Chapter Text
Jinx
Jinx had been quite busy that day. Early in the morning, Ava had prepared her, Ekko, and Gert for the next trial session. They would prep Sevika another day. Right now, Jinx was heading towards The Last Drop. She needed to speak with Sevika about something important. Besides, she could use a drink. Currently, Isha was on a playdate with a friend from school, which left Jinx with not much else to do. She was glad that she and the kid lived near the town square in the Lanes. That way, it was easier to get to important places.
The Lanes had many stalls lined up in various rows. Swarms of people bustled from one stall to another. This was what the weekends were usually like; though, the sky was a little clearer than usual. Alhough it was still smothered by pollution, at least there were some rays of sunlight sneaking in to bless the poor Zaunites.
After leaving the market stall area, Jinx finally reached The Last Drop. The building loomed over her, its neon lights and quaint title sign flickering. Just as Jinx opened the door to enter, her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the woman in front of her.
Great. Out of all the days Jinx could have chosen to visit her old home, Lady Long Legs just had to be there too. Her mouth was hung wide open as she squinted at Jinx. Standing beside Kiramman was a tall, muscular woman with short, grey hair. Perhaps she was Lady Long Leg’s boss. Jinx and Princess Kiramman had been staring at each other for who knew how long. She was just as insufferably gorgeous as ever, her lips glossy. Jinx tried her best not to focus on her.
The older woman cleared her throat. “Good afternoon, Miss Lane. My name is Roberta Grayson, and I’m the District Attorney of Piltover. I presume you have already met Ms Kiramman.”
Jinx snorted. This Grayson lady talked to Jinx as if they were equals or something. The audacity. She was probably the one who had assigned Jinx’s case to Kiramman. Behind the two Pilties, Jinx spotted Sevika, standing near the bar counter with her arms crossed, glowering at Kiramman and Grayson. Damn, Ogre must be really pissed.
Ignoring Grayson, Jinx headed towards Sevika. Neither of them said anything as those topsiders continued staring at them. As if they were exotic creatures or something. Then Grayson grabbed Lady Long Legs’ arm and dragged her out of The Last Drop. The door closed with an audible whine.
“What were they doing here?” Jinx asked, crossing her arms.
Sevika clenched her jaw. After inhaling another puff of smoke from her cigar, she told Jinx all about how the DA and ADA had come to The Last Drop, even interrogating poor old Chuck. And how Sevika shot them down, refusing to sell out Jinx.
Jinx smirked. “Ha! Just admit it, Ogre. Ya love me.”
Sevika rolled her eyes and then inhaled another puff of smoke. They were silent for a moment. That brief encounter with Kiramman and her boss made Jinx forget why she came here in the first place.
Psh, how pathetic. You really lose your braincells whenever that woman is around, don't you?
Shut up.
Jinx took a moment to gather her thoughts. The haphazard scribble of her scatterered, intermingling thoughts grew smaller and smaller, disentangling themselves until...
Right... I remember now.
Jinx cleared her throat and crossed her arms. “We need to talk about Silco’s inheritance.”
Sevika furrowed her eyebrows, but her face was blank. “Sure thing, kid.”
Sevika and Jinx headed to one of the fancy private booths in the corner with red sheets and curtains. They sat on opposite sides of the small round table in between them, illuminated by pink lighting. Both women had lax postures. Jinx sat on an old, worn-out couch, perching her elbows on her lap. Meanwhile, Sevika laid an arm across the armchair she'd claimed. The room was cool and the lights were dim, easing Jinx’s senses.
“What is this about the inheritance money?” Sevika asked. “You having trouble accessing it?”
Originally, Silco had planned to have his inheritance passed on to Jinx after he would inevitably die. He expected her to carry on his legacy, but she never wanted that. Though, Silco hadn’t always thought about what Jinx had wanted.
But he has done so much for me. I shouldn’t think too badly of him…
Oh please. He’s the reason you’re so fucked up.
Instead, after Silco had made the deal with his arrest all those years ago, he’d ordered Sevika to send the inheritance money to Jinx so she could live however she’d wanted. Jinx and Isha would have been homeless without it. But now she wanted to use the money for other means.
