CHAPTER SIX
CASSIE
Almost a week has passed since my initial court appearance, and it’s been on my mind like it was yesterday.
Manon has only reached out to me via email, and I was beginning to think I might’ve done something wrong. I ran through my arraignment so many times that I was starting to become congested with anxiety.
Had I gone too far?
I know Friday didn’t necessarily go as planned. Okay, it was a shit show—if we're going to be completely honest, and most of it was from my own doing. I fucked up not only our first time meeting but now my first-ever court hearing.
I should’ve known it would happen, though. Whenever I had something planned, it never worked out. That’s why I’ve always been a “go with the flow” type of person. Oliver says I have a “type b-personality,” but I think it’s a curse. It was like no matter how much I tried to prevent it from happening, everything was doomed to fail.
When I was nine years old, I had a school dance recital that I had got the lead in. I was so excited that I rehearsed day and night for weeks. My mother had to force me to stop practicing because she thought I would hurt myself. All of that, just for my pointe shoes to slip off midway through my solo—causing me to fall flat on my face.
I had a track record of all planned events going left, that’s why I wasn’t surprised when I woke up that Friday morning to no alarm. Just the feeling of Leo nuzzling his face under my chin; telling me it was time to feed him. And when I realized that it was late enough for him to have to wake me, all hell broke loose.
I ran around my micro-studio apartment like I had lost my mind. Which I very well might have when I realized my go-to thirty-second messy bun, had now resembled a fair food snack. I was gagging just thinking about it; my dark brown roots faded into a bleach-blonde mess that was now the color of Pepto-Bismol.
I was distraught. I called Oliver to talk me out of wanting to shave my head bald and call it a day. But he saved me when he politely reminded me, that I wouldn’t give Cynthia Erivo bald, but Britney Spears 2007—and that was the last aesthetic I needed for this type of case.
Listening to his advice was the best decision I could’ve ever made. Besides, of course, picking Manon as my lawyer.
Because I don't think that would’ve gone over well, on top of my car breaking down and on the verge of being late. Well, to her I was already late when I didn't show up at 6:00 am. I guess thirty minutes early meant right on time. So, when I showed up and she stood there waiting, Manon was just showing me grace.
I didn’t deserve it. I just barely gained an inkling of her trust when we met on Monday. I was really pushing my luck. I needed to make my story sound a lot less like I was unprepared or that I didn't care.
Because I do care. I had spent every second of every day stressing over this situation, and I let the small things slip past me. It was always the little details that I felt like I didn’t need to stress over. I never felt the exalting force of fear over time, until now.
Suddenly, I had timelines and dates to follow and remember. Up until now, I made my own schedule. I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I’ve been living the “YOLO” lifestyle before and after it was a trend. But now I was in Manon’s world—the real world.
I needed to be aware and present. That’s what she’s wanted since day one. I could still feel her apprehension about working with me. She’s hesitant to even be around me like I’m threatening her reputation.
Shit, maybe I am.
I guess the thought never crossed my mind, how this case could look on her end. She might be willing to help, but I can tell it’s only to a certain extent. She needed to keep me at arm’s length so if anything came crashing down, which I was making a bigger possibility, then she could still be left standing untouched.
Even through email, she found a way to seem cold, dismissive, and short. It almost made me forget about how sweet and caring she was in person. It was night and day. When I arrived “late,” she still stopped to reassure me that we were in it together. She looked me in the eyes in a way I knew she didn’t do the same with the rest of her clients. There was something deeper, something unspoken. Every time I got the chance to experience it—it left me enamored.
I felt butterflies—she was speaking to me without words, and somehow, it gave me strength. Suddenly, I had the power to shake off my fears and plead not liable. Not that it was unexpected—that part was always the plan. But after watching one defendant fall apart, I had a moment of doubt. I nearly let myself spiral, the idea of being found liable sending a ripple of numbness through me.
But there she was again. If it wasn’t for Manon, I’d probably be in a way worse situation than I am in now. It was that look, that saved me from the entrapment of my thoughts.
Maybe that’s where things went wrong.
When I turned to face her, fully aware the judge was speaking to me, I could feel the tension in the room—every bit of it directed at me. For once, I had a room full of people’s attention, but the only one that mattered was hers.
