The two parties had a safe distance between them. Each group to their own conversation. Neither making an effort to smile or be polite. This was a game that they were both determined on winning. But there could only be one winner.
Collins didn't like this one bit. Ever since Diane came back a week ago from "her three month family trip". To add insult to injury after extending their trip, he had called, texted, left countless of voicemails, emails and even letters hoping that she will see or listen to reason. But it was futile. He was really hoping that they could forgo this useless mediator meeting, ditch their lawyers and just reason it out like parents. But here they were.
"Don't worry son. Everything is going to be okay" his father clapped a hand on his shoulder. But inside he was praying that Eric better have something planned or there would be hell to pay.
"Your father is right" his mother agreed standing beside him.
"See it is even starting to look up. Our lawyer is here" trying to bring hope.
His mother was right. This was the cavalry he needed to win this war. "Mr. Kathadoris" shaking his hand. His demeanor momentarily uplifted. This was a very decisive plan. It seemed his investigators were not as useless as he thought.
"Mr. Dwight" responding. Then proceeded to shake hands with the rest of the present party. "So how is everything going on over here?" he questioned jovially looking towards the other side. The enemy's side.
Putting his hands in his pockets he glanced toward the other directions "As well as it can"
"I see" he replied. "Well, rest assured that I will do anything in my power to make sure that everything runs smoothly" he assured his client. He was already jumping up and down in excitement. This is going to be a very interesting case indeed.
This was the final minutes to what was surely going to be and will be the greatest game ever played.
"Well if you don't mind I think I will go say hi to my counterparts" giving them a small smirk and turning on his heel.
'So that is their plan' Nina thought to herself. She was nodding her head slowly in understanding. She looked to Jude, who was already giving her the same look of slight apprehension. This was going to be a fierce battle.
"Jude, Nina" Kathadoris greeted with a smile.
"Arnold" Nina replied in greeting as Jude nodded his head.
"And this must be the beautiful Ms. Reyes" offering his hand to Diane, who accepted it.
"A pleasure" she said shaking his hand.
"Likewise" gently retrieving her hand. This man was charming. Way too charming.
"Well it seems that we are up against each other eh? Just like old times" giving them a boyish grin. He was going off his rockers with this.
"It would seems so" with slight derision. This was not a coincidence, even a child could see that. "Tell me, did Collins hired you or did you come on your own volition?" Nina asked, suspicion and disdain in her voice. She didn't even know why she was even asking. It wouldn't be beneath Arnold Kathadoris to offer to take this case, for egoist reasons. This was just a game him.
"Come on Nina. You should know better than that. Keep them guessing. I thought I trained you better than that" he laughed.
"Maybe you trained her too well" Jude rebuffed.
"But I didn't teach you everything" he concluded.
"Yes and that is why I, no we are so much better than you"
Nina smiled sweetly. Jude chuckled at that.
"So true" Jude concurred.
"We shall see won't we" bouncing on his feet then with a smile he turned his back after giving a polite back. "Just like old times, eh?" he called over his shoulder.
"Somebody want to explain what that was?" Diane asked feeling a little uneasy. This guy was too confident, too much for her own concern. The guy seemed to enjoy getting under the skin of Jude and Nina.
"Don't worry about it" Jude assured her with a smile.
"Really? Because that guy seemed to enjoy getting under your skin and from what I can see it was working"
Nina patted her arm comfortingly "Don't worry about it"
"Really?" she wanted to know all her options. And fast.
"Diane, trust me you have anything to worry about. If anything at all, we have an advantage" Jude reassured.
"And what would that be?" she tried smiling. She had faith in Jude and Nina.
"One, because we are great lawyers. Exemplary in all our work. You should know that?" Jude joked.
Diane laughed at that. Nina glanced to the opposing side, her lips curling into smile when she saw curiosity and confusion on the faces of her opponents. Perfect. Keep them guessing and act like they have nothing to prove.
"And second?" catching her breath.
"And second, we know the work of Arnold Kathadoris" smiling a little.
"I have a feeling that he has exemplary work"
"Yes. And being an ass" Nina muttered under her breath.
Diane smiled. She was no fool or naïve. She knew that Collins wouldn't go down swinging. He would come at her with everything he had. Money was no problem. Power was in his grasp. The only thing she had been praying for was that her kids don't get dragged in this. Everyone was left to their thoughts.