“If I end up in… you-know-where,” Jinx started. “You have to give all the remaining money to Isha.”
At least that would keep Isha secure, especially if Vi and Gert were ever to struggle to pay rent or something. Sevika frowned and averted her gaze from Jinx. She fiddled with a new, unused cigar after discarding her old one, her gaze not focused on anything in particular.
Don’t think too hard, Ogre. You know it’s not your strong suit.
It’s not really your strong suit either, dipshit.
Ignoring the voices with a grimace, Jinx broke the silence. “Ya still there, Ogre?”
Sevika scoffed and returned her gaze to Jinx. “You still haven’t made your guardianship official, have you?”
Jinx’s heartrate accelerated. She didn’t expect the Ogre to bring that up. Yes, Jinx wasn’t Isha’s guardian in the legal sense, but why should that matter? Jinx hadn’t bothered to try and attain legal guardianship or fostering or whatever because she just knew the Court of Piltover wouldn’t allow her to have Isha. Jinx had a criminal record after all. Besides, they would view her taking in Isha as kidnapping due to the lack of legal backing. The fact that she had immunity didn’t change that. Isha’s former foster parents would have definitely used that against Jinx in court.
She’s mine. No legal mumbo jumbo will change that. Never fucking ever.
Jinx didn’t realise that her hands were shaking until Sevika clicked her fingers in front of her face.
“Are you still there?” Her tone was sarcastic, echoing Jinx’s previous words.
Jinx wriggled her fingers and blinked. “Um, yeah. Anyway, why did you bring that up?”
Sevika frowned. “The kid would be better off if you had a legal claim on her.”
“You’re changing the subject.”
“You must consider it! It’s what’s best for her.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Jinx spat, her hands starting to shake. “You think I don’t want to keep her without worrying about her being taken from me?” Her heart ached. “You know what the Pilties would do if I even tried to do things their way.”
“Yes, I do, but remember that you have immunity. I’m not saying you should take it to court now but perhaps you should after your current charges are dropped.”
Jinx cackled. “As if that will ever happen!”
Sevika sighed, shaking her head. “Quit the pity party, kid. You have allies. People who got your back.”
Jinx bit back a retort and scoffed instead. She would never understand. No one ever does...
Jinx and the Ogre were silent again. Jinx was still fuming, biting her lower lip; though, she knew Sevika had a point. If things were different, Jinx would have become Isha’s legal guardian years ago. But nothing could ever go right for her.
Now you’re being smart! That’s refreshing.
Jinx cleared her throat. “Can you confirm it? Will you give Ish my inheritance if the worst happens?”
“Of course,” said Sevika in an unusually soft tone. “That was never a question.”
Jinx took a deep breath. Good. Now she had one less thing to worry about.
“I swear, if those topsiders are still lounging around nearby…” Sevika muttered, balling her organic fist with a sharp glare.
Jinx’s heart sparked. As silly as it was, a part of her hoped that Lady Long Legs was still in Zaun.
A grin spread across Jinx’s face. “Don’t worry, Ogre. If they’re still around, I can scare them off, ya know?”
Sevika’s eye widened. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“Ha! No promises.”
Jinx walked out of the private booth, Sevika's long groan trailing behind.
***
Caitlyn
Caitlyn and Grayson may have left The Last Drop, but they hadn’t left Zaun. Right now, they stood outside a building near the busy grounds with the stalls. Caitlyn observed the hustling and bustling of the people there. The merchants sold a variety of items, including vegetables, clothes, and tonics.
The operations here seemed quite different from Piltover. Back home, the stalls and shops had specific processes with a sense of order. People would line up for crowded stores with certain workers ensuring compliance. On the other hand, the Undercity’s process seemed to be far more chaotic and spontaneous. Some people dwelled in certain stalls longer than Caitlyn was used to seeing. The interactions between the workers and customers also seemed less formal, more rowdy.
