Leo’s body was trembling violently. His eyes were fixed on Mr. Kesler’s face with a look of horror mixed with extraordinary awe. Boss, Leo whispered, his voice choked, pointing at Mr. Kesler with a trembling finger. Boss Gabe, look closely. Look closely.
What am I looking at? Gabe shouted, annoyed. He turned back to look carefully at the old man in front of him. It was then that time seemed to stand still for Gabe. His eyes scanned the old face. His memory flew to a giant 6- foot tall oil painting that hung majestically in the main lobby of Kesler and Partners. The painting of the firm’s founder, the living legend of the legal world, the God of justice, whose books were required reading for every law student in the country.
The figure Gabe had always idolized, whose photo he kept on his desk for motivation, but whom he had never met in person because the legend had long since retired and withdrawn from public life. The face before him, though older and thinner than in the painting, was the same face. The blood drained from Gab’s face instantly. His face, once red with anger, now turned as white as a sheet of paper. His legs felt weak, like jelly. Cold sweat as large as beads of corn, began to form on his forehead. His heart, which had been pounding with emotion, now throbbed with sheer terror.
“Mr. Kesler, Gabe whispered, his voice almost inaudible, swallowed by an overwhelming fear. Mister Kesler smiled faintly. But it wasn’t the kind smile from the bus. It was the cold smile of a supreme judge ready to deliver a death sentence. It seems your eyes aren’t completely blind, Gabe Mendoza. Mr. Kesler said calmly, using Gab’s full name with precision. I thought you had forgotten the face of the founder of the place where you make your living.
Gab’s world collapsed in an instant. His knees trembled so badly that he had to grab the back of a chair to keep from falling. The scruffy looking old man he had insulted as a vagrant, whom he had called Smelly, whom he had tried to kick out like a dog, was Professor Arthur Kesler, the sole owner of the law firm where he worked. The person who held absolute control over his career and his future.
Stella, standing beside Mr. Kesler watched the drastic change in confusion. She saw her husband, who moments ago was as fierce as a lion, now shrink into a terrified mouse. “Gabe, what’s wrong?” Stella asked innocently, not understanding the situation.
Gabe couldn’t answer. His tongue was paralyzed, his throat tight. Leo, being the first to react, immediately bowed deeply, almost at a 90° angle, to Mr. Kesler. His posture was filled with exaggerated fear and respect. “I’m so sorry, professor. I I didn’t recognize you in those clothes. Please forgive my rudeness, professor. I was just brought here by Gabe.” “I don’t know anything.” Leo stammered in a panic, trying to immediately wash his hands of the situation to save himself.
Mr. Kesler didn’t glance at Leo. His gaze remained fixed on Gabe, who was still petrified with his mouth a gape. “You said your wife is an embarrassment because she takes the bus?” Mr. Kesler asked, his voice soft but piercing. I also took the bus today. Does that mean I’m an embarrassment to you as well?
Gabe shook his head weakly. Tears of fear began to well up in his eyes. No, no, professor. No, that’s not what I meant. I swear I didn’t know it was you. I swear, Professor, if I had known it, if you had known it was me, you would have kissed my feet. Music? Is that it?
Mister Kesler interrupted sharply. But because you thought I was a poor person, you felt you had the right to trample on me. Is that the mentality of the lawyers I’ve trained at my firm? Mr. Kesler’s voice rose at the end of the sentence, echoing in the room.
Gabe felt as if he had been struck by lightning on a clear day. If Professor Kesler testified against him, it would all be over. There wasn’t a judge in the country who would dare to contradict the credibility of an Arthur Kesler. Not only would he lose the divorce hearing, but Gab’s career as a lawyer would also be shattered. His name would be blacklisted throughout the entire legal community.
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