George rushed up to Diane "Diane you okay?" laying a hand on her shoulder.
"She just messed up my life again" she laughed mockingly.
Again her mother just screwed her over. Again. This had to stop.
"Diane, we don't know the full story. They could be making up. They could be playing dirty" George cautioned.
"No. They are not. I know my mother." Getting enraged.
"Diane I have to agree with George. Let us find out the truth"
Nina soothed.
"Yeah sweetie. This could just be some messed up game"
Athena answered.
"I need some water. George could you please get the car and I will meet you outside?"
"Of course. You sure you okay?"
"Yes. I just need some water. I am a little parched. I will meet you out in a few smiling a little.
"Okay. Take it easy. I will see you soon" pulling her in for a comforting kiss on the forehead. He left with Athena.
Grabbing her bag she was just about to leave when Nina pulled her closer "Don't let them know that they have gotten to you. Be strong" she encouraged.
She nodded her head and walked out the room to find a vending machine and ignoring everyone else.
"She gonna be okay?" Jude asked her in concern, as he packed up his briefcase.
"She should expect things like this. This is just the beginning" sighing a little.
"Yes. But this cuts home" giving her a look.
"I know. This has not even began and I am already getting a headache" she groaned.
"Ready to concede defeat so soon?" a booming voice came from beside them. It was Kathadoris.
"Not so fast" Jude laughed. "Though I must admit that you are losing your touch. You're not thinking of retiring any time soon...are you?"
"Of course not" he chuckled. "I enjoy the game too much. But if you don't mind me saying you are slacking Nina. I expected more from you" in a disappointed voice.
"I am just getting started. But nice curve ball. Though it was quite low. Even for you"
He shrugged his shoulders "That is the nature of the game With all due respect, Nina, sometimes I don't think you have the balls for this job."
"Perhaps not" locking her briefcase, before walking away with Jude she turned to Kathadoris
"The advantage is, I don't have to think with them all the time."
Diane was just about to take the bottle from the vending dispenser when someone beat her to it. She was ready to snap at the figure till she saw who it was.
"I just purchased that Mr. Dwight" in a cool tone.
"Hmm. I suddenly happen to be thirsty" looking her over. She was looking gorgeous. This woman was stunning there was no doubt.
"I always wondered what would happen when I saw you again" breaking the silence.
"Me in the gutter begging for alms no doubt" daring her to contradict her.
He just chuckled nervously confirming her suspicion. They thought she wouldn't make it. That she will turn into a crackhead.
"We were wrong about you" looking her dead in the eyes.
Acknowledging her for the first time.
"Well, I should be on my way. Keep the water" attempting to leave but he stopped her.
"What happened to us?"
She looked at him incredulously. Did he really just ask her that? What was this man smoking?
But he ignored her look and continued "Is this what we really want? To be fighting in court?"
"It is what it is" in a simple voice. "That is what life handed us based on our decisions" in a tight voice.
There was a pause.
"I loved you once"
"And you killed me once" she snapped back. "What is your point?"
"Tell me. Do you remember our time together? When we made each other laugh. Why can't we go back? We have made mistakes. Let us end them"
"Never"
"You said the same thing 12 years ago. You were playing hard to get then too. And now we have two boys." Raising his eyebrow.
She laughed wryly. "I will admit I did think I "loved" you once.
But I didn't understand love. But whatever we shared, whatever you want to call it, has turned to hate"
His jaw tightened at this "As far as I am concerned, hate and love are opposite sides of the same sensual coin. Call 'your wedding' off with George. Let us create a home with our kids." He almost pleaded.
"I can give you the world." He promised.
"Sometimes the world is not enough"
"Is that what poor people say?" he scoffed.
"No that is what people like you say. You have the world at your feet. Wealth and respect and fame but it is not enough is it?" she questioned with no emotion in her voice. She was just stating a fact and his changed to slits.
She smiled and shook her head "But no. No Collins. I want no part of you or the constant feeling of humiliation and submission that you and your family are sure to bring. George is their father and their dad. Our story ended 12 years ago. It ended before we even begun our relationship."
"Well, line has been drawn in the sand. And like what happened in there all is fair in love and war" handing her back the bottle. "Good luck. Maybe you will get visit your boys on the major holidays"
She took the bottle from his outstretched hand and turning she walked away from him. Fuming at the last sentence.
Squeezing the bottle, she threw it in the nearest trash bin. And made her way out of the court house to the waiting car of George. Slamming the door she fastened her seat belt and looked straight ahead, speaking in a deadly voice that held no room for discussion or argument.
"Take me home right now"
Sighing he drove them home. Diane was irate. This was not good. She had never looked this mad before. Hopefully, she would calm down before they reached home. As soon as the car came to a halt, she flung the door and stomped up the stairs. Throwing the doors she already heard voices coming from the living room. Plastering a smile on her face she calmly walked to where the kids were playing. It was just Fifa and Mario coloring. No Juan in sight.
"Hello" she called.
"Hey mom"
"Mama!" Fifa screamed running to hug her. She laughed, swinging her up and placing peppery kisses on her cheeks.
"How are you sweetie? How did your day go?" Esther asked choosing her words carefully because of the presence of Mario and Fifa.
Her rage felt like fire scorching her chest. She breathed in and out to calm herself. No, she couldn't blow up in front of her kids. The best thing for her to do was to ignore her and keep silent. Until, the kids were out of sight.
"Where is your brother?" she asked the kids instead.
"Downstairs setting up a movie" Mario answered. "I am distractino Fifa. She keens on messins with the controls" he whined.
She just laughed. What goes around comes around.
"Hungry?" her mother called. She didn't know why her daughter was so angry. Maybe the trial was terrible. But her anger it seemed was directed at her. And solely her.
She again ignored her.
Hearing George coming from behind her, she turned to him with a smile that was not lost by Esther.
"Look who it is? It is papa. It's papa" she cooed to Fifa.
"Hi" kissing Fifa.
"Hi Esther" George greeted with a smile. He felt like apologizing to Esther for impending war. But this was between mother and daughter. The only thing he could do was get the kids out of hearing range. And he had to do it fast.
Diane was about to blow if Esther kept on speaking.
"You know, let us go and find Juan. Hmm? We can watch a movie. Hmm?" picking up Mario and swinging him around the room and was awarded shrieks of delight.
"Okay. Okay!" he laughed. "Mom? Abuela you two coming?"
He intervened. "Your mom and grandma have something important to talk about. So it will be just the fun people" he teased.
Esther knew that something was wrong. George was trying tc get the children away. And he kept on sending sympathetic and apologetic glances her way.
"Okay"
George took Fifa from Diane's arms and led the kids away.
Diane watched them leave. And once they were in the basement and the door shut firmly did she finally turn to her mother. Esther had to take a step back because of the fire blazing in her eyes.
"When are you going to stop destroying my life?!" her voice full of venom.