Just like in Piltover, there were groups of various types, especially families with young children, but no trolleys in sight. Every group carried around multiple plastic bags and burlap sacks instead. Even some of the children carried certain groceries or products, especially the ones without adult supervision. Caitlyn assumed those children were groups of siblings, the eldest of them buying all the goods. The sight of all this was more intriguing than Caitlyn wanted to admit out loud.
“We must return to Piltover.” Grayson’s voice snapped Caitlyn’s gaze away from the market stalls.
That brought her mind back to the case. Jinx was right there. They were so close. There was no way Caitlyn could leave without answers. Her mind scattering, she resisted the urge to dig her nails into her handbag.
“Ms Kiramman?” Grayson was now tilting her head with raised eyebrows.
Caitlyn cleared her throat. “You may leave if you wish but please, let me stay here. I can’t return to Piltover empty-handed.”
Grayson sighed. “Alright but make sure to return home before sunset. I will let the others know you are continuing your work in the Undercity.”
Caitlyn nodded. That was good. If Grayson ever were to discover the annoying, sexual tension between Caitlyn and Jinx, she could get the idea that they may have crossed professional boundaries. That wasn’t true at all, of course; though Caitlyn couldn’t afford the risk if she wanted to keep her job. Just the possibility of her boss and coworkers realising her lustful feelings for that goddamn girl made her think of peeling her own skin.
Caitlyn and Grayson said their goodbyes. Then Caitlyn made her way back to The Last Drop. She wouldn’t dare enter again after her confrontation with Sevika so instead, she planned to wait around nearby. Whenever Jinx would come out, Caitlyn could follow her and see what she was up to.
***
Jinx exited the bar much sooner than Caitlyn had expected. It had only been thirty minutes since Grayson had left. Caitlyn remained in place, observing Jinx, trying to figure out her next move. Jinx was just standing there, her gaze trailing over her surroundings, as if she was searching for something.
Soon, Jinx started heading in Caitlyn’s direction. Her eyes widened, her heartrate speeding up. As Jinx walked closer, Caitlyn snuck into an alleyway nearby. She hid behind a large garbage can, hoping the Loose Cannon wouldn’t go there. But luck was not on Caitlyn’s side today. Jinx entered the alley, smirking at Caitlyn with a laser gaze. Shit.
“Oh, you’re still here, are ya?” Jinx said. “Don’t get too comfy. You’re on my turf after all.”
Heat arose in Caitlyn’s gut, the pace of her breaths quickening.
“You’re just like a rat, aren’t you?” Caitlyn spat.
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere, Lady Long Legs,” Jinx drawled as she stalked closer.
Caitlyn glowered at Jinx, her skin prickling at being called that godawful nickname. Yet still, she walked towards Jinx, away from the bin, against her better judgement. Both women stopped walking when they finally stood eye-to-eye, only a few steps away from each other.
Jinx stared up at Caitlyn, her blue eyes wide as ever, the smirk on her face now gone. She looked like a deer caught in headlights. It was similar to how she looked when Caitlyn had cornered her to the bathroom wall that other day. She felt hot, her blood now boiling with lust instead of rage. A tingling sensation grew between her legs. Caitlyn wanted to trail her fingers from Jinx’s lips to the collar of her cropped, button-up shirt. To trail her fingers lower to the swirls of tattoos on her exposed midriff. To undress this little brat. Caitlyn swallowed back a lump in her throat, shoving those thoughts aside.
Jinx finally cleared her throat, her gaze flickering lower. “What are you doing here?”
Caitlyn squinted her eyes. “I was doing an external investigation on you. I suggest you do the same if you want to win.”
At that, Jinx took a step back, increasing the distance between them. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze stern and scrutinising, no longer a deer in the headlights. Now she was a cat cornered. Suspicious and vigilant.
Jinx glanced at the ground for a moment. Then she looked back at Caitlyn, letting a nervous chuckle. “What a desperate little lawyer…” Her voice came out as a squeak.
That still didn't stop Caitlyn from fuming and clenching her fists so hard they started to hurt. “How dare you talk to me that way.”
Jinx was silent for a moment, staring down at the ground. Her hardened, anxious expression became more relaxed. When Jinx look back at Caitlyn, her eyes gleamed with mischief. “Let me show you something.”
