But when greeting us, your eyes and your voice were hard and cold"
"That is ridiculous!"
"I agree. Jude really?" Arnold coming into the equation.
"No it is not. Your phone has vibrated four times since this meeting began. Two were call and one text from mother. All of which you ignored. But when another text from 'daddy' came you hastily excused yourself to reply. Notice how very different you label them; mother and daddy. Now mother is more cold, professional and distant, but daddy is a more affectionate term. Proving that you have issues with your mother but on good terms with daddy. Some childhood family fight, perhaps?" giving her a broad smile.
She looked at him gaping.
"My guess is, your mother kept you away from your dad in some way and from then on you have been on a power trip
against all single mothers. You introduced yourself as Camilla Anne-Marie Soraya. But I've googled the name four years ago and you used to be Camilla Anne-Marie Johnson. You have never been married and so my guess is you recently reconciled with your father and assumed his name. Odd." Tapping his fingers on the table.
"That is preposterous. Even if what you say is true then shouldn't I be on the side of single mothers" rage apparent in her eyes.
"I doubt it. But maybe I am wrong, but I think it is worth looking into. Into all your cases. All the 59 cases you have sat between divorce parents. From my brief research on you, there seems to be a rhythm in all your cases, no equality then it goes to court. With vour recommendation. Like you. I have a masters in human psychology. And if I may say so myself, I am damn well good in it." Giving her a challenging look.
"This meeting is over" Camilla said after a pause.
"Hopefully your mediation for families. Expect an investigation sometime in the near future"
Camilla was silent. Jude was good she would give him that.
Too good. Things were not looking in her favor. Gathering her stuff she quickly walked out the room.
"Well played Jude" Arnold praised. His voice was filled with admiration.
"Thank you" nodding his head. "But to be honest Ms. Soraya did all the work herself"
"Of course. You know what, let us cut the bull and talk plainly."
"What is the use?" Nina said exasperatedly. "Even a mediator couldn't get us to see reason"
"On the contrary, I think we might. No one wants to see this play out in court"
"No. But I don't think that we have a way to resolve this problem"
"Is that your final stance?" questioning her.
"Yes"
"Very well. See you in court Mrs. Miss Reyes." He finished.
"Hopefully you will get to see your children on special occasions" he added under his breath.
Diane's eyes flared. Nina cleared her voice. "Would you like to clarify?"
He thought about it for a moment "No"
"No?"
"No. We are giving you an offer right now Disillusion the contract and this does not have to go to court. Because trust me this is one case you. won't win"
"Is that a threat?" Nina demanded.
"Take it as a fair warning" he quipped back.
"Okay let us say that we disillusion the contract. Where does that leave us?"
"With a good chance that you will be able to have some rights to the boys" James the second taunted her. Collins grinned at this.
"I see" Nina said thoughtfully. But Diane was ready to climb over the table and slap that man silly and wipe that stupid smirk off Collins face.
Nina paused to look at him. "Well you can understand why we will not be very interested in that option" Nina continued in a slow calm manner.
"Alright then. It seems we have come to an impasse"
"It would seems so" closing his folders and files and standing up. "See you in court"
"Calling my bluff?" Arnold chuckled.
"No. I can assure you that I am not" she quipped back.
"Well my client is taking this to court"
Nina raised her hands in surrender.
"Well, nobody said raising kids was ever easy" Arnold chuckled.
"No" Nina agreed. "This meeting is over. I trust that we will see you soon"
"Yes. Bright and early" Arnold replied giving Nina a loving look.
"Lady and Gentlemen" he greeted. Turning to Diane and Jude
"Shall we?"
Diane couldn't flee the room fast enough. She could not stand to be in those peoples presence for another second. With series of turns and a flight down the stairs, they got into their awaiting car. They sat in silence each to their own thoughts.
Then Diane had to say something;
"I did not like the look on their faces"
Honesty was perhaps the best policy with Diane. She was aware of how these things worked and it wouldn't fool Diane to give her false promises and assurances. She wouldn't put anything past Arnold. The man needed to win like he needed oxygen to breath "Me neither"
"They have something" Diane continued looking out the window.
"It can't be anything that big" Jude added.
"Cmon. They're risking taking this to open court. It has to be SOMETHING"
"Guess we'll find out. In the meantime, we sho get a close court and a ball gag" Nina stated whilst making some calls.
*************************************************
"I am home" Diane called kicking off her shoes.
"We are in the kitchen" she heard Mario call out.
Heading to the kitchen she was met with a full factory of workers.
"What is going on here?" she laughed swinging Fifa up in her arms and showering her with kisses.
"We are making dinner" David explained giving her a kiss.
"Really? Why?" walking to the counter.
"Because we can" George stated puffing up his chest. And leaning up he gave her a kiss on the cheek and tickle Fifa.
"I see. So how is it going?" Giving Mario a kiss.
"Pretty well"
"So I don't have to call the Health Services" she joked.
"No" three male voices said with indignation.
"Okay. Okay. I am sorry. Forgive me" smiling. "Well, I am going to get out of this suit and come down to this delightful dinner.
By the way where is my mom?"
"Downstairs getting some spice"
"Okay" setting Fifa down. Fifa giggled and demanded that Mario pick her up. He obliged and swung her to the counter where she started grabbing the peas and throwing it at him.
"Boys please watch your sister" it took her a minute before she realized what she just said. It just seemed so natural. Fifa was Mario and David's sister.
"We will" they called.
"Boys I will be right back" George called throwing the napkin down and catching up to Diane. "So Jude has brought me up to speed"
"I assumed so" she sighed.
"Come on Di. Everything is going to be perfect. The court will have to see a mothers love"
"Plus you are their dad"
"Yeah. I talked with Jude. Collins would have to go through you first. Then me. By the time the case will be all but useless" in an encouraging tone.
"I hope so" tiredly. It had been a draining day.
"Everything is going to be fine. Collins should know that he doesn't stand a chance. He has to go through the contract, then a custody battle with the mother and then with me. And I promise you that there is no way that I am giving up my rights" he swore.
She looked at him in awe. She was so loving this support and protective side of George.
"You know what, enough about me. I take it that the custody hearing went well" fingers crossed.
"Yup. Got permanent custody and I already started the process for you to be recognized as her guardian and then adoption"
She squealed "I am so happy" giving him a tight hug.
"I know. Now. Go and take a soothing bath, dinner will be ready in an hour. Two. Or three. Or whenever the pizza arrives" giving her a kiss on the forehead.
She laughed and bounded up the stairs.
George saw her turn the corner and then headed back downstairs. To his kids. His kids. Not Collins, his. His and only his. And Collins will soon find out that George Sinclair never shared or gave up on what was his. Collins wanted a fight.
Then he had some words for him.
Game on.
Bitch.