Sebastian grins. “This is just fine.” He looks up to his assistant. “Miles, I’m all set for tonight. Once Amy and I are finished, I’ll be heading off. You can go home early tonight.”
“Are you sure?” Miles asks.
Sebastian nods. “Take the time now. We have a few long days ahead of us next week. Call your girlfriend and take her out to dinner at Buddakan. Use the company account.”
“Thank you. That’s our favorite restaurant.” His face grows with excitement.
“I know.” He tosses Miles his cell phone. “Place that on my desk, please. I don’t want to be disrupted for the next hour.”
“Will do, sir. Good night. And pleasure meeting you, Amy.”
I smile at Miles. “Likewise.”
Miles walks out and closes the doors behind him. It’s now just Sebastian and me in the room. The outside windows show a night sky, as the sun has now set fully. Out the window is a view of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the lights of Philly.
I grab the plates and hand him one as we both take our seats.
“So, why exactly am I going to love you?” I ask as I pick up my chopsticks.
I offer him either the chopsticks or a fork. He grabs the chopsticks. Good choice.
“My investigator went to your apartment today to see about the damage.” He scoops rice onto his plate.
I hand him one container as I dish from the other. Then, I put chow mein on my plate. “Please tell me it’s not really trashed and this was all just a scam,” I say, ever so hopeful.
He makes himself a plate of lemon chicken and chow mein. “No, it’s certainly damaged. When I first looked up your address online, I saw it was in a multifamily house and not a building, and I had a hunch. So, I needed the investigator to check on it for me, and I had him go there, posing as a contractor.” He slides a piece of paper in front of me and then picks up his chopsticks.
“What’s this?” I motion toward the paper.
“That’s the letter we’re sending to him, stating your lease is null and void because the unit isn’t a legal rental.”
“It’s not?” I ask, so shocked that I almost choke on my food.
He waits for me to stop coughing before he explains, “Your unit was semi-underground with long, narrow windows high on your wall, correct?”
“Yeah. They let in a lot of light without taking up wall space.”
“You entered through a side door instead of the main entrance?”
I nod.
“If there were a fire near the entrance of the unit, how would you get out? I bet those windows were pretty small. Could you have fit through them?” he asks.
My eyes open wide. “I never even thought about what would happen if there were a fire.”
He points his chopsticks at me. “Bingo. Not many people do. Not until it’s too late anyway.”
When I left that apartment, I hated leaving my cozy, little place, but all I can think of now is that it was a death trap waiting to happen.
“I don’t understand how this will help me.” I put the paper down and take a bite.
“Many properties in that area have garages that were converted to apartments years ago, using them as rentals. Unless they were upgraded to meet standard code, which says every unit needs two forms of egress in the event of an emergency, then they can’t legally be rented.”
“How do you know it wasn’t upgraded?”
“I looked up the building permits on the property, and there were none, but it was possible he made them without paying for permits and filing with the city. So, when my investigator went to the property, he confirmed no such safety upgrades had been made.”
“Wait. Do you think he’ll drop all money owed for the unpaid rent and damage?”
“I don’t think. I know. This letter says that we know it’s not being leased right now, so if he starts the renovations needed to make the space safe, we won’t bring legal charges against him for putting you, the tenant, in harm’s way.”
“Is it really going to be that easy?” I ask with a tilt to my head.
“It also helps that the letter is printed on our fancy stationery with the company letterhead. It’s amazing how threatening this piece of paper can be.”
“Must be the letterhead.” I smirk.
“I think it’s the paper. Rumor has it, the heavier it is, the more intimidating,” he jokes with a wink.
I let out a snort-laugh, sitting back in my chair with my hand over my mouth, feeling embarrassed in front of this extremely smart, very handsome man.
“Are you disappointed it wasn’t more dramatic and drawn out? Expecting your day in court?” he asks before taking another bite.
“Gosh, no. I’m beyond relieved. It’s a shame that ordinary people like myself fall for such unsafe living conditions.”
“You just need to know the right questions to ask. That’s why people need an attorney’s advice. Knowledge is power.”
“Any knowledge on how I can get my dog back?” I sigh as I think of my Pomeranian.
“You really love her, huh?”
“I do. I only had her for a few months before Hardin took her, but she’s my pup. She would curl up on my lap whenever I sat down, and if I had my laptop, trying to work late at night, forget about it. She would literally put her head on my hands and her paw on the trackpad while I was trying to type.”
His eyes crinkle as he listens to me speak. And he’s not just sitting here, staring at me while I talk. His shoulders lean in, and he nods sincerely.
“It’s like she was trying to make sure you weren’t working too hard.”
“You’re making her seem sweeter than she is. Lady Featherington is the center of attention at all times. She is very playful, but have no doubt, she is a diva. Honestly, I love that about her. She melts my heart, you know?”
He grins, and my heart picks up a little.
“I get that,” he states as he sticks his hand into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. He opens it and shows me a picture of a dog, gray in color with one ear up and the other flopped. He’s scruffy yet handsome. “I have a rescue mutt of my own. Duke. He’s a Wowauzer. A Welsh terrier schnauzer mix. He’s very friendly and playful. Got him seven years ago, and he’s my best friend. I understand why you want your dog back. Their lifespan is only so long; you don’t want to lose any time.”
“Exactly.”
He closes his wallet and then slides it to his pocket. “I can help you get her back.”
“Thank you, but this is something I need to do on my own. Hardin has been a huge prick to me. Walking away from the apartment like this was the final straw for my silence. I’m going to get my dog back myself.”
“Good for you,” he states with a firm nod, like he’s proud of me.
“Thanks.” I pause and go back to picking at my food. “I guess this means, you’re not my attorney anymore.”
“No. I guess I’m not.”
I get the feeling I should leave now, but I honestly don’t want to. “Can I ask you a question?”
“You can, but I can’t guarantee I won’t plead the Fifth.” He smirks, making me do the same.
“If you won the lottery today, would you continue to work?”