Caitlyn furrowed her eyebrows. What was this menace scheming?
***
When Jinx said that she would show Caitlyn something, she wasn’t sure if it was a trap or not. But so far, there appeared to be no danger. Jinx led Caitlyn back to the town square. She wasn’t sure why she’d followed Jinx but deep down, she knew they were connected through an unbreakable thread. They were doomed to pull the other in against their better judgement. Caitlyn didn’t like that, but recently, she had accepted it. She was too drawn to Jinx to fully stay away from her, no matter how much she loathed her.
Jinx crossed her arms and then jerked her chin towards the sight. “You see those people over there?”
Caitlyn scoffed. “I have eyes.”
Jinx rolled her eyes. A pause of silence followed.
Then she sighed through her nose. “Half the people in that crowd probably hate me as much as you do. I mean, I wouldn’t blame them…” Jinx’s expression was blank as she locked her gaze onto the crowd in front of them. “I did many bad things. I will never deny that." She turned her gaze to Caitlyn. "So if you really want to get dirt on me, just come straight to the source. Don’t involve anyone else, especially not the people dear to me.”
Caitlyn couldn’t help but let out a mocking laugh. “In what mad world would I ever trust you to tell the truth?”
Jinx’s face twisted into a frown. “Just get your head out of your ass for a moment. You can do that, can’t you? Or is your brain too small for your skull?”
Caitlyn bit back a retort. As much as she wanted to fire back at Jinx, Caitlyn had to tread carefully, figure out what she was playing at. Why would this menace volunteer to be interrogated? Maybe it was so she could get the upper hand in the trial.
But then Caitlyn remembered Sevika’s words.
“I don’t negotiate with topsiders, especially ones who invest in their own interests at the expense of my people.”
Jinx wasn’t as direct as Sevika, but her message was the same. The message was that Caitlyn and Grayson were foolish to think the people in the Undercity would ever sell each other out. Caitlyn didn’t want to believe it but part of being a good lawyer was knowing when to back down.
The corner of her mouth quirked up. “Perhaps your people have more integrity than I gave them credit for. Alright. I won’t bother your former colleagues again, but this isn’t over.”
“Ha! I’m counting on it,” Jinx quipped, her hands on her hips.
Caitlyn swallowed back a lump in her throat, the bundle of nerves between her legs still throbbing.
***
Jinx
Later that afternoon, Jinx had picked Isha up from her friend’s house and then they drove to Ava’s workplace. Jinx had a meeting with her lawyer at 5pm. None of her friends or family were free to babysit so she had to bring Isha along, which Ava didn’t mind. When they’d finally arrived, Ava was at the reception area, greeting them with a smile. She was the only worker there. As Isha curled up onto the sofa in front of the reception desk, taking her tablet out of her schoolbag, Ava led Jinx to her office.
“How have you been?” she asked after closing the door.
The last time Jinx had talked to Ava was yesterday morning.
Ugh, you’re so cringe.
Shut up.
She sighed. “Busy.” That’s what happens when you work overtime with a kid to feed…
Ava nodded. “I see. Is that why you wanted to see me today?”
“Yeah…” Jinx’s voice trailed off.
After what had happened this morning, she’d just had to talk to her lawyer sooner than originally planned. Though Friday’s meeting was still booked in.
“Has anything happened?” Ava asked, her eyes soft, yet wary.
Then Jinx told her lawyer about the events of this morning. When she’d finished, Ava scratched her chin and narrowed her eyes.
“I’m glad that Sevika refused to play along with the DA and ADA,” she said. Her palm was resting on the table. “You had not done anything to provoke ADA Kiramman, had you?”
Jinx shook her head. Yeah, sure, she may have teased Princess Kiramman a bit then, but it hadn’t been as bad as their previous encounters. If anything, she was the more well-behaved one. Caity was the one taunting Jinx. She also knew that Lady Long Legs had been stalking her as soon as she’d exited The Last Drop.
“Good,” Ava said.
Jinx made eye contact with her lawyer for the first time that afternoon. “There’s something else I have to talk about. Everything I tell you is confidential, right?”
