One Hundred And One Sleepless Nights

I always said I'd never go back to modelling. Not because I don't like it, I love modelling. I know I'm good a it too. I just didn't want to have to hustle work. Now I have no choice. Before I had people emailing me every week asking to work with me. But word seems to have got around that I haven't been around for a few years. I'm trying to get my name back out there.
I have a shoot booked. I've brought Kate with me just in case. The worst thing is when you turn up to a shoot and the photographer can do nothing but take photos of your ass. Kate is actually a pretty shy person, but she looks pretty scary and intimidating. She tends to get angrier quicker where I'm concerned. Maybe I bring her out of her shell. But I've always said Kellin wrote If You Can't Hang about her multiple personalities.
I was just finishing up the shoot when I saw Kate wildly gesturing to me. She looks like she's trying to land a plane. The photographer gave me a thumbs up and I smiled. "Done?" I asked.
"I've got loads they can use. Good work." he smiled.
"Thanks. Nice to work with you," I told him. He went to flick through the shots he'd taken and I walked over to Kate. "What's the emergency?" I rolled my eyes.
"It's Richard. Your lawyer." she told me. She handed me my phone and I put it to my ear.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Hello. Zandra?"
"Yes, sorry it's me. I was on a shoot."
"Working hard to support your child. Good," he said knowledgeably. He always turns what I say into ammo for my case. "I've found something that could help your case."
"Really? What?" I asked excitedly.
"I've found some dirt on Victor's fiancée." Richard explained.
"Do you want to see me?"
"If you wouldn't mind."
"I'll come to your office now." I said.
"I'll be seeing you soon." Richard said.
"Bye." I smiled and hung up.
"So?" Kate urged.
"I need to go see him."
"Anything interesting?"
"Maybe." I grinned back.
I went to get changed and met Kate. We walked outside and broke apart. Kate left to go home and I went to Richards office. I drove through San Diego towards where all of the expensive offices are. I stopped outside a huge building and went inside. I went to the twelfth floor and stopped when I reached Richards receptionist.
"How may I help you?" a woman asked brightly.
"Richard is expecting me." I told her.
"He'll be with you soon." she smiled.
Just as I went to sit down Richard urged me into his office. I followed him inside his office and sat across from him. "So?" I asked.
"Glad you could come on short notice," he said. "I was here until late last night finding this out."
"Go on." I urged.
"Polly Amsel lived in Germany, you knew that. But what do you know about her parents?"
"I don't." I frowned.
"Her father passed away when she was three. But her mother... She didn't."
"Okay?"
"Her mother was sent to prison."
"What for?" I chewed on my bottom lip.
"Drugs - possession and trafficking."
"You are joking!" I gasped.
"There's more," he grinned. "Polly was unaware of what her mother was doing. She was away at college. But her mother called her and asked her to lie to the police. She did."
"What happened to Polly?" I asked.
"She went inside for nine months for perverting the course of justice." he explained.
"What does this mean?" I asked.
"If we use this then we can beat them with it. But I need your permission to use it at the trial." he told me.
I sighed and sat back in the chair. Could I use this? Sure it would help the case. They're not going to want Alex with an ex convict. But all she did was lie for her mother. If Kate called me and said lie for me I'd do it in a second. Why should I hold her past against her? It's not like she's dangerous. She didn't hurt anyone. I don't know if I can do it.
"Can I think it over?" I asked.
"Of course." he nodded.
"Okay, thanks." I sighed.
I said my goodbyes and left his office. When I was on my way home I phoned Kate, Charlie and Leah to assemble. I picked up a few bottles of wine before I parked up. I went up to my apartment and found them all waiting outside in my corridor. I let them inside and we went to get some wine glasses.
I fell down onto the couch around the girls and took a huge gulp of wine. "What's up?" Leah asked.
"What did Richard say?" Kate asked.
"He has something on Polly," I said. "She was sent to prison for nine months."
"What for?!" Charlie gasped.
"Perverting the course of justice. Her mom was selling drugs, she lied for her." I explained.
"No! That's insane!" Leah exclaimed.
"This is what you need, Zee! You can win this now!" Kate said happily.
"I don't know if I want to stoop that low though. It's in her past."
"She's trying to take Alex away!" Leah yelled.
"But... I'd feel bad. I don't know." I sighed.
"Zee." Charlie tried.
"I don't know yet!" I exclaimed.
My phone started ringing. I looked and saw it was Vic. I swallowed hard and sighed. "Yeah?" I answered.
"I - um. I'm sorry, Zee." Vic rushed.
"What for?" I asked.
"They've sent you a letter. I didn't want you to find out like that."
"What's going on, Vic?" I asked.
"The trial hearing thing... Its on the tenth."
"The tenth..." I echoed. The anniversary of my Grandma's death. "Why are you doing this?!" I exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Zee."
"Fucking hell! Just what is your problem!" I spat. "Wow, thanks for that, you complete asshole!" I hissed dryly
"I know you're angry but I can't change it. You don't need to always be a bitch to me. Stop." Vic finally snapped.
"You know people change," I said darkly. "I just hope nothing dangerous is making you change apart from Polly's addictive personality." I mocked. I heard silence on the other end and smiled to myself.
"I need to go." Vic rushed and he hung up. Then just like that I was sure he knew.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? What will happen? Who's shocked? I got like nine comments for the last chapter, that's insane! I love you all. Keep reading/voting/commenting/subscribing guys, it means the world to me when I'm going through all this shit. Love you babes! Xoxo