Chapter 1
"Ms. Hawkins, its a pleasure to see you in person!", said a man, in an expensive looking suit, wearing glasses, the man was average looking, but everything about him screamed "lawyer".
I straightened my blazer as I took my seat infront of him, ignoring a handshake he extended towards me.
"Mr. Lee, I hope there is a good reason for this meeting", I said coldly as I looked at him.
This man was one of NeoPharma's top lawyers.
NeoPharma is a pharmaceutical company that has gained great popularity due to its ever growing market and also being funded by the NeoSky corporation, one of the most leading businesses in today's world.
"Now don't be so cold, Layla! We were collegues back in university, I remember being one year older than you", he chuckled awkwardly as I squinted my eyes.
"I wasn't very social in my university years", I said coldly.
"Come on! I remember I came to your room-", I interrupted him by throwing my file onto the coffee table.
"Listen, Mr. Lee, I'm not here to reminisce about the old days- you said you had something to tell me regarding the case", I spoke firmly as I crossed my legs.
For a second he flinched and pulled out a napkin to whip his sweat.
I had that effect on people, I had a very hard to approached personality, something instilled in me from childhood.
"You see, my employers have taken great interest in you, as you seem to be very dedicated and brilliant in what you do. They think it would be a shame to have to throw away your career by losing this case. So they want to give you an offer", he smiled in a sly manner.
"Excuse me?", I asked.
"They are offering you a contract to start working as lawyer for NeoSky, being one of our team. And that you will be rewarded generously for all your services", he said, slowly pulling and pushing a folder across the table from him.
I squinted my eyes as I looked at the folder, I opened the folder looking at it. It was a contract with All the most vibrant offers. Paid vacations, family care benefits, private offices and freedom of choice to cases. Think of the best offers you can, topping it off with a very handsome salary.
I shut the folder aggressively.
"And in return?", I said coldly.
"Just forfeit the case. You will lose anyways since you are unable to find a solid proof, your case is falling apart and you know it, my employers don't want you to turn to ash- you are quiet young and successful", he said chuckling mischievously.
I squinted my eyes as I was quiet.
I opened the folder once more.
I looked at the contract.
"It's quiet appealing isn't it?", he chuckled again.
"Don't laugh at me again with that disgusting manner", I whispered.
"Pardon, I couldn't hear that?", he chuckled again.
I couldn't control my anger, I took the contract in my hands and tore it apart.
"W-hat are you doing!?", he stuttered.
"What the fuck- do you think you are doing?", I threw the paper at him.
"You little -", he continued.
"What? If I'm going to lose the case I'm fine with it, but you want me to give it up on purpose? Seems to me you are more scared that I will actually find something", I smiled at him as he stood up angrily.
"They are going to fry you in court! And you know it! They were just sending you a saving grace", he yelled.
"Saving grace my ass! tell you what-", I grabbed his collar.
"You can go, with your little tail in between your legs- and tell your masters at NeoPharma and NeoSky one thing", I pulled him closer across the table, leaning in to whisper in his ear.
"Go fuck yourselves, Hawkins will burn you down even if its the last thing she does", I pushed him away where he fell back into the couch.
I took my bag and burst through the doors.
"Hahah you think we are scared of you Hawkins?! We will bring you down!", he cried out.
I turned around, flipping my dark coloured hair," Try it you little bitch", I said as I pulled out my manicured middle finger.
As I walked away into the streets. I was fuming.
The nerves on that son of a bitch, how dare he try to bribe me like that.
I stopped in my place as I looked at the sky. All I could see are towering buildings.
I wished I could see the sky clearly. I wish I could do more....
NeoPharma has been abusing and doing illegal drug trials on humans, and many of the women have accused they have had problems with pregnancy and even after giving birth their children have developed malformations.
Many of the patients do not want to speak since NeoSky has probably silenced them well. However there is only one person....
I made my way way into a quiet district, on the poorer side.
"Hello Ms.Hawkins, its so nice to see you again!", a young woman said smiling gently a she held her little girl as she met me at the door.
"Mrs.Flin, how have you been?", I smiled softly as I greeted her.
"Oh, I'm okay... trying to be better, say Hi, Tommy!", the little girl looked at me.
"Hi Tommy girly, do you remember me?", I said giving her a little finger to hold on to.
The girl held it with a tiny hand. She looked very normal... but her hand has an extra finger. And well ...
"I will put Tommy in bed and we will talk okay? ", the woman left as I was left staring at the girl.
The girl was born with a malformation in her legs, and she is unable to walk.
Now I could dismiss it as a normal malformation, but according to the mother, she was a part of a 1 year trial for drugs that were targeted towards woman, the woman who tried to conceive after that all had similar problems, malformations, still births, genetic abnormalities.
"So they tried to push you away from the case...", the woman said sadly.
"Yes. I refused so you don't have to worry.", I said avoiding her eyes and taking a sip of the tea she offered me.
"But still, maybe I should just take the compensation...and you too... I'm putting you in a terrible situation", she said holding her cup.
"Don't say that... even if its not you, Lily, If its not Tommy. There will be more women, more children that have these problems- you can't give up on this", I said calmly as she looked at me with sad eyes.
"I will contact you again , when I know what my next move will be okay?", I said as I stood across her at the door.
As we said our good byes, I couldn't help but think of Tommy, not only does she have the malformation in her legs, but she has been declared as having a strong degree of autism.
I stood waiting for the light to turn green at the traffic light.
What can I do? I was always able to think of something. What can I do now....
Maybe this case was too much for me after all... Neosky Is good at hiding their tracks.... what should I do!
After hearing the familiar sound for blind people indicating the the light is green; I started moving instinctively.
But I was surprised when I heard yelling and I felt a hand grab my arm pulling me back, when I suddenly felt pain as I hit the floor.
Huh? What happened....
I was walking... and....why is it so cold.
I looked beside me as I noticed another person lying beside me, it was a police officer, he was bleeding from his mouth as I looked at him. I coughed trying to say something but I couldn't. I looked around as people were screaming, I noticed a car crashed into a pole or something..
Oh, did we get hit by a car?
The street is so cold.
Am I dying?
I don't want to die....
I still have the case...
I wish I didn't stress as much as I did in my life...
I wish I never listened to my mother...
Did this guy try to save me?
Is he stupid like me? That's why we should only think of ourselves...
I'm sorry okay....
Will I really die?
But I didn't do anything I wanted in this life ..
I could feel tears roll down my eyes as I turned to the guy beside me, he didnt look much older, but he looked at me coldly.
"I..I'm....so..rr", I stammered as I felt my throat close up.
I really don't want to die...
I'm sorry....
I'm sorry....
My eyelids felt heavy, and I couldnt help but think that I didn't live my life how I wanted.
Such a waste....
I opened my eyes suddenly as I got up quickly from the bed.
I couldn't help but let out a gasp and scream.
It was as if I had a nightmare, a nightmare of me dying.
To which alot of nurses came running towards me.
I saw a needle being placed in my iv as I looked around still screaming.
What was going on! Where am I!
