"No. I want them to know that I am their father as soon as possible. Now in fact" he stated his voice cold as steel.
"Mr. Dwight I think this might be too much for the kids to handle" Camilla interjected.
"I agree. How should two ten year old boys understand that their father wanted nothing to do with them and went as far as sign a legal document?" Nina questioned.
"That brings me to a question. Mr. Dwight, supposing that we were to dilution the contract and that is a big if. Will you tell them about how you rejected them and denied them?" Diane said in a serious voice.
Collins looked taken aback. He didn't know how to answer.
Taking a breath "I don't think that they need to know that just yet. Maybe when they get older" pleading with Diane with his eyes. He didn't know what will happen if the boys found out.
"I agree" nodding her head in affirmation.
"You do?" skepticism in her voice.
"Yes. You can explain it to them when they are older" she said with the same serious expression.
His mother scowled at her. But Diane paid it no mind.
"How would you think that my sons feel? Having no father.
When the truth does come out, how much rage would they have built? That you their mother has built into their minds?"
"I can understand" Camilla agreed with him. She looked sharply at Diane waiting for her to respond.
Nina took charge of the situation "Suppose, we do grant Mr. Dwight access to the children. And that is a very big possibility, there will be have to be certain rules put in place"
Diane knew what Nina was doing. They had been over this.
She was trying to offer them a bone.
"What kind of certain rules?" literally air quoting 'certain rules'
He had to precede cautiously.
"Just a few. Such as supervised visitations, consent from both the parents concerning any decision. And at no point will you under any circumstances reveal any biological link with them"
"Just few huh?" twirling a pen with his fingers.
"Yes. Oh I almost forgot. The contract will not be annulled"
"What?!" Collins dad raged. His son was not far behind him.
"She can't be serious" his wife agreed.
"But we are. And I think gratitude must be in order. We are granting you access" giving her a brilliant smile.
"Gratitude?!"
"You mean I have to ask... that man for permission to see my Own sons?!"
"Yes. Explicit. He is their father and dad now" Nina said with a cool smile. Now there was rage and ire in the air.
"Deep breath people. Let us take a step back and reexamine the situation. Ms. Reyes what do you think?"
"I think my lawyer has made it quite clear" she replied.
"Ms. Reyes perhaps you can take your personal feelings out of this and think what is best for your boys" she tried to keep her voice airy but it came out demanding and arrogant. So typical. A mother using her kids to punish her ex.
Diane was ready to fly at her. What was this woman's problem? It seemed that this woman was out to get her.
"Ms. Soraya is it?" Jude finally spoke for the first time. And when he did everyone turned to look at him.
"Yes. Mr. Ichikiwa" giving him a polite smile.
"You must understand my client's hesitancy to allow a man like Mr. Dwight into the lives of her children. Some children are blessed with both parents. Some are not. Some can never match up to their mothers' expectation. Or their fathers" looking directly at her.
Camilla's eyes widened in shock. She tried to brush it off. But there was no use. Jude had struck a chord with her. He knew it and she knew it.
"But not all of us can understand that" he continued.
"Is there a point?" Arnold jumped in. He didn't know what Jude had planned but it wasn't good. Jude was a crafty man.
A crafty brilliant lawyer.
"No just an observation" he mused.
And so the meeting drawled on for a good more time. No one agreeing with anything. Jude remained quiet throughout the whole talk process. But he finally spoke up. "With that said, we are calling this meeting to an end"
"Excuse me?" Arnold asked.
"Can he do that?" Collins demanded. He didn't want this to end without some sort of agreement. He couldn't spend another day without his kids.
"Mr. Ichikiwa you seem to be in a hurry to end this meeting.
Why?" Camilla asked sweetly though it was clear she had an ulterior motive. She had to know and as everyone spoke she kept writing into her book.
"Because there is no point" he sighed mockingly.
"Very well. Just as a reminder I will be passing my notes and review to the judge" she said in a triumphant voice scribbling a couple more words on the pad.
"Do that. But I can promise you that I will have it thrown out." closing up his folders. "Well, thank you lady and gentlemen.
Oh and Ms. Soraya good luck on your new job"
"Excuse me?" confusing not just her but mostly everyone in the room.
"Your new job" he repeated, not looking up at her.
"My new job?" repeating the question and snorting. Was this guy for real? This was the best that the infamous Mr. Ichikiwa could come up with? What a joke?
"Yes" not looking up from his phone. Typing the last sentence he now looked at her "The new one that the court will assign you once they get my report on you. I just sent it to the State Attorney and the Legal Bar"
"You did what?" she screeched. Perhaps she had underestimated him.
"Yes. I must ask Ms. Soraya how was your childhood?" in an airy voice.
"Jude what is the meaning of this?" Arnold cut in He didn't know what Jude was up to and he didn't like it. He had trained this young boy but the student was challenging the master.
"I think Jude is merely trying to get the best out of the situation" Nina drawled. Arnold slightly glared at her.
"Thank you Nina. I ask again Ms. Soraya how was childhood?"
"What does it matter? How does that have anything to do with what we are talking about?" in a very defensive voice.
"It matters because it might shed light with why you are intentionally sabotaging this meeting."
"How dare you?"
"Ms. Soraya I have been doing this for a long time. A very long time. Iwas 21 when I passed my bar."
"Do you expect me to applaud?" trying to keep her cool.
"That would be nice. But it means that before you think of sabotaging my client know that I know your deal the minute you walked in. And before you ask, you Ms. Soraya are compromised and biased in your dealings and are not fit to be a mediator in family matters. Or any matters at all that involve opposite sexes"
"What proof do you have? Wait. Why am I even asking? This is ridiculous. Iam not going to debate this with you" packing up her stuff.
"Really? Your whole character seems to scream father issues.
Your walk. Your slight admiration and dilation of your pupils when Mr. Dwight speaks. You walked into this room and immediately you nodded to the opposition party.