Had I scared Manon off?
The weekend flew by with a bat of an eye. I decided to let my car rest while I binged on any show that could distract me from my escalating thoughts. It was obvious it didn't work when on Monday morning I jumped at the sound of my phone pinging from a new email coming in.
Subject: Follow-Up on Arraignment Hearing
Dear Ms. Deacon,
I hope this email finds you well. Following the arraignment hearing on March 13 th , 2024. I’ve summarized below what was discussed and how we will proceed.
Arraignment:
○ You are being sued for negligence, breach of contract, and property damage. The rental agreement you signed with Blue Wheels appears incomplete. Please send a scanned copy of the full contract as soon as possible so we can verify all terms.
○ Additionally, you pleaded not liable and are agreeing to go to trial.
Evidence Request:
○ If you have any photographs of the vehicle before the accident, that provide insight into how the vehicle was kept up, please forward them to my office by March 21st.
○ If you can get a hold of your phone records for over those two months you rented through Blue Wheels, we can support your claim of not texting or following directions while driving.
○ Additionally, please gather your driving records from the Startrips rideshare app from those two months as well, so we can prove that you were not working.
Upcoming Deadlines :
○ The court has set a date for your pre-trial, April 1st, 2024, at 7:00 am. Giving us three weeks to prepare. PLEASE, be there at least 45 minutes early so that we can discuss before heading in.
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact Grace, my assistant, or me directly, via email. She is copied on this thread for your reference. Thank you for providing prompt attention to these matters. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
Manon Kapoor
Attorney at Law
Perian Law Group
My thoughts scattered for hours on what to say in response. I paced. I held Leo in my arms as we walked back and forth across the only small open space my apartment had. It was no more than two or three feet of space, surrounded by an open-concept bathroom, kitchen—essentially a stove and mini fridge—and bedroom. Not much more room than a college dorm, but just enough for me to pace around until I forgot.
I was so stressed over what to say back to her that I procrastinated my response until the next morning. And even then, I knew if we were going by Manon’s timeline, it might as well be a week.
So, in a fit of panic, I type out a rushed email.
Subject: Re: Follow-Up on Arraignment Hearing
Hi Manon!
Thank you for the email, everything sounds great!
Keep it groovy!
Cassie Deacon
Everything sounds great?
Those words played in my head like a patronizing lyric to a song that I couldn’t forget.
Where the hell did I get “sounds great” from?
For days after, I dissected her email in comparison to mine. She, for one, sounded like it was carefully thought out and written by someone with a degree.
She was professional and informative without flooding me with details she didn't think I needed. While mine, seemed like I was messaging a friend back about an event we had planned on attending. Not the charges that were being pressed against me.
On top of it all, I forgot to change my email sign-off.
I signed an email to an actual lawyer regarding my case, with the words “keep it groovy.”
Had I actually lost my marbles?
There was nothing about negligence, or property damage that ‘sounded great’ or ‘groovy’. It felt like a joke of a response to something so important.
I didn’t need Manon thinking I wasn't taking it seriously. Especially not when I already messed up two out of two of our last meetings. I needed to clean it up quickly before I ended up alone like half of the people in that courtroom.
It was Wednesday evening when I received my second email from Manon, confirming my already lingering suspicions.
Subject: Follow-Up on Evidence Request
Dear Ms. Deacon,
I hope this email finds you well, I am following up regarding my evidence request. I know I gave you until Friday the 21 st , but I wanted to ensure you were able to get that done within the timeframe.
Best regards,
Manon Kapoor
Attorney at Law
Perian Law Group
Manon didn’t believe I could do it. I mean, she didn’t say that blatantly because she was refraining from being rude, but she was checking in on me just a day after I had replied. I don’t know why I’m shocked. If I were her, I’d do the same thing. She just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t fucking everything up, per usual.
Well, luckily for her, I was already on it. My full undivided attention was focused directly on this case, seeing as I woke up Thursday morning with denied access to my Startrips app. Meaning, I couldn’t work.
I contacted support, but after a while of no response, I gave up. For the first time in years, I didn't have access to work, and for a while, it felt weird. The realization settled in that I was stripped away from my sole source of income. At first, I resorted to pure panic. Theatrics has always been my go-to instinct as a kid, and it seemed like that has never changed.
