Elena and I head into my office to discuss her latest research for one of my clients.
We've just sat down when she asks me, "What's going on with Raisa? That woman never takes a day off. I heard that when she had the flu, she wore a mask and came to work anyway. Do you think she's okay?"
"Ted Fan seems to think so. He's the one who talked to Raisa this morning."
"Should you check on her?"
"Raisa is not my responsibility anymore. Whatever's going on with her is not my concern." I realize that sounds insensitive, which isn't what I intended, so I add, "I only mean that it wouldn't be appropriate for me to check on her, considering that she believes I'll go back to her."
"I guess you're right." Elena chews on her lip for a moment, then grabs the phone off my desk. "I'll call her."
"Raisa has made your life hell. You're not obligated to check on her."
"Don't worry, I can handle it." She dials the number and gazes into space while she waits for Raisa to pick up. I can tell when she does, because Elena sits up straighter. "Hi, Raisa, it's Elena. I heard you're sick and wanted to see if there's anything I can do."
I can hear Raisa's sharp voice when she barks something at Elena. How sick can the woman be if she has the energy to be rude to her employee?
"Uh-huh," Elena says. "I'd love to help, but I have plans this evening that I can't cancel. Maybe Sadie can do that for you?"
More sharp words from Raisa. Her voice rattles the speaker.
Elena looks at me, biting her lip so hard it turns white. She shakes her head, hiking up her shoulders.
Like hell she's giving in to Raisa and giving up on our holiday. Maybe Raisa somehow found out about our trip and is pretending to be sick so she can command Elena to stay here. The idea sounds paranoid, but with Raisa you never can tell.
I snatch the phone away from Elena. "What urgent nonsense are you bullying Elena into doing for you? She's my paralegal. You gave her to me for the duration, until you find a replacement for Lucas Miller."
"Chance, darling, it's so good to hear your voice." She coughs, but it sounds fake. "I have a terrible cold, and I need Elena to do a favor for me. There's no need to get snippy about it. You'll have her all day, and after that, she'll help me. I know you're leaving for England straight after work, so this won't inconvenience you."
Oh, the clever, devious woman. She must have found out about me and Elena, somehow, and she's conniving to keep us from going away together.
I hope I'm being paranoid. Pray for it, actually.
Raisa shatters that hope when she says, "I'll be needing Elena's help all weekend. She's the best paralegal I have, you know. I lent her to you as a favor."
"This is bullshit, Raisa."
"Why do you care so much about a paralegal? You've never minded that I make them work evenings and weekends without paying them overtime."
Yes, I have minded. It may be common practice and legally acceptable to not pay paralegals overtime, but I've never agreed with that way of doing things. It's not the issue right now, though.
"Elena has a life," I say, "and you're abusing your position by forcing her to work overtime."
Raisa fakes a sneeze. "I need to take cold medicine and sleep. Tell Elena I'll see her this evening."
She hangs up on me.
I slam the phone into its cradle.
Elena sighs. "It's okay. I'll do what she wants. It's probably too soon for me to meet your parents, anyway. You go, and have fun."
"Fun?" I flop back in my chair so forcefully it slides across the floor. "I won't enjoy a holiday when I know you're wiping Raisa's nose all weekend."
"She's not really sick, you know. I won't need to wipe her nose."
"That's not the point. I won't go anywhere without you."
Elena smiles, but there's a touch of sadness to it. "That's sweet, but I want you to go. I know you've been looking forward to seeing your family, and they must be excited to see you too."