“Of course.”
Jinx took a deep breath before continuing. “I’m not Isha’s guardian in the legitsy, legal sense.”
Ava’s eyes widened, hyper-alert. Jinx had never seen her lawyer, always so composed, make such an expression.
“Then… how did Isha come into your life?” Ava asked, her tone less confident than usual.
Jinx then told her all about how she had met Isha. “I couldn’t let her stay with those awful people,” Jinx concluded, her gaze drifting to the ground. Her eyes became moist. “Her foster parents barely fed her. They abused her, didn’t give a shit about her feelings. They even pitted Isha and her foster siblings against each other.”
Ava's expression was set back to its firm professionalism. “I’m sorry she had to go through all that.” She then narrowed her eyes. “Let me guess. You haven’t tried to attain legal guardianship of Isha because you’re afraid you wouldn’t win?”
“Yep.” Jinx popped the ‘p’ sound at the end, fiddling with her hands under the table.
Ava’s facial features softened. “I understand, given your circumstances. However, once we get your current charges dropped, I would be more than happy to represent you again if you ever change your mind.”
Jinx’s heartrate sped up and she fiddled with her fingers under the table. Why the hell did everyone believe that she would get her charges dropped? That she wouldn’t end up in Stillwater? It was foolish of them to be this optimistic. She was a jinx after all. Deep down, she had always known that things would eventually come crashing down. Nothing was perfect. There had been several instances of Jinx accidentally upsetting Isha and getting into screaming matches with Vi throughout the years.
Memories of herself shooting with a sloppy, yet accurate aim, and blowing up buildings all those years ago flashed in Jinx’s mind. The rush of both excitement and anxiety flooded Jinx's senses, feeling light-headed.
You know what you are…
Finally, you’re opening your eyes…
Did you really think those days were truly behind you?
There are no happy endings…
“Jinx?”
Warm hands engulfed both of her own. Reality came back to her. Right now, Ava was sitting beside Jinx; her face twisted in worry. Just then, Jinx realised that her cheeks were wet. She resisted the urge to cover her face, her cheeks flushed. Her head was like a balloon running out of air, ready to collapse and fizzle out any second.
Wow… crying in front of your lawyer. Can you get any more pathetic?
“Jinx, are you alright?” Ava said, her voice gentle and soft as silk. She stroked the back of Jinx’s hand.
“I…” Jinx’s voice came out as a weak sob. “W-why are you being so optimistic about all this?”
“I’m cautiously optimistic,” Ava’s voice was soft, yet stern. “I know there’s a chance we may lose but hope is what will keep us going.” She paused, pursing her lips. “Perhaps, we should save the legal guardianship discussion for the future. For now, let’s focus on your trial. How does that sound?”
“Sounds perfect,” Jinx said, her voice still weak and pathetic.
Ava and Jinx stayed silent for several minutes so she could recollect herself.
When Jinx finally felt more clearheaded - no longer like a balloon running out of air - she broke the silence. “Another reason I told you about that was to clarify that I don’t want Isha to ever be mentioned in the trial, even if it could help us win. We keep her out of this.”
Ava smiled. “I understand. It’s for her safety, isn’t it?” Jinx confirmed with a thumbs-up motion. Then Ava cocked her head. “You really love her, don’t you?”
Jinx nodded as she fiddled her bottom lip between her teeth, the ghost of her dried tears still lingering on her skin. More than you could ever know.
***
Caitlyn
The Evening
Caitlyn’s father parked his SUV behind a line of numerous other fancy cars in front of Jayce and Viktor’s mansion. Their anniversary party began minutes ago. Earlier that afternoon, Caitlyn wasn’t sure if she could be truly present for her friends, given how rattled she was by the events of this morning. Jinx’s grin, her words, her smirk, all continued to haunt her. Caitlyn even had to reapply her lipstick because she had made a mess the first time. Images of Jinx had circled in her mind, even as she’d been preparing for the party.