My eyes grew to the size of giant orbs as I ran around thinking about how the hell I was going to pay rent.
When I realized no one from support was going to be helping me any time soon, I fell into a deep pit of research about my case. It was the only way I could stop myself from having another freakout. For now, blaming it on tech was the only thing that could make sense. Maybe a rider I had from a past ride got pissed off and reported me. I was already at three stars. Was this it?
Could I be done for good?
“No, there was no way.”
I had thought that out loud at random points in the day when I thought about it long and hard enough. But there was no way for me to find out. I was just playing the waiting game, and the only way for me to survive was to focus solely on Manon.
I mean…my case.
Since her first email, I took the time to gather all the information that I could on what happened on December 12 th , 2023. It was the last thing I wanted to do emotionally, but it was needed. I haven't looked up my car accident or what was said about it on the news, but I’d heard plenty from Oliver.
When I typed my name and the date of the accident into the search box my heart started to race. It was as if I hadn't already experienced it. That night has played relentlessly in my head as a nightmare, but seeing how others viewed it felt like I was living through it all over again.
As the page began to load, so did article after article. My accident was on every local news station at that time.
Chaos on Lake Shore Drive: A Midnight Collision That Left One Driver Unconscious
Then another.
Lake Shore Accident: One Totaled Vehicle in A Multi-Car Crash
And another one.
One Seriously Injured in A Three-Car Lake Shore Drive Accident
The list went on. Although, I couldn’t push myself to click on any. But this was a start. It felt like I was desensitizing myself to my own trauma. It was painful, but it was a necessary demon that I had to fight.
Manon didn’t have time to take care of my emotional needs when she had bigger battles to fight. These were the problems I needed to correct before I was put in front of a jury full of people who were ready to hear me get torn to shreds. I had to be prepared for anything, so I continued my research.
I dug deep into any and every article I could find about Blue Wheels. Searching for all the photos I was given of the wreck, and my phone records from that time. It was hours and hours of work, but it was done.
I could already see Manon’s surprised but impressed smirk, but I’m sure it would be just as smug as I’d imagined.
I didn't care though; I wanted to see it. I wanted to get her approval of what I’d just done. The thought of her being happy with me pushed me to dig deeper. By Thursday evening, the minuscule space that I did have was covered in endless pages of comments.
Not just a couple of comments but hundreds.
While I was doing my research, I came across a Reddit thread about a girl sharing the story of her parents being sued by Blue Wheels for property damage on a two-day rental.
BEWARE!!!
Blue Wheels ruined my parents' lives!!!
On Wednesday, November 23rd of 2022 my parents traveled to Chicago to visit their grandchildren (my kids) and they rented a small SUV through Blue Wheels. Everything seemed fine at first—clean car, affordable, and easy pick-up. But that all changed, only a few days later after they returned the vehicle.
Let me preface by saying the lady at drop-off checked the car. They are required to give a full inspection before pickup AND after returning.
They had no issues, no complaints, no flags on their inspection report, and everything was in the clear. Then, a week later, they got an email saying the car had “extensive undercarriage damage” that wasn’t noticed until AFTER they left.
The real kicker was that the photos they sent as proof were time-stamped just ONE DAY after the car had been returned.
The only thing they said to them was that it was in their contract that they had one week until after the accident to file any complaint. Of course, my parents tried to dispute it, they went to court and had to explain that they had driven it carefully, but Blue Wheels was persistent and refused to back down.
They demanded over $7,000 for repairs, and when my parents’ insurance wouldn’t cover it, Blue Wheels sued them for the full amount.
I’m starting this thread to see if anyone who has rented through Blue Wheels has experienced anything similar. Do they have a pattern of pulling this stunt?
My parents don’t know who to trust anymore, because everything about this feels like a scam.
Please, if you're thinking about renting with them, DON’T. And if you already booked it… document EVERYTHING! Take photos, get a signed and PRINTED inspection report, and make sure you watch your back. Blue Wheels drained my parent’s savings, and they dragged it on for so long that it drained their sanity.
