"-"Jefferson Vidal, the first biologist to venture P1 and study its ecosystem directly on the field. By the consequences of his courage, the successful hunts and survival rate, both increased by fifty percent."- Oh, what a great man."
Through the basic cellphone's speaker, a quotation was read with mocking awe.
"This is what it says on Wikipedia. And although it seems like much, Mr. Vidal, If you proceed with your actions these historical deeds of yours will be overshadowed by the rumors that will be spread of you. File this divorce and you won't be able to show your face in public again. You know, Social media trials can be quite ruthless. If people believe you're evil, the government will take your name and threw it in the dirt."
Jefferson raised his eyebrows "Is it okay to make a threat through a public phone line like this?"
Perhaps annoyed by the lack of reaction in Jeffersons' voice, the other side laughed coldly "You're really an old dog. This is the era of the second great technology advancement. Old man, the one you want to divorce isn't the person you first married, you can't afford to offend her now. I could threaten you in front of the damn judge, and you'd still have to bow down apologize."
Jefferson stopped listening after the opposite side's laughter. He reached down to his pocket and took one cigarette from a battered pack with a cheap brand logo.
Hearing no more words from the cellphone he spoke. "You talked enough, put her on the line, I know she's in there."
"... Isabella is a renowned singer. A celebrity. You think she has the time for you?"
Jefferson frowned. 'To be like this even now... did I really chose wrong?'
He took a drag on his cigar exhaled slowly.
"Tell her I already filled the divorce papers, I just need to hit 'send' and everything will be put in motion. But if she talks to me for five minutes, I'll omit the reason for it."
Inside a luxurious trailer one of the most beautiful actress known from Brazil to Hollywood. Heard the proposal through the speakerphone on the table.
Both her manager and lawyer looked at her first.
She didn't need her lawyer to speak, she knew what was on his mind. 'He's lying, it's not worth doing it.' Something along these lines.
But she knew better. The man she married, while boorish and simple, treated his words like diamonds, he wouldn't dirt himself and go back on his words, regardless if it's friends or enemies.
She trembled. She managed to avoid it until now, but as expected of him, he forced her to make a decision. She knew, that if she went back now and apologized he would forgive her, he's no saint either and knew her problems, so it was possible to go back to him, even with her infidelity. But if she did, then her relationship with her family and career would be over.
She looked around her luxurious trailer, an asset she earned because of her success. Through the windows, she could see actors and actresses taking fleeting glances at her door, looking for a chance to flatter her. Then she turned to one of the top lawyers in the country, who came running after her call. All that, because of her talent and surname.
'Eh? suddenly there's no reason to hesitate.' She smirked
After a minute of wait, the soft voice he had been accustomed to came from the phone.
"Jeff, can we go back? I committed a mistake. we've been distant for too long, and I just wasn't on my right mind."
As soon as he listened, his tensioned muscles went loose. The light faded from his now emotionless eyes. Her tone was the same as always but he noticed it. She was acting.
Apparently, she misjudged his breath for a relieved sigh because she started laughing hysterically.
"Did you really thought I'de say that? Do you think, you matter enough for me to give up my authority and respect? what can you give me? You come from an orphanage for god's sake. Your only assets are your biology degree and your time as a soldier on P1. The only reason my family married me to you in the first place was because of your successes as a biologist, but now you've been beaten by the competition. What good are you now!?
God, Just be a good boy and keep your mouth shut. If you dare to file that divorce, your career as a biologist will be over, and with my family's influence, you won't ever find a decent job. Oh and by the way, your last project? The hard plastic armor? if you dare to try and stain my name it'll be handed over to your lab companion; Marcus, the research and credit will all be given to him. I don't care what women you get on the side, but for now, just stay as my husband, my image cannot be damaged by a thing that passed his prime like yo-"
Jefferson turned off the call.
He stood in front of the convenience store, still wearing his worn out lab-coat. To his surprise, the only thing he felt, was self-disappointment in himself for not seeing through her in the beginning.
The reflex on the glass was momentarily distracted him with a bit of humor since he was twenty-nine years old yet the glass reflected a forty-something-year-old man with a disheveled beard.
He thought of everything he lived until now, and couldn't understand how he became like he is. For the last two years, all the food he ate had a bland taste, He didn't practice his woodworking hobby for the last three years. And now, even the thought of losing his life-long career and having his study stolen didn't faze him.
He looked up at the murky sky. 'When did I became this walking corpse?'
He chuckled and pressed 'send' on his phone. But left behind the reason for the divorce as he promised.
He took off his coat with his laboratory Id and threw in the garbage bin.
He will suffer by following his words. But he'd feel worse by going back on them and betraying himself.
He bought a new pack of smokes and walked to his middle-aged sedan, a car he bought for convenience. He turned the key, repeatedly. It didn't start.
Another sigh came out of his mouth, his eyes become a shade darker.
There was an auto-center, void of cars, with available mechanics right on the other side of the street. But the thought went as it came. He saw the bus coming, and left the car behind. He just couldn't muster the will to deal with the hassle of it, he was done with the day and just wanted to go home.
He entered his building. When the door of the elevator was almost closing a hand stopped it.
A smiling, excited familiar face appeared.
"Hey, Jeff! How're you doing?"
Lucas, outwardly, a good, outgoing friend. But inside was jealousy filled, envy-driven snake.
"I'm as good as I look."
"Pretty shitty then! HAHA! I heard a rumor right after I got out of the job today. The Plastic armor project was transferred to Marcos? That's a shitty thing man. I pity you, I remember when I was overshadowed by my peers like you are being now. But don't worry, if you're at least half of what I am, you'll live well. I have actually been promoted today, I'm planning to take Sarah on a hot date with a dirty ending if you know what I mean." He said with a malice filled smirk
Then did an oopsie face and said: "Oh, how forgetful of me, even though it's been long ago, she was still your first wife, it's inappropriate. I'm sorry."
Jefferson spoke "Don't be, we separated on good terms. It's just... I think you two won't last."
Lucas stopped smiling at once, seeing no reaction from Jefferson.
"And why you think that?" Lucas asked, he nearly slapped himself after the word left his mouth.
Jefferson smiled gently "You faked being a good friend to her through three years after our divorce. After you faked and acted your way into her mind through months, you managed to become her boyfriend. Then after years, you blackmailed her emotionally into a marriage... you faked too much, you'll eventually screw it all up."
Silent for a little, Lucas laughed, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"You shouldn't shred all pretense with people like this, but since you already did; Seeing you speaking out of resentment and jealousy for me, is the best reward I got today, even better than my promotion."
The elevator door opened. Jefferson walked out. As the door was closing, he felt and impulse and acted. He looked back at Lucas and said with a smile.
"I really admire you, I wouldn't be able to get it up, knowing my woman pictures her ex-husband on her mind while doing it with me."
"W-What!? She doesn-"
*Plim* The door closed.
Jefferson's smile faded. He respects Sarah, they were still good friends. But his mouth acted before his head did, and he used her to something so childish. Grief crawled on his chest, his eyes went even darker.