The entire building was smaller than the average mansion, yet had its own quaint glamour. The mansion was off-white, the roof rimmed with dark mahogany. Neither Jayce nor Viktor lived in this mansion, their main home being a small one-storey house in the outskirts. However, they were able to afford this property after their respective businesses had boomed a few years ago. Since then, they had used this mansion to host large parties and gatherings.
After stepping out of the SUV, Caitlyn joined her father’s side, linking arms. She was dressed in a sparkly, midnight blue dress with a hem that reached her shins, her hair tied back into an elaborate bun. The dress had one silk strap hanging on her left shoulder, exposing the top half of her back. A cool breeze caressed her skin. Meanwhile, Caitlyn’s father wore a simple, black tuxedo, with his hair combed back.
They made their way to the front door, enormous and already wide open. Caitlyn and her father got swallowed up by the crowd, leading to what she knew would be the ballroom. Once they’d entered it, Caitlyn noticed some changes compared to the last time she’d stepped foot into this estate. Back then, the ballroom had a very minimalistic layout. There was only a large couch on one side of the room and a grand piano on the other side. The only way you could tell it was a ballroom was from the way it sprawled across half of the mansion’s width.
Now the ballroom had more chairs near every wall and a large velvet rug covering most of the floor. Sitting in a couch were Jayce and Viktor, greeting their guests. Jayce wore a golden tuxedo with sparkling lapels, and his hair was in its usual style, but gelled in place. Meanwhile, Viktor donned a plain, grey suit, well-dressed and groomed in his own understated way.
Once Caitlyn and her father were close enough, their hosts smiled and waved at them. Jayce stood up to hug Caitlyn and then gave her father a handshake. Viktor remained seated, clutching onto his walking cane.
“It’s so great to see you both!” Jayce said with a grin.
Caitlyn’s father returned a gentle smile. “Happy Anniversary, boys.”
Caitlyn’s breath caught in her throat. That reminded her. “Father, we left the present in the car!”
Father’s mouth hung open. “I’ll go and fetch it. You talk to the boys, Sweetheart.”
“Are you sure, Mr Kiramman?” Viktor said, his voice gentle as usual. “You just got here. Why don’t you enjoy the party for a while first? You can bring the present in later.”
Caitlyn’s heart sank. She wished her father would ignore Viktor and just get the present. She really wanted her friends to see it as she knew they would love it. Besides, the gift was so expensive that even the majority of Piltovan citizens would not have been able to afford it without losing half of their net worth.
Father narrowed his eyes. “It’s… not a problem. I can still go and get it now. I just need the help of one of your servants.”
Jayce’s eyes widened while Viktor looked down at the ground.
“Mr Kiramman, we… don’t have any servants here right now,” Jayce said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Although Jayce and Viktor were part of the wealthiest elite in Piltover, they were also the only ones who didn’t have any full-time servants. Father must have forgotten that.
“Alright. I will go and grab it later,” he said with a nervous smile.
Caitlyn wanted to protest. In most circumstances, she would have, but at the same time, she knew Father needed to relax after the busy week he’d had. So she let it go for now, but she would remind him after dinner. Her father excused himself when he spotted a few of his old friends. That left Caitlyn alone with the couple.
“How are you both?” she asked, looking down at them, now seated on the couch.
Jayce put an arm around Viktor’s shoulders. “Pretty busy for the both of us. With work and preparing this.” Then he bumped his cheek with Viktor’s. “But it’s all worked out, hasn’t it?”
“You’re too close to me, Jayce,” Viktor grumbled.
Jayce shot his husband a sheepish smile and slightly increased the distance between them, though his arm was still wrapped around Viktor’s shoulders. Caitlyn grinned. Unlike with most people, Jayce could give in to Viktor’s requests without arguing.
It was nice seeing them together like this. Happily married for six years. Sometimes, Caitlyn wondered if she would ever meet a woman great enough to spend the rest of her life with. Initially, she’d thought that would be her ex, Seraphine, but that ship had sailed long ago. Throughout the years, she had only managed to do some casual dating and hookups every once in a while. Caitlyn had closed her heart off to love since her mother's death.
