Chapter 4

_ So, let me get this straight... - the middle-aged lawyer said. - You have a hottie, that was recently hired in your company...

_ I never called her a hottie. - I said from the other side of the desk.

_ Which was the same hottie that bullied you when you were in college. - He continued ignoring my comment. - Is that correct?

_ Sorta... again, I never called her anything besides her name.

He sighed.

_ Is that correct or not? - he emphasized with his hand.

_ Yes, it is. - I said embarrassed.

The lawyer reclined back into his chair and put his hands behind his head. He was lost in thought for some time while we stayed there in silence.

After my talk with Evan, I searched for a work lawyer and scheduled a meeting, so we could go over the details of what was happening. He seemed confused, amused, and perplexed by the story, but he heard everything before making these comments.

_ Well... I mean, it is a complex case. But I don't think that you would need my services. - he said with a smile, before looking serious again. - Unless you did anything to those girls. Did you?

_ No. I didn't. - I said a little worried.

_ Well, if we search for these things online, will we find any official reports of the bullying?

_ No. Unfortunately at the time, I did not record this with the campus or anything like that.

_ And did they record anything official against you?

_ I don't think so. They would have shown it to me, or people would be involved. Our college was a prestige institution, so I think they would have recognized that.

_ Ummm. - He said and then bent over the computer and started typing.

He stayed like this for a few minutes but then came back seemingly relieved.

_ I don't see anything in the police or justice database. So it seems that there was no official complaint filed against you.

I was a little offended that he did not believe that I did nothing, but that showed that I was truthful. Also, I was glad to know that there was nothing recorded against me.

_ Well, in your particular case, it is your word against hers. And I would be wary of accusing a woman of anything. She could just retort that you are wrongfully accusing her and things would go downhill from there.

_ My personal suggestion. - he said making a dramatic pause. - Gather evidence of what she did, and if possible get some statements from your colleagues from that time. Can you do that?

_ I can try. - I said not feeling very confident.

_ Well, try. Because if she does it first, then you might be screwed. - he looked straight into my eyes and his voice was very serious when he continued. - If you are looking to keep your job and your reputation, you better move first. People will be more likely to believe that you did something to this girl than they will believe you. I wish it wasn't like this, but looks do matter to the public audience, and usually, beautiful people are not evil... even when they are.

I gulped and agreed with him. I didn't think in those terms, but it was true. I remember that in college people did not believe that she was doing anything to me, because she was a popular and beautiful girl. It took some convincing and seeing it for people to believe.

I shook his hand and agreed to create a document to present to HR. When I was leaving the office, he called me one more time:

_ Kid. Are you sure you did nothing to this girl? I will not tell anyone if you did. - He asked looking very honest.

_ No, I don't think I did.

He kept his gaze on me for some time and then shook his head. I could swear that I heard him saying:

_ Well, she must really hate you. Or love you.