Page 199 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

“Do you have legal representation for your upcoming divorce, Mrs Bradley?” Mr Collins queried in that monotone voice of his. “I will be filing on behalf of my client by the 13thof January.”

“I haven’t gotten around to it as yet.”

The barely visible tightening around the corners of his mouth had my defensive guard gearing up.

“When last we spoke,” he drawled out. “You assured me you would be seeking legal representation.”

The office door suddenly swung open carelessly. Both Mr Collins and I turned our attention towards it.

Dante froze, already partially through the doorway. “Sorry.” He started backing out. “I thought you were in Reception. The guys are heading out now.” He peered at Mr Collins then back at me. “Is there anything you want me to tell them?”

“No,” I waved him out. “Wait. Remind them to get here at least two hours before the show. Some of the temps were cutting it close last night.”

Dante nodded and backed out the office, quietly closing the door.

“Why are you here?” I asked Mr Collins. “Truthfully. What does Matt want from me?”

He surveyed me silently for a brief moment before pulling a few sheets of paper out of his case. “Nothing at all, Mrs Bradley. My client simply wants to ensure you’re both on the same page concerning your upcoming divorce. I’ve listed a few requirements that will be expected of you,” He handed over the sheets. “Have a quick read through, then we’ll discuss them.”

I took the sheets, not sparing them a glance. My focus was on the lawyer. Something was up, the look he’d given me was a strange one. I had spent too long trying to decipher Matt’s facial expressions during our relationship, and what they meant, to not have learnt something about reading between the lines. Something was definitely up.

“I just want it to be over.” I explained. “Do you understand? I swear I’m not going to fight this divorce and I’ve adhered to the terms of that non-disclosure clause. It’s all a big mistake anyway. Did he tell you I cheated? I mean, he must have, that’s the alleged reason he wants a divorce. It’s not true, you know. Matt’s wrong and a bit dense, even though he’s really smart. Those pictures were fabricated.”

Why was I even bothering? If Matt didn’t believe me, his lawyer certainly wouldn’t. And I had bigger problems right now, two to be precise. Two problems causing a strain between me and my best friend because I had as of yet to notify their father of their fragile existence. Dante had taken umbrage over my ongoing hesitation to tell Matt and this was the worst possible time for us to be at odds, but I guess Dante had his own daddy issues. He honestly believed Matt should have a say in any decision concerning my double problem,he kept saying I was being unfair to Matt. Bastard. He didn’t even get along with Matt, now all of a sudden he was concerned about Matt’s rights? I shook my head and focused on the man sat across the desk with a stern frown on his face.

Mr Collins chastised me. “Youshouldget legal representation, I strongly advise you to.” His heavy warning increased my anxiousness.

I chewed the insides of my cheeks for a second then said, “Ok, but you’ll remind Matt for me. Let him know I am not asking for anything. I don’t want this turning into a fight. He knows that, right? I mean, when we last saw each other, he-I-” My eyelids fluttered. “We came to an agreement. Did he mention that?”

Mr Collins leaned back against the chair, his perusal this time was intense. Searching, suspicious, fleetingly uncertain; before blankness. Licking his lower lip, he tilted his head and sent me a professional smile. “I see you are exactly as he described.”

“Well don’t believe the hype.” I shot back morosely. Matt was going to screw me over. I could feel it in my bones. The marrow in my bones felt it. Mr Collins, in his fancy suit and nice shoes, would be the one screwing me on Matt’s behalf. “How much does a lawyer of your calibre cost?” I mused as I began to read the printed words on the sheets.

“A solicitor of my standing,” Mr Collins chuckled under his breath. “If you have to ask then I’m out of your price range. Please pay attention to the second page, Mrs Bradley, I would hate for there to be any future misunderstandings.”

I scowled at the first page, already dreading the second. “It’s DuMont-Bradley, by the way.”

Collins, I was mentally dropping the title since his snarky comment on his fees, Collins chuckled again. “Of course, but I’m sure you intend on omitting the Bradley once the divorce is finalized. Page three will deal with that issue, let me know when you’re finished.”

I scanned through the second page. “A lot of these things were covered in the non-disclosure contract,” Frowning, I raised my head. “Why do you need to go over this with me?”

“To make sure we’re all on the same page.” he replied.

Hadn’t he said that before? Collins was freaking me out, and it was the last thing I needed at this juncture in my life.

“It’s all a big fallacy, you know,” I volunteered my recently gained wisdom to him in an attempt to dispel the awkwardness. “Relationships.”

“They tend to be.” Collins agreed. He must have the wisdom too.

“They never go the way they’re supposed to,” I continued. “But who is to say exactlyhowa relationship is supposed to go? No one tells you anything useful. It’s a load of crock. Are you married?”

Collins tilted his head at me. “I am.”

“Happy?” I pressed.

He just smiled.

“Iron clad pre-nup?” I checked.

---