The Lawyer

It was my first job as a young lawyer. I had imagined it to be more exciting, somehow more epic. I saw myself storming into the courtroom with my robe flowing and battling for justice in my clients' cases.

Instead, I sat in a cramped office from morning till night, reading files and writing reports. But I knew I had to get through it. I hadn't taken the job because it was my dream job. It was the springboard from which I would launch my career. And that's why I would come in earlier than my colleagues. I would stay later than the others. I would read more files and work on more cases. I would make sure I was seen. I had to get my bosses to know my name. In short, I would do whatever it took.

The coffee kitchen smelled of strong espresso. Hmm, just what I needed right now to recharge my batteries. I closed my eyes and deeply inhaled the intense, invigorating aroma.

“Sonja? There you are.”

The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I recognized it immediately. Gerhard, my boss.

“Would you come with me, please? To my office.” He spoke matter-of-factly, coolly.

I couldn't tell if this was good or bad. Well, I would find out.

I put the empty cup back in the cupboard, turned around, nodded, and followed him.