Normally, when people perform - scratch that. Now-a-days when people perform, everyone has their phone out recording the action. As your lawyer, I'm not saying to cause a scene. I'm just saying put on a good show, because anything could happen and someone like anyone you know could be filming. You get me?"

Evidence. I nodded my head as if she could see me. "Rochelle, I need you to put together some adoption papers so you can be my new cousin."

Rochelle chuckled, "Not your new cousin! What happened to the old one?"

I smiled, "She's busy babysitting her man."

"Nooo," Rochelle clapped her hands. "Girl, family can be your ride or die for life; especially, when they're crazy."

I shrugged, "She is, but she's not a lawyer."

Rochelle said, "As long as she stays out of drama, she'll be there for you."