"Diane. Diane? Diane" Nina called.
"Hmm? Sorry I was thinking about something"
"Understandable. The mediator is here" nodding her head over to where an aging bald man stood.
"Well, let us get this show on the road" in a cheerful voice.
Together they walked into the room where everyone was already seated. Coffee and tea and juice to the side. They were going to be here for a while.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen" the mediator began. "I am Ms. Camilla Soraya"
Jude took a good look at her. The way she carried herself. Her dressing, the voice indication and the dilation of her pupils as she looked over everyone in the room. She was trouble. They might as well through in the towel. This mediation was moot.
Nothing good was going to come out of this.
Grabbing a pen and a paper he wrote on it and slid it to Nina.
Nina took one look at it and her and her whole posture
changed. This was going to be moot.
"Should there be introductions?" Camille asked in a sweet
voIce.
Everyone just stared at her. "Well why don't we get into it" opening up her files.
"Who wants to start?"
Everyone kept silent. No one wanted to make the first move.
"Okay I will start" Arnold swinging in his chair. "We are willing to share custody with the mother"
Nina was taking the lead from Jude. Jude was remaining silent and so was she. Jude politely nodded his head for him to continue.
"We are also willing to offer a monthly custody payment of $250,000" Arnold continued.
Jude just kept silent.
"Ms. Reyes, what do you have to say about that?" Camilla asked.
'Nothing. So there is no evidence in my trial for at least manslaughter' Diane fumed. Her blood was boiling. What was it with these people thinking that they could buy her with money? Money didn't help her then, and it wouldn't help her now. Why couldn't they take a hint?
But keeping a serious smile on her face "Sorry, I am still processing what Mr. Kathadoris just said"
'Spot on' Jude cheered. Diane couldn't afford to give the wrong idea. Notes were being taken and no doubt would be given to the judge.
"I see. But Ms. Reyes, you have to understand that we must come to a conclusion" in a firm voice.
'Okay. She is trouble' Nina scowled inwardly.
"Also, we request that their birth certificate be changed to acknowledge Collins Dwight as their father and them taking his last name" Arnold continued.
This guy could not be serious.
"You have to understand that my client is trying to come to grips about what is in the best interest of the children"
"And a child will benefit from two parents" Arnold added.
"That is quite a statement to make. Are you saying that children of single parents have a disadvantage?" Nina questioned.
"That is not what I am saying. I am saying that we have the duty to give children an advantage or head start I should say" flourishing his intonation.
"I have to agree Mr. Kathadoris" Camilla agreed.
"You will have to understand why we will be reluctant with that, don't you?" Nina asked.
"I don't see why"
"Well, for one thing he is not the father. Legally" Nina continued as Jude was still remaining quiet.
"Legally" Arnold scoffed. "Come on, let us put legalities with children"
"I don't think we can" Nina drawled.
"Come on. Part of parenting is emotions"
"Really? So what emotion was your client exhibiting when he signed over his rights?" giving him some attitude.
There was momentary silence.
"Was it contempt, fear, stupidity, recklessness?" Nina continued.
"Let us keep the insults off the table" Camilla demanded gently. Her re-action was not missed on Jude who was just intently looking at her.
"Yes lets" Arnold said in a perky voice. "As I was saying, we really think it is in the best interest of the boys to have a father in their lives"
"They do have a father, and his name is George Sinclair" Nina countered. Collins face contorted with anger.
"Sorry. I mean their biological father. Not a man who is just a stand-in and a stage actor" Arnold countered much to the amusement of Collins.
Her ears perked up "Stand-in?" Diane questioned in a quiet deadly voice.
She glared at Arnold. "You are referring to the man who has been there for nearly a decade of their lives a stand-in? The man who has raised them, taught them right from wrong, looked after them, bought food and clothes for them, helped them with their homework, a stand in?" in a calm deadly voice.
"Mr. Kathadoris, revise your terms of a father because it seems you are arrogant and ignorant on the matter"
"Why don't we all take a breather" Camilla intervened. "Now why don't we reach a compromise, hmm? The boys can still have Mr. Sinclair as their legal father. And perhaps they can be introduced to Mr. Dwight?"
"As what?" Collins demanded.
"For simplicity reasons how about a family friend?" Camilla suggested. Seeing the rage in Collins eyes quickly added "Only until they are older and they can understand the matter better."