Then for a split second, Caitlyn thought that maybe she could hook up with Jinx. She immediately shot it down, bristling. Caitlyn would rather dye her hair green than get into bed with that menace. Jinx was not worth sabotaging her career over. Even it it was hard to get intrusive thoughts like that out of her mind. Caitlyn gritted her teeth.
“Hey, are you alright, Cait?” Jayce’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. His eyes were wide with concern. “You seemed to be daydreaming there for a moment.”
Caitlyn cleared her throat. “Ahh… yes, I’m fine. It’s just… I’m very busy too. You know, with my current case and all…” She chuckled nervously.
Jayce nodded in understanding while Viktor redirected his gaze to the side, unfocused.
That reminded Caitlyn. “Viktor, may I speak with you quickly for a moment? Alone?”
Caitlyn glanced at Jayce, hoping he would understand. Jayce, with his eyes on Viktor, jerked his head towards Caitlyn, urging him to go with her. Viktor relented with a sigh and stood up.
He led Caitlyn out of the ballroom and into the corridor. On the way, Viktor had politely declined various guests’ attempts to converse with him. Finally, they took their stop just outside the bathroom.
“What did you want to discuss?” he asked, tilting his head.
Caitlyn swallowed back a lump in her throat. “I… just want to check if we are still good after the first Lane v. Ferros session? I hope I hadn't made you too uncomfortable then.”
Viktor’s facial features softened. “It’s alright, Caitlyn,” he said, waving his hand nonchalantly. “You were just doing your job. I don’t bear any grudge against you.”
Caitlyn sighed in relief. A couple of days after that trial session, Jayce had reassured her via text that Viktor hadn’t been rattled by her cross examination of him. However, she wanted to hear it from Viktor firsthand. She was glad that they were still on good terms.
They walked back to the ballroom, returning to the couch where Jayce sat. Except this time, he was not alone. He was chatting away with Mel, who was adorned in a sparkly, yellow gown that reached her ankles. It had a slit revealing the lower half of her left leg.
Jayce and Mel turned their heads towards Caitlyn and Viktor. He immediately returned to his husband’s side, who slung his arm around his shoulders once again. In response, Viktor wrapped his arm around Jayce’s waist. Caitlyn approached Mel, who beamed at her. They embraced briefly.
“So great to see you, Dear,” Mel said after she and Caitlyn let go of each other.
Caitlyn returned a smile of her own. “Likewise.”
Jayce and Viktor then brought two chairs closer to their couch for Caitlyn and Mel to sit. It had been months since all four of them had spent time together as a group. They talked about various topics, such as recent events in their lives, and new developments in Piltover. Caitlyn felt more relaxed than she usually did. Most of the time, she felt empty whenever she wasn’t being productive. During those times, she would even have unwanted thoughts of either scratching herself until she bled or pulling out clumps of her own hair. But right now, her mind was quiet, so Caitlyn directed all of her attention to her friends.
***
After dinner, Caitlyn’s father and one of their butlers had returned with Jayce and Viktor’s present. It was an enormous package that required at least two people to carry it. The couple planned to unwrap their presents the next morning, so Caitlyn had made sure to tell them that her gift was a large telescope that they could use to see right into outer space. A wide grin stretched across Jayce’s face while Viktor’s eyes sparkled. Caitlyn then ordered the butler to take the box to the storage room where the other presents were kept. Her father left them again after that.
Right now, Caitlyn, Jayce, Viktor, and Mel were standing in a small circle with glasses of wine in each of their hands, chatter and laughter lighting up their little group.
“Oh and guess what he said after I rejected his bribe?” Mel said with a smirk after recounting a hilarious story about a meeting she’d had with a very pushy and entitled businessman.
Jayce stifled a giggle. “What happened?”
Mel twirled her near-empty glass. “He said that no one would want to work with my firm after he tells his sponsors and associates about how his meeting with us had gone.”
Caitlyn sniggered and rolled her eyes. She was amused by the story, but the entitlement of some male business owners really made her want to dig her nails into her skin, especially whenever they worked with female lawyers like her or Mel. Mel was a Senior Partner of her own law firm, which mostly dealt with consulting in business law, especially in the fashion and jewellery industries.