Blue Wheels will stop at NOTHING to get money, once you’re on their radar. They will attack you from every angle of your life, each chance they get .
My eyes stared at the screen like I was daydreaming. By the time I finished reading the thread of replies, I was on my 100th comment about a similar experience when suddenly, it all clicked.
***
When I arrived at Perian Law, it was late. So late that the once milky white clouds that filled the sky had turned translucent in the dark abyss that was tonight. But I didn't care, I needed to see Manon asap.
The crystal-clear locked doors looked pitch black with all the lights out on the first floor. But even with my face pressed up against the glass, not seeing a single soul, something told me she was still working.
I walked around for almost ten minutes, just trying to find some type of call box or buzzer, as if the law firm was an apartment building. I guess my fake blonde moments were really starting to show.
My fingers were beginning to burn and tingle with how cold it was, with only my long fur coat to protect me from the brutal winds. I’d have to check the weather later, but it was definitely one of the worst of the past few nights.
Quickly, I pulled out my phone before heading straight for my email. The top notification, still being Manon’s last response. I click “create new message” and before I can think twice, I start speed typing.
Subject: OPEN THE DOOR!!!!!
I know this might seem insane and doesn't help how crazy I already look to you, but I found something. If you're still working in your office right now, I’m downstairs, please let me in!!
It’s about the case!!
Keep it groovy!
Cassie Deacon
My thumb clicks send as I suck in a quick breath of ice-cold air, the feeling almost burns my throat.
It feels like hours had passed, as the cold breeze only continued to pick up speed. My feet were planted on the ground like a sumo wrestler, just hoping I wouldn’t fly away. Sheer drapes of pink covered my face as the elastic band to my bun broke and flew away into a gust of weeds.
I was a mess. My “going out” boots would only last so long. I put these on through rougher weather because the soles were a bit sanded down, giving me more grip. But right now, it felt like the heels were going to break off. They were solid gold, and they’ve been my favorite pair since I bought them for my 21st.
As soon as I started to hear the small tear of my wooden heel beginning to separate from its base, I saw a shadow. Or really, just a dark blob moving in the distance.
I couldn’t make out much because the glass doors seemed to have a privacy film, but I saw movement.
A soft gasp escaped me as the sound of keys jingling caused my heart rate to increase.
I quickly silently began praying that the cold want making me hallucinate—
“Are you crazy?!” A loud and assertive voice cut through the howling winds my head snapping immediately in response.
When I peeked my eyes open, all I could see was a bright white light, and instinctively my hand rose. It was almost blinding, I verbally winced at the feeling of it striking the pupils of my eyes.
“Oh, sorry!” The same voice continued as the light dropped.
My eyes were still recovering from before, but I could make out it was Manon just from the outline of her figure. I wasn't trying to, but I mentally captured an image of it and saved for later.
“Are you going to come in or what?!” Her tone was deep and rough. She sounded tired, which made sense, with her being here so late. Instead of immediately feeling empathetic or concerned, my initial response was physical—a brief shiver rippled throughout me, but it wasn’t from the cold.
Without another word, I rushed inside. My arm just barely grazes across the front of her blazer as she ushers me in. The touch was minimal, but it immediately sent my mind racing back to when we were in court.
The feeling was unforgettable, the way she gripped my thigh asserting her dominance over the situation. I was immediately silenced, or really, breathless–just like now.
The door shut in a hurry, but not fast enough to stop a huge gust of wind from coming in along with us. I was thankful for the warmth. Her back was toward me as I watched her frantically lock the door, before spinning on her heels to face me again.
My heart hammered foolishly, she was wearing a tight, long black pencil skirt and a dark long sleeve blouse just barely tucked underneath a thin black belt.
She looked like most people’s fantasies, my mind felt drugged by her clean yet rugged scent.
“Now, are you going to tell me what the hell you're doing here?” Manon finally questioned. Her voice came through strong and clear, compared to when I was just outside.
For a moment, I stammered. I’d forgotten why I was even here. I looked around sheepishly as my memory flooded back into my brain. When I returned to her gaze her brows were raised high, waiting for a response.
And even though I had ample amount of time to figure out what I was going to say the words just flew out of me,
“I think Blue Wheels got me fired.”