“Hello, Jayce,” a low, lilted voice echoed within Caitlyn’s earshot.
The person who approached them was Councillor Salo, a slim, blonde-haired man with a pompous expression. Caitlyn wrinkled her nose. Viktor looked down and averted Salo’s gaze while Mel narrowed her eyebrows, her expression impassive but not unkind.
Jayce cleared his throat and gave a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you enjoying the night, Councillor?”
Salo took a sip of wine before answering. “Yes, very much. Is this your new home?”
Jayce and Viktor stared at each other in bewilderment for a moment.
Though Jayce’s smile didn’t waver when he finally said, “No, Councillor, we don’t live here. We just use this place for special occasions and let others rent it when necessary. I’m glad you’re impressed.” He prolonged the 's' sound in the last word.
Most people would have thought Jayce’s words were honest, but Caitlyn knew they were anything but. The way he prolonged his ‘s’ sounds when speaking during those times was a major giveaway.
Salo shrugged, then held out his glass. “Well, to more happy years of marriage.”
Jayce reciprocated Salo’s toast by raising his own glass. Mel and Viktor followed. Even Caitlyn raised her glass; though it was for Jayce and Viktor’s sake, not Salo’s.
Salo’s gaze shot to Caitlyn, as if he’d just noticed her now. “How is your case going, Ms Kiramman? I heard it’s very important.”
Given the way Salo said the second sentence with a subtle sneer, Caitlyn didn’t want to talk about it.
With a tight-lipped smile, she just said, “It’s going well for the most part. Pretty busy too.”
Salo nodded, then glanced at Viktor. “I heard that you, Sir Viktor, had testified for the defence.” Viktor’s eyes narrowed, his gaze directed to the ground. Salo cocked his head, smirking. “You’re lucky the news hasn’t revealed that yet. It may not be good for your business.”
Viktor snorted and looked in Salo’s direction, yet avoided eye contact. “Indeed, Councillor. Lane v. Ferros is a delicate case. The public is not ready to know about the details yet.” He raised an eyebrow in her direction. “Right, Caitlyn?”
Caitlyn cleared her throat. “Yes… that’s true. Though that doesn’t stop swarms of reporters and paparazzi from asking questions.” She ended her words with a chuckle, masking the ache in her chest.
Salo’s gaze then shifted back to Caitlyn. “Well, I hope you know what you’re doing because I heard that even some or our own people doubt the Loose Cannon’s guilt. Maybe our next Council meeting should be about changing certain laws regarding court trials. Just so we can avoid incompetent players. Especially ones who end up in professional entanglements.”
Caitlyn’s heartrate accelerated. Her inappropriate feelings towards Jinx weren’t that obvious, were they? No, they couldn’t be.
Salo probably said that just to get under her skin. Besides, he was an imbecile who couldn’t understand a legal contract without a lawyer explaining it thrice to him. She had seen that firsthand when Salo had once consulted Mel for legal advice.
It seemed like Jayce, too, was tired of being polite as he was no longer smiling. “Respectfully, Councillor, I will not tolerate gossip about my husband and friend here. Please keep your thoughts to yourself or you are free to leave early.”
Salo gasped, his eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. He looked like he wanted to retort, his chiseled face twisted into a snarl.
A moment later though, his features softened and he cleared his throat. “My apologies, Mr Tallis.” His voice was quieter than usual. Then he gave all of them a curt nod and walked away.
As soon as Salo was out of earshot, Jayce switched glances between Viktor and Caitlyn. “Are you guys okay?”
Viktor shrugged. “His words are meaningless drivel.”
Caitlyn, still seething and now digging her nails into her palms, tried to stay composed. She doubted Jayce and Viktor directly invited him to the party. They allowed Plus Ones so perhaps Salo was a Plus One for someone else her friends had already invited.
“He’s a fool but Viktor’s right,” she said. “Let’s forget about him.”
Caitlyn’s friends continued chatting but this time, she wasn’t fully engaged; her mind drifted back to the case. In her mind, Caitlyn made a new plan for where to go after this party. She was too restless to sleep, itching to get